Report card: Falcons’ grades for win over Raiders
Here are the Falcons’ grades for the 23-20 nail-bitter over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday.
C-plus — Quarterbacks: Ryan has his worst game of the season. He completed 24 of 37 passes for 249 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. His passer rating of 59.4 was his lowest since he posted a 50.6 in a 17-10 loss at Houston on Dec. 4, 2011. This would have been a ‘D’ if he didn’t complete 5 of 6 passes in the game-winning drive.
F — Running backs: The Falcons have their power rushing game in moth balls somewhere. They had 15 rushes for 45 yards and quarterback Matt Ryan had the longest gain, 15 yards. Sounds like Michael Turner is getting tired of all the pass-happiness. Jeff Schultz column.
A — Receivers: Julio Jones (15.8 yards per catch), Roddy White (12.0) and Tony Gonzalez (10.5) averaged more than 10 yards per catch. White’s 4-yard touchdown catch was his fourth of the season and 49th of his career. He currently ranks third on the club’s all-time receiving touchdowns list behind Terance Mathis (57) and Andre Rison (56).
B-minus — Offensive line: The unit gave up just one sack, but did allow nine quarterback hits. The protection was solid on most throws, but was a factor in Ryan’s third interception when a linebacker – Ex-Georgia Tech standout Philip Wheeler — was not picked up by a back. The team’s inability to run the ball in short yardage situation was exposed when they couldn’t run it in from the 2-yard line. After an incomplete pass, Turner picked up a yard and Jason Snelling was dropped for a yard loss.
A — Defensive line: Defensive end John Abraham and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux had strong games. Abraham had five tackles, three sacks, two quarterback hits and a forced fumble. “John Abraham had a monster game,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. Babineaux had five tackles, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
C — Linebackers: Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon and cornerback Dunta Robinson tied for the team lead with nine tackles. Stephen Nicholas, who was coming off an ankle injury, played only on special teams. Mike Peterson played in the base defense and Akeem Dent took over for Nicholas in the nickel. Peterson whiffed on a tackle on Denarius Moore, who went on to score a 25-yard touchdown. Dent had eight tackles.
C-minus — Defensive backs: Asante Samuel picked a perfect time to get his first interception with the Falcons. He returned it 79 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Raiders passed for 353 yards. Denarius Moore had five catches for 104 yards and one touchdown.
A — Special teams: Matt Bryant’s 55-yard field goal was his second game-winner this season. The kick was the second longest of his career and his longest as a Falcon. It was his 14th game-winning kick. Since joining the Falcons in 2009, Bryant has connected on 21 of 28 field goal attempts from 40 yards-or-deeper, including all five of his game winners. Punter Matt Bosher had a good day striking the ball. He had excellent hang time on his punts and averaged 52.8 yards on four punts.
B — Coaching: The Falcons managed to get a win while playing some sub-standard football. The tackling was shoddy, Matt Ryan tossed three interceptions and they are searching for a rushing attack. With all of that, the Falcons still found a way to become the league’s only undefeated team.
NEXT UP: The Falcons (6-0) travel to play the Philadelphia Eagles (3-3) at 1 p.m. Oct. 28 at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are also on their bye week.
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112 comments Add your comment
Cleveland Ave. Turk
October 15th, 2012
11:32 am
Shot out to the real!!!!……Kill Yaself to the frauds..
Michael M.
October 15th, 2012
11:33 am
STB4 must being staying drunk off that whiskey he was trying to sell……..hehehehe….must be on his knees with head in his hands in dispair knowing his team can’t catch us now…………………………………..
Now I know Falcons have problems here and there, but at the end of the game and you got the W is what counts ………………………
Esquire
October 15th, 2012
11:35 am
Make it a Fantastic Flying High Falcon Day!!
Esquire out!!!
Michael M.
October 15th, 2012
11:35 am
Atlanta takes the Eagles and Cowboys they will still swear Falcons have not played anybody………………………..hehehehe
monty
October 15th, 2012
11:38 am
Offensive line was offensive! C- at best, and only due to not completely abandoning Ryan when passing. Most troubling was who they were playing so bad against. Pass defense was good at times and atrocious at times. Raider receivers running loose with no one within 10 yards of them way too often?Smoke and mirrors so far. Hoping for the best but we’ve been down this road before, anyone remember getting exposed by Green Bay?
Michael M.
October 15th, 2012
11:44 am
Green Bay played lights out on the Texans last night,of course I already was expecting Houston to lose and leave Atlanta undefeated………………………..all alone.
Lick Skillet
October 15th, 2012
11:52 am
This is not the BCS this is the NFL and the HOMETOWN is 6-0!!! Style points don’t matter just W’s… The party is at my house if yall aint scared to come to the westside to Da ‘Ville!!! Adamsville for all yall that don’t know!!!
Big Crimson 75
October 15th, 2012
11:54 am
MeAngelo is at it again.
Adrian Peterson says Hall slapped him in the face during the game yesterday.
Ray
October 15th, 2012
11:58 am
O-line deserves an ear full after yesterday.
Matt Ryan did mess up throwing the 3 ints, but 2 of them happened because of the o-line getting man handled and MR2 got hit twice was what I saw.
Cause I know that third int either he was trying to get it out of bounds or to TG(Tony) on the sideline, but you could tell he got hit with that one cause the ball was wobbling and floating.
Look I’m glad for 6-0 don’t get it twisted, but this 6-0 doesn’t feel good with me because I realize we can’t keep living on the edge every week especially against bad teams.
THE REF'
October 15th, 2012
12:11 pm
please get a MLB “please”
THE REF'
October 15th, 2012
12:14 pm
Stick with TURNER
Falcon James
October 15th, 2012
12:20 pm
In all honesty, the Falcon has seemed to digress the past three games. The teams have not gotten tougher but the Falcon have struggled for the victory. I was pretty upset that the Falcon could not score a TD from the 1.5 yard line and could not move the football 6″ on the same drive. I like the 6-0 start, but we cannot ride that for long. Reality says, we need to get back to playing hard nosed football. The minute we relax is the minute a team like the Eagles will make an example out of us. Nice to be undefeated, but to keep it that way will take some work. The Falcon have a target on them and every other team in the NFL wants to be the one that say they beat them.
Joshua
October 15th, 2012
12:29 pm
There is no such thing as a troubling 6-0. Good grief.
Joshua
October 15th, 2012
12:33 pm
The Raiders were coming off a bye week and had twice as long to prepare for us, so nobody should be surprised at all that they played a tough game. It would have been a surprise had they not pushed us.
The fact is the Falcons are capable of utterly dominating good teams on the road and winning their bad games – which is the mark of an excellent team.
The Falcons should be considered a legit SB contender, if not the favorite.
If you don’t like that, go root for a team that has lost a game already.
Grape Nuts are neither grapes or nuts
October 15th, 2012
12:37 pm
I have an imposter.
My humor is far more sophisticated.
Joshua
October 15th, 2012
12:44 pm
Funny guy ^
If you can’t rebut an argument, just make homosexual jokes. Good strategy, for a witless wonder.
A letter to the Falcants fans
October 15th, 2012
12:57 pm
Dear false hubris fans:
Win something first…start with a playoff game and then try and make it to the SB, which we all kow is a long shot…..until then, you can’t talk smack….you have NO TROPHIES…sssshhhh…man, the truth hurts, huh?….you will NEVER have the stigma removed as a perennial loser until you win the SB like the Bucs and the Saints…so again, ssshhh….
Sincerely,
Well, you know who….
A letter to the Falcants fans
October 15th, 2012
12:59 pm
No SB trophy, no respect…fact….truth hurts…lmao…6-0 and you think you’re a championship team….lmao…
A letter to the Falcants fans
October 15th, 2012
1:00 pm
Trolling, trolling, trolling….FAILCANTS are so insecure and so easy to tweak…must be that lackofringitis disease..lmao…
FHZ
October 15th, 2012
1:02 pm
No Sidbury, Konz, or Holmes..
O-line is wearing down..
Among the top 3 Falcons DEs in their rotation:
Nobody gets sacks other than Abraham.. Yets their fastest DE/OLB gets no snaps..
DT Walker, but the Raiders do not have All-Pro guards..
They need to trade for another CB…
Packers, Giants, or Bears could still beat them in The GA. Dome if they start slow like that again..
Julio is a physical freak, but can he read coverages?
Can Ryan pass the ball to them in-stride without the WRs being pounded by opposing defenses?
Will their O-line not be pushed backwards?
FHZ
October 15th, 2012
1:03 pm
Do not get arrested during The Bye!!!!!!!!!!!
On track
October 15th, 2012
1:04 pm
Panthers and Raiders were coming off of a bye. Falcons just seemed to come out lackluster yesterday. O-line is definitely not doing their job. Don’t blame Ryan for any of those INTs… how can he throw when the line is getting pushed back into him? Whats up with the right side of the line Clabo? Is he injured? If so, put in Konz….Can’t believe we’re back to where we started last year. Great job being 6-0…lets keep it rolling.
FHZ
October 15th, 2012
1:06 pm
lol
Do not go hunting during the bye!!!
No crawling through the forests in their ranches..lol.
No “Beach Frisbee Football” in the Tropics!!!
No taking guns to clubs…
No taking drugs!
No fighting with the mothers of their children after being with another woman all week!
Jimmy Crack
October 15th, 2012
1:19 pm
So many problems! GAME OVER, MAN, GAME OVER!!
My grade on the ajc’s reporting on this team: D- (and it would have been an “F” if it wasn’t for spell check and the comment section).
6-0.
The Big Fat Blogger
October 15th, 2012
1:22 pm
Let’s forget about the O-Line issues for a minute and discuss the issues with the D-line and Middle Linebacker, we are very VULNERABLE against the run…… and minus John Abraham, we have zero pass rush!!!! Not trying to sound negative, but a little constructive criticism is needed in hopes that these problems are fixed…. before it comes back to bite us in the azz!!!!!!
Greg from Marietta
October 15th, 2012
1:36 pm
Don’t get me wrong I am a diehard Falcons fan and I am both astonished and proud of their monumental accomplishment of being 6 & 0. BUT they have given the good teams that they have yet to play a comprehensive film library of their glaring weaknesses. I have the utmost respect for coach Smith and his two coordinators BUT if they don’t do some radical changes and soon then the last two quarters of the season will be as ignominious as the first quarter has been ‘Glorious”!
Falcons Rule.
October 15th, 2012
1:42 pm
Greg from Marietta…..shut your pie-hole. This is the year folks….destiny is on our side. There is no biting us in the azz….Wake up people and appreciate this great team in front of your eyes!!! Mattie Ice is ELITE…..He brought the team to FG range in less than 40 seconds. Give the man his props.
Falcons Rule.
October 15th, 2012
1:45 pm
You clowns just keep doubting all the way to the superbowl……Falcons 19-0….Ice Man for MVP. Book it!!!!
Jeff
October 15th, 2012
1:55 pm
D. Led
O & D lines are struggling except for a couple of decent performances. No running game, especially when it counts – same as last year. D Line gave up a bunch.
What’s the latest on Corey Peters – we need him back in there.
Thanks,
Jonathan Vilma Heads Back to Court to Stop Suspension, and More NFC South News | Football Betting
October 15th, 2012
2:20 pm
[...] For the first time this year, both Matt Ryan and the running back corps got less-than-stellar grades from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
St Simons
October 15th, 2012
2:27 pm
we need large, vicious tackles & guards, and a pass rusher. Thats it.
they’re close- but yeah another quick exit in playoffs looms. really thats it
Getaway
October 15th, 2012
2:27 pm
Joshua – I get where you’re coming from, they’re 6-0 and there are no bad 6-0’s. I’m super excited about the Falcons. I think it’s a great statement about the completeness of our team that all three phases – offense, defense and special teams – can be counted on to contribute to the win.
My thing is, though, that with each win, my expectations have risen, right or wrong. They are a better team from top to bottom than the Raiders, and I think they should have played like it.They won and that is the important part, but I hope – no, I know – that they realize that they played down to their competition yesterday.
This one’s in the book, now let’s set the stage for taking it the Eagles and do to the NFC East what they did to the AFC West.
Jonathan Vilma Heads Back to Court to Stop Suspension, and More NFC South News | Scripting4You Blog
October 15th, 2012
2:34 pm
[...] For the first time this year, both Matt Ryan and the running back corps got less-than-stellar grades from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
Jonathan Vilma Heads Back to Court to Stop Suspension, and More NFC South News | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
October 15th, 2012
2:36 pm
[...] For the first time this year, both Matt Ryan and the running back corps got less-than-stellar grades from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
Joe
October 15th, 2012
2:37 pm
Im gonna go ballz deep on you DLED!!
don treply
October 15th, 2012
3:21 pm
B-minus — Offensive line:
Wow. Who has pictures of you?
Terrell
October 15th, 2012
3:59 pm
It’s so funny on these boards. Las year we complained about Turner running up the middle too much and begging to let Rodgers play more now people are doing the exact opposite. The truth is our oline has gotten better technique wise but they are not better talent wise. No holes to really run through and they don’t get to second level consistently enough to have a really good screen game.
old qb
October 15th, 2012
5:06 pm
Congrats to the Falcons 6–0 start. The bye couldn’t come at a better time. What have we learned at thispoint in the season? There’s a lot of talent is the good news.
The bad is just as I’ve said before the first regular season game is the Falcons are sooo vulnerable to injury in two critical areas. Abraham is still the only real pass-rush threat. If he goes down we’re in real trouble.
The second is at llinebacker. Nobody talks about how much Smitty and Nolan were hoping Tatupu would be the starting middle linebacker. Dent may someday become a force, but even with eight tackles they all took place beyond the line of scrimmage. There’s just no depth at this critical spot o the team.
DOL–Are there any linebackers worth a damn sittinng at home?
WS
October 15th, 2012
5:20 pm
We were worried about Baker, He is the best of the O-line. Clabo is bad, is he hurt? If they keep protecting Ryan like they did against Raiders, Ryan will never finish season, he will be Injured!
I do not think Reynolds is a guard, move him to right tackle an put Konz in at right guard or as they did last year, and let Hawley fill in at right guard.
Why draft this o-line and not play them.I think Smitty falls in love with his older players. You have too cut when they are finished, check out Pats and see if Belcheck keeps them!!!
DK is going to get usa beat my calling stupid plays, third and one, all big lineman in game and he throws a deep pass to Tony. Tony is a great TE, put he is not going to beat anyone deep. If you going to try why not Whie or Jones. I think get first down and go for it all.
Our last three game has been luck. Those teams should have never been in game at end. If we play the better teams like we played last three, we will get beat!!!!
WS
October 15th, 2012
5:24 pm
When Ryan goes down McCown will not take us to playoffs. He could not keep Gabbert on bench with Jags. And Gabbert is a bad QB. I would bet MM wish he had a Ryan for his QB!!! just saying
WS
October 15th, 2012
5:30 pm
There is not a runner on any NFL team that can run behind Falcon O-Line. I do see any improvement in line under Hill . I think they have regressed. Turner, Rodgers or Snell is not problem. I give Falcon line a grade of D!!! they are bad.
WS
October 15th, 2012
5:40 pm
I see you fans are still dreamng about falcons going to a superbowl. They have to be alot of changes on O-line and defense before that will happen. Maybe one and done in playoffs. Weak at linebacker, Abe only pass rusher, Samuels and Roberson only corners.
Give up almost 400 yards with Palmer at QB. I hate to see what will happen when Brees or Eli faces them!!!
Th
October 15th, 2012
6:29 pm
Did the Falcons give Biermann a series at OLB in the first half? Did anyone else notice they were playing four linemen plus him? Was this due to injuries or is Nolan trying out something?
rhaize r. Blaide
October 15th, 2012
6:35 pm
We wont go far (maybe not even win a game) in the playoffs if we dont do a better job of running the ball…..All season and even last we cant make 3rd and short…..Michael Turner leads the league in 1 and 2 yd runs……How about lets go get Jamaal Anderson back or even Jerious Norwood or Ernie Wheelwright or William Andrews…..I appreciate the fact that Turner doesnt fumble but he does not have any explosiveness anymore……Yeah, and about our OL……Where is Big Bob Whitfield these days or John Zook or George Kunz?????
Atomic B
October 15th, 2012
7:13 pm
How do you give the defensive line an “A” when they gave up 149 rushing yards to the 32nd ranked rushing attack in the NFL? If the linebackers got a “C”, the d-line deserved at a “B” at best, regardless of the pressure they got on Carson Palmer all day. Maybe the defensive ends deserved an “A” and the interior linemen deserved a “C”?
R OReilly
October 15th, 2012
7:34 pm
A win is a win. The Falcons have been on the other side of the coin. They are winning the games that that they are suppose to win.
phil
October 15th, 2012
9:39 pm
Fire someone!!
phil
October 15th, 2012
9:44 pm
No, a win is not a win when it foretells the doom to come….
coacht
October 15th, 2012
10:14 pm
This thread is gayjacked.
old man
October 15th, 2012
10:32 pm
What is up with Antone Smith? I’m a big fan, but are there some issues with him that prevent his preseason flashes from translating to the regular season? I have been a MT doubter, but I admit he has done better than last year. Quizz has fizzed. Very ineffective. Why not give some of his snaps to Smith? I would love to hear from someone who knows more than I do about Smith’s history with the club, why he has only 1 regular season carry with us, etc. I know he had a hamstring three weeks ago. Is that OK?