Game story
In Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-09-06, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 18–12 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 14 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -8.83 total EPA, and -6.5% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Ajayi (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +3.13 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-37.1% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to 11-J.Jones [96-D.Barnett].
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 0 | 3 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 18 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Ajayi · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +3.13 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.20 EPA/play
- 2 T. Coleman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.14 EPA/play
- 3 N. Agholor · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +1.93 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play
- 4 N. Foles · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.93 EPA/play
- 5 N. Agholor · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +1.51 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.51 EPA/play
- 6 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.06 EPA/play
- 7 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.12 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.19 EPA/play
- 8 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.01 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Ajayi — PHI · Rushing
J. Ajayi posted the highest total EPA (+3.13) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Philadelphia Eagles's efficiency. Across 16 counted snaps, they averaged +0.20 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.63 EPA) came from Philadelphia Eagles: (10:45) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Goedert INTERCEPTED by 45-D.Jones (27-D.Kazee) at PHI 47. 45-D.Jones to PHI 27 for 20 yards (26-J.Ajayi).
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Philadelphia Eagles — J. Ajayi
- Atlanta Falcons — T. Coleman
- Philadelphia Eagles — J. Ajayi
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
- Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott
- 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: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 3 (Q1 50:03) — (5:03) 3-M.Bryant 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Overbaugh, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The second quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q2 36:12) — (6:12) 4-J.Elliott 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 34 (Q2 32:13) — (2:13) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Overbaugh, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 19:41) — (4:41) (Shotgun) 26-J.Ajayi left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 19:37) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston..
The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 8–6. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PHI 9 (Q4 9:53) — (9:53) 26-T.Coleman right tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 11 (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 26-J.Ajayi left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles registered a safety from the ATL 2 (Q4 2:19) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-J.Ajayi rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:01) — (:01) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to 11-J.Jones [96-D.Barnett].
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 10:45) — (10:45) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Goedert INTERCEPTED by 45-D.Jones (27-D.Kazee) at PHI 47. 45-D.Jones to PHI 27 for 20 yards (26-J.Ajayi).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:25) — (1:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 11-J.Jones to PHI 22 for 18 yards (21-R.Darby) [56-C.Long].
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:03) — (13:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 32-R.Douglas at PHI 4. 32-R.Douglas ran ob at PHI 4 for no gain.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 15:34) — (:34) 5-M.Bosher punts 38 yards to PHI 32, Center-46-J.Overbaugh. 37-T.Sullivan MUFFS catch, touched at PHI 32, RECOVERED by ATL-36-K.Ishmael at PHI 32. 36-K.Ishmael to PHI 32 for no gain (50-L.Reynol
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 10:45) — (10:45) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Goedert INTERCEPTED by 45-D.Jones (27-D.Kazee) at PHI 47. 45-D.Jones to PHI 27 for 20 yards (26-J.Ajayi).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 15:34) — (:34) 5-M.Bosher punts 38 yards to PHI 32, Center-46-J.Overbaugh. 37-T.Sullivan MUFFS catch, touched at PHI 32, RECOVERED by ATL-36-K.Ishmael at PHI 32. 36-K.Ishmael to PHI 32 for no gain (50-L.Reynol
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:03) — (13:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left intended for 11-J.Jones INTERCEPTED by 32-R.Douglas at PHI 4. 32-R.Douglas ran ob at PHI 4 for no gain.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q1 55:55) — (10:55) 24-D.Freeman left end to PHI 2 for -1 yards (54-K.Grugier-Hill, 58-J.Hicks).
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) · 52 dropbacks · 40.4% completion · -6.5% CPOE · -0.17 EPA/play · -8.83 total EPA
- N.Foles (Philadelphia Eagles) · 41 dropbacks · 46.3% completion · -12.1% CPOE · -0.26 EPA/play · -10.69 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Atlanta Falcons | Philadelphia Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.103 | -0.055 |
| Offensive success rate | 35.6% | 43.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | -0.170 | -0.208 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.325 | +0.121 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.055 | +0.103 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.8% | 64.4% |
By the numbers
Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Atlanta Falcons -0.10, Philadelphia Eagles -0.06) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.
- Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -9.00 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Philadelphia Eagles: 11 drives, -4.83 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Philadelphia Eagles 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.
- J. Ajayi (Philadelphia Eagles) 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.
- N. Foles (PHI) 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 50:03 · PHI 3 · Score 3-0
(5:03) 3-M.Bryant 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Overbaugh, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 36:12 · ATL 8 · Score 3-3
(6:12) 4-J.Elliott 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston. - Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 32:13 · PHI 34 · Score 6-3
(2:13) 3-M.Bryant 52 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Overbaugh, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 19:41 · ATL 1 · Score 6-9
(4:41) (Shotgun) 26-J.Ajayi left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 19:37 · ATL 15 · Score 6-10
4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-1-C.Johnston. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 9:53 · PHI 9 · Score 12-10
(9:53) 26-T.Coleman right tackle for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 2:25 · ATL 11 · Score 12-16
(2:25) 26-J.Ajayi left end for 11 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Philadelphia Eagles Safety (+2) — Q4 2:19 · ATL 2 · Score 12-18
TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-J.Ajayi rushes right end. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles?
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Atlanta Falcons 18-12 in Week 1, 2018 on 2018-09-06.
What was the final score of Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles?
The final score was Atlanta Falcons 12, Philadelphia Eagles 18 (ATL 12-18 PHI) in Week 1, 2018 on 2018-09-06.
What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles?
Q1: Atlanta Falcons 3, Philadelphia Eagles 0; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 3, Philadelphia Eagles 3; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 0, Philadelphia Eagles 7; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 6, Philadelphia Eagles 8; Final: Atlanta Falcons 12, Philadelphia Eagles 18.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles?
Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — J. Ajayi (Q3 19:41) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Coleman (Q4 9:53) Philadelphia Eagles touchdown — J. Ajayi (Q4 2:25) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 50:03, 3 pts) Philadelphia Eagles field goal — J. Elliott (Q2 36:12, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 32:13, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles?
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 40.4% completion, -6.5% CPOE, -0.17 EPA per dropback, -8.83 total passing EPA. N. Foles (Philadelphia Eagles), 46.3% completion, -12.1% CPOE, -0.26 EPA per dropback, -10.69 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles?
J. Ajayi (Philadelphia Eagles) led the game in total EPA with +3.13 on rushing plays. across 16 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.63 EPA): (10:45) (Shotgun) 9-N.Foles pass deep middle intended for 88-D.Goedert INTERCEPTED by 45-D.Jones (27-D.Kazee) at PHI 47. 45-D.Jones to PHI 27 for 20 yards (26-J.Ajayi).. The biggest win-probability swing was -37.1%.
Was Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Philadelphia Eagles won 18-12 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Atlanta Falcons
Now 0-1 L
Philadelphia Eagles
Now 1-0 W
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