NFL Game Summary - Atlanta at Philadelphia
(Sunday, October 28th)
Final Score: Atlanta 30, Philadelphia 17
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - With an impending hurricane expected
to pound the East Coast over the next few days, it was the Atlanta Falcons who
stormed out of the gate on Sunday.
Matt Ryan tossed touchdown passes on Atlanta's first three possessions in
the Falcons' 30-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and new
defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.
The Falcons remain as the NFL's lone unbeaten team, while Philadelphia lost
its first game coming off a bye week during the Andy Reid era. Reid had been
13-0 in his career coming off the idle week.
"That was an embarrassing performance," Reid said. "I'm stating the obvious.
We need to get better. I need to do a better job. This is fixable. We have the
talent."
Ryan, who was 17-of-20 for 197 yards in the opening 30 minutes, finished the
day with 262 yards on 22-of-29 efficiency for the Falcons (7-0), who are off
to their best start in franchise history.
Julio Jones had five receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown, while Asante
Samuel, who made his return to Philadelphia, had two passes defended and no
tackles in the win.
"We're 7-0 over here baby," Samuel said. "If I was over there now, they have
to go to work."
Samuel recorded 25 interceptions and went to three Pro Bowls in four years
with the Eagles. He was traded to the Falcons for a seventh-round pick in
April.
"I love the fans," Samuel said of his return. "They can boo me. They can cheer
for me. Doesn't do anything but add fuel to the fire."
Atlanta finished 7-of-13 on third down against the Eagles, who were third in
the NFL (29 percent) in third-down defense coming in.
Michael Vick, who didn't turn the ball over, was 21-of-35 for 191 yards and
a score in the setback.
"Whatever decision coach makes, I support it," Vick said when asked about the
Eagles possibly making a quarterback change. "I know I'm giving it everything
I have when I'm out there."
LeSean McCoy had a rushing and receiving score for Philadelphia (3-4),
which fired Juan Castillo as defensive coordinator two days after the
Eagles blew a 10-point lead late in the fourth quarter and dropped a 26-23
overtime decision against Detroit two weeks ago.
It was Philadelphia's second blown fourth-quarter lead in as many weeks.
Castillo came under fire last year in his first season in charge of the
defense after 13 years as the Eagles' offensive line coach. Reid stuck with
Castillo despite widespread speculation of a potential change in the wake of
an 8-8 season.
Bowles, meanwhile, was in his first season as Philadelphia's secondary coach.
He joined the team in January after spending four years with the Miami
Dolphins, including the final three games of the 2011 campaign as interim head
coach.
The switch, however, didn't pay off initially.
Castillo's defense had allowed 20.8 points per game over six contests. The
Falcons tallied 21 points over the first 24 minutes of the game.
Atlanta outgained the Eagles, 252-94 in the first half.
The Falcons converted five third downs during their methodical 16-play, 80-
yard opening drive.
A holding call on defensive end Jason Babin on a 3rd-and-10 kept the trek
alive and Ryan found a wide-open Drew Davis in the back right corner of the
end zone to get Atlanta on the board.
Following an Eagles three-and-out, Atlanta concluded an 8-play, 51-yard drive
with a 3-yard TD reception by Jason Snelling on a slip screen. A pass
interference penalty on Mychal Kendricks on 3rd-and-goal kept the possession
alive.
McCoy capped a 13-play, 66-yard drive with a 2-yard TD run on Philadelphia's
ensuing trek, but the Falcons answered just four offensive snaps later.
Julio Jones ran past cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and Ryan hooked up with the
fleet-footed Jones in stride down the left sideline for a 63-yard score and a
21-7 lead midway through the second quarter.
After a Philadelphia punt, Ryan led the Falcons down to the Eagles' 25-yard
line and Matt Bryant nailed a 43-yard field goal with six seconds to play in
the half.
Alex Henery split the uprights from 33 yards out on Philadelphia's opening
second-half drive, but Matt Bryant made field goals of 29 and 30 yards,
respectively, to make it 30-10 early in the fourth quarter.
Vick's 7-yard TD pass to McCoy midway through the final frame concluded the
scoring.
Atlanta, after scoring on its first six possessions, didn't punt until 5:35
showed on the clock.
Game Notes
The Falcons improved to 15-0 when Ryan throws at least three touchdown passes
in a game ... Philadelphia has yet to score on any of its opening possessions
of the contest this season.
10/28 18:00:39 ET
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