Seattle Seahawks vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2020 Week 1 Recap

Game story

In Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season on 2020-09-13, the Seattle Seahawks took care of business against the Atlanta Falcons, pulling away with a 38–25 final that built a comfortable lead.

The highest-scoring period was Q4 with 30 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) paced the passing game, with +6.17 total EPA, and +4.7% completion percentage over expected.

On the individual side, R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +23.70 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.

The momentum swing (+18.1% win probability) landed in the third quarter when Seattle Seahawks changed the game: (9:49) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 14-D.Metcalf for 38 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 R. Wilson · Seattle Seahawks · Passing · +23.70 total EPA · 42 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
2. 2 C. Ridley · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +9.59 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.80 EPA/play
3. 3 D. Metcalf · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +8.44 total EPA · 8 snaps · +1.06 EPA/play
4. 4 R. Gage · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +8.14 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.68 EPA/play
5. 5 J. Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +6.92 total EPA · 12 snaps · +0.58 EPA/play
6. 6 M. Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +6.17 total EPA · 59 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
7. 7 T. Lockett · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +5.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.72 EPA/play
8. 8 C. Carson · Seattle Seahawks · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.75 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

• Seattle Seahawks — C. Carson (R. Wilson pass) (Q1 49:48)
• Seattle Seahawks — C. Carson (R. Wilson pass) (Q1 46:01)
• Atlanta Falcons — T. Gurley (Q2 41:30)
• Seattle Seahawks — D. Metcalf (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 24:49)
• Seattle Seahawks — G. Olsen (R. Wilson pass) (Q3 20:09)
• Atlanta Falcons — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 9:42)
• Seattle Seahawks — C. Hyde (Q4 3:48)
• Atlanta Falcons — C. Ridley (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 0:39)

Field goals

• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q1 56:17)
• Atlanta Falcons — Y. Koo (Q2 30:02)
• Atlanta Falcons — unlisted player (Q2 30:00)
• Seattle Seahawks — J. Myers (Q4 11:24)

How it unfolded, quarter by quarter

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

The opening quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 14–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SEA 31 (Q1 56:17) — (11:17) 7-Y.Koo 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 3 (Q1 49:48) — (4:48) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 32-C.Carson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 49:43) — 5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 19 (Q1 46:01) — (1:01) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 32-C.Carson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q1 45:53) — 5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 12–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SEA 1 (Q2 41:30) — (11:30) 73-M.Gono reported in as eligible. 21-T.Gurley left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the SEA 31 (Q2 30:02) — (:02) 7-Y.Koo 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal (Q2 30:00) — END QUARTER 2.

The third quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 14–0. Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 38 (Q3 24:49) — (9:49) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 14-D.Metcalf for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 24:41) — 5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 7 (Q3 20:09) — (5:09) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q3 20:05) — 5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson..

The fourth quarter: Seattle Seahawks won the period 17–13. Seattle Seahawks connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q4 11:24) — (11:24) 5-J.Myers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SEA 18 (Q4 9:42) — (9:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 18-C.Ridley for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q4 3:48) — (3:48) 30-C.Hyde left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Seattle Seahawks added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q4 3:45) — 5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.; Seattle Seahawks found the end zone from the SEA 20 (Q4 1:38) — (1:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 25-I.Smith to SEA 18 for 2 yards (54-B.Wagner).; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the SEA 7 (Q4 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the SEA 15 (Q4 0:33) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter..

Turning points

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q3 24:49) — (9:49) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 14-D.Metcalf for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +6.73]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 50:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete deep left to 16-T.Lockett. PENALTY on ATL-37-R.Allen, Defensive Pass Interference, 41 yards, enforced at SEA 49 - No Play. [WPA +14.8% · EPA +4.54]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 58:05) — (13:05) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 18-C.Ridley ran ob at SEA 37 for 19 yards. [WPA +11.4% · EPA +2.77]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 56:59) — (11:59) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short right [91-L.Collier]. PENALTY on ATL-2-M.Ryan, Intentional Grounding, 11 yards, enforced at SEA 32. [WPA -9.8% · EPA -2.59]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q1 47:54) — (2:54) 73-M.Gono reported in as eligible. 23-B.Hill right guard to SEA 40 for -2 yards (54-B.Wagner, 33-J.Adams). [WPA -8.1% · EPA -2.46]

Impact plays

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

• Seattle Seahawks (Q3 24:49) — (9:49) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 14-D.Metcalf for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +18.1% · EPA +6.73]
• Seattle Seahawks (Q1 50:04) — (5:04) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass incomplete deep left to 16-T.Lockett. PENALTY on ATL-37-R.Allen, Defensive Pass Interference, 41 yards, enforced at SEA 49 - No Play. [WPA +14.8% · EPA +4.54]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q3 16:16) — (1:16) 2-M.Ryan sacked at SEA 20 for -9 yards (95-B.Mayowa). [WPA -5.3% · EPA -3.78]
• Atlanta Falcons (Q4 6:19) — (6:19) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass incomplete short left to 18-C.Ridley. [WPA -3.0% · EPA -3.42]

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) · 59 dropbacks · 62.7% completion · +4.7% CPOE · +0.10 EPA/play · +6.17 total EPA
• R.Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) · 42 dropbacks · 73.8% completion · +19.8% CPOE · +0.56 EPA/play · +23.70 total EPA

Team stats comparison

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

By the numbers

Despite the final score, Seattle Seahawks generated the better offensive EPA per play (+0.22 vs -0.01), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

• Atlanta Falcons: 12 drives, -1.10 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
• Seattle Seahawks: 12 drives, +18.03 total EPA, 6 scoring drives

Key takeaways

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

• Seattle Seahawks leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
• R. Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) 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.
• R. Wilson (SEA) 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 56:17 · SEA 31 · Score 0-3
   (11:17) 7-Y.Koo 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
2. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 49:48 · ATL 3 · Score 6-3
   (4:48) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 32-C.Carson for 3 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 49:43 · ATL 15 · Score 7-3
   5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
4. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q1 46:01 · ATL 19 · Score 13-3
   (1:01) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short left to 32-C.Carson for 19 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
5. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q1 45:53 · ATL 15 · Score 14-3
   5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 41:30 · SEA 1 · Score 14-9
   (11:30) 73-M.Gono reported in as eligible. 21-T.Gurley left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:02 · SEA 31 · Score 14-12
   (:02) 7-Y.Koo 49 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.
8. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 30:00 · Score 14-12
   END QUARTER 2
9. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 24:49 · ATL 38 · Score 20-12
   (9:49) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass deep left to 14-D.Metcalf for 38 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
10. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 24:41 · ATL 15 · Score 21-12
    5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
11. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q3 20:09 · ATL 7 · Score 27-12
    (5:09) (Shotgun) 3-R.Wilson pass short right to 88-G.Olsen for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
12. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q3 20:05 · ATL 15 · Score 28-12
    5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
13. Seattle Seahawks FG (+3) — Q4 11:24 · ATL 23 · Score 31-12
    (11:24) 5-J.Myers 42 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
14. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 9:42 · SEA 18 · Score 31-18
    (9:42) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 18-C.Ridley for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
15. Seattle Seahawks TD (+6) — Q4 3:48 · ATL 1 · Score 37-18
    (3:48) 30-C.Hyde left guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
16. Seattle Seahawks XP (+1) — Q4 3:45 · ATL 15 · Score 38-18
    5-J.Myers extra point is GOOD, Center-69-T.Ott, Holder-4-M.Dickson.
17. Seattle Seahawks TD (+7) — Q4 1:38 · SEA 20 · Score 38-18
    (1:38) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 25-I.Smith to SEA 18 for 2 yards (54-B.Wagner).
18. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 0:39 · SEA 7 · Score 38-24
    (:39) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 18-C.Ridley for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
19. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 0:33 · SEA 15 · Score 38-25
    7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-4-S.Hofrichter.