1. Injury Updates: Falcons head coach Mike Smith addressed the media Tuesday, providing the latest injury updates on Julio Jones and William Moore.
"That was a very physical football game that was played last night," Smith said. "Both Julio (Jones) and William (Moore) are guys that are sore this morning. Julio has a hip injury, and William Moore has a foot injury. We're hoping both these guys are ready to go at the end of the week. How much practice time they're going to get, we don't know that at this point in time, but it is our intention to do everything in our power to have these guys ready to go against Pittsburgh. Robert Alford (wrist) is continuing to work with our trainers. We're hoping to have a better idea of where he's at in regards to his injury in the next 48 hours or so."
2. Julio's Jaw-Dropping Stats: Jones said Monday Night Football is a stage to show the world how good you are, and he did just that and then some on Lambeau Field in Week 14. Jones shined Monday night, setting a franchise record with 259 receiving yards on 11 catches. He topped Roddy White's mark of 210 yards set at San Francisco in 2009. Jones' 259-yard outburst was the best performance by any receiver in the NFL this season.
He added his sixth touchdown catch of the season, hauling in a 22-yard pass from Matt Ryan. He's caught a touchdown pass in three-straight games and has more than 180 receiving yards in back-to-back contests.
According to STATS LLC, Jones' 259 yards were the most by a receiver on Monday night since Jerry Rice logged 289 yards in 1995. He also set a club record for single-season receiving yards, running his 2014 total to an NFL-leading 1,428 yards in just 13 games. Jones also leads the NFC with 93 receptions on the season. In four-career Monday Night games, Jones has caught 31 passes for 500 yards with two touchdowns. He is averaging 16.1 yards per catch and 125 yards per game in those contests.
3. Ryan Spreads the Wealth: Ryan completed 24-of-39 pass attempts for 375 yards, tying a career high with four touchdown passes, while posting a 116.9 passer rating Monday night. Ryan's four touchdowns against the Packers were to four different receivers (Jones, White, Eric Weems and Harry Douglas). He's thrown at least one touchdown to 11 different receivers and has thrown for a score in 18-straight games dating back to 2013. Monday marked Ryan's 55th-career multi-touchdown game and his 28th game with 300-plus passing yards.
4. White and Jackson Love Monday Night Football: White's 1-yard touchdown Monday night shouldn't have surprised Falcons fans. Loving the primeteime spotlight, White's score was his sixth touchdown in his last eight games on Monday Night Football. In his last five games on Monday Night, he's totaled 38 catches, 457 yards, (91.4 yards per game) and three touchdowns. Smith said White played the most snaps of any wide receiver on the field Monday night, ending with three receptions for 42 yards and the score. Like White, Falcons running back Steven Jackson shines in the Monday-night spotlight. He has scored one rushing touchdown in six-straight games on Monday Night Football. His 1-yard score in Week 14 was part of his 50-yard-rushing performance, giving him 652 yards this season.
The Atlanta Falcons face off against the Green Bay Packers in a Monday Night Football matchup at Lambeau Field. Here are pictures of gameday.
RB Steven Jackson runs for a touchdown
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball through the line.
WR Julio Jones fights through tackles after a catch.
WR Eric Weems catches a kick-off.
T Jake Matthews blocks his cousin, Packers' Clay Matthews
T Jake Matthews and his cousin Green Bay Packers Clay Matthews
Head Coach Mike Smith
RB Steven Jackson celebrates with QB Matt Ryan after scoring a touchdown
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball through the line.
WR Julio Jones makes a big catch in the second half
LB Joplo Bartu waits for the play.
T Jake Matthews blocks his cousin, Packers' Clay Matthews
LB Paul Worrilow breaks up a touchdown pass in the second half
QB Matt Ryan scrambles with the ball.
WR Julio Jones comes down with the ball
RB Jacquizz Rodgers runs the ball.
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball.
WR Julio Jones grabs the ball
WR Julio Jones is tackled after making a catch.
WR Eric Weems celebrates his touchdown
WR Julio Jones makes a catch as Packers' Micah Hyde comes in to make the tackle
WR Roddy White on the field before the game.
WR Julio Jones runs after making a catch
RB Devonta Freeman runs the ball.
The Atlanta Falcons special teams attempts to block a kick by Packers K Mason Crosby.
RB Steven Jackson fights for yards on a run.
QB Matt Ryan warming up before the game.
WR Eric Weems stretches before the game.
QB Matt Ryan
T Ryan Schraeder
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
QB Matt Ryan warms up before the game.
Head coach, Mike Smith
CB Robert McClain
WR Eric Weems stretches before the game.
Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter
QB Matt Ryan warms up his arm before the game.
S William Moore
WR Harry Douglas and WR Eric Weems head to the field
K Matt Bryant
WR Julio Jones
5. Trufant Thriving, Expects More: Desmond Trufant continued his strong late-season surge Monday night, logging five tackles, one tackle for loss, and one pass defense. He leads the Falcons with 14 passes defensed this season. Despite his individual success Monday night, Trufant was more focused on the defensive improvements needed as a group to end this season on a high note.
"We definitely didn't start the way we wanted to, but we kept fighting," Trufant said Monday night. "Defensively, we lost this game. We fought to the end, but defensively, we lost the game. Our offense nearly put up 40 points; we can't ask for anything more than that. We have to step up if we're going to do something."
EXTRA REP: The Matthews Bowl battle was as advertised Monday night, when the world saw cousins Jake Matthews and Packers linebacker Clay Matthews face each other for the first time. The Falcons rookie left tackle joined his fellow offensive linemen in providing quality protection for Ryan, who was hurried four times and sacked just once in Week 14.
