Philadelphia Eagles vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2021 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2021 NFL season on 2021-09-12, the Philadelphia Eagles took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 32–6 final that controlled the game from start to finish.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 17 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with -16.79 total EPA, and -9.3% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, J. Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +11.84 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (-11.6% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Philadelphia Eagles changed the game: (12:55) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass incomplete deep right.

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. Hurts · Philadelphia Eagles · Passing · +11.84 total EPA · 40 snaps · +0.30 EPA/play
2. 2 D. Smith · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +5.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Goedert · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +4.91 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
4. 4 C. Patterson · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +4.00 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.57 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Reagor · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +3.63 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.60 EPA/play
6. 6 J. Hurts · Philadelphia Eagles · Rushing · +3.20 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
7. 7 Z. Ertz · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.04 EPA/play
8. 8 Q. Watkins · Philadelphia Eagles · Receiving · +1.93 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.64 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

• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Smith (J. Hurts pass) (Q1 51:23)
• Philadelphia Eagles — D. Goedert (J. Hurts pass) (Q2 30:09)
• Philadelphia Eagles — K. Gainwell (Q3 16:29)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Reagor (J. Hurts pass) (Q4 4:29)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q1 55:02)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 44:56)
• Philadelphia Eagles — J. Elliott (Q4 1:15)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.

The opening quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 3 (Q1 55:02) — (10:02) 7-Y.Koo 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-9-C.Nizialek.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 18 (Q1 51:23) — (6:23) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left to 6-D.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 51:17) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs..

The second quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 8–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the PHI 9 (Q2 44:56) — (14:56) 7-Y.Koo 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-9-C.Nizialek.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q2 30:09); Philadelphia Eagles registered a safety from the ATL 1 (Q2 30:02) — (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-M.Sanders rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS..

The third quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 7–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 8 (Q3 16:29) — (1:29) (Shotgun) 14-K.Gainwell left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 16:25) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs..

The fourth quarter: Philadelphia Eagles won the period 17–0. Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 23 (Q4 4:29) — (4:29) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short left to 18-J.Reagor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [54-F.Oluokun].; Philadelphia Eagles added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 4:20) — 4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs.; Philadelphia Eagles found the end zone from the ATL 31 (Q4 3:13) — (3:13) 14-K.Gainwell left tackle to ATL 32 for -1 yards (39-T.Green; 96-T.Davison).; Philadelphia Eagles connected on a field goal from the ATL 25 (Q4 1:15) — (1:15) 4-J.Elliott 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs..

Turning points

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 42:55) — (12:55) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass incomplete deep right. [WPA -11.6% · EPA -3.29]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 22:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 14-K.Gainwell right guard to ATL 19 for 1 yard (45-D.Jones; 54-F.Oluokun). [WPA -9.4% · EPA -3.74]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:08) — (13:08) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley pushed ob at PHI 31 for 11 yards (28-A.Harris). [WPA +9.0% · EPA +1.93]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q1 51:23) — (6:23) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left to 6-D.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +8.3% · EPA +2.88]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 47:30) — (2:30) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 8-K.Pitts to PHI 23 for 1 yard (50-E.Wilson; 57-T.Edwards). [WPA +7.8% · EPA +1.46]

Impact plays

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

• Philadelphia Eagles (Q3 22:03) — (7:03) (Shotgun) 14-K.Gainwell right guard to ATL 19 for 1 yard (45-D.Jones; 54-F.Oluokun). [WPA -9.4% · EPA -3.74]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 5:45) — (5:45) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 22 for -10 yards (97-J.Hargrave). [WPA -1.1% · EPA -3.60]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q2 30:09) — (:09) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short right to 88-D.Goedert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Upheld. The ruling on the field stands. [WPA +7.6% · EPA +3.54]
• Philadelphia Eagles (Q4 4:29) — (4:29) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short left to 18-J.Reagor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [54-F.Oluokun]. [WPA +0.2% · EPA +3.38]

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) · 44 dropbacks · 47.7% completion · -9.3% CPOE · -0.38 EPA/play · -16.79 total EPA
• J.Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) · 40 dropbacks · 67.5% completion · +11.6% CPOE · +0.30 EPA/play · +11.84 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Philadelphia Eagles generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.09 vs -0.23), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -21.60 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
• Philadelphia Eagles: 11 drives, +8.28 total EPA, 5 scoring drives

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.

• Philadelphia Eagles leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• J. Hurts (Philadelphia Eagles) 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.
• J. Hurts (PHI) 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 FG (+3) — Q1 55:02 · PHI 3 · Score 0-3
   (10:02) 7-Y.Koo 21 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-9-C.Nizialek.
2. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q1 51:23 · ATL 18 · Score 6-3
   (6:23) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass deep left to 6-D.Smith for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q1 51:17 · ATL 15 · Score 7-3
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs.
4. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 44:56 · PHI 9 · Score 7-6
   (14:56) 7-Y.Koo 27 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-9-C.Nizialek.
5. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q2 30:09 · ATL 9 · Score 13-6
   (:09) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short right to 88-D.Goedert for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Official reviewed the pass completion ruling, and the play was Uph
6. Philadelphia Eagles Safety (+2) — Q2 30:02 · ATL 1 · Score 15-6
   (Run formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 26-M.Sanders rushes left tackle. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS.
7. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q3 16:29 · ATL 8 · Score 21-6
   (1:29) (Shotgun) 14-K.Gainwell left tackle for 8 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
8. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q3 16:25 · ATL 15 · Score 22-6
   4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs.
9. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+6) — Q4 4:29 · ATL 23 · Score 28-6
   (4:29) (Shotgun) 1-J.Hurts pass short left to 18-J.Reagor for 23 yards, TOUCHDOWN [54-F.Oluokun].
10. Philadelphia Eagles XP (+1) — Q4 4:20 · ATL 15 · Score 29-6
    4-J.Elliott extra point is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs.
11. Philadelphia Eagles TD (+7) — Q4 3:13 · ATL 31 · Score 29-6
    (3:13) 14-K.Gainwell left tackle to ATL 32 for -1 yards (39-T.Green; 96-T.Davison).
12. Philadelphia Eagles FG (+3) — Q4 1:15 · ATL 25 · Score 32-6
    (1:15) 4-J.Elliott 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-45-R.Lovato, Holder-8-A.Siposs.