The Falcons take on the Browns as they honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces during the annual Salute to Service game. Here are photos from gameday.
DE Kroy Biermann sacks Browns QB Brian Hoyer.
WR Julio Jones celebrates scoring a touchdown with TE Levine Toilolo
QB Matt Ryan warming up before the game.
DE Tyson Jackson and LB Joplo Bartu combine to tackle Browns RB Terrance West.
C James Stone prepares to hike the ball to QB Matt Ryan
RB Jacquizz Rodgers scores a touchdown before halftime.
P Matt Bosher congratulates K Matt Bryant after he hits a field goal in the fourth quarter.
Sargeant Constance Mack singing the National Anthem.
WR Devin Hester runs the ball during the first half of play.
WR Roddy White runs after making a catch.
Team huddle before the game.
DE Kroy Biermann celebrates a sack on Browns QB Brian Hoyer.
DT Paul Soliai closes in on Browns' QB Brian Hoyer
RB Steven Jackson runs into the endzone for a touchdown
RB Jacquizz Rodgers holds up the football after scoring a touchdown.
WR Julio Jones scores a touchdown in the first quarter.
CB Josh Wilson celebrates a tackle.
WR Devin Hester returning a football.
FB Patrick DiMarco runs onto the field.
TE Levine Toilolo is tackled after making a catch.
DE Kroy Biermann tackling Browns QB Brian Hoyer
RB Steven Jackson
WR Roddy White catches a ball during warm-ups
DT Paul Soliai tackles Browns RB Isaiah Crowell.
Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders with a Childrens Hospital of Atlanta patient.
TE Bear Pascoe blocking on the line.
LB Paul Worrilow gets his hands on Browns' RB Terrance West
WR Julio Jones catches a ball while warming up before the game.
T Jake Matthews on the line
CB Josh Wilson makes a tackle on Browns WR Josh Gordon
Special guests for the Salute to Service game
QB Matt Ryan warming up before the game
WR Julio Jones stretching before the game.
Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
S William Moore signs an autograph for a member of the military
Special guests for the Salute to Service game
Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders
WR Julio Jones scores a touchdown during the first half of play.
WR Devin Hester returns a kick.
Freddie Falcon leads the team onto the field
CB Desmond Trufant
DE Osi Umenyiora goes against Browns' OL Joe Thomas
CB Josh Wilson keeps his eyes on Browns' DB Justin Gilbert
QB Matt Ryan takes a snap
RB Steven Jackson
DE Ra'Shede Hageman jumps to try to block the ball in the first half
RB Steven Jackson
P Matt Bosher punts the ball
RB Jacquizz Rodgers holds up the ball after scoring a touchdown in the first half
K Matt Bryant kicks an extra point
WR Roddy White runs the ball after making a completion in the first half of play.
LB Paul Worrilow looks down Browns QB Brian Hoyer as he prepares to snap the ball.
WR Devin Hester returns a punt at the end of the first half of play.
S Kemal Ishmael runs the ball after an interception in the first half of play.
WR Roddy White completes a catch during the first half of play.
QB Matt Ryan
DE Tyson Jackson
C James Stone
Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam talks with Atlanta Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank before the game.
WR Julio Jones before the game.
CB Javier Arenas
S Kemal Ishmael exits the tunnel and returns to the field for the second half of play.
C James Stone exits the tunnel and returns to the field for the second half of play.
QB Matt Ryan hikes the ball during the second half of play.
CB Desmond Trufant celebrates with teammates after his interception late in the game.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball during the second half of play.
DE Osi Umenyiora
LB Joplo Bartu
WR Devin Hester
DE Tyson Jackson
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
WR Roddy White
WR Roddy White
K Matt Bryant celebrates with P Matt Bosher after his 53-yard field goal that gave the Falcons the lead in the fourth quarter
DE Ra'Shede Hageman gets a little piece of the Browns winning field goal
FIRST QUARTER
The Atlanta Falcons didn't hesitate after winning the coin toss, electing to receive. Falcons wide receiver Roddy White continued his consecutive-games-with-a-reception streak (122) on the opening drive, hauling in a 20-yard pass on 3rd-and-7. Cleveland forced Atlanta to punt four plays later.
On the field for the first time in the game, the Atlanta defense kept the Browns from crossing midfield, thanks to a third down pass breakup by cornerback Desmond Trufant, defending Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon.
The Falcons' defensive momentum carried over to the offense on the game's next drive. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan directed a 10-play drive that covered 57 yards in 4:26, ending in the hands of wide receiver Julio Jones for a 24-yard score.ATL 7 CLE 0.
Trailing 7-0, Cleveland took to the air on its ensuing drive. Gordon grabbed a 12-yard reception on 3rd-and-6 to move the sticks, spurring a series of big plays. Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer connected with wide receiver Andrew Hawkins for 17 yards on the very next play, followed later by a 22-yard reception by Gordon. Two plays later, Browns running back Isaiah Crowell scored on an 11-yard rush, to tie the game. ATL 7 CLE 7.
SECOND QUARTER
The Falcons opened the second quarter facing a 3rd-and-9 from their own 10-yard line. Ryan tried to connect with Jones down the left sideline but instead was picked off by Browns cornerback Joe Haden. Despite prime field position for the Browns at the Falcons 29-yard line, Atlanta's defense responded. Cleveland moved the ball 14 yards in five plays, before Browns kicker Billy Cundiff booted a 33-yard field goal.CLE 10 ATL 7.
The Browns' momentum continued on defense, forcing a second-straight turnover. Ryan again dropped back to throw when he was hit and stripped of the ball by Browns linebacker Paul Kruger, recovered by defensive lineman Desmond Bryant at the Atlanta 40-yard line. Asked to respond again, the Falcons defense did just that, holding Cleveland to three points, a 37-yard field goal by Cundiff.CLE 13 ATL 7.
The highlight on the Falcons' next offensive drive was a 32-yard strike from Ryan to White on a 3rd-and-11 from the Atlanta 19-yard line. Four plays later, Cleveland forced a Falcons punt.
It's as if the Falcons defense was just asking for more playing time in Week 12. Trailing 13-7, Falcons safety Kemal Ishmael injected life into his team, intercepting Hoyer at the Atlanta 36-yard line. It was Ishmael's third-straight game with a pick, his fourth of the year. The forced turnover led to points. Ryan went right to the air, finding Jones for a 21-yard gain to Cleveland's 29-yard line. Six plays later, Ryan found running back Jacquizz Rodgers for an 8-yard touchdown pass.ATL 14 CLE 13.
Cleveland tried to close out the first half with a 60-yard field goal by Cundiff, but the kick fell short and was returned by Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester for 75 yards, nearly breaking one last tackle for what would have been a remarkable score. The second quarter ended as the Falcons held to a 14-13 lead.
THIRD QUARTER
Atlanta kicked off in the second half, and the Browns gained early momentum. Hoyer led Cleveland on an 11-play drive, covering 66 yards in 5:14, ending with a 32-yard field goal by Cundiff for a 16-14 lead. Meanwhile, Atlanta's first offensive drive of the second half ended in a punt.
The Browns added to their lead on the game's next drive. Crowell capped off a nine-play scoring drive that lasted 4:58, covering 70 yards, with a 26-yard touchdown run, his second score of the game. Falcons cornerback Robert McClain injured his calf during the play and did not return to the game.CLE 23 ATL 14.
Cleveland took its 23-14 lead into the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Just when the Falcons needed a scoring drive the most, they got it. Known for his poise, Ryan led an 80-yard drive that used 14 plays, taking 6:15 off the clock, ending with a 1-yard touchdown run by Steven Jackson. CLE 23 ATL 21.
The Browns looked as if they were going to march right into the end zone on their next drive, but Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant had other plans. Cleveland moved all the way to the Falcons' 6-yard line before Trufant picked off Hoyer with a remarkable grab in the back of the end zone. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the team's offense was forced to punt six plays later.
With less than three minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Browns faced a 3rd-and-7 from their own 19-yard line. Falcons rookie safety Dezmen Southward stepped into the spotlight, intercepting Hoyer at the 50-yard line.* *
On their ensuing drive, facing a 3rd-and-1, the Falcons turned to their bruising back as Jackson gained three yards to move the sticks. Four plays later, the Falcons called on kicker Matt Bryant for a 53-yard field goal, and he didn't disappoint. Bryant split the uprights, giving the Falcons a 24-23 lead.
The lead didn't last long for Atlanta as Hoyer moved the Browns into field goal range. Cleveland milked the rest of the clock in the fourth quarter (:44), using seven plays to go 61 yards, before Cundiff stepped onto the field with :05 left and connected on a 37-yard field goal for the win. CLE 26 ATL 24.
