Atlanta Falcons: Team trying to move on after porous showing
CHARLOTTE — The Falcons were trying to move on from their 30-20 loss to Carolina as quickly as possible.
They face the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
The Giants knocked the Falcons out of the playoffs in the wild-card round last season.
“We have to come out against a real tough football team in the Giants and get this thing rolling,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “It’s only three games left to try to go out there and hit our stride. We can and we will.”
The Falcons stormed out of the gates this season. They were 8-0 before dropping their first game to New Orleans on Nov. 11. They then won three more games before facing the Panthers.
The Falcons know that good teams play well in December and January. In the December standings, they are 0-1.
“That’s something that Smitty always talks about; you want to play your best football in December,” center Todd McClure said of head coach Mike Smith. “Nobody remembers how you played in September and October. It’s how you play in December and January that people remember.”
The Falcons can even up their December mark with a win over the Giants, who beat them 24-2 at MetLife Stadium on their way to the Super Bowl title last season.
“It’s the next one on the schedule,” McClure said. “The last time we played them, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted. They are coming into our place.”
Ryan stopped: Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had won six straight games against the Panthers before Sunday.
In the previous four meetings, Ryan had a passer rating of 100 or more.
He completed 34 of 49 passes for 342 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on Sunday. He finished with a passer rating of 94.1.
Hope starts: Chris Hope started at strong safety for William Moore (hamstring). Moore finished the game against New Orleans, but showed up on the injury report last Wednesday. The severity of his hamstring injury is unknown.
Hope, from nearby Rock Hill, S.C., made his first start with the Falcons. After playing for Pittsburgh and Tennessee, the former Pro Bowler and 10-year veteran was signed by the Falcons in June.
“It was a good opportunity, but it didn’t end the way I wanted it to end,” said Hope, who finished with two tackles.
Moore was declared inactive along with quarterback Dominique Davis, wide receiver Tim Toone, guard Phillipkeith Manley, guard Harland Gunn, defensive end Lawrence Sidbury and defensive tackle Travian Robertson.
Cornerback Asante Samuel, running back Michael Turner and defensive tackle Peria Jerry were active after being listed as questionable for the game. Samuel did not play.
Turner milestone: Michael Turner was held to 14 yards rushing on seven carries. He now has 5,970 rushing since joining the Falcons.
He trials Gerald Riggs (6,631), William Andrews (5,986) and Warrick Dunn (5,981) on the team’s all-time rushing list.
Etc.: The Falcons wore a patch on their jerseys commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Pro Football Hall of Fame… Right tackle Tyson Clabo, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, defensive end Kroy Biermann, wide receiver Julio Jones and cornerback Robert McClain were the captains… .Defense tackle Jonathan Babineaux left the game with under 8 minutes to play in the second quarter after taking a helmet shot to his left arm. It was announced as a rib injury. He returned to the game.
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61 comments Add your comment
joja boi
December 10th, 2012
6:25 pm
its a lot of bitchin and crying around here, which believe me as an Atlanta sports fan i understand, but it is only one game. Teams have “off” days even the best of them, lets just hope after the lessons of the past the Falcons are “on” their game come playoff time! Relax….
dman55
December 10th, 2012
7:08 pm
I read several comments that generally support the falcons overall efforts this season It’s true, the birds are 11 wins and 2 losses. The truth of the matter is, they played 8 of those games well. Matt Ryan and the offense moved the ball with precision. The defense played lights out with intensity and imagination. That was against the “weak” part of the schedule. The past 5 games have have been another storey. All phases of the game have been going down like the Titanic. Games have been lost by the opponents, not won by the Falcons. Matt Ryan is throwing interceptions or throwing the ball inaccurtately. It seems to me he is playing scared. Throwing the ball in places that his receivers have to make almost miracle catches. The running game has been absent in 85% of the games. The line play is a major part of this along with a running back that seems to run with his eyes closed. How many times have you seen Michael Turner crash into a mass of bodies when there is a running lane 2 feet away. I was sceptical when the Howie Longs of the world didn’t recognize the Falcons progress. Now I know he was absolutely right. These Falcons are 1 and done in the playoffs. I feel very bad for Tony Gonzalez. You’re a damn good man Tony…the dirty birds don’t deserve you..go ahead and retire.
SCFalcon
December 10th, 2012
8:05 pm
Hmmmm three more games….. I think Turner can catch Warrick Dunn.
FalconRed
December 10th, 2012
8:52 pm
That game was PRECISELY why I gave up my season tickets. I can’t count on them….they can’t count on me!! I’m changin’ my name to Falcon Blue….
Jackson
December 10th, 2012
9:24 pm
Sitting here watch Pats dismantle Houston. Ummh, Falcons better get focused the way the Pats are playing they look like the real deal, as usual. I love the Falcons, but they aren’t in Pat’s class….yet. Please prove me wrong!
Starship 1
December 11th, 2012
12:34 am
Turner has to go. OL-needs changes. I hope that we use our draft pick(s) wisely and not bungle them on stupidity.
Starship 1
December 11th, 2012
12:48 am
Falcons aren’t in the same league as the Pats. Don’t even mention them in the same sentence. The MNF announcer miked up Belichek and the guy communicates and runs the show. He can practically call plays on both sides of the ball. He has his players listening to him and huddled around him to glean morsels of wisdom. What does our coach Smitty do? Stands there entrenched with his mike on and calls bad plays. Smitty is a defensive coach and mark my words-will be gone, when the Falcons are one and done come playoff time. Tom Demetrius will signal Rich McKay to get rid of him and then we’ll dig out Parcells or Madden. The main thing I notice about great football coaches-is that players want to play hard for them no matter who they play. Atlanta is so spoiled at getting what they want so much so that-they are celebrating like they won the Superbowl-they haven’t won anything. Tony Gonzalez talks truth when he says-he hopes it’s just a bump in the road; after 13 games there shouldn’t be no excuses. John Madden was asked about the Falcons. He wasn’t impressed at all. Atlanta Falcons fans are fans that may have moved to Atlanta 5,10,15, or more years ago and are frustrated by all the crazy things that makes up the DNA history of the Falcons. That’s the #1 reason why no one is impressed with the Falcons. They pick and choose which games they are to come out and give their best. They stunk Sunday and will try to pick it up next Sunday. This game will determine their fate in the playoffs.
old falc
December 11th, 2012
12:57 am
somebody spent that two headed quarter, we had it now
Starship 1
December 11th, 2012
12:59 am
Mat Ryan cannot be a T.Brady or Manning, but he can up his game and the Falcons need to let him move with the pocket. The crazy thing is-his pocket presence isn’t there because of Sam Baker’s failures and the offensive line in abysmal. Ryan isn’t an elite quarterback-he’s just average until he proves him self in the playoffs.
JSS
December 11th, 2012
10:52 pm
Check Your Filter,
Big Mike
December 12th, 2012
8:10 am
I hate New England but look at the film and see how a good team handles December business, HD is under sized and is ineffective as slot receiver/ block who? its up to the coaches to make adjustments before the game and during the game, I am dissappointed in Ryan decisions in first half.