REGULAR SEASON WEEK 9 WASHINGTON REDSKINS (5-2) VS. ATLANTA FALCONS (3-4)
Sunday, Nov. 4 | 1:00 p.m. ET
FedExField (82,000) | Landover, Md.
The Redskins will look to win their fourth consecutive game and their third consecutive game at home when they host the Atlanta Falcons. Kickoff at FedExField is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
The Redskins hold a one-and-a-half game lead over the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East and enter the game with a 5-1 record against NFC opponents.
With a win over the Falcons on Sunday, the Redskins will have their best record through the first seven games of the season against NFC opponents since the 1991 campaign. In addition, with a win, Washington will move to a 6-2 record for the first time since 2008.
The Redskins are coming off of another big defensive performance, holding the Giants to 37 net rushing yards and causing two turnovers. It's the fifth time the Redskins held an opponent under 100 team rushing yards. Washington collected seven sacks in its last outing.
It was the first time since 2014 the Redskins' defense posted seven or more sacks in a game. This week's matchup will feature a top 5 defensive unit against a top 10 offense. The Redskins defense enters this contest with the No. 4 ranked unit in the league, surrendering only 322.4 total yards.
The Falcons enter Sunday with the No. 7 ranked offense in the NFL, gaining an average of 401.0 yards per game.
Check out these photos from the first half of the Redskins' 2018 regular season.
SERIES HISTORY: Redskins lead all-time series, 15-9-1
Last meeting: Oct. 11, 2015 (25-19 ATL)
TELEVISION: FOX
Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play)
Charles Davis (color)
Pam Oliver (sidelines)
RADIO: Redskins Radio Network
Larry Michael (play-by-play)
Chris Cooley (analysis)
Rick "Doc" Walker (sidelines)
THE OPPONENT
The Atlanta Falcons enter the game on a two game win streak, and fresh off their bye week. Fourth year Head Coach Dan Quinn leads the 3-4 Falcons into their third matchup with the NFC East, which they are 1-1 against this season.
Quarterback Matt Ryan returns to lead the Falcons for his 11th season in the league. Ryan is off to a quick start for the Falcons, going 187-for-263 for 2,335 yards, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Ryan currently owns a career high in completion percentage and the second highest passer rating of his career.
With star running back Devonta Freeman on injured reserve, Tevin Coleman has stepped up to lead the rushing attack. Coleman has rushed for 310 yards on 82 attempts for two touchdowns, while also recording 15 receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
The Falcons own one of the most explosive passing attacks in the NFL, led by two-time first team All-Pro wide receiver Julio Jones. Jones has notched 53 receptions for 812 yards, but has been held out of the end zone so far this season. Rookie Calvin Ridley has stepped up in a big way, with 27 receptions for 392 yards and six touchdowns. Rounding out the receiving corps are veteran wide receiver Mohamed Sanu and tight end Austin Hooper. Sanu, has 24 receptions for 324 yards and three touchdowns, while Hooper has 33 receptions for 321 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, second year safety Damontae Kazee has impressed, with 30 tackles and a team leading three interceptions. Second year defensive end Takkarist McKinley has also stepped up, with five and a half sacks in just six games, compared to six total sacks last season.
The Falcons have also dealt with a number of injuries on the defensive side, but are poised to get linebacker Deion Jones back in the coming weeks. Safety Keanu Neal also went down with a torn ACL earlier in the season.
Veteran kicker Matt Bryant is nine-for-nine from field goal ranger this year, but has dealt with his own injury issues and given way to kicker Giorgio Tavecchio, who hit a career long 56 yard field goal against the New York Giants in his Falcons debut.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday's matchup between the Redskins and Falcons is the 26th all-time meeting between the two franchises dating back to their first meeting on Oct. 9, 1966. The Redskins hold a 15-9-1 record against the Falcons all-time, including a 14-9-1 record in regular season contests.
A win on Sunday would snap a five-game losing streak against Atlanta for the Redskins. A win would be Washington's first against Atlanta since Sept. 14, 2003, a 33-31 win at the Georgia Dome. Included below are the 25 all-time games contested between the Redskins and Falcons.
Date Game Result
- 10/9/1966 vs. Atlanta 33-20 W
- 10/15/1967 at Atlanta 20-20
- 11/23/1969 vs. Atlanta 27-20 W
- 11/20/1972 vs. Atlanta 24-13 W
- 12/7/1975 at Atlanta 30-27 W
- 9/25/1977 vs. Atlanta 10-6 W
- 12/10/1978 at Atlanta 20-17 L
- 9/30/1979 at Atlanta 16-7 W
- 11/30/1980 at Atlanta 10-6 L
- 12/4/1983 vs. Atlanta 37-21 W
- 11/5/1984 vs. Atlanta 27-14 W
- 11/3/1985 at Atlanta 44-10 W
- 9/20/1987 at Atlanta 21-20 L
- 12/17/1989 at Atlanta 31-30 W
- 11/10/1991 vs. Atlanta 56-17 W
- 1/4/1992** vs. Atlanta 24-7 W
- 9/13/1992 vs. Atlanta 24-17 W
- 12/19/1993 vs. Atlanta 30-17 W
- 9/25/1994 vs. Atlanta 27-20 L
- 9/14/2003 at Atlanta 33-31 W
- 12/3/2006 vs. Atlanta 24-14 L
- 11/8/2009 at Atlanta 31-17 L
- 10/7/2012 vs. Atlanta 24-17 L
- 12/15/2013 at Atlanta 27-26 L
- 10/11/2015 at Atlanta 25-19 (OT) L
A look back at some of the top images in games between the Washington Redskins and Atlanta Falcons.
NOTABLE REDSKINS/FALCONS CONNECTIONS
Former Redskins on Falcons:
- Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Raheem Morris (2012-14)
- Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach Chris Morgan (2011-14)
- DT Terrell McClain (2017)
- TE Logan Paulsen (2010-15)
Redskins from Georgia:
- LB Josh Harvey-Clemons (Valdosta, Ga.)
- DB Kenny Ladler (Stone Mountain, Ga.)
- LB Preston Smith (Stone Mountain, Ga.)
Redskins who went to college in Georgia:
- LB Josh Harvey-Clemons (Georgia)
- Falcons who went to college in the Washington D.C. area:
- Head Coach Dan Quinn (Salisbury State)
Wide Receivers Coach Dave Brock (Ferrum College)
- QB Matt Schaub (Virginia)
Notable Pro Connections:
- Head Coach Jay Gruden (2002-08), Wide Receivers Coach Ike Hilliard (WR-Player, 05-08), Director of Football Operations Paul Kelly (04-08) and VP of Player Personnel Doug Williams (04-10) and Falcons Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Raheem Morris (02-05, 07-11) and K Matt Bryant (05-08) were all members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gruden served as Offensive Assistant, Kelly as Director of Football Operations, Williams as Personnel Executive (04-08)/ Director of Professional Personnel (09-10) and Morris as Defensive Quality Control (02)/Defensive Assistant (03)/Asst. Defensive Backs Coach (04-05)/Defensive Backs (07-08)/Head Coach (09-11).
- Gruden (2011-13) worked for the Cincinnati Bengals when Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu (12-15) played there. Gruden served as Offensive Coordinator.
- Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Bill Callahan (2008-11) and Special Team Coordinator Ben Kotwica (07-13) worked with Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn (07-08) and Passing Game Coordinator Jerome Henderson (06-08) for the New York Jets. Callahan served as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line, Kotwica as Quality Control Coach, Quinn as Defensive Line Coach and Henderson as Asst. Defensive Backs/Director of Player Development (07)/ Defensive Backs Coach (08).
- Callahan (1995-97) worked for the Philadelphia Eagles when Falcons Jerome Henderson (DB-Player, 95) played there. Callahan served as Offensive Line Coach.
- Callahan (2012-14) and Tight Ends Coach Wes Phillips (07-13) and Falcons Jerome Henderson (12-15), LB Bruce Carter (11-14), DL Jack Crawford (14-16) and DT Terrell McClain (14-16) were all members of the Dallas Cowboys. Callahan served as Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line, Phillips as Assistant Offensive Line Coach (11-12)/Tight Ends Coach (13) and Henderson as Defensive Backs Coach.
- Offensive Coordinator Matt Cavanaugh (1996) worked for the San Francisco 49ers when Falcons Defensive Line Coach Bryant Young (DT-Player, 94-07) played there. Cavanaugh served as Quarterbacks Coach.
- Cavanaugh (1997-98) worked with Falcons Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong (97-00) for the Chicago Bears. Cavanaugh served as Offensive Coordinator and Armstrong as Special Teams Coach.
- Cavanaugh (1999-04) worked with Falcons Tight Ends Coach Wade Harman (99-13) for the Baltimore Ravens. Cavanaugh served as Offensive Coordinator and Harman as Tight Ends/Assistant Offensive Line Coach.
- Defensive Coordinator Greg Manusky (2007-10), Defensive Line Coach Jim Tomsula (07-15), TE Vernon Davis (06-15) and QB Alex Smith (05-12) and Falcons Linebackers Coach Jeff Ulbrich (LB-Player, 00-09) and Bryant Young (DT-Player, 94-07) were all members of the San Francisco 49ers. Manusky served as Defensive Coordinator and Tomsula as Defensive Line Coach.
- Defensive Backs Coach Torrian Gray (DB-Player, 1997-99) played on the Minnesota Vikings when Falcons Wade Harman (97-98) worked there. Harman served as a Coaching Assistant.
- Outside Linebacker Coach Chad Grimm (2009-12) worked for the Arizona Cardinals when Falcons CB Justin Bethel (12-17) played there. Grimm served as Offensive Quality Control Coach.
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Kavan Latham (2014-16) worked for the New York Jets when Falcons LB Bruce Carter (16-17) played there. Latham served as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach.
- Defensive Quality Control Coach Cannon Matthews (2014-15) worked for the Tennessee Titans when LB Zach Brown (12-15) and Falcons CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson (13-15) played there. Matthews served as Defensive Quality Control Coach.
- Matthews (2013) worked for the Cleveland Browns when Falcons C Alex Mack (09-15) played there. Matthews served as a Defensive Coaching Intern.
- G Shawn Lauvao (2010-13) and QB Colt McCoy (13) played with Falcons Alex Mack on the Browns.
- Quarterbacks Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Kevin O'Connell (2015) also worked for the Browns when Falcons Alex Mack played there. O'Connell served as Quarterbacks Coach.
- O'Connell (QB-Player, 2009) played with Falcons Defensive Coordinator Marquand Manuel (DB-Player, 09) on the Detroit Lions. Director of Player Development Malcolm Blacken worked there from 2001-09 and served as Strength and Conditioning Coach.
- Offensive Quality Control Coach Chris O'Hara (2014-16) worked for the Jacksonville Jaguars when Falcons DT Michael Bennett (15-16) played there. O'Hara served as an Offensive Coaching Associate.
- Assistant Offensive Line Coach Phil Rauscher (2015-17), RB Kapri Bibbs (14-16) and TE Vernon Davis (15) and Falcons Quarterbacks Coach Greg Knapp (13-16) and T Ty Sambralio (15-16) were all members of the Denver Broncos. Rauscher served as an Offensive Assistant (15-16)/Assistant to the Head Coach (17) and Knapp as Quarterbacks Coach.
Pro Player Connections:
- OL Tony Bergstrom (2012-15) played on the Oakland Raiders when Falcons DL Jack Crawford (12-13), QB Matt Schaub (14), K Giorgio Tavecchio (14-17), Greg Knapp (12) and Running Backs Coach Bernie Parmalee (15-17) were all members of the team. Knapp served as Offensive Coordinator and Parmalee as Running Backs Coach.
- Bergstrom (2017), WR Michael Floyd (12-16), RB Adrian Peterson (17) and S D.J. Swearinger Sr. (15-16) played with Falcons CB Justin Bethel (12-17) on the Arizona Cardinals.
- Floyd (2016) played with Falcons S Jordan Richards (15-17) on the New England Patriots.
- Peterson (2007-16) played with Falcons G Zac Kerin (15-16) on the Minnesota Vikings.
- Swearinger Sr. (2013-14) played with Falcons DT Terrell McClain (12-13), DE Brooks Reed (11-14) and QB Matt Schaub (07-13) on the Houston Texans.
- LB Mason Foster (2011-14) played with Falcons DE Steven Means (13) and DB Keith Tandy (12-17) on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Falcons Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Raheem Morris worked there from 2007-11 and served as Head Coach.
- LB Pernell McPhee (2011-14) played with Falcons DE Steven Means (14) on the Baltimore Ravens. Falcons Tight Ends Coach Wade Harman worked there from 1999-13 and served as Tight Ends Coach.
- McPhee (2015-17) played with Falcons TE Logan Paulsen (16) on the Chicago Bears.
- WR Paul Richardson Jr. (2014-17) played on the Seattle Seahawks when Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn (13-14), Defensive Coordinator Marquand Manuel (12-14), Assistant Defensive Line Coach Travis Jones (13-17) and Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Chris Morgan (14) all worked there. Quinn served as Defensive Coordinator, Manuel as Defensive Assistant/Special Teams Assistant, Jones as Defensive Line Coach (13-16)/Senior Defensive Assistant (17) and Morgan as Assistant Offensive Line Coach.
- LB Zach Vigil (2015-16) played with Falcons DE Derrick Shelby (12-15) on the Miami Dolphins. Vice President of Player Personnel Doug Williams (2011-13) worked with Giants Assistant Offensive Line Coach Ben Wilkerson (12-13) at Grambling State. Williams served as Head Coach and Wilkerson as Offensive Line Coach.
- Williams also worked at Grambling State with Giants Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Thomas Stallworth (08-11). Stallworth served as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach.
Notable Collegiate Connections:
- Running Backs Coach Randy Jordan (2008-11) worked at Texas A&M when S Deshazor Everett (11-14) and Falcons T Jake Matthews (10-13) played there. Jordan served as Running Backs Coach.
- Assistant Defensive Backs Coach James Rowe (2015) worked at Florida when DL Caleb Brantley (14-16) and Falcons CB Brian Poole (12-15) played there. Rowe served as a Defensive Graduate Assistant.
- CB Quinton Dunbar (11-14) and TE Jordan Reed (09-12) also played with Falcons Brian Poole at Florida. Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn and Defensive Line Coach Bryant Young worked there from 2011-12. Quinn served as Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line and Young as Defensive Line Coach.
- Dunbar and Reed also played at Florida when Falcons Defensive Coordinator Marquand Manuel worked there in 2011 and served as a Coaching Intern.
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Kavan Latham (2011) worked with Falcons Assistant Offensive Line Coach Kyle Flood (05-15) at Rutgers. Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu played there from 2009-11. Latham served as Strength and Conditioning Intern and Flood as Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line.
- DL Jonathan Allen (2013-16), LB Ryan Anderson (13-16), LB Shaun Dion Hamilton (14-17) and DL Daron Payne (15-17) played with Falcons Calvin Ridley (15-17) at Alabama. Falcons Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian worked there in 2016 and served as Offensive Analyst/Coordinator.
- OL Tony Bergstrom (2008-12) played with Falcons DE Derrick Shelby (08-11) at Utah.
- RB Kapri Bibbs (2013) played with Falcons T Ty Sambralio (11-14) at Colorado State.
- LB Zach Brown (2008-11) played with Falcons LB Bruce Carter (07-10) at North Carolina.
- WR Michael Floyd (2008-11) played at Notre Dame when Falcons Running Backs Coach Bernie Parmalee (05-09) and Defensive Line Coach Bryant Young (09) worked there. Parmalee served as Tight Ends/Special Teams Coach and Young as a Graduate Assistant.
- LB Mason Foster (2007-10) played with Falcons CB Desmond Trufant (09-12) at Washington. Falcons Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian worked there from 2009-13 and served as Head Coach.
- CB Fabian Moreau (2012-16) played with Falcons DE Takkarist McKinley (14-16) at UCLA. Falcons Linebackers Coach Jeff Ulbrich worked there from 2012-14 and served as Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers/Special Teams (12-13)/Defensive Coordinator (14).
- RB Samaje Perine (2014-16) played at Oklahoma when Falcons Offensive Assistant Chad Walker (13-14) worked there. Walker served as Defensive Quality Control Coach.
- WR Paul Richardson Jr. (2010-13) played at Colorado when Director of Player Development Malcolm Blacken (11-12) and Falcons Defensive Assistant Charlie Jackson (12) worked there. Blacken served as Director of Speed, Strength & Conditioning and Jackson as a Special Assistant.
- C Chase Roullier (2013-16) played with Falcons RB Brian Hill (14-16) at Wyoming.
- LS Nick Sundberg (2005-08) played with Falcons C Alex Mack (05-08) and K Giorgio Tavecchio (08-11) at California.
