Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets: 2017 Week 8 Recap

Game story

In Week 8 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-29, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New York Jets, pulling away with a 25–20 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.

J. McCown (New York Jets) paced the passing game, with +6.81 total EPA, and +15.0% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.55 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+16.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (6:53) 5-M.Bosher punts 53 yards to NYJ 15, Center-47-J.Harris. 14-J.Kerley MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-36-K.Ishmael at NYJ 13. 36-K.Ishmael to NYJ 13 for no gain (16-C.Hansen).

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 · +12.55 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
2. 2 R. Anderson · New York Jets · Receiving · +10.26 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.71 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.77 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.11 EPA/play
4. 4 J. McCown · New York Jets · Passing · +6.81 total EPA · 37 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
5. 5 A. Hooper · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.22 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.54 EPA/play
6. 6 E. Tomlinson · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.34 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.34 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Forte · New York Jets · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
8. 8 Ju. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.11 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.35 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

• New York Jets — E. Tomlinson (J. McCown pass) (Q1 55:38)
• Atlanta Falcons — A. Hooper (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 50:09)
• New York Jets — R. Anderson (J. McCown pass) (Q2 32:31)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Sanu (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 12:31)

Field goals

• New York Jets — C. Catanzaro (Q2 44:07)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 38:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 30:03)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q3 20:16)
• New York Jets — C. Catanzaro (Q4 8:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 5:22)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. New York Jets found the end zone from the ATL 20 (Q1 55:38) — (10:38) 15-J.McCown pass deep right to 83-E.Tomlinson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 55:33) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYJ 1 (Q1 50:09) — (5:09) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 81-A.Hooper for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYJ 15 (Q1 50:03) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: New York Jets won the period 10–6. New York Jets connected on a field goal from the ATL 25 (Q2 44:07) — (14:07) 7-C.Catanzaro 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYJ 5 (Q2 38:09) — (8:09) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New York Jets found the end zone from the ATL 24 (Q2 32:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 15-J.McCown pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 32:26) — 7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYJ 27 (Q2 30:03) — (:03) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYJ 19 (Q3 20:16) — (5:16) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 9–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYJ 8 (Q4 12:31) — (12:31) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Jets connected on a field goal from the ATL 28 (Q4 8:46) — (8:46) 7-C.Catanzaro 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYJ 11 (Q4 5:22) — (5:22) 3-M.Bryant 29 yard field goal 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 6:53) — (6:53) 5-M.Bosher punts 53 yards to NYJ 15, Center-47-J.Harris. 14-J.Kerley MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-36-K.Ishmael at NYJ 13. 36-K.Ishmael to NYJ 13 for no gain (16-C.Hansen). [WPA +16.9% · EPA +5.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 22:16) — (7:16) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 11-Ju.Jones to NYJ 27 for 53 yards (27-D.Roberts). [WPA +15.9% · EPA +3.71]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 12:31) — (12:31) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.7% · EPA +3.11]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 14:17) — (14:17) 26-T.Coleman right tackle pushed ob at NYJ 10 for 52 yards (27-D.Roberts). [WPA +14.3% · EPA +3.51]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 45:17) — (:17) 2-M.Ryan FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 18, RECOVERED by NYJ-33-Ja.Adams at ATL 20. [WPA -12.6% · EPA -4.90]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 6:53) — (6:53) 5-M.Bosher punts 53 yards to NYJ 15, Center-47-J.Harris. 14-J.Kerley MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by ATL-36-K.Ishmael at NYJ 13. 36-K.Ishmael to NYJ 13 for no gain (16-C.Hansen). [WPA +16.9% · EPA +5.69]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 54:47) — (9:47) 2-M.Ryan FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 35, RECOVERED by NYJ-48-J.Jenkins at ATL 34. [WPA -11.7% · EPA -5.18]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 45:17) — (:17) 2-M.Ryan FUMBLES (Aborted) at ATL 18, RECOVERED by NYJ-33-Ja.Adams at ATL 20. [WPA -12.6% · EPA -4.90]
• New York Jets (Q2 32:31) — (2:31) (Shotgun) 15-J.McCown pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.3% · EPA +3.73]

Quarterback report card

J.McCown led all passers in efficiency for New York Jets, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.McCown (New York Jets) · 37 dropbacks · 70.3% completion · +15.0% CPOE · +0.18 EPA/play · +6.81 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 34 dropbacks · 52.9% completion · +8.2% CPOE · +0.37 EPA/play · +12.55 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 (+0.03 vs -0.07), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +2.70 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• New York Jets: 12 drives, -5.97 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.
• J. McCown (NYJ) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• M. Ryan (ATL) 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. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q1 55:38 · ATL 20 · Score 0-6
   (10:38) 15-J.McCown pass deep right to 83-E.Tomlinson for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q1 55:33 · ATL 15 · Score 0-7
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 50:09 · NYJ 1 · Score 6-7
   (5:09) 74-T.Sambrailo reported in as eligible. 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 81-A.Hooper for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 50:03 · NYJ 15 · Score 7-7
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
5. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q2 44:07 · ATL 25 · Score 7-10
   (14:07) 7-C.Catanzaro 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 38:09 · NYJ 5 · Score 10-10
   (8:09) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. New York Jets TD (+6) — Q2 32:31 · ATL 24 · Score 10-16
   (2:31) (Shotgun) 15-J.McCown pass deep right to 11-R.Anderson for 24 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. New York Jets XP (+1) — Q2 32:26 · ATL 15 · Score 10-17
   7-C.Catanzaro extra point is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:03 · NYJ 27 · Score 13-17
   (:03) 3-M.Bryant 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 20:16 · NYJ 19 · Score 16-17
    (5:16) 3-M.Bryant 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 12:31 · NYJ 8 · Score 22-17
    (12:31) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 12-M.Sanu for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Jets FG (+3) — Q4 8:46 · ATL 28 · Score 22-20
    (8:46) 7-C.Catanzaro 46 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-42-T.Hennessy, Holder-4-L.Edwards.
13. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 5:22 · NYJ 11 · Score 25-20
    (5:22) 3-M.Bryant 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.