Atlanta Falcons vs. Philadelphia Eagles: 2024 Week 2 Recap

Game story

In Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season on 2024-09-16, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 22–21 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 18 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +5.36 total EPA, and +13.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, K. Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +8.94 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-34.3% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (:27) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left intended for 6-D.Smith INTERCEPTED by 3-J.Bates [55-K.Elliss] at ATL 32. 3-J.Bates to ATL 32 for no gain (18-B.Covey).

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 K. Cousins · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +8.94 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Hurts · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +5.36 total EPA · 38 snaps · +0.14 EPA/play
3. 3 R. McCloud · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.40 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
4. 4 D. Mooney · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.24 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.61 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Hurts · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +3.27 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.36 EPA/play
6. 6 D. Smith · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.05 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
7. 7 D. London · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.68 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.34 EPA/play
8. 8 S. Barkley · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.28 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.46 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Smith (J. Hurts pass) (Q2 35:20)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. Mooney (K. Cousins pass) (Q3 16:29)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Hurts (Q4 6:51)
• Atlanta Falcons — D. London (K. Cousins pass) (Q4 0:38)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 41:27)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 30:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q3 25:16)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott (Q3 19:31)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott (Q4 1:42)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 21 (Q2 41:27) — (11:27) 6-Y.Koo 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 7 (Q2 35:20) — (5:20) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short middle to 6-D.Smith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett].; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 35:15) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-49-R.Lovato, Holder-10-B.Mann.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 4 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) 6-Y.Koo 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 9–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 16 (Q3 25:16) — (10:16) 6-Y.Koo 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 11 (Q3 19:31) — (4:31) 4-J.Elliott 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-R.Lovato, Holder-10-B.Mann.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PHI 41 (Q3 16:29) — (1:29) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 1-D.Mooney for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 11–7. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 6:51) — (6:51) 1-J.Hurts up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles registered a safety from the ATL 2 (Q4 6:47) — TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-S.Barkley rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 10 (Q4 1:42) — (1:42) 4-J.Elliott 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-R.Lovato, Holder-10-B.Mann.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PHI 7 (Q4 0:38); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PHI 30 (Q4 0:34) — 6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 0:27) — (:27) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left intended for 6-D.Smith INTERCEPTED by 3-J.Bates [55-K.Elliss] at ATL 32. 3-J.Bates to ATL 32 for no gain (18-B.Covey). [WPA -34.3% · EPA -0.73]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 17:12) — (2:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short middle to 34-R.McCloud to PHI 41 for 12 yards (53-Z.Baun). [WPA +15.9% · EPA +3.45]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 16:29) — (1:29) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 1-D.Mooney for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.6% · EPA +3.86]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:38) — (:38) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 5-D.London for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-5-D.London, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +13.6% · EPA +2.91]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 5:42) — (5:42) (No Huddle) 7-B.Robinson right guard to ATL 39 for no gain (8-C.Gardner-Johnson). ** Injury Update: PHI-29-A.Maddox has returned to the game. [WPA -13.3% · EPA -3.37]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 16:29) — (1:29) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 1-D.Mooney for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +15.6% · EPA +3.86]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 17:12) — (2:12) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short middle to 34-R.McCloud to PHI 41 for 12 yards (53-Z.Baun). [WPA +15.9% · EPA +3.45]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 5:42) — (5:42) (No Huddle) 7-B.Robinson right guard to ATL 39 for no gain (8-C.Gardner-Johnson). ** Injury Update: PHI-29-A.Maddox has returned to the game. [WPA -13.3% · EPA -3.37]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 38:43) — (8:43) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts scrambles right guard to ATL 18 for 23 yards (20-D.Alford). PENALTY on PHI-1-J.Hurts, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced between downs. [WPA +10.8% · EPA +3.27]

Quarterback report card

J.Hurts led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) · 38 dropbacks · 60.5% completion · +13.7% CPOE · +0.14 EPA/play · +5.36 total EPA
• K.Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) · 34 dropbacks · 58.8% completion · +2.9% CPOE · +0.26 EPA/play · +8.94 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 (+0.14 vs +0.09), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 9 drives, +10.19 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 9 drives, +7.62 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.
• K. Cousins (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Hurts (PHI) 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 FG (+3) — Q2 41:27 · PHI 21 · Score 3-0
   (11:27) 6-Y.Koo 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
2. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 35:20 · ATL 7 · Score 3-6
   (5:20) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short middle to 6-D.Smith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN [97-G.Jarrett].
3. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q2 35:15 · ATL 15 · Score 3-7
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-49-R.Lovato, Holder-10-B.Mann.
4. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:09 · PHI 4 · Score 6-7
   (:09) 6-Y.Koo 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 25:16 · PHI 16 · Score 9-7
   (10:16) 6-Y.Koo 34 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.
6. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q3 19:31 · ATL 11 · Score 9-10
   (4:31) 4-J.Elliott 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-R.Lovato, Holder-10-B.Mann.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 16:29 · PHI 41 · Score 15-10
   (1:29) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass deep middle to 1-D.Mooney for 41 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 6:51 · ATL 1 · Score 15-16
   (6:51) 1-J.Hurts up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Philadelphia Eagles Safety (+2) — Q4 6:47 · ATL 2 · Score 15-18
   TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-S.Barkley rushes up the middle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
10. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 1:42 · ATL 10 · Score 15-21
    (1:42) 4-J.Elliott 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-49-R.Lovato, Holder-10-B.Mann.
11. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 0:38 · PHI 7 · Score 21-21
    (:38) (Shotgun) 18-K.Cousins pass short right to 5-D.London for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-5-D.London, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced betwe
12. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 0:34 · PHI 30 · Score 22-21
    6-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-49-L.McCullough, Holder-13-B.Pinion.