In a shocking twist to a stagnant offensive game, the Atlanta Falcons beat the Philadelphia Eagles 22-21 on “Monday Night Football” behind a stunning final-minute drive by Kirk Cousins.
The key play of the game was a third-down, short situation in the Falcons' red zone. Instead of running to buy time, quarterback Jalen Hurts called the action and looked for Saquon Barkley.
Barkley, who had a stellar performance in his Eagles debut, scoring three touchdowns, was destined to get the game-winning first down if he had caught the ball. As soon as the ball was dropped, the clock stopped and kicker Jake Elliott booted a field goal to make the score 18-15.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lincoln Financial Field. (Bill Streacher-Imagn Images)
So with 1 minute, 39 seconds left and no timeouts, Cousins and the Falcons offense had a chance to drive down the field and score a touchdown, and needed the extra point to win.
Well, Cousins went to work, completing an 11-yard pass to tight end Kyle Pitts, which was followed by two catches by Darnell Mooney for a total of 47 yards to put the ball in Philadelphia's red zone.
Then, on third down and five from the Philadelphia 7-yard line, Drake London ran a perfect out route and Cousins found him in the end zone, and the crowd at Lincoln Financial Field went completely silent.
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The Falcons' game-winning extra point attempt had a bit of a quirk when London was fouled for excessive celebration and his 33-yard attempt was returned to the 48, but Young-ho Koo made a shot over the middle.
The Eagles had plenty of timeouts, so Elliott still had a chance to get within field goal range and save the game, but Hurts, who had played well in the previous game, threw an interception to safety Jesse Bates III to eliminate that possibility.
The Falcons and Eagles are tied at 1-1 after a shocking game in Philadelphia.
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (1) drives past Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson (8) for a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, September 16, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
The game appeared to be all but decided when C.J. Gardner-Johnson stopped Bijan Robinson on fourth down and 1-yard to give the Falcons a first down after the Eagles pushed Hurts into the end zone to take a three-point lead after Barkley's two-point conversion.
But the adage that it's not over till it's over was exemplified by another clutch pass from Cousins, who completed 20 of 29 passes through the air for 241 yards and two touchdowns.
Cousins had struggled previously in the game, and some thought a repaired Achilles injury might be bothering him after he was a short passer all night, but he caught Mooney for a 41-yard touchdown in the third quarter to give the Falcons a 15-10 lead. It was the longest play from scrimmage on a night when Mooney led Atlanta with 88 yards on just three catches.
Devonta Smith, who was playing as the Eagles' leading receiver with A.J. Brown out with a hamstring injury and likely out for next week, scored the game's only touchdown before Mooney entered the game, catching a 7-yard pass from Hurts in the second quarter.
Robinson was the Falcons' main force on the ground, rushing 14 times for a game-high 97 yards. Barkley was two yards behind Robinson on 22 attempts, while Hurts had 13 tuck-and-run attempts for 85 yards.
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-Imagn Images)
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Hurts was efficient before the game-ending interception, completing 23 of 30 passes for 183 yards.
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