The Atlanta Falcons’ defense had no answer for Buffalo Bills’ tight end Charles Clay on Sunday.
The seven-year veteran out of Tulsa led the Bills with five catches for 112 yards as the Bills handed the Falcns their first loss of the season, 23-17 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
It didn't matter who the Falcons put on Clay -- linebacker, cornerback, safety -- the result was always the same. The 6-foot-3, 255-pound tight end found a way to separate himself from his defender and make a catch.
That skill didn’t surprise the Falcons. What did surprise Atlanta was Clay’s usage in the Bills’ vertical passing game. Coming into Sunday, the tight end averaged 8.8 yards per reception (13 catches for 115 yards), with much of that coming after the he caught the football. That number skyrocketed to 22.4 on Sunday, without much extra running after the catch.
“He is a great tight end. He is really good out of his routes,” linebacker Duke Riley said. “I don’t think he will beat you with speed. Like just in and out of his routes at the top of them, he creates separation. It’s pretty good for a tight end.”
Clay showed that separation in the second quarter when he got behind safety Keanu Neal for a 44-yard reception, which set up the Bills’ first touchdown.
Neal wasn’t the only one who fell victim to Clay’s ability. Rookie safety Damontae Kazee and Riley also experienced the 28-year-old’s skills first-hand.
With 6:54 left in the fourth quarter and the game tied at 17, Kazee and Riley attempted to double team Clay. However, he jumped up over both to haul in a 34-yard pass from Taylor. Three plays later, Buffalo kicker Stephen Hauschka nailed a go-ahead 56-yard field goal.
“He’s a professional,” cornerback Brian Poole said. “That’s why he is so good.”
Clay’s yardage is the most the Falcons’ have relinquished to a pass-catcher this season.
