The Atlanta Falcons defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 to close out the season with a 7-10 record. While the Buccaneers rested their starters in the second half, it was still a promising showing by the Falcons’ rookie draft class.
Tyler Allgeier and Drake London set rookie records, and Desmond Ridder had his best showing yet to lead the team to a victory. Here are five takeaways from Sunday’s 30-17 win.
1
Ridder steps up big
After three games without a touchdown pass, Ridder got the monkey off his back in Week 18. The rookie threw for two touchdowns, while competing 19-of-30 pass attempts for 224 yards and no interceptions. Ridder has consistently shown poise in each of his four starts. On Sunday, we saw what the young QB can do when he plays with confidence. We don’t know whether the Falcons will address the QB position over the offseason, but Ridder’s consistent progress is something this team will need to take into consideration.
2
Tyler Allgeier rushes his way into team history
Tyler Allgeier stood just 100 yards away from a 1,000-yard rookie season coming into Sunday’s game. The former BYU start had a career day, rushing for 135 yards and setting a new Falcons rookie record for yards in a season. Williams Andrews held the previous rookie record of 1,023 rushing yards set back in 1979. Allgeier is clearly the future of the Falcons’ ground game. He finished his rookie year with 1,135 rushing yards and three touchdowns, along with 139 receiving yards on 16 catches. Not bad for a fifth-round pick!
3
Drake London tops Kyle Pitts' rookie catch record
Drake London left the game in the first half but returned to set a new Falcons rookie record for catches in a season. London surpassed second-year tight end Kyle Pitts, who previously held the record with 68 catches. For the season, London officially finished with 72 catches for 866 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Falcons passing attack has been lacking all season, but we saw glimpses of what it could be with Ridder and London leading the way on Sunday.
4
Brady suffers first loss vs. Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have finally done the impossible, they defeated Tom Brady in a game. Brady came into Sunday’s matchup with a 10-0 record against Atlanta for his career. Even though Brady was benched in the first half, Sunday’s game officially drops the seven-time Super Bowl champion to 10-1 against the Falcons for his career. Sorry, Tom, but you can’t win them all!
5
Same record, better team?
The Falcons finished with the same record they did one season ago, but you could argue this team is significantly better than last year’s squad. They established a clear identity as a run-first offense that will cram the ball down your throat. Despite numerous offseason changes, the Falcons were competitive in nearly every game this season. With cap space, another high draft pick and Kyle Pitts set to return next season, the future looks bright in Atlanta.
