Atlanta Falcons: ‘Very fortunate’ to be 6-0 at the bye
The Falcons enter their bye week as the only undefeated team in the NFL with a two-victory lead over the rest of the NFC.
They don’t talk like a 6-0 squad, though, because they have hardly looked the part of a juggernaut.
That’s probably why, following Atlanta’s 23-20 victory over Oakland on Sunday, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan cited the team’s undefeated record on the one hand and acknowledged troublesome trends on the other.
“We’ve been good enough to win and at the end of the day, that’s what you need to do,” Ryan said. “I think it’s going to be important for us, this bye week, to try and find ways for us to play our best and to look critically at ourselves and try and improve.”
Style doesn’t count in the standings, but the quality of Atlanta’s play is regressing even as the victories keep coming.
Atlanta’s problems both running the ball and stopping the run are still apparent and the secondary’s knack for making big plays has masked problems with pass coverage and tackling. Atlanta’s offensive line play has been inconsistent and the limitations of a pass-heavy offense reliant on Ryan are starting to show.
The Falcons have some time to sort things out. Their next game is Oct. 28 at Philadelphia.
“Our goal is try to be better tomorrow than today,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said Monday. “There are times that we take steps forward and times we take steps back.”
While earning another another victory Sunday, Atlanta took another step back after opening the season with convincing victories against the Chiefs, Broncos and Chargers. The Falcons got past Oakland (1-4) only when Matt Bryant kicked a 55-yard field goal with one second left in the game.
It was the third time in three games Atlanta had to rally to win in the fourth quarter.
“This game took a lot out of us as a defense (so) this off week, in those respects, is right on time,” Falcons defensive back Dunta Robinson said. “We’ve still got a long season ahead of us. We are not where we want to be. We are 6-0 going into the bye (but) we know we are going to get everybody’s best shot so we’ve got to take it to another level.”
The Raiders found themselves stride for stride with the Falcons with a suddenly rejuvenated offense and some ball-hawking defense. Smith said close games between seemingly mismatched opponents and upset losses in the NFL reinforce the notion that “each week is a hard battle.”
Still, the Falcons have yet to play a contender. The combined record of their six opponents, discounting their losses to Atlanta: 11-15.
Smith and his staff have plenty to work on during the off week.
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter prefers a balanced attack but last week said the best approach was to put the game in Ryan’s hands because the quarterback’s play had been superlative. That strategy didn’t pay dividends against Oakland; Ryan wasn’t as sharp while tossing three interceptions.
Ryan faced a heavy pass rush and Atlanta had virtually no running game to relieve the pressure. Ryan’s 15-yard scramble was its longest run of the game. The Falcons totaled 45 yards on 15 attempts after gaining 83 yards on 28 attempts at Washington the week before.
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, stressing that winning is the bottom line, acknowledges that his unit’s struggles to stop the run could eventually cost the Falcons. That nearly happened against the Raiders, who churned out 149 yards on 32 attempts. Shoddy tackling has become another issue.
The Falcons will address those weaknesses and others.
“I think the really good thing about this football team is they are not satisfied,” Smith said. “There is a desire in there to play better football. We’ve been very fortunate.”
LATEST NEWS
Q&A: Falcons coach Mike Smith on first practice after the bye week
Tight end Michael Palmer (shoulder injury) returned to practice on Monday
Defensive tackle Corey Peters (stress fracture left foot) returned to practice on Monday
OTHER RECENT STORIES
Nicholas held out of practice with ankle injury
5-0 start boosts Falcons’ TV ratings
Tony Dungy tells Mike Smith, ‘Get Michael Turner back involved’
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238 comments Add your comment
booger
October 20th, 2012
9:24 am
better learn to tackle, look like Dawg defense,,,,,,,,,,,,
Chris Redman
October 20th, 2012
11:58 am
I wonder why I cannot find another NFL job
Answer This
October 20th, 2012
12:03 pm
I dont doubt we need to run more….Turner will do that and I also dont doubt we 6-0
Just Sayin.....
October 20th, 2012
12:06 pm
Shady McCoy make breat Adrian Peterson’s record next week.
Just Sayin…..
Just Sayin.....
October 20th, 2012
12:10 pm
A.J. Green leads the NFL in receiving yards. First the Ravens with Flacco vs Ryan and now the Bengals with Green vs Julio. Dimitroff what’s up with that?
Just Sayin…..
Just Sayin.....
October 20th, 2012
12:13 pm
Ryan may have the regular season stats but he has gone 4 more seasons longer than the previous franchise qb to win in the playoffs.
Just Sayin…..
Answer This
October 20th, 2012
12:41 pm
Hmmmm lets see….many teams…..sorry EVERY team in the NFL has problems…the deal is can you overcome your problems and still win? For three weeks we have. Dont care if we look like wounded Falcons doing so….we still were birds of prey and we won despite the errors or miscuses…the sign of a good team! Yes we 3-0 in the playoffs…i notice how many harp on that…the real deal is and remains the same…we 6-0 right now and the job is to get to the playoffs and change your winning precentage. Who cares about dropped passes (still 6-0 and still cant cover my receivers!) Who cares about that 154 yards on the ground…has not helped 6 teams to beat us! We care about winning! We have moved forward and we dont look in the past because if we do we will never be successful…..many of you could use that life lesson cause if you focus on the past in your personal life you do these Falcons you are doomed to fail!
BobPritchard
October 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
As Tony the Tiger used to say, ITS GREAT!!!!!!!!! that the Falcons have soared to the top of the power rankings in the NFL all the way the No. 1 ranked team in the NFL. That has to be a first, although their have been two other Falcon teams that were qualified to be ranked as high–1980 and 1998. My question, however, is where will the falcons be ranked after this season is completely over and when the superbowl champion is crowned. I hope the superbowl winner will be the Falcons, because if it is not, then the current ranking means absolutely NOTHING. I hope that mike smith and the Falcons will stay grounded and not pay much attention to the bulletin board material of the Falcons incredible ranking and just have LASER FOCUS ON THE SEASON to finish strong, make the playoffs as the overall #1 seed in the league, AND STEAMROLL THEIR WAY TO THEIR FIRST TITLE. Look the Braves did it in 1995 so I believe it is the Falcons turn this year. The Falcons could have won the superbowl in 1998, but with the Eugene Robinson fiasco prior to the game causing a major distraction for the players, coupled with their lack of confidence of being the best team–although the Falcons had just beaten the team with the best record in the league in the Vikings in the playoffs, the Falcons didnt believe they were better than the Broncos and let the Broncos beat them in the superbowl. This year the Falcons may not have the best talent in the league–but they sure have enough to win the superbowl in my opinion. No other team has three deep threats as good as Gonzales, White and Julio and with Turner running hard, and a much improved defensive scheme, coupled with a better offensive scheme (what both new offensive and defensive coordinators have provided thus far) the Falcons are talented enough to get the job done. I hope they dont blow it because the city of Atlanta is starving for a champion. In the last 100 years, only the Braves have turned the trick, and the other major franchises have failed miserably, even the teams that were here and have left (Thrashers and Flames). I hope that the Falcons can win their superbowl legitimately and not have to do what the New Orleans Saints did by using a bounty program to become champions. I agree with Roger Goddell and I hope the Saints are stripped of their superbowl championship. Go Falcons—finish the drill and become champions of the world!
SeenThisB4
October 20th, 2012
7:50 pm
Your team is going to choke BobPrichard; it’s in their nature.
okeetee
October 20th, 2012
8:00 pm
“many of you could use that life lesson cause if you focus on the past in your personal life you do these Falcons you are doomed to fail!”
….how about “those who fail to learn from history or the past…..are doomed to repeat it!”
okeetee
October 21st, 2012
8:49 am
Any Falcon fans here that would NOT be happy with 5-5 in our next 10 games, winning the division and hosting the first playoff game??? I for one, would be ecstatic!
Esquire
October 21st, 2012
8:57 am
BobPritchard
October 20th, 2012
5:06 pm
the Falcons didnt believe they were better than the Broncos and let the Broncos beat them in the superbowl.
**********************************************************
I don’t buy that at all. The Eugene Robinson arrest was a huge distraction. Did they lose focus? Yes. I knew Sunday morning as soon as I heard about the arrest that we had little chance.
Doug Farmer
October 21st, 2012
9:16 am
I think the fortunate implies they got there without contributing, but it took a lot of hard work to be where the Falcons are at. They have made some errors but are a very good team. I have been a fan since their inception and am very happy to see such a good team. “RISE UP FALCONS”
Esquire
October 21st, 2012
9:17 am
Since NFC South inception winning division records:
2002-03 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12–4 Won Super Bowl XXXVII (Raiders) 48–21
2003-04 Carolina Panthers 11–5 Lost Super Bowl XXXVIII (Patriots) 32–29
2004-05 Atlanta Falcons 11–5 Lost NFC Championship (Eagles) 27-10
2005-06 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 11–5 Lost Wild Card Playoff (Redskins) 17-10
2006-07 Caints 10–6 Lost NFC Championship (Bears) 39–14
2007-08 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9–7 Lost Wild Card Playoff (Giants) 24–14
2008-09 Carolina Panthers 12–4 Lost Divisional Playoff (Cardinals) 33–13
2009-10 Caints 13–3 Won Super Bowl XLIV (Colts) 31–17 *Cheated*
2010-11 Atlanta Falcons 13–3 Lost Divisional Playoff (Packers) 48-21
2011-12 Caints 13–3 Lost Divisional Playoff (49ers) 36-32
The NFC South is the only division since the 2002 realignment to have each of its teams make a conference championship game appearance: Tampa Bay (2002), Atlanta (2004), Carolina (2003 and 2005), and Caints (2006 and 2009). All four teams have also made a Super Bowl appearance: Atlanta, when they were in the NFC West Division, (XXXIII), Tampa Bay (XXXVII), Carolina (XXXVIII), and Caints (XLIV). All four members of the NFC South have made postseason appearances before entering the division in 2002. Also since 2002, each team has won at least two division titles, the only such division in the league.
Falcon Freddie
October 21st, 2012
9:38 am
Who could complain? Go complain to a Saints fan with our 6-0 record. Enjoy it while we can. WE could lose half of the remaining games with this negativity if it hits the actual team
Nghia
October 21st, 2012
10:42 am
I agreed the criticism seems to be more than the praise, and we’re 6-0, the best at this point in the season. I believe the momentum will continue, and I will support the team until we’re achieve The 2007 New England Patriots record.
james
October 21st, 2012
11:17 am
We need to pick up a running back. Turner is slow, Rogers is disappointing. We need a true dangerous , steady running back. Our group does not cut it.
Saints are #1
October 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
How did you like the we way we put it to the Smucs today? Don’t you wish you people were Saints Fans now?
Uh never mind, just stay losers.
Royalty1
October 21st, 2012
10:50 pm
hesitate to say it, but i think antoine smith needs to see more time than rodgers right now!!!!
Kandy Krowley
October 21st, 2012
11:30 pm
The Aints are not #1. The bounty boys defense is 29th in pts allowed at 30.3 per game, 30th in passing yards at 305.2, 31st in rushing yards at 160.3, and dead last in total yards allowed at 465.5. The Aints gave up 513 yards to the mighty Bucs!
The only two teams that have given up more points than the Aints are KC and Washington. Both of those teams defeated the Who Dats in NO!
Looking at the schedule, the Aints will lose 10 or more games. A 2-4 record and the toughest part of the schedule is coming up. A top 10 draft pick is within the grasp of the team with the intimidating lily flower on their helmets.
BravesFan79
October 21st, 2012
11:34 pm
The Falcons should try and make a trade with Pitt for Jonathan Dwyer out of GT. Tonight he ran 17 times for 122 yards, and reminds me alot of Jerome Bettis. He is their 3rd string RB, so obviously pitt cant ask for 2 much in return. One thing forshure after watching him tonight, hes better than Turner!
Paddy
October 22nd, 2012
12:39 am
Ed……….who in the world cares if ESPN gives the Falcons any credit. The players and coaches sure don’t. Why do you care? Nobody has taken ESPN seriously for 10 years.
Preston Thompson
October 22nd, 2012
8:14 am
I’ve followed the Falcons since they first drafter Tommy Nobis. Now that was a hard nosed nut cracker. The Falcons today do not play the same football as then. Then you saw nobody parade around the field after making a tackle. Maybe a hand shake be a teammate but that was it. The biggest thing then was the team. Now it’s all about the individual. What team?
But the thing now is football has changed so that they now have a 6—-0 record. How I don’t know, but so far each game has ended with the Falcons ahead. So that means they’re winning. The problem I see with the team now is they don’t play as a team. Now some try to but the others are so bound by ” look at me and see what I can do”. Till that attitude is overcome you will see the birds squeak by but probably still win. The great teams play team football. Just wait till the birds learn that and you’ll see just how good they can be.
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
9:40 am
Saints are #1
October 21st, 2012
6:11 pm
How did you like the we way we put it to the Smucs today? Don’t you wish you people were Saints Fans now?
Uh never mind, just stay losers.
*************************************************
This is intended to be humor…………right? Cause if it ain’t it’s funny as S___!!
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
11:21 am
So DLed, are we going to be able to write Viceroy Ichiban Cooter Kooter’s name as we come into preparation for the Eagles??
Grape Nuts are neither grapes or nuts
October 22nd, 2012
1:37 pm
Anyone have a good Shepard pie recipe?
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
1:47 pm
30 Minute Shepherd’s Pie – Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes, such as russet, peeled and cubed
2 tablespoons sour cream or softened cream cheese
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup cream, for a lighter version substitute vegetable or chicken broth
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan
1 3/4 pounds ground beef or ground lamb
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup beef stock or broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire, eyeball it
1/2 cup frozen peas, a couple of handfuls
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions
Boil potatoes in salted water until tender, about 12 minutes. Drain potatoes and pour them into a bowl. Combine sour cream, egg yolk and cream. Add the cream mixture into potatoes and mash until potatoes are almost smooth.
While potatoes boil, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil to hot pan with beef or lamb. Season meat with salt and pepper. Brown and crumble meat for 3 or 4 minutes. If you are using lamb and the pan is fatty, spoon away some of the drippings. Add chopped carrot and onion to the meat. Cook veggies with meat 5 minutes, stirring frequently. In a second small skillet over medium heat cook butter and flour together 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and vegetables. Stir in peas.
Preheat broiler to high. Fill a small rectangular casserole with meat and vegetable mixture. Spoon potatoes over meat evenly. Top potatoes with paprika and broil 6 to 8 inches from the heat until potatoes are evenly browned. Top casserole dish with chopped parsley and serve.
Eat.
Grape Nuts are neither grapes or nuts
October 22nd, 2012
2:05 pm
I should of said a recipe that is not from Rachel Ray.
True story, she was once confused for a teen aged boy.
Her favorite cooking tool is a can opener, she is a horrible tipper and has a drinking problem.
General Bortswagger III
October 22nd, 2012
2:07 pm
Hey DOL…..What did you do the past week? You certainly didn’t write. You know, there was other NFL stuff happening.
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Martha Stewart’s Shepherd’s Pie
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef chuck
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 box (10 ounces) frozen mixed vegetables (no need to thaw)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
3 cups mashed potatoes
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Heat a large (5-quart) heavy pot or Dutch oven over high. Cook beef, breaking up meat with a spoon, until no longer pink, 4 to 5 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
Add thyme, ketchup, and flour; stir until combined. Add 1/2 cup water and vegetables. Cook until vegetables are warmed through and liquid has thickened, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Spoon beef mixture into a 2-quart baking dish. Spread potatoes evenly over beef; using a fork, decorate potatoes with lines and peaks. Place dish on a rimmed baking sheet, and bake until potatoes are lightly browned, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve.
Eat.
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Hey DLed, the trolls aren’t even bothering with this thread……………….we’re bored to tears and recipes.
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
2:49 pm
“other NFL stuff happening.”
What a novel idea!
Seriously Falcants' fans....???
October 22nd, 2012
3:01 pm
The Falcants’ may be 6-0, but trust me they will NOT get past the first game in the playoffs. They will flop as usual. Winning by a field goal is NOT a good win. The Falcants’ are known for winning by only a field goal or two. So sad. A good win is when you win by touchdowns + field goals…NOT just field goals!
D
October 22nd, 2012
4:04 pm
congratulations to the aints on their second win of the season. On pace for 5-11. good job.
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
6:00 pm
Seriously Falcants’ fans….???
October 22nd, 2012
3:01 pm
The Falcants’ may be 6-0, but trust me they will NOT get past the first game in the playoffs. They will flop as usual. Winning by a field goal is NOT a good win. The Falcants’ are known for winning by only a field goal or two. So sad. A good win is when you win by touchdowns + field goals…NOT just field goals!
**************************************************
WELCOME TROLL………..!! Man are we glad you are here. Listen dunce hat, why would I trust you. So winning by 3 points is a bad win? hmmmmmm
Super Bowl XXXVI
Feb. 3, 2002
Louisiana Superdome
New Orleans, Louisiana
MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England
St. Louis Rams 17
New England Patriots 20
Super Bowl XLIII
Feb. 1, 2009
Raymond James Stadium
Tampa, Florida
MVP: Santonio Holmes, WR, Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Arizona Cardinals 23
(I know it’s 4 points but I figure if you can’t spell your math is probably not that great either)
Super Bowl XLII
Feb. 3, 2008
U. of Phoenix Stadium
Glendale, Arizona
MVP: Eli Manning, QB, New York
New York Giants 17
New England Patriots 14
Super Bowl XXXVIII
Feb. 1, 2004
Reliant Stadium
Houston, Texas
MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England
Carolina Panthers 29
New England Patriots 32
Super Bowl XXV
Jan. 27, 1991
Tampa Stadium
Tampa, Florida
MVP: Ottis Anderson, RB, New York
Buffalo Bills 19
New York Giants 20
Super Bowl V
Jan. 17, 1971
Orange Bowl
Miami, Florida
MVP: Chuck Howley, LB, Dallas
Baltimore Colts 16
Dallas Cowboys 13
And one last one:
Super Bowl XXXIII
Jan. 31, 1999
Pro Player Stadium
Miami, Florida
MVP: John Elway, QB, Denver
Denver Broncos 34
Atlanta Falcons 19
Well just damn!
The point being, you just don’t get an invitation to show up at the Big Dance and it really doesn’t matter what the final score is………………it’s the “W” and right now the MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS have 6 in the W column. A good win…………..what the hell is that?
Flop as usual? Admittedly in recent seasons they haven’t exactly excelled in the playoffs but look at what they have accomplished since Petrino and Viceroy Ichiban Cooter Kooter almost left this team in total ruins. I have not a clue how this season will pan out but our Birds are looking really good and this is damn fun!! By the way, do you remember that the KC Chiefs have a Super Bowl win in their record? Do you know how little that means to most football fans now? It’s not yesterday man, it’s the here and now.
Esquire
October 22nd, 2012
6:06 pm
5-6-7-8
Everywhere we goooO,
Everywhere we goooO,
People wanna knooOw,
People wanna knooOw,
Who we aaa are,
Who we aaa are,
So we tell theem, So we tell theem,
We are the FALCONS!! We are the FALCONS!!
MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS, MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS !!
OHH AHH OHH YEEAHH
Kandy Krowley
October 22nd, 2012
8:28 pm
Rachel Ray was once for confused for a teenage boy! That’s funny, I was once confused for a journalist. And Rach’ gives bad tips! So do I!
Eagles are 2 1/2 pt favorites at home this Sunday. I think the red birds will bring the W back to ATL.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
October 23rd, 2012
12:01 am
General Bortswagger III – I took my last week of vacation if that’s OK with you! Cunningham was in charge!