The Falcons headed to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for a Sunday afternoon game against the Minnesota Vikings. Check out these pictures of gameday.
WR Roddy White runs into the end zone for a touchdown
WR Roddy White and QB Matt Ryan
RB Devonta Freeman breaks tackles for a run.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball.
QB Matt Ryan
QB Matt Ryan
TE Levine Toilolo and G Justin Blalock block for QB Matt Ryan
TCF Bank Stadium
CB Robert McClain
WR Devin Hester scores a touchdown.
TCF Bank Stadium
TCF Bank Stadium
WR Roddy White celebrates the Falcons' first touchdown with WR Devin Hester
LB Joplo Bartu and LB Nate Stupar
RB Devonta Freeman
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
WR Roddy White celebrates the Falcons' first touchdown with WR Devin Hester
WR Roddy White runs into the end zone for a touchdown
LB Paul Worrilow
QB Matt Ryan
Vikings WR Jarius Wright runs from S William Moore
QB Matt Ryan
CB Desmond Trufant tackles Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon
WR Eric Weems makes a catch.
FB Patrick DiMarco gets his first career touchdown
FB Patrick DiMarco celebrates his touchdown with teammates
FB Patrick DiMarco celebrates his touchdown with teammates
WR Julio Jones makes a catch
S Dwight Lowery defends against Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater
DE Malliciah Goodman tackles Vikings QB Christian Ponder
WR Devin Hester makes his way to the end zone
WR Julio Jones makes a catch
WR Devin Hester celebrates a touchdown with WR Eric Weems
QB Matt Ryan
WR Eric Weems in the tunnel before entering the stadium.
RB Antone Smith goes outside to the end zone
RB Antone Smith breaks away in the second half
RB Antone Smith runs for a touchdown.
WR Julio Jones goes up for a ball against Vikings CB Xavier Rhodes
RB Steven Jackson
WR Roddy White warms up.
RB Antone Smith celebrates after scoring a touchdown.
RB Devonta Freeman warming up before the game.
RB Antone Smith and WR Devin Hester
RB Antone Smith
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
WR Roddy White
QB Matt Ryan passes the ball down the field.
QB Matt Ryan hands off the ball to RB Jacquizz Rodgers
RB Steven Jackson breaks through the line.
WR Julio Jones is tackled after a reception.
WR Devin Hester runs after a reception.
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
RB Antone Smith outruns the Vikings defense for a touchdown.
QB Matt Ryan passes the ball.
K Matt Bryant before entering the stadium.
LB Paul Worrilow upon entering the stadium.
G Justin Blalock and FB Patrick DiMarco enter the stadium.
1. Comeback Attempt Falls Short:Trailing the Vikings 38-28 with 3:38 to play in the fourth quarter, Falcons QB Matt Ryan and the offense were prepared for an epic 10-point comeback, which unfortunately fell short in the 41-28 loss on Sunday. Ryan was picked off by Vikings S Harrison Smith, leading to the game's final score, a 33-yard FG by Vikings K Blair Walsh. Ryan finished 25 of 41 for 298 yards, with 3 TDs and 2 INTs on the day.
- Injury-Plagued Contest:* *The Atlanta Falcons suffered huge blows in Sunday's contest, losing several key players to injury, most notably on their offensive line. Starting offensive linemen Justin Blalock (back), Joe Hawley (knee) and Lamar Holmes (foot) each left the games with injuries, and with OL Ryan Schraeder and James Stone inactive for the Week 4 game, the team needed TE Levine Toilolo to help fill in up-front. Because of the injuries, the Falcons OL for the rest of the game included, LT Jake Matthews, LG Gabe Carimi, C Peter Konz, RG Jon Asamoah and Toilolo at right tackle. Also leaving the game early was Falcons S William Moore (shoulder).
3. White Historic in Return: Falcons WR Roddy White returned to the lineup on Sunday from a hamstring injury and made his presence felt early, scoring on the second-offensive drive of the game. White hauled in a 24-yard TD pass from Ryan in the first quarter, tying the score (7-7), for his 57th-career TD reception, matching former Falcons WR Terance Mathis for the franchise lead. White finished the contest with 4 receptions for 73 yards and one TD. Falcons WR Julio Jones added 6 receptions for 82 yards.
4. Smith Shows Big-Play Ability, Scores Again: The Falcons RB committee combined for 121 yards, led by Antone Smith, who gained a team-high 62 yards, including a 48-yard TD run. Steven Jackson added 49 yards on 13 carries, helping to open some passing opportunities later in the contest, allowing the Falcons to overcome an early deficit.
5. Hester's Streak Continues: Playing against the Vikings in their outdoor stadium for the second time in his career, Hester scored his third-career TD at TCF Bank Stadium, a 36-yard TD pass from Ryan in the third quarter, narrowing his team's deficit to six, 27-21. Hester finished the day with 5 receptions for 70 yards and the TD in the 41-28 loss.
