Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Giants: 2015 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-20, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 24–20 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 16 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +18.45 total EPA, and -1.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +18.45 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+21.7% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (1:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.

1. 1 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +18.45 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
2. 2 O.Beckham Jr. · New York Giants · Receiving · +12.54 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +9.94 total EPA · 46 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
4. 4 L. Hankerson · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.50 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.44 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.50 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Tamme · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +5.72 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
7. 7 S. Vereen · New York Giants · Receiving · +3.67 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
8. 8 L. Donnell · New York Giants · Receiving · +2.27 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play

Player of the game

FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

• Atlanta Falcons — T. Coleman (Q1 45:42)
• New York Giants — O. Beckham (E. Manning pass) (Q2 33:34)
• New York Giants — L. Donnell (E. Manning pass) (Q3 26:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — L. Hankerson (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 12:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Q4 1:20)

Field goals

• New York Giants — J. Brown (Q2 40:36)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 34:50)
• New York Giants — J. Brown (Q2 30:07)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYG 1 (Q1 45:42) — (:42) 26-T.Coleman left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYG 20 (Q1 45:34) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: New York Giants won the period 13–3. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ATL 20 (Q2 40:36) — (10:36) 3-J.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYG 24 (Q2 34:50) — (4:50) 3-M.Bryant 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ATL 67 (Q2 33:34) — (3:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 33:19) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ATL 26 (Q2 30:07) — (:07) 3-J.Brown 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The third quarter: New York Giants won the period 7–0. New York Giants found the end zone from the ATL 10 (Q3 26:00); New York Giants added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 25:53) — 3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYG 10 (Q4 12:46) — (12:46) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 85-L.Hankerson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q4 12:39) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYG 2 (Q4 1:20); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q4 1:14) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep [WPA +21.7% · EPA +3.27]
• New York Giants (Q2 33:34) — (3:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.5% · EPA +5.45]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:01) — (2:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 85-L.Hankerson to NYG 38 for 17 yards (21-L.Collins). [WPA +15.5% · EPA +1.50]
• New York Giants (Q4 0:44) — (:44) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete deep left to 15-P.Parker (52-J.Durant). [WPA -13.8% · EPA -1.25]
• New York Giants (Q4 1:09) — (1:09) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete deep left to 13-O.Beckham Jr.. PENALTY on ATL-23-R.Alford, Defensive Pass Interference, 30 yards, enforced at NYG 20 - No Play. [WPA +10.2% · EPA +1.11]

Impact plays

Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.

• New York Giants (Q2 33:34) — (3:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +17.5% · EPA +5.45]
• New York Giants (Q3 19:27) — (4:27) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning sacked at ATL 11 for -3 yards (71-K.Biermann). FUMBLES (71-K.Biermann) [71-K.Biermann], RECOVERED by ATL-96-P.Soliai at ATL 9. 96-P.Soliai to ATL 9 for no gain [WPA -4.8% · EPA -4.42]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:53) — (1:53) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was REVERSED. (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep [WPA +21.7% · EPA +3.27]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:46) — (12:46) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 85-L.Hankerson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +2.1% · EPA +3.18]

Quarterback report card

M.Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 49 dropbacks · 61.2% completion · -1.3% CPOE · +0.38 EPA/play · +18.45 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 46 dropbacks · 58.7% completion · +3.1% CPOE · +0.22 EPA/play · +9.94 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.15 vs +0.08), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +13.50 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 10 drives, +7.19 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Atlanta Falcons leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• E. Manning (NYG) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 45:42 · NYG 1 · Score 6-0
   (:42) 26-T.Coleman left end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 45:34 · NYG 20 · Score 7-0
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 40:36 · ATL 20 · Score 7-3
   (10:36) 3-J.Brown 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.
4. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 34:50 · NYG 24 · Score 10-3
   (4:50) 3-M.Bryant 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
5. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q2 33:34 · ATL 67 · Score 10-9
   (3:34) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham Jr. for 67 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q2 33:19 · ATL 15 · Score 10-10
   3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.
7. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 30:07 · ATL 26 · Score 10-13
   (:07) 3-J.Brown 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.
8. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q3 26:00 · ATL 10 · Score 10-19
   (11:00) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass short middle to 84-L.Donnell for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Penalty on ATL-71-K.Biermann, Illegal Use of Hands, decline
9. New York Giants XP (+1) — Q3 25:53 · ATL 15 · Score 10-20
   3-J.Brown extra point is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-B.Wing.
10. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:46 · NYG 10 · Score 16-20
    (12:46) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 85-L.Hankerson for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 12:39 · NYG 15 · Score 17-20
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 1:20 · NYG 2 · Score 23-20
    (1:20) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on th
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 1:14 · NYG 15 · Score 24-20
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.