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NFL · Week 7 · October 23, 2011 · 12 min read

Atlanta Falcons vs. Detroit Lions: 2011 Week 7 Recap

Falcons defeat Lions 23–16 in Week 7

Cornelius Johnson led Fantasy Impact as Falcons prevailed in a 23–16 Week 7 finish.

Atlanta Falcons 23 4–3 Winner
Final 23–16
Detroit Lions 16 5–2
Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
23–16
Halftime
Atlanta Falcons 17–6 Detroit Lions
Top passer
Matt Ryan
FantasyHQ MVP
Cornelius Johnson
Game date
October 23, 2011

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • Matt Ryan
    Matt Ryan 20/43 · 201 YDS · 1 TD +3.6 Fantasy Impact
  • H.Douglas 4 REC · 62 YDS +1.3 Fantasy Impact
  • J.Snelling 1 REC · 18 YDS +1.0 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Cornelius Johnson
    Cornelius Johnson 5 REC · 115 YDS · 1 TD +4.5 Fantasy Impact
  • B.Pettigrew 4 REC · 31 YDS +2.7 Fantasy Impact
  • T.Scheffler 2 REC · 15 YDS -0.3 Fantasy Impact
View Falcons vs Lions box score View all 2011 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Atlanta Falcons
Final score
Atlanta Falcons 23–16 Detroit Lions
Halftime
Atlanta Falcons 17–6 Detroit Lions at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Cornelius Johnson
Top passer
Matt Ryan
Biggest EPA play
5-M.Bosher kicks 73 yards from ATL 30 to DET -3. 11-S.Logan to DET 27 for 30 yards (52-A.D…
Game date
2011-10-23

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 23–16 on 2011-10-23. Cornelius Johnson posted a game-high +4.51 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 13 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Atlanta Falcons10733023
Detroit Lions33100016

Scoring Map

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

ATLAtlanta Falcons
DETDetroit Lions

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. DETDetroit Lions
    Q1 10:30FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 25
    Score
    0-3

    (10:30) 4-J.Hanson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.

  2. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 3:04FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 5
    Score
    3-3

    (3:04) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  3. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 0:15TD
    Matt Ryan

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    9-3

    (:15) 2-M.Ryan up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.

  4. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 0:04XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    10-3

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  5. DETDetroit Lions
    Q2 10:56FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 20
    Score
    10-6

    (10:56) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.

  6. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 0:31TD
    Ricky White III

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 18
    Score
    16-6

    (:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  7. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 0:25XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    17-6

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 7:41FG
    Jake Hanson

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 11
    Score
    17-9

    (7:41) 4-J.Hanson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.

  9. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q3 5:09FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 29
    Score
    20-9

    (5:09) 3-M.Bryant 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  10. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 2:08TD
    Cornelius Johnson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 57
    Score
    20-15

    (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 1:57XP
    Jake Hanson

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    20-16

    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.

  12. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q4 8:45FG
    Myles Bryant

    Points+3

    Yard line
    DET 22
    Score
    23-16

    (8:45) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Cornelius JohnsonCornelius Johnson · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.51 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.41 EPA/play
  2. 2Matt RyanMatt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +3.63 total EPA · 43 snaps · +0.08 EPA/play
  3. 3B. Pettigrew · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +2.66 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.44 EPA/play
  4. 4H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.29 total EPA · 7 snaps · +0.18 EPA/play
  5. 5J. Snelling · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +1.01 total EPA · 1 snaps · +1.01 EPA/play
  6. 6J. Rodgers · Atlanta Falcons · Rushing · +0.67 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.67 EPA/play
  7. 7T. Gonzalez · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.40 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
  8. 8M. Palmer · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +0.29 total EPA · 1 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Cornelius Johnson

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Cornelius Johnson — DET · Receiving

Cornelius Johnson posted the highest total EPA (+4.51) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 11 counted snaps, they averaged +0.41 EPA per play.

Cornelius Johnson's top snap (+4.51 EPA): (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

Biggest single play (-5.13 EPA): M. Bosher — 5-M.Bosher kicks 73 yards from ATL 30 to DET -3. 11-S.Logan to DET 27 for 30 yards (52-A.Dent). FUMBLES (52-A.Dent), RECOVERED by ATL-44-J.Snelling at DET 28. 44-J.Snelling to DET 28 for no gain (11-S

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) · 43 dropbacks · 46.5% completion · -7.6% CPOE · +0.08 EPA/play · +3.63 total EPA
  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 37 dropbacks · 40.5% completion · -16.5% CPOE · -0.21 EPA/play · -7.83 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatAtlanta FalconsDetroit Lions
Offensive EPA/play-0.061-0.217
Offensive success rate37.5%37.7%
Pass EPA/play+0.067-0.212
Rush EPA/play-0.168-0.171
Defensive EPA/play+0.217+0.061
Defensive success rate62.3%62.5%

Drive & efficiency notes

Despite the final score, Atlanta Falcons generated the better offensive EPA per play (-0.06 vs -0.22), suggesting they moved the ball more efficiently.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Atlanta Falcons: -0.06 EPA/play (34th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Detroit Lions: -0.22 EPA/play (10th percentile vs. 2011 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 13 drives, -5.86 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 14 drives, -16.68 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Matt RyanAtlanta Falcons — Matt Ryan (Q1 0:15)
  • Ricky White IIIAtlanta Falcons — Ricky White III (Matt Ryan pass) (Q2 0:31)
  • Cornelius JohnsonDetroit Lions — Cornelius Johnson (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q3 2:08)

Field goals

  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q1 10:30)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q1 3:04)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q2 10:56)
  • Jake HansonDetroit Lions — Jake Hanson (Q3 7:41)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q3 5:09)
  • Myles BryantAtlanta Falcons — Myles Bryant (Q4 8:45)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 25 (Q1 10:30) — (10:30) 4-J.Hanson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 5 (Q1 3:04) — (3:04) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q1 0:15); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 0:04) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 20 (Q2 10:56) — (10:56) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 18 (Q2 0:31) — (:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 0:25) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–3. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 11 (Q3 7:41) — (7:41) 4-J.Hanson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 29 (Q3 5:09) — (5:09) 3-M.Bryant 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 57 (Q3 2:08) — (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 1:57) — 4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 3–0. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 22 (Q4 8:45) — (8:45) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q1 2:57) — 5-M.Bosher kicks 73 yards from ATL 30 to DET -3. 11-S.Logan to DET 27 for 30 yards (52-A.Dent). FUMBLES (52-A.Dent), RECOVERED by ATL-44-J.Snelling at DET 28. 44-J.Snelling to DET 28 for no gain (11-S [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.13]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 2:08) — (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.51]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 15:00) — (15:00) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle intended for 88-T.Gonzalez INTERCEPTED by 42-A.Spievey at DET 2. 42-A.Spievey to DET 4 for 2 yards (88-T.Gonzalez). [WPA -12.6% · EPA -4.17]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 87-B.Pettigrew to DET 44 for 7 yards (50-C.Lofton). PENALTY on ATL-26-K.Hayden, Personal Foul, 15 yards, enforced at DET 44. [WPA +11.8% · EPA +3.03]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 12:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 21-E.Wright at ATL 37. 21-E.Wright to ATL 15 for 22 yards (75-G.Reynolds). Penalty on ATL-83-H.Douglas, Personal Fou [WPA -10.9% · EPA -4.28]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Detroit Lions (Q1 2:57) — 5-M.Bosher kicks 73 yards from ATL 30 to DET -3. 11-S.Logan to DET 27 for 30 yards (52-A.Dent). FUMBLES (52-A.Dent), RECOVERED by ATL-44-J.Snelling at DET 28. 44-J.Snelling to DET 28 for no gain (11-S [WPA -14.9% · EPA -5.13]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q3 6:45) — (6:45) ATL #2-M.Ryan back in at QB. (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep middle to 83-H.Douglas to DET 29 for 49 yards (42-A.Spievey) [93-K.Vanden Bosch]. [WPA +7.4% · EPA +4.82]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 2:08) — (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +14.1% · EPA +4.51]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 12:24) — (12:24) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle intended for 84-R.White INTERCEPTED by 21-E.Wright at ATL 37. 21-E.Wright to ATL 15 for 22 yards (75-G.Reynolds). Penalty on ATL-83-H.Douglas, Personal Fou [WPA -10.9% · EPA -4.28]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 10:30 · ATL 25 · Score 0-3
    (10:30) 4-J.Hanson 43 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
  2. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q1 3:04 · DET 5 · Score 3-3
    (3:04) 3-M.Bryant 23 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 0:15 · DET 1 · Score 9-3
    (:15) 2-M.Ryan up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. The Replay Assistant challenged the runner broke the plane ruling, and the play was Upheld.
  4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 0:04 · DET 2 · Score 10-3
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  5. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q2 10:56 · ATL 20 · Score 10-6
    (10:56) 4-J.Hanson 38 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
  6. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 0:31 · DET 18 · Score 16-6
    (:31) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep right to 84-R.White for 18 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  7. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 0:25 · DET 2 · Score 17-6
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  8. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 7:41 · ATL 11 · Score 17-9
    (7:41) 4-J.Hanson 29 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
  9. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 5:09 · DET 29 · Score 20-9
    (5:09) 3-M.Bryant 47 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  10. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 2:08 · ATL 57 · Score 20-15
    (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  11. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 1:57 · ATL 2 · Score 20-16
    4-J.Hanson extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-R.Donahue.
  12. Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q4 8:45 · DET 22 · Score 23-16
    (8:45) 3-M.Bryant 40 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-82-J.Zelenka, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

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.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Cornelius Johnson (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matt Ryan (ATL) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions on 2011-10-23?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 23-16 in Week 7, 2011.

What was the score by quarter in Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions?

Q1: Atlanta Falcons 10, Detroit Lions 3; Q2: Atlanta Falcons 7, Detroit Lions 3; Q3: Atlanta Falcons 3, Detroit Lions 10; Q4: Atlanta Falcons 3, Detroit Lions 0; Final: Atlanta Falcons 23, Detroit Lions 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions?

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — M. Ryan (Q1 0:15) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — R. White (M. Ryan pass) (Q2 0:31) Detroit Lions touchdown — C. Johnson (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 2:08) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q1 10:30, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q1 3:04, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q2 10:56, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — J. Hanson (Q3 7:41, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q3 5:09, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — M. Bryant (Q4 8:45, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions?

Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 46.5% completion, -7.6% CPOE, +0.08 EPA per dropback, +3.63 total passing EPA. Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 40.5% completion, -16.5% CPOE, -0.21 EPA per dropback, -7.83 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions?

Cornelius Johnson (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +4.51 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 11 snaps. Their top snap (+4.51 EPA): (2:08) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 81-C.Johnson for 57 yards, TOUCHDOWN..

Was Atlanta Falcons vs Detroit Lions a close game?

Yes — the margin was 7 points. Atlanta Falcons won 23-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 3-3 Now 4-3 W

Detroit Lions

Entered 5-1 Now 5-2 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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