The Falcons were outgained by Chicago and lost both the turnover and time-of-possession battles but came out on top where it mattered—the scoreboard. With a 27-24 final score, Atlanta improves to 5-6 on the year and remains in the mix for a playoff spot entering the later stages of the regular season.
Following a narrow defeat at the hands of the Chargers and an uninspiring loss to the Panthers, this was a much-needed win for Arthur Smith’s team, and they got it done in all three phases with a few exceptions along the way.
From a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game to Younghoe Koo’s game-winning field goal to Jaylinn Hawkins’ game-sealing interception, the complimentary style of play ended with the Falcons moving to 4-2 at Mercedes Benz Stadium this season.
The tone-setting opening drive for the Falcons ended with Marcus Mariota finding Drake London in the back of the end zone for the rookie’s 4th touchdown grab of the year. When Atlanta committed their first of two second-quarter turnovers as Avery Williams put the ball on the turf on a punt return, the defense bowed up and pushed the Bears out of field goal range. After Cordarrelle Patterson coughed it up later in the quarter and the Bears capitalized to take a 17-7 lead, CP took it upon himself to correct the mistake on special teams.
‘Flash’ once again earned his nickname as Patterson took the ensuing kickoff to the house—setting a new NFL record with his 9th career kick return touchdown and shifting momentum back to Atlanta in the process. In a six-point swing before the half, Bears kicker Cairo Santos missed a 56-yard field goal while Koo would nail a 40-yarder right as time expired to send the game to halftime tied at 17-17.
In the 3rd quarter, Lorenzo Carter and rookie Arnold Ebikite picked up the Falcons’ 3rd and 4th sacks of Justin Fields on the day, giving the ball back to Mariota and the offense. Six plays later, Mariota, who faced heavy criticism following the loss in Carolina, took it himself from 10 yards out to give the Falcons the lead.
While the Bears responded with a 13-play touchdown drive to tie the game, the Falcons were able to bleed 6:29 off the clock in the 4th quarter before Koo would drill a 53-yard FG with 1:47 left to play and Hawkins sealed the win with the pick.
While the Bears had lost both games, Justin Fields had been on a tear the past two weeks with 325 total rushing yards along with 5 passing touchdowns, but the Falcons were able to limit the explosive plays from the talented quarterback en route to a victory. The Atlanta native finished with 153 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception with 85 yards on the ground and another score in his homecoming. Fields was banged up late in the game and suffered an apparent shoulder injury late.
For Atlanta, it was a week filled with questions surrounding the quarterback situation but Mariota did exactly what the Falcons needed him to do in the win by protecting the football. It wasn’t flashy as he finished with 13 completions on 20 attempts for 131 yards and a touchdown through the air along with his rushing touchdown. Falcons fans will hold their breath on an injury update regarding Kyle Pitts who left the game with a knee injury after taking a low hit early in the 3rd quarter. Ta'Quon Graham also left the game for the Falcons with a knee injury. With 3 catches and 44 yards, Pitts still led the team in receiving. Tyler Allgeier led the Falcons' rushing attack with 55 yards while the team totaled 149 yards on the ground.
A loss today likely would’ve invited another endless stream of questions centered around Desmond Ridder and ended realistic hopes for a playoff spot, however with the win, Atlanta remains just a half-game back in the NFC South and 1.0 back of the final wild-card spot in the NFC. Next up is a trip to Washington to face the Commanders, who have won five of their last six.