QB Penix hears from Cousins, Vick after landing with Falcons as NFL draft first-round surprise pick
Michael Penix Jr., the biggest surprise of the NFL draftโs first round, received a congratulatory call from Kirk Cousins even as Cousinsโ agent was second-guessing the Atlanta Falcons adding depth to their quarterback spot.
Otton hauls in 11-yard scoring pass with 31 seconds left. Bucs beat Falcons 29-25
Baker Mayfield threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton with 31 seconds remaining, capping a wild fourth quarter that pushed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a tie for first place with a 29-25 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Desmond Ridder answers critics, Younghoe Koo kicks last-second field goal, Falcons edge Texans 21-19
Desmond Ridder passed and ran for touchdowns, Younghoe Koo kicked a go-ahead 37-yard field goal as time expired, and the Atlanta Falcons snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Houston Texans 21-19.
Kenny Pickett and the Steelers' starters cap an impressive preseason in a win over the Falcons
Kenny Pickett led two touchdown drives and showed he and the Pittsburgh starters are ready for real games as the Steelers overpowered the Atlanta Falconsโ backups 24-0 in the final preseason game for both teams.
From Sanders to Sauce, NFL draft fashion evolves over time
Deion Sanders became the NFL draftโs first fashion icon by accessorizing a black and white track suit with loads of sparkling gold jewelry when he took the call from the Atlanta Falcons before they selected him fifth overall in the 1989 draft.
Uvalde school shooting survivor invited to be honorary captain for Atlanta Falcons during last Sundayโs game
The Atlanta Falcons prevailed over the Chicago Bears last Sunday, and they had a new team member helping guide them from the sidelines -- Robb Elementary shooting survivor Daniel โTresโ Ruiz.
AP source: Brady fined $11K for attempted kick of Jarrett
Tom Brady was fined by the NFL on Friday for trying to kick Atlantaโs Grady Jarrett following the play in which the Falcons defensive tackle was flagged for a disputed roughing-the-passer penalty, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
AP Source: Brady could be fined for apparent kick of Jarrett
The NFL has looked at Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrettโs disputed roughing-the-passer penalty on Tom Brady to determine whether Brady attempted to kick Jarrett and if that warrants a fine, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.
Bills clinch playoff berth, eliminate Falcons with 29-15 win
Devin Singletary scored two touchdowns rushing in the second half to make up for Josh Allenโs sloppiness and the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills rallied to clinch their third consecutive playoff berth with a 29-15 win over the Atlanta Falcons.
Falcons name Saints' Terry Fontenot as general manager
This photo provided by the New Orleans Saints shows Terry Fonetenot in an undated photo. The Atlanta Falcons named Terry Fontenot the teams general manager, Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021. The 40-year-old Fontenot becomes Atlantas first Black general manager after spending 18 seasons with division rival New Orleans. Fontenot helped build a consistent winner as the Saintsโ vice president and assistant general manager in charge of pro personnel. The Falcons fired general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Dan Quinn following a 0-5 start this season, which led to a 4-12 finish, Atlanta's third consecutive losing season.
Falcons interview Hackett, Brady for head coaching job
Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady is becoming a popular name for NFL teams seeking to fill head coaching vacancies. A person familiar with the situation says the Chargers, Falcons and Texans have all asked for and received permission from the Panthers to interview Brady for their head coaching jobs. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)ATLANTA โ The Atlanta Falcons have interviewed a pair of offensive coordinators, Nathaniel Hackett of the Green Bay Packers and Joe Brady of the Carolina Panthers, for their head coaching job. The Falcons conducted a virtual interview with Hackett on Thursday, one day after meeting virtually with Brady. โI think one of the (prerequisites) to being a good head coach is presence in front of a room," Rodgers said.
Brady throws for 4 TDs, Bucs pull away from Falcons 44-27
โIt meant the world for him to get that record and, then, to have an easy touchdown," Bucs coach Bruce Arians said. Brady joined Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Dan Marino as the only players with multiple seasons of at least 40 TD passes. โWhatever happens for me as a quarterback is reflective of what we do as an offense,โ Brady said. " The latter trimmed Atlantaโs deficit to 30-27 before Brady put the game away with two late drives. Brown had his most productive day since joining the Bucs midway through the season with 11 catches for 138 yards.
The Latest: 2 Temple basketball games postponed due to virus
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___A positive COVID-19 test and ensuing contact tracing at Temple have postponed the Owlsโ next two basketball games. The reserve/COVID list was created for a player has tested positive test or has been quarantined after having been in close contact with an infected person. The move came after the team stopped all in-person work at its practice facility and reported a positive COVID-19 test. ___Middle Tennessee has postponed a pair of basketball games at Florida Atlantic because of positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Blue Raidersโ program. ___The Atlanta Falcons have stopped all in-person work at their practice facility after a positive COVID-19 test.
Chiefs lead AP Pro32 poll; Packers up to No. 2, Bills No. 3
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay (50) reacts next to Atlanta Falcons' Luke Stocker (88) after Falcons place kicker Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)NEW YORK โ Despite winning 10 in a row, the Kansas City Chiefs have been just barely getting by in recent games. And the Chiefs' lead has also narrowed a bit atop the latest AP Pro32 poll. The Chiefs received 10 of 12 first-place votes for 381 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. โBut winning in Kansas City, with or without a full house, is going to be difficult.โThe Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills flipped spots again after routs in prime time.
Chiefs clinch No. 1 seed when Falcons' Koo misses late FG
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is tackled by Atlanta Falcons Foyesade Oluokun during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Kansas City. โ All season, the prolific Kansas City offense had been putting the Chiefs in position to capture the No. And when the Pro Bowl kicker faded it right with 9 seconds remaining, the Chiefs had escaped, 17-14. Not to mention the Chiefs got their club-record 10th straight win and and the AFC's lone first-round playoff bye. They took the lead when Matt Ryan hit Laquon Treadwell for a 5-yard touchdown with 4:33 to go, then answered Mahomes' touchdown pass to Robinson by marching right down field again.
The Latest: NFC East will produce sub-.500 champ next week
(AP Photo/Mark Tenally)The Latest on Week 16 in the NFL (all times EST):___8 p.m.For the first time since 2014 there will be an NFL playoff team with a losing record. The winner will remain alive in the NFC East playoff race if Washington loses to Carolina. ___6:05 p.m.Washington is well on the way to blowing its first chance to clinch the NFC East. ___6 p.m.Eleven teams in the NFC are still harboring hopes of making a playoff run with Week 16 winding down. 1 seed in the NFC with a win Sunday night against the Titans and a Seattle loss or tie.
Ryan throws 3 TDs as Falcons stop comeback, beat Broncos
Matt Ryan took advantage of Denver's thin secondary to throw three touchdown passes and the Falcons turned back Drew Lock's bid for a second consecutive comeback to beat the Broncos 34-27 on Sunday. The Broncos' fourth-quarter comeback attempt gave Ryan and the Falcons a scary reminder of blown leads this season. Lock threw two touchdown passes and ran for a 10-yard score in the final quarter that made it 34-27. Lock answered with a 9-yard scoring pass to Tim Patrick with less than four minutes remaining. We'll get them next time.โCATCH THISZaccheaus beat Davontae Harris for a 51-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
The Latest: Two C-USA games postponed because of virus
โBut the virus remains a constant challenge to our efforts to play this season.โ___The Cincinnati Bengals closed their training facility after two players tested positive for COVID-19. Even with an off week, players had to remain in Cincinnati and are being tested for the coronavirus daily. The Bears canceled practice and closed their facility Thursday after another player tested positive. ___The Atlanta Falcons canceled practice and worked virtually Friday after a member of the football staff tested positive for COVID-19. โThe whole reason weโre doing it is to get guys to the game,โ coach Raheem Morris said.
Ryan, Falcons avenge earlier loss to Panthers, 25-17
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan gets sacked by Atlanta Falcons linebacker Foye Oluokun during the first half of an NFL football game Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ This time, the Atlanta Falcons finished. Carolina was driving late, but Atlanta stopped the rally when Blidi Wreh-Wilson intercepted Teddy Bridgewater near the Falcons' 10-yard line with 1:04 remaining. Moore on third and 18 to move the Panthers into Falcons territory. Bridgewater was limited to 176 yards passing as the Panthers (3-5) lost their third straight game without injured Christian McCaffrey. UP NEXTFalcons: Host the Broncos on Nov. 8Panthers: Open the second half of the season at the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs on Nov. 8.
Lions stun Falcons 23-22 after letting Atlanta score late TD
Detroit Lions defensive end Trey Flowers (90) celebrates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Atlanta. Gurley landed on the goal line for a touchdown that, as it turned out, led to another stunning loss for the Atlanta Falcons. Detroit let Gurley score with just over a minute remaining to get the ball back, giving Matthew Stafford enough time to drive the Lions to the winning TD as time expired Sunday. โJust an amazing game,โ Detroit coach Matt Patricia said. That backed up the extra-point attempt to the 30-yard line, but Prater knocked it through to win the game.
Tampa Bay's Godwin, Green Bay's Adams return from injuries
___GREEN BAY AT TAMPA BAYPackers: RB Tyler Ervin, CB Kevin King, QB Jordan Love. ___NEW YORK JETS AT MIAMIJets: QB James Morgan, QB Sam Darnold, CB Quincy Wilson, LB Jordan Willis, T Mekhi Becton, DL Nathan Shepherd. Dolphins: B/WR Malcolm Perry, RB Salvon Ahmed, RB Jordan Howard, LB Kyle Van Noy, DE Jason Strowbridge. ___HOUSTON AT TENNESSEETexans: WR Keke Coutee, CB Cornell Armstrong, RB Buddy Howell, ILB Peter Kalambayi, OT Charlie Heck, TE Jordan Akins. ___ATLANTA AT MINNESOTAFalcons: CB Jordan Miller, RB Qadree Ollison, S Jaylinn Hawkins, RT John Wetzel, DE Takk McKinley.
Panthers place lineman Larsen on reserve/COVID-19 list
The Carolina Panthers have placed guard/center Tyler Larsen on the reserve/COVID-19 list, five days after he played against the Atlanta Falcons. Falcons defensive tackle Marlon Davidson was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday after Carolina defeated Atlanta 23-16. Larsen did not start for the Panthers in that game, but did see action as a reserve. The Panthers still practiced on Friday in preparation for Sundayโs home game against the Bears. Seats for the Seahawks game will be available to those with season tickets based on order of account seniority.