Game story
In Week 6 of the 2009 NFL season on 2009-10-18, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Chicago Bears, pulling away with a 21–14 final that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) paced the passing game, with +6.65 total EPA, and +4.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +6.65 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (+16.6% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Chicago Bears changed the game: (7:46) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 82-G.Olsen to ATL 6 for 41 yards (20-B.Grimes).
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q2 | Q4 | — | — | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 14 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 J. Cutler · Chicago Bears · Passing · +6.65 total EPA · 50 snaps · +0.13 EPA/play
- 2 E. Bennett · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +3.79 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.76 EPA/play
- 3 T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 4 J. Snelling · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.05 EPA/play
- 5 D. Clark · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +1.94 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
- 6 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.85 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.31 EPA/play
- 7 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.09 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 8 J. Cutler · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +0.97 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
J. Cutler — CHI · Passing
J. Cutler posted the highest total EPA (+6.65) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Chicago Bears's efficiency. Across 50 counted snaps, they averaged +0.13 EPA per play.
The signature play (-5.35 EPA) came from Chicago Bears: (1:18) 22-M.Forte left end to ATL 1 for no gain (95-J.Babineaux). FUMBLES (95-J.Babineaux), RECOVERED by ATL-52-C.Wire at ATL 2.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Chicago Bears — J. Knox (J. Cutler pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — R. White (M. Ryan pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass)
- Chicago Bears — G. Olsen (J. Cutler pass)
- Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner
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 14–7. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 23 (Q2 45:00) — (15:00) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 13-J.Knox for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 44:54) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CHI 40 (Q2 39:10) — (9:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q2 39:03) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CHI 10 (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q2 30:04) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..
The fourth quarter: The quarter finished even at 7–7. Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q4 6:18) — (6:18) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle to 82-G.Olsen for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 6:14) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the CHI 5 (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) 33-M.Turner right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the CHI 2 (Q4 3:06) — 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.
- Chicago Bears (Q4 7:46) — (7:46) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass deep right to 82-G.Olsen to ATL 6 for 41 yards (20-B.Grimes).
- Chicago Bears (Q3 16:18) — (1:18) 22-M.Forte left end to ATL 1 for no gain (95-J.Babineaux). FUMBLES (95-J.Babineaux), RECOVERED by ATL-52-C.Wire at ATL 2.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 39:10) — (9:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Chicago Bears (Q4 0:34) — (:34) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass incomplete short middle to 88-D.Clark.
- Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:10) — (3:10) 33-M.Turner right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Chicago Bears (Q3 16:18) — (1:18) 22-M.Forte left end to ATL 1 for no gain (95-J.Babineaux). FUMBLES (95-J.Babineaux), RECOVERED by ATL-52-C.Wire at ATL 2.
- Chicago Bears (Q1 52:08) — (7:08) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 23-D.Hester INTERCEPTED by 28-T.DeCoud at ATL 9. 28-T.DeCoud to ATL 14 for 5 yards (57-O.Kreutz).
- Chicago Bears (Q2 40:28) — (10:28) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left intended for 82-G.Olsen INTERCEPTED by 28-T.DeCoud at ATL 30. 28-T.DeCoud to ATL 45 for 15 yards (80-E.Bennett).
- Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Quarterback report card
J.Cutler led all passers in efficiency for Chicago Bears, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- J.Cutler (Chicago Bears) · 50 dropbacks · 54.0% completion · +4.1% CPOE · +0.13 EPA/play · +6.65 total EPA
- M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 36 dropbacks · 52.8% completion · -4.2% CPOE · -0.03 EPA/play · -1.04 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Chicago Bears | Atlanta Falcons |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.053 | +0.012 |
| Offensive success rate | 39.8% | 43.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.133 | -0.029 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.387 | -0.158 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.012 | +0.053 |
| Defensive success rate | 56.8% | 60.2% |
By the numbers
Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.01 vs -0.05), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +0.87 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
- Chicago Bears: 11 drives, -4.63 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.
- One-score margin — fantasy managers should double-check garbage-time stats before drawing conclusions.
- J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- J. Cutler (CHI) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
- M. Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q2 45:00 · ATL 23 · Score 6-0
(15:00) 6-J.Cutler pass deep left to 13-J.Knox for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q2 44:54 · ATL 2 · Score 7-0
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 39:10 · CHI 40 · Score 7-6
(9:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White for 40 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 39:03 · CHI 2 · Score 7-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:09 · CHI 10 · Score 7-13
(:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 88-T.Gonzalez for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:04 · CHI 2 · Score 7-14
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen. - Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q4 6:18 · ATL 2 · Score 13-14
(6:18) (Shotgun) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle to 82-G.Olsen for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q4 6:14 · ATL 2 · Score 14-14
9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-4-B.Maynard. - Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 3:10 · CHI 5 · Score 14-20
(3:10) 33-M.Turner right tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 3:06 · CHI 2 · Score 14-21
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons?
The Atlanta Falcons beat the Chicago Bears 21-14 in Week 6, 2009 on 2009-10-18.
What was the final score of Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons?
The final score was Chicago Bears 14, Atlanta Falcons 21 (CHI 14-21 ATL) in Week 6, 2009 on 2009-10-18.
What was the score by quarter in Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons?
Q2: Chicago Bears 7, Atlanta Falcons 14; Q4: Chicago Bears 7, Atlanta Falcons 7; Final: Chicago Bears 14, Atlanta Falcons 21.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons?
Chicago Bears touchdown — J. Knox (J. Cutler pass) (Q2 45:00) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 39:10) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:09) Chicago Bears touchdown — G. Olsen (J. Cutler pass) (Q4 6:18) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — M. Turner (Q4 3:10) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons?
J. Cutler (Chicago Bears), 54.0% completion, +4.1% CPOE, +0.13 EPA per dropback, +6.65 total passing EPA. M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 52.8% completion, -4.2% CPOE, -0.03 EPA per dropback, -1.04 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons?
J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) led the game in total EPA with +6.65 on passing plays. across 50 snaps. The top single-play swing was (-5.35 EPA): (1:18) 22-M.Forte left end to ATL 1 for no gain (95-J.Babineaux). FUMBLES (95-J.Babineaux), RECOVERED by ATL-52-C.Wire at ATL 2.. The biggest win-probability swing was +16.6%.
Was Chicago Bears vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?
Yes — the margin was 7 points. Atlanta Falcons won 21-14 in a game that stayed a one-score game deep into the second half.
Season records after this game
Chicago Bears
Entered 3-1 Now 3-2 L
Atlanta Falcons
Entered 3-1 Now 4-1 W
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