CHICAGO -- The Falcons needed a big play, and second-year tight end Austin Hooper made it happen.
Facing a third down and backed up on Atlanta's own 12-yard line, Matt Ryan showed terrific balance while evading pressure and found a wide-open Hooper for the long touchdown.
Playing with a lone single-high safety, the Bears defense lost sight of Hooper and paid the price. After making the catch, Hooper took off down the right sideline, and delivered a vicious stiff-arm to Chicago safety Quintin Demps.
It was the first target for a Falcons' tight end in Sunday's game, but it came at just the right time. As a rookie, Hooper caught 19 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns. The 88-yard touchdown catch doubles Hooper's previous career-long reception of 44 yards.
