Falcons pull out 24-14 win over Vikings
For the second consecutive game, the Falcons built a nice lead only to let it whittle away before pulling out the win.
They had a chance to rout the Minnesota Vikings, but eventually had to settle for a 24-14 victory Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
Cornerback Christopher Owens helped to save the game with a tackle on Minnesota’s Percy Harvin, who had broken free on a kickoff return. Also, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon had a key stop on a fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line.
The Falcons, who have won five of their last six games, improved to 7-4. The Vikings, who were playing without their star running back Adrian Peterson, dropped to 2-9.
Behind the hot passing of Matt Ryan, the Falcons held a 17-0 lead at halftime.
Ryan completed 14 of 18 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns to help the Falcons take control of the game in the first half.
After an exchange of punts, the Falcons got into gear.
The offense relied heavily on running backs Michael Turner and Jason Snelling to march deep into Minnesota territory. After reaching the 18-yard line, right guard Joe Hawley was called for holding. Falcons coach Mike Smith said penalties and dropped passes were the reasons why the red-zone offense had stalled while going 3 of 10 over the two previous games.
But this time, they were able to overcome Hawley’s penalty. On second-and-19 from the 27, Harry Douglas caught a pass over the middle and ran through attempted tackles by E.J. Henderson and Asher Allen on his way to the end zone.
While Minnesota’s offense was sputtering about the Falcons added two more scores.
In the second quarter, Ryan found Roddy White in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown.
Bryant added a 37-yard field goal to make it 17-0.
Things started to turn in the third quarter. On their first possession of the second half, the Falcons elected to punt on fourth-and-1.
Minnesota finally started to move the ball.
Rookie quarterback Christian Ponder converted on 3 of 3 third down situations during the 80-yard drive that was capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by Toby Gerhart.
The Vikings were able keep a vital fourth quarter drive alive with two bizarre plays.
A rolling punt, after an apparent stop, hit Falcons cornerback Dominique Franks and the Vikings recovered.
The Falcons had them stopped again after a pass was ruled incomplete on third-and-13 after the play was challenged. On fourth down, Ponder tossed a 39-yard touchdown pass to Harvin to make it 17-14.
After an exchange of punts, the Falcons went on a nine-play 73-yard drive. Ryan tossed his third touchdown pass, a 3-yarder, to tight end Michael Palmer to make it 24-14.
The Vikings were not done. Harvin broke loose for a 104 yard return down to the Falcons’ 3 with 6:28 to play. He brought the ball out from 8-yards deep in the end zone. Owens chased him down and made the tackle.
The Falcons defense, which has been stingy in the red zone all season, held the Vikings out of the end zone. On fourth-and-goal from the one, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon was the first player to hit Gerhart and stack him up short of the end zone.
Last week against Tennessee, the Falcons built a 23-3 lead before giving up two late touchdowns before pulling out the 23-17 win.
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116 comments Add your comment
john
November 27th, 2011
8:01 pm
Turner needs to go and let Rodgers run the ball more. We have so many big play players
Greg Moundine
November 27th, 2011
8:02 pm
Houston here we come!!!!!!!!! Go Falcons.
Ichabod
November 27th, 2011
8:05 pm
As Billick said, all those dropped passes this year have really hurt us. Fortunately Harry Douglas and Gonzo snag those tough ones over the middle. We were doing great until MS switched the game plan to idle mode and the Vikings came to life. There is got to be a better DB than Owens looking for a job, but he’s Grimes’ backup, so that’s that. Would like to see more of Quizz but not sure if he could take all that pounding. As mentioned, is Finneran still playing? He would catch everything. Thought Ryan did a great job, as well as our revitalized Bocher.
katherine
November 27th, 2011
8:13 pm
Congrats falcons! There are a lot of things to work on obviously, but enjoy the win tonight and work on it tomorrow. A win is a win.
old man
November 27th, 2011
8:13 pm
Yeah, what has happened to Bocher? He’s booming kick offs, punts.
Matt Ryan needs to be the offensive coordinator. He was fantastic today. Where are all the Ryan haters? Been kind of quiet the last two weeks. And with at least two more drops.
12 men in the huddle
November 27th, 2011
8:15 pm
“As far as the 4th and 13 TD pass, there was miscommunication between Owens, Sanders and Franks”
…..this has been a LONG standing problem with the Falcons! When ONLY 1 of the 4 defensive secondary guys knows where he’s suppose to be when they break the huddle….you will continue to see receivers so wide open that no defensive player is within camera range when he catches the ball! Fortunately, we’re not the only ones who have that problem. Seems like a league wide weakness! To be fair, the Falcons really seem to be trying to fix it….but wasting all those draft picks on Julio instead of drafting defensive backs is a bummer!
Coach Green
November 27th, 2011
8:22 pm
The Vikings are who we thought they were but we let them off the hook!
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
8:36 pm
Coach Green . . .we let them off the hook . . .but then caught them again, and filleted and fried them. Although they would have tasted better with the first hook . . . ..well they still were a satisfactory meal in the scheme of things.
todd
November 27th, 2011
8:56 pm
To DirtyBird87- The Falcons spent FIVE DRAFT PICKS on Julio because they think he can give them explosive plays and they weren’t going to get a game changer that late in the first round. Ask the Patriots how they feel about all the defensive studs they have obtained by trading down every year. Their defense is horrible. Plus, its his FIRST YEAR and he’s coming off a hamstring injury! You won’t know who “won” this trade for several years but he looks pretty damn good when he’s healty. I would say he has exceeded expectations so far.
To CGD (Come Guzzling Deushbag): “you still believe these Fal-cons are last years Green Bay?
What kind of smoke was that? Yawn….6 weeks to go Melt!” The point here is that you can’t make a definative statement about Matt Ryan or The Falcon’s. They could be the next Green Bay or they could “melt” but how many experts predicted GB would turn into what they have become when they were sitting at 7-4 and coming off a loss to Atlanta last year? It’s the nature of the NFL people. Every team has weaknesses. The Saints lost to The Rams for Christ’s sake. Does that mean they will never be any good? NO. The Falcons (not Fal-cons you JERK) are a GOOD team. They are RELEVENT. Get used to it and get over it. Anything can happen. See 1998 vs Minnesota- arguably one of the biggest playoff upsets in NFL history. Now go away or I will have to taunt you a second time…
doninacworth
November 27th, 2011
8:57 pm
Another game, another win! Most of the above comments are dead on!!!
NO HUDDLE & KEEP SCORING
todd
November 27th, 2011
9:43 pm
Who can think about the game after watching the video of CHRIS HARRIS from Columbia Tennessee. The Falcon’s need to be asking themselves, what would it take to get this guy? We could kick field goals from our own 35 yard line!! He would like to go to GA Tech but if he doesn’t sign with them we gotta get him! I am reposting Sam’s original comment so that everyone can see this phenom for themselves:
Amazing video of a high school senior from Columbia TN who kicks the ball dead straight 75-80 yards in the air. He was successful on 54 of 54 attempts this season….100%. Now he needs a college team. Wants to play for Georgia Tech!!!
Watch for yourself…it is unreal!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_JKwgwFY3g
True Falcon
November 27th, 2011
9:58 pm
I can’t get excited about beating teams like the Colts, Titans, Vikings, and even the Lions. Sure a win is good but when you beat the weaklings and fold when you meet a worthy opponent this add up to another first round playoff loss. We have fell to every tough team we’ve faced.
CDG..
November 27th, 2011
11:12 pm
MONEY SEASON:
Money Melt= Zero, Zero,Zero,Zero playoff wins 4 consecutive season…..
Packer 56 Falcon 21 on the road..
Giants 38 Falcons 21 on the road..
Playoffs?
No shot…. Gave up way to much for JJ
CDG..
November 27th, 2011
11:42 pm
Hang in there know it all Todd( Toxic Or Delusional Dunce) your ego will get crushed again..Just give it 6 more weeks…
2-5 last 7 against the winners spells disaster coming Norv Jr…
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jbrian
November 29th, 2011
2:14 am
In week 11, you could hear Matt’s audibles, too. Could Mercedes or OWN have paid the Falcons for the free advertising in week 12?