New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2018 Week 7 Recap

Game story

In Week 7 of the 2018 NFL season on 2018-10-22, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the New York Giants, pulling away with a 23–20 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 27 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +14.95 total EPA, and +16.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +14.95 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+15.0% win probability) landed in the third quarter when New York Giants changed the game: (13:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 87-S.Shepard to ATL 10 for 53 yards (21-D.Trufant). Penalty on ATL-23-R.Alford, Defensive Holding, declined.

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. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +14.95 total EPA · 45 snaps · +0.33 EPA/play
2. 2 O. Beckham · New York Giants · Receiving · +12.10 total EPA · 12 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
3. 3 E. Manning · New York Giants · Passing · +11.89 total EPA · 44 snaps · +0.27 EPA/play
4. 4 S. Shepard · New York Giants · Receiving · +9.99 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.25 EPA/play
5. 5 M. Hall · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +4.47 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.49 EPA/play
6. 6 A. Hooper · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.68 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.92 EPA/play
7. 7 I. Smith · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.50 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.75 EPA/play
8. 8 M. Sanu · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.85 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.43 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. Hall (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 35:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Coleman (Q4 7:55)
• New York Giants — S. Barkley (Q4 4:52)
• New York Giants — O. Beckham (E. Manning pass) (Q4 0:09)

Field goals

• New York Giants — A. Rosas (Q2 30:54)
• Atlanta Falcons — G. Tavecchio (Q2 30:08)
• New York Giants — A. Rosas (Q3 18:55)
• Atlanta Falcons — G. Tavecchio (Q4 15:00)
• Atlanta Falcons — G. Tavecchio (Q4 2:00)

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 10–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYG 47 (Q2 35:00) — (5:00) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 17-M.Hall for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q2 34:51) — 4-G.Tavecchio extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ATL 13 (Q2 30:54) — (:54) 2-A.Rosas 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-R.Dixon.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYG 22 (Q2 30:08) — (:08) 4-G.Tavecchio 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: New York Giants won the period 3–0. New York Giants connected on a field goal from the ATL 18 (Q3 18:55) — (3:55) 2-A.Rosas 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-R.Dixon..

The fourth quarter: New York Giants won the period 14–13. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYG 32 (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 4-G.Tavecchio 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the NYG 30 (Q4 7:55) — (7:55) 26-T.Coleman right tackle for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the NYG 15 (Q4 7:47) — 4-G.Tavecchio extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ATL 2 (Q4 4:52); Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the NYG 38 (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 4-G.Tavecchio 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; New York Giants found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 0:09) — (:09) (No Huddle) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; New York Giants registered a safety from the ATL 2 (Q4 0:05) — (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-S.Barkley rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

Turning points

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

• New York Giants (Q3 28:46) — (13:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 87-S.Shepard to ATL 10 for 53 yards (21-D.Trufant). Penalty on ATL-23-R.Alford, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +4.93]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 35:00) — (5:00) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 17-M.Hall for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +4.11]
• New York Giants (Q3 26:44) — (11:44) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete short right to 82-S.Simonson (27-D.Kazee) [54-F.Oluokun]. [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.57]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 20:48) — (5:48) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep right to 11-J.Jones (20-J.Jenkins). New York Giants challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones to NYG [WPA -9.2% · EPA -4.82]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 30:29) — (:29) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep right to 11-J.Jones. PENALTY on NYG-31-M.Thomas, Defensive Pass Interference, 38 yards, enforced at ATL 40 - No Play. [WPA +8.7% · EPA +2.66]

Impact plays

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

• New York Giants (Q3 28:46) — (13:46) (Shotgun) 10-E.Manning pass deep left to 87-S.Shepard to ATL 10 for 53 yards (21-D.Trufant). Penalty on ATL-23-R.Alford, Defensive Holding, declined. [WPA +15.0% · EPA +4.93]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 20:48) — (5:48) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete deep right to 11-J.Jones (20-J.Jenkins). New York Giants challenged the incomplete pass ruling, and the play was REVERSED. 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones to NYG [WPA -9.2% · EPA -4.82]
• New York Giants (Q3 26:44) — (11:44) 10-E.Manning pass incomplete short right to 82-S.Simonson (27-D.Kazee) [54-F.Oluokun]. [WPA -10.3% · EPA -4.57]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q2 35:00) — (5:00) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 17-M.Hall for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.8% · EPA +4.11]

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) · 45 dropbacks · 68.9% completion · +16.9% CPOE · +0.33 EPA/play · +14.95 total EPA
• E.Manning (New York Giants) · 44 dropbacks · 61.4% completion · +7.5% CPOE · +0.27 EPA/play · +11.89 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (New York Giants +0.09, Atlanta Falcons +0.14) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +11.24 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• New York Giants: 10 drives, +7.33 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.
• M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
• M. Ryan (ATL) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
• E. Manning (NYG) 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) — Q2 35:00 · NYG 47 · Score 0-6
   (5:00) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 17-M.Hall for 47 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 34:51 · NYG 15 · Score 0-7
   4-G.Tavecchio extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
3. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q2 30:54 · ATL 13 · Score 3-7
   (:54) 2-A.Rosas 31 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
4. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:08 · NYG 22 · Score 3-10
   (:08) 4-G.Tavecchio 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
5. New York Giants FG (+3) — Q3 18:55 · ATL 18 · Score 6-10
   (3:55) 2-A.Rosas 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-51-Z.DeOssie, Holder-9-R.Dixon.
6. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 15:00 · NYG 32 · Score 6-13
   (15:00) 4-G.Tavecchio 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
7. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 7:55 · NYG 30 · Score 6-19
   (7:55) 26-T.Coleman right tackle for 30 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 7:47 · NYG 15 · Score 6-20
   4-G.Tavecchio extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
9. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 4:52 · ATL 2 · Score 12-20
   (4:52) 26-S.Barkley right guard for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on t
10. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 2:00 · NYG 38 · Score 12-23
    (2:00) 4-G.Tavecchio 56 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
11. New York Giants TD (+6) — Q4 0:09 · ATL 1 · Score 18-23
    (:09) (No Huddle) 10-E.Manning pass short left to 13-O.Beckham for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
12. New York Giants Safety (+2) — Q4 0:05 · ATL 2 · Score 20-23
    (Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-S.Barkley rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.