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
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
4:16 pm
Chris Owens stopped a touchdown from being scored…my goodness he was the only one fast enough to catch that guy ! Congrats to him !
Go Giants ! Kick the Saints behinds tomorrow night !
Aints Fans say what ? First place ? You have First place ?
Better watch it tomorrow night boys, the Giants have their own business agenda !
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
4:18 pm
Roddy White redeemed thyself Young man !
Congrats to the Birds on another win which they won handily !
kk
November 27th, 2011
4:19 pm
gotta be a record. the longest kickoff return to not be a TD
The Grinch
November 27th, 2011
4:20 pm
It was sloppy but we’ll take it. Good job.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
My My, they bragging on Atlanta on NFL Sunday Ticket !
Got to admit Atlanta is getting it all together now …….could be on a roll now !
Got to root for the Giants to win big over the Aints tomorrow night !
Looking ahead......
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
Looks like the Texans may be down to their third string QB next week against the Falcons! If Leinart can’t go it will be T.J. Yates.
Sam
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
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
Tommy
November 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
What I liked best is at the end of the game, none of the coaches were smiling. They knew there were mistakes and they’ll work on it this week.
Great job by Owens, and a great example of why you run until the whistle blows.
But this team HAS to learn to finish opponents. That’s two weeks in a row they let an inferior team back in it.
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
Still, wondering why MD spent FIVE DRAFT PICKS on Julio. No catches today. Anyone else think someone like Torrey Smith would have been just as good of a guy to fill that role? Sure would of liked to spent those extra picks on defense .
bgfalcon
November 27th, 2011
4:37 pm
can someone tell me what happened on 4th and 13? im still pissed about it, and want some answers to whose fault it was.
Rise Up!
November 27th, 2011
4:39 pm
Coaching staff needs to quit feathering the gas peddle … stomp on it until the last whistle blows!
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
4:39 pm
sorry, I meant Thomas Dimitroff
bgfalcon
November 27th, 2011
4:40 pm
julio is gonna be a future star man. right now he is learning but when he gets his ish together he could be like andre johnson.
Leeman Bennett
November 27th, 2011
4:42 pm
Who would have thought that Christopher Owens could have possibly saved a game!
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
4:42 pm
Yeah, every home game take advantage of that ”no huddle offense”! Why switch back? You saw what happened during the 3rd Qtr. Keep that defense guessing!
mark
November 27th, 2011
4:43 pm
any news on grimes?!
tdawg in Stockbridge
November 27th, 2011
4:44 pm
We will not, I repeat, we will not beat the great QB’s until we come out of that zone on defense. It makes rookies and below average QB’s look serviceable. Championship teams play mostly press coverage and rarely play zone.
MattRyan
November 27th, 2011
4:45 pm
“Mercedes Oprah! Mercedes Oprah!”
Mr. Panic Button
November 27th, 2011
4:45 pm
These games are looking all the same…Falcons score one or two TDs in the first half, go to sleep in the third, and try to hold on for a win in the fourth. This team does not know how to play at a high level for four quarters. I blame the coaching staff.
Mr. Panic Button
November 27th, 2011
4:46 pm
And before some wise a$$ says we won the game. I’m aware of that. But playing at an average level gives you average results. Think we’re going to win a playoff game against a good team?
Big Daddy
November 27th, 2011
4:48 pm
Great win Falcons!!! However, two weeks in a row you let the other team back in the game. Two weeks in a row you went from letting Matt go no huddle in the first half to coaches calling plays in the second. Only when you went back to no huddle did he make the go ahead touchdown. No huddle seems to work. Why change it?
rudy
November 27th, 2011
4:50 pm
that was kinda scary but a win is a win…falcons seem to relax going into the 2nd half, texans won’t be a cakewalk, stay focus and blowaway these teams cos your playoff lives depends on it
Falcons > Everyone
November 27th, 2011
4:50 pm
Can’t say anything bad about this game with the exception of the usual lull we go through in the 3rd quarter. As far as the 4th and 13 TD pass, there was miscommunication between Owens, Sanders and Franks. That’s why 5-0 followed him downfield and eventually got beat on an unfortunate nice throw and catch.
Once again, Matt Ryan gets it done when the run game sputters and the defense got the stop when it mattered the most. Onward to Houston.
GT97
November 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
Amen to Leeman Bennett’s comment – “Who would have thought Owens would have saved a game~”. That guy is the piece that breaks our secondary every time.
E Dub
November 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
It would be nice if the Falcons could develop a killer instinct to put teams away early, like Green Bay or New Orleans for that matter. It appears that the players may have it but the coaches (namely the play caller) do not. It has not improved from week to week. We dont play well with a lead. Nonetheless, in this league a win is a win.
Realfalconfan
November 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
Bout dam time owens is learning to play now!! He might be learning!!
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
4:56 pm
@ D. Led
During the game the reporters commented on how with M Ryan running the no huddle, Mike Smith was calling the plays. During which the camera was showing Mike Mularkey in the coaches box. Do you know if this is true?
Eddie Mcshan
November 27th, 2011
5:00 pm
Good they got the win but the ultra conservative play calling is gonna catch up with us if we get into the tournament. Winning teams play as if they are behind regardless of the score. Better ratchet up the intensity as the team hits the road next week.
Flash
November 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
The falcons are not tough enough they need to finish and shut up and play big boy football.first round losers at best.
phil
November 27th, 2011
5:01 pm
Fire FG!
phil
November 27th, 2011
5:02 pm
Tom Brady is clearly overrated…
Mike Franklin
November 27th, 2011
5:04 pm
Just a note to mention that our offense needs to eliminate the drop-sees. If our receivers were catching those balls in their hands, the score might have been a lot sweeter.
Mrsbanks
November 27th, 2011
5:05 pm
I would love to have a Sunday where I can chill like a Packers fan….knowing the win is coming! Thank God MN didn’t challenge that last run by Harvin cause he had a TD….I don’t see my Falcons playing past the New Years Day game against Tampa!
gg
November 27th, 2011
5:07 pm
hey BG falcon, i can tell you what happened on that 4 and 13 play. our idiot Def. Coordinator puts no pressure whatsoever on a rookie QB and this allows him to make a perfect throw and also Grimes was out and appeared that no one even bothered to touch Harvin which allowed him to sprint down the field…i can not even stand to look at BVG…he makes me want to vomit. is it just me or does anyone else just notice how much talent the FAlcons have and yet it’s being wasted by terrible play calling???
Eddie Mcshan
November 27th, 2011
5:07 pm
Well I see them making the playoffs. However Mike Smith needs to play to win, not to avoid a loss
Mr. Belichick
November 27th, 2011
5:08 pm
TD has no clue.
phil
November 27th, 2011
5:08 pm
Fire Bernie Fine!
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
5:11 pm
@ mrs banks
“Thank God MN didn’t challenge that last run by Harvin cause he had a TD”
That last effort where he broke the plain was after the refs blew the whistlle. What prob happened, falcons defense players let up after thet heard the whistle.
GDawg
November 27th, 2011
5:15 pm
Love to see what the Falcons could do if they played 60 min.
Eddie Mcshan
November 27th, 2011
5:19 pm
They can’t because the coaches ease up as soon as they get the lead.
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
5:19 pm
Does anyone know if Baker or Svitek played?
Eddie Mcshan
November 27th, 2011
5:25 pm
Svitek started in place of Baker today
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
5:27 pm
sam baker, looks like you can keep that bench nice and warm.
CGD..
November 27th, 2011
5:29 pm
Hey D-Led you still believe these Fal-cons are last years Green Bay?
What kind of smoke was that? lmbo…….
2-9 team really? Exciting??????????????????????????????????????Hugh?
Yawn…..6 weeks ta go Melt!
gg
November 27th, 2011
5:32 pm
fire BVG Now.we are better with no one calling defensive plays!
D man
November 27th, 2011
5:36 pm
Falcons are on a roll, 5 out of 6 with five to go. Texans will be playing with a 3rd string QB, then Jacksonville and Carolina should be 3 more wins going into NO where we need some payback. Then close out the division lead with a win against Tampa. Here we go…
D man
November 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Defense has played great, except on 3rd down…
DC Dirty Bird
November 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Games like these explain why we haven’t won a playoff game with this coaching staff.
B'Red
November 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Great win. But why does Michael Turner look like he is running in slow motion.
Steak
November 27th, 2011
5:41 pm
Julio is a superstar! By the way. Did he play today?
Michael
November 27th, 2011
5:45 pm
Falcons lose for second straight week on internet after winning the game in real life.
Sherman to the sea
November 27th, 2011
5:46 pm
Great to win, but dominate then die has to stop sometime. Get your hobnail boot on their throat and grind harder.
Rickaroo
November 27th, 2011
5:48 pm
Once again a let-down in the second half by the defense and offense…the Falcon’s intensity really drops off when they’re in the lead. Again, the secondary was a joke…receivers wide open that Viking’s touchdown pass…a linebacker that far down field covering a receiver…give me a break.
phil
November 27th, 2011
5:52 pm
Julio Jones is simply Jason Wayward with dreds….
Overrated, injured constantly, whiny, sissyfied, anything but dependable…
phil
November 27th, 2011
5:53 pm
Fire Someone…
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
5:53 pm
How exciting would our offense be if we decided to grind it out with Jaquizz at back! I know he is a rookie but hypothetically. Just think about it! You think he could be somethink special like a Forte or more like a Sproles?
Turner… the burner (lol)…hits those holes with the speed of the elderly riding their Rascals to the door on Wed night bingo!
CGD..
November 27th, 2011
5:57 pm
Mr Blank shooting Blanks!
In 6 weeks it will be a must win road playoff game… not!
This staff will be shown the door….
skip
November 27th, 2011
6:05 pm
4th and 13 and somehow we don’t account for Harvin??? BVG must go!!! He has got to be the worst DC this side of Al Groh.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
6:08 pm
Time to root for the Giants now boys, Aints need to lose one tomorrow night !
falcon
November 27th, 2011
6:17 pm
Chris Owens gets burned on 2 passes for 2 scores. Glad he chased down Harvin to save another one. Terrible play calling once again by our offensive coordinator. 17-0 lead, he goes into a shell on offense. Stupid play by Franks after the defense forced a punt, which handed the ball right back to the Vikings in Falcon’s territory. Roddy dropped another long one. Harry Douglas had 2 drops which would have given us first downs. Our defense saved the day again. The Falcons once again can not put anyone away.
ijonathan
November 27th, 2011
6:21 pm
@DirtyBird87…on the broadcast Billick said that Mike Smith determines when the Falcons go into their no-huddle offense; he doesn’t actually call the plays in that offense. I’m guessing it is MM doing the base calling, with Ryan given wide latitude to check in and out of certain plays given the defensive look.
phil
November 27th, 2011
6:31 pm
Vince Young is the answer!
ls1z28chris
November 27th, 2011
6:31 pm
The Falcons will lose 26 December and y’all can all go back to looking forward to baseball, watching basketball, and watching hockey. Oh wait…
Frank Wilson
November 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
Well, well, well………….. the Chris Owens haters will
have to eat dirt for a few days. The guy doesn’t deserve all the negative “press” he receives on here.
His play saved the game and possibly our season. He is sorta fast.
Yeah, Mike Mularkay and Van Gorder seem to be very highly
rated by the play by play announcers and national TV guys.
Guess they aren’t as smart as the negative types on this blog.
Let’s see………. get rid of Old/slow Turner (who is second in the league), Matt Ryan (best young quarterback in the league) and change our scheme completely (even though we have won 5 of the last 6).
What we need to change are the negative bloggers on here
and get some that really know football.
There……. I said it.
DirtyBird87
November 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
@ ijonathon
Yeah, that makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up for me.
phil
November 27th, 2011
6:34 pm
Frank Wilson = negativity!
lon
November 27th, 2011
6:36 pm
Julio couldn’t catch the ball because it was only really thrown to him once today. Several times he was wide open and never got a glance. He’s got what it takes to be a star but they need to go to him more often.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
6:37 pm
Season by Season { Stats past 4 years } Updated……………
Matt Ryan
(2008) Wins 11 – Loss 5
265 of 434 attempts = 61.1 comp
3440 Total Yards
16 TDs
(2009) Wins 9 – Loss 7
263 of 451 attempts = 58.3 comp
2916 Total Yards
22 TDs
(2010) Wins 13 – Loss 3
357 of 571 attempts = 62.5 comp
3705 Total Yards
28 TDs
(2011) Wins 7 – Loss 4
246 of 394 attempts = 60.1 comp
2887 Total Yards
18 TDs
Michael Turner
2008——-1699 yards rush—–17 TDs
2009——-871 yards rush——10 TDs
2010——-1371 yards rush—-12 TDs
2011——-948 yards rush——8 TDs
phil
November 27th, 2011
6:37 pm
JJ = Jason Wayward…
Both pitiful.
Fire Mike Shanahan!
Frank Wilson
November 27th, 2011
6:37 pm
P.S. Chris Owens was not responsible for the Harvey score.
Percy Harvey was NOT his man on that play.
phil
November 27th, 2011
6:40 pm
Chris owens obviously stinks…
Why try to defend his ineptitude….
Yes, he saved us today, and that matters a lot but special teams play ain’t CB play….
phil
November 27th, 2011
6:41 pm
Release Ryan and Turner!
bart
November 27th, 2011
6:41 pm
This slacking off to just beat your competition is going to bite us in the @ss again. Does anyone not recall the GB game earlier – come out mashing then back off and next thing you know Rogers is strutting across the Dome. Depressing that the players & coaching staff just don’t seem to get it.
DC Dirty Bird
November 27th, 2011
6:42 pm
Swap Turner for Forte and we get two additional wins. Turner isn’t a bad RB just not versatile enough to be the game changer we need. MM has to go because our offense is better when he isn’t calling the plays.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
6:42 pm
Huge play by Owens today’s game may just have helped put Atlanta in the drivers seat the rest of the way…..was a game changer if Vikings had of scored that touchdown !
DC Dirty Bird
November 27th, 2011
6:44 pm
Chris Owens saved a touchdown while we were up 10. Not exactly a game/season saving play.
Rollo Lawson
November 27th, 2011
6:45 pm
Different week, same predictable unbalanced performance by the Falcons. I saw a couple of plays were Matt Ryan had Julio deep and refused to pull the trigger. The guy needs to have more faith in his arm and let Julio make a play. He is too quick to checkdown at times.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
6:50 pm
Ryan put a deep ball in Jones bread basket and he dropped it when he was falling down………….I still wish they had Jenkins and Finneran and the draft picks
DC Dirty Bird
November 27th, 2011
6:55 pm
Michael M- How would that help us this year? Is Finneran even on an active roster?
Ron Mexico
November 27th, 2011
6:58 pm
Playing “Not to lose” after they get up a little. I hate the way this team plays/is coached.
zorro
November 27th, 2011
7:00 pm
Has any one notice that each week, the next team that the falcon play,one of their KEY players are hurt. Just food for thought . And yes B Van G needs to put a great amount of pressure on these rookie QB’s but for some reason that I don’t understand, they the staff of Mike Smith will not do it. My question to anyone out their that can show reasoning for this. I would gladly appreciated,Ok but first, this is my take on it. I think that Smitty is trying to be football nice to the other teams coaches instead of batting them in the mouth. I think he don’t want have a legacy of throttling his opponents. just my conclusion or evaluation.
BigJake
November 27th, 2011
7:00 pm
I am actually OK with the Saints staying in first place in our division, until we get there in December to show them what we are made of. If we stay behind them, and keep winning, then at least we will not play them in the first round of the playoffs – let the Packers beat them up a little before we have to see them in the second round, steeling us up for the ultimate match-up against the Packers for the NFC title. I don’t see Dallas, NY, Chicago or the Lions providing any evidence that they will still be around come January. A face-off against the 49ers would be great for a first round. Just keep playing the way you are Falcons, and we’ll get that match-up against the Packers for the title.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
7:01 pm
Atlanta doesn’t need any help if they catch those dropped balls, Harry Douglas can catch just about anything throwed his way and Roddy started catching the ball majority of today’s game………Harry Douglas is better than white and Jones combined ! Just oes to show how poorly the other two have been at catching the ball !
Ted
November 27th, 2011
7:02 pm
A win against a weak team, that’s now 2-9. So what…YAWN
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
7:04 pm
Like to see another game with the Pac and the Birds too…………for the NFC Title….talk about some television viewing ratings . It could go down, anything can happen in Football.
Michael M.
November 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
That 2-9 team played a whole lot better than the record they have shows. They shut Atlanta out for awhile in the second half and made a game out of it.Really the rest of the Teams on Atlanat’s schedule are dangerous to play because some of them have nothing to lose and can try anything to get a first down let alone a touchdown to try to win the game and knock Atlanta out of the playoff spot potential.
Falcons will have to be very careful in every play on the football field from now down the stretch because all the Teams left will be out to beat them……winning records or not it is still a fight to the end every week and no game is a easy one !
Later all have a good week !
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
7:14 pm
MrsBanks . . ..you said you’d love to have the average Sunday where you could chill like a Packer fan. Well they were losing to Vikings 17-13 at half and ended up winning 33-27 which was the score with over 7 minutes left in the game. The Pack gave up over 400 yards offense to Vikings with even less experienced Ponder. (OK . .. I will have to concede the Pack did beat them 45-7 in their second meeting . . .but heck this first one was close:) ) For the Pack it will be just another win of many, just as for the Falcs this was another win of 7.
yeahsure
November 27th, 2011
7:18 pm
Yall complain when we beat teams with losing records and complain when we beat teams with winning records. Yall moan and whine if we run the ball too much or if we throw the ball too much. Its really pathetic.
Matt Ryan is hitting his stride and making all the necessary throws. We are making the playoffs.
Enjoy the win folks.
Mr. Panic Button
November 27th, 2011
7:32 pm
Frank go back to bed. It’s time for us negative folk on the blog. The “Everything is Right with the Falcons” time is over.
Mr. Panic Button
November 27th, 2011
7:34 pm
DC Dirty Bird, I’ve been saying it all year…Turner is not starter in this league. His footwork is horrible and he doesn’t have COMMON SENSE to not run into a pile.
Mr. Panic Button
November 27th, 2011
7:38 pm
yeahsure, we complain because of this trifling coaching staff that doesn’t know when to call a blitz on a rookie QB, or you HC wants to get conservative in the second half and that’s a loser mentality. That’s why we complain…because this team is running out of luck. We all know the little things matter and if they don’t do them now, it will be one and done AGAIN!!!
Clay
November 27th, 2011
7:45 pm
Outside of a couple of bonehead plays by special teams, the Falcons played pretty good.
Yellow Lot Marriage Saver
November 27th, 2011
7:48 pm
@Mr.Panic Button. Hate to say it but you are right. We must be realistic. Packer, Saints and Pats receivers DO NOT drop first downs. They also put pathetic teams AWAY!!! We have got to punish bad teams if we think we are elite.
john
November 27th, 2011
7:48 pm
We could have so many big plays if we had a running back with speed. Turner gets to the second level of the defense and gets caught from behind. He is not a power runner anymore. Let’s get a back that can run. Tip Toe Turner
12 men in the huddle
November 27th, 2011
7:51 pm
“can someone tell me what happened on 4th and 13? im still pissed about it, and want some answers to whose fault it was.”
…..I’ll tell you exactly what happen! I use to think our defensive backs and safeties were just plain stupid. But after watching that play where EVERYONE in the stadium knew you had to keep the Vikings fasted and best offensive player IN FRONT of you…..they end up letting him go untouched deep with a LINEBACKER chasing after him…..I FIRMLY believe our defensive backs and safeties are in the defensive huddle smoking a joint before breaking the huddle!!!
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
7:53 pm
12 men in the huddle . .. . .I agree. What the heck happened on that play. The D was having a very solid game too . . ..still did overall . …but that was just absolutely dumbfounding Harvin was so open on 4th and very long!
Mr. Panic Button
November 27th, 2011
7:57 pm
12 men/Once Recent, Owens and Franks still look as lost as they day we drafted them. I have to wonder if this so-called defensive system is too complicated for them. They guys looked good in college and how can they look so bad and lost in the pros? That are we are STILL drafting the wrong players.
CarolinaJacket
November 27th, 2011
7:58 pm
They didn’t squander anything. So they had a 17-0 lead at half time, and won 24- 14. That’s still a two score win. I would celebrate the win rather than worry about the fact that we were outscored in the second half, even though we won handily.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
8:00 pm
OK I stopped being lazy and looked. Montana 4 SB starts and wins.
L. R. Glass, Sr.
November 27th, 2011
8:01 pm
Mirror image of the 2010 Packers, eh! Much to much of a resemblance. Quarterback starting to hit stride… Defense beginning to step up, special teams becoming, well, special! Now if we can just cut down on allowing those long pass plays…. What Say You? Agree or disagree?
By the way, in my humble opinion, Chris Owens is this game’s MVP. He doesn’t make that tackle on Harvin, the game changes drastically.
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…
NFL Game Review: Vikings @ Falcons | FanFeedr News
November 28th, 2011
4:24 pm
[...] Falcons Take | Falcons pull out 24-14 win over Vikings [...]
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?