Sometimes, a football game surprises everyone. This was one of those nights.
On September 16, 2024, the Atlanta Falcons faced the Philadelphia Eagles in a Monday Night Football game that seemed all but over. The Eagles were leading. The clock was running out. And the Falcons had just a 0.7% chance of winning.
But then something wild happened.
Kirk Cousins led a final drive that changed everything. What looked like a loss turned into a 22-21 Falcons victory. In this article, we’ll look at the player stats, key moments, and what made this game one of the most exciting comebacks in recent NFL history.
Quick Summary of the Falcons vs Eagles Game
Here’s a fast look at what happened:
-
Final Score: Falcons 22, Eagles 21
-
Game Date: September 16, 2024
-
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
-
Total Game Time: 2 hours, 57 minutes
-
Crowd: 69,879 fans watching live
-
Comeback Factor: Falcons beat a 99.3% loss chance
-
MVP: Kirk Cousins (241 yards, 2 TDs, perfect last drive)
-
Turning Point: Saquon Barkley’s dropped pass with 1:46 left
This was a game where efficiency beat possession, and one mistake changed everything.
Why This Game Was So Special
Let’s be honest—most fans thought it was over. The Eagles had the lead. The clock was on their side. But the Falcons didn’t give up.
-
Cousins went 5/6 for 70 yards in the last minute
-
The Falcons had less ball possession but made their drives count
-
The Eagles had one turnover, the Falcons had none
-
Koo’s long extra point (48 yards) after a penalty was the game-winner
That’s why this game stood out. It wasn’t about who had the ball longer. It was about who made the most of their chances.
First Quarter: Defense Rules the Field
The game started slow. No one scored in the first quarter. But that doesn’t mean it was boring.
-
Both teams played strong defense
-
The Eagles started with a short 4-play drive and punted
-
The Falcons followed with a 5-play drive and punted too
-
Big names like Haason Reddick and C.J. Gardner-Johnson made sure nothing came easy
It was clear that both teams had come prepared. The defense was sharp, and neither side wanted to make the first mistake.
By the end of the quarter, the score was still 0-0. But the tension was building.
Second Quarter: Touchdowns and Big Momentum Shifts
The second quarter brought some action. Finally, the deadlock broke.
-
11:22 Q2: Younghoe Koo kicked a 39-yard field goal (Falcons 3-0)
-
5:15 Q2: Jalen Hurts threw a 7-yard touchdown to DeVonta Smith (Eagles 7-3)
-
0:06 Q2: Koo added another field goal, this time from 22 yards (Eagles 7-6)
One of the big highlights was A.J. Brown’s early involvement, catching a few passes to keep the Eagles’ drive alive. His presence gave Hurts more confidence.
But the Falcons weren’t giving up. Even with little time left, they got close enough for Koo to make his second kick. That kept the game tight going into halftime.
First Half Stats That Set the Stage
At halftime, here’s how things looked:
-
Total Yards: Eagles 142, Falcons 139
-
Time of Possession: Eagles 17:21, Falcons 12:39
-
Turnovers: None
-
Penalties: Eagles 3, Falcons 1
These numbers show how evenly matched the first half was. The Eagles had a little more control, but the Falcons stayed close thanks to smart plays and good defense.
Both teams were ready to fight in the second half. And that’s when things really got interesting.
Third Quarter: Falcons Start to Take Control
The Falcons came out after halftime with a new energy. They were ready to take some risks—and it worked.
-
10:12 Q3: Koo kicked his third field goal, this time from 34 yards (Falcons lead 9-7)
-
4:28 Q3: Jake Elliott responded with a 29-yarder (Eagles 10-9)
-
1:21 Q3: Darnell Mooney scored a 41-yard touchdown after breaking free
Mooney’s touchdown was a game-changer. He made a cut, shook off the defender, and somersaulted into the end zone. The crowd was stunned.
This big play forced the Eagles to speed up their offense, which played right into the Falcons’ hands.
By the end of the third quarter, the Falcons had the edge. They weren’t just surviving—they were taking control.
Fourth Quarter: Total Drama and Clutch Moments
This is where the game turned into a classic.
-
6:47 Q4: Hurts pushed in a 1-yard TD, and Barkley added a 2-point run (Eagles 18-15)
-
5:38 Q4: Gardner-Johnson made a huge 4th-down stop on Bijan Robinson
-
1:39 Q4: Elliott kicked a 28-yard FG (Eagles 21-15)
At this point, most people thought it was over. The Eagles were up by six. The Falcons had very little time. But they had Kirk Cousins.
With just over a minute left, Cousins drove the Falcons 70 yards in just 65 seconds, going 5/6 with calm, perfect passes.
-
0:34 Q4: Drake London caught a 7-yard touchdown (Falcons 22-21)
-
Koo nailed the 48-yard extra point despite being pushed back due to a penalty
And just like that, the Falcons took the lead.
Full Player Stats from Falcons vs Eagles Match
Let’s now take a closer look at the full player stats from this exciting game.
Kirk Cousins (Falcons QB)
-
20 completions on 29 passes
-
241 passing yards
-
2 touchdowns
-
0 interceptions
-
Rating: 117.2
-
Final drive: 5/6 for 70 yards in just 65 seconds
He stayed calm under pressure and delivered when it mattered most.
Jalen Hurts (Eagles QB)
-
23 completions on 30 passes
-
183 passing yards
-
1 passing touchdown
-
1 interception
-
85 rushing yards on 13 carries
-
1 rushing touchdown
-
Total yards: 268
Hurts had a solid game overall, but one mistake at the end cost the Eagles big time.
Team Stats That Tell the Real Story
Sometimes stats say more than the scoreboard. Here’s what stood out:
| Category | Falcons | Eagles |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 385 | 365 |
| Yards per Play | 6.6 | 5.4 |
| Time of Possession | 24:21 | 35:39 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Penalties | 3 for 40 yards | 9 for 53 yards |
| 3rd Down Conversion | 22.2% | 46.2% |
The Eagles had the ball longer. They converted more third downs. But the Falcons made their plays count. Their higher yards per play and clean game (no turnovers, few penalties) helped them win.
Smart Plays and Costly Mistakes
Let’s talk about the decisions that made a difference.
The Falcons stayed calm, didn’t panic, and didn’t turn the ball over. That alone gave them a big edge.
Meanwhile, the Eagles had 9 penalties. Some of those came on big drives and hurt their momentum. Barkley’s dropped pass was also a game-changer. Instead of running down the clock, the Eagles had to give the ball back.
And then came Cousins’ smart throws, London’s touchdown, and Koo’s clutch kick. Everything the Falcons needed to win happened in the final 90 seconds.
Special Teams and Hidden Heroes
In a one-point game, even the smallest things matter. And this is where special teams became the quiet heroes.
-
Younghoe Koo went 3-for-3 on field goals
-
He also made a 48-yard extra point, which was pushed back due to a penalty
-
That extra point was the difference in the final score
-
Jake Elliott made both his field goals too, but didn’t get the same chance to win it
Koo doesn’t always get the spotlight, but his performance in this game was just as valuable as any quarterback.
Top 5 Player Performances in the Game
Let’s highlight the standout players who made this game unforgettable:
-
Kirk Cousins – Calm, smart, and clutch. That final drive was a thing of beauty.
-
Jessie Bates III – 12 tackles, 2 pass breakups, and the game-sealing interception.
-
Bijan Robinson – 14 carries, 97 yards. Made big runs when needed most.
-
Darnell Mooney – Only 3 catches, but one was a game-changing 41-yard touchdown.
-
Jalen Hurts – Strong overall game with over 250 total yards, but that late pick hurt.
All of these players helped shape the outcome in different ways.
What This Means for NFC Playoff Picture
This game might be only Week 2, but it could matter a lot later in the season.
-
Falcons now hold a tiebreaker over the Eagles
-
Winning a close game on the road gives Atlanta confidence moving forward
-
The Eagles now have questions to answer—can they close out games when it counts?
For fans and analysts, the Falcons vs Eagles match player stats will be looked at again when playoff spots are decided.
This Falcons vs Eagles match showed how fast things can change in football. The Eagles were ahead. The fans were cheering. And then, in just over a minute, it was all gone.
The Falcons proved that you don’t need to control the clock if you can make smart, fast plays. Cousins led with confidence. Mooney delivered the spark. Bates shut it down.
For the Eagles, it’s a lesson in staying sharp until the very end. One dropped pass, one flag, one missed chance—that’s all it takes.
In the end, these Atlanta Falcons vs Philadelphia Eagles match player stats told the story of a team that didn’t give up and made every second count.
Let’s see what both teams do next. Because if this game showed anything, it’s that the 2024 NFL season still has a lot of surprises waiting.
You may also read: Steelers vs Las Vegas Raiders Match Player Stats











