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          Atlanta Falcons, Washington trading big pass plays in wild start

          • Michael Rothstein
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            Michael Rothstein
            ESPN Staff Writer
              Michael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein.
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          • John Keim
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            John Keim
            ESPN Staff Writer
              John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Post. He started covering the team in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored four books. You can also listen to him on 'The John Keim Report', which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and follow him on Twitter @john_keim
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          Oct 3, 2021, 02:00 PM ET

          ATLANTA -- In a fast-paced game full of quick scores, including two long touchdown passes and a kickoff return for a TD on Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Football Team are putting on a show.

          Washington's DeAndre Carter returned the second-half kickoff 101 yards for the team's first kick return for a score in two years. He started up the middle, then cut back to his left and sprinted well ahead of the Falcons' return team for his first career touchdown return.

          That was just one big play in a game Atlanta leads 23-19.

          Quarterback Matt Ryan started things for the Falcons. He had not taken many deep shots for the Falcons this season -- his yards per target and yards per completion were among the lowest of his career. However, in the second quarter, he finally hit on a deep pass. Ryan used play-action and Washington bit, leaving running back-lined-up-as-wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson wide open on a deep post.

          Ryan launched the ball and had Patterson open -- no one within five yards of him -- for a 42-yard touchdown. After the throw, Ryan offered a fist-pump as a celebration.

          With Washington needing a spark, once more it was Terry McLaurin who provided one.

          On third-and-8 from the Atlanta 33, quarterback Taylor Heinicke hit his plant step, hitched and hit McLaurin with a pass in the end zone for a leaping catch and touchdown. McLaurin held onto the ball as he fell to the ground. It was his third catch of the day.

          McLaurin sprinted past corner Fabian Moreau, a former teammate in Washington. Earlier in the drive, McLaurin caught a 21-yard pass on second-and-11 to extend the drive.

          McLaurin now has two touchdown receptions this season. Washington later scored on a short run by Antonio Gibson.

          Patterson picked up his second receiving touchdown on a nifty move after catching a quick route out of the backfield. He made Washington's Landon Collins miss before turning upfield and running through Torry McTyer. Patterson added a third receiving TD early in the third quarter, giving Atlanta a 23-19 lead.

          It is the first time in Patterson's career he has multiple touchdown catches in a game. It's his second multi-touchdown game of the season after having only one multi-touchdown game in his first eight years in the NFL. Safe to say, Patterson's emergence this season continues.