Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Monday, Sept. 16

The NFL, as selfish as it is, did not take into consideration that we have to work on Monday morning, so they went ahead and scheduled the Eagles-Falcons for Sunday Night Football. I’m exhausted, I have a headache, and my boss bought decaf for some reason. Great start!

But we were indeed rewarded for our late evening viewing, as the Falcons blew and then regained the lead on a long do-or-die fourth down touchdown reception by Julio Jones. It’s simply never easy with this football team.

The Atlanta Falcons are now a respectable 1-1 and tied for the division lead, so give Falcoholinks a read with a smile on your face.

Battle of the Birds recap

The Falcons have been unable to solve the Eagles the last three times these teams have met, and although it came down to the wire, Atlanta snapped their losing streak against Philadelphia in blood pressure-raising fashion.

Atlanta accomplished two of the three keys that we identified as critical if they hoped to win, but the turnovers threatened to cost them the game. Some gutsy play-calling and a hell of a block by Jake Matthews to spring Julio Jones sealed the victory at home.

Julio breaks Atlanta’s receiving record

With his game-saving 54-yard touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter, Julio Jones eclipsed Roddy White as the Atlanta Falcons’ all-time leader in receiving yards. Julio now sits at 10,868 yards, besting White’s 10,863.

Perfect timing for a record-breaker, as it also put Atlanta into the win column. Congratulations, Julio!

McGary injured but returns

Atlanta drafted two offensive linemen in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and it looked like they dodged a bullet regarding one of them. Guard Chris Lindstrom is sidelined until at least Week 10 with a fractured foot, and right tackle Kaleb McGary was carted off in the second quarter of last night’s game with an apparent knee injury. McGary was unable to put any weight on his leg prior to the cart arriving, so naturally you fear the worst.

He would somehow return in the fourth quarter.

McGary recently made his way back ahead of schedule from the cardiac ablation procedure he underwent in the offseason and was named the starting right tackle ahead of Sunday’s game against the Eagles. Hopefully he’s good to go going forward.

Bosher limited

Falcons punter Matt Bosher was dealing with an apparent groin injury throughout this game, leading to Matt Bryant handling kickoff duties. Bosher was in obvious pain each time that he punted, and the short distances reflected that. Atlanta actually had Mohamed Sanu practicing kicks pre-game, and seemed to be the emergency option if Matt Bosher was unable to continue.