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Falcons Takeoff: Facts, stats, quotes from home loss to Chargers

A one-stop shop for an overall statistical and factual look at the Falcons-Chargers game in Week 13.

For the 2024 NFL season, digital team reporter Terrin Waack will provide select stellar stats, obscure facts and notable quotes from the most recent game to show how the Atlanta Falcons are taking flight into the new week.

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons lost, 17-13, to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday in their Week 13 matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of 72,139 ticketed fans.

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STELLAR STATS

— The Falcons had a season-high five sacks. They matched their previous season-best mark (three in the Week 9 win against Dallas Cowboys) in the first half, alone. The latest total came in thanks to outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie (two, a personal record), inside linebacker Kaden Elliss, defensive tackle David Onyemata and defensive lineman Kentavius Street.

— The Falcons held the Chargers to 56 yards rushing, 131 yards receiving and 187 net yards. All are season-best totals for the Atlanta defense. It was the first time this season the Falcons kept an opponent under 270 offensive yards overall.

— Falcons running back Bijan Robinson totaled 135 yards from scrimmage. It marked the eighth game this season in which he surpassed 100 yards, ranking him second in the NFL.

— With his nine catches against the Chargers, Falcons wide receiver Drake London now has 70 receptions on the season, making him the first player in Falcons history with at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. The former No. 8 overall draft pick had 72 in 2022 and 69 in 2023.

OBSCURE FACTS

— For the first time in his 13-year career, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has gone three games in a row without throwing a touchdown pass. And for just the second time in his career, Cousins threw four interceptions in a single game. The other instance was in 2014, when Cousins and the Washington Commanders lost to the New York Giants in Week 4.

— Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had 105 yards on eight receptions in the first half, which made up 72% of Los Angeles' 145 offensive yards. That pace changed after halftime. McConkey had just 12 yards on one reception in the second half, which made up 44% of the Chargers' 27 receiving yards.

— Opponents have not missed a field goal attempt inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, connecting on all 20 attempts so far. Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo is hitting 71%, though, with 10 of his 14 field goal attempts good at home. He was 1-of-2 against the Chargers, who went 3-for-3 with kicker Cameron Dicker.

— The Chargers defeated the Falcons without scoring an offensive touchdown. Los Angeles' 17 points came from three field goals and a 61-yard pick-six. The only time the Chargers' offense reached the end zone was on the successful 2-point conversion pass that followed the defensive touchdown.

QUOTING RAHEEM MORRIS

On the offensive performance…

"You just can't go out there and turn the football over four times and expect to win a football game."

On the defensive performance…

"Hopefully it's repeatable so we can go get the results again."

QUOTING THE FALCONS

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney

On whether he talked to quarterback Kirk Cousins amid his in-game struggles…

"I mean, it's (the) equivalent of someone dropping a pass. You don't want to go and set fire."

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett

On stopping the three-game losing streak in Week 14…

"You know it's now or never. You have to flip the mindset fast. We're disappointed today to be unable to get the win. But at the end of the day, you get an opportunity, that's all you can ask for is to have the opportunity to go back."

QUOTING THE OPPONENT

Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh

On the fake punt in the fourth quarter…

"It didn't work. I thought it was a good time to catch them by surprise. They did a good job defending it. We didn't exactly run it the way we had practiced it, and it just came up short. That's on me."

GAME LEADERS

Top 3 rushers

  1. Falcons: Bijan Robinson | 26 carries for 102 yards, a touchdown
  2. Chargers: Gus Edwards | six carries for 32 yards
  3. Chargers: Kimani Vidal | four carries for 20 yards

Top 3 receivers

  1. Chargers: Ladd McConkey | nine receptions for 117 yards
  2. Falcons: Ray-Ray McCloud III | four receptions for 95 yards
  3. Falcons: Drake London | nine receptions for 86 yards

Top 3 passers

  1. Falcons: Kirk Cousins | 24-39 for 245 yards (sacked once, intercepted four times)
  2. Chargers: Justin Herbert | 16-23 for 147 yards (sacked five times)
  3. Chargers: JK Scott | 1-1 for 3 yards

Top 3 tacklers

  1. Chargers: Troy Dye | 14 total tackles, seven solo
  2. Chargers: Derwin James Jr. | 10 total tackles, five solo (an interception)
  3. Chargers: Daiyan Henley | 10 total tackles, three solo

NEXT UP

The Falcons (6-6) go on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings (10-2) in Week 14 at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. FOX is set to carry live coverage.

The Vikings are coming off a 23-22 home win in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and the Los Angeles Chargers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium during Week 13, presented by Grady.

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