Atlanta Falcons vs. San Francisco 49ers: 2009 Week 5 Recap

Game story

In Week 5 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-10-11, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the San Francisco 49ers, pulling away with a 45–10 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 24 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

S. Hill (San Francisco 49ers) paced the passing game, with -8.87 total EPA, and -19.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. White (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +19.69 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+28.1% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (7:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 84-R.White for 90 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-84-R.White, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Caught at ATL 18.

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 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +19.69 total EPA · 10 snaps · +1.97 EPA/play
2. 2 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +18.10 total EPA · 34 snaps · +0.53 EPA/play
3. 3 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +4.52 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
4. 4 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.73 total EPA · 10 snaps · +0.17 EPA/play
5. 5 B. Finneran · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.56 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.56 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Battle · San Francisco 49ers · Receiving · +1.47 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.47 EPA/play
7. 7 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.16 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.58 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 — M. Turner (Q1 56:15)
• Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 51:39)
• San Francisco 49ers — G. Coffee (Q1 49:23)
• Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 37:13)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q2 35:44)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q2 31:21)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Ryan (Q4 8:27)

Field goals

• San Francisco 49ers — J. Nedney (Q2 41:11)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q3 20:59)

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 14–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 7 (Q1 56:15) — (11:15) 33-M.Turner up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 56:08); Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 31 (Q1 51:39) — (6:39) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q1 51:32) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; San Francisco 49ers found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q1 49:23) — (4:23) 29-G.Coffee left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; San Francisco 49ers added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 49:09) — 6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 21–3. San Francisco 49ers connected on a field goal from the ATL 21 (Q2 41:11) — (11:11) 6-J.Nedney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 90 (Q2 37:13); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 36:59) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 3 (Q2 35:44) — (5:44) 33-M.Turner right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 35:40) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q2 31:21) — (1:21) 33-M.Turner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q2 31:14) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SF 22 (Q3 20:59) — (5:59) 1-J.Elam 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SF 1 (Q4 8:27) — (8:27) 2-M.Ryan right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SF 2 (Q4 8:20) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

Turning points

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:13) — (7:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 84-R.White for 90 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-84-R.White, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Caught at ATL 18. [WPA +28.1% · EPA +7.93]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 57:40) — (12:40) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short middle intended for 85-V.Davis INTERCEPTED by 29-B.Williams (53-M.Peterson) at SF 19. 29-B.Williams to SF 21 for -2 yards (29-G.Coffee). [WPA -15.7% · EPA -4.12]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 39:48) — (9:48) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 32-J.Norwood to ATL 37 for -2 yards (99-M.Lawson). FUMBLES (99-M.Lawson), RECOVERED by SF-32-M.Lewis at ATL 33. 32-M.Lewis ran ob at ATL 33 for no gain. J.Norwood c [WPA -11.8% · EPA -4.62]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q2 42:46) — (12:46) 77-T.Pashos reported in as eligible. 13-S.Hill pass short right to 85-V.Davis to ATL 23 for 18 yards (28-T.DeCoud). Caught at ATL 27. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +3.04]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 50:39) — (5:39) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right to 84-J.Morgan to ATL 2 for 61 yards (29-B.Williams). Caught at SF 45. [WPA +9.1% · EPA +5.59]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 37:13) — (7:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 84-R.White for 90 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-84-R.White, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between downs. Caught at ATL 18. [WPA +28.1% · EPA +7.93]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 50:39) — (5:39) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short right to 84-J.Morgan to ATL 2 for 61 yards (29-B.Williams). Caught at SF 45. [WPA +9.1% · EPA +5.59]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 39:48) — (9:48) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 32-J.Norwood to ATL 37 for -2 yards (99-M.Lawson). FUMBLES (99-M.Lawson), RECOVERED by SF-32-M.Lewis at ATL 33. 32-M.Lewis ran ob at ATL 33 for no gain. J.Norwood c [WPA -11.8% · EPA -4.62]
• San Francisco 49ers (Q1 57:40) — (12:40) (Shotgun) 13-S.Hill pass short middle intended for 85-V.Davis INTERCEPTED by 29-B.Williams (53-M.Peterson) at SF 19. 29-B.Williams to SF 21 for -2 yards (29-G.Coffee). [WPA -15.7% · EPA -4.12]

Quarterback report card

S.Hill led all passers in efficiency for San Francisco 49ers, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• S.Hill (San Francisco 49ers) · 47 dropbacks · 31.9% completion · -19.7% CPOE · -0.19 EPA/play · -8.87 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 34 dropbacks · 64.7% completion · +9.6% CPOE · +0.53 EPA/play · +18.10 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 (+0.26 vs -0.20), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, +24.56 total EPA, 7 scoring drives
• San Francisco 49ers: 13 drives, -15.28 total EPA, 2 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.
• R. White (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• S. Hill (SF) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
• 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. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 56:15 · SF 7 · Score 6-0
   (11:15) 33-M.Turner up the middle for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 56:08 · SF 2 · Score 7-0
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen. PENALTY on SF-98-P.Haralson, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced between downs.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 51:39 · SF 31 · Score 13-0
   (6:39) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 31 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 51:32 · SF 2 · Score 14-0
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
5. San Francisco 49ers TD (+6) — Q1 49:23 · ATL 2 · Score 14-6
   (4:23) 29-G.Coffee left end for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. San Francisco 49ers XP (+1) — Q1 49:09 · ATL 2 · Score 14-7
   6-J.Nedney extra point is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
7. San Francisco 49ers FG (+3) — Q2 41:11 · ATL 21 · Score 14-10
   (11:11) 6-J.Nedney 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-86-B.Jennings, Holder-4-A.Lee.
8. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 37:13 · SF 90 · Score 20-10
   (7:13) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 84-R.White for 90 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-84-R.White, Unsportsmanlike Conduct, 15 yards, enforced between
9. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 36:59 · SF 2 · Score 21-10
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
10. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 35:44 · SF 3 · Score 27-10
    (5:44) 33-M.Turner right guard for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
11. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 35:40 · SF 2 · Score 28-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 31:21 · SF 1 · Score 34-10
    (1:21) 33-M.Turner up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 31:14 · SF 2 · Score 35-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
14. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 20:59 · SF 22 · Score 38-10
    (5:59) 1-J.Elam 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
15. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 8:27 · SF 1 · Score 44-10
    (8:27) 2-M.Ryan right end for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 8:20 · SF 2 · Score 45-10
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.