The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 24-12, in the final home game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium of 2019. The Falcons dominated in all three phases, including causing a turnover on special teams, eclipsing the 500-yard mark on offense and holding the Jaguars to 21 percent on third down conversion (3-14).
Matt Ryan converted 32-of-45 passes for 384 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for 80.4 QB rating. The 12-year vet posted 237 passing yards in first half to surpass 4,000 yards this season for his ninth straight season. This is second-longest streak in NFL history behind Drew Brees (12) and currently the longest active streak.
Today's game also marked Ryan's 10th 300-yard game this season, tied for the fifth-most in a season in the NFL, trailing Drew Brees (2011;13), Peyton Manning (2013;12), Tom Brady (2011;11) and Jameis Winston (2019;11).
Julio Jones registered 10 receptions for 166 yards, marking his 55th career 100-yard receiving game. He surpassed 12,000 career receiving yards today, becoming the fastest player to do so by accomplishing the feat in 125 games. Hall of Famer Jerry Rice previously held the record doing it in 142 career games. With one game left, the nine-year vet needs 84 receiving yards to post 1,400 receiving yards this season to extend his streak to six consecutive seasons with 1,400 yards, the longest-active streak in the NFL.
Devonta Freeman posted 13 carries for 53 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown, and nine catches for 74 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown. This marks the first game Freeman had posted a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game since 2016 (vs. G.B.). Freeman's touchdowns occurred on back-to-back possessions, with his second touchdown due to a special teams turnover where Keith Smith forced a fumble and Brian Hill recovered it on the Jaguars' 25. In 2019, Freeman has registered 993 total yards and six touchdowns.
The Falcons recorded two sacks on Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew today. Vic Beasley Jr. sacked Minshew in the second quarter, he has totaled 6.5 sacks since Week 10, tied for the second-most in the NFL during that span and only trailing Rams' Aaron Donald (7.5). Grady Jarrett also registered a sack in the third quarter and has a career-high 6.5 sacks this season.
Qadree Ollison had a three-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter, marking his fourth rushing touchdown this year. The rookie's four touchdowns are tied for third-most in franchise history. Ollison is tied with Ito Smith, who accomplished four rushing touchdowns in 2018, and just trails Keith Jones (1989; 6) and Gerald Riggs (1982;5).
Other notable stats include Hill rushing seven times for 66 yards (9.4 avg.), Austin Hooper posting seven catches for 82 yards, and De'Vondre Campbell led the defense with nine tackles (four solo). Campbell has tallied a career-high 126 total tackles (73 solo) this season.
