Game story
In Week 4 of the 2017 NFL season on 2017-10-01, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 23–17 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -8.16 total EPA, and -3.4% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.09 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-29.5% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (11:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 39 for -8 yards (55-J.Hughes). FUMBLES (55-J.Hughes) [55-J.Hughes], RECOVERED by BUF-27-T.White at BUF 48. 27-T.White for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-2
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 23 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Taylor · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +6.09 total EPA · 26 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
- 2 C. Clay · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +5.58 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
- 3 Ju. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.43 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.86 EPA/play
- 4 L. McCoy · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.98 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.99 EPA/play
- 5 A. Holmes · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +1.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.72 EPA/play
- 6 T. Coleman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.55 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.26 EPA/play
- 7 L. Toilolo · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.45 EPA/play
- 8 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +1.33 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.33 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Taylor — BUF · Passing
T. Taylor posted the highest total EPA (+6.09) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 26 counted snaps, they averaged +0.23 EPA per play.
The signature play (-8.53 EPA) came from Atlanta Falcons: (11:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 39 for -8 yards (55-J.Hughes). FUMBLES (55-J.Hughes) [55-J.Hughes], RECOVERED by BUF-27-T.White at BUF 48. 27-T.White for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-24-D.Freeman, Unneces
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — J. Matthews (T. Taylor pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman
- Buffalo Bills — T. White
- Atlanta Falcons — J. Hardy (M. Ryan pass)
Field goals
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant
- Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka
- Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka
- Buffalo Bills — S. Hauschka
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the BUF 10 (Q2 40:35) — (10:35) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q2 36:57) — (6:57) 5-T.Taylor pass short left to 87-J.Matthews for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 36:51) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the BUF 1 (Q2 30:21) — (:21) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q2 30:18) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..
The third quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the BUF 53 (Q3 26:04); Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 25:55) — 4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
The fourth quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 9–7. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ATL 6 (Q4 12:03) — (12:03) 4-S.Hauschka 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the BUF 3 (Q4 7:04) — (7:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 14-J.Hardy for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the BUF 15 (Q4 7:00) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ATL 38 (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) 4-S.Hauschka 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the ATL 37 (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) 4-S.Hauschka 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 39 for -8 yards (55-J.Hughes). FUMBLES (55-J.Hughes) [55-J.Hughes], RECOVERED by BUF-27-T.White at BUF 48. 27-T.White for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-2
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:49) — (:49) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to 18-T.Gabriel.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle intended for 15-N.Williams INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Hyde at BUF 28. 23-M.Hyde to ATL 35 for 37 yards (67-A.Levitre). The Replay Official reviewed the pass interce
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 7:04) — (7:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 14-J.Hardy for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 4:48) — (4:48) 4-S.Hauschka 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q3 26:04) — (11:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 39 for -8 yards (55-J.Hughes). FUMBLES (55-J.Hughes) [55-J.Hughes], RECOVERED by BUF-27-T.White at BUF 48. 27-T.White for 52 yards, TOUCHDOWN. PENALTY on ATL-2
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:42) — (3:42) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle intended for 15-N.Williams INTERCEPTED by 23-M.Hyde at BUF 28. 23-M.Hyde to ATL 35 for 37 yards (67-A.Levitre). The Replay Official reviewed the pass interce
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 53:41) — (8:41) (Shotgun) 5-T.Taylor pass short right to 25-L.McCoy to ATL 46 for 17 yards (95-J.Crawford).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 0:49) — (:49) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short right to 18-T.Gabriel.
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) · 47 dropbacks · 51.1% completion · -3.4% CPOE · -0.17 EPA/play · -8.16 total EPA
- T.Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 26 dropbacks · 46.2% completion · +6.0% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +6.09 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Buffalo Bills | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | +0.069 | -0.064 |
| Offensive success rate | 44.2% | 43.8% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.234 | -0.174 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.136 | +0.019 |
| Defensive EPA/play | +0.064 | -0.069 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.2% | 55.8% |
By the numbers
Despite the final score, Buffalo Bills generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.07 vs -0.06), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.
- Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, -5.67 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +5.31 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills 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.
- T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) 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.
- T. Taylor (BUF) 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.
- Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 40:35 · BUF 10 · Score 0-3
(10:35) 3-M.Bryant 28 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 36:57 · ATL 9 · Score 6-3
(6:57) 5-T.Taylor pass short left to 87-J.Matthews for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 36:51 · ATL 15 · Score 7-3
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:21 · BUF 1 · Score 7-9
(:21) 24-D.Freeman left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:18 · BUF 15 · Score 7-10
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 26:04 · BUF 53 · Score 13-10
(11:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 39 for -8 yards (55-J.Hughes). FUMBLES (55-J.Hughes) [55-J.Hughes], RECOVERED by BUF-27-T.White at BUF 48. 27-T.White f - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 25:55 · ATL 15 · Score 14-10
4-S.Hauschka extra point is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 12:03 · ATL 6 · Score 17-10
(12:03) 4-S.Hauschka 24 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 7:04 · BUF 3 · Score 17-16
(7:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 14-J.Hardy for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 7:00 · BUF 15 · Score 17-17
3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 4:48 · ATL 38 · Score 20-17
(4:48) 4-S.Hauschka 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 3:10 · ATL 37 · Score 23-17
(3:10) 4-S.Hauschka 55 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-R.Ferguson, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-17 in Week 4, 2017 on 2017-10-01.
What was the final score of Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons?
The final score was Buffalo Bills 23, Atlanta Falcons 17 (BUF 23-17 ATL) in Week 4, 2017 on 2017-10-01.
What was the score by quarter in Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons?
Q2: Buffalo Bills 7, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q3: Buffalo Bills 7, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q4: Buffalo Bills 9, Atlanta Falcons 7; Final: Buffalo Bills 23, Atlanta Falcons 17.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — J. Matthews (T. Taylor pass) (Q2 36:57) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Freeman (Q2 30:21) Buffalo Bills touchdown — T. White (Q3 26:04) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — J. Hardy (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 7:04) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q2 40:35, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q4 12:03, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q4 4:48, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — S. Hauschka (Q4 3:10, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons?
M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 51.1% completion, -3.4% CPOE, -0.17 EPA per dropback, -8.16 total passing EPA. T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills), 46.2% completion, +6.0% CPOE, +0.23 EPA per dropback, +6.09 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons?
T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +6.09 on passing plays. across 26 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-8.53 EPA): (11:04) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 39 for -8 yards (55-J.Hughes). FUMBLES (55-J.Hughes) [55-J.Hughes], RECOVERED by BUF-27-T.White at BUF 48. 27-T.White for 52 yards, TOUCHDO. The biggest win-probability swing was -29.5%.
Was Buffalo Bills vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?
Yes — the margin was 6 points. Buffalo Bills won 23-17 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Buffalo Bills
Entered 2-1 Now 3-1 W
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 3-0 Now 3-1 L
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