Sports

Falcons vs. Bills: Second-half recap

Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) causing Ryan to fumble during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Atlanta. Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White picked up the ball and scored a touchdown. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) hits Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) causing Ryan to fumble during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Atlanta. Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre'Davious White picked up the ball and scored a touchdown. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
By Alex Makrides
Oct 1, 2017

The Buffalo Bills capitalized on three Matt Ryan turnovers in the second half to beat the Atlanta Falcons 23-17 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

In the third quarter, Bills’ defensive end Jerry Hughes knocked the ball out of Ryan’s hand as he was trying to get rid of it. The football was picked up by Tre’Davious White at the Bills 48-yard line and returned 52 yards for a touchdown to put Buffalo ahead 14-10 with 10:55 remaining.

Ryan tried to go deep to receiver Taylor Gabriel on the next possession. However, the pass was underthrown and he was picked off by safety Micah Hyde.

The Bills then proceeded to go on a 19-play, 82-yard drive that lasted 11:20 and ended in a 24-yard field goal by Stephen Hauschka. The score extended the lead to 17-10 with 12 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Ryan and the Falcons responded. He led Atlanta on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a 3-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hardy to tie the game at 17-17.

Hauschka then nailed a 56-yard field goal with 4:44 left to give the Bills a 20-17 lead.

Ryan threw another interception on the Falcons’ next drive -- also to Hyde -- which led to a Hauschka 55-yarder.

The Falcons’ had one more opportunity to win the game however couldn’t gain one yard get a first down on two plays at the Bills’ 10-yard line.

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Alex Makrides

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