Atlanta Falcons Playtime Percentage vs. Buccaneers
(Percent of playtime per player on offense, defense and special teams)
PLAYER OFFENSE SPECIAL TEAMS
T Clabo T 60 100% 6 23%
J Blalock G 60 100% 6 23%
S Baker T 60 100% 6 23%
P Konz G 60 100% 6 23%
R White WR 60 100%
T McClure C 60 100%
M Ryan QB 60 100%
T Gonzalez TE 54 90%
J Jones …
Continue reading Falcons playing time percentage chart vs. Buccaneers »
The Falcons have won seven games by seven points or less this season. That’s coaching. (Associated Press)
TAMPA — Here are the Falcons grades for the 24-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
A – Quarterbacks: Matt Ryan bounced back nicely from his 5-interception game. He finished with 353 yards passing as he completed 26 of 32 passes and one interception. He had a 110.0 passer rating. It was Ryan’s sixth 300-yard game of the season, which ties his own franchise record set in 2011. Ryan posted a passer rating above 100 for the ninth time this season. The Falcons are now 30-1 when his pass rating is 100 or more.
B — Running backs: In a move that stunned some, the Falcons came out determined to run the ball at the No. 1 ranked run defense. It was a bold move that paid some dividends. The Falcons knew they couldn’t be one dimensional. The Falcons ran the ball eight times on their opening 12-play drive. Michael Turner had four carries for 14 …
Continue reading Report card: Falcons grades for gutsy win over Bucs »
Julio Jones & the Atlanta Falcons escaped from Tampa Bay with a 24-23 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday. CineSport’s Brian Clark & The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter discuss.
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With Sean Weatherspoon back, run defense flexes its muscle on the Muscle Hamster
Falcons quote board after 24-23 win over Tampa Bay
Turner, Rodgers challenge top rushing defense in the league
OTHER RECENT STORIES
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
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Continue reading Video: Falcons escape with 24-23 win over the Buccaneers »
Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) celebrates with wide receiver Roddy White (84) after scoring what proved to be the game-wining touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. The Falcons won the game 24-23. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
TAMPA — The Falcons made it a point to run the ball early Sunday against Tampa Bay, which entered the game with the NFL’s No. 1 run defense.
On their opening driving, they repeatedly pounded running backs Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers at the Buccaneers and it paid off.
“We felt like we needed to try it,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith after the 24-23 win. “We felt like we could do it, too. We challenged our guys. We wanted to come down here — this was the No. 1 rushing team in all of the NFL — and we wanted to see if we could do it.”
The Falcons ran the ball eight times on their opening 12-play drive. Turner had four carries for 14 …
Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Turner, Rodgers challenged Tampa Bay’s top run defense »
By SCOTT PURKS
TAMPA – Many folks in Tampa predicted Buc running back Doug Martin – the heralded rookie with the famous nickname “Muscle Hamster” – would run wild against Atlanta.
And why not? Martin had already gained 1,000 yards on the season, and Atlanta’s run defense ranked 26th in the league (130.5 yards a game) and had repeatedly been gashed for long runs. Last week against Arizona, for example, a relatively unheralded back, LaRod Stephens Howling, had runs of 40 and 52 yards and finished with 127 yards on 22 carries.
But not so on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) eludes Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (95) to score a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 25, …
Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: With Spoon back, run defense flexes its muscle »
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) is shoved out of bounds by Tampa Bay Buccaneers free safety Ahmad Black (43) after a reception during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, in Tampa, Fla. Officials ruled that Jones was out of bounds. (AP Photo/Brian Blanco)
“(Tampa Bay running back Doug Martin) is an outstanding running back that had over 1,000 yards coming into this game. We kne it was going to be one of our “musts” and I thought we did a nice job with our run defense. I thought we played the run extremely wel, controlled the line of scrimmage. That is an outstanding running back.”
–Coach Mike Smith on stopping the run
“Julio made a great play. We had one-on-one coverage. He got an inside release on (Tampa Bay cornerback Leonard Johnson) and just tried to get back to the outside. I tried to throw it down there high and outside so he could make a play on it. He did, he made a great adjustment. That was a really big play for …
Continue reading Falcons quoteboard after 24-23 win over Buccaneers »
LATEST NEWS
Falcons hold on to move to 10-1, can clinch NFC South title with win over Saints, Tampa Bay loss to Denver
With Sean Weatherspoon back, run defense flexes its muscle on the Muscle Hamster
Falcons quote board after 24-23 win over Tampa Bay
Turner, Rodgers challenge top rushing defense in the league
OTHER RECENT STORIES
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
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Mike Smith after the 24-23 win over Tampa Bay »
TAMPA – The Falcons call it their “P.Y.P. Attack.”
When it comes to covering Atlanta’s talented receiving corps, the opposition has to play a game of “Pick Your Poison.”
The Buccaneers made their pick, leaving a rookie cornerback in man-to-man coverage on wide receiver Julio Jones and the cost was critical. Jones scored on an 80-yard pass that became vital to the Falcons hard-fought 24-23 comeback victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
“It’s not often that I get man-to-man coverage,” Jones said after a busy day. “But when I do, I get excited. It just doesn’t happen that often.”
The Falcons improved to 10-1 and inched closer to wrapping up the NFC South division title. Tampa Bay, which had won four in a row and five of its last six, dropped to 6-5. The Falcons hold a four-game lead over the Bucs with five to play.
New Orleans dropped to 5-6. Carolina (2-8) plays on Monday night. The Falcons can wrap up the NFC South title with a …
Continue reading Falcons hold on to move to 10-1, closer to clinching NFC South title »
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan dropping back against the Bucs. (Associated Press)
TAMPA – Tampa Bay cornerback Eric Wright and Atlanta defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who has started nine games this season, were declared inactive for Sunday’s game.
Jerry’s spot on the active roster was taken by rookie Travian Robertson. He has been active for six games, but has played just one, against San Diego on Sept. 23.
Other inactives included quarterback Dominique Davis, wide receiver Tim Toone, safety Charles Mitchell, guard Phillipkeith Manley, guard Harland Gunn and defensive end Lawrence Sidbury.
For Tampa Bay, running back Michael Smith, safety Cody Grimm, linebacker Najee Goode, guard/center Cody Wallace, wide receiver David and Douglas and defensive tackle Matt Masifilo.
Continue reading Inactives: Julio Jones, Sean Weatherspoon and Asante Samuel to play »
Falcons FS Thomas DeCoud vs. Bucs QB Josh Freeman: DeCoud leads the team with four interceptions, has 46 tackles and one sack. He must be on top of his game against Freeman, who utilizes his big receivers well. DeCoud also will have a role in run support and must not continue to miss open-field tackles. Freeman has been much more effective with a rushing attack. He has guided the Bucs to wins in five of their past six games and has rekindled their playoff hopes. He has thrown 16 touchdown passes in the past six games.
Falcons RCB Dunta Robinson vs. Bucs WR Vincent Jackson: Robinson has played well in coverage, but has been susceptible to square-in routes against the Bucs’ bigger receivers in the past. Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams are bigger players and will show up on Robinson’s side of the field. Jackson, who signed as a free agent after playing seven seasons for San Diego, has 42 catches for 863 yards and seven touchdowns.
Falcons DE John Abraham vs. Bucs LT …
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