The Indianapolis Colts, led by 40-year-old quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, defeated the Falcons 24-21 before 70,433 disgruntled fans on Sunday at the Georgia Dome as the Falcons blew a 21-7 lead and gave up a tying interception at the goal line.
“The turnovers were a bit of a factor,” Falcons coach Dan Quinn said. “We had two of them in the second where we were on the first play of the drive as well. You can imagine how that can turn it away when you get in one play for an entire series.”
Running back Tevin Coleman had a fumble and Matt Ryan had an interception returned for a touchdown to tie it at 21.
Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 43-yard field goal with 52 seconds left for the game-winning points.
The Falcons, who have dropped three in a row, are 6-4. The Colts improved to 5-5.
Here’s are the five things we learned:
1. Freeman leaves early with concussion. Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who had 43 yards on three carries, sustained a concussion in the first quarter and did not return.
Freeman walked to the locker room with trainers early in the first quarter after Ryan was intercepted in the end zone by Colts safety Dwight Lowery.
Freeman was replaced by Tevin Coleman and Terron Ward. They combined for just 50 rushing yards on 19 carries.
“I think it was a real factor for sure,” Quinn said.
2. DiMarco is red-zone weapon: Falcons fullback Pat DiMarco was the secret weapon early.
DiMarco, who only had one career touchdown catch, caught two touchdowns against the Colts.
He had a 15-yard scoring catch in the first quarter, when the Colts left him uncovered.
In the second quarter, he caught a 1-yard touchdown grab.
DiMarco’s only previous touchdown catch was a 1-yard catch against the Minnesota Vikings on Sept. 29, 2014.
Falcons coach Kyle Shanahan cited turnovers, especially giveaways in the red zone, to explain his unit’s recent struggles to score points over the past four games.
The issue didn’t get any better against the Colts.
Ryan’s pass intended for Roddy White was tipped near the 5-yard line and intercepted in the end zone by safety Dwight Lowery. The Falcons had gained a first down at the Colts’ 16. Ryan’s second interception was returned six yards by Colts linebacker D’Qwell Jackson for a touchdown on a horrible throw at the goal-line given that intended receiver Jacob Tamme wasn’t even open.
“I didn’t see D’Qwell Jackson popping back out of the line of scrimmage,” Ryan said. “It was just a play that I can’t make. In those situations, critical situations, you can’t turn the ball over. I’ve got to be better than that.”
3. Falcons tried to Free Roddy. The Falcons were determined to get White involved in the offense.
After a Paul Worrilow interception, the Falcons threw three passes in a row to White to open the game.
The first one was broken up by Colts cornerback Vontae Davis. White, who only had 30 targets over the first nine games, caught the second pass for a 5-yard gain. The pass on third down was incomplete.
White was targeted a season-high nine times. He caught four passes for 24 yards.
4. Falcons stout against the run. The Falcons' run defense entered the game as the third ranked unit in the league, while giving up 88.9 yards per game.
The Colts planned to used running back Frank Gore heavily. He suffered a quadriceps contusion and left the game early. He returned later.
The Colts rushed for 74 yards on 27 carries.
5. Pass rush invisible until late. The Falcons hoped to get a better pass rush by moving defensive end Vic Beasley to left defensive end and O'Brien Scholfield to right defensive end in nickel situations. The move didn't pay instant dividends.
Linebacker Kroy Biermann and cornerback Desmond Trufant had the team’s only sacks off blitzes. They did register eight quarterback hits.
“We got three turnovers, and I think we got a couple good hits on the quarterback on third down,” linebacker Paul Worrilow said.
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