Final2021 Week 4

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Washington Commanders vs Atlanta Falcons, Week 4 2021

Washington Commanders

AwayWon

34

Atlanta Falcons

Home

30

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Commanders01391234
Falcons3146730

WAS 34ATL 30 Final

  • Passing leader

    Taylor Heinicke

    WAS · QB

    27.9PPR pts

    23/33, 290 YDS, 3 TD

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Cordarrelle Patterson

    ATL · RB

    34.6PPR pts

    6 ATT, 34 YDS, 5 REC, 82 REC YDS, 3 REC TD

  • Falcons leader

    Matt Ryan

    ATL · QB

    29.0PPR pts

    25/42, 283 YDS, 4 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    DeAndre Carter

    WAS · WR

    1 TD

Commanders 34, Falcons 30: Washington rallies from 4 down at halftime

Washington erased a 17–13 halftime deficit, outscoring Atlanta 21–13 after the break to win 34–30. The Commanders finished with a 412–374 edge in total offense and averaged 6.6 yards per play.

The Falcons went 10-for-16 on third down, while the Commanders finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 15 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +1.3 yards/play WAS 6.6 · ATL 5.3
  • +38 total yards WAS 412 · ATL 374

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Commander or Falcon on your fantasy team?

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Why the Commanders Won

Washington won the efficiency battle.

Team stats comparison, Commanders vs Falcons
CommandersStatFalcons
6.6Yards per play5.3
412Total yards374
Other team stats
62Plays71
0Turnovers0
44%Third-down conversion63%
29:18Time of possession30:42

Scoring Summary

The Commanders scored five touchdowns and one field goal; the Falcons scored four touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Commanders vs Falcons
TimeTeamPlayWASATL
1st quarter
7:00ATLYounghoe Koo 25-yard FG Takes lead03
2nd quarter
11:07ATLMatt Ryan → Cordarrelle Patterson, 42-yard TD Extends leadYounghoe Koo XP010
7:55WASTaylor Heinicke → Terry McLaurin, 33-yard TDDustin Hopkins XP710
2:04WASAntonio Gibson 2-yard TD run Takes leadXP missed1310
0:14ATLMatt Ryan → Cordarrelle Patterson, 12-yard TD Takes leadYounghoe Koo XP1317
3rd quarter
14:47WASDeAndre Carter 101-yard kickoff return TD Takes leadXP missed1917
11:09ATLMatt Ryan → Cordarrelle Patterson, 14-yard TD Takes lead2-pt try failed1923
5:31WASDustin Hopkins 21-yard FG2223
4th quarter
14:52ATLMatt Ryan → Mike Davis, 7-yard TD Extends leadYounghoe Koo XP2230
3:52WASTaylor Heinicke → Terry McLaurin, 17-yard TD2-pt try failed2830
0:33WASTaylor Heinicke → J.D. McKissic, 30-yard TD Game winner2-pt try failed3430

Fantasy Points: Commanders vs Falcons, Week 4 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB34.6 PTSRB1
  2. Terry McLaurinWASWR30.3 PTSWR4
  3. Matt RyanATLQB29.0 PTSQB3
  4. Taylor HeinickeWASQB27.9 PTSQB4

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Taylor HeinickeWASQB27.9QB423/33290305430127.1
Matt RyanATLQB29.0QB325/42283401170111.5

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB34.6RB1RB634065823
Terry McLaurinWASWR30.3WR4WR———1361232Start/Sit →
J.D. McKissicWASRB16.9RB14RB715055441
Antonio GibsonWASRB15.5RB20RB1463122120
Calvin RidleyATLWR15.0WR26WR———137800Start/Sit →
Mike DavisATLRB10.6RB31RB1314022121
DeAndre CarterWASWR9.4WR52WR———11240
Kyle PittsATLTE9.0TE19TE———94500
Hayden HurstATLTE5.9TE27TE———44290
Curtis SamuelWASWR5.9WR74WR———44190
Ricky Seals-JonesWASTE3.9TE36TE———42190
Tajae SharpeATLWR3.5WR85WR———22150
Wayne GallmanATLRB2.9RB58RB62901000
Dyami BrownWASWR2.9WR93WR———21190Start/Sit →
Adam HumphriesWASWR2.9WR92WR———11190
Olamide ZaccheausATLWR2.5WR98WR———31150Start/Sit →
Jaret PattersonWASRB2.2RB62RB21011110
Feleipe FranksATLTE0.3TE60TE130————

Fantasy Usage

Washington Commanders

Snap Share

  1. Terry McLaurinWR65 snaps97%
  2. Ricky Seals-JonesTE62 snaps93%
  3. Adam HumphriesWR45 snaps67%
  4. Antonio GibsonRB37 snaps55%
  5. Dyami BrownWR28 snaps42%

Target Share33 targets

  1. Terry McLaurin39%, 13 targets
  2. J.D. McKissic15%, 5 targets
  3. Curtis Samuel12%, 4 targets
  4. Ricky Seals-Jones12%, 4 targets
  5. Antonio Gibson6%, 2 targets
  6. Other15%, 5 targets

Carry Share28 carries

  1. Antonio Gibson50%, 14 carries
  2. J.D. McKissic25%, 7 carries
  3. Taylor Heinicke18%, 5 carries
  4. Jaret Patterson7%, 2 carries

Atlanta Falcons

Snap Share

  1. Calvin RidleyWR73 snaps96%
  2. Olamide ZaccheausWR61 snaps80%
  3. Kyle PittsTE55 snaps72%
  4. Mike DavisRB51 snaps67%
  5. Hayden HurstTE49 snaps64%

Target Share40 targets

  1. Calvin Ridley33%, 13 targets
  2. Kyle Pitts23%, 9 targets
  3. Cordarrelle Patterson15%, 6 targets
  4. Hayden Hurst10%, 4 targets
  5. Olamide Zaccheaus8%, 3 targets
  6. Other13%, 5 targets

Carry Share27 carries

  1. Mike Davis48%, 13 carries
  2. Cordarrelle Patterson22%, 6 carries
  3. Wayne Gallman22%, 6 carries
  4. Matt Ryan4%, 1 carries
  5. Feleipe Franks4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Terry McLaurinWASWR6597%1339%0
Calvin RidleyATLWR7396%1333%0
Ricky Seals-JonesWASTE6293%412%0
Olamide ZaccheausATLWR6180%38%0
Kyle PittsATLTE5572%923%0
Adam HumphriesWASWR4567%13%0
Mike DavisATLRB5167%25%13
Hayden HurstATLTE4964%410%0
Antonio GibsonWASRB3755%26%14
Dyami BrownWASWR2842%26%0
J.D. McKissicWASRB2740%515%7
Curtis SamuelWASWR2537%412%0
Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB2330%615%6
Tajae SharpeATLWR2128%25%0
John BatesWASTE1624%00%0
Lee SmithATLTE1722%00%0
DeAndre CarterWASWR1116%13%0
Wayne GallmanATLRB1013%13%6
Logan ThomasWASTE57%00%0
Cam SimsWASWR57%00%0
Jaret PattersonWASRB57%13%2
Christian BlakeATLWR34%00%0
Feleipe FranksATLTE11%00%1

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+20.6Cordarrelle Patterson34.6 PTS vs 14.0 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.9Calvin Ridley15.0 PTS vs 21.9 xFP
  • Highest expected volume21.9 xFPCalvin Ridley15.0 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Calvin RidleyATL · WR15.021.9−6.996%33% tgt—000%1333%
Terry McLaurinWAS · WR30.321.9+8.497%39% tgt—000%1339%
Matt RyanATL · QB29.019.1+9.9100%42 att—4214%00%
Taylor HeinickeWAS · QB27.917.7+10.2100%33 att—33518%00%
Kyle Pitts Sr.ATL · TE9.015.2−6.272%23% tgt—000%923%
Cordarrelle PattersonATL · RB34.614.0+20.630%21% car—0621%615%
J.D. McKissicWAS · RB16.912.9+4.040%25% car—0725%515%
Antonio GibsonWAS · RB15.512.4+3.155%50% car—01450%26%
Mike DavisATL · RB10.611.7−1.167%46% car—01346%25%
Curtis SamuelWAS · WR5.96.7−0.837%12% tgt—000%412%
Hayden HurstATL · TE6.96.7+0.264%10% tgt—000%410%
Ricky Seals-JonesWAS · TE3.96.7−2.893%12% tgt—000%412%
Wayne GallmanATL · RB2.95.5−2.613%21% car—0621%13%
Olamide ZaccheausATL · WR2.55.1−2.680%8% tgt—000%38%
Dyami BrownWAS · WR2.93.4−0.542%6% tgt—000%26%
Tajae SharpeATL · WR3.53.4+0.128%5% tgt—000%25%
Jaret PattersonWAS · RB2.23.0−0.87%7% car—027%13%
Adam HumphriesWAS · WR2.91.7+1.267%3% tgt—000%13%
DeAndre CarterWAS · WR3.41.7+1.716%3% tgt—000%13%
Feleipe FranksATL · TE0.30.6−0.31%4% car—014%00%
Keith SmithATL · RB0.20.6−0.4—4% car—014%00%

Team totals: Commanders 33 targets and 28 carries; Falcons 40 targets and 28 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Taylor Heinicke Ran hot

WAS · QB · 27.9 pts on 17.7 expected

23 of 33 passing for 290 yards, 3 touchdowns; 5 carries for 43 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 17.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Matt Ryan Ran hot

ATL · QB · 29.0 pts on 19.1 expected

25 of 42 passing for 283 yards, 4 touchdowns; 1 carry for 17 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 19.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Terry McLaurin Ran hot

WAS · WR · 30.3 pts on 21.9 expected

13 targets (39% of the team's), 6 catches for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 21.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Terry McLaurin →

J.D. McKissic

WAS · RB · 16.9 pts on 12.9 expected

5 targets (15% of the team's), 5 catches for 44 yards and 1 touchdown; 7 carries (25% of the team's) for 15 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 12.9 expected.

Calvin Ridley Volume, no payoff

ATL · WR · 15.0 pts on 21.9 expected

13 targets (33% of the team's), 7 catches for 80 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 21.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Calvin Ridley →

Kyle Pitts Sr. Unlucky

ATL · TE · 9.0 pts on 15.2 expected

9 targets (23% of the team's), 4 catches for 50 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 15.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Cordarrelle Patterson Ran hot

ATL · RB · 34.6 pts on 14.0 expected

6 targets (15% of the team's), 5 catches for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns; 6 carries (21% of the team's) for 34 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 14.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Ricky Seals-Jones

WAS · TE · 3.9 pts on 6.7 expected

4 targets (12% of the team's), 2 catches for 19 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 6.7 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Washington Commanders

  • Stock up: Ricky Seals-Jones played 93% of the snaps, up from a 14% season average.
  • Stock down: Dyami Brown played 42% of the snaps, down from a 82% season average.

Atlanta Falcons

  • Stock up: Hayden Hurst played 64% of the snaps, up from a 47% season average.
  • Stock up: Olamide Zaccheaus played 80% of the snaps, up from a 51% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Commanders defense and Falcons defense
Points allowed toCommanders DFalcons D
QBs22.118.8
RBs21.924.6
WRs36.036.6
TEs12.912.4

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Atlanta opened at 44% win probability, climbed as high as 99%, then lost.

Falcons win probability

Falcons win probability by game minuteFalcons started at 44%, stood at 62% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 11 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +28Ryan → Patterson, 12-yd TD34% → 62%Q2 0:14
  2. +26Ryan → Patterson, 14-yd TD37% → 64%Q3 11:09
  3. +34Ryan → Davis, 7-yd TD53% → 87%Q4 14:52
  4. −28Heinicke → McLaurin, 17-yd TD99% → 71%Q4 3:52
  5. −94Heinicke → McKissic, 30-yd TD94% → <1%Q4 0:33

Swing in Falcons win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Commanders vs Falcons
Washington CommandersMeasureAtlanta Falcons
62Plays71
55%Pass rate61%
8.5Yds / dropback6.4
4.4Yds / carry3.5
4/9Third downs10/16

Efficiency edge Washington ran 9 fewer plays but gained 2.1 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • WAS McLaurin 39% · McKissic 15% · Samuel 12%
  • ATL Ridley 33% · Pitts 23% · Patterson 15%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Commanders vs Falcons
ResultWASATL
Touchdowns54
Field goals11
Punts24
Turnovers00
Turnovers on downs10
  • The Falcons opened the scoring on their first possession, a 15-play, 68-yard drive that ended in a field goal.
  • The Commanders drained the clock with two second-half drives of five to seven minutes.
All 20 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
ATLQ1 15:0015688:00Field goal
WASQ1 7:006162:58Punt
ATLQ1 4:025112:16Punt
WASQ1 1:468353:33Downs
ATLQ2 13:134642:06Touchdown
WASQ2 11:077773:12Touchdown
ATLQ2 7:553-51:48Punt
WASQ2 6:077634:03Touchdown
ATLQ2 2:0411751:50Touchdown
WASQ2 0:141-10:14End of half
WASQ3 15:00000:13Touchdown
ATLQ3 14:478683:38Touchdown
WASQ3 11:0914735:38Field goal
ATLQ3 5:3113835:39Touchdown
WASQ4 14:52352:04Punt
ATLQ4 12:485162:48Punt
WASQ4 10:0010706:08Touchdown
ATLQ4 3:52362:05Punt
WASQ4 1:477761:14Touchdown
ATLQ4 0:335380:33End of game
About these numbers

Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Commanders vs Falcons Head-to-Head

The Commanders and Falcons first met in 1966 and have played 31 times since.

All-time series
19–11–1Commanders lead, 31 meetings since 1966
Postseason
1–0Commanders won in 1991
Largest Commanders win
56–171991
Largest Falcons win
38–142018

Since 2021

4–1 Commanders lead

5 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. C = Commanders win, F = Falcons win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 15 Falcons at Commanders Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Commanders vs Falcons
CommandersStatFalcons
7-10Record7-10
19.7Points per game18.4
323.6Yards per game303.8
5.1Yards per play5.1
25.5Points allowed per game27.0
359.3Yards allowed per game364.4

Commanders vs Falcons Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
WAS −2Commanders covered by 2
Total
47.5Over: 64 points scored (by 16.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Commanders24.834+9.3
Falcons22.830+7.3

Both offenses beat the market's expectation, and the Fantasy tab shows who cashed in.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Washington Commanders

Against the spread
1–3
Over/under
3–1
ATS as favorite
1–2
ATS as underdog
0–1
ATS on the road
1–1

Atlanta Falcons

Against the spread
1–3
Over/under
2–2
ATS as favorite
0–1
ATS as underdog
1–2
ATS at home
0–2

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Commanders vs Falcons Fantasy Outlook for 2026

One meeting is left on the 2026 schedule: Week 15 in Washington. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Commanders vs Falcons Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Commanders vs Falcons Week 4 game?

The Washington Commanders beat the Atlanta Falcons 34–30 in Week 4 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, on October 3, 2021. See the Commanders' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Commanders vs Falcons?

The final score was Commanders 34, Falcons 30. The Falcons led 17–13 at halftime, and the second half went Commanders 21, Falcons 13.

What happened in the Commanders vs Falcons game?

Washington erased a 17–13 halftime deficit, outscoring Atlanta 21–13 after the break to win 34–30. The Commanders finished with a 412–374 edge in total offense and averaged 6.6 yards per play. Cordarrelle Patterson led all players with 5 catches for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 34 rushing yards.

What was the game-winning score in Commanders vs Falcons?

Taylor Heinicke's 30-yard touchdown pass to J.D. McKissic with 0:33 left in the fourth quarter gave the Commanders a 34–30 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Commanders vs Falcons?

Cordarrelle Patterson led the game with 34.6 PPR fantasy points, the RB1 of Week 4, on 5 catches for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 34 rushing yards. Terry McLaurin was next with 30.3 (WR4).

Who led Commanders vs Falcons in passing, rushing and receiving?

Taylor Heinicke (WAS) led all passers with 23 of 33 for 290 yards and 3 touchdowns. Antonio Gibson (WAS) led in rushing with 14 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown. Terry McLaurin (WAS) led in receiving with 6 catches for 123 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Cordarrelle Patterson score against the Commanders?

Cordarrelle Patterson scored 34.6 points in PPR leagues, 32.1 in half-PPR and 29.6 in standard scoring against the Commanders in Week 4 of the 2021 season, on 5 catches for 82 yards and 3 touchdowns, plus 6 carries for 34 rushing yards.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Commanders vs Falcons?

Cordarrelle Patterson outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 34.6 PPR points on 14.0 xFP (+20.6). Calvin Ridley fell furthest short, with 15.0 points on 21.9 xFP (−6.9). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

How did the Commanders come back to beat the Falcons?

The Commanders' chances of winning fell as low as 1% in the fourth quarter. Taylor Heinicke's 30-yard touchdown pass to J.D. McKissic in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Taylor Heinicke's 30-yard touchdown pass to J.D. McKissic then put them ahead for good.

What is the all-time Commanders vs Falcons record?

The Commanders lead the all-time series 19–11–1 across 31 meetings since 1966, including a 1–0 record in the postseason.

When did the Commanders and Falcons last play before this game?

Before Week 4 of 2021, they last met in the 2018 season on November 4, 2018, when the Falcons beat the Commanders 38–14.

Have the Commanders and Falcons met in the playoffs?

Yes, 1 time, most recently in the 1991 playoffs. The Commanders are 1–0 against the Falcons in the postseason.

What was the closing spread for Commanders vs Falcons?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Commanders −2, making the Washington Commanders 2-point favorites, with a closing total of 47.5. That implied about 24.8 points for the Commanders and 22.8 for the Falcons.

Did Commanders vs Falcons go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 47.5, and the teams combined for 64 points, 16.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Commanders vs Falcons?

The Commanders covered by 2 against the closing line of Commanders −2. The final margin was 4 points.