The Falcons recover three onside kicks in a row, a breakdown

Dec 3, 2019 610.3K views 2:19

What Happened

In a back-and-forth NFC South divisional matchup, the Atlanta Falcons pull off an incredible, game-changing sequence in the fourth quarter. With the New Orleans Saints leading by 17 points, the Falcons recover three consecutive onside kick attempts, refusing to go down without a fight. The drama begins with the Falcons trailing by 17 in the final period. Quarterback Matt Ryan connects with wide receiver Calvin Ridley for a touchdown and the Falcons successfully convert the two-point try to make it a three-possession game. This sets the stage for the onside kick madness to unfold. On the first attempt, Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo sends the ball right into the hands of Saints player #41, but he drops it, allowing Atlanta to recover. However, the officials rule it offside, negating the play. Undeterred, Koo sends another perfect onside kick and this time Falcons linebacker #54 easily scoops up the ball for the recovery. The Saints make some adjustments on the next kick, but it makes no difference, as Koo once again expertly places the ball and it bounces right to another Falcons player. "This is one of the easiest onside kick recoveries I've ever seen in my life," the commentator exclaims. Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is understandably elated on the sideline, as his team has now recovered three onside kicks in a row, stunning the Saints and their head coach, Sean Payton. The Falcons' comeback attempt ultimately falls short, but the sheer improbability of their onside kick success is the talk of the game. "They literally just bloop the [expletive] ball down and number 54 just runs and grabs it," the commentator says, marveling at the Falcons' execution. "One of the easier onside kicks I've ever seen and I've seen at least three of them now." Despite the eventual loss, the Falcons' refusal to quit and their remarkable onside kick recovery sequence will be remembered as one of the most compelling moments of this NFC South rivalry matchup.

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the Falcons recovered three onside kicks

in a row three consecutive there's the

touchdown they're down by 17

three-possession game they go 4-2 just

for the [ __ ] of it they get the