Statistically Speaking: Breaking down Atlanta’s Week 6 numbers

The Atlanta Falcons have done it. They’ve finally won a game in 2020. The team is now 1-5 overall — but 1-0 since firing both general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn. But, we are here to talk statistics and so we shall. This won’t be a deep dive into the analytical side of the numbers put up, but more of a broad outlook on weekly and seasonal stats so we can keep track of milestones and where this team stands with league leaders.

Without further ado, lets get started.

Julio Jones is closer to the franchise record for touchdown receptions

One thing we’ve been monitoring in the Statistically Speaking series is Julio Jones’ pursuit of Roddy White’s franchise record for receiving touchdowns in a career, which is 63. On Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, Jones scored not once, but twice putting him at 59 career receiving touchdowns. With 10 games remaining in 2020, Jones needs just just 5 touchdowns to capture the final franchise career record, he already has receptions and receiving yards.

Julio Jones has 57th career 100+ receiving yard game

While on the topic of Julio Jones, he continues to be surrounded by the best of them. With his 137 receiving yards on Sunday, Jones recorded his 57th career game of having 100+ receiving yards in a game. Jones currently leads all active players with 57 such games, and is fourth all-time behind Pro Football Hall of Famers: Jerry Rice (76), Randy Moss (64) and Marvin Harrison (59).

MVP Matt Ryan in good company

This statistic comes by way of Kevin Keneely on Twitter, who shared that Matt Ryan is the fourth player in NFL history to complete 75% of his passes for 350+ yards, 4+ touchdowns and 0 interceptions in multiple games. The three quarterbacks that Ryan joins is: Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

Calvin Ridley ties Andre Rison for most receiving touchdowns in a Falcon’s first three seasons

Ridley scored his fifth receiving touchdown of the season thus far, in Week 6 against the Vikings. What’s more is that this was the 22nd receiving touchdown of Ridley’s career, which ties him with Andre Rison for most by a Falcon in his first three seasons.

Can 1-5 Falcons make the playoffs?

I don’t ever want to give false optimism, but it’s technically possible so here it goes. Three teams that have started 1-5 since the 1970 NFL-AFL merger have went on to make the playoffs. Those teams are the Cincinnati Bengals (1970), Kansas City Chiefs (2015) and Indianapolis Colts (2018). The Falcons have an advantage that those teams didn’t; the NFL has expanded their playoffs to include an extra wild card team in each conference. Will it help the Falcons? Probably not, but it’s something.