Falcons Hold Off Jets, 23–17, as Koo’s Leg Makes the Difference in Week 13

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - The Atlanta Falcons leaned on their ground game, special teams, and a steady second-half response to pull away from the New York Jets, earning a 23-17 road win in Week 13.

Atlanta entered the matchup at 7-4, trying to stabilize after a rocky stretch, while the Jets came in at 3-8 and searching for answers following another loss the week prior. In the end, it was Younghoe Koo's leg and a controlled Falcons second half that proved decisive.

Early strike, Jets respond

Atlanta opened the scoring midway through the first quarter with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, grabbing early momentum on the road. The Jets responded in the second quarter, however, when Justin Fields connected with Josh Reynolds on a 44-yard touchdown pass, energizing MetLife Stadium and briefly swinging control.

New York added a late field goal just before halftime to take a 10-7 lead into the break, capitalizing on Atlanta's stalled drives and keeping the Falcons from finding rhythm offensively.

Falcons take control after halftime

Atlanta flipped the game coming out of the locker room. Tyler Allgeier ripped off a 34-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, setting the tone for a dominant stretch. From there, Koo took over, drilling field goals from 45 and 55 yards to push the Falcons out in front and put consistent pressure on the Jets' offense.

"That stretch was huge for us," Falcons head coach Chuck Davis said. "We stayed patient, trusted the run, and let Younghoe do what he does best."

Koo wasn't done. Early in the fourth quarter, he added another long field goal to extend Atlanta's lead and force the Jets into comeback mode.

Jets rally, but fall short

New York made one last push when Fields found Breece Hall for a 29-yard touchdown pass midway through the fourth, cutting the deficit to six and giving the Jets hope late.

But Atlanta's defense tightened from there, forcing a critical stop and draining the clock to seal the win.

"We fought," Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said. "The effort was there, but we've got to be more consistent when the game tightens up."

What it means

For Atlanta, the win moves them forward at a key point in the season, snapping some of the frustration built up over recent weeks and reinforcing their identity as a team that can control games with the run and special teams.

For New York, it was another close loss in a season full of them - flashes of explosiveness undone by missed opportunities and an inability to sustain momentum.

Up Next

The Falcons return home in Week 14 to host the Seattle Seahawks, a matchup that will test Atlanta's physical run game against a defense built around speed and pressure. Meanwhile, the Jets stay at MetLife Stadium in Week 14 to face the Miami Dolphins before heading on the road in Week 15 for a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.