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.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
809 comments Add your comment
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 27th, 2010
9:50 am
HiramSaint where are you?
Alan
September 27th, 2010
9:51 am
The Falcons are in a great position to have two big and gifted running backs, between them and the offensive line there a few d-lines that can hold up under that pressure for an entire game.
GO FALCONS AND GO SOUTHERN RUSH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
KimZ'spackage
September 27th, 2010
9:51 am
Did anybody hear from HiramSaint this weekend?
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
9:52 am
‘cons are real excited about barely beating the saints after playing a flawless game. The game was handed to you during regulation and you still almost lost.
A broken clock is right twice a day so at some point in this domination you are bound to get lucky.
It takes some luck to have three straight winning seasons.
how about that convick dude:)
da roosta
September 27th, 2010
9:54 am
cha ching! We finally threw the deep ball. Of course, it was in overtime. Anyway, great win. Still concerned about Sam Baker’s ability at tackle.
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
9:55 am
simmer down folks. there will be a rematch soon and reggie the ‘con killa will be back then.
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
9:57 am
hate the saints
September 27th, 2010
8:33 am
The networks won’t mention the birds because they are not victims. It’s all about the
Saints rising from the ashes of Katrina. Tired of hearing about it. Love the birds stomping on their heads. Go Falcons!
Link Report this comment
—-
why would they mention a cesspool like ATL where you clowns don’t even show up for games. just a town full of carpet baggers.
Jeff
September 27th, 2010
9:58 am
Sold on the Falcons. Not sold on Van Gorder.
jfreak13713
September 27th, 2010
10:01 am
Remember it was a BAD coaching call to go for it on 4th down in the fourth quarter that ALMOST allowed the Saints to win. In fact, in most games the Falcons would have lost because most kickers are not going to miss a 29 yard field goal. With that said it sure is nice to come away with a win. The running game appears on track and Ryan seems like a man in charge again. Defense looked really good I thought in spite of a few long pass plays which the Saints and Brees will ALWAYS get.
Overall, Great win guys! Ryan fourth down run where he would NOT be denied the first down to me turned the game around.
Elvisinthehouse
September 27th, 2010
10:01 am
@ nola,don’t hate the so called convick dude is ballen.If the defence play a little bit more better a superbowl is brewing.
JeanE
September 27th, 2010
10:03 am
What is the point of rehashing all the Vick Stuff? He’s gone, he isn’t coming back, he burned his bridges here, I wish him well in Philly but why are we talking about him still? It is completely pointless! I agree with the guy who said it makes more sense to compare Ryan to Flacco, I always watch Joe and think, she we have taken him instead? They are pretty evenly matched, interesting to see how it plays out. Matt is a very smart guy, doesn’t have alot of arm strength but that isn’t always necessary to be successful in this league. I like the way he played yesterday, poised but fired up and smartly! Go stuff it Trent Dilfer where the sun don’t shine!
Barry
September 27th, 2010
10:05 am
HEY Y’ALL:
CAN YOU HEAR THE BEAT!! THUMP!! CAN YOU HEAR THE BEAT!!!??? THUMP!! THUMP!! IT’S GETTING LOUDER!!!!
ONE TEAM. ONE HEART. ONE CITY. ONE STATE. THIS IS OUR TEAM. THE PROCESS CONTINUES. IT CONTINUES IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!!” “WE RISE” WITH “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”.
THOSE DEFENSIVE DRAFT CHOICES (8) LAST YEAR WILL BE PAYING OFF DIVIDENDS IN WINS FIR YEARS TO COME. I AM TELLING YOU LOFTON, SPOON, AND THE REST OF THOSE YOUNG GUYS, WITH THE ESTABLISHED VETS, ARE “BLOWING THE ROOF OFF THE SUCKER”!!!!! THE DEFENSE IS FLYING. THE OFFENSE IS BLASTING THE HECK OUT OF THE OPPOSING DEFENSES. SOMETHING IS “BREWING” IN THE “ATL.” A REAL PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM TO THE LIKES THAT WE HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE IN THESE PARTS. IT’S GOING DOWN FOLKS. AND IT’s GOING DOWN IN “ONE HEARTBEAT!!”
CAN YOU HEAR IT??? THUMP!!! IT’s GOING TO BE VERY LOUD BY THE END OF THIS SEASON. THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!!
“WE RISE” WITH “ONE HEARTBEAT!!!”. IT’S ON!! DO YOU HEAR ME!!! THUMP!!!
……………………….”ONE HEARTBEAT, BABY!!!”……………….
james
September 27th, 2010
10:15 am
Alright, since it now seems the Falcons have turned the page from a perennial choking team that can get close but not close the deal to a team fully capable of pulling out in the end, occasionally being lucky (like all championship teams do) and snatching victory from the mouth of defeat, LETS ALL SHOW UP TO THE DOME EARLY, SCREAM LOUDLY, AND CAUSE FORTY NINER FALSE STARTS….EARLY AND OFTEN! PLEASE!
Russ555
September 27th, 2010
10:15 am
Good game Falcons.
ln29576
September 27th, 2010
10:17 am
Great game Falcons you beat us. Congratulations, guess we have one more shot at you in Atlanta.
I do have a question? how come all of you Falcon fans are talking like us Who Dat fans? ; – )
Good game!!
tom
September 27th, 2010
10:17 am
During a timeout prior to the final drive, Matt Ryan was visibly upset on the sideline. He had his finger in someone’s face and was yelling at this person. I have seen nothing written about this incident. Anyone know what that was all about.
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
10:19 am
‘cons are lame. you should be 1-2 right now with the whole city jumping off the connector.
is about time you did something against a winning team on the road.
gcs
September 27th, 2010
10:29 am
If Hartley had made that chip shot field goal would we be singing this same tune?
I think not.
.
F Troop
September 27th, 2010
10:30 am
My take: it isn’t that Turner is slow to the point of attack – it’s his absolute REFUSAL to cut to or run to daylight. Can somebody tell me what’s up with that? His low center of gravity style suits the run game kinda like Warrick Dunn had, but Turner just seems to not want to cut, spin, bounce out, or do anything to get free from a stack of bodies. My son and I have nicknamed him “Piles”, cuz wherever the pile on a football field is, #33 is sure to run into it. Follow Mughelli and bounce, MT!!!
newgafatboy
September 27th, 2010
10:55 am
Grimms is the most athletic corner on our team, if he was 6 inches taller, there might never be a pass completed his way.
stendek
September 27th, 2010
11:04 am
Even I must admit I am proud of Falcons. Sometimes entire seasons swing on one play. That play was probably the short field goal miss by Saints. That splits uprights then world champions are 3-0 on way to another division title. Falcons drop that one to fall to 1-2 then it is uphill all the way. Not impossible but highly improbable. Falcons spat in face of providence in Pennsylvania after short field goal miss by Steelers. Not this Sunday. Ball control was excellent. Almost flawless turnover wise. If only some dunderheads would learn to watch out for punts. There is actually cause for optimism. Never thought I would type that. Time for a solid winning streak. No regression. STENDEK
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
11:08 am
Ryan ended the day 19 of 30 passing for 228 yards, two touchdowns, and a rating of 108. It was the second straight week he’s had a QB rating above 100 and the 11th time in his career. The Falcons are 11-0 when Ryan eclipses the century mark in quarterback rating.
BG
September 27th, 2010
11:11 am
no one has mentioned what a great job Mike Smith is doing. the best football coach the state of GA has seen in a long time. and his assistants are getting it done.
Reality Check
September 27th, 2010
11:14 am
The Falcons won the game and that’s all that counts but if the Saints kicker hadn’t missed the OT field goal, they would have lost. He had as much to do with them winning the game, as they did.
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
11:16 am
I admit it, if not for Katrina, the Saints would have moved to San Antonio. We couldn’t sell out a game and nobody really cared for the saints. But after we won the super bowl the first thing I did was load up on sanits gear with my government issued credit card.
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
11:23 am
stop stealing my handle, damn con fans.
idot
September 27th, 2010
11:24 am
GO FALCONS!
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
11:25 am
I said I will come back so here I am… a few notes Falcons fans, you can’t sit here and complain that you gave the games away to the Saints last year and the ref’s jobbed you then when the Saints have the same thing happen, not expect to hear the same comments when the shoe is on the other foot.
Front Row, whatever else happens, you are no longer allowed to complain about officiating and your “homey calls” BS. Despite what you think, the refs aren’t giving the Saints games.
Next, the Falcons played well, they executed perfectly. No real TO’s (except for that fluke punt that hit the guy on the foot), and they didn’t miss a gimme FG. I don’t get all the comments about this being a DOMINATING performance by ATL. They averaged less than 4 ypc until overtime on that last drive and held Turner under 4 ypc for the game, that is unspectacular but solid. The Saints demise was not getting off the field on 3rd down thus leading to the huge time of possession advantage. The running game was part of the equation but Tony Gonzalez was the bigger factor. 9/18 on 3rd downs, 2/3 on 4th downs killed the Saints. I was dumbfounded that Gonzalez was WIDE OPEN play after play after play. And all that said, the Falcons won by 3 pts in a game the Saints should have won.
I am not taking anything away from the Falcons. They deserved this win. They were the better team Sunday, but if you expect to hear how great your team is you have to win by more than a fg on a day where your opponent turned the ball over 3 times… then missed a 29 yd kick to allow you the chance to win.
Elvisinthehouse
September 27th, 2010
11:25 am
@ stizz,only on playstation.
Observer
September 27th, 2010
11:26 am
Found this post on an ESPN Blog:
Legendary561: I’m no Eagles fan (go Dolphins) but I even I know Vick, pound for pound, is the best player in the NFL. He takes a 2 year break from football and comes back better than he was before. He’s a beast!
Also, Merrill Hoge said this morning, “There’s only two player in this league that can elevate their team to an extra level, Peyton Manning and Michael Vick”. WOW! Vick being mentioned in the same breath as Peyton again surely signals his revival 100%.
The world is starting to recognize!!
Elvisinthehouse
September 27th, 2010
11:35 am
Wow,look at the turn out of comments on this blog from only one win in the 3RD game of the season.I get it,turdy bird fans are not used to winning.Give it some games,the falcons will be back to normal and the fans will be complaining again.I don’t get it,this team wins one game against a good team and these people think there unbeatable? Pleeese!! my superbowl picks, eagles or dallas(nfc) ravens or pittsburgh(afc)
NOLA
September 27th, 2010
11:35 am
‘cons were so desperate for a win they threw out cnventional wisdom and started to gamble on fourth down rather than punt.
geezz I guess they really needed a signature victory to boost their confidence.
Act like youv’e been there before. Thank you.
John
mac
September 27th, 2010
11:37 am
Why Was Matt Ryan SCREAMING in the face of a player on the sideline, with Coach standing behind him??
I still did not see much of a pass rush..Nor..much in the way of pass defense..when you get TORCHED
for 350t yards a game..your coverage game sucks..BUT..it all gets back to pressure on the QB..
Yes we stopped the run game BUT almost lost in the pass game!
S.F. next week..possible UPSET?
WHO-DAT
September 27th, 2010
11:37 am
From The WHO-DAT NATION! The NFL is all about winning and losing and I tip my hat to the Falcons yesterday on yall win, however, we are still the Superbowl Champs until someone take that away and we are not going anywhere soon. Two of the NFC best teams played yesterday and I still belive the cream always rise to the top. TWO-DAT!!!
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
11:38 am
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.
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
11:40 am
Lets compare kickers Aints fans. The Aint kicker is a goat our kicker is clutch. Go figure.
HAMP
September 27th, 2010
11:40 am
I had two saints fans at the house the came ate all my food and LOST priceless.
Seenthisb4 that was a grown up move I respect you for that. You showed great class by coming in.
GO FALCONS!
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
11:45 am
Coach Mike Smith proved he his guts and nuts. Go Falcons.
JoeFan
September 27th, 2010
11:50 am
Very exciting game, could of gone either way. This time it fell in the Falcons favor, which is a good sign that in a league that focuses on parody, 2010 may be a good year for the Falcons.
Falcon Fan
September 27th, 2010
11:55 am
WHO DAT NOW?????? GO FALCONS!!!! WHAT A GAME.
Tommy
September 27th, 2010
11:55 am
Man, it doesn’t get any better than yesterday. . .speaking for all Falcons fans I would like to thank Sean Payton for ‘freezing’ our kicker and giving him a second shot after they blocked his first try.
It is true that had Hartley hit the 29-yarder in overtime we would have lost. But remember, had Brett Favre not made the stupidest play of his career last January, the Saints wouldn’t have gone to the super bowl.
Luck in the NFL is not reserved exclusively for hurricane victims
BlueEagle
September 27th, 2010
11:56 am
I’m not offended by the lack of coverage from most media outlets. This is Atlanta, when have we EVER gotten coverage from any of the media outlets??? I am however puzzled at the opposing players, in this case Lance Moore, who think that scoring a touchdown and then doing “The Dirty Bird” is something offensive when no one in a Falcon uniform has done the Dirty Bird in a decade. That only makes Moore and any other player who does that look stupid as well as uninformed.
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
11:59 am
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.
L.R. Glass, Sr.
September 27th, 2010
12:01 pm
This is what one means when it is said that they ” snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat.”
Let’s face it: the Falcons were Damned lucky to win that game, but if I remember correctly, the Steelers were lucky to score the only touchdown of the game at the most opportunistic time of the game. Also, didn’t these same Saints get “lucky” with an onside kick in some “meaningless” game against the vaunted Colts last season? Weren’t they decided underdogs in that game? I’m sure we remember what happened after that, don’t we???
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
September 27th, 2010
12:02 pm
loved seeing ryan getting emotional on the sidelines. this is exactly what we need from our QB. he is going to have a great year, IMO. this is the leadership you need and matty ice proved it yesterday.
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
12:05 pm
@ Aints
The Aints got lucky last Monday night when they kicked a last second FG to beat the 49ers, The Aints got lucky when the Vikings missed a FG in the NFC Championship game. The Aints got lucky when they intercepted Peyton Manning’s pass in the Super Bowl ,because the receiver ran the wrong pattern. The Aints luck ran out when we kicked the Aints azz yesterday.On to the next one!
Is it safe to say
September 27th, 2010
12:06 pm
that Sam Baker is the J.A. of the OL? Dude what’s your deal?? You suck bro, get it together…
And to all you Saints fans on the Atl blogs, SUCK IT
falconfan 2986
September 27th, 2010
12:11 pm
Llast year the referee bailed the Aints out.Brent Grimes intercepted a pass when the game was on the line but was called for interference. The replay revealed it was a clear interception.The Saints scored on the next possession and won.
VICK WHO
September 27th, 2010
12:11 pm
TOO HELL WITH MICHAEL VICK.
Kerryb
September 27th, 2010
12:11 pm
Who Dat? Well, Dat be the Falcons.