Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2008 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2008 NFL season on 2008-09-07, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Detroit Lions, pulling away with a 34–21 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 21 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

J. Kitna (Detroit Lions) paced the passing game, with +9.39 total EPA, and +8.6% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Turner (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +12.75 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+12.6% win probability) landed in the opening quarter when Atlanta Falcons changed the game: (13:42) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 M. Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +12.75 total EPA · 22 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
2. 2 J. Kitna · Detroit Lions · Passing · +9.39 total EPA · 41 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
3. 3 C. Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +7.81 total EPA · 7 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Williams · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +6.36 total EPA · 3 snaps · +2.12 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +5.22 total EPA · 15 snaps · +0.35 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.72 total EPA · 1 snaps · +4.72 EPA/play
7. 7 J. Norwood · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +4.14 total EPA · 14 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
8. 8 R. White · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.95 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.97 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. Jenkins (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 58:42)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q1 52:46)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Turner (Q1 48:25)
• Detroit Lions — unlisted player (Q2 34:10)
• Detroit Lions — R. Williams (J. Kitna pass) (Q2 30:23)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Norwood (Q3 21:02)
• Detroit Lions — C. Fitzsimmons (J. Kitna pass) (Q3 16:45)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q3 24:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q4 10:27)

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 21–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 62 (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 58:33) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 66 (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) 33-M.Turner left tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 52:33) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 5 (Q1 48:25) — (3:25) 33-M.Turner left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 48:20) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The second quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 14–0. Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q2 34:10) — (4:10) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 34:06) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 21 (Q2 30:23); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q2 30:16) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 32 (Q3 24:50) — (9:50) 1-J.Elam 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 10 (Q3 21:02) — (6:02) 32-J.Norwood left tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q3 20:57) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 16:45) — (1:45) 8-J.Kitna pass short right to 82-C.Fitzsimmons for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 16:40) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 7 (Q4 10:27) — (10:27) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal 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 (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +4.72]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 27:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass deep middle intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 36-L.Milloy at ATL 13. 36-L.Milloy to DET 49 for 38 yards (32-R.Johnson). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -4.85]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) 33-M.Turner left tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.0% · EPA +5.01]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:23) — (:23) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right to 11-R.Williams for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +3.96]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 53:22) — (8:22) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White to ATL 34 for 8 yards (25-B.Kelly). [WPA +4.8% · EPA +1.33]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 52:46) — (7:46) 33-M.Turner left tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +7.0% · EPA +5.01]
• Detroit Lions (Q3 27:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass deep middle intended for 11-R.Williams INTERCEPTED by 36-L.Milloy at ATL 13. 36-L.Milloy to DET 49 for 38 yards (32-R.Johnson). [WPA -9.3% · EPA -4.85]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:42) — (13:42) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.6% · EPA +4.72]
• Detroit Lions (Q2 30:23) — (:23) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right to 11-R.Williams for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the play was Upheld. [WPA +6.8% · EPA +3.96]

Quarterback report card

J.Kitna led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• J.Kitna (Detroit Lions) · 41 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +8.6% CPOE · +0.23 EPA/play · +9.39 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 15 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +4.9% CPOE · +0.35 EPA/play · +5.22 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.

By the numbers

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.25 vs +0.06), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

• Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, +17.81 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Detroit Lions: 10 drives, +4.72 total EPA, 3 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.
• M. Turner (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• J. Kitna (DET) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• 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 58:42 · DET 62 · Score 0-6
   (13:42) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 12-M.Jenkins for 62 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 58:33 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 52:46 · DET 66 · Score 0-13
   (7:46) 33-M.Turner left tackle for 66 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 52:33 · DET 2 · Score 0-14
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 48:25 · DET 5 · Score 0-20
   (3:25) 33-M.Turner left tackle for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 48:20 · DET 2 · Score 0-21
   1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
7. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 34:10 · ATL 3 · Score 6-21
   (4:10) 34-Kevin Smith up the middle for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 34:06 · ATL 2 · Score 7-21
   4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
9. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 30:23 · ATL 21 · Score 13-21
   (:23) (Shotgun) 8-J.Kitna pass deep right to 11-R.Williams for 21 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner was in bounds ruling, and the pla
10. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 30:16 · ATL 2 · Score 14-21
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
11. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 24:50 · DET 32 · Score 14-24
    (9:50) 1-J.Elam 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 21:02 · DET 10 · Score 14-30
    (6:02) 32-J.Norwood left tackle for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
13. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q3 20:57 · DET 2 · Score 14-31
    1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
14. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 16:45 · ATL 1 · Score 20-31
    (1:45) 8-J.Kitna pass short right to 82-C.Fitzsimmons for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 16:40 · ATL 2 · Score 21-31
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-2-N.Harris.
16. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 10:27 · DET 7 · Score 21-34
    (10:27) 1-J.Elam 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.