Devonta Freeman and the Falcons have had much to celebrate in their hot start to 2015. (Getty)
Final Score
Washington Redskins 0-7-0-6-0 — 19
Atlanta Falcons 0-3-3-13-6 — 25
Robert Alford Comes Up With Pick Six to End Game, Keeps Falcons Perfect
Falcons quarterback Robert Alford intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass for a 59-yard walk-off return for a touchdown. Atlanta remained perfect at 5-0 with the overtime win.
In a game that started off almost painfully slowly, the fourth quarter and overtime saw more than enough drama to make up for the first three periods. The Redskins shutdown the Falcons’ three-headed monster of Matt Ryan-Julio Jones-Devonta Freeman fairly effectively through 45 minutes. In the fourth quarter, the trio came alive to spark Atlanta.
Ryan’s up-and-down afternoon saw him finish 24-42 for 254 yards and two interceptions. Jones was shutout in the first half, but finished with 67 yards on five receptions, while Freeman had 27 carries for 153 yards and a late touchdown.
Washington controlled the majority of the game, at times a sloppy one. Three combined missed field goals in the first three quarters, two by Falcons kicker Matt Bryant, contributed to Washington taking a 7-6 lead into the final frame. Then things escalated quickly.
Julio Jones recovered a Devonta Freeman fumble in the endzone to give the Falcons their first lead at 12-7. That was followed on the next drive by a rushing touchdown by ‘Skins rookie running back Matt Jones, putting Washington back on top, 13-12. Matt Ryan then threw an interception, leading to a Washington field goal.
On Atlanta’s final drive of regulation, they appeared to ice the game twice. An apparent 13-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Freeman was reviewed and reversed, and Freeman then scored seconds later on a six-yard run to put Atlanta up 19-16 with only 24 seconds to go.
Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, who finished a solid 21-32 for 219 yards and a touchdown to go along with two interceptions, marched the Redskins quickly into field goal range, where Hopkins was able to connect from 52 yards out to send the game into overtime.
In the extra frame, the Redskins possessed the ball and seemed in control after six plays and 30 yards. Then, an awry pass from Cousins intended for Ryan Clark landed in the hands of Alford, who easily sprinted into the endzone to end the game.
The Falcons moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC South with the win, while the ‘Skins dropped to 2-3 and out of a share for first in the NFC East.
Watch all of the highlights below.
Dustin Hopkins’ Clutch Kick at the Horn Sends Game to Overtime
Dustin Hopkins booted a 52-yard field goal to send Sunday afternoon’s game into OT. (Getty)
Dustin Hopkins connected on a 52-yard field goal to send Sunday’s Redskins-Falcons game into overtime at the Georgia Dome.
The field goal tied the game at 19-19 at the end of regulation.
Devonta Freeman Runs For Score in Final Minute, Giving Falcons the Lead
The Falcons offense drove for an 10-play, 80-yard drive in less than two minutes to give Atlanta a 19-16 lead over Washington with 24 seconds to go in Sunday’s game at the Georgia Dome.
Devonta Freeman scored the go-ahead touchdown two plays after his previous reception had been ruled incomplete in what was initially called a touchdown. The Falcons need to make one more stop to stay perfect on the season.
Hopkins Hits Field Goal to Increase ‘Skins Lead Late
The Washington Redskins have to hold on late on the road against the always-dangerous Falcons. (Getty)
Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins connected on a 28-yard field goal to cap a six-play, 11-yard drive following Matt Ryan’s second interception of the game. The score gave the ‘Skins a 16-12 lead with just over two minutes to go at the Georgia Dome.
Matt Jones Scores From 2 Yards Out as ‘Skins Grab Lead
Running back Matt Jones scored a two-yard rushing touchdown immediately following a 42-yard pass interference penalty by the Falcons, giving the Redskins a 13-12 lead with less than eight minutes to go in Sunday’s game.
The Redskins could not convert on the two-point conversion attempt.
Devonta Freeman Fumble Results in Julio Jones Touchdown, Falcons Take First Lead Late
Falcons running back Devonta Freeman fumbled the ball at the one-yard line, but wideout Julio Jones fell on the ball in the endzone for an Atlanta touchdown with just over nine minutes to go in the game.
The score gave the Falcons a 12-7 lead at home, their first of the game. Atlanta failed on the two-point attempt.
Bryant Eventually Pulls Through on Tough Day For Kickers in Atlanta
Matt Bryant has made 2-of-4 field goal tries for Atlanta. (Getty)
The Georgia Dome, one of the ideal places for NFL kickers to play games, continues to prove to be a difficult environment on Sunday afternoon.
Redskins kicker Dustin Hopkins and the Falcons’ Matt Bryant, who were both perfect on field goal attempts coming into the season, have both missed attempts; Bryant has missed two of his first three tries. He nailed his fourth attempt to cut the Falcons’ deficit to 7-6 near the end of the third quarter.
The low-scoring affair between th ‘Skins and Falcons was a bit of a surprise as the Falcons came into the game as the No. 3 highest-scoring offense in the league.
Washington Defense Dominates First Half in Atlanta
Kirk Cousins has guided the Redskins offense to a lead on the road against the undefeated Falcons. (Getty)
Matt Bryant has provided all of the offense for the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, on one field goal but missing on his second attempt as the Washington Redskins are all over the high-flying Falcons offense at the Georgia Dome. Washington leads, 7-3, at halftime.
The game has been a tough one for Matt Ryan’s offense. The unit was one of the best in the NFL through four weeks, as Julio Jones was tied for second in receptions in the league and running back Devonta Freeman had emerged as a legitimate ground threat after putting up consecutive three-touchdown games for the 4-0 Falcons.
But Ryan, Jones and Freeman have all look frustrated by the stifling Redskins defense thus far. Ryan is 10-18 with 113 yards with an interception and three sacks taken. Jones has zero receptions on four targets, while Freeman has 48 yards on 10 carries. Jacob Tamme has been a lone bright spot for Atlanta with seven catches for 79 yards.
Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, on the other hand, has been steady if not spectacular. Cousins is 8-16 for 92 yards, a touchdown and an interception, including a 12-play, 67-yard drive that resulted in a seven-yard touchdown pass to Derek Carrier for the game’s only touchdown.
Atlanta will receive the second half kickoff after deferring to begin the game.
Falcons Drive Stalls, Matt Bryant Hits Long Field Goal
Bryant connected on a 42-yard field goal at home to put the Falcons on the board. (Getty)
Matt Bryan nailed a 42-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 56-yard Atlanta drive.
The score cut the ‘Skins’ lead to 7-3 midway through the second quarter.
Kirk Cousins Hits Derek Carrier For First Points
Derek Carrier caught a pass From Kirk Cousins for seven yards and a touchdown early in the second quarter as the Redskins jumped in front of the Falcons, 7-0, in Atlanta.
Scoreless After One Quarter in Atlanta
The Redskins defense has come up big so far against the Falcons. (Getty)
The Redskins and Falcons, two first-place teams, are scoreless after one quarter at the Georgia Dome.
The Redskins have pressured Atlanta signal caller Matt Ryan relentlessly thus far, forcing a takeaway and recording a sack.
Matt Ryan Intercepted by Robinson
GIF: Picked! Safety Trenton Robinson gets #Redskins the first pick for the year on a pass intended for Julio Jones http://t.co/xwbug5TINe
Matt Ryan threw just his third interception of the season on the Falcons’ first drive of the game. Washington safety Trenton Robinson made the pick.
The game remained scoreless in Atlanta.
Game Preview
Pierre Garcon and the ‘Skins look to move above .500. (Getty)
Perhaps it’s Dan Quinn’s coaching style. Perhaps it’s Leonard Hankerson’s emergence as a legitimate terror for NFL defensive backs. Or perhaps it’s the nearly-historic pace that Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman are setting.
Whatever the case may be, the Falcons are undefeated and are favored to move to 5-0 this Sunday against the Washington Redskins. The ‘Skins, on the other hand, are 2-2, but have been playing above their head, as well. All of the drama that has gone into this season for Washington came to a head early on when an injured (and ineffective) Robert Griffin III was benched in favor of Kirk Cousins.
Cousins has gotten his chance, and has done just enough to keep his spot as the starting signal caller. Washington is 2-2, and with an upset win over the Falcons this week, would assure themselves of at least a first-place tie through the season’s first five weeks. Everything points to an exciting contest at 1 p.m. ET in the Georgia Dome.
