Report card: Falcons’ grades for ugly win over Cardinals
Here are the Falcons’ grades for the 23-19 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
F – Quarterbacks: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had a woeful day with five interceptions. He had thrown three interceptions just twice before in 71 regular-season NFL games. He had three earlier this season against Oakland on Oct. 14. He had three against New Orleans on Nov. 2, 2009 in a 35-27 loss. Ryan finished with a passer rating of 40.9, his lowest mark since the second game of his rookie season when he had a 29.6 against Tampa Bay on Sept. 14, 2008.
C – Running backs: Michael Turner had 15 rushes for 46 yards and a 1-yard touchdown run. Overall, the Falcons had 24 carries for 48 yards as they struggled to run the ball again. Jacquizz Rodgers had five carries for 16 yards. However, they were able to hammer out enough yards to help run out the clock in the fourth quarter. Turner’s touchdown run was his fifth and the 55th with the Falcons. He’s the team’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns and has posted 56 total touchdowns (55 rushing and one receiving) with the Falcons. On Sunday, he tied wide receiver Andre Rison for second place on the franchise’s all-time touchdowns list. He trails wide receiver Terance Mathis (57) by one score for a share of the record.
B – Receivers: With Julio Jones clearly slowed by his right ankle injury, Roddy White picked up the slack with eight catches for 123 yards. Harry Douglas chipped in with five catches for 48 yards and Rodgers had five catches for 35 yards. On the season, White has 62 catches for 946 yards with six touchdowns. He needs 54 yards to record his sixth consecutive 1,000-yard season.
B – Offensive line: The line was very strong in pass protection, but did have a few breakdowns against Arizona’s relentless blitz package. Ryan was sacked just once on 46 drop backs. The Cardinals had five quarterback hits. The run game continued to struggle as the running backs both averaged under 4 yards per carry. Turner averaged 3.1 yards per carry and Rodgers averaged 3.2 yards per carry.
A – Defensive line: Defensive end/tackle Jonathan Babineaux had a heads-up play on John Abraham’s sack-stripe of Cardinals quarterback Ryan Lindley. His touchdown was key to the victory. Also, Babineaux was the main beneficiary of the departed Ray Edwards’ snaps. He played defensive end in the base 4-3 defense, while Cliff Matthews and Jonathan Massaquoi also received snaps. Lawrence Sidbury was one of three players not to see any action in the game. (Backup quarterback Luke McCown and recently signed wide receiver Tim Toone did not play.) Abraham had two sacks to give him nine for the season and 121 over his career. He is the NFL’s active sack leader and is one of just 15 players in the NFL to record 120-or-more career sacks.
C – Linebackers: The second level is expected to stop any runs that get by the defensive lineman. This unit let out runs of 40 and 52 yards to the LaRod Stephens-Howling (22 carries for 127 yards and a touchdown). The 5-foot-7, 185-pounder has some speed. Akeem Dent and Stephen Nicholas had four tackles. Mike Peterson had three. Nicholas also dropped Arizona quarterback Ryan Lindley for a 14-yard sack when he ran over the top of fullback Anthony Sherman. “There were some big plays in the ball game,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I thought the sack by Stephen Nicholas, basically to get them out of field-goal range was one the turning points in that ball game.”
B – Defensive backs: Robert McClain filled in well at left cornerback with Asante Samuel going down with a right shoulder injury. McClain led the team in tackles with seven. Christopher Owens and Dominique Franks came on to play in the nickel and dime packages. Safety Thomas DeCoud appeared to hesitate on Howling’s 40-yard run instead of blowing up the ball carry with a big hit. With the ineffective Arizona quarterback play, the unit basically had the night off in pass coverage. The Falcons held Arizona to 13 percent third down conversion rate (2 of 16).
B – Specials teams: Franks broke loose for a 28-yard return in the third quarter. It was his longest return of the season. “The guys on the outside picked up their blocks and gave me a chance to get started,” Franks said. “That was the biggest key. We wanted to make a big play in the return game and we made one in the kickoff and the punt return game.” Rodgers had a 30-yard kickoff return. Bryant made all three of his attempts and has made 25 of 28 this season, including the last eight in a row. Bosher averaged 47 net yards on four punts. He placed two down inside the 20. Bryant moved past kicker Norm Johnson for sole possession of fourth place in the team’s record book for made field goals. Bryant has made 87 field goals since joining the club in 2009. Johnson (1991-94) made 84.
A-plus – Coaching: There is some genius in the fact that the Falcons were able to win when so much went wrong. From coach Mike Smith’s bad challenge flag toss to Matt Ryan’s uncharacteristic five interceptions, nothing seemed to work. Take the win and move on.
NEXT UP: The Falcons (9-1) face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in an NFC South showdown. With six games to play, the Falcons have a three-game lead over the Buccaneers and a four-game game lead over the Saints (5-5). The Panthers, who are 2-8, are out of the title race. A win over the Bucs and the Falcons would take a four-game lead with five to play.
LATEST NEWS
Struggling Falcons survive turnovers, Cardinals in 23-19 victory
Falcons coach Mike Smith admits to challenge flag blunder
Abraham, Babineaux make heads up play to score much-needed touchdown
Falcons quoteboard after 23-19 win over the Cardinals
Matt Ryan discusses his five interceptions
OTHER LATEST NEWS
Video: Falcons will try to regroup against the Cardinals, who have loss 5 in a row
Julio Jones held out of practice with an ankle injury
LaDainian Tomlinson, Marshall Faulk weigh-in on Falcons’ sub-par run game
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter on struggling run game: ‘Mike Turner . . . had no chance’
COACHES ALL 22 FILM REVIEW: 6 key plays in the 31-27 loss to the Saints
Falcons pull out 19-13 victory over Cowboys to improve to 8-0
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107 comments Add your comment
Cedric
November 19th, 2012
11:44 am
2 things; Why is the offense not using the no huddle hurry up mode when offense not getting anything going early and also when is Spoon 56 coming back to field. Need that swagger vs the run next few weeks. Go Birds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harpie
November 19th, 2012
11:52 am
You have to be kidding with that A+ for coaching! What game were you watching?
1998 NFC Champions
November 19th, 2012
12:04 pm
This is the third stinker the Falcons have laid at home this year against a lousy team (Carolina, Oakland, and Arizona). Give credit to the Birds for gutting these games out and finding ways to win, but an elite team should bury competition like that.
I really need to see a good performance in Tampa this week to feel better about the Falcons. It seems like we peaked early against Denver and San Diego and haven’t been the same team since.
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
November 19th, 2012
12:30 pm
Me Too
November 19th, 2012
6:35 am
A-plus – Coaching my @SS!!
@Me Too
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.
How many snaps did the coaches take?
Go Falcons
Starship 1
November 19th, 2012
12:31 pm
John Abraham cannot be the only Falcon, whether offense or defense-that has the mental wherewithall in a game to recognize what he did that made a huge difference in that game. I saw other Falcons just standing around, even though the whistle had not blown. What does this say? It says that many a Falcon player thinks that a win will or should be automatic for them-just because of their 8-1, now 9-1 record-but that is a very dangerous way to be thinking. I know I’m right-because the Falcons really are better than what they displayed, but you would’nt know it because of their attitude about the game. Forget New Orleans-the Cardinals game has got to be the “wake up” call for this team-it better be period.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
November 19th, 2012
12:31 pm
I totally agree that handing the ball to Turner is, 95% of the time, a wasted down.
I specifically watched yesterday the O-Line when Turner was handed the football. On several of those plays, there was a small hole opened by the O-Line but by the time Turner got there the hole had already closed with defenders. He is just too slow hitting the holes with the limited ability of the O-Line personnel that the Falcons currently have to even open a running lane. If the coaches keep utilizing Turner the team won’t be successful past the regular season. Don’t like saying it BUT….It is just a fact!!!!!
Sly Ty
November 19th, 2012
12:36 pm
Dear Fans, we have 9 wins and 1 lose. Sounds like we think the Falcons are the Cleveland Browns. No, according to our record, we are the #1 team in the NFL. The only team that played well yesterday was the Patriots. The same team who’s coach allowed his Probowl tight end to break his arm. WE WILL BE FINE…
B'Red
November 19th, 2012
12:36 pm
Matt Ryan gets frazzeled under pressure and thats when he make mistakes, other teams have picked up on that and will be putting he heat on him.
B'Red
November 19th, 2012
12:41 pm
He does not have the pressance in the pocket to step up or move to the side to avoid pressure and still make a play, he loses his composer under pressure.
1998 Was Our Year
November 19th, 2012
12:48 pm
No Team in the NFL has ever went deep into the Playoffs and won Super Bowl without a running game. Another great season for the Falcons but another playoff bust for the Falcons.
Rick James
November 19th, 2012
12:58 pm
One game and out for the Falcons again this season in the playoffs….
abby normal
November 19th, 2012
1:00 pm
Still can’t believe the Falcons won that game. Against just about anyone else we get waxed by at least two touchdowns. As for the grades, I would give Nolan an A for his second half adjustments. The head coach, however, no more than a C. How can you not know the rule regarding challenges? Cost us a good chance of keeping the drive alive.
And, another thing. Mike Smith is famous for saying “we’ll get that fixed” everytime something goes wrong. The run game is still pitiful and has been for a long time. How about it, Smitty? Tick tock, tick tock.
Man...
November 19th, 2012
1:08 pm
Anyone notice how, when Ryan starts throwing picks, he can’t stop?
3 in the first against the Raiders, and 3 in the first against the Cards.
I understand some were tipped, and etc.
But come on now.
These defenses seem to have his tendency down.
He’s not great when he rolls out either, threw one right to the DB on one.
Really needs to work on his passing lanes.
warfalcon
November 19th, 2012
1:21 pm
The OL is soft,that`s it.ONE GAME AT A TIME LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
warfalcon
November 19th, 2012
1:29 pm
Matt Ryan still does not have that wife thing down yet,he comes home from out of town and gets it put on him.He plays better on the road,he gets more rest. ONE GAME AT A TIME,LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Angry Carolina Panthers Pop off in Public, and More NFC South News | :: Sparxxrx LLC ::
November 19th, 2012
1:35 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution posted its report card from Atlanta’s 23-19 win over the Arizona [...]
Flacons loose the next 7 games
November 19th, 2012
1:42 pm
What a embrassment 4 the Flacons.
They need 2 strat the back up QB next week.
Turner needs 2 lin up at FB
Why havet they sighed Ovie yet?
This the worse I seen teh Falcons in years.
Maybe it time 4 a new caoch.
Say what
November 19th, 2012
1:45 pm
Why has the Falcon offense reverted to Mularkey/Smitty ball? This needs to be fixed ASAP. We’ve seen that show before. Use Turner late and Snelling and Quizz early.
What an idiot analyst
November 19th, 2012
1:47 pm
Offensive Line B.
ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….ROTFLMAO….
only in the mind of someone who is afraid to speak the truth.
When Ryan wasn’t running for his life he did fine. The Cardinals were able to put consistent pressure on Ryan right up the middle. No NFL QB is effective when pressured up the middle.
Editor
November 19th, 2012
1:48 pm
The offensive line is a joke.
Editor
November 19th, 2012
1:51 pm
@Man…
Just watch the film. Complete breakdowns on the offensive line. Falcons run deep routes which take time to develop combined with no blocking on running plays means heavy pressure on the QB. When Ryan has time to throw, he does well. Like most other elite QBs. The difference is the other elite QB’s have offensive lines that block. What is surprising is that Ryan isn’t injured.
RUSSELL
November 19th, 2012
2:04 pm
DO ANY OF YALL EVEN WATCH FOOTBALL…WE PLAYED A GREAT PASSED DEFENSE THAT WAS ON THERE A GAME I READ A POST AND IT SAD MATT RYAN PLAYING LIKE A ROOKIE WHEN HE UNDER PRESSURE…SMH EVERY QB GET RATTLED WHEN PRESSURE IN UR FACE..IM SURE NUN OF THOSE CRITICS EVER PLAYED AND TO SAY ANYTHING ABOUT THE BUCS AND CARDS DEFENSE IN THE SAME SENTENCE IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE CARDS BECAUSE HE BUCS HAS THE WORST DEFENSE PASS WISE IN DA LEAUGUE….MATT WILL PUT UP 4 OR MORE PASSING TD AGAINST THEM…WE PLAYED A HECK OF A GAME AGAINST A SOLID DEFENSE I TP MY HAT TO THEM THE FALCONS NEVER PLAYED THIS GOOD EVER SINCE 98…RISE UP WE GOING TO NEW ORLEANS AGAIN AND WE GONE CELEBRATE…
G
November 19th, 2012
2:17 pm
Matt Ryan threw most of those picks flat footed. The OLine did a pretty decent job blocking for the pass. Matt just took too long to let it go. But Matt has GOT to do a better job in reading defenses and going through his progressions. Hold the phone in calling this guy an “elite” QB.
Flacons loose the next 7 games
November 19th, 2012
2:24 pm
I say it time the Flacons bench Rayan and strat Mcnoun
Loose Caboose
November 19th, 2012
2:28 pm
Looks like Fish House is back…
Mike Morowski
November 19th, 2012
3:24 pm
Ryan had a terrible game, but you should probably only give the QB an “F” if his team loses.
Esquire
November 19th, 2012
3:25 pm
F – Quarterbacks: I dunno DLed, not all of the interceptions were Ryan’s fault….I go F+
A-plus – Coaching: I dunno DLed, Coach about cost us the game. Genius……? Naw, he promised the defense a 30 Oz T Bone Steak dinner if they got him out of that situation. That’s not genius, it’s bribery.
Esquire
November 19th, 2012
3:26 pm
Falcon James
November 19th, 2012
11:26 am
Just curious here…..how many people rolled they eyes and were not surprised by the result each and every time Turner was handed the ball.
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I rolled my eyes so much I thought I was getting a case of vertigo.
Esquire
November 19th, 2012
3:36 pm
Flacons loose the next 7 games
November 19th, 2012
1:42 pm
What a embrassment 4 the Flacons.
They need 2 strat the back up QB next week.
Turner needs 2 lin up at FB
Why havet they sighed Ovie yet?
This the worse I seen teh Falcons in years.
Maybe it time 4 a new caoch.
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Is this Joe Tess Fish House……….?? Buddy how we have missed you!! We’re workin’ on that new caoch situation really hard…….!!
Sighed Ovie? Ok, everybody together, a group sigh for Ovie…..!!
They need 2 strat the back up QB next week. OMG, didn’t they do that when they eviscerated William Wallace in Braveheart?
Dude, you are cruel.
mark
November 19th, 2012
3:53 pm
nolan for head coahc next year let smith go! he dosent have any cojones
GregKennesaw
November 19th, 2012
4:02 pm
reading these posts, you would never know that the Falcons have the best record in football!
mark
November 19th, 2012
4:04 pm
we got trick on spoon, low ankle injury? 3 weeks out? pfff lies. plus what is going on in the dome!!! we where used to see big games over there not bad games and matt ryan 5 int at home?, something is not working, they thought arizona was an easy game i bet they even train hard for that one, if kolb was playing we sure L the game, we got lucky very lucky that it was a 3 string qb, playoffs get real if u dont think so, look what have happend before!
Done
November 19th, 2012
4:23 pm
Are you helping Payton pack his bags for Dallas, ha ha ha !!!! The Aint’s will never amount to nothing. Coach is leaving and an old man for a QB tick tock tick tock ……
Done
November 19th, 2012
4:23 pm
Seen ^^^^^^^^ or neeS boy that will fake everyone out
Chris
November 19th, 2012
4:56 pm
48 rushing yds, 5 qb knockdowns and the O-line gets a B? A tad generous I’d say!
fishbone
November 19th, 2012
6:04 pm
I think the Cardinals went in to New England and used that pass defense to win…….and beat down Brady………..
D man
November 19th, 2012
6:49 pm
Seen – I’m with Esquire, we do pull for the Bucs when they play y’all…
Adogg36
November 19th, 2012
7:33 pm
Sign of a goood football team? Is a team dat can cme bac in clucth sitaution like yesterday.Falcon are a good team.But we have thing to work on.But Im inpressed wit da falcons.Falcon for life!!!!
Herpes Butter
November 19th, 2012
8:15 pm
Wow…..
Samuel
November 19th, 2012
8:21 pm
I think the play calling was a result of Julio Jones not being a hundred percent. He’s such an intergral part of what they want to do.However this guy continues to get bitten by the injury bug. down the stretch he has to stay on the field.
Hawes
November 19th, 2012
8:47 pm
Wow, can I go to your school? What an easy grader.
Three of Ryan’s picks were tipped passes, including one at the LOS that should be on the OL for letting the guy not only get his hand up, but get six inches of elevation.
No one on the offensive side of the ball deserves more than a C.
Joe
November 19th, 2012
10:16 pm
The QB gets an F? That is a little rough dont you think, he did win the game. Yes it was as ulgy as anything I have seen, but still, he won. I would say a C-
Barry
November 19th, 2012
10:36 pm
FALCONS DON’T RUN A “RUN ZONE BLOCKING SCHEME!! I WISH THEY DID. BRING BACK JOE GIBB FROM HOUSTON. HE WOULD FIX THIS LINE RUN BLOCKING THAT IS NON- EXISTANT RIGHT NOW. THE PROBLEM LIES WITH THE SCHEME AND THE PERSONNEL. WHAT THE FALCONS DON’T REALIZE THST THEY CAN’T RUN LIJE THEY DID IN THE PST WITH TURNER , ESPECIALLY AGSINST DIVISION FOES, IS THAT THE OPPOSITION UPGRADED OVER THE YEARS TO STOP TURNER WITH THIS SAME LIBE. THEY HAVE BECOME BIGGER AND STRONGER WITH NEW PERSONNEL TO OVERPOWER THIS OFFENSIVE THIS OFFENSIVE LINE. I KNOW WE CAN’T CHANGE THIS YEAR. BUT NEXT YEAR WE HAVE TO REPLACE 75% OF THE LINE AND INSTILL A ” RUN ZONE BLOCKING SCHEME. BIGGER AND PHYSICAL LINEMEN.
zamot
November 19th, 2012
11:42 pm
They seem distracted at home…
DR. FALCON
November 20th, 2012
12:06 am
LEDBETTER, I WOULD’VE GIVEN MATT RYAN A D-! ONE OF THOSE INT’S BOUNCED OFF RODDY’S CHEST! RYAN DIDN’T MEAN TO THROW THE OTHER 4PICKS! YOU ARE TOO HARD ON HIM!
Ledbetter blocked me
November 20th, 2012
12:59 am
DOL proves that he is a homer at best and retard at worse to give coaching an A+ ..clearly his bow tie is too tight.
C from Marietta
November 20th, 2012
1:14 am
You guys need to chill out. The anger on this blog is just stupid. If a GAME gets you this angry. You need help.
BubbaDaBaller
November 20th, 2012
7:16 am
Outside, on grass, balmy weather, 55 yr old Ronde Barber prowling the deep zones and a College Coach who doesn’t realize he isn’t ” On the Banks of the Old Raritan” anymore…Could be trouble…Matt Bryant 47 yarder with 0:05 to go…”it’s up, it looks good” have to wait til Sunday to find out if its “good”…as time expires at RJS…
Esquire
November 20th, 2012
7:43 am
4BsihTneeS or SuxThisBZero
November 19th, 2012
7:24 am
“One and Done”, coming your way soon.
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Wow, you’re a regular Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary. Who knew Punxsutawney Phil was a stinkin’, smells like vomit on Bourbon Street, Caints fan.
Hey Phil, stick to the weather.
Esquire
November 20th, 2012
8:21 am
Barry
November 19th, 2012
10:36 pm
FALCONS DON’T RUN A “RUN ZONE BLOCKING SCHEME!!
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Actually they do.