:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62191877/usa_today_11595571.0.jpg)
Make it three in a row.
The Atlanta Falcons got back to .500 with a dominant 38-14 win over the NFC-East leading Washington Redskins
Who’s up and who’s down in the win?
Up
Julio Jones
Welcome to the endzone, Julio! The receiver scored his first touchdown of the season on a screen pass that he took 35 yards late in the fourth quarter. The best part was how nearly the whole team went to congratulate Jones in the end zone. It shows just how much the team appreciates him and his unselfishness. True greatness.
Jake Matthews (and the offensive line)
Atlanta’s first round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft has been playing arguably his best football this season, and Sunday was no different. However, he earns a spot here for flatlining Josh Norman and helping propel Jones to his first score of the year. As a whole, the offensive line had one of its better showings, opening up gargantuan holes in the running game for Tevin Coleman and Ito Smith and doing a much better job than previous weeks of protecting Matt Ryan.
Matt Ryan
Ryan remains on fire. He threw for 350 yards and four touchdowns on 26 of 38 passing. His only interception of the afternoon — and first in five games — came after Calvin Ridley (who made up for his error with a 40-yard touchdown later in the game) ran an incorrect route. On the season, he has 2,685 yards, 70.8 completion percentage, 19 touchdowns, 3 interceptions, and a 115.1 passer rating. Scorching numbers for a quarterback some tried to bill as only being good because of Kyle Shanahan. Remember those Week 1 hot takes?
Down
Vic Beasley
Beasley had Alex Smith dead to rights on a couple of sacks, but somehow Washington’s quarterback managed to escape. He’s gotta be able to finish some of these almost-sacks.
Desmond Trufant
Trufant’s hands are comical at this point. He had two interceptions that hit him directly in the hands, but he failed to catch either of them. He had a solid outing overall, but man, some turnovers would be nice.
Justin Hardy
It’s pretty miraculous that Hardy is looking like a worse punt returner than Andre Roberts.
Who’s up and who’s down for you?