Fourth-quarter comebacks are as much a part of the NFL zeitgeist as wearing helmets. The Week 2 edition of Monday Night Football featured a thrilling last-second victory in a Battle of the Birds between the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.
Lincoln Financial Field was rocking because, one, that’s what they do, and two, Jason Kelce returned home. But like smooth criminals, the Falcons snuck in, stole a win from the clutches of defeat, and went back home.
The game-winning drive had a little more panache if you were watching the ManningCast. Their special guest at the time was as important a member of Falcons folklore as there is: Matt Ryan.
The real-time reaction between the Manning brothers and Ryan was entertaining theater. Watch it down below!
A Comeback Victory Narrated by Elite QBs Who Know the Nuances of Two-Minute Offense
The Mannings and Ryan are cerebral. You have to be quick-thinking as a signal-caller in the NFL, but these QBs were the elite of the elite when it came to game management.
Little things, like handing the ball to the official to spot instead of spotting it yourself, can save precious seconds.
The ManningCast reacts to the entire @AtlantaFalcons game-winning drive ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FjbmwgJdv2
— Omaha Productions (@OmahaProd) September 17, 2024
“Not the referee, the umpire,” Peyton Manning admonished.
Again, it’s the little details. The umpire spots the ball, not the referee. Giving the ball as quickly as possible to the umpire prevents as much administrative delay as possible.
During the second corner route of the drive, Peyton stands up from his chair in excitement. “When you move to a new offense, didn’t you feel like [the] two-minute [drill] was the easiest thing to be in?” Ryan asked the group.
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The collective head nodding showed a silent agreement amongst the panel. The idea is that you get into a better flow and have more staple plays to choose from during a two-minute offense.
The rhythm and execution late in the game allowed the Falcons to escape Philly with a win. Neither team will have a respite heading into Week 3.
Atlanta will play the Kansas City Chiefs at home, while Philly will travel to New Orleans to take on the hottest team in the early portion of the 2024 season.
Reactions From Social Media
The “knowledge dump” during the Falcons’ final drive is the football-rich content fans soak up. For some, it was minutiae; for others, it was a masterclass in how to properly organize and execute a two-minute drill.
“There’s not much better than watching former players watching as fans,” said one X user.
There’s not much better than watching former players watching as fans. 🥹
— Auburn Einstein 🦃 (@AuburnEinstein) September 17, 2024
Was so enjoyable. No one else can explain like that what it’s like to experience a 2 min drill. Especially in a new offense after an injury
— Not Avi Garcia (@AviNenner) September 17, 2024
Just how improbable was the Falcons’ comeback victory? It was the seventh-most unlikely comeback since 2016 — the Falcons had a winning chance under 1%.
The Falcons had just a 0.7% chance of winning with 1:56 left in the 4th quarter, according to the NGS win probability model.
The comeback is the 7th-most improbable win in the NGS era (since 2016).#ATLvsPHI | @AtlantaFalcons pic.twitter.com/iZF0nkwHvx
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) September 17, 2024
And what happens when you complete a 0.7% chance comeback? Dancing and hollering of course!
— Oh Yes He Did (@OhYesHeDid24) September 17, 2024