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NFL · Week 8 · October 26, 2014 · 12 min read

Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2014 Week 8 Recap

Lions defeat Falcons 22–21 in Week 8

Matthew Stafford led Fantasy Impact as Lions prevailed in a 22–21 Week 8 finish.

Detroit Lions 22 6–2 Winner
Final 22–21
Atlanta Falcons 21 2–6
Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
22–21
Halftime
Detroit Lions 0–21 Atlanta Falcons
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Game date
October 26, 2014

Top fantasy performers · Lions

  • Matthew Stafford
    Matthew Stafford 24/49 · 335 YDS · 2 TD +10.5 Fantasy Impact
  • G.Tate 7 REC · 151 YDS · 1 TD +4.7 Fantasy Impact
  • Josh Ross
    Josh Ross 3 REC · 31 YDS +3.5 Fantasy Impact

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

  • Matt Ryan
    Matt Ryan 20/35 · 219 YDS · 3 TD +8.3 Fantasy Impact
  • Ricky White III
    Ricky White III 5 REC · 66 YDS +7.7 Fantasy Impact
  • H.Douglas 3 REC · 42 YDS +3.9 Fantasy Impact
View Lions vs Falcons box score View all 2014 NFL game recaps

Quick answer

Winner
Detroit Lions
Final score
Detroit Lions 22–21 Atlanta Falcons
Halftime
Detroit Lions 0–21 Atlanta Falcons at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP
Matthew Stafford
Top passer
Matthew Stafford
Biggest EPA play
(:22) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right INTERCEPTED by 29-C.Vaughn at DET 48. 29-C.Vaugh…
Game date
2014-10-26

Game summary

The Detroit Lions beat the Atlanta Falcons 22–21 on 2014-10-26, overcoming Atlanta Falcons's 21–0 halftime lead. Matthew Stafford posted a game-high +10.50 total EPA in the passing.

The highest-scoring period was Q1 with 14 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

Q1Q2Q3Q4—T
Detroit Lions001012022
Atlanta Falcons14700021

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions
ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

12 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

  1. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 9:31TD
    DFD. Freeman

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 7
    Score
    0-6

    (9:31) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 24-D.Freeman for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  2. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 9:25XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    0-7

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  3. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 2:58TD
    BPB. Pascoe

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    0-13

    (2:58) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 86-B.Pascoe for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Ryan finds Pascoe on the play action pass over the middle for the score

  4. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q1 2:53XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    0-14

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  5. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 3:48TD
    Shedrick Jackson

    Points+6

    Yard line
    DET 1
    Score
    0-20

    (3:48) 39-S.Jackson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.

  6. ATLAtlanta Falcons
    Q2 3:45XP
    Myles Bryant

    Points+1

    Yard line
    DET 2
    Score
    0-21

    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.

  7. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 7:59FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 4
    Score
    3-21

    (7:59) 5-M.Prater 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  8. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 4:48TD
    GTG. Tate

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 59
    Score
    9-21

    (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. With that touchdown pass Matthew Stafford has set a new franchise record for the most career touchdown passes in Lions history. Stafford, who has now thrown 119 career touchdowns, breaks a tie with Hall of Fame QB Bobby Layne for the all-time Lions record

  9. DETDetroit Lions
    Q3 4:38XP
    Matt Prater

    Points+1

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    10-21

    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  10. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 14:14FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 2
    Score
    13-21

    (14:14) 5-M.Prater 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

  11. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 4:01TD
    TRT. Riddick

    Points+6

    Yard line
    ATL 5
    Score
    19-21

    (4:01) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 25-T.Riddick for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

  12. DETDetroit Lions
    Q4 0:04FG
    Matt Prater

    Points+3

    Yard line
    ATL 30
    Score
    22-21

    (:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

  1. 1Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford · Detroit Lions · Passing · +10.50 total EPA · 49 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
  2. 2Matt RyanMatt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +8.29 total EPA · 35 snaps · +0.24 EPA/play
  3. 3Ricky White IIIRicky White III · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +7.67 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.28 EPA/play
  4. 4G. Tate · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +4.71 total EPA · 16 snaps · +0.29 EPA/play
  5. 5H. Douglas · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +3.85 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.77 EPA/play
  6. 6Josh RossJosh Ross · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.51 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.17 EPA/play
  7. 7Justin JonesJustin Jones · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.39 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.40 EPA/play
  8. 8D. Freeman · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.07 total EPA · 1 snaps · +2.07 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

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

Matthew Stafford

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Matthew Stafford — DET · Passing

Matthew Stafford posted the highest total EPA (+10.50) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Detroit Lions. Across 49 counted snaps, they averaged +0.21 EPA per play.

Matthew Stafford's top snap (+6.91 EPA): (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. With that touchdown pass Matthew Stafford has set a new franchise record for the most career touchdown passes in Lions history. Stafford

Biggest single play (-7.53 EPA): Matt Ryan — (:22) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right INTERCEPTED by 29-C.Vaughn at DET 48. 29-C.Vaughn to ATL 7 for 45 yards (11-J.Jones).

Quarterback report card

Matthew Stafford led all passers in efficiency for Detroit Lions, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

  • Matthew StaffordMatthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) · 49 dropbacks · 49.0% completion · -13.3% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +10.50 total EPA
  • Matt RyanMatt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 35 dropbacks · 57.1% completion · +9.4% CPOE · +0.24 EPA/play · +8.29 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

StatDetroit LionsAtlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play+0.078+0.078
Offensive success rate44.9%48.6%
Pass EPA/play+0.214+0.237
Rush EPA/play-0.217-0.101
Defensive EPA/play-0.078-0.078
Defensive success rate51.4%55.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Detroit Lions +0.08, Atlanta Falcons +0.08) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

  • Detroit Lions: +0.08 EPA/play (71st percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: +0.08 EPA/play (71st percentile vs. 2014 team-game averages)
  • Atlanta Falcons: 10 drives, +5.77 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
  • Detroit Lions: 9 drives, +6.97 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

  • Atlanta Falcons — D. Freeman (Matt Ryan pass) (Q1 9:31)
  • Atlanta Falcons — B. Pascoe (Matt Ryan pass) (Q1 2:58)
  • Shedrick JacksonAtlanta Falcons — Shedrick Jackson (Q2 3:48)
  • Detroit Lions — G. Tate (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q3 4:48)
  • Detroit Lions — T. Riddick (Matthew Stafford pass) (Q4 4:01)

Field goals

  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q3 7:59)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q4 14:14)
  • Matt PraterDetroit Lions — Matt Prater (Q4 0:04)
Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 14–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 7 (Q1 9:31) — (9:31) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 24-D.Freeman for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 9:25) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.; Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q1 2:58); Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q1 2:53) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–0. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 1 (Q2 3:48) — (3:48) 39-S.Jackson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 2 (Q2 3:45) — 3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher..

The third quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 10–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 4 (Q3 7:59) — (7:59) 5-M.Prater 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 59 (Q3 4:48); Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 2 (Q3 4:38) — 5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

The fourth quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 12–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 2 (Q4 14:14) — (14:14) 5-M.Prater 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 5 (Q4 4:01) — (4:01) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 25-T.Riddick for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 30 (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

  • Detroit Lions (Q4 0:04) — (:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin. [WPA +52.2% · EPA +0.89]
  • Detroit Lions (Q4 1:07) — (1:07) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass short middle to 25-T.Riddick to ATL 41 for 20 yards (36-K.Ishmael). [WPA +19.2% · EPA +1.08]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q3 0:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right INTERCEPTED by 29-C.Vaughn at DET 48. 29-C.Vaughn to ATL 7 for 45 yards (11-J.Jones). [WPA -15.1% · EPA -7.53]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 1:46) — (1:46) 5-M.Bosher punts 33 yards to DET 7, Center-47-J.Harris, fair catch by 12-J.Ross. [WPA -13.7% · EPA -0.27]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q4 3:03) — (3:03) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 83-H.Douglas to ATL 38 for 13 yards (27-G.Quin). [WPA +11.8% · EPA +1.53]
Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

  • Atlanta Falcons (Q3 0:22) — (:22) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short right INTERCEPTED by 29-C.Vaughn at DET 48. 29-C.Vaughn to ATL 7 for 45 yards (11-J.Jones). [WPA -15.1% · EPA -7.53]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 4:48) — (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. With that touchdown pass Matthew Stafford has set a new franchise record for the most career touchdown passes in Lio [WPA +7.7% · EPA +6.91]
  • Detroit Lions (Q3 11:36) — (11:36) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep middle to 15-G.Tate to ATL 21 for 28 yards (36-K.Ishmael). [WPA +3.6% · EPA +3.22]
  • Atlanta Falcons (Q1 13:59) — (13:59) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass deep left to 84-R.White to ATL 46 for 24 yards (27-G.Quin) [98-N.Fairley]. [WPA +8.1% · EPA +3.17]
Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

  1. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 9:31 · DET 7 · Score 0-6
    (9:31) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 24-D.Freeman for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  2. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 9:25 · DET 2 · Score 0-7
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  3. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q1 2:58 · DET 1 · Score 0-13
    (2:58) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 86-B.Pascoe for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. Ryan finds Pascoe on the play action pass over the middle for the score
  4. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q1 2:53 · DET 2 · Score 0-14
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  5. Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 3:48 · DET 1 · Score 0-20
    (3:48) 39-S.Jackson left tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
  6. Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 3:45 · DET 2 · Score 0-21
    3-M.Bryant extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-5-M.Bosher.
  7. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 7:59 · ATL 4 · Score 3-21
    (7:59) 5-M.Prater 22 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  8. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q3 4:48 · ATL 59 · Score 9-21
    (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. With that touchdown pass Matthew Stafford has set a new franchise record for the most career touchdown passes in Lio
  9. Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q3 4:38 · ATL 2 · Score 10-21
    5-M.Prater extra point is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  10. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 14:14 · ATL 2 · Score 13-21
    (14:14) 5-M.Prater 20 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.
  11. Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q4 4:01 · ATL 5 · Score 19-21
    (4:01) 9-M.Stafford pass short right to 25-T.Riddick for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
  12. Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 0:04 · ATL 30 · Score 22-21
    (:04) 5-M.Prater 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-48-D.Muhlbach, Holder-6-S.Martin.

Key takeaways

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

  • Detroit Lions earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
  • One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
  • Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
  • Matthew Stafford (DET) finished below expected efficiency despite volume.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons on 2014-10-26?

The Detroit Lions beat the Atlanta Falcons 22-21 in Week 8, 2014.

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

Q1: Detroit Lions 0, Atlanta Falcons 14; Q2: Detroit Lions 0, Atlanta Falcons 7; Q3: Detroit Lions 10, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q4: Detroit Lions 12, Atlanta Falcons 0; Final: Detroit Lions 22, Atlanta Falcons 21.

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

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — D. Freeman (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 9:31) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — B. Pascoe (M. Ryan pass) (Q1 2:58) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — S. Jackson (Q2 3:48) Detroit Lions touchdown — G. Tate (M. Stafford pass) (Q3 4:48) Detroit Lions touchdown — T. Riddick (M. Stafford pass) (Q4 4:01) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q3 7:59, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q4 14:14, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — M. Prater (Q4 0:04, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

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

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions), 49.0% completion, -13.3% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +10.50 total passing EPA. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 57.1% completion, +9.4% CPOE, +0.24 EPA per dropback, +8.29 total passing EPA.

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

Matthew Stafford (Detroit Lions) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.50 total EPA on Passing plays. across 49 snaps. Their top snap (+6.91 EPA): (4:48) (Shotgun) 9-M.Stafford pass deep right to 15-G.Tate for 59 yards, TOUCHDOWN. With that touchdown pass Matthew Stafford has set a new franchise record for the most career tou.

Was Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Detroit Lions won 22-21 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 5-2 Now 6-2 W

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 2-5 Now 2-6 L

FantasyHQ · fantasyhq.co

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