Taylor Heinicke, Falcons’ 29-10 win cools Colts’ playoff hopes-ZoomTech News

Taylor Heinicke offered the turnover-free management at quarterback Atlanta has sought all season, passing for 229 yards and a landing to steer the Falcons to a 29-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.

The Falcons (7-8) benched Desmond Ridder this week for the second time this season following two straight losses, offering a chance for Heinicke to spice up the group’s fading playoff hopes.

Heinicke delivered, finishing 23 of 33 passes, together with a 24-yard landing cross to Kyle Pitts. Tyler Allgeier added a 31-yard landing run. The Falcons’ 29 factors set a season excessive.

The Colts (8-7) had gained 5 of six to maneuver right into a first-place tie within the AFC South however struggled offensively after opening the sport with a protracted drive capped by Jonathan Taylor’s 1-yard scoring run.

Gardner Minshew confronted frequent strain from the Falcons’ cross rush, together with on an incomplete fourth-down cross from the Atlanta 38 with about 10 minutes remaining.

The Colts’ subsequent drive ended with Jessie Bates’ interception of Minshew’s cross over the center supposed for Alec Pierce. It was Bates’ sixth interception of the season.

The Falcons’ end will decide the way forward for third-year coach Arthur Smith. Workforce proprietor Arthur Clean mentioned this week he would wait till after the common season to decide on Smith’s standing.

For the second time this season, Smith shaved his mustache earlier than the sport, maybe hoping to alter his group’s luck following back-to-back losses to NFC South rivals Tampa Bay and Carolina. Final weekend’s 9-7 loss to last-place Carolina knocked Atlanta out of a first-place tie within the division.

The Falcons’ fading hopes within the division have been helped by New Orleans’ 30-22 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday.

With working again Bijan Robinson lined up large left as a receiver, Allgeier scored on the long term round proper finish to provide the Falcons a 20-7 result in open the second half.

Robinson, a rookie, had 12 carries for 72 yards and a career-high seven catches for 50 yards.

Atlanta’s protection gave up its first landing on a gap drive of the season. Taylor wanted three runs from the Atlanta 1 earlier than scoring.

Taylor made his return from a Week 12 thumb damage towards Tampa Bay. It additionally was the primary dashing landing the Falcons have given as much as a working again this season.

The Falcons’ protection shut out the Colts for the rest of the primary half. Rookie Zach Harrison recorded a sack for the second straight week. Calais Campbell and Arnold Ebiketie shared a sack on the next play late within the opening quarter.

The Falcons recorded six sacks, together with 1 1/2 by Campbell.

Younghoe Koo kicked 5 area targets. With the rating tied at 7-all, Koo had a 49-yard try hit the correct upright within the second quarter, however an offsides penalty towards the Colts led to a 23-yarder by Koo for the lead.

Reporting by The Related Press.

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