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
cj
September 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
ok whatever the vikings would have kicked their butts on any other day but brett was off and threw that pic in the NFC championship
IDK Y
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Breesus… I hope you burn in hell for that name
And don’t we all know today’s Philly fans blogging are just the AINT’S fans with trash bags over there heads once again?
ATLbirds#13
September 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
CJ, using your thinking, If Hartley kicks a 29 yd FG Falcons lose. We beat a good team. Stay real!
John
September 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
C’mon, the guy missed a 29 yd fieldgoal…The Saints should have won.
This is nothing to hang your hat on…
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
3:30 pm
truth,
I would disagree, he did lead his team to victory but unfortunately his kicker couldn’t make a 29 yard fg. Are you really bragging about a 3 pt win?
The Saints had 3 turnovers, lost the time of possession advantage by a 2-1 margin, and was still a 29 yd FG away from beating the Falcons. I am not hating, kudos to the Falcons for perfect execution and beating the Saints at their own game by capitalizing on your opponent’s mistake. My point is this was a close game that could have gone either way. You would swear by some of the comments on here (yours included) that the Falcons won by 3 td’s and shut the Saints down.
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
CJ and truth,
I am far from crying, I am busy polishing the Superbowl Trophy. Does the Falcons organization have one of those? Didn’t think so! A week 3 win doesn’t give you anything but bragging rights for 2+ months until they play again.
ATLbirds#13
September 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
CJ, The Vikes would have kicked their butts on any other day, but the day they played for the NFC championship they didn’t. Did they?
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
IDK Y,
I hope it’s warm when I get there you tool bag lol. Get a life and learn to take a joke!
John
September 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
Can’t wait for the Eagles vs Falcons game…this blog is going to blow up!
Deshawn Jackson is going to teach the “dirty birds” how to “dougie”!!
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
Hey John,
If you are going to talk crap and build someone up, shouldn’t you AT LEAST know their friggin name?
It’s Desean Jackson you putz!
truth
September 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
Breesus while you polishing that trophy justy remember this……ONE AND DONE AINT NO FUN!! Go ahead clean last season memories while the Falcons are taking care of the NFC South today.
GEAUX FALCONS!!
Silly little aints fans truly thought ya’ll were the next dynasty. LOL!!
ONE AND DONE AINT NO FUN!!
5150 P.O.A.D
September 27th, 2010
3:46 pm
LOOK the SAINTS won the SuperBowl on a great call. It was the Onsides Kick that the Colts didn’t holdon cover-up. If The Colts recover the onsides kick the Saints don’t win. Nice call and the TOILET called NOLA was flushed by KATRINA. If all you SAINTS fans love NOLA so much, then PLEASE move your GHETTO butts back to the CRESCENT TOILET BOWL CITY.
truth
September 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Go ahead and say your prayers Breesus…..
Now I lay me down sleep, my saints they played so very weak.
I hope I die before I wake, another whoop’n like that I just can’t take.
L.A. Mont
September 27th, 2010
3:47 pm
Congratulations Falcons on a great win! Anytime you make a championship run you have to overcome adversity, and get some breaks. The Falcons had to overcome the Saints big plays and the crazy punt off of DeCoud’s leg. And get a break like the missed FG in overtime.
Coach Smith pressed the issue and had a “win” mentality as opposed to being conservative. The last two games have been that way. The two fourth down conversions on that 10+ minute touhcdown drive showed me alot. I hope they keep that “win” mentatility for every game.
Ryan seemed to be in control the entire game. He commanded the huddle and make all the right decisions. Glad to see Tony G back. He looked slow the first two games. Turner got some tough yards and managed to get over 100, but he still looks much slower than he did in 2008…need to get Snelling more touches. The defense gave up some yards (another big TD play), but the three turnovers were huge! Got to remain opportunistic and take advantage of every break.
Now, let’s rest, and then get to work on the 49ers, a surpising 0-3. The win over the Saints is great, but its means nothing if you can’t build on it. No time to let up, lose focus and allow the Niners to get confidence. Let’s support the home team and DEFEND THE DOME on Sunday!
truth
September 27th, 2010
3:53 pm
Breesus if your gonna blog on hear at least get your own name right…breesusisawussas.
John
September 27th, 2010
4:03 pm
A grown man named “Matty Ice”?
……Dude?! Was he given that name in pee-wee football?
Frozen Rope
September 27th, 2010
4:06 pm
Are we going to brag about a 3 point win,,, Oh Yes
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
4:08 pm
truth,
Ask yourself this, what’s better, One and done or none at all? Get a playoff win under this regime and then come talk to me. “a whoop’n like that I just can’t take?” lol, c’mon man you won by a fg after the Saints missed a gimme.
Hey Falcons, try not to get BLOWN OUT like you did against Denver if you ever make it back to the Superbowl! You can say what you want about the Saints being lucky but the bottom line is we sealed the deal while we were there! Unfortunately, the dirty birds can’t say the same since you got your asses handed to you, you didn’t have to worry about luck being a factor. The game was over in the 1st half
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:11 pm
Aints bragged about a 3 point win they got one against the 9ers. The 9ers BTW was giving the aints all they could handle. Notice in the other two games the 9ers played their offense couldn’t do squat. Oh yes aints ya’ll have alot to be worry about.
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:13 pm
ONE AND DONE STILL AINT NO FUN!! Hey Breesus, are you sure you wasn’t polishing Brees trophy. Are you a fluffer?
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:17 pm
Man this is nice. I’m blogging with a smile on my face and Breesus is doing all he can do not hitting his computer blogging with anger. Yes the Falcons won and at times seemed to try and handover the game to the aints, this is ya’ll wasn’t man enough to reach out and take. To busy with your hands on your hips gasping for air. Man ya’lls D look old and tired. Should have corrected that in the off-season. Instead ya’ll were hoping for turnovers. LOSERS!!!!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:18 pm
Sorry, thing is ya’ll weren’t man enough to reach out and take
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:21 pm
Like Milli Vanilli……ONE AND DONE. After a one hit wonder the truth came out and ya’ll were FAKE. ONE AND DONE AINT NO FUN!! Oh but you can “polish” Brees “trophy” , my bad Breesus. I guess you got to get a little joy from an all out a** whooping.
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:22 pm
BWAA HA HA!!!!!!
Frozen Rope
September 27th, 2010
4:32 pm
We are growing tired of you Aints Fans,,, We have beaten you in your house,, now be gone,,, we’ll see you in December.. Time for the 49ers,,,
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
4:34 pm
truth,
that’s just funny, I am far from hitting my computer. What have the Falcons won? Playoff wins with this coach and these players -0, Superbowls – 0, division titles -1, and oh yea, you must know it’s no fun to be ONE AND DONE, because that’s what the Falcant’s were in 08 after their division title hahahahaha. Enjoy the win, because when all is said and done, there are a few certainties in life, the sun still rises in the east and sets in the west, we still have to pay taxes, and the Falcant’s will be at home watching the Superbowl on TV come February
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:42 pm
Breesus last comment at 4:34 pm, very weak for a “superbowl champs” fan. You can leave know we are through playing with you. See you in Dec and we can start all this over again with another Falcon victory. Bye bye now.
Saints LSU
September 27th, 2010
4:43 pm
you guys won but the champs gonna still be here in the end mark my words saints in the NFC championship
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:44 pm
Liar you want to hit your screen with anger wishing it was a Falcon fan.
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:46 pm
I love it when the losers say “MARK MY WORDS” like they truly have any input on the out come of a game or NFC championship. Mark My Words, aints LFU…..BWAAA HA HA!!!
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:47 pm
I would MARK YOUR WORDS but a little busy marking up another WIN!!! You to can leave Aints LFU, we are through playing with you too. Bye bye now.
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
4:51 pm
truth,
Weak comment? Why because it’s true? You can’t explain those numbers away with your empty rhetoric can you!
For having that screen name, you sure don’t like hearing the “truth” do you? It’s stings when you hear the real “truth” that isn’t jaded by your red and black blinders.
bye bye
Frozen Rope
September 27th, 2010
4:53 pm
OK,, We get it,, you guys won a Superbowl,, congratulations,,, we’re proud of you,, what is it they say,, If you want to be the best you have to beat the best,,, I’d say we’re well on our way,,,, see ya in December
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:57 pm
Yes Breesus……weak. Dang boy do I need to spell it out for you? Must be hard with a cajun I.Q. Ok hear I go W…….E……..A……K. Did that help. Dang about as weak as the aints stopping the run. Naaa nothing is that weak.
truth
September 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
Oh…..bye bye now. You aints fans are like a dumb dog getting kicked off the porch, you keep coming back. Hey Breesus, some of your kinfolks on the show Swamp People?
Frozen Rope
September 27th, 2010
4:59 pm
Dude,, the real truth is we won the game yesterday,,, sounds like somebody is having a hard time comming to grips with that… buhbye
Stizz
September 27th, 2010
5:01 pm
We’re wasting energy on these idiot Saints fans folks. We have to move on to this trap game at home. Everybody and their brother knows we should win, but we can’t overlook that team.
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
5:02 pm
I acknowledge and undstand that the Falcons won. The Falcons haven’t beaten the Saints very much lately, so I should be a little more understanding for your need to celebrate like you just won the Superbowl lol
truth
September 27th, 2010
5:08 pm
5:02….again weak. To bad your team didn’t put up a fight like ya’ll are. LOL LOL LOL ya’ll are pissed and scared. Hey NFL….JUST RUN THE BALL THEY CAN’T STOP IT!! Must suck knowing that every team knows ya’lls kryptonite(sp).
truth
September 27th, 2010
5:09 pm
Stizz you’re right, my bad. Mom always said don’t play with cajun people they don’t understand. We should take up a collection for them or something.
Breesus
September 27th, 2010
5:14 pm
Actually truth, our kryptonite yesterday wasn’t the Falcons running game, it was Tony Gonzalez. I am still miffed how you leave a TE that is going to the Hall of Fame and leads the NFL in damn near every statistical category in the history of the position wide open time and again on 3rd down. The back breaker wasn’t the running game it was the 3rd down/4th down conversion success that kept drives going. Falcons had plenty of 3rd and 5+ situations that weren’t converted via the run.
Frozen Rope
September 27th, 2010
5:16 pm
No Breesus,, not celebrating like we one the superbowl,,, just enjoying the moment after a great victory over the Champs in their house and sick of listening to the Aints fans all last week talk about how we were gonna get our ass handed to us and it just didnt happen that way…
truth
September 27th, 2010
5:23 pm
5:14……weak. Oh sorry W…….E……A……K.
Frozen Rope
September 27th, 2010
5:28 pm
Your right Stizz,, cant have a let down against the 49ers,,, if we want to be a playoff team this is a game we must win…
NW Falcon
September 27th, 2010
5:41 pm
Memo for Saints Fans: We understand it was week 3, but that was when the game was played. The bottom line is we came into your house and won. So please return to your homes in the Waterboy movie and tell Bobby Boucher to go fetch the Birds some cool refreshing H2O.
The Saints are the Devil!
GwinnettDad
September 27th, 2010
5:51 pm
The Falcons played well, but the Saints played better. Falcons won on the scoreboard only. Goes to show its often better to be lucky than good. This team is 9-7, 10-6 or so. Good, maybe better than last year, but nothing that great. Not yet, anyway.
truth
September 27th, 2010
6:52 pm
GwinnettDad
September 27th, 2010
5:51 pm
The Falcons played well, but the Saints played better.
Wow! You are a GENIUS!! You must fell asleep after the first 3 min of the game.
BirdDawg24
September 27th, 2010
8:35 pm
special teams(sloppy). corners -(lacking).lucky (yes) still a great win by birds, but new orleans shot it self in the foot. and dont tell me im a bandwagon jumper. I ve been A falcons fan long before some of you could even spell bandwagon.this team still would struggle with colts and patriots. more work to be done folks. the secondary is still very suspect.
Falcon Fan 2986
September 27th, 2010
9:05 pm
The Falcons rock and the Aints suck hind tit.
falconfan 24-7
September 27th, 2010
9:12 pm
Hey so -called Falcon fan critics. Take a chill pill, we won the flippin game. A win is a win. It doesn’t matter how many points you win by.Arizona beat Oakland 24-23 yesterday. Guess what ,the game counts toward their record. When the Aints beat us last year 26-23, we didn’t say we only lost by three points, like the sore loser Aint fans are doing. Get a life, do the math and learn the game. Good grief.