LANDOVER, Md. _ In their most complete performance of the season, the Falcons throttled the surprising Redskins 38-14 on Sunday at FedEx Field in Landover, Md.
The Falcons climbed back to .500 on the season at 4-4, won on the road for the first time this season and extended their win streak to three games.
"It was about getting back to .500 today," linebacker Foye Oluokun said. "It was a must win. We were able to execute the game plan and get the win."
Falcons coach Dan Quinn credited the offensive line for helping the rushing attack and the defensive line for stopping Washington's rushing attack.
"We knew this was going to be a line of scrimmage day," Quinn said. "For the big guys that was a real emphasis for a pad level and technique in those areas. I thought that was the real difference in today's game."
The Falcons' offense shredded the Redskins defense with running back Tevin Coleman leading the way. The Falcons' injury-ravaged defense would not let Redskins quarterback Alex Smith beat them with check-down passes after being handed a 21-point lead to protect.
The Redskins, who are in first place in the NFC East, dropped to 5-3.
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan completed 26 of 38 passes for 350 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. He finished with a passer rating of 121.6. Coleman had 18 touches for 156 total yards and two touchdowns.
Ito Smith added 60 yards rushing on 10 carries and a 12-yard touchdown run.
Ryan came out hot and helped the Falcons build a 14-0 lead. He connected with Coleman for a 39-yard touchdown on screen pass to start the scoring.
On the Falcons' second possession, Ryan threw a rare interception. Ryan had gone 213 pass attempts without being picked off. Washington cornerback Quinton Dunbar intercepted the pass intended for wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the first quarter on his 13th attempt of this game. He was last intercepted in Week 2 by the Panthers' Donte Jackson.
"Ito's run for a touchdown was awesome," Ryan said. "It was impressive. I was able to kind of watch it from behind and I didn't think he was scoring at first and then he just kept going. It was cool to watch."
Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who had gone 12 regular season games without catching a touchdown pass, caught a 35-yard touchdown pass with just under four minutes to play to end his scoring drought. He dragged Redskins safety Ha Ha Clinton into the end zone.
"I just can't let one man take me down in that situation," Jones said.
Jones' last touchdown catch was in the 26-13 win over the Rams in the wild-card round of the playoffs on Jan. 6.
The last regular-season touchdown catch was against the Buccaneers in a 34-20 win on Nov. 26, 2017. He caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Ryan. Earlier in the game, he caught a 51-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.
After the Redskins closed to within 14-7, the Falcons answered with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Ryan to Ridley with 36 seconds left in the second quarter.
The touchdown put the Falcons up 21-7 and was important because they received the ball to start the second half. The Falcons won the coin toss and deferred until the third quarter.
The Falcons came out and scored a touchdown on the first possession of the second half to take a 28-7 lead. Ryan connected with Coleman on a 10-yard touchdown pass, his third of the game.
Ridley later left the game to be examined for a concussion. He was cleared and returned to action.
"It was huge," Ryan said of Ridley's touchdown. "Points before the half have such an impact on wins and losses. For Calvin to be able to create the explosive and come out of the back in was awesome for us.
"To turn around and get the ball at the beginning of the second half, that game goes from a seven-point game to (21 points). ... That's tough on a team and do that on the road is fantastic."
