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Tag: Atlanta Falcons

  • Atlanta Falcons fall to Miami Dolphins 34-10 in Cousins’ return to starting lineup

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    Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) got the start on Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins.
    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Falcons lost the coin toss. Lost the rushing battle between Bijan Robinson and Miami’s De’Von Achane. Lost the return of Kirk Cousins to the starting lineup. Lost the game, 34-10.

    The Falcons lost everything.

    “Tough day at the office,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “It was a tough day all around.”

    Morris admitted Miami dominated the game from start to finish. He was correct.

    The Dolphins gained 141 yards on the ground today. The Falcons had just 45.

    The Dolphins’ offense had 24 first downs. The Falcons only managed 11.

    Miami came into Sunday’s game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 1-6 overall record and a three-game losing streak. The last victory was against the New York Jets, who have not won a game this season. The Dolphins are now 2-6.

    The Falcons were playing their last home game for two weeks, as Atlanta will be in New England next Sunday, and in Germany to face the Indianapolis Colts, one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season, the following Sunday, Nov. 9.

    Atlanta has had difficulty scoring touchdowns this season. The Falcons have managed to score more than 25 points once in six games. That 34-point game came against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 28. It remains the best overall co-performance from the Falcons’ defense and offense. In his second year with the franchise, offensive coordinator Zach Robinson doesn’t seem to have created an offensive identity for the Falcons’ offense.

    Enter Kirk Cousins (21-31 for 173 yards on Sunday), who hasn’t started a game since Dec. 12, 2024, when the Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on the road, 15-9. In that game, Cousins was 11-17 for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier had a combined 34 carries during that game for a combined 168 yards.

    After the game, Cousins was asked how it felt to be back out there as a starter. He told The Atlanta Voice, “Anytime you don’t have a win, it’s a tough day, but certainly the first time being back out there in 10 months, playing live football, it’s always good to get that experience.”

    The Dolphins, on the other hand, have scored more than 24 points four times this season despite losing more than 90% of their games. Something had to give on Sunday.

    Miami scored the first touchdown of the game on its second possession. After a long drive that included a pass interference call on Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found running back De’Von Achane for a five-yard reception and touchdown. 

    Early on in the game, Cousins’ veteran presence and experience helped the Falcons advance the ball and reduce turnovers. On a fourth and three, Cousins found tight end Kyke Pits Sr. for a first down. A few plays before that, Cousins threw the ball out of play after being flushed out of the pocket. He didn’t force a throw he knew he couldn’t make. That drive ended in a successful 45-yard field goal attempt by Parker Romo. 

    With Miami ahead 7-3, the Dolphins put together a two-minute drive that ended in a 34-field goal which gave them a 10-3 lead. The short field came courtesy of special teams play, both good and bad. 

    The good: The Dolphins punted down to the Falcons’ one-yard line following their previous offensive possession.

    The bad: Falcons punter Bradley Pinion’s 41-yard punt landed in Falcons territory. The positive return gave the Dolphins a scoring opportunity. 

    Tagovailoa found several Dolphins receivers other than leading receiver Jayden Waddle for first downs during the game, including Achane, tight end Tanner Connor, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. It’s a wonder how this team was 1-6 before Sunday. 

    With 11 seconds remaining in the first half, Tagovailoa found receiver Malik Washington for his second touchdown throw of the game. With that touchdown, the Dolphins were ahead 17-3 at halftime, their best first-half offensive performance of the season.

    During the second half of the game, the Falcons’ offense had some motion before Robinson fumbled deep in Dolphins territory. Miami cornerback Tyrel Dodson recovered the fumble on the Dolphins’ 16-yard line. There was little, if any, consistency with the Falcons’ offense. Prior to the fumble, Cousins found Robinson on a screen play for 17 yards. 

    The Atlanta defense has been the most consistent part of this season thus far. The Falcons had allowed an opponent to score more than 28 points only once this season. That string of play ended when the Dolphins scored their 30th point of the game on a pass from Tagovailoa to running back Ollie Gordion II early in the fourth quarter. Gordon II had been sharing carries with Achane throughout the game and remained a threat to score. The extra point following Gordon II’s touchdown catch made the score 31-3.

    Miami would manage another field goal, and the Falcons scored their first field goal of the game on a run by running back Tyler Allgeier. The score was his third of the season.

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Christian McCaffrey’s offensive explosion, 49ers’ defense help stymie Falcons in win

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    Christian McCaffrey and the San Francisco 49ers’ defense had a night.

    The star running back had 201 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns as San Francisco topped the Atlanta Falcons, 20-10, on Sunday night.

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    San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates his touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

    McCaffrey ran for 129 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground. He also had seven catches for 72 yards. He got the scoring started in the second quarter when he helped put San Francisco on top 7-3. He then put the dagger into the hearts of Falcons fans when he was pulled and pushed into the end zone with 2:26 left in the game.

    It was that kind of frustrating night for the Falcons.

    Michael Penix Jr. was 21-of-38 for 241 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked twice and lost a fumble. But after two big wins against the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills, the Falcons’ offense was expected to have a little more firepower than what they showed against a depleted 49ers defense.

    Mykel Williams celebrates

    San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams (98) celebrates in the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)

    BRONCOS ERASE 19-POINT DEFICIT TO SHOCK GIANTS BEHIND BO NIX’S 4 TOUCHDOWNS

    Atlanta went on nine drives during the night and were only able to attain 19 first downs. The team was 5-for-11 on third downs and 0-for-2 on fourth down conversion attempts.

    San Francisco had 324 yards of total offense against Atlanta’s 292.

    The 49ers were able to hold running back Bijan Robinson to 40 rushing yards on 14 carries. He had six catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. San Francisco quarterback Mac Jones was in for Brock Purdy. He had 152 passing yards and an interception.

    Bijan Robinson tries to avoid the defense

    Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) runs near San Francisco 49ers safety Ji’Ayir Brown (27) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Santa Clara, California. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)

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    Despite the injuries that have affected San Francisco since Week 1, the 49ers moved to 5-2 with the win. Atlanta fell to 3-3.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

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  • Falcons will need repeat performance from secondary to beat Niners on Monday night

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    The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Buffalo Bills, 24-14, on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of more than 70,000 fans. Atlanta last hosted Buffalo on October 1, 2017, and the Falcons lost that game. After Monday’s game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris called the victory “a big-time team win” and was “well-fought by the guys.”

    Currently on a two-game win streak, the Falcons will have to travel to the West Coast in order to extend that streak of success. Up next: the San Francisco 49ers.

    The 49ers are tied at the top spot in the NFC West at 4-2, tied with the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, who each have the same overall record. The Falcons and 49ers have something in common: they both have lost to Tampa Bay. The 49ers are coming into the Sunday Night Football matchup with the Falcons following a 30-19 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To ref 

    During the first half of the victory over Buffalo, the Falcons’ defense sacked Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen twice. The Falcons’ front four kept pressure on Allen the entire game, and several of his pass attempts were thrown under duress. Falcons defensive back Dee Alford intercepted an Allen pass, one of the quarterback’s two interceptions. 

    The Falcons’ defensive front line gets all the praise a day after the smoke has cleared. Still, the secondary’s play allowed Ruke Orhorhoro, David Onyemata, and James Pearce, Jr. to help hold Allen to just 42 rushing yards to go along with his underwhelming passing night (15-26 for 180 yards and two touchdowns). According to Morris, the return of veteran corner A.J. Terrell, Jr. was also an assist.

    “AJ coming back this week was awesome,” Morris said after the game. “He’s one of our leaders in the back end. “We had a couple of penalties down the field, but those things will happen when you’re fighting throughout the play.”

    Morris said, along with Terrell and Alford, veteran corner Mike Hughes was among the players who made “big plays” during the game.

    “I really like how those guys went out there and fought. I think they all made big plays at different times throughout the game against one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League, if not the best,” Morris said. 

    Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., now nine starts into his NFL career, said he wanted to credit the defense for securing the victory. When asked about the play of the secondary, Penix, Jr. said the play was “really good!”

    “Midway through the week, I heard [coach] say the defense was going to play a lot of man, and they did that, and those guys were up for the challenge,” said Penix (20-32 for 250 yards and a touchdown). “They played great football and allowed our defensive line to get sacks and stuff like that because Josh [Allen] had to hold the ball whenever people weren’t open down the field.”

    “We definitely couldn’t have won that game without what they did on that side of the ball,” Penix said.

    49ers quarterback Mac Jones was intercepted twice during his team’s loss to Tampa last week. The Falcons’ secondary has intercepted passes during all of their victories this season.

    Atlanta will need Penix, Robinson, the defensive line, and smart coaching decisions to win the game at San Francisco on Sunday night. They will also need the secondary to be as stellar, if not better, than it was on Monday night against the Bills. 

    “It was a big-time team win,” Morris said.

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Atlanta Falcons are back over .500 with 24-14 win over Buffalo Bills

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    Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (above) had over 200 yards from the line of scrimmage, including 170 yards rushing.
    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Buffalo Bills, 24-14, on Monday night at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in front of more than 70,000 screaming fans (the majority of whom felt and sounded like they were from up North).

    The last time Atlanta hosted Buffalo was on October 1, 2017. The Falcons lost that game.

    After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris called the victory “a big-time team win” and was “well-fought by the guys.”

    Falcons and Bills fans make their way over the bridge to Mercedes-Benz Stadium before Monday night’s game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Falcons (0-2 in the NFC South) came into Monday night’s game with as much rest as any team in the league. Getting a bye week followed by a game on Monday on your home turf has to be the best-case scenario for any team.

    It didn’t take the Falcons’ offense long to get into the end zone. For a consecutive game, the Falcons scored on their opening drive. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (20 for 32 for 250 yards and a touchdown) completed two passes to his go-to receiver, Drake London (10 receptions for 158 yards), before runs by Bijan Robinson (more than 200 total yards from scrimmage) led to a touchdown run by the team’s other running back, Tyler Allgeier.

    Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris (above) after the 24-14 victory. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Atlanta was ahead for four minutes before Buffalo put together a long drive on their opening drive, which ended with a pass from quarterback Josh Allen to tight end Dawson Knox to tie the game at seven.

    The first quarter ended with a three-minute Falcons drive capped by a long run by Robinson, Penix’s first touchdown pass of the game to London, and a 14-7 advantage. The Falcons were ahead at the end of the first 15 minutes of play for a consecutive week. The good vibes continued early in the second quarter when the Falcons’ defense stole the show at first, sacking Allen twice in the same drive. Following a Buffalo punt, Robinson took a handoff from Penix and raced up the right sideline for an 81-yard touchdown. Robinson shook off a couple of would-be tacklers en route to the Buffalo end zone and a 21-7 lead for the home team.

    The Falcons scored on their possession of the game and twice during the first quarter. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Falcons could have gone ahead by 17 points, but head coach Raheem Morris decided to go for it on fourth down instead of attempting a 40-plus-yard field goal. The Falcons went into the locker room with a 14-point lead.

    During the first half, the Falcons’ defense sacked Allen twice and intercepted a pass. The latter went to Dee Alford, his second career pick as a Falcon.

    Buffalo began the second half by scoring on an efficient drive that ended with a short touchdown run by Ray Davis. The Bills pulled closer to the Falcons, 21-14. Both teams traded wasted possessions during the remainder of the third quarter.

    In the fourth, Buffalo got the ball back with 8:30 remaining in the game.

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation commits $50M to CAU, Morehouse, Morris Brown & Spelman

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    The Morehouse College golf and football programs have received gifts from the AMBF. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (AMBFF) is committing $50 million to four Atlanta University Center member institutions. The scholarship investment will be for 10 years, beginning in 2026, and will be awarded to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morris Brown College, and Spelman College. 

    The $50 million is projected to assist close to 10,000 students at the institutions. The funding is from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation’s Founder Initiative portfolio.  

    The AMBF was founded in 1995 by Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank. Since then, the foundation has gifted more than $1.5 billion to universities, charities, and local organizations and non-profits. 

    Some of that charitable giving has gone to HBCU’s, including $10 million to Spelman College’s Arthur M. Blank Innovation Lab, $6 million for improvements of athletic fields at Clark Atlanta, Albany State University, Miles College, and Savannah State University, $3 million to Morris Brown to digitize a one-year hospitality credential, and $400,000 to the Morehouse College golf program and new football helmets for the Clark Atlanta and Morehouse football programs. 

    Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Donnell began his career covering sports and news in Atlanta nearly two decades ago. Since then he has written for Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Southern Cross…

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Birdies head to bye week with a W: Falcons win 34-27 over Commanders

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    The Atlanta Falcons (in black) scored on their first three possessions of the game. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Falcons hosted the Washington Commanders in what quickly became a must-win game following Atlanta’s 30-0 loss in Charlotte last week. In only the second home game of the season, the Falcons managed to score 34 points in a seven-point victory over the Commanders. Go figure.

    The final offensive possession for Atlanta displayed the potential this team has. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix ran for a first down, completed passes to tight end Kyle Pitts and Drake London, and commanded (pun intended)the offense like a veteran.

    Sunday was Penix’s seventh career start.

    An Atlanta Falcons fan wearing a Tony Gonzalez jersey before Sunday’s game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Commanders entered the game on a four-game winning streak against the Falcons. Former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and the Commanders defeated the Falcons in Landover, Maryland, last season. This season, Washington is looking for a bit more motivation with former Falcons starting quarterback Marcus Mariota starting under center for the Commanders, with Jayden Daniels out.

    The Falcons began the game by scoring on their first two possessions of the first quarter. The total time of possession and the usage of Bijan Robinson and Drake London were the highlights of the opening 15 minutes. The Falcons had the ball for 12:27 of the first quarter. During those two possessions, which ended in a 38-yard field goal for Parker Romo and a 5-yard touchdown catch for London from quarterback Michael Penix, Falcons offensive coordinator Zach Robinson mixed the playcalling up well. London had four receptions on that second possession, Robinson had 39 yards rushing on nine carries during the first quarter, and tight end Kyle Pitts caught a pass for a first down.

    A Washington Commanders fan is on his way to the game on Sunday. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Washington, coming off a win over the Las Vegas Raiders last week, finally got the ball back late in the first quarter and began the second quarter with a touchdown drive that ended with a Mariota pass to receiver Luke McCaffrey for the Commanders’ first score of the game.

    Ahead 17-10 following a 43-yard field goal by the Commanders, the Falcons’ offense was back on the field with 5:24 remaining in the first half. For the first time in the game, the Falcons failed to score a point during an offensive possession.

    The Atlanta Falcons lead at the half, 17-10. It was a far cry from the scoreless performance against the Carolina Panthers a week earlier.

    The Falcons’ defense started the second half by giving up a 16-yard play on a first and 30 in Washington’s territory. The Commanders dragged out a long offensive possession that included a Mariota run for 15 yards and a 52-yard field goal from kicker Matt Gay to pull closer at 17-13. That drive ate up nearly five minutes.

    The Falcons answered that score with a touchdown drive that took two plays: a screen pass from Penix to Robinson for 69 yards and a seven-yard touchdown reception by Pitts.

    Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted a Mariota pass midway through the third quarter to put the ball back in the hands of Penix and the offense. It’s hard to understand how this team managed to leave Carolina without any points. But they didn’t score on the next possession. Instead, Penix was intercepted on a long pass that put the Commaders back in Falcons territory. A 41-yard field goal by Gay made the score 24-16 in favor of the home team.

    Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier has the patience of a saint. Despite running for 1,000 yards as a rookie three seasons ago, he seems content with getting the backup carries behind Robinson. Allgeier, who should be a well-sought-after free agent next season, scored on a 25-yard run down the Commaders’ sideline to put the Falcons ahead 31-16 at the end of the third quarter.

    This season’s Falcons front line is much improved. Veteran linebacker Kaden Ellis and veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd shared a sack in the first half, and Ellis got another in the fourth quarter. Rookie edge rusher Jalon Walker wasn’t credited with a sack this game, but continued to put pressure on the Commanders’ offensive line.

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Falcons Make Decision on Kirk Cousins’ Status Amid Trade Rumors

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    The Atlanta Falcons made the switch away from veteran signal caller Kirk Cousins at the quarterback position late last season. To replace him, the starting job went to young signal caller Michael Penix Jr.

    Cousins has been involved in a lot of trade rumors throughout the offseason and early on in the 2025 season. Quite a few teams could use help at the quarterback position, but Cousins remains on the Falcons’ roster.

    While he’s still on the roster currently, there have still been rumblings that he could be moved before the trade deadline. Despite those rumors, Atlanta has not shown much interest in trading him. Now, another update has been shared about the veteran quarterback.

    Read more: Packers QB Jordan Love Gets Rough News Before Facing Cowboys

    According to a report from NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Falcons currently have no intention of trading Cousins. He will remain as the primary backup in Atlanta behind Penix. She also shared that the New York Giants do not intend to trade fellow veteran quarterback Russell Wilson.

    Here is what Russini had to say in her report about Cousins.

    “I’m told that the Giants and Falcons have no intention right now of moving veteran backups Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins,” Russini wrote on X.

    So far this season, Cousins has appeared in just one game. He played sparingly against the Carolina Panthers, completing five of his seven pass attempts for 29 yards. Outside of that, he has remained on the sidelines.

    Last season in his first year with Atlanta, Cousins played in 14 games. He threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions, while completing 66.9 percent of his pass attempts. Obviously, the turnovers were the reason that he lost his job.

    Read more: Steelers Linked to Trade for Dynamic 1,000-Yard Wide Receiver

    Even at 37 years old, Cousins is still capable of being an NFL starting quarterback. It’s possible that the Falcons could change their mind as the trade deadline draws closer and open up to the idea of moving him.

    All of that being said, expect to continue hearing Cousins being thrown into rumors for teams who need quarterback help. He might have to stick it out in Atlanta, but he still seems like a potential trade candidate if the right offer is made.

    For more on the Atlanta Falcons and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Minnesota Vikings lean into dominant defense and strong rushing attack in win over Cincinnati Bengals

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    The Minnesota Vikings under coach Kevin O’Connell have consistently been a pass-oriented team, building around his knack for quarterback development and play design and investing heavily in premier players at the pass-catching positions.

    The Vikings have wisely begun to alter their identity this season, as evidenced throughout their 48-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

    With a first-year starter in J.J. McCarthy, who has been temporarily replaced by a savvy if limited backup in Carson Wentz, O’Connell and the Vikings have long been cognizant of the patience required with the passing game. The early output by the offense — ranking third-to-last in the NFL in passing yards per game through three weeks — has provided an unnecessary but pointed reminder of the transition they’re in.

    After a humiliating 22-6 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in their home opener, when they produced just 198 total yards with four turnovers and took six sacks, the Vikings got back to work in a big way.

    Their performance against the Bengals, led by a defense that forced five turnovers and enjoyed a record two return touchdowns by cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, highlighted the Vikings’ collective acknowledgment of the need to play better and play differently to keep up this season in their daunting division.

    Jordan Mason powered his way for 116 yards and two scores on 16 carries behind a proud and determined offensive line boosted by the return of left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Wentz was efficient, smart and opportunistic in a turnover-free, two-touchdown debut. The special teams units, highlighted by Will Reichard’s franchise-record 62-yard field goal, were flawless, too.

    “The NFL is about facing adversity head on, collectively working to do the things you’ve got to do to correct whatever you need to,” O’Connell said, “but sometimes it’s just a reality check on figuring out exactly who you want to be as a team.”

    What’s working

    The calls by defensive coordinator Brian Flores had Bengals backup Jake Browning and the rest of their offense off balance all afternoon. Boosted by the return of safety Harrison Smith and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, the Vikings had four sacks and nine quarterback hits to fuel the turnover fest and stifled the Bengals for an average of 2.5 yards per rush.

    What needs help

    The offense needs to figure out how to stop the pre-snap sloppiness. Though McCarthy’s inexperience and Wentz’s newness to the team have created understandable challenges to a consistently smooth operation, and injuries at left tackle and center have kept the offensive line from finding a rhythm, the Vikings again took several costly penalties. Six of the eight fouls against the offense were for either false starts or illegal formation.

    Stock up

    RB Zavier Scott. With Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler on injured reserve, Scott became the primary complement to Mason and had eight carries for 30 yards and one catch for 20 yards.

    Stock down

    Center Michael Jurgens. The only player who took 100% of the available snaps on Sunday, the 2024 seventh-round draft pick made his first career start as a fill-in for Ryan Kelly, who has a concussion. Put in a tough spot in just his fifth career NFL appearance, Jurgens took two penalties — for holding and a false start.

    Injury report

    Rookie LG Donovan Jackson will likely miss the next two games after undergoing minor wrist surgery on Monday, O’Connell said. He was injured during the Atlanta game and deemed able to play against Cincinnati without risking further damage.

    Jackson will travel with the team on its upcoming trip to Europe, though, along with McCarthy and everyone else on the roster except a couple of players on injured reserve who are at more delicate points in their rehabilitation programs.

    O’Connell confirmed that Wentz will start this weekend, so McCarthy will miss at least one more game. After they were inactive last week, Kelly and backup LT Justin Skule (concussion) are expected to return. WR Jordan Addison is back from his suspension, too.

    Key number

    7.3 — Mason’s average per attempt against the Bengals was the highest by a Vikings rusher with 12-plus carries in a game since Nov. 13, 2022, when Dalvin Cook averaged 8.5 yards on 14 attempts in a 33-30 comeback victory at Buffalo.

    Up next

    The Vikings will become the first team in NFL history to play consecutive international games in different countries. They meet the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin on Sunday and stay overseas to face Cleveland in London on Oct. 5. The Vikings are considered the road team for both neutral-site games, a big scheduling break this year. Their much-needed bye week for extra injury recovery time comes after that.

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  • Panthers defense pitches first shutout since 2020, dominates Falcons 30-0 in home opener :: WRALSportsFan.com

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    By Steve Reed, AP Sports Writer

    Atlanta Falcons 0
    Carolina Panthers 30
    Final

    The Carolina Panthers defeated the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday 30-0 in the team’s home opener of the 2025 season.

    The Panthers’ defense, which had been heavily criticized after a historically bad 2024 campaign, had its first shutout since 2020, picking off Falcons quarterback Michael Penix twice and recovering a fumble near the end of the game.

    **This is a breaking news update, an update will be available shortly**

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — When Bryce Young previously faced the Atlanta Falcons he performed his best Stephen Curry impersonation, throwing a pass into the end zone and turning his back to celebrate the touchdown well before tight end Tommy Tremble secured the ball.

    Young finished that Week 18 shootout with Michael Penix Jr. 25-of-34 passing for 251 yards and five total touchdowns in his best game as a professional. The Panthers won 44-38 in overtime.

    The No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, it seemed, had regained his swagger.

    Fast-forward to this season and the Panthers are off to their third straight sluggish 0-2 start under Young as they prepare for Sunday’s home opener against against their Interstate 85 rivals from Atlanta.

    Young had five turnovers in his first five quarters this season, before nearly rallying the Panthers from a 27-3 deficit with three second-half TD passes before falling short and losing 27-22.

    Although the comeback came up short, coach Dave Canales said he’s “fired up” about the direction Young and the Panthers are headed.

    Young might have it tougher this time around after the Falcons, who appear to have improved dramatically on defense from a year ago. The Falcons defense relentlessly pressured J.J. McCarthy last week and easily defeated the Minnesota Vikings, 22-6.

    “I think these guys are getting better and better,” Falcons coach Raheem Morris said. “They’re fun to watch. They’re fun to be around. I gave them all game balls today. Man, they had a heck of a game and a big-time moment and I thought it was pretty special for those guys to enjoy that moment together.”

    Another big day for Bijan?

    Bijan Robinson has enjoyed tremendous success against his NFC South foes.

    The third-year running back combined for 265 yards rushing and four touchdowns — while averaging 6.2 yards per carry — in two games against Carolina in 2024. He faces a Panthers defense that had allowed 200 yards rushing in seven straight games prior to holding the Cardinals to 82 yards on the ground on Sunday.

    “Play together, team tackle,” Canales said of stopping Robinson, who ran for 143 yards against the Vikings in Week 2. “We’ve got to rally to the ball. When you have a fantastic player like this, it takes multiple people to make sure they’re doing their assignment and everybody rallying to the ball, everybody being there, and trying to limit the amount of space that he gets.

    “The more space he has, the more dangerous he can be. So it’s got to be team football.”

    Where is Legette?

    Carolina’s 2024 first-round draft pick Xavier Legette has been nearly invisible in the Panthers offense this season with 8 yards on four receptions.

    Despite Legette’s struggles, Canales plans to stick with Legette in the starting lineup this week. However, with Brycen Tremayne emerging as a potential playmaker and Jalen Coker eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 5, Legette is under pressure to produce — and soon.

    “I have all the confidence in the world in him; he’s a great player,” Young of Legette. “He’s going to be great for us. He’s a huge part of this offense. It’s not any sort of wavering, any sort of — there’s nothing like that. I’m excited for this week. I’m excited for the weeks following for him.”

    TDs for Renfrow

    While Legette struggles, Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan is thriving in the Panthers offense with 11 catches for 168 yards through two games.

    The No. 8 pick has developed into Young’s go-to option.

    But McMillan doesn’t have a touchdown catch yet despite catching 26 TD catches in three seasons at the University of Arizona. Young threw two TDs passes to veteran slot receiver Hunter Renfrow and the other to running back Chuba Hubbard last Sunday.

    McMillan said he doesn’t mind that others are getting the bulk of the targets in the red zone.

    “Somebody is going to be open,” McMillan said. “If they start shading to me, we have way more players who can make plays. I’m not the only dude on the football field, so I have full confidence in the other 10 guys to go make plays. I feel like it is a good thing if they start shading to me.”

    Red zone concerns

    The Falcons scored on all five trips in the red zone against Minnesota, but managed just one touchdown.

    Morris is hoping to get Robinson and others into the end zone in Week 3.

    “We didn’t do a great job in the red zone (Sunday) night, for sure,” Morris said. “Fortunate enough for us, our defense held their team to almost the same poor play in the red zone, and it was able to work out for us.”

    Terrell’s injury

    The Falcons are expected to be without cornerback A.J. Terrell, who is listed as week to week after sustaining a hamstring injury in the second quarter against Minnesota. Dee Alford took his place and played 20 defensive snaps, but it is unclear who’ll fill in on Sunday with Morris adding it is an open competition.

    ″(Alford) got a chance to finish it for us,” Morris said. “He did a nice job, had a knockdown pass and some really good tackles.”

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  • Falcons run over Vikings to spoil home opener as JJ McCarthy struggles

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    There was no fourth-quarter magic for J.J. McCarthy in his second NFL start, as the Atlanta Falcons handled the Minnesota Vikings on the road to win their first game of the season, 22-6.

    McCarthy stole a victory in Chicago last Monday after orchestrating a thrilling fourth quarter against the Bears. But the Falcons had all the answers for the young quarterback on “Sunday Night Football” to get in the win column. 

    McCarthy went 11-of-21 through the air for 158 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in a game where he had some chances for big plays, but he just didn’t have the right touch on his passes. With the lack of a successful run game, the Falcons were sending all types of pressure and McCarthy went down for six sacks. 

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    Michael Penix Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons passes against the Minnesota Vikings during the second quarter in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

    But McCarthy’s opponent, Michael Penix Jr., wasn’t having the best of games at the quarterback position either. Penix was just 13-of-21 for 135 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He also missed some throws that could’ve led to a touchdown earlier than Tyler Allgeier’s late fourth-quarter score, which was the dagger for the Falcons. 

    COWBOYS BEAT GIANTS ON WALK-OFF FIELD GOAL IN THRILLING OVERTIME VICTORY

    Allgeier’s five-yard rush was the only touchdown for either team in this game, as it was a field goal battle throughout with both teams struggling to convert on red zone chances. Parker Romo, the Falcons’ new kicker as Younghoe Koo was benched after a rough week 1 performance, was up for the challenge as he knocked in all five of his field goal attempts, including his longest from 54 yards out. 

    J.J. McCarthy throws pass

    J.J. McCarthy of the Minnesota Vikings warms up against the Atlanta Falcons before the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

    Though the pass game wasn’t efficient for Atlanta, star running back Bijan Robinson picked up the slack with 143 rushing yards on 22 carries to lead the game in that category. Drake London was the leading receiver for the Falcons with 49 yards on three receptions. 

    For the Vikings, Justin Jefferson had 81 yards, though he caught just three passes. After McCarthy’s second interception of the game on the Vikings’ final drive, Jefferson was noticeably frustrated on the sideline, but who wouldn’t be when the offense truly clicked in the fourth quarter this past week? 

    McCarthy and the Vikings will hope to be more consistent from start to finish next week when they face the Cincinnati Bengals, who are expected to be without quarterback Joe Burrow after he suffered a toe injury on Sunday. 

    Bijan Robinson runs on field

    Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons rushes against the Minnesota Vikings during the first quarter in the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sept. 14, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

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    Meanwhile, the Falcons hit the road again, but against an NFC South rival in the Carolina Panthers next Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

    Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

    Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

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  • Falcons trample McCarthy and Vikings 22-6 behind Robinson’s running, dominant defense

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    Bijan Robinson rushed for 143 yards and Parker Romo made all five of his field-goal tries in his debut for the Atlanta Falcons, who smothered J.J. McCarthy for six sacks and three turnovers in a 22-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.

    Tyler Allgeier added 13 carries for 67 yards and a late touchdown run against a Vikings defense that didn’t have much left after it admirably kept the game close all night while the offense crossed midfield just three times and only once got inside the 20-yard line.

    Bijan Robinson rushed for 143 yards and Parker Romo made all five of his field-goal tries in his Atlanta debut, and the Falcons smothered J.J. McCarthy for six sacks and three turnovers in a 22-6 victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night.

    Tyler Allgeier added 13 carries for 67 yards and had a late touchdown run against a Vikings defense that didn’t have much left after it admirably kept the game close all night while the offense crossed midfield just three times and only once got inside the 20-yard line.

    Robinson and Allgeier helped the Falcons (1-1) rush 38 times for 219 yards to keep the pressure off Michael Penix Jr. and keep the crowd noise from being a factor after the first quarter, putting together a 12-play, 83-yard drive to seal it down the stretch. Penix, who went 13 for 21 for 135 yards, has yet to commit a turnover this season.

    Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Brandon Dorlus (54) sacks Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Minneapolis.

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    McCarthy, the first-time starter taken two picks after Penix in the 2024 draft whose rookie year was lost to a knee injury, has four turnovers so far. He overcame an interception return for a score in his debut at Chicago by leading the team to three fourth-quarter touchdowns, but there was no late magic for McCarthy or Minnesota this time in his first game as a father.

    Billy Bowman Jr. had a diving interception late in the second quarter to set up one of the kicks by Romo, who had a four-game stint with the Vikings last year while Will Reichard was injured.  

    Instead of playing it safe and heading into halftime, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell showed his faith in McCarthy by calling a dropback that resulted a 50-yard pass to Justin Jefferson. That set up Reichard’s second field goal with 1 second left to cut the deficit to just 9-6 at the break.

    But the Vikings kept getting banged up, and the offense just spiraled further after that.

    With all of the home-opener hype in the background, highlighted by another prime-time kickoff and a halftime ceremony for newly minted Hall of Fame member Jared Allen, the fans were roaring for McCarthy after his remarkable start.

    This time, Penix more got the better of him after McCarthy led Michigan to the national championship over Penix and Washington two seasons ago.

    Pass-rushing rookies

    First-round draft picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. each contributed to the Falcons’ five first-half sacks, as an offseason priority to ramp up the pass rush came to fruition. Atlanta hadn’t had that many sacks in a half in any game since 2009 against Washington.

    Jefferson joins another club

    With his 9-yard reception in the first quarter, Jefferson matched Larry Fitzgerald Jr., the Minneapolis native who played 17 seasons for Arizona, as the youngest players in NFL history (26 years, 90 days) to reach 500 career catches.

    Injury report

    Falcons: CB A.J. Terrell Jr. limped off with a left hamstring injury late in the second quarter, one play before Jefferson broke free. He didn’t return.

    Vikings: C Ryan Kelly (second quarter) and LT Justin Skule (third quarter) each left with concussions. Skule had started his second straight game for recovering standout Christian Darrisaw (knee). … RB Aaron Jones (hamstring) was injured in the third quarter and didn’t return. … OLB Gabe Murphy (knee) was hurt in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. … With S Harrison Smith held out again, three key starters were missing on defense with LB Blake Cashman (hamstring) and OLB Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion) the others.

    Up next

    Atlanta plays at Carolina next Sunday, when Minnesota hosts Cincinnati.

    NOTE: The original airdate of the video attached to this article is Sept. 12, 2025.

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  • Atlanta Falcons Notebook: A win is a win, rookies step up in a big way on the road

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    The Atlanta Falcons are headed back home to Georgia following a 22-6 victory in Minnesota on Sunday night.

    The Falcons will be back on the road in week three of the schedule, this time in Carolina to face the 0-2 Carolina Panthers. Losers to Arizona by five points, 27-22, the Panthers got big offensive outputs from quarterback Bryce Young (328 yards passing and three touchdowns) and rookie receiver Tetairoa (six catches for 100 yards). Both players must be high up on the Falcons’ defensive scouting reports.

    Wasted opportunities: The Falcons’ defense held the Vikings to six first-half points in front of a sold-out home crowd during their home opener and only managed to get three field goals for their efforts. Parker Romo made 38, 29, and 33-yard field goals, but should have been kicking extra points instead. They would get that first touchdown late in the game. That lack of offensive production might not be enough against the Washingtons and Buffalos of the world, though.

    Rookies Stepping Up: Falcons rookies James Pearce, Jr., Jalon Walker, and Billy Bowman, Jr. each had big first halves on Sunday night. Bowman intercepted a pass from Minnesota quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the second quarter. Pearce, Jr. and Walker each registered their first solo sacks during the game. Rookie safety Xavier Watts secured his first interception with 2:35 remaining in the game. He dropped two potential interceptions during the season-opening loss to Tampa Bay last week.

    Mooney over Minnesota: Darnell Mooney made his season debut and caught his only two Penix, Jr. passes of the game during the third quarter. Mooney (two receptions for 20 yards) will be a massive weapon for Penix, Jr. going forward.

    Romo, Parker Romo: The Falcons brass decided to leave Younghoe Kim at home and brought Peachtree City native and former University of Georgia kicker Parker Romo to the Twin Cities for Sunday night’s game. Parker didn’t disappoint, making all of his first five field goal attempts, including a 33-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 54-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. He also made his only extra points attempt of the game in the fourth quarter, following a touchdown run by Tyler Allgeier (76 yards on 15 carries).

    Very Special Teams: The Atlanta special teams unit was very good Sunday night. It didn’t force a turnover until recovering a muffed punt in the fourth quarter, but kept the Vikings from getting better than average field position the entire game.

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  • 0-1 v 1-0: Atlanta Falcons are headed to Minnesota for Sunday Night Football

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    Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (above) will be playing his first game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Sept. 14. The Falcons lost by three touchdowns in Minnesota last season, but Penix, Jr. did not play in that game.
    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Atlanta Falcons are on their way to Minnesota for a Sunday Night Football meeting with the Vikings. The warm and friendly confines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium (71,000-plus football fans were in the building for the season opener) and a pro-Falcons crowd will not be waiting for them when they arrive. 

    Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. made just his fourth professional start on Sunday against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game in Minnesota will only be his second on the road. It won’t be the first time he will be in uniform in Minnesota. The Falcons lost 42-12 to the Vikings last season during former starting quarterback Kirk Cousins’s return to his former home on Dec. 8. That game was in the middle of a four-game losing streak and near the end of Cousins’s time as the starter in Atlanta.

    Minnesota won its season opener in Chicago on Monday night and will have a sold-out crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, similar to Penix, Jr., will be making his first career start at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night. Unlike Penix, Jr., McCarthy threw two fourth-quarter touchdowns and helped lead his team to victory.

    Now Penix, Jr. is starting and coming off of a quality, if not stellar, performance in front of the home fans on Sunday against the Buccaneers (298 yards and a touchdown on 27-42 passing, 21 rushing yards and a touchdown), he was appreciative of the environment at The Benz.

    “Oh yeah, man, that’s big time. We need that. We love it,” Penix said of the crowd participation. “Each and every home game, we want it. We know that they will bring it. Whenever we’re making big-time plays, the city is going to be behind us.” 

    Falcons receiver Chris Blair, who was inactive for the game, agreed with Penix, Jr. about the environment in The Benz on Sunday afternoon.

    “I feel like it was the right energy,” said Blair, an Alcorn State alum. “They showed up for sure.”

    There were plenty of big plays during the game that kept the crowd into it -Penix, Jr.’s fourth quarter go-ahead touchdown run, Bijan Robinson’s six receptions for 100 yards- but the Falcons lost the home and season opener 23-20 to a division rival. Atlanta kicker Young Koo missed a 44-yard field goal that could have tied the game and when he got to the sideline he threw his helmet to the ground in disgust.

    Penix spoke to the press about what he said to Koo after the game. He said he told Koo not to let this kick get him down and to keep being the kicker that the team believes in. 

    The Falcons won’t be back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for two weeks as the National Football League schedule’s week three matchup will take place at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte against the Panthers (0-1 after losing at Jacksonville on Sunday, Sept. 7).

    Penix, Jr. said he is “looking forward” to getting back in front of the home fans that don’t make the trips to Minnesota and Charlotte in the coming weeks.

    “We appreciate them and we look forward to being back home again and having that influence that they brought today,” Penix, Jr. said. 

    The Falcons will host the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Sept. 28. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. This will be a rematch of sorts for two young quarterbacks. Penix, Jr.’s second career start came against Jayden Daniels and the Commanders in Washington last season. Though the Falcons lost 30-24, Penix, Jr. (19-35, 223 yards, a touchdown and an interception) displayed poise late in that game. 

    Performing in a hostile environment will be what Penix, Jr. and the Falcons will have to do in Minnesota on Sunday night. 

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  • Too Many Mistakes: Atlanta Falcons start 2025 season with 23-20 loss to Tampa Bay Bucs

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    The American Flag on full display moments before kickoff during the Atlanta Falcons season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Falcons lost the home and season opener 23-20 on Sunday. Atlanta kicker Young Koo missed a field goal that could have tied the game.

    Mistakes will cost you everything in the National Football League. Three roughing the passer penalties, a pair of missed field goal, a missed extra point attempt, they all mattered during this game.

    “We have to find a way to win next week,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game.

    “We have to keep going, it’s just one game,” Leonard Floyd said in the locker room after the game.

    The biggest play will go down as the touchdown pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield to receiver Emeka Egbuka that made the score 23-20. But it was the roughing the passer penalty from the Falcons that helped extend the Bucs’s drive.

    Minutes earlier, the score was 17-13 in favor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The game clock read 3:33 in the fourth quarter. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. (27-42 for 298 yards, a touchdown pass and run) ran for the goal line and was short of scoring a touchdown. He was however past the first down marker. The Buccaneers had two roughing the passer penalties called on them during the drive.

    The biggest play of the game came courtesy of the feet of Penix, Jr., because Atlanta’s fresh set of downs lead to another Penix, Jr. run, this time for a one-yard touchdown with 2:17 left to play. The touchdown put Atlanta ahead 20-17 following the extra point by kicker Younghoe Koo.

    Back on defense, the Falcons put pressure on Mayfield (17-32 for 167 yards) late in the game, but not enough to keep him from throwing three touchdown passes.

    The video montages featuring former Falcons Andre Rison, Ray Buchanan, and Roddy White, Freddie the Falcon bungee jumping from the rafters, a smoke-filled entrance to the field, and a loud roar from a crowd of re than 70,000 when starting quarterback Michael Penix, Jr.’s name was announced. The Falcons season opener had it all.

    The Atlanta Falcons opened the 2025 season at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7. Their opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, have won the NFC South division crown time after time, and this game was an opportunity for Atlanta to set the tone for the next 17 weeks.

    Under current head coach Raheem Morris, the Falcons have had success against the Buccaneers and head coach Todd Bowles. Atlanta swept Tampa last season, winning on the road by five points, and winning at home by six points.

    The Falcons put together a one-minute and 46-second offensive drive to open the game. The big play came on a Penix, Jr. screen pass to running back Bijan Robinson for a long run and score. Robinson caught two passes during the abbreviated drive.

    Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    Tampa’s first score, a 48-yard field goal from kicker Chase McLaughlin, came eight minutes after they began their third drive at the tailed of the first quarter. By the time the score was 7-3 in favor of the Falcons, it was midway through the second quarter.

    The Buccaneers took their first lead of the game at 10-7 when quarterback Baker Mayfield found perennial Pro Bowl receiver Mike Evans over the outstretched hands of Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts for a touchdown at the seven-minute mark of the second quarter.

    The Falcons tied the game at 10 on a 41-yard field goal from kicker extraordinaire Younghoe Koo. That subsequent Falcons offensive drive included a fourth and one that was completed by running back Tyler Allgeier. The Falcons offense rushed for only 27 yards during there first half.

    The second half began with a Tampa Bay drive dow to the Atlanta 26 yard line. The Bucs and McLaughlin attempted a 44-yard field goal that missed the mark and kept the score tied at 10.

    A 53-yard punt return and 20-yard scramble by Mayfield gave Tampa Bay the kind of field position deep in Falcons territory that usually leads to a touchdown. And it did. A few plays later, Mayfield found running back Bucky Irving on a screen for a touchdown a 17-10 advantage with seven minutes to play in the third quarter.

    The Falcons offense found a way back into the scoring column, adding three more points on a 36-yard field goal from Koo. The 11-play drive included receptions by Kyle Pitts, Ray-Ray McCloud III, Drake London, and the team;’s leading receiver at that moment of the game, Robinson (5 receptions for 94 yards). On one play, Robinson took a Penix pass 23 yards to get into the team into field goal possession.

    Down 17-13 with less than 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Falcons

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  • Braves, Falcons, Panthers & Tech: Busy weekend in Atlanta Sports

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    The Atlanta Falcons and General Manager Terry Fontenot (above) will begin the 2025 season at home on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    One season is grinding to an end, while two others are just beginning. This weekend will be busy in Atlanta sports, with the final month of Atlanta Braves baseball games beginning, the start of the Atlanta Falcons season, and the football seasons for Clark Atlanta and Georgia Tech. 

    The Atlanta Falcons, back from another non-playoff season in 2024 (Note: If you’re counting, that’s seven consecutive seasons without a playoff berth), will open the 2025 season with a home game inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, an NFC South rival, is expected to sell out. 

    The Falcons swept Tampa last season, beginning the season 6-3, before the wheels fell off. A strong start to the season will directly coincide with a victory over the Buccaneers on Sunday. 

    The Atlanta Braves will also be in town for the weekend. The Braves spent the early part of the week in Chicago playing the Cubs. Atlanta, back to .500 at home with a 33-33 record, returned to Truist Park to play nine straight. The initial third of that homestand will begin with the Seattle Mariners. Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh (50 home runs) is still pursuing the switch-hitter home run record of 54 by Mickey Mantle in 1961, so there’s a chance that by the time he and the Mariners get to Atlanta, fans could be a part of Major League Baseball history. 

    The Atlanta Braves will host the Seattle Mariners at Truist Park (above) this weekend. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice

    The Braves lost the series in Chicago after being up several runs in the first game on Monday, losing on a walkoff, and wasting a quality start from Joey Wentz on Tuesday. A pair of Braves pitchers made their Major League debuts on Tuesday night. Dominican right-hander Rolddy Munioz pitched two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth. Augusta, Georgia native Hayden Harris pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh. 

    Braves rookie catcher Drake Baldwin is racing towards the National League Rookie of the Year award. Baldwin is hitting .283 with 62 RBI and 15 home runs. Though he has only won National League Rookie of the Month once, Baldwin has played a large role in the Braves’ offense this season. His defense behind the plate has also been a plus for a Braves team with very little to celebrate this season. 

    Not to be outdone, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will also play host duties at Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Yellow Jackets and Heisman hopeful (joking. Not joking) senior quarterback Haynes King won a close one in Boulder, Colorado, last Friday. 

    During that game, King had 156 rushing yards (and three touchdowns) in comparison to Colorado’s 157 total rushing yards. He also passed for 143 yards during the 27-20 victory. Look for those numbers to be equaled if not surpassed during Tech’s next game against Gardner-Webb on Saturday (3:30 p.m.). 

    Tech will play its next three games at home, including games against Clemson on Sept. 13 and Temple on Sept. 20. 

    The Clark Atlanta University Panthers (right) lost their final home game of the season Saturday, 41-21. Photo by Menra Mapfumo/The Atlanta Voice

    The Clark Atlanta Panthers are back in action in the Atlanta University Center. The Panthers, 0-1 after opening the 2025 season with a 31-28 loss to Valdosta State at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama, last week, will host Florida Memorial University on Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.

    Morehouse College, also 0-1, will be in New Jersey at MetLife Stadium on Saturday. The maroon Tigers will face the Howard University Bison in the HBCU NY Football Classic. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

    Atlanta United forward Miguel Almirón (above) are off this weekend, but will be back in Mercedes-Benz Stadium go host Columbus next Saturday. Photo by Matthew Dingle/Atlanta United

    Atlanta United will be off for the week, but returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium to host the Columbus Crew on Saturday, Sept. 13. First kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. The last time the two teams met at Lower.com Field on June 25 in Columbus, Atlanta United lost 3-0 on a rainy night. The Five Stripes were mired in inconsistent play at the time, and are now playing better heading into the international break in the Major League Soccer schedule.

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  • Atlanta Falcons’ Trade Rumors Receive Concerning Update

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    The Atlanta Falcons are recovering from a disappointing campaign in which they won seven games and missed the playoffs, and now, they are in quasi-rebuilding mode with Michael Penix Jr. stepping into his first full season as Falcons starting quarterback.

    With that, Atlanta may try to trade some players during the year, and tight end Kyle Pitts has long been viewed as a prime candidate to be dealt. Pitts is entering the final year of his contract, and the Falcons may not be so willing to pay him based on his relatively disappointing production since his brilliant rookie season in 2021.

    More news: Pittsburgh Steelers Star Gets Honest on Aaron Rodgers

    That being said, even though Pitts racked up over 1,000 yards and made the Pro Bowl during his debut campaign several years ago, trading him may not be so simple.

    Jeff Howe of The Athletic provided an update on Atlanta’s status concerning a potential Pitts deal, and it doesn’t seem all that rosy.

    “Teams have been under the impression Pitts could have been available in a trade in the past, and that could be the case if the Falcons stumble before the Nov. 5 deadline,” Howe wrote. “The obstacle there, though, would be the balance of Pitts’ $10.878 million salary.”

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA – AUGUST 15: Detail view of an Atlanta Falcons helmet prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Tennessee Titans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by…


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    Of course, much of that will hinge upon Pitts’ production throughout the season. If the 24-year-old is enjoying a strong, healthy campaign, rival clubs may be more amenable to picking up his salary. If not? It could become exceedingly challenging for Atlanta to move the former first-round pick.

    Pitts caught 47 passes for 602 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, marking his second straight season of over 600 yards. However, considering how fantastic Pitts was in Year 1, his output since 2022 has been largely underwhelming.

    More news: New Orleans Saints Blasted for NFL’s ‘Most Shocking’ Trade

    A change of scenery may benefit the University of Florida product, who clearly has talent and could flourish in the right system. But there is no doubt that his downturn has been fairly concerning.

    The Falcons will open up their regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sept. 7.

    For more on the Falcons and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.

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  • Falcons star offensive lineman carted off field with apparent lower leg injury during practice

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    Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off the field during practice Wednesday with what appeared to be a lower leg injury.

    The team huddled around McGary and the music was turned off as he was helped onto the cart and taken into the building, according to Falcons reporter Joe Patrick.

    “Kaleb McGary was carted off, is receiving an MRI and we’ll have an update at the appropriate time,” a team spokesperson said, per the Falcons’ website.

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    Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file)

    McGary signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension earlier this month. He has spent his entire six-year career with the Falcons after being selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington.

    McGary has been exceptionally durable throughout his career, playing in 93 of a possible 98 regular-season games since his debut.

    NFL STAR CHOOSES SIDE IN PEYTON MANNING VS TOM BRADY DEBATE

    Kaleb McGary on the field

    Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) on the field during training camp at IBM Performance Field on July 24, 2025 in Flowery Branch, Georgia.  (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)

    With Michael Penix Jr. now the Falcons’ starting quarterback — a left-handed passer — McGary was expected to serve as his blindside blocker.

    Elijah Wilkinson stepped in at right tackle after McGary left practice. In the Falcons’ second preseason game against the Tennessee Titans, Wilkinson played left tackle after lining up at left guard in the opener against the Detroit Lions.

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    Kaleb McGary leaves field

    Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) leaves the field with an injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sep. 22, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

    The Falcons’ offensive tackle depth will be tested if McGary misses an extended period of time. Backup swing tackle Storm Norton underwent ankle surgery and is expected to be out six to eight weeks, per ESPN’s report. Norton had not been practicing with the team for most of training camp.

    The Falcons hope McGary will be healthy in time for their Week 1 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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    Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

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  • Lions safety Morice Norris arrives at the team’s training facility after injury, AP source says

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    DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions safety Morice Norris was at the team’s training facility with teammates on Sunday, two days after he was taken off the field in an ambulance late in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, according to a person familiar with the situation.

    The person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the details, said Norris was released from an Atlanta hospital and returned home on Saturday.

    Norris shared a social media post the day after he was injured, saying he’s OK and thanking people for their support.

    “I’m all good man don’t stress,” he said, adding he appreciates all of the check-ins and support.

    Norris was in stable condition late Friday night after he was attended to for about 20 minutes by medical personnel and taken to an Atlanta hospital.

    The 24-year-old Norris was hurt with 14:50 left in the preseason game after hitting Falcons running back Nathan Carter. He hit Carter with his facemask facing the running back’s midsection and his head snapped back after assisting on the tackle.

    When play resumed, Atlanta quarterback Emory Jones snapped the ball and players on both teams held hands and bowed their heads in payer.

    Detroit coach Dan Campbell and Atlanta coach Raheem Morris made the decision to not finish the game.

    Norris, a former Fresno State standout, played in two regular-season games and one in the playoffs as a rookie in 2024 after earning a spot on the team as an undrafted free agent.

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  • Atlanta Falcons send Dallas Cowboys home with 27-21 loss. Next Stop: New Orleans

    Atlanta Falcons send Dallas Cowboys home with 27-21 loss. Next Stop: New Orleans

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    The Atlanta Falcons defeated the visiting Dallas Cowboys 27-21 on Sunday afternoon in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The much bigger story was how Atlanta’s defense held Dallas to just three points during the first and third quarters.

    Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said his team is still searching for “greatness” and “It’s always nice to play together.”

    “The sky’s the limit.”

    Ahead 14-10 at halftime, Atlanta took advantage of a short field following a Cowboys turnover-on-downs and scored their third touchdown of the game to go ahead 21-10. On the play, Ray-Ray McCloud found some room in the Dallas end zone and Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins found MCCloud on his third touchdown pass of the game to that point. Cousins came into the game with 14 touchdowns, seven interceptions and just over 2,100 passing yards on the season. 

    The third quarter ended with Atlanta’s defense almost holding the Cowboys scoreless before kicker Brandon Aubrey made a 57-yard field goal to bring his team within eight points at 21-13. That made two quarters, the first and the third, that the defense didn’t allow a touchdown. In a close game that made all the difference.  

    Photo by One Circle Entertainment/The Atlanta Voice

    The fourth quarter began with a long drive capped by a Tyler Allgeier touchdown run and filled with runs and catches by Bijan Robinson. Atlanta went ahead 27-13 early in the quarter by going to their best offensive threat over and over again. Robinson, the Falcons leading rusher, led the team with seven receptions. It ended with the Cowboys picking up eight points on a touchdown and two-point conversion, but to no avail. With 1:24 remaining in the game, Atlanta ran out the clock on the Cowboys.

    Back on the defensive side of the ball, Atlanta came into the game with just six sacks this season. Before the first quarter was over there would be two more sacks added to the tally as the Falcons defense held the Cowboys to just three first-quarter points. Dallas wouldn’t score its first offensive touchdown until the five-minute mark of the second quarter when Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott found running back Rico Dowdle in the end zone after nearly being sacked for the third time. Dowdle caught the ball on his back and brought Dallas within four points of Atlanta at 14-10. 

    The Falcons offense put together successful drives on its second possession, a touchdown pass from Cousins to receiver Drake London, and on its fourth possession of the first half, another touchdown pass for Cousins, this time to receiver Darnell Mooney. The touchdown was Mooney’s fifth of the season and Cousins’ 16th.

    The Atlanta Falcons (above)moved to 6-3 following a victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. The Falcons will travel to New Orleans to play the rival Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. Photo by One Circle Entertainment/The Atlanta Voice

    Key Stats:

    The Atlanta Falcons moved to 3-3 at home following the win. They remain undefeated on the road this season.

    Bijan Robinson went over 140 total yards of offense following consecutive receptions in the fourth quarter. After the game, Falcons head coach said Robinson is an example of what it means to be a Falcon. “He just does everything,” said Morris.

    Robinson didn’t score, but found a way to lead the team in receptions and rushing on Sunday. On Robinson’s play, Cousins, who used his time with Dalvon Cook in Minnesota as an example, said, “He’s a big deal. I see a running back as a running back, and I also see them as a receiver.” Sunday was the 43rd time Cousins threw for three or more touchdowns.

    Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush came into the game early in the fourth quarter for Prescott, who had hamstring issues. Rush completed one of his first three passing attempts for three yards.

    What’s Next:

    The Atlanta Falcons will travel to New Orleans to play the Saints on Sunday, Nov. 10. A victory in New Orleans would give Atlanta a 5-0 record in the NFC South and an undisputed division crown. A victory over the Saints would also mean a sweep of both New Orleans and Tampa this season. 

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    Donnell Suggs

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  • Your Voice: What are your impressions of Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s recent outreach to Black Men and Black People?

    Your Voice: What are your impressions of Presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s recent outreach to Black Men and Black People?

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    Jonathan Oliver

    South Fulton

    “Unfortunately, it may be too late for her campaign. There are some things that I wouldn’t be inclined to support, and some other things that the measures are not specific enough to meet the needs and wants of black men as a whole. She waited a long time to address what black men want and need. And I’m sure she’s afraid to step on the grenade doing something that is going to benefit black people specifically. Although black people are in a specific and unique position financially in America, and that’s probably what’s most on people’s minds is our finances and our families.”

    Timothy Hood

    Smyrna

    “It may be considered to be pandering, but isn’t that a part of the political structure? She has to offer something to those seeking to vote for her. I believe that, based on her history in the criminal justice system, we need criminal justice reform for black men. I would consider that primary because she specializes in that particular industry. So, all in all, we are looking at the political system and process underway. We should not be shocked by her campaigning to black men. And, you know, we all can vote for whomever we believe in.”

    Brian Christian

    Mableton

    “This whole thing about attacking Kamala for black men who don’t have a good impression of her, I think, is nonsense. We’re the flavor of the week right now. You’ll be talking about something else next week. I think it’s an insult for you to try to jump on top of Black men and change your mindset. I think Kamala is about as black as they come. And she has a solid base. I think that she would do a lot for this country.”

    Tony Cade

    Challenges Games and Comics, Tucker

    “The outreach is a positive thing. One thing people don’t get is that a president is not a king or queen. You may want to do something but still have to pass it through the House of Representatives and the Senate. So, anything that a politician offers you, you have to take it with a grain of salt. But I’m up for anything that will improve economic standpoints.”

    [ad_2] Vincent Christie
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