Dolphins 7–19 Falcons: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 1, 2009

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons?

M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 56.4% completion, -0.9% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.28 total passing EPA. C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins), 60.0% completion, +3.5% CPOE, -0.60 EPA per dropback, -21.02 total passing EPA.

Quick answer

Winner: Atlanta Falcons
Final score: Atlanta Falcons 19–7 Miami Dolphins
Halftime: Miami Dolphins 0–10 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: D. Bess
Top passer: Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play: (2:00) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano to ATL 10 for 6 yards (53-M.Peterso…
Game date: 2009-09-13

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Miami Dolphins 19–7 on 2009-09-13. D. Bess posted a game-high +4.58 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 10 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	—	T
Miami Dolphins	0	0	7	0	0	7
Atlanta Falcons	10	6	3	0	0	19

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

MIAMiami Dolphins

MIA 1

+1MIA 2

+3MIA 18

MIA 20

+3MIA 31

ATL 9

+1ATL 2

ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

7 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 8:41TD
OMO. Mughelli
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 1
Score
0-6
(8:41) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 34-O.Mughelli for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 8:37XP
JEJ. Elam
Points+1
Yard line
MIA 2
Score
0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 0:36FG
JEJ. Elam
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 18
Score
0-10
(:36) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q3 1:25TD
TGT. Gonzalez
Points+6
Yard line
MIA 20
Score
0-16
(1:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 7:38FG
JEJ. Elam
Points+3
Yard line
MIA 31
Score
0-19
(7:38) 1-J.Elam 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 3:29TD
Ryan Williams
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 9
Score
6-19
(3:29) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 34-R.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
MIAMiami Dolphins
Q4 3:22XP
DCD. Carpenter
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 2
Score
7-19
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1D. Bess · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +4.58 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.65 EPA/play
2J. Norwood · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.69 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.62 EPA/play
3T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.53 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.39 EPA/play
4Matt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +3.28 total EPA · 39 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
5B. Hartline · Miami Dolphins · Receiving · +2.54 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.27 EPA/play
6M. Jenkins · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.17 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.43 EPA/play
7Ryan Williams · Miami Dolphins · Rushing · +1.88 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.23 EPA/play
8O. Mughelli · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.78 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.89 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

D. Bess — MIA · Receiving

D. Bess posted the highest total EPA (+4.58) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Miami Dolphins. Across 7 counted snaps, they averaged +0.65 EPA per play.

D. Bess's top snap (-0.96 EPA): (4:07) 9-M.Koenen punts 38 yards to MIA 29, Center-46-M.Schneck. 15-D.Bess to MIA 36 for 7 yards (54-S.Nicholas).

Biggest single play (-7.92 EPA): C. Pennington — (2:00) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano to ATL 10 for 6 yards (53-M.Peterson). FUMBLES (53-M.Peterson), RECOVERED by ATL-29-B.Williams at ATL 16. 29-B.Williams to MIA 31 for 53 yards (8

Quarterback report card

Matt Ryan led all passers in efficiency for Atlanta Falcons, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · -0.9% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.28 total EPA
C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins) · 35 dropbacks · 60.0% completion · +3.5% CPOE · -0.60 EPA/play · -21.02 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Miami Dolphins	Atlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play	-0.337	-0.135
Offensive success rate	44.3%	37.8%
Pass EPA/play	-0.601	+0.084
Rush EPA/play	-0.004	-0.195
Defensive EPA/play	+0.135	+0.337
Defensive success rate	62.2%	55.7%

Drive & efficiency notes

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.14 vs -0.34), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Miami Dolphins: -0.34 EPA/play (4th percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)
Atlanta Falcons: -0.14 EPA/play (22nd percentile vs. 2009 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 11 drives, -11.04 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Miami Dolphins: 11 drives, -23.61 total EPA, 1 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Atlanta Falcons — O. Mughelli (Matt Ryan pass) (Q2 8:41)
Atlanta Falcons — T. Gonzalez (Matt Ryan pass) (Q3 1:25)
Miami Dolphins — Ryan Williams (C. Pennington pass) (Q4 3:29)

Field goals

Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q2 0:36)
Atlanta Falcons — J. Elam (Q4 7:38)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the MIA 1 (Q2 8:41) — (8:41) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 34-O.Mughelli for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the MIA 2 (Q2 8:37) — 1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the MIA 18 (Q2 0:36) — (:36) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen..

The third quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the MIA 20 (Q3 1:25) — (1:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

The fourth quarter: Miami Dolphins won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the MIA 31 (Q4 7:38) — (7:38) 1-J.Elam 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.; Miami Dolphins found the end zone from the ATL 9 (Q4 3:29) — (3:29) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 34-R.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Miami Dolphins added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q4 3:22) — 5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Miami Dolphins (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano to ATL 10 for 6 yards (53-M.Peterson). FUMBLES (53-M.Peterson), RECOVERED by ATL-29-B.Williams at ATL 16. 29-B.Williams to MIA 31 for 53 yards (8 [WPA -21.7% · EPA -7.92]
Miami Dolphins (Q1 8:06) — (8:06) 10-C.Pennington sacked at MIA 33 for -4 yards (71-K.Biermann). FUMBLES (71-K.Biermann), RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at MIA 37. [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.11]
Atlanta Falcons (Q2 12:10) — (12:10) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 84-R.White to MIA 37 for 14 yards (28-G.Wilson). [WPA +11.1% · EPA +2.40]
Atlanta Falcons (Q1 7:28) — (7:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 84-R.White pushed ob at MIA 30 for 7 yards (25-W.Allen). PENALTY on ATL-63-J.Blalock, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at MIA 30. [WPA -9.5% · EPA -1.80]
Miami Dolphins (Q3 1:49) — (1:49) (Shotgun) 10-C.Pennington pass short right intended for 80-A.Fasano INTERCEPTED by 53-M.Peterson at ATL 41. 53-M.Peterson to MIA 20 for 39 yards (34-R.Williams). [WPA -8.2% · EPA -6.30]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Miami Dolphins (Q2 2:00) — (2:00) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 80-A.Fasano to ATL 10 for 6 yards (53-M.Peterson). FUMBLES (53-M.Peterson), RECOVERED by ATL-29-B.Williams at ATL 16. 29-B.Williams to MIA 31 for 53 yards (8 [WPA -21.7% · EPA -7.92]
Miami Dolphins (Q3 1:49) — (1:49) (Shotgun) 10-C.Pennington pass short right intended for 80-A.Fasano INTERCEPTED by 53-M.Peterson at ATL 41. 53-M.Peterson to MIA 20 for 39 yards (34-R.Williams). [WPA -8.2% · EPA -6.30]
Miami Dolphins (Q3 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 10-C.Pennington pass short left to 80-A.Fasano to MIA 38 for 10 yards (50-C.Lofton). FUMBLES (50-C.Lofton), RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at MIA 38. [WPA -2.9% · EPA -4.46]
Miami Dolphins (Q1 8:06) — (8:06) 10-C.Pennington sacked at MIA 33 for -4 yards (71-K.Biermann). FUMBLES (71-K.Biermann), RECOVERED by ATL-95-J.Babineaux at MIA 37. [WPA -11.7% · EPA -4.11]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 8:41 · MIA 1 · Score 0-6
(8:41) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 34-O.Mughelli for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 8:37 · MIA 2 · Score 0-7
1-J.Elam extra point is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 0:36 · MIA 18 · Score 0-10
(:36) 1-J.Elam 36 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q3 1:25 · MIA 20 · Score 0-16
(1:25) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 7:38 · MIA 31 · Score 0-19
(7:38) 1-J.Elam 50 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-M.Schneck, Holder-9-M.Koenen.
Miami Dolphins TD (+6) — Q4 3:29 · ATL 9 · Score 6-19
(3:29) 10-C.Pennington pass short right to 34-R.Williams for 9 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Miami Dolphins XP (+1) — Q4 3:22 · ATL 2 · Score 7-19
5-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-92-J.Denney, Holder-2-B.Fields.

Key takeaways

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

Atlanta Falcons earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
D. Bess (Miami Dolphins) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
C. Pennington (MIA) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons on 2009-09-13?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Miami Dolphins 19-7 in Week 1, 2009.

What was the score by quarter in Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons?

Q2: Miami Dolphins 0, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q3: Miami Dolphins 0, Atlanta Falcons 6; Q4: Miami Dolphins 7, Atlanta Falcons 3; Final: Miami Dolphins 7, Atlanta Falcons 19.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — O. Mughelli (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 8:41) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — T. Gonzalez (M. Ryan pass) (Q3 1:25) Miami Dolphins touchdown — R. Williams (C. Pennington pass) (Q4 3:29) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Elam (Q2 0:36, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — J. Elam (Q4 7:38, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 56.4% completion, -0.9% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.28 total passing EPA. C. Pennington (Miami Dolphins), 60.0% completion, +3.5% CPOE, -0.60 EPA per dropback, -21.02 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Miami Dolphins vs Atlanta Falcons?

D. Bess (Miami Dolphins) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.58 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 7 snaps. Their top snap (-0.96 EPA): (4:07) 9-M.Koenen punts 38 yards to MIA 29, Center-46-M.Schneck. 15-D.Bess to MIA 36 for 7 yards (54-S.Nicholas)..

Season records after this game

Miami Dolphins

Now 0-1 L

Atlanta Falcons

Now 1-0 W

Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2009 Week 1 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Dolphins

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Quick answer

Game summary