Report card: Falcons’ grades for win over Redskins
Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner carries the ball into the end zone for the winning touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Atlanta defeated Washington 24-17. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
C — Running backs: The Falcons had 28 rushes for 83 yards (3.0 per carry). Michael Turner ran well late and scored the game-winning touchdown. He finished with 67 yards on 18 carries.
A — Receivers: Tony Gonzalez and Julio Jones turned in big games. Gonzalez had 13 catches for 123 yards for his 29th 100-yard game. He also had his 99th touchdown reception, which tied him with Don Hutson for eighth on the NFL’s all-time touchdown reception list. Jones had 10 catches for 94 yards and a touchdowns. Harry Douglas continued to block fiercely in the run game.
A — Offensive line: The unit gave up just one sack and three quarterback hits. On most plays, Ryan had time to scan the field.
B — Defensive line: The unit did a good job maintaining their rush lanes against Robert Griffin III and kept him from breaking loose on some runs. Defensive end Kroy Biermann was used to drop into coverage on some defensive calls.
C — Linebackers: Sean Weatherspoon led the team with 11 tackles. Stephen Nicholas had four and Akeem Dent had two tackles. Washington’s Alfred Morris rushed 18 times for 115 yards.
C — Defensive backs: The secondary blew a coverage that allowed Washington a 77-yard touchdown. Dunta Robinson had a strong game with two pass breakups and an interception. Thomas DeCoud continued his ball-hawking ways with another interception.
A — Special teams: During the coin toss, kicker Matt Bryant was still testing out his cleats. The extra work led him to change to his long-spiked cleats on the wet track. They were key to getting proper footing on his 53-yard field goal. Bosher had a net average of 38.5 yards on six punts.
A — Coaching: You have to give the coaches credit for sticking to the game plan. The Redskins rope-a-dope strategy helped them take a lead into the fourth quarter. The offense kept chipping away until they outscored the Redskins 17-7 in the final quarter.
NEXT UP: The Falcons (5-0) host the Oakland Raiders (1-3) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
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128 comments Add your comment
Tyrus
October 8th, 2012
1:53 pm
ok maybe it’s just me but i remember just how hard it is to win on the road in the nfl….. with that being said 1-9 on 3rd downs 1 offensive touchdown 1 sack 3qb hits 2picks all equalls B- only reason that it isn’t A’s across the board is that i think that they can improve alot. so not going to be to hard on a road victory. let’s work on getting to 6-0 remember bird nation to enjoy this run! they don’t happen that offten ….. well in this town anyway ANGRYBIRD NATION RISEUP……….
sam
October 8th, 2012
1:54 pm
I agree that Matt Ryan had an off game, but he did rally in the 4th quarter and produce another game winning drive. Although that’s 18 of them now, as memory serves, we shouldn’t be taking that for granted. Seems like a B or B – would be more appropriate.
Seen This B4
October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
OK….Here I am.
Just so you know that was a cheap shot on RGIII by Witherspoon. I bet he gets fined by the NFL. If not for that cheap shot, Falcants would have lost.
You know it.
Nique
October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
I just want to hear all of my Duanta Robinson haters give him credit & acknowledge his essential role in this weeks win!
Thank God for Mike Nolan & the maturation of Matt, oh & for Mr. White rededicating himself in order to lead this wr group by example by getting his drops under control. Great win yesterday, now lets finish off Oakland & go into the break 6-0!
Falcons need a MLB
October 8th, 2012
1:59 pm
In the NFL, wins are not easy. So it’s great to be 5-0. However, the falcons MLB position is awful. I thought Dent was decent at UGA. Most of Alfred Morris runs were because Dent was out of position. He couldn’t disengage from blocks yesterday.
The Falcons will make the playoffs but to get that elusive playoff win, they will have to stop the run. Imagine if the falcons are playing the 49ers. They will probably run for 200 yds against the Falcons defense
RC Thielmann
October 8th, 2012
2:04 pm
Looked pretty flat with all the 3 and outs early, as Ryan just seemed off. It started to look like he was reverting back to his big game deer in headlights playoff mindset, which lined up to his pick six and fumble and errant throws. Looked the same way last week against Panthers ,, but became Matty Ice when it counted. They need to come out like they did against Chargers and Broncos and take no prisoners from jump street… not wait and find themselves with their backs against the wall. They are a really good team that could be great. Koetters game plan did not look real good the last 2 weeks, as I thought Mularkey was back, so figure it out Dirk. You have an offensive beast that needs to be unleashed.
Tyrus
October 8th, 2012
2:04 pm
HEY D-LED got any news on the discussion with j.jones on the sideline any thing big or just normal in game heat? Is a.smith hamstring really bad anyword on how long he will be out and are they looking to bring someone in or off practice squad? what happened to r.edwards was he hurt or something don’t remember seeing him at all?Also how is RG3.? that guy is going to be a great one truley glad we don’t have to see him only once! he is going to be really GREAT for this league as soon as he learns to slide or get out of bounds.
BB
October 8th, 2012
2:05 pm
@STB4 – nobody cares that you’re back now. Coward! You won’t show your face for a month when your team is taking butt-kicking after butt-kicking. One ref-aided victory though and you come back spouting more drivel…
Credibility? NOT!
Cheap Shot Artist Sean Witherspoon
October 8th, 2012
2:06 pm
Dear Mr Goodell…..Yes, I did it. Now you can suspend me like you did the Saints.
Tyrus
October 8th, 2012
2:06 pm
not truley understanding what about the hit or shot was cheap?
Tyrus
October 8th, 2012
2:09 pm
let’s be respectful bird nation no need to take cheap shots( NO PUN ) we don’t play like dat on the feild so let’s uphold the same standards here
Seen This B4
October 8th, 2012
2:11 pm
BB <———- On ignore over here.
Tyrus
October 8th, 2012
2:17 pm
ok bird nation let’s not get to far ahead of our self we are just a quarter of the way thru even though this has been a pleasent ride so far there is still a lot of downs, quarters, and games to play don’t let the records fool you tha saints are a real good football team any team in our division can turn it around at any time win the rest of their games and make this very close down the road. enjoy each and every game for after every victory we can remind them of who dat is dat is running their division!
Tyrus
October 8th, 2012
2:20 pm
no seriously congrats on the victory last night! looking like ya’ll trying to turn it around good luck the rest of the way except well….. you know when
Big Crimson 75
October 8th, 2012
2:21 pm
D-Led — glad you weren’t one of my Professors.
Matt Ryan deserved a better grade than a C. Somebody threw 2 TDs yesterday & it wasn’t RG III.
The Secondary had 1 bad play. They deserve much better than a C. Dunta’ had one of his better games as a Falcon. The Skins were 1 for 9 on third down.
Seen — no more junk about the Commishioner makin sure NO loses!!
SD was flat out hosed on that last drive & you know this.
North FLA Falcon
October 8th, 2012
2:24 pm
@ SeenB4 … yeah because RG3 was doing sooo well before he got hit! Did he convert their single 3rd down or was that Cousins who pulled that off?
mountain_jim
October 8th, 2012
2:26 pm
‘Katrina Refs’ back in full force, only reason Saints were able to win a game, Seen This B4.
bfred
October 8th, 2012
2:32 pm
I felt good about that game even at halftime. Looking at the halftime stats the Falcons owned the Skins in every category; Ryan’s pick-6 was the score difference. People need to stop losing their sh1t early in games, especially when we’re behind on a fluke. This one went back and forth a few times but never felt seriously at risk.
Farcus
October 8th, 2012
2:39 pm
What concerns me these last two games is our linebacker play and to be exact our middle linebacker play. We are not stuffing the run like we should. That said, this team is fun to watch and the best is yet to come.
Farcus
October 8th, 2012
2:40 pm
Seenthis, your team gets one lucky win and you want to talk trash? Please son, you are like your team..lame.
Jake
October 8th, 2012
2:51 pm
Does anyone have any update on Cory Peters? Eligible to return bye week.
Truckstop
October 8th, 2012
2:55 pm
One more comment on the Falcons MLB: Curtis Lofton lead the Falcons in tackles each year during his stay here, including his rookie year. The Falcons definitely need that kind of production from its MLB, and Dent is no where as effective so far. Hopefully he’ll get better. Then again maybe the Falcons are already shopping around.
Blake
October 8th, 2012
3:02 pm
@Infield Fly Rules!….I think that was the stupidest thing I read all day….how old are you? 5……
Dirty Bird
October 8th, 2012
3:04 pm
Good win. Defense was solid, minus the blown coverage.
Truth be told, if Ryan had thrown a bit higher over Kerrigan, this game could have easily been a 24-3, 27-6 type of blowout.
RG3 got hurt, but the offense wasn’t doing anything fancy anyways. It took the backup rookie to get the only TD for them, on a blown coverage of all things.
Figured we would win, just had to keep at it.
Whatever the reasons were for the slow start, weather, bad field, Julio’s hand and drops, etc, it worked out in the end.
Saints fans can get all jumpy about 1 win, had it not been for a borderline roughing the passer call, they would have lost.
The Chargers always fail when it counts most, and Rivers just shakes his head away.
Ben
October 8th, 2012
3:08 pm
Special teams does not just include kicking and punts. Franks is not doing anything when returning punts, he reminds me on Eric Weems. He doesn’t give us good field position at all
Democratic Plantation Dweller
October 8th, 2012
3:21 pm
Obama is doing a wonderful job of ruling our country!
BamaGuy
October 8th, 2012
3:27 pm
Seen This B4
October 8th, 2012
1:58 pm
OK….Here I am.
Just so you know that was a cheap shot on RGIII by Witherspoon. I bet he gets fined by the NFL. If not for that cheap shot, Falcants would have lost.
You know it.
Seen and the Saints have Shat the bed…..A GREAT LEGAL hit by the spoon….No fine coming just praises…Clean yourself up Seen…you and your team stink
LOL at The Aints
October 8th, 2012
3:53 pm
Trainer. RG3, whats the Score, RG3, I’m Batman!,, LOL!
D man
October 8th, 2012
3:56 pm
DOL – Agree on all counts for once.
Offense B- (The offense did struggle for 3 quaters but like great teams, they woke up in time to score 17 in the 4th quarter)
Defense B- (The defense did look great on 3rd downs. They would have got an A+ if they would have stopped that 1 long TD pass)
D man
October 8th, 2012
4:00 pm
Seen – hey your Saints pulled out a tight game last night. You must be feeling better.
Democratic Plantation Dweller – Is that ruling or ruining?
Dirty Bird – Ditto
AlanFalcon
October 8th, 2012
4:22 pm
Dent, what in the world made the Falcons think that he was ready as a MLB, and to go a step further what made them think that Mike Peterson was a reliable back up, this one position is going to cost us before the year is out.
Dallas Falcon
October 8th, 2012
4:24 pm
Great win, but too many mistakes; turnovers on offense and gave up too many rushing yards on defense. The middle linebacker position is a problem. Dent misses a lot of tackles, he’s got to get better or the formula will be to run the ball down their throats. Never thought I’d see a Falcons team where pass defense was the strength of the team.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 8th, 2012
4:26 pm
Jake — After the bye week, there is a three week evaluation period before they have to make a decision.
AlanFalcon
October 8th, 2012
4:27 pm
Seen, quit worrying about Witherspoon, the hit was clean as RG3 was trying to do to much and got creamed. Now worry about something important, your team would have lost if it weren’t for the umps giving you’ll all those calls at the end, face it the Saints stink.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 8th, 2012
4:33 pm
HEY TYRUS — Haven’t seen Coach T or JJ today. We’ll get updated on that one later. I think Julio is the one not breaking off routes. Ray Edwards played only 13 percent (13 of 49) snaps vs. Washington. Not sure on Antone Smith. Coach Smith didn’t go into detail on Antone when I asked about the injured players today.
Sean
October 8th, 2012
4:40 pm
A “C” for DB’s?!? Really?!? They gave up 1 big play the entire game….I think you might have graded them a little harsly. Aside from that 1 big play, they came up with 2 big INT’s to seal the game. Does anyone know what happened on that play, by the way? Looked like a huge blown coverage and/or miscommunication?
Realfalconfan
October 8th, 2012
4:55 pm
Hey when do we get peters back the line needs help
Michael M.
October 8th, 2012
5:11 pm
Can’t help but laugh about the pitiful win by the Caints last night……………………with all that poor tackling by their defense I was really surprised they were able to stop the chargers ……………….but then again they actually got many breaks from the officials calling the game and the last drive by the chargers trying to come back and tie it up……………oh man, those chargers were robbed on that final series…………………………I can’t wait until we get to play the Caints……………..really looking forward to it………………………..hahahahahehehehehahahaheheheheheeeeeeeee
Fan
October 8th, 2012
5:43 pm
Dent is not pulling his weight. The inside linebacker should be feared. Dent is a sheep. Teams will continue to run on us until this is corrected.
Michael smith
October 8th, 2012
5:47 pm
There goes our Michael .M (MORON)… Don’t you realize every team kind of figures out Failcons defense by now. Failcons barely won last 2 games. Save all that trash talk for Raiders. No matter how bad Saints are right now, they will stick kick Failcons a$$ twice a year. Lol
Michael smith
October 8th, 2012
5:49 pm
Even if failcons go 14-2 (offcourse those 2 losses to Saints) they still can’t win a playoff game even if its a georgia dome. I guess you need to score more than 2 pts to win a playoff game.
JoeFann
October 8th, 2012
6:00 pm
Don’t think I can agree with the A on the OLine. Sure, Matt’s healthy but it should take more than 3 yards per carry for the A. B, B+, OK, but A’s require 4.5+ ypc. Still a struggle in short yardage, even with “elephants.” Props to Dunta on his most visible game yet. Also to ASamuel, for the hard work and sharing the wisdom with all the DBs. It’s showing.
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
October 8th, 2012
6:05 pm
Ok guys i have to say i think your being a little harsh on our run defense yes i think we need to tighten it up a bit but our defense was able to stop the run when it mattered the most aside from a few big plays given up our defense played shut out. @seenb4 the weatherspoon hit was clean when quarterbacks run with the ball they are deemed a running back and therefore treated like one , RGIII made the choice to run with the ball and weatherspoon made him pay for it hands down. So get the illegal hit bull outta here, our o line played great i just think turner is having a hard time finding the holes and cutting to the outside, as for matt ryans mishaps, there werent really a whole lot but we gotta take into account these guys were playing in the rain and playing in the rain is alot more difficult, but even though there was rain they played well and more than good enough to win. RGIII gettin hurt probably helped the skins because as we all could see we shut RGIII down he got knocked out in the third quarter and had less than 100 yards throwing and not much on the ground either, our defense was dominant and for that we should be extatic go falcons lets get to 6 and 0 next week and hit the bye for some serious rest and recouperating but please stay on your game we are coming into the harder part of the schedule and a butt load of division games
Michael M.
October 8th, 2012
6:09 pm
@Michael smith……………hahahahahahehehehe, the cain’ts ?……….lmao
Loyalfalconfrmthemississippi
October 8th, 2012
6:17 pm
Aints fans still livin in the past how pathetic the leagues moved on to this year u should too
SawThat1nce
October 8th, 2012
6:39 pm
It looked like the Chargers were going to bury the Taints, until that rookie tapped the runt’s(Brees) facegaurd with his helmet, and the taints got one of those ole-timey ‘NFL-Taints-favorable-calls’, that brought that interception that resulted in a Chargers TD, back.
SawThat1nce
October 8th, 2012
6:43 pm
Just the same ole do-do, a taint’s ‘win’, via the NFL’s officials, assistance.
Falcon James
October 8th, 2012
7:02 pm
I watched the Charger and Saint game last night too. I was appauled that they still have the Ref’s on the payroll and feeling sorry for them. That win will have a asteresk by it just like the Super Bown win. Sad. As far as I am concerned the Saint are still OhFur.
UPGRAYEDD
October 8th, 2012
7:23 pm
F to the national news media. Dirty Birds still don’t get any respect.
True Falcon Fan
October 8th, 2012
8:05 pm
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!