Falcons look ‘Super’ in rout of the Giants, 34-0
Falcons tight end TonyGonzalez dunks the ball over the goalpost after scoring against the Giants for a 14-0 lead during 1st quarter action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012. CURTIS COMPTON / CCOMPTON@AJC.COM
The Falcons may be the most ridiculed double-digit win team in recent NFL history. Unimpressive. Easy schedule. Lucky.
For now, the Falcons just want to be called ‘Super,’ as in Super Bowl champions, if not at least legitimate contenders. They were nothing but dominant in routing the defending NFL champion New York Giants 34-0 on Sunday at a raucous Georgia Dome.
“We love the haters,” said cornerback Asante Samuel, who started the party with an interception on the second play of the game. “The haters keep us going. So keep the hate coming. It makes us play with a chip on our shoulders. We love that.”
The Falcons improved to 12-2 and inched closer to wrapping up home-field advantage in the playoffs while recording their 11th straight victory at home.
“When you come to the Georgia Dome, this is our house,” Samuel said. “That’s how we have to look at it. We ain’t taking no prisoners in our house. That’s how we are going to take the field. We are going to take the field as champs and you can’t do nothing in our house.”
Those waiting for the Falcons to produce a statement game were presented plenty of evidence. They harassed the Giants into three turnovers, stopped them three times on fourth-down conversions and beat them in Atlanta for the first time since 1978.
“We showed that we can play with the big boys,” said wide receiver Roddy White.
If some of the pundits are still be skeptical, the Falcons appear to have won over the Giants.
“They came out and beat us fair and square,” Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul said. “They put a pounding and (butt)-whipping on us.”
The Falcons needed a Green Bay loss or tie and a San Francisco loss on Sunday to clinch the home-field advantage for the postseason. But Green Bay improved to 10-4 with a win over Chicago. The 49ers played at New England in the late Sunday game.
Quarterback Matt Ryan outperformed the Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, completing 23-of-28 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns. But it was Atlanta’s 129 yards on the ground — Michael Turner had 52 of them on 16 carries — that helped sway the day.
“I think the run game was really crucial for us,” Ryan said. “Getting that going early and making their defensive line have to defend both, having to rush the passer and defend the run and the draw was crucial.”
The Falcons won all the battles, including a third-quarter skirmish between White and Giants cornerback Corey Webster.
While getting great interior pressure, the defense attacked Manning, intercepting two passes which led to a 17-0 halftime lead.
Ryan then tossed a 40-yard bomb to Julio Jones on the first possession of the third quarter to take firm control at 24-0.
Falcons kicker Matt Bryant added a 19-yard field with 10 seconds left in third quarter and Ryan later tossed a 3-yard touchdown to Jones for the game’s final touchdown with 4:57 to play.
The defense, led by linebacker Sean Weatherspoon’s nine tackles, had three key stops on fourth down to throttle New York. The Giants had converted 5-of 7-times (71 percent) on fourth down this season, which ranked fourth in the league.
“I think that was a little disrespectful,” Weatherspoon said. “We did it between the lines. There’s no need to talk about it.”
Last week in the Falcons’ loss to 30-20 to Carolina, they came out in a near sleep-walk and fell behind 23-0 while the Panthers scored on their first five possessions. Against the Giants, the Falcons arrived alive and alert.
On New York’s second snap, Samuel intercepted Manning and returned the ball to the Giant’s 16-yard line.
“That was huge for us,” Ryan said. “It gave us great field position offensively.”
After four straight runs by a hard-charging Turner, the Falcons scored on a 1-yard touchdown run and the day’s pattern was set.
“We had a fast start, not only on defense, but I think in all three phases,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said.
The Falcons, who were knocked out of the playoffs by the Giants 24-2 in last year’s wild-card round, hope to clinch the No. 1 seed when they face the Detroit Lions on Saturday at Ford Field.
“I thought we rebounded very well from our performance from last week,” Smith said.
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179 comments Add your comment
okeetee
December 16th, 2012
6:40 pm
Ok, listen up. We need to pull for SF tonight…..here’s why. Green Bay could catch catch us at 12-4 if we lose our last two and they win their last two. We want Green Bay playing in that first wild card weekend. They might end up playing the Seahawks and if they do, they could get beat even in Green Bay. We would draw the team with the worse record and then play the surviving team with the worse record the next weekend. Basically, what I’m saying is it would look to be in our advantage to make sure Green Bay doesn’t get a bye week, follow me???
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
6:43 pm
The Falcons Defense Stop the Manning brothers…Put a check mark beside that and add it in as a footnote on the Falcons Resume. That resume is getting bigger and bigger of great things they have done this year.
Esquire "THE GREAT"
December 16th, 2012
6:46 pm
okeetee
December 16th, 2012
6:40 pm
Ok, listen up. We need to pull for SF tonight…..here’s why. Green Bay could catch catch us at 12-4 if we lose our last two and they win their last two. We want Green Bay playing in that first wild card weekend. They might end up playing the Seahawks and if they do, they could get beat even in Green Bay. We would draw the team with the worse record and then play the surviving team with the worse record the next weekend. Basically, what I’m saying is it would look to be in our advantage to make sure Green Bay doesn’t get a bye week, follow me???
*************************************************************************************
NO NEED TO FOLLOW YOU. IT doesn’t matter if we play Green Bay; we will just pick Rodgers 5 times just like we did both Manning boys and Drew Sleazy!!!! You follow me???
NOW CRAWL BACK IN YOUR HOLE…..WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!!
5-6-7-8 WHO DO WE APPRECIATE???? GOOOOOO FALCONS!!!!!!
Sam
December 16th, 2012
6:52 pm
Wow, I admit I was nervous about today’s game but the falcons showed up.
Starship 1
December 16th, 2012
6:55 pm
test
Starship 1
December 16th, 2012
6:56 pm
Atlanta Falcons showed what could be done with FOCUS.
Starship 1
December 16th, 2012
6:58 pm
This game was the most complete game that I was looking for this year. The Falcons need to build on that to get motivated to play Detriot next Saturday. Resting our starters, however-for the last game in the Dome-may prove to be: controversial.
NoleRick
December 16th, 2012
7:03 pm
Oh yeah, NFC East Champs while we at it…
warfalcon
December 16th, 2012
7:11 pm
Big brother [N.O.] we got them for you because they beat you down,we got your back.ONE GAME AT A TIME,LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
7:17 pm
It’s ok Aints you made the NFC South look bad when you played the Giants, somebody has to rep the South and teach the others a lesson. We made the NFC South look good again. You are welcome AINTS
okeetee
December 16th, 2012
7:19 pm
“Esquire “THE GREAT”
In view of our track record I’d rather take my chances with rookie quarterbacks in the playoffs than with Rogers, kapesh, numbnuts???
Eli_is_Elite
December 16th, 2012
7:20 pm
Statements are not made in regular season. Giants did not show up. Plain and simple. Coughlin’s Giants take games off. I think the shooting and the 52 points last week played a number on them. I remember how after game 14 last year everyone was burying the Giants and everyone knows what happened. Giants had no RB, safety or corner due to injuries. Giants look completely different on D with 3 safety for which they need Kenny Phillips. Prince is a much better corner that Hosley that got roasted by Jones. Bradshaw and Brown are a lot better than Wilson and Lumpkin. In short, I would not get too excited. Falcons are not winning the SB, let alone going to one.
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
7:23 pm
okeetee, Esquire told u we are the best and don’t care who we play in the playoffs! You better stop that way of thinking and start thinking like a real Falcons fan
okeetee
December 16th, 2012
7:24 pm
“Resting our starters, however-for the last game in the Dome-may prove to be: controversial.”
……we clinch homefield advantage throughout before that last game….we WILL BE RESTING alot of our starters! Rest this time of year is very important especially if they are banged up alittle.
Answered All Questions
December 16th, 2012
7:24 pm
@ Eli_is_Elite
Really we were missing players last week and today. You sound like Rodney Harrison We got 7 ints against the Mannings.
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
7:26 pm
Falcons don’t care who they play!!!!!!!!!
Answered All Questions
December 16th, 2012
7:26 pm
@ Eli_is_Elite
We also went undefeated against the NFC East.
The 27th
December 16th, 2012
7:28 pm
WOW… ELI is ELITE. That has to be the worst excuse for a 34-0 butt whipping I ever heard. 34-0!!!! BWAHAHAHAAAA!!!!! I LOVE IT!!! RISE UP FALCONS!!!!
WestOfAthens
December 16th, 2012
7:29 pm
Can’t wait to hear what Randy Cross has to say, lol
Go Falcons, well played
The 27th
December 16th, 2012
7:31 pm
Damn straight goFalcons! It dosent matter who we play. If were for real we can take on anyone. Thats how true champs play. RISE UP GO FALCONS!!!
flatsdawg1
December 16th, 2012
7:32 pm
Of course after a steam rolling like that, in the back of your mind you think man I hope we don’t have to see them again in the playoffs. lol If we play like that no one can take it away from us! Keep flying high Birds that was just Dirty!!!
okeetee
December 16th, 2012
7:34 pm
“goFalcons”
…..we will end up playing who we end up playing, but we match up better with certain teams, don’t ya think? I’d hate to play New England right now…..or how about the Panthers? My thinking is SOUND, unlike your emotional foolishness and that of the other clown posting here! When was the last time a rookie quarterback got into the Superbowl? SF and Seattle are playing rookie quarterbacks. It would behoove us to get a match up with either of them rather than Aaron Rogers! We can beat Rogers with the improved secondary we have, but rather take my chances with the other two teams. Just think how many picks we might get playing a rookie quarterback in the championship game in our house!
Falcons Fan
December 16th, 2012
7:34 pm
Hey Rodney harrison. Ain’t nobody scared of you either so STFU!
okeetee
December 16th, 2012
7:38 pm
“We also went undefeated against the NFC East”…
….and the AFC West!
The 27th
December 16th, 2012
7:40 pm
UH… okeetee. Im not a clown. Im a painted and colorfully dressed circus performer.
SAY WHAT!
December 16th, 2012
7:41 pm
Did Rodney Harris just say the ” Falcons played well they just need to keep it up”? Are you kidding me? 12-2, keep it up? What the freak do you have to do for the clowns? And Tony Dungy said the Giants helped the Falcons as Julio Jones ran passed a Giants D-Back for a TD! Freaking amazing that the Falcons get no-respect from the national media, even after an impressive win. Yup Falcons you WILL have to win the SB to get any respect…………………MAYBE. Go Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
7:50 pm
I can see it now…Falcons win the SB and the media says, this was a down year for the NFL. The Falcons won the SB by default really…That is how the media will spin it! I don’t even care anymore about the idiot experts saying stupid stuff about the Falcons. Falcons keep showing the world how good they really are and they are a thorn in the media. They just wish the Falcons will go away but they will not go away! They took them out of the national spotlight when the 4th Qtr. began! It is so sad that I really try to ignore the so called experts.
Susan
December 16th, 2012
7:51 pm
Love you all so much!! We have been watching you since the 70s!! Thank you so much for such a wonderful season and such a great game today. Tony, do not retire!
Professer Waldo E. Culpecker
December 16th, 2012
7:57 pm
laughing at Esquireyeah u right, we can whip any of them including the AFC so it won’t matter who we get. It is time for Atlanta to get to the top of the heap and look down on the lowly NFL……..u told okkeeeteepee off…lmao
Professer Waldo E. Culpecker
December 16th, 2012
8:06 pm
5,6,7,8 Choke,Jss,and Phil will set u straight,
we are the mighty falcons.
one week we up, the next week we down
but whoever we play,
STb4 is still a clown!
Go falcons, and keep winging it
Esquire "THE GREAT"
December 16th, 2012
8:40 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
5-6-7-8 WHO DO WE APPRECIATE???? GOOOOO FALCONS!!!!!!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!!
Juan Berrios
December 16th, 2012
8:47 pm
One good old- fashioned ass-kicking……that’s what I’m talking about……………THANK YOU FALCONS
Falcon James
December 16th, 2012
8:47 pm
SUPER BOWL GOLD BAYBEE!!!!
vesaversa
December 16th, 2012
9:20 pm
Great game! Too bad the Giants azz whupping won’t be on nfl replay cause I’d like to watch that game a few more times.
ThisNotSeenB4
December 16th, 2012
9:35 pm
Total Domination. Hard hitting sound tackling. Ready for playoffs. Focused.
phil
December 16th, 2012
9:53 pm
Fire Mike Smith!!
Should’ve been 41-0.
For Real
December 16th, 2012
9:55 pm
Wow! I’m a west coast Falcons fan, watching the birds put a whoop down on the Giants, and fox changed the game at the end of the 3rd quarter!!!!!! They went to studio, and Curt Menefee sez “due to lack of competitiveness, we now take you to the Packers Bears game”. What??!!!!???!?!?!?!?!?! Fox figured folks didn’t want to see the Giants get a beat down so we get the Packers Bears…LOL!!!!!
phil
December 16th, 2012
9:57 pm
Curt Menefee is a boneheaded hack job…..
Fire him now!!
hmmmmm..........
December 16th, 2012
10:11 pm
Sooo…. the giants played like crap and lost. The Falcons still need to win in the playoffs. Any team coulda beat the Giants today
MarkATL
December 16th, 2012
10:18 pm
TOTAL DOMINATION!!! — FALCONS CAN SECURE FIRST ROUND BYE IF SAN FRAN LOSES TONIGHT!!
kevkat
December 16th, 2012
10:51 pm
MarkATL
December 16th, 2012
10:18 pm
TOTAL DOMINATION!!! — FALCONS CAN SECURE FIRST ROUND BYE IF SAN FRAN LOSES TONIGHT!!
Doesn’t look like that’s happening tonight.
MarkATL
December 16th, 2012
11:01 pm
kevkat: You’re right. This one is getting out of hand. Wow.. never seen this coming. N.E losing at home?? sickening…
Bilco
December 16th, 2012
11:02 pm
the aTL is rolling—mark this down—ATL beats SF in the nfc title game, then beats New england in the super bowl—matt and julio—can’t be stopped!! ATL!!!!
MarkATL
December 16th, 2012
11:11 pm
Could we see a Falcons – Texans Superbowl??
okeetee
December 17th, 2012
12:03 am
We have only secured a 1st round home game on the first wild card weekend. We can still be caught by the Packers and the 49ers for home field advantage in the second round and the championship game. We will need at least one more win out of the next two games to secure homefield throughout. We will be favored in both games. I’d rather get it over with next week against the Lions…..and hope nobody gets hurt, too. Then we can rest our boys in the final game against Tampa, who, by the way…..are reeling badly! I’m actually thinking that the 49ers getting the 2nd seed would be in our best interests. Then, if we have to play them or the Seahawks in Atlanta, we are up against rookie quarterbacks and not Aaron Rogers.
blu eagle
December 17th, 2012
1:48 am
Eli says they were coming to Atl to pick up a win, sorry u got a butt whipping. Giants looked awful, Falcons played the most complete game I have ever seen. The Falcons must win out and continue in the playoffs so I can stop hearing about gbay and dallass.
Falcony
December 17th, 2012
2:32 am
Rise Up! Falcons Rise Up! Way to go Angry Birds!
Ken
December 17th, 2012
6:52 am
FALCONS know how to RISE UP!!!
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