The Los Angeles Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons faced off in a tight and exciting game on December 1, 2024. The final score: 17–13 in favor of the Chargers. In this article I’ll break down the major player stats, key moments, team performances, and what this game means going forward.
Game Overview
The game took place at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Falcons had the ball more as they held possession for about 35 minutes 55 seconds, compared to the Chargers’ 24 minutes 05 seconds. Despite that, the Chargers found a way to win thanks largely to their defence and some clutch plays.
Here’s a look at how the scoring went quarter by quarter:
- 1st Quarter: Falcons scored a rushing touchdown by Bijan Robinson early (2 yard run). Chargers answered with a field goal.
- 2nd Quarter: The Chargers kicked two more field goals and took a 9–7 lead into halftime.
- 3rd Quarter: The Falcons kicked a field goal to take the lead 10–9. Then a big pick 6 by the Chargers defence swung momentum.
- 4th Quarter: No touchdowns scored. The Falcons tried to rally, but the Chargers held on.
Key Player Stats
Below are some of the most important individual performances from the game.
Offense
- Quarterbacks
- Chargers’ Justin Herbert: Completed 16 of 23 passes for 147 yards, no touchdowns, no interceptions.
- Falcons’ Kirk Cousins: Completed 24 of 39 passes for 245 yards, no touchdowns but 4 interceptions.
- Rushing
- Chargers: Total rushing yards were 56, averaging 3.3 yards per carry.
- Falcons: Bijan Robinson carried 26 times for 102 yards and one rushing touchdown.
- Receiving
- Chargers: Rookie receiver Ladd McConkey had 9 receptions for 117 yards.
- Falcons: Receiver Ray Ray McCloud III had 4 catches for 95 yards. Another, Drake London, caught 9 passes for 86 yards.
Defence & Turnovers
The defensive side of the game made the difference.
- The Chargers defence recorded 4 interceptions of the Falcons.
- The rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still grabbed two of those interceptions, one of them returned for a touchdown.
- The Falcons did not record any interceptions.
Team Stats
- The Falcons gained 350 total yards, the Chargers only 187.
- First downs: Falcons had 24, the Chargers only 10.
- The Chargers were out possessioned and outgained, yet still won thanks to opportunistic defence and smart kicking.
- Field goals: Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker went 3 for 3 (45 yd, 51 yd, 34 yd).
What Made the Difference
Why did the Chargers win even though they were behind in yards and possession? Here are the key reasons:
- Turnovers matter: The Falcons gave away four interceptions. That’s huge.
- Big defensive plays at the right time: Still’s pick 6 turned the game in the third quarter.
- Good kicking game: Chargers relied on Dicker’s field goals to build their lead and stay ahead.
- Clutch plays late: Even when Atlanta had momentum, the Chargers defence held firm.
Standout Players
- Tarheeb Still: A rookie cornerback who stepped up big time. Two interceptions and one returned for a touchdown.
- Ladd McConkey: The rookie wide receiver made a strong showing with 9 catches for 117 yards.
- Bijan Robinson: On the Falcons’ side, he was solid, rushing for over 100 yards and scoring a touchdown.
- Justin Herbert: Quiet day in terms of big fireworks, but did enough to keep the Chargers moving.
- Kirk Cousins: Struggled under pressure, four interceptions is costly.
Implications & What’s Next
This win brings the Chargers to 8 4, keeping them competitive in their division and heading toward the playoffs. The Falcons fall to 6 6 and will need to turn things around if they want to keep playoff hopes alive.
For the Chargers this game proves that even when the offence isn’t firing on all cylinders, the defence and special teams can carry them. For the Falcons, it’s a warning: you can get yards and possession, but if you turn the ball over and let the defence give up big plays, you’ll lose tight games.
Final Thoughts
The Chargers vs Falcons game on December 1 showed a classic example of football where stats like total yardage don’t tell the full story. The Falcons out gained the Chargers by a big margin, but mistakes cost them the win. The Chargers trusted their defence, got the key plays, and won a tight game 17–13.
If you’re following either team this season, this game is a good reminder: defence wins games, and turnovers can swing momentum fast. Both teams have things to build on and things to fix.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Los Angeles Chargers 17, Atlanta Falcons 13.
2. Who got the most rushing yards in the game?
The Falcons’ Bijan Robinson had the most rushing yards with 102 on 26 carries.
3. Which player caught the most passes?
Ladd McConkey of the Chargers caught 9 passes for 117 yards.
4. How many interceptions were there in the game?
There were 4 interceptions by the Chargers’ defence. The Falcons had none.
5. Who returned an interception for a touchdown?
Tarheeb Still of the Chargers returned an interception for a touchdown, also called a pick 6.
6. Which team had more total yards?
The Falcons had more total yards, 350 to the Chargers’ 187.
7. How many field goals did the Chargers make?
The Chargers made three field goals (45 yd, 51 yd, 34 yd) by Cameron Dicker.
8. Did the Falcons score any touchdowns in the second half?
No, they did not score a touchdown in the second half. Their only touchdown was in the first quarter.
9. What went wrong for the Falcons?
Despite gaining more yards and having more possession, the Falcons gave up key turnovers and allowed a defensive touchdown. They also failed in some red zone situations.
10. What does this game mean for each team’s season?
For the Chargers, it strengthens their playoff position and shows their defence can win big games. For the Falcons, it signals that they must clean up mistakes if they hope to stay in contention.
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