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NFL · Week 1 · September 11, 2011 · 12 min read

Atlanta Falcons vs. Chicago Bears: 2011 Week 1 Recap

Bears defeat Falcons 30–12 in Week 1

M.Forte led Fantasy Impact as Bears prevailed in a 12–30 Week 1 finish.

Atlanta Falcons 12 0–1
Final 12–30
Chicago Bears 30 1–0 Winner
Winner
Chicago Bears
Final score
12–30
Halftime
Atlanta Falcons 3–16 Chicago Bears
Top passer
Matt Ryan
FantasyHQ MVP
M.Forte
Game date
September 11, 2011

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • Justin Jones
    Justin Jones 5 REC · 71 YDS +2.8 Fantasy Impact
  • Malik Turner
    Malik Turner 3 REC · 40 YDS +2.2 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Gonzalez 5 REC · 72 YDS -0.2 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Bears

  • M.Forte 5 REC · 90 YDS · 1 TD +6.0 Fantasy Impact
  • Ryan Williams
    Ryan Williams 4 REC · 55 YDS +5.3 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Knox 3 REC · 60 YDS +4.8 Fantasy Impact
View Falcons vs Bears box score View all 2011 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Chicago Bears
Final score
Chicago Bears 30–12 Atlanta Falcons
Halftime
Atlanta Falcons 3–16 Chicago Bears at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
M. Forte
Top passer
Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play
(10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann …
Game date
2011-09-11

Game summary

The Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons 30–12 on 2011-09-11. M. Forte posted a game-high +6.02 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Atlanta Falcons3036012
Chicago Bears106140030

Scoring Map

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

ATLAtlanta Falcons
CHIChicago Bears

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 10:03FG
    RGR. Gould

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 23
    Score
    0-3

    (10:03) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.

  2. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 5:30FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CHI 30
    Score
    3-3

    (5:30) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  3. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 1:23TD
    MFM. Forte

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 56
    Score
    3-9

    (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  4. CHIChicago Bears
    Q1 1:10XP
    RGR. Gould

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    3-10

    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.

  5. CHIChicago Bears
    Q2 8:47FG
    RGR. Gould

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 5
    Score
    3-13

    (8:47) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.

  6. CHIChicago Bears
    Q2 0:59FG
    RGR. Gould

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 8
    Score
    3-16

    (:59) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.

  7. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q3 10:17FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    CHI 7
    Score
    6-16

    (10:17) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  8. CHIChicago Bears
    Q3 7:00TD
    MSM. Spaeth

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 1
    Score
    6-22

    (7:00) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 89-M.Spaeth for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  9. CHIChicago Bears
    Q3 6:55XP
    RGR. Gould

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    6-23

    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.

  10. CHIChicago Bears
    Q3 6:09TD
    BUB. Urlacher

    Points+6

    Yard line
    CHI 73
    Score
    6-29

    (6:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 16 for -11 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CHI-54-B.Urlacher at ATL 12. 54-B.Urlacher for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. CHIChicago Bears
    Q3 5:58XP
    RGR. Gould

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    6-30

    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.

  12. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 10:35TD
    KBK. Biermann

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 38
    Score
    12-30

    (10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann (55-J.Abraham) at 50. 71-K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1M. Forte · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +6.02 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.00 EPA/play
  2. 2Ryan WilliamsRyan Williams · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +5.34 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.34 EPA/play
  3. 3J. Knox · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +4.78 total EPA · 4 snaps · +1.20 EPA/play
  4. 4Justin JonesJustin Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.75 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.46 EPA/play
  5. 5D. Hester · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +2.42 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
  6. 6Malik TurnerMalik Turner · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.22 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.56 EPA/play
  7. 7M. Spaeth · Chicago Bears · Receiving · +0.96 total EPA · 2 snaps · +0.48 EPA/play
  8. 8M. Forte · Chicago Bears · Rushing · +0.61 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.04 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

M. Forte — CHI · Receiving

M. Forte posted the highest total EPA (+6.02) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Chicago Bears. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.00 EPA per play.

M. Forte's top snap (+4.60 EPA): (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-9.66 EPA): J. Cutler — (10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann (55-J.Abraham) at 50. 71-K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

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 RyanMatt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 54 dropbacks · 57.4% completion · +7.5% CPOE · -0.27 EPA/play · -14.59 total EPA
  • J. Cutler (Chicago Bears) · 39 dropbacks · 56.4% completion · +8.2% CPOE · -0.01 EPA/play · -0.47 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatAtlanta FalconsChicago Bears
Offensive EPA/play-0.204-0.019
Offensive success rate35.2%48.8%
Pass EPA/play-0.270-0.012
Rush EPA/play-0.166-0.151
Defensive EPA/play+0.019+0.204
Defensive success rate51.2%64.8%

Drive & efficiency notes

Chicago Bears held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (-0.02 vs -0.20), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Atlanta Falcons: -0.20 EPA/play (11th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Chicago Bears: -0.02 EPA/play (45th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 14 drives, -17.91 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Chicago Bears: 13 drives, -1.66 total EPA, 6 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Chicago Bears — M. Forte (J. Cutler pass) (Q1 1:23)
  • Chicago Bears — M. Spaeth (J. Cutler pass) (Q3 7:00)
  • Chicago Bears — B. Urlacher (Q3 6:09)
  • Atlanta Falcons — K. Biermann (Q4 10:35)

Field goals

  • Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q1 10:03)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q1 5:30)
  • Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 8:47)
  • Chicago Bears — R. Gould (Q2 0:59)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q3 10:17)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 10–3. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 23 (Q1 10:03) — (10:03) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 30 (Q1 5:30) — (5:30) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 56 (Q1 1:23) — (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q1 1:10) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh..

The second quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 6–0. Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 5 (Q2 8:47) — (8:47) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.; Chicago Bears connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q2 0:59) — (:59) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh..

The third quarter: Chicago Bears won the period 14–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the CHI 7 (Q3 10:17) — (10:17) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the ATL 1 (Q3 7:00) — (7:00) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 89-M.Spaeth for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 6:55) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.; Chicago Bears found the end zone from the CHI 73 (Q3 6:09); Chicago Bears added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 5:58) — 9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 6–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the ATL 38 (Q4 10:35).

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 2:48) — (2:48) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Urlacher [30-D.Moore] at CHI 29. 54-B.Urlacher to CHI 28 for -1 yards (88-T.Gonzalez). [WPA -15.1% · EPA -4.60]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 1:23) — (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +4.60]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 12:27) — (12:27) 6-J.Cutler pass short middle to 22-M.Forte to ATL 27 for 23 yards (28-T.DeCoud). [WPA +11.6% · EPA +2.64]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 0:30) — (:30) 33-M.Turner left tackle to CHI 42 for 8 yards (33-C.Tillman). FUMBLES (33-C.Tillman), RECOVERED by CHI-90-J.Peppers at CHI 40. 90-J.Peppers to CHI 40 for no gain (75-G.Reynolds). [WPA -10.2% · EPA -4.25]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 7:25) — (7:25) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 88-T.Gonzalez to CHI 37 for 8 yards (46-C.Harris) [69-H.Melton]. [WPA +7.9% · EPA +1.45]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Chicago Bears (Q4 10:35) — (10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann (55-J.Abraham) at 50. 71-K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -0.7% · EPA -9.66]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q3 6:09) — (6:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 16 for -11 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CHI-54-B.Urlacher at ATL 12. 54-B.Urlacher for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA -4.1% · EPA -6.78]
  • Chicago Bears (Q1 1:23) — (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +12.8% · EPA +4.60]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 2:48) — (2:48) (No Huddle) 2-M.Ryan pass short right intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 54-B.Urlacher [30-D.Moore] at CHI 29. 54-B.Urlacher to CHI 28 for -1 yards (88-T.Gonzalez). [WPA -15.1% · EPA -4.60]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q1 10:03 · ATL 23 · Score 0-3
    (10:03) 9-R.Gould 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
  2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 5:30 · CHI 30 · Score 3-3
    (5:30) 3-M.Bryant 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  3. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q1 1:23 · ATL 56 · Score 3-9
    (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  4. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q1 1:10 · ATL 2 · Score 3-10
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
  5. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 8:47 · ATL 5 · Score 3-13
    (8:47) 9-R.Gould 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
  6. Chicago Bears FG (+3) — Q2 0:59 · ATL 8 · Score 3-16
    (:59) 9-R.Gould 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
  7. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 10:17 · CHI 7 · Score 6-16
    (10:17) 3-M.Bryant 25 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  8. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 7:00 · ATL 1 · Score 6-22
    (7:00) 6-J.Cutler pass short left to 89-M.Spaeth for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  9. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 6:55 · ATL 2 · Score 6-23
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
  10. Chicago Bears TD (+6) — Q3 6:09 · CHI 73 · Score 6-29
    (6:09) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan sacked at ATL 16 for -11 yards. FUMBLES, RECOVERED by CHI-54-B.Urlacher at ATL 12. 54-B.Urlacher for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Chicago Bears XP (+1) — Q3 5:58 · ATL 2 · Score 6-30
    9-R.Gould extra point is GOOD, Center-65-P.Mannelly, Holder-8-A.Podlesh.
  12. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 10:35 · ATL 38 · Score 12-30
    (10:35) 6-J.Cutler pass short left intended for 80-E.Bennett INTERCEPTED by 71-K.Biermann (55-J.Abraham) at 50. 71-K.Biermann for 50 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Key takeaways

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

  • Chicago Bears earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • M. Forte (Chicago Bears) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matt Ryan (ATL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).
  • J. Cutler (CHI) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears on 2011-09-11?

The Chicago Bears beat the Atlanta Falcons 30-12 in Week 1, 2011.

What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears?

Q1: Atlanta Falcons 3, Chicago Bears 10; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 0, Chicago Bears 6; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 3, Chicago Bears 14; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 6, Chicago Bears 0; Final: Atlanta Falcons 12, Chicago Bears 30.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears?

Chicago Bears touchdown — M. Forte (J. Cutler pass) (Q1 1:23) Chicago Bears touchdown — M. Spaeth (J. Cutler pass) (Q3 7:00) Chicago Bears touchdown — B. Urlacher (Q3 6:09) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — K. Biermann (Q4 10:35) Chicago Bears field goal — R. Gould (Q1 10:03, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 5:30, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — R. Gould (Q2 8:47, 3 pts) Chicago Bears field goal — R. Gould (Q2 0:59, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q3 10:17, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 57.4% completion, +7.5% CPOE, -0.27 EPA per dropback, -14.59 total passing EPA. J. Cutler (Chicago Bears), 56.4% completion, +8.2% CPOE, -0.01 EPA per dropback, -0.47 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears?

M. Forte (Chicago Bears) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +6.02 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+4.60 EPA): (1:23) 6-J.Cutler pass short right to 22-M.Forte for 56 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Season records after this game

Atlanta Falcons

Now 0-1 L

Chicago Bears

Now 1-0 W

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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