Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2015 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-14, the Atlanta Falcons took care of business against the Philadelphia Eagles, pulling away with a 26–24 final that came down to the wire.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 20 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

S. Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles) paced the passing game, with +1.24 total EPA, and -0.9% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Jones (Atlanta Falcons) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.73 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-27.9% win probability) landed in the fourth quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (2:32) (Field Goal formation) 1-C.Parkey 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.

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 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +9.73 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.88 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Sproles · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.82 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Sproles · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +3.43 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.49 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Mathews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +1.28 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.32 EPA/play
5. 5 S. Bradford · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +1.24 total EPA · 54 snaps · +0.02 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Matthews · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +0.93 total EPA · 13 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play
7. 7 R. Cooper · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +0.86 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.22 EPA/play
8. 8 J. Huff · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +0.71 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.24 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 — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 40:50)
• Atlanta Falcons — J. Jones (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 30:51)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Murray (Q3 28:20)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Murray (S. Bradford pass) (Q3 18:46)
• Philadelphia Eagles — R. Mathews (Q4 8:42)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q1 56:00)
• Philadelphia Eagles — C. Parkey (Q2 37:23)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q2 31:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 10:54)
• Atlanta Falcons — M. Bryant (Q4 6:33)

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 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 23 (Q1 56:00) — (11:00) 3-M.Bryant 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 17–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PHI 4 (Q2 40:50) — (10:50) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 40:44) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 11 (Q2 37:23) — (7:23) 1-C.Parkey 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 21 (Q2 31:09) — (1:09) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the PHI 22 (Q2 30:51) — (:51) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the PHI 15 (Q2 30:45) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 14–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 8 (Q3 28:20) — (13:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-D.Murray right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 28:13) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q3 18:46) — (3:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short left to 29-D.Murray for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [77-R.Hageman].; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 18:39) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–6. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 26 (Q4 10:54) — (10:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 8:42) — (8:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 24-R.Mathews right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 8:37) — 1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 29 (Q4 6:33) — (6:33) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) (Field Goal formation) 1-C.Parkey 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones. [WPA -27.9% · EPA -3.80]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 1:17) — (1:17) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short middle intended for 81-J.Matthews INTERCEPTED by 37-R.Allen at PHI 29. 37-R.Allen to PHI 29 for no gain. [WPA -22.1% · EPA -3.50]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Punt formation) 5-M.Bosher punts 57 yards to PHI 4, Center-47-J.Harris. 43-D.Sproles to PHI 14 for 10 yards (80-L.Toilolo). [WPA -13.6% · EPA -0.10]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 8:37) — (8:37) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones pushed ob at PHI 36 for 44 yards (31-B.Maxwell). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +2.50]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 50:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 50-K.Alonso at PHI 0. Touchback. [WPA -10.7% · EPA -5.57]

Impact plays

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

• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 50:57) — (5:57) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 50-K.Alonso at PHI 0. Touchback. [WPA -10.7% · EPA -5.57]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 28:36) — (13:36) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 26-W.Thurmond at ATL 31. 26-W.Thurmond to ATL 8 for 23 yards (67-A.Levitre). [WPA -4.5% · EPA -4.32]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 31:05) — (1:05) (Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short left intended for 86-Z.Ertz INTERCEPTED by 25-W.Moore [97-G.Jarrett] at PHI 30. 25-W.Moore to PHI 27 for 3 yards (86-Z.Ertz). [WPA -6.9% · EPA -4.23]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 2:32) — (2:32) (Field Goal formation) 1-C.Parkey 44 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones. [WPA -27.9% · EPA -3.80]

Quarterback report card

S.Bradford led all passers in efficiency for Philadelphia Eagles, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

• S.Bradford (Philadelphia Eagles) · 54 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · -0.9% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +1.24 total EPA
• M.Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 42 dropbacks · 54.8% completion · +2.0% CPOE · +0.00 EPA/play · +0.05 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 (Philadelphia Eagles -0.07, Atlanta Falcons -0.07) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

• Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, -6.29 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 13 drives, -6.23 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.
• J. Jones (Atlanta Falcons) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.

1. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 56:00 · PHI 23 · Score 0-3
   (11:00) 3-M.Bryant 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
2. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 40:50 · PHI 4 · Score 0-9
   (10:50) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 11-J.Jones for 4 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 40:44 · PHI 15 · Score 0-10
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
4. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q2 37:23 · ATL 11 · Score 3-10
   (7:23) 1-C.Parkey 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
5. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 31:09 · PHI 21 · Score 3-13
   (1:09) 3-M.Bryant 39 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 30:51 · PHI 22 · Score 3-19
   (:51) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 11-J.Jones for 22 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 30:45 · PHI 15 · Score 3-20
   3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
8. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 28:20 · ATL 8 · Score 9-20
   (13:20) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-D.Murray right end for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
9. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 28:13 · ATL 15 · Score 10-20
   1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
10. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 18:46 · ATL 5 · Score 16-20
    (3:46) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 7-S.Bradford pass short left to 29-D.Murray for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN [77-R.Hageman].
11. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 18:39 · ATL 15 · Score 17-20
    1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
12. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 10:54 · PHI 26 · Score 17-23
    (10:54) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 44 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
13. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 8:42 · ATL 1 · Score 23-23
    (8:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 24-R.Mathews right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
14. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 8:37 · ATL 15 · Score 24-23
    1-C.Parkey extra point is GOOD, Center-46-J.Dorenbos, Holder-8-D.Jones.
15. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 6:33 · PHI 29 · Score 24-26
    (6:33) (Field Goal formation) 3-M.Bryant 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.