Atlanta Falcons: Week Nine Grades Vs Washington
The Atlanta Falcons put together their most complete game of 2018, in their 34-17 win over the Giants. Here are those who flew high, and those who struggled.
Offensive Player of the Game:
Julio Jones – Wide Receiver
Week in and week out, Julio Jones produces for the Atlanta Falcons. Week Nine was no exception. Julio struck for seven catches on ten targets, netting him 121 yards receiving against the Washington Redskins. That’s an astounding 17. 3 yards per catch.
Julio Jones moved the chains for five first downs against Washington, and had 56 yards after the catch. Matt Ryan had a quarterback rating of 144.2 when throwing the ball Julio’s way.
What was an exception in the Falcons’ shelling of the Redskins, is unbelievably for the first time in nearly a calendar year, Julio Jones scored a regular season NFL touchdown.
The Falcons faked a toss to the right on the play, and threw a wide receiver screen left to Julio Jones. Julio picked up a couple of blocks, and jetted towards the end zone.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix who I previously mentioned as a possible Atlanta trade target, nearly stopped Jones from scoring on the play. Instead Julio twisted out of the tackle, put his hand on the turf to keep from falling, and dove across the goal-line for the score.
The end result was a 35 yard touchdown reception, Julio Jones‘ longest play of the day. Julio nearly had two touchdowns on the afternoon. He beat former all pro cornerback Josh Norman on a deep route. Norman dove and interfered, drawing a 47 yard pass interference penalty on the play, instead of giving up six points.
Most of Julio Jones‘ damage was done against Josh Norman, who asked the Redskins coaches for the opportunity to shadow him. Julio hit Norman for five catches and 85 yards. Norman was defending Julio on the touchdown as well.
The Atlanta Falcons tweeted a highlight of the Julio Jones touchdown below.
JULIO. JONES. TOUCHDOWN. pic.twitter.com/Cvs1ony5jy
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) November 4, 2018
Pro Football Focus grades every play of every game and they gave Julio Jones a grade of 85.5, for his great game against the Redskins. That was the top grade for the Atlanta Falcons offense in the contest. It was tops on the team of any player who played 20 more snaps.