In the first half of the NFL game on Sunday, December 24, 2023, the Atlanta Falcons led the Indianapolis Colts with a score of 13-7. The Falcons' offense, led by Heinicke and Bijan, completed a 14-play, 82-yard drive, capped by a 23-yard field goal from Younghoe Koo, and a touchdown by tight end Kyle Pitts. However, penalties, including an offsides by Ameer Speed, and missed opportunities, such as a third-down throw into the end zone that could have been a touchdown, limited their scoring. The Colts' offense struggled, with quarterback Minshew completing 8-of-17 passes for 80 yards and being sacked three times. The Colts' run game added 43 yards on 14 carries. Special teams errors impacted the game, with Koo hitting the right upright on a field goal attempt, but a subsequent Colts offsides penalty gave the Falcons a conversion. The Falcons' defense was formidable, with Elliss recording 1 sack, Harrison 2 sacks, and Ebitketie and Campbell contributing 0.5 sacks each.
Atlanta 13, Indianapolis 7, :05 left Q2. Falcons have moved the ball, 224 yards of offense, but sloppiness has cost them chance at more points.
#Falcons 13, #Colts 7 with :05 left in the first half.
Colts entering danger zone. Falcons get ball back at 2-minute warning, leading 10-7. Get ball to open 3Q. Minshew 8-of-17, 80 yards, sacked 3 times. Run game 43 on 14. 109 total yards. 75 on opening drive.
Colts offense has just 109 yards on 34 plays so far, just 3.2 yards per play. The Indy offensive line is not having a good day.
(Haven't been able to do this update much): #Falcons sacks in the first half: Elliss 1, Harrison 2. Ebitketie .5 and Campbell .5.
Falcons manhandling Colts up front. Another sack of Minshew.
Defense got some rest. #Falcons 10, #Colts 7. 14 plays, 82 yards, 3 penalties, 6:13 off the clock.
Atlanta 10, Indianapolis 7, 3:23 left Q2. Younghoe Koo good from 23 yards to cap an 82-yard scoring drive that could have been touchdown if Heinicke and Bijan were a little cleaner on third-down throw into end zone.
Special teams still screwing up. Koo missed 49 FG. Ameer Speed offside. Fourth and 1. Falcons convert and now inside 10.
Koo hits right up right, but #Colts offsides. #INDvsATL
A look at the #Falcons TD. #INDvsATL https://t.co/EA6ESpYJKn
Atlanta #Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Indianapolis #Colts during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Alex Slitz) https://t.co/vwzkmoHzKF