The Atlanta Falcons lost a tightly fought game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, losing 20-17 in a contest that was close throughout.
Three interceptions played a big role in the outcome of Sunday's game. After Matt Ryan's second interception of the game, Los Angeles looked poised to earn a late win against Atlanta. That all changed, however, when Blidi Wreh-Wilson stepped in front of a Justin Herbert pass to give possession back to the Falcons with a chance to march down the field and win their fifth game of the season. While on that march, Ryan's pass to the sideline, in the direction of Calvin Ridley, was picked off and immediately ended Atlanta's chances for a game-winning play.
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Although Ridley had a stellar individual performance, catching eight passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, and surpassing 1,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career, it was another underwhelming game for Atlanta's offense, overall. The Falcons finished with 319 total yards of offense, including just 70 on the ground, but managed only 17 points and turned the ball over three times.
It was the worst outing of the season for Ryan, who threw for 224 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Outside of Ridley, Ryan's favorite target was Russell Gage, who fared well as the team's No. 2 option and finished with five catches for 82 yards. Ito Smith led Atlanta on the ground with 11 carries for 42 yards. Todd Gurley contributed six carries for 19 yards.
Los Angeles tied the game at 17, apiece, in the third quarter with a steady, methodical 13-play, 80-yard drive following a Ryan's first interception, which came on a deep shot to Calvin Ridley in the end zone. Featuring a nice blend of run plays and pass plays, the Chargers drove into the red zone, but faced a third-and-12 after a textbook open-field tackle by A.J. Terrell. However, Herbert connected with Ty Johnson for a 12-yard touchdown pass while rolling out to his right to avoid pressure.
One of the most impressive rookies in the NFL this season, Herbert continued to play well on Sunday. He completed 36 of his 44 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. The Chargers ran a large variety of screens against the Falcons, which resulted in Austin Ekeler finishing as the team's leading receiver with nine catches for 67 yards. Ekeler also carried the ball 15 times for 79 yards.
Terrell, Atlanta's own first-round pick, had perhaps his best game as a Falcon. The rookie corner led the team with 13 tackles and had both a forced fumble and a pass breakup. Terrell has been one of the true bright spots for Atlanta and arguably the league's top rookie corner this season.
The first half ended in truly bizarre fashion. Facing a third-and-1 with 22 seconds left and no timeouts remaining, the Chargers handed the ball off to Kalen Ballage for a dive up the middle. The Falcons sniffed it out and stopped Ballage for no gain. With no ability to stop the clock, Los Angeles's offense hurried to get back to the line of scrimmage only for the team's field goal unit to start running onto the field. The Chargers' confusion was apparent and resulted in the half ending before they could attempt a field goal.
It was a break for the Falcons that helped them preserve their 17-10 lead, and a wasted opportunity for the Chargers following an impressive drive down the field.
In the second quarter, the two teams traded field goals, but only the Falcons found the end zone. Laquon Treadwell, seeing his first offensive action of the season for Atlanta, caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Ryan. It was his first catch and touchdown as a Falcon, and it gave Atlanta a lead going into halftime.
After going three-and-out to start the game on offense, the Falcons were much more productive on their second drive. Seemingly determined to get Todd Gurley going, Atlanta got its running back the ball on its first five plays. Gurley gained a total of 26 yards on those plays, and a 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan to Calvin Ridley set up a third-and-1 at the Chargers' 39-yard line.
That's when the Falcons dialed up an exceptionally aggressive and creative shot play. Lined up at quarterback, Russell Gage took the snap, created some space in the pocket, and let loose a deep pass to Ridley, who had a step on his defender and caught the 39-yard pass for a touchdown. It was the answer Atlanta needed after giving up a touchdown to Los Angeles.
The Chargers covered 88 yards in 15 plays on their first offensive possession of the game. They converted all three of their third downs on the drive, which culminated in a perfectly placed 10-yard touchdown pass by Justin Herbert to Keenan Allen, who was tightly covered by Terrell.
Following the loss, the Falcons fall to 4-9 and have an incredibly tough road ahead. They have two remaining matchups against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs sandwiched in between.
Get an inside look at the matchup between the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers with top photos from Week 14.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 celebrates after makes an interception during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 receives a 39-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Russell Gage #83 during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 prepares to throw a touchdown pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #80 scores a touchdown during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 celebrates making an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 in action during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55 in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 and linebacker Mykal Walker #43 in action during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons try to block the game winning field goal by Los Angeles Chargers kicker Mike Badgley #4 on December 13, 2020. Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-17.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 is shown during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 is shown during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 is shown during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 in action during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 in action during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 celebrates after making an interception during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 in action during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 and linebacker Deion Jones #45 in action during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 throws the ball away, later called for intentional grounding, during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons tackle Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler #30 during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 in action during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 in action during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. #56 in action during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #80 celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 before kicking a field Goal during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 celebrates with running back Ito Smith #25 after Ridley received a 39-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Russell Gage #83 during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 in action during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 in action during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
General View of the interior of SoFi Stadium is shown in Inglewood, CA, before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 is shown during warm ups before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 warms up before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 gestures during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive back Kendall Sheffield #20 looks on during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds #59 gestures during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 looks on during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 looks on during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Shirts worn before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year decal on the helmet of Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55\ during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 warms up during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #80 celebrates scoring a touchdown withwide receiver Russell Gage #83 during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Laquon Treadwell #80 celebrates scoring a touchdown with running back Ito Smith #25 during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Josh Harris #47 gestures during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
General View of the interior of SoFi Stadium is shown in Inglewood, CA, before the game between the Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
The returners huddle in the tunnel before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 looks on during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
An interior view of SoFi Stadium before the Atlanta Falcons game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons long snapper Josh Harris #47 and defensive end Steven Means #55 pray after the game on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 and cornerback Isaiah Oliver #26 gesture during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Deion Jones #45 makes a tackle during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 celebrates making an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
The Walter Payton Man of the Year decal on the helmet of Atlanta Falcons defensive end Steven Means #55\ during pregame before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson #33 makes an interception during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 high-fives linebacker Deion Jones #45 after making a sack during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 in action during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 sacks Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
A generic view of an NFL Football during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Brian Hill #23 runs the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 prepares to snap the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 high-fives defensive tackle Jacob Tuioti-Mariner #91 during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 kicks off during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brandon Powell #15 runs the ball during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. #56 gets to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert #10 during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones #11 looks on during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons fullback Keith Smith #40 reacts during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett #97 reacts during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Mykal Walker #43 and linebacker Foye Oluokun #54 gesture during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Ito Smith #25 runs the ball during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 makes a catch during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
A generic image of an Atlanta Falcons helmet during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo #7 kicks a field goal during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 runs the football during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 defends during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 passes the football during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 runs the football during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 smiles after throwing a touchdown pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 prepares to throw a touchdown pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Matt Gono #73 hugs wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 after he scored a touchdown in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 catches a touchdown pass from wide receiver Russell Gage #83 in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 smiles after throwing a touchdown pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Russell Gage #83 prepares to throw a touchdown pass in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley #18 makes a catch in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons strong safety Keanu Neal #22 makes a tackle in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell #24 stops Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen #13 in the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons running back Todd Gurley #21 looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
The Atlanta Falcons huddle before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons center Alex Mack #51 stands for the coin toss against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan #2 looks on against the Los Angeles Chargers on December 13, 2020.
