The Atlanta Falcons will look to bounce back and get in the win column in Week 3 as they welcome the Chicago Bears to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
HOW TO WATCH
- What: Chicago Bears vs. Atlanta Falcons
- When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 1 p.m. ET
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- TV: FOX
- TV announcers: Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (color analyst), Shannon Spake (sideline reporter)
- Radio: 92.9 The Game, the Falcons' official radio network
- Radio announcers: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Dave Archer (color analyst)
- Live Stream: Watch Falcons games live for free in the official Falcons app (iOS & Android) and on AtlantaFalcons.com mobile web.*Geographic and device restrictions apply. Local & primetime games only. Data charges may apply.
FREE LIVE APP/ONLINE STREAMING
*Geographic and device restrictions apply. Local & primetime games only. Data charges may apply.
The Falcons will look to repeat their performance the last time these two teams met as Atlanta defeated Chicago, 23-17, at Soldier Field in Week 1 of the 2017 season.
BROADCAST MAP
Below are the broadcast maps for the early NFL on FOX games this weekend, including the Bears-Falcons game (courtesy of 506sports.com):
WEATHER FORECAST
Here's the current forecast for Atlanta on Sunday, according to The Weather Channel:
- Cloudy
- High/low: 80/65
- 20 percent chance of precipitation
- 72 percent humidity
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
ATL's Dynamic Duo: Since the Falcons selected Julio Jones in first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Matt Ryan and he have formed one of the most dynamic quarterback/wide receiver duos in the league. Since 2011, Ryan and Jones have connected on 793 passes, which is the most among active quarterback/wide receiver duos and the third most in NFL history. With four completions between Ryan and Jones on Sunday, the duo would surpass Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown (796) for the second-most completions between a quarterback and wide receiver in NFL history. Only Peyton Manning and Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (953) have more.
Another One: Julio Jones holds nearly every franchise receiving record:
- Most career receiving yards: 12,306
- Most receiving yards in a single season: 1,871
- Most receiving yards by a rookie: 959
- Most receiving yards in a game: 300
- Most receiving yards in a playoff game: 182
- Most receptions in a single season: 136
- Most games with at least 100 receiving yards: 56
- Most games with at least 100 receiving yards in a single season: 9
- Most seasons with at least 100 receptions: 3
He can add one more franchise record on Sunday. With one reception against Chicago, Jones – who has 808 receptions – will break the franchise record for career receptions, which is currently held by Roddy White (808).
Getting Rid of defenders: Calvin Ridley is off to a torrid start in his third season. Through two weeks, he leads the NFL in touchdown receptions (four), receiving first downs (16), is tied for first in receiving yards (239) and is tied for fourth in receptions (16). Last week, he became the first player with at least 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns in each of his team's first two games of a season since Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison did so for the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. With a touchdown reception against the Bears, Ridley would tie Andre Rison (five in 1994) for the most touchdown receptions through the first three games of a season in franchise history. Additionally, if Ridley has at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown on Sunday, he would become the fifth player with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown in each of his team's first three games of a season in NFL history. The others? Patriots WR Randy Moss (2007), Colts WR Marvin Harrison (1999), 49ers WR Jerry Rice (1989) and 49ers TE Dwight Clark (1982).
32 games in: Sunday will mark Ridley's 32nd career game in the NFL. Over his first 31 games, the Falcons' 2018 first-round selection has 1,926 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns. Since the NFL adopted the 16-game season in 1978, only seven players have recorded at least 2,000 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns in their first 32 career games:
- Randy Moss – Minnesota Vikings
- John Jefferson – San Diego Chargers
- Odell Beckham Jr. – New York Giants
- Louis Lipps – Pittsburgh Steelers
- A.J. Green – Cincinnati Bengals
- Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants
- Julio Jones – Atlanta Falcons
With at least 74 receiving yards against the Bears on Sunday, Calvin Ridley can add his name to this list.
