Game story
In Week 15 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-12-20, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 10–7 final that came down to the wire.
The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 10 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +0.95 total EPA, and -12.6% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, B. Edwards (New York Jets) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +5.76 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+26.2% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q4 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| New York Jets | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 B. Edwards · New York Jets · Receiving · +5.76 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.82 EPA/play
- 2 J. Norwood · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +2.25 EPA/play
- 3 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.53 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.25 EPA/play
- 4 M. Sanchez · New York Jets · Rushing · +2.27 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.27 EPA/play
- 5 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +0.95 total EPA · 36 snaps · +0.03 EPA/play
- 6 B. Smith · New York Jets · Rushing · +0.95 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.95 EPA/play
- 7 J. Cotchery · New York Jets · Receiving · +0.65 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.09 EPA/play
- 8 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +0.60 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
B. Edwards — NYJ · Receiving
B. Edwards posted the highest total EPA (+5.76) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on New York Jets's efficiency. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.82 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.17 EPA) came from New York Jets: (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- New York Jets — B. Edwards (M. Sanchez pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass)
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: New York Jets won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYJ 6 (Q1 52:39) — (7:39) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; New York Jets found the end zone from the ATL 65 (Q1 47:57) — (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 47:48) — 3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-11-K.Clemens..
The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYJ 6 (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYJ 2 (Q4 1:38) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:15) — (2:15) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White pushed ob at NYJ 42 for 16 yards (27-D.Strickland). PENALTY on NYJ-27-D.Strickland, Face Mask (15 Yards), 15 yards, enforced at NYJ 42.
- New York Jets (Q4 1:13) — (1:13) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep left intended for 17-B.Edwards INTERCEPTED by 20-B.Grimes at NYJ 43. 20-B.Grimes to NYJ 42 for 1 yard (17-B.Edwards).
- New York Jets (Q1 47:57) — (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 11:51) — (11:51) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 32-J.Norwood to NYJ 30 for 38 yards (27-D.Strickland).
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- New York Jets (Q1 47:57) — (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- New York Jets (Q2 36:40) — (6:40) (Field Goal formation) 11-K.Clemens FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 13, and recovers at ATL 13. 11-K.Clemens to ATL 13 for no gain (20-B.Grimes).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 10:15) — (10:15) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Left, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
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) · 36 dropbacks · 44.4% completion · -12.6% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.95 total EPA
- M.Sanchez (New York Jets) · 35 dropbacks · 51.4% completion · -3.5% CPOE · -0.18 EPA/play · -6.29 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | New York Jets |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.166 | -0.230 |
| Offensive success rate | 30.0% | 35.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.026 | -0.180 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.166 | -0.251 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.230 | +0.166 |
| Defensive success rate | 64.2% | 70.0% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.17 vs -0.23), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -13.32 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
- New York Jets: 12 drives, -18.60 total EPA, 1 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.
- B. Edwards (New York Jets) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- M. Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- M. Sanchez (NYJ) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 52:39 · NYJ 6 · Score 3-0
(7:39) 3-M.Bryant 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 47:57 · ATL 65 · Score 3-6
(2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 47:48 · ATL 2 · Score 3-7
3-J.Feely extra point is GOOD, Center-85-J.Dearth, Holder-11-K.Clemens. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 1:42 · NYJ 6 · Score 9-7
(1:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 1:38 · NYJ 2 · Score 10-7
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the New York Jets 10-7 in Week 15, 2009 on 2009-12-20.
What was the final score of Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?
The final score was Atlanta Falcons 10, New York Jets 7 (ATL 10-7 NYJ) in Week 15, 2009 on 2009-12-20.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?
Q1: Atlanta Falcons 3, New York Jets 7; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 7, New York Jets 0; Final: Atlanta Falcons 10, New York Jets 7.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?
New York Jets touchdown — B. Edwards (M. Sanchez pass) (Q1 47:57) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 1:42) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 52:39, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 44.4% completion, -12.6% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +0.95 total passing EPA. M. Sanchez (New York Jets), 51.4% completion, -3.5% CPOE, -0.18 EPA per dropback, -6.29 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets?
B. Edwards (New York Jets) led the game in total EPA with +5.76 on receiving plays. across 7 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.17 EPA): (2:57) 6-M.Sanchez pass deep right to 17-B.Edwards for 65 yards, TOUCHDOWN.. The biggest win-probability swing was +26.2%.
Was Atlanta Falcons vs New York Jets a close game?
Yes — the margin was 3 points. Atlanta Falcons won 10-7 in a game that came down to the wire.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 6-7 Now 7-7 W
New York Jets
Entered 7-6 Now 7-7 L
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