The Atlanta Falcons (5-7) came up just short in Sunday’s 19-13 loss to the Washington Commanders (7-5). Trailing by six with two minutes left, the Falcons methodically marched down the field into the red zone before a tipped pass was intercepted by the Commanders on the goal line.
Buy Falcons TicketsAtlanta would have had one final chance with about 30 seconds left, but a penalty on Washington’s ensuing punt ended the game. Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s game.
1
Falcons' promising final drive ends in disaster
The Falcons were on the verge of a potentially signature win for head coach Arthur Smith before disaster struck on the final drive. Commanders defensive lineman Daron Payne batted Marcus Mariota’s red-zone pass attempt up into the air and it was picked off DB Kendall Fuller. The interception wasted what was a truly impressive drive up until that point. Mariota made a few nice throws and the Falcons had forced Washington to use all three timeouts before the pick in the final minute.
2
Penalty on Commanders punt is final nail in Falcons' coffin
Despite the team’s red-zone interception in the final minute, Atlanta still had all three timeouts left. The defense forced a three-and-out by the Commanders, but LB Ade Ogundeji was flagged for making contact with the punter. The fourth-down penalty gave Washington an automatic first down, and its seventh win of the 2022 season. It was a close call, but you can’t risk touching the punter in that situation — even as incidental and light as the contact may have been.
3
Pitts' replacement gets a TD
Kyle Pitts was placed on the injured reserve list after injuring his knee in Week 11, forcing the Falcons to take a by-committee approach to replacing their star tight end. In Week 12, it was former Titan MyCole Pruitt stepping up. Pruitt’s second-quarter touchdown temporarily gave Atlanta a 10-7 lead. Pruitt finished the game with two catches for nine yards and a touchdown.
4
Defense could not stop Commanders ground game
The Falcons don’t get out-gained on the ground very often, but the Commanders had their way with Atlanta’s run defense on Sunday. Washington RB Brian Robinson racked up 105 yards on 18 carries, and the team rushed for 176 total rushing yards. Atlanta had a pretty good day on the ground as well, rushing for 167 yards on 5.8 yards per carry. Rookie Tyler Allgeier led the team with 54 yards on 11 carries. Cordarrelle Patterson finished with 11 carries for 52 rushing yards.
5
What's next for Atlanta?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming to town for a Week 13 matchup against the Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Steelers have a rookie quarterback in Kenny Pickett and former Georgia star George Pickens at wide receiver. Wins have been hard to come by for Pittsburgh this season, though. The Falcons are likely to be favored over the Steelers (3-7) next Sunday.
