Lions 16–20 Falcons: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 16, 2021

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

T. Boyle (Detroit Lions), 70.6% completion, +1.2% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +0.98 total passing EPA. M. Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 66.7% completion, +9.0% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +5.66 total passing EPA.

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

K. Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.97 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+2.72 EPA): (13:47) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 8-K.Pitts to ATL 32 for 13 yards (31-D.Marlowe, 44-J.Reeves-Maybin)..

Quick answer

Winner: Atlanta Falcons
Final score: Atlanta Falcons 20–16 Detroit Lions
Halftime: Tied 10–10 at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Kyle Pitts
Top passer: Tim Boyle
Biggest EPA play: (:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short middle intended for 11-K.Raymond INTERCEPTED by 54-F…
Game date: 2021-12-26

Game summary

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 20–16 on 2021-12-26. Kyle Pitts posted a game-high +10.97 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	—	T
Detroit Lions	3	7	3	3	0	16
Atlanta Falcons	0	10	3	7	0	20

Scoring Map

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

DETDetroit Lions

+3ATL 8

DET 6

ATL 20

+1ATL 15

+3DET 35

+3DET 30

+3ATL 19

+3ATL 8

ATLAtlanta Falcons

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

11 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

DETDetroit Lions
Q1 3:28FG
Riley Patterson
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 8
Score
3-0
(3:28) 6-R.Patterson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 11:00TD
Cordarrelle Patterson
Points+6
Yard line
DET 6
Score
3-6
(11:00) 84-C.Patterson left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 10:53XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
3-7
7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
DETDetroit Lions
Q2 3:54TD
ASA. St
Points+6
Yard line
ATL 20
Score
9-7
(3:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
DETDetroit Lions
Q2 3:44XP
Riley Patterson
Points+1
Yard line
ATL 15
Score
10-7
6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q2 1:09FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
DET 35
Score
10-10
(1:09) 7-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q3 10:15FG
Younghoe Koo
Points+3
Yard line
DET 30
Score
10-13
(10:15) 7-Y.Koo 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
DETDetroit Lions
Q3 3:11FG
Riley Patterson
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 19
Score
13-13
(3:11) 6-R.Patterson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 13:10TD
Hayden Hurst
Points+6
Yard line
DET 12
Score
13-19
(13:10) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-H.Hurst for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
ATLAtlanta Falcons
Q4 13:04XP
Younghoe Koo
Points+1
Yard line
DET 15
Score
13-20
7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
DETDetroit Lions
Q4 2:42FG
Riley Patterson
Points+3
Yard line
ATL 8
Score
16-20
(2:42) 6-R.Patterson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Kyle Pitts · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +10.97 total EPA · 6 snaps · +1.83 EPA/play
2A. St.Brown · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +8.69 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.79 EPA/play
3Matt Ryan · Atlanta Falcons · Passing · +5.66 total EPA · 27 snaps · +0.21 EPA/play
4Jack Fox · Detroit Lions · Passing · +3.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.98 EPA/play
5KhaDarel Hodge · Detroit Lions · Receiving · +3.98 total EPA · 1 snaps · +3.98 EPA/play
6St. Brown · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +2.81 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.40 EPA/play
7Hayden Hurst · Atlanta Falcons · Receiving · +2.45 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.23 EPA/play
8Joshua Williams · Detroit Lions · Rushing · +1.38 total EPA · 19 snaps · +0.07 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

Kyle Pitts — ATL · Receiving

Kyle Pitts posted the highest total EPA (+10.97) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Atlanta Falcons. Across 6 counted snaps, they averaged +1.83 EPA per play.

Kyle Pitts's top snap (+2.72 EPA): (13:47) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 8-K.Pitts to ATL 32 for 13 yards (31-D.Marlowe, 44-J.Reeves-Maybin).

Biggest single play (-4.88 EPA): Tim Boyle — (:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short middle intended for 11-K.Raymond INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Oluokun [6-D.Fowler] at ATL 1. 54-F.Oluokun to ATL 7 for 6 yards.

Quarterback report card

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

Tim Boyle (Detroit Lions) · 34 dropbacks · 70.6% completion · +1.2% CPOE · +0.03 EPA/play · +0.98 total EPA
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons) · 27 dropbacks · 66.7% completion · +9.0% CPOE · +0.21 EPA/play · +5.66 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Detroit Lions	Atlanta Falcons
Offensive EPA/play	+0.028	+0.084
Offensive success rate	41.9%	42.4%
Pass EPA/play	+0.142	+0.210
Rush EPA/play	+0.025	-0.210
Defensive EPA/play	-0.084	-0.028
Defensive success rate	57.6%	58.1%

Drive & efficiency notes

Atlanta Falcons held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.08 vs +0.03), even if the scoreboard told a different story.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Detroit Lions: +0.03 EPA/play (59th percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)
Atlanta Falcons: +0.08 EPA/play (72nd percentile vs. 2021 team-game averages)

Atlanta Falcons: 8 drives, +4.94 total EPA, 4 scoring drives
Detroit Lions: 8 drives, +2.44 total EPA, 4 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

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

Touchdowns

Atlanta Falcons — Cordarrelle Patterson (Q2 11:00)
Detroit Lions — A. St (Tim Boyle pass) (Q2 3:54)
Atlanta Falcons — Hayden Hurst (Matt Ryan pass) (Q4 13:10)

Field goals

Detroit Lions — Riley Patterson (Q1 3:28)
Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q2 1:09)
Atlanta Falcons — Younghoe Koo (Q3 10:15)
Detroit Lions — Riley Patterson (Q3 3:11)
Detroit Lions — Riley Patterson (Q4 2:42)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Detroit Lions won the period 3–0. Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q1 3:28) — (3:28) 6-R.Patterson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The second quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 10–7. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 6 (Q2 11:00) — (11:00) 84-C.Patterson left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q2 10:53) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions found the end zone from the ATL 20 (Q2 3:54) — (3:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Detroit Lions added 1 points from the ATL 15 (Q2 3:44) — 6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.; Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 35 (Q2 1:09) — (1:09) 7-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead..

The third quarter: The quarter finished even at 3–3. Atlanta Falcons connected on a field goal from the DET 30 (Q3 10:15) — (10:15) 7-Y.Koo 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 19 (Q3 3:11) — (3:11) 6-R.Patterson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

The fourth quarter: Atlanta Falcons won the period 7–3. Atlanta Falcons found the end zone from the DET 12 (Q4 13:10) — (13:10) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-H.Hurst for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Atlanta Falcons added 1 points from the DET 15 (Q4 13:04) — 7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.; Detroit Lions connected on a field goal from the ATL 8 (Q4 2:42) — (2:42) 6-R.Patterson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Detroit Lions (Q4 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short middle intended for 11-K.Raymond INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Oluokun [6-D.Fowler] at ATL 1. 54-F.Oluokun to ATL 7 for 6 yards. [WPA -54.9% · EPA -4.88]
Detroit Lions (Q2 5:31) — (5:31) (Punt formation) 3-J.Fox pass short right to 18-K.Hodge to ATL 24 for 21 yards (34-D.Hall; 35-A.Williams). [WPA +16.0% · EPA +3.98]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 14-R.Gage to ATL 32 for 4 yards (44-J.Reeves-Maybin). FUMBLES (44-J.Reeves-Maybin), RECOVERED by DET-31-D.Marlowe at ATL 37. [WPA -15.8% · EPA -3.46]
Detroit Lions (Q4 1:18) — (1:18) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short middle to 89-B.Wright to ATL 24 for 5 yards (45-D.Jones). [WPA +14.7% · EPA +0.55]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 13:10) — (13:10) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-H.Hurst for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +13.3% · EPA +1.76]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Detroit Lions (Q4 0:39) — (:39) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short middle intended for 11-K.Raymond INTERCEPTED by 54-F.Oluokun [6-D.Fowler] at ATL 1. 54-F.Oluokun to ATL 7 for 6 yards. [WPA -54.9% · EPA -4.88]
Detroit Lions (Q2 5:31) — (5:31) (Punt formation) 3-J.Fox pass short right to 18-K.Hodge to ATL 24 for 21 yards (34-D.Hall; 35-A.Williams). [WPA +16.0% · EPA +3.98]
Detroit Lions (Q2 3:54) — (3:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN. [WPA +9.4% · EPA +3.48]
Atlanta Falcons (Q4 2:28) — (2:28) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short left to 14-R.Gage to ATL 32 for 4 yards (44-J.Reeves-Maybin). FUMBLES (44-J.Reeves-Maybin), RECOVERED by DET-31-D.Marlowe at ATL 37. [WPA -15.8% · EPA -3.46]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q1 3:28 · ATL 8 · Score 3-0
(3:28) 6-R.Patterson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q2 11:00 · DET 6 · Score 3-6
(11:00) 84-C.Patterson left end for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q2 10:53 · DET 15 · Score 3-7
7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
Detroit Lions TD (+6) — Q2 3:54 · ATL 20 · Score 9-7
(3:54) (Shotgun) 12-T.Boyle pass short right to 14-A.St. Brown for 20 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Detroit Lions XP (+1) — Q2 3:44 · ATL 15 · Score 10-7
6-R.Patterson extra point is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q2 1:09 · DET 35 · Score 10-10
(1:09) 7-Y.Koo 53 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
Atlanta Falcons FG (+3) — Q3 10:15 · DET 30 · Score 10-13
(10:15) 7-Y.Koo 48 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q3 3:11 · ATL 19 · Score 13-13
(3:11) 6-R.Patterson 37 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.
Atlanta Falcons TD (+6) — Q4 13:10 · DET 12 · Score 13-19
(13:10) 2-M.Ryan pass short right to 81-H.Hurst for 12 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Atlanta Falcons XP (+1) — Q4 13:04 · DET 15 · Score 13-20
7-Y.Koo extra point is GOOD, Center-47-J.Harris, Holder-19-T.Morstead.
Detroit Lions FG (+3) — Q4 2:42 · ATL 8 · Score 16-20
(2:42) 6-R.Patterson 26 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-47-S.Daly, Holder-3-J.Fox.

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.
Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.
Matt Ryan (ATL) finished above expected through the air (positive CPOE).

Frequently asked questions

Who won Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons on 2021-12-26?

The Atlanta Falcons beat the Detroit Lions 20-16 in Week 16, 2021.

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

Q1: Detroit Lions 3, Atlanta Falcons 0; Q2: Detroit Lions 7, Atlanta Falcons 10; Q3: Detroit Lions 3, Atlanta Falcons 3; Q4: Detroit Lions 3, Atlanta Falcons 7; Final: Detroit Lions 16, Atlanta Falcons 20.

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

Atlanta Falcons touchdown — C. Patterson (Q2 11:00) Detroit Lions touchdown — A. St (T. Boyle pass) (Q2 3:54) Atlanta Falcons touchdown — H. Hurst (M. Ryan pass) (Q4 13:10) Detroit Lions field goal — R. Patterson (Q1 3:28, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q2 1:09, 3 pts) Atlanta Falcons field goal — Y. Koo (Q3 10:15, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — R. Patterson (Q3 3:11, 3 pts) Detroit Lions field goal — R. Patterson (Q4 2:42, 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?

Tim Boyle (Detroit Lions), 70.6% completion, +1.2% CPOE, +0.03 EPA per dropback, +0.98 total passing EPA. Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons), 66.7% completion, +9.0% CPOE, +0.21 EPA per dropback, +5.66 total passing EPA.

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

Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +10.97 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 6 snaps. Their top snap (+2.72 EPA): (13:47) (Shotgun) 2-M.Ryan pass short middle to 8-K.Pitts to ATL 32 for 13 yards (31-D.Marlowe, 44-J.Reeves-Maybin)..

Was Detroit Lions vs Atlanta Falcons a close game?

Yes — the margin was 4 points. Atlanta Falcons won 20-16 in a game that stayed within one score into the fourth quarter.

Season records after this game

Detroit Lions

Entered 2-11 Now 2-12 L

Atlanta Falcons

Entered 6-8 Now 7-8 W

Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons: 2021 Week 16 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Lions

Top fantasy performers · Falcons

Quick answer

Game summary