Falcons just turned into team we expected last season
The Falcons' sideline erupts after Matt Bryant's 46-yard field goal clinches a win over New Orleans.
NEW ORLEANS – The calendar screams that it’s too early for grand proclamations. Week three games in the NFL don’t decide division titles or playoff berths. They merely give us some sense of direction.
But we just learned something about the Falcons.
They won a game against the defending Super Bowl champions. They won a game on the road and in the Superdome, where they hadn’t won since 2002. They had a 19-play touchdown drive that tested their resilience. They had a field goal drive in overtime when the offensive line assumed control of the game.
More? They had a kicker, Matt Bryant, who had to try three times for a winning field goal because his first two attempts were negated by penalties. They had a defensive end, John Abraham, who came back into the game late despite being relatively blinded in one eye.
Is that a strong enough indication of direction?
The Falcons defeated the New Orleans Saints in overtime Sunday, 27-24. Had they lost, they still would have been publicly embraced for their performance. Instead, they won, and their stature grew.
“No moral victories. No more of those for us. We’re done with that,” Roddy White said.
“We could have easily flinched or been talking about what-ifs,” linebacker Mike Peterson said.
There were enough of those last season. The Falcons fell short too many times in a season that had high expectations. They lost two close games to the Saints, and in overtime to New York, and were body slammed in Dallas.
On Sunday, we saw the team we expected last year. It felt more like 2008. So it wasn’t surprising when owner Arthur Blank was asked if he remembered the last Falcons’ victory of such significance and he responded: “When we beat the Vikings two years ago to go to the playoffs.”
The Falcons were only average in their opening loss at Pittsburgh. They were far better last week, blowing out Arizona. But New Orleans was a bigger test on a bigger stage. They responded. They looked committed.
Start with Abraham. With the Falcons leading 24-21 and the Saints driving in the final three minutes, the defensive end was poked in the right eye, suffering a scratched pupil. He suffered from double-vision. But he came out for only a few plays.
“They were like, ‘Are you done?’” Abraham said. “But you can’t come out of a game like this. I had one good eye. All I had to do was get around the end.”
This is how you tell something about a football team. The Falcons trailed 7-0 after only three minutes. But the defense intercepted Drew Brees twice in the first half, and the second one turned into that 19-play touchdown drive (including two fourth-down conversions) that tied the game at 14-14.
Trailing again at 21-17, Matt Ryan hit White for a 22-yard score. Then the Saints tied it. They looked like they would win it, only to have kicker Garrett Hartley miss a 29-yard field goal try.
The Falcons had one more chance to will themselves to a victory, and they did. They ran the ball eight straight plays from their own 41 with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling, setting up Bryant for a 41-yard attempt.
His first attempt was blocked. But the Saints had just called timeout. His second attempt was good. But the Falcons were flagged for false start. His third attempt was perfect.
The Falcons celebrated but tried to keep the party in check. It was just one win in the third week of a long season. As Peterson said, “There’s no reason to start printing T-shirts and organizing a parade.”
But if this season turns into something special, remember when they started building the floats.
♦
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809 comments Add your comment
Mellow Mike
September 27th, 2010
8:34 am
Vick & Schaub showing that Falcons management doesn’t know when it has good players. If they would have kept Schaub maybe instead of drafting Matt Ryan you draft somebody like Clay Matthews Jr. on defense. Ryan is good but we could have had a tandem like Schaub & Matthews instead of just Ryan.
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:35 am
Sack heads been talkin some kinda smack
Falcons took it to them with a ground attack
“We didn’t have Bush”, they’ll be whining
they’re place in the standings we are redefining
to all you Saints fans still talking trash
the final score was 27-24, we kicked your ass
Told you aint’s fans your heads would be spinning
the chink in your armor is just the beginning
You’ll keep on talkin’, living like it’s still last year
Cry me a river I am so sorry for your tears
We’ve given you a shot to the to the solar plexus
So sorry we won’t see you in Arlington, Texas
Dat Rats, geaux to hell………………
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:37 am
David Archer Scrub
September 27th, 2010
8:28 am
**************************************************
I don’t think there has ever been a more idiotic statement on a blog, you moron……………..
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:38 am
Falcons nerds, both Saints & Falcons are 2-1. We’re gonna sign a kicker that can kick but we won’t need a kicker to win next time. We just gonna Brees right by you.
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:40 am
David Archer Scrub
September 27th, 2010
8:17 am
Jeremy Shockey was open on every play. Who was defending him ? Nobody it looked like…
**************************************************************************
I guess Brew Wheeze had a bad game, how can you miss an open man…………..every play………really?
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:40 am
Scummy Sid, If Hartley hits the 29 yarder your Falcons lose. We had you by the throat but you escaped.
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:41 am
Brees threw for 365 yards to Ryan’s 220. look it up scummy Sid.
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:41 am
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:38 am
*****************************************************************
you are the nerd………………..you dumb ass, we won the most important game of the early part of the season……………………..on your turf…………………..go away geek
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:42 am
Difference in game was kickers. Falcons had to wait to see if Hartley hit or missed to know their fate… Yeah Falcons were in control…
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:43 am
Saints Geaux U ……………………….look this up
27-24
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:44 am
2-1 is very same records. We will see who wins the division. You know were were the better team (stats-wise). Geaux Saints !!!!
ATL Born & Raised
September 27th, 2010
8:44 am
Hey David Archer… If you truly believe the Falcons don’t deserve credit because the Saints had a fluke shank on a chip shot field goal, then how about being honest with yourself and admit that the Saints shouldn’t have even been in OT with the Falcons because they wouldn’t have scored that last touchdown if it weren’t for a FLUKE punt hitting DeCoud in the leg. Crap happens… get over it.
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:44 am
Sack heads been talkin some kinda smack
Falcons took it to them with a ground attack
“We didn’t have Bush”, they’ll be whining
they’re place in the standings we are redefining
to all you Saints fans still talking trash
the final score was 27-24, we kicked your ass
Told you aint’s fans your heads would be spinning
the chink in your armor is just the beginning
You’ll keep on talkin’, living like it’s still last year
Cry me a river I am so sorry for your tears
We’ve given you a shot to the to the solar plexus
So sorry we won’t see you in Arlington, Texas
Dat Rats, geaux to hell………………
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:45 am
Look up Saints 2009 Super Bowl Champs. Falcons didn’t even make the playoffs…
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:46 am
we were the better team………………………SCORE-WISE
Saints Geaux U…………….Now I have seen the 2nd most idiotic statement ever written on a blog
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:46 am
So its Saints fault that DeCoud doesn’t know where the ball is on a punt ? He’s more retarded than you are…
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:47 am
Like I said………………..
Sack heads been talkin some kinda smack
Falcons took it to them with a ground attack
“We didn’t have Bush”, they’ll be whining
they’re place in the standings we are redefining
to all you Saints fans still talking trash
the final score was 27-24, we kicked your ass
Told you aint’s fans your heads would be spinning
the chink in your armor is just the beginning
You’ll keep on talkin’, LIVING LIKE IT’S STILL LAST YEAR
Cry me a river I am so sorry for your tears
We’ve given you a shot to the to the solar plexus
So sorry we won’t see you in Arlington, Texas
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:48 am
The idiotic statements are all yours from 6:00am thru 6;00am the next day. You never leave. You just use 1,000 different names. You must be really proud of your little blogging life ?
Sid
September 27th, 2010
8:49 am
YOU LOST
27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24
Troll City
September 27th, 2010
8:50 am
I hear you Saints Geaux U. How can one person have no job or life ? He’s a real sad case. But your Saints suck ! Go Falcons !
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:52 am
Now who’s the Troll, Troll ? I’m going back to the winners blog. Saints that is…Enjoy your lucky victory. Ya’ll owe Hartley infinitely for his gift to you.
tim
September 27th, 2010
8:53 am
This was one of the best games i’ve seen in a long time. Falcons did all they had to to win the game and I think sent a message to the Saints that they will no longer roll over for them. I have been a fan for many years and it was very satisfying to watch this game and see them so good in all areas. going for it twice on 4th down was awesome…Way to go coach Smith. And a funny thing is I haven’t seen anything about the game on Sports Center. Are they afraid to offend the Saints?
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:54 am
How’s those Braves,Dawgs,and Bees been playing ? Losers.
ATL Born & Raised
September 27th, 2010
8:54 am
Retarded? Here’s a reality check… the only retard here is the person that has nothing better to do than to get on an opposing team’s blog and sit there begging for attention by accosting the team’s fans. It must be the only attention you get…
And here’s a bit of advice… get a blowup doll and a life.
I have more important things to do.
I’m out
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:55 am
Now he’s tim. The different names just go on and on…
Saints Geaux U
September 27th, 2010
8:56 am
You are never “out”. Any moron can scroll the blogs to see you are one person posing as 1,000. The only person you are fooling is yourself.
Sid
September 27th, 2010
9:02 am
From NOLA Newspaper
“New Orleans Saints defense couldn’t get off field vs. Atlanta Falcons”
Let’s see ………….Time of possession: Atlanta 45:50 NO 27:15
Let’s see………….Total Yards Atlanta 417 NO 398
Let’s see………….Final Score 27-24
Howie Long writes:
The Saints, the defending champs, have to be a little concerned. Not only did they lose in overtime to their biggest rival in the NFC South, the Atlanta Falcons, but they also still have to play a month or more without Reggie Bush, who can turn a 5-yard dump-off pass into 15, 25 yards or even a touchdown. They also lost cornerback Tracy Porter, one of their defensive stars in the Super Bowl, and that’s not good, either.
The Falcons won by being able to pound the ball on the Saints. They have something very good going right now with Michael Turner and Jason Snelling pounding the middle of the line. But I came away from the game being impressed by the growth of quarterback Matt Ryan. A year ago, he went into the Superdome, and he threw three interceptions, two inside the 5-yard line. Today, zero.
Instead, it was Drew Brees who uncharacteristically turned the ball over. Since the 15th game of last season, he had gone 241 pass attempts without a pick. But he threw two interceptions today, so turnovers were the difference.
Each and every personnel move general manager Thomas Dimitroff and coach Mike Smith have made was geared toward beating New Orleans, particularly on defense with the acquisition of Dunta Robinson and rookie linebacker Sean Witherspoon. They made moves to improve their overall team speed and pass coverage, and it’s working.
Brees took a big hit on his left knee toward the end of the game. I’m not sure whether that factored into Sean Payton’s decision to not try to punch it in when they got down to the Atlanta 11-yard line. Payton opted to kick the field goal immediately with a first down. And when Garrett Hartley missed that 29-yarder, the Saints defense got worn down on the final drive.
Defensively, the Saints have made a living off giving up the yards and counting on their opponents to make mistakes. No defense does a better job of stripping the ball away from the opponents. But with the exception of the fluke turnover on the punt return, the Saints produced zip in this big division game.
Elvisinthehouse
September 27th, 2010
9:05 am
The falcons aint BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! They win one game against a real team and the blogs blow up.You would think they just won a superbowl.
Sid
September 27th, 2010
9:05 am
Saints Geaux U
You can trash us and this blog all you want……………….and the final score will still be
27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-2427-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24 27-24
Sid
September 27th, 2010
9:06 am
Sid out……………………….
Elvisinthehouse
September 27th, 2010
9:09 am
ATL BORN AND RAISED,LOL IT AINT THAT SERIOUS DUDE ITS JUST FOOTBALL.
St. Richt
September 27th, 2010
9:09 am
Saints Geaux U, you guys were lucky to even get to overtime. A miracle bounce off of our punt return team and a miracle save back inbounds, a no call horse caller on Matt Ryan(A QB for christ sakes!), a no call on a face mask takedown of our kick returner, etc, etc… There were so many suspect calls and no calls that went the Saints way, as always in the Katrina Dome.
Face it, we beat you the entire game. The missed field goal in OT is called “karma” after all of the voodoo calls throughout the game. We dat fool, we dat.
St. Richt
September 27th, 2010
9:10 am
PS- check out the picture of the no call horse caller on Matt Ryan- its one of the pictures from the game on the AJC website. How could that be a no call ????
St. Richt
September 27th, 2010
9:11 am
Correction: HORSE COLLAR not caller!
Chris
September 27th, 2010
9:14 am
Jeff……The Falcons looked great but that was one thing that alarmed me. The Falcons owned time of possession, ran the ball down the Saints throat, basically dominated the game and yet if it were not for a shanked field goal the Saints would have still won.
Falcons D is still giving up the big play and it almost got us beat for a 2nd time.
Paddy O
September 27th, 2010
9:14 am
WHERE IS HIRAM SAINT???????? We should have lost this game – and yes, the refs were siding with NO- Shockey clearly held on that TD pass. We should have lost this game – two big stupid run back plays, a queer turn over on a kicked ball that hit Decoud in the back of the leg. We should have lost this game. HARTLEY SHANKS IT!!!! We should have lost this game. Midway throught the game: MAN, WE ARE ACTUALLY GOOD – we moved the ball well, throwing to everyone; was worried about Turner, but he started to turn it on in the 3rd quarter – would have liked to see a little more Snelling – if turner is #1, Snelling is #1A. We should have lost this game – BUT WE WOOOOOOONNNN!!!!
Sid
September 27th, 2010
9:16 am
One last thing…………………… note to Matt Bryant…………
One hell of a kick man…………
Paddy O
September 27th, 2010
9:17 am
we are good! no turnovers, 2 interceptions! the steelers D is great – and we moved on them!!!! I am back to thinking 10-6 would be a disappointment!!!
St. Richt
September 27th, 2010
9:19 am
I love my Falcons but Turner is the most overrated RB I’ve seen in a long time. Play Snelling more and keep Twinkle Toes on the sideline. And don’t tell me about the big runs he broke- anybody could have run through those holes and probably broken it off for more yards too. He is painful to watch as he tip toes into the hole. This team is solid, but Turner not so much.
Paddy O
September 27th, 2010
9:21 am
Saints Go U: Buddy, you got pounded all day. Brees made a key error. If not for 2 bad special team coverages and the lucky punt striking Decoud, you lose 21-3. We pushed your defense around the field all day long – Falcons on the way up, Saints just treading water in Lake Ponchartrain.
Paddy O
September 27th, 2010
9:22 am
St. Richt – I CONCUR; was really disappointed in Turner the 1st half; after we tired out the Saints’ line, we got better push, and opened quite a few holes – Mughelli played a great game, too!
Saint Hater II
September 27th, 2010
9:22 am
Great game overall. thats what a division rivalry game is suppose to be like, I hate blow outs in any game. Matt Ryan has now gained my support as a guy who can lead his team in the big game. Its a great win for the falcons to grow on. I was in the superdome yesterday and it was hostile. For the falcons to battle the Saints and the Fans was a great victory. We use to get 30,000 fans in the superdome, those days are over, we my have had 7,000 yesterday. It felt good to walk out the superdome yesterday with bragging rights for a change.
james
September 27th, 2010
9:26 am
I saw Pierre Thomas getting injured with his leg turned awkwardly towards the end of the game. Does anyone know his status? Its going to be tough going for the Saints if they are without BOTH Bush AND Thomas.
jpaul07
September 27th, 2010
9:29 am
What a great and fun game to watch. The Falcons never gave up, and played awesome! Gooooo Falcons!!!!!!!!!
St. Richt
September 27th, 2010
9:33 am
Pierre Thomas came back in the game after that run so he must’ve been just milking an injury timeout. It looked bad but he was apparently able to rub some dirt on it and get back in there..
PatrickT
September 27th, 2010
9:36 am
Dear SeenThisB4
GEAUX HOME! TIME’S UP!
Craig
September 27th, 2010
9:41 am
David Archer Scrub
September 27th, 2010
8:28 am
Blame the Saints kicker retarded Craig, don’t credit the Falcons.
Archer, when you keep a game close it comes down to who blinks and makes the crucial mistake to lose the game. Yesterday it was the saints. Are you that damn stupid that you can’t understand that concept? If you are, please find another hobby or like because you are to ignorant for the NFL fan base.
Alan
September 27th, 2010
9:46 am
GREAT VICTORY (a difference between a win) and sucess.
GO FALCONS AND GO SOUTHERN RUSH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JeanE
September 27th, 2010
9:49 am
I am so proud of this team! That was just a huge win for us, I didn’t realize it’d been that long since we won in the Superdome! I screamed myself hoarse when Bryant made that field goal! Bryant seemed a little iffy in preseason but man, he came through big time for the team yesterday. Finally, it all came together. Matt Ryan was fired up and played tough and smart. He ran for yards when it was available (I’d been begging him to do that in prior weeks). Our receivers was wonderful and shout-out to my boy, Finn who didn’t have a ball thrown his way but was blocking like crazy, he was taking guys out! Tough running from Turner and Snelling (love Snelling). Too many penalties from Sam Baker! Even though we didn’t get any points from our turnover recoveries, awesome game from the defense! Would’ve like to seen Bierman get to the QB but Abe, Peterson, Grimey (don’t tell me he’s too short to play CB! Guy has heart and fire), wow. Mike Smith has guts galore, I wouldn’t have gone for the 2nd 4th down conversion but he did and it paid off! For once, I didn’t even have any complaints about Mularkey’s playcalling. We didn’t even miss Jenkins, I like our receivers as is. Way to go Birds!! Now don’t have a letdown against a ticked off 49er team next week. Dome field advantage, go get ‘em!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 27th, 2010
9:50 am
HiramSaint is broke and can’t afford his internet connection. The Katrina govt. money has run out and HiramSaint is back living under a bridge on Hwy 92.