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
WhoDat
September 26th, 2010
8:18 pm
You pathetic dirty bird fans are excited about a week 3 win? are you kidding me? do you have a SB ring? NO! Will you EVER have one? NO! What a joke….In all likelihood, you will get drummed next week by the 49ers. Enjoy it, Rednecks, it is only one week….man, I love my SB 44 victory….stay classy, Rednecks…..
Chop Buster
September 26th, 2010
8:19 pm
I don’t pay any attention to ESPN or NFL Network because it’s apparent to me that a lot of them just don’t like the Falcons for one reason or another. Does Trent actually think he was a superstar QB because he one a SB with the Ravens? It was your defense dummy. Marshall Faulk is another Falcon hater, but it’s understandable since he’s one of those back wood Louisiana boys whose mother is his daddy’s sister.
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
8:19 pm
Who cares about Trent Dilfer? You can see ALL the highlights on NFL Replay later this week.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 26th, 2010
8:19 pm
You can’t deny that the Saints let the Falcons back into the game in overtime, but regardless, going on the road and beating the defending champs is impressive in any context. Bottom line is, the Falcons got it done when it mattered and the Saints didn’t. Saints fans can’t blame anyone but their own team.
Derrick
September 26th, 2010
8:19 pm
How is it luck that we have a kicker who made a pressure kick and the Saints kicker didn’t?
truth
September 26th, 2010
8:20 pm
Thats the spirit Seen.
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:20 pm
THE DIRTY BIRDS SUCKS
Bug Zapper
September 26th, 2010
8:21 pm
A great win indeed…..Not a big pro fan but it was refreshing to see a team show guts,courage and determination….moreso than the team I pull for……It was an awesome game to watch and probably Atl’s biggest win ever besides the win against Minn to go to the SB…..Mell from SW Atl…..Dis aint loooosusville afterall……Go Falcons!……Do something that no other team in this state seems to be able to do!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
8:21 pm
WhoDat move back to the Toliet Bowl that is NOLA and take the rest of the KATRINA REFUGEES with you.
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:22 pm
All you peanut growing Falcon fans don’t know football
Chop Buster
September 26th, 2010
8:22 pm
Trent your momma does the same thing…she’s actually pretty good at it too!
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
All due respect and congratulations to Mike Vick, but I’d rather talk about the guy that led us to victory vs. the defending Super Bowl champions today; Matt Ryan is establishing himself, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time to start recognizing that.
Gotta love Matty Ice and the way he played today, without question; he controlled the game, controlled the team, and apparently lit a fire under some tail feathers before that last drive in a manner that I don’t think even he would’ve expected before the game. I’m not going to talk about 13-15 wins, but I WILL say this; Atlanta’s the best team in this division, and we’ll be a factor in January.
Go Birds of the Dirty nature…
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:23 pm
The Saints Won that game
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
And, to WhoDat and all the Saints fans out there reading these words, I’m going to go a different direction from many of my brethren.
Good game today, fellas. Good luck next time we see each other.
Johnny
September 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
Matty Ice. A pro quarterback all the way. And he is our ice man.
CaptainLefty
September 26th, 2010
8:25 pm
How about Matt Ryan in the 4th Qtr? His fire & passion during the late time out when he took control, pushed asst. coaches out of the way, willing the whole offense to the sidelline where it looked like he said: “No mistakes! Play smart! Now let’s go kick their a$$!”
Chop Buster
September 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
Trent it’s getting late…time to get ready for school tomorrow. Be nice and go take your Sunday night bath so you can go to bed.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
truth
September 26th, 2010
7:55 pm
Who Dat Brees? It’s the Falcons, that who dat is. Time to change your chant aints fans. Ya’ll stole it from the Bengals anyway.
Truth – time and time again you make posts that you obviously have no knowledge what you’re talking about…case in point, the excerpt above. New Orleans fans have been using the Who Dat chant as far back as I can remember which is somewhere in the early ’70s. It was the Bengals who began copying the Saints by starting a “Who Dey” chant.
You recently posted that Michael Vick hasn’t played “anybody” yet and alluded to the fact that he wouldn’t perform well against a “good” team. How short is your memory? He nearly led his team to victory after entering the game for an injured Kevin Kolb against Green Bay. I would say that GB is an upper echelon team.
So if you want to continue blogging and spitting off at the mouth with untrue statements then why not consider changing your name from Truth to False!!
Marshall Faulk
September 26th, 2010
8:26 pm
Do you Falcons Fans think you guys have won something? Calm Down , it’s only one game but Michael Vick steals Atlanta’s spotlight again
Stizz
September 26th, 2010
8:27 pm
Also, good to see ATL didn’t settle for a moral victory. “Well we played well, we just didn’t come away with the W” only works in the Braves clubhouse. So glad the city doesn’t have to rely on those gutless clowns anymore.
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:27 pm
I will have your mom in the shower with me tonight so don’t worry
Mickey Mantle
September 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
The coons are here.
45ACP
September 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
Right on POAD.
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:28 pm
Garrard, who was benched last week after throwing four interceptions against the Chargers, was even worse against Philadelphia. Yes, worse. Although Garrard threw just one interception, he tossed up at least four more balls that could have been picked.
Garrard finished 13 of 30 for 105 yards and was sacked six times. Defensive ends Brandon Graham and Trent Cole abused Jaguars offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton early and often, getting the kind of steady pressure that gives Garrard trouble.
Garrard finished with a passer rating of 39.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 26th, 2010
8:29 pm
By the way, we Vick fans have hated that egghead Dilfer since the day ESPN got him. He and Tim Hasselbeck both sure are awful confident about their talent evaluating abilities, considering their very subpar careers.
TV sports journalists in general form their narratives in their mind and then try to fit the facts into their narrative, rather than letting the facts determine the narrative. This is the central, overriding problem with sports journalism. If they would just report what happens, I think we’d all be a lot happier.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:29 pm
How did Michael Vick “steal Atlanta’s spotlight,” Marshall? I’m not sure I understand that one.
He played a very good game against a team that won’t be in the playoffs. Matt Ryan played a very good game on the road against the New Orleans Saints. I’d say that’s pretty much an advantage: Falcons scenario, wouldn’t you?
I wish Vick all the best and hope he finds true redemption in Philly, and that’s coming from someone that pretty much hates all things Philadelphia except for cheese steak, Rocky, and Always Sunny. But saying that he “stole the spotlight” by beating the Jacksonville Jaguars is a little much, don’t you think?
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
Thanks Benjamin….props.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 26th, 2010
8:30 pm
Chop Buster – Marshall Faulk was born and raised in the City of New Orleans, he’s not from the back woods. His dislike for the Falcons is probably because of the longstanding rivalry the Saints have with the Falcons.
Coach
September 26th, 2010
8:31 pm
Good to see you poop. I agree with you, the Saints did let them back in the game in overtime however the Falcons let them back in with that stupid (non) hot call when the punt hit Decouds foot and Breezy let them back in with that shuffle pass to a red shirt and Ryan with that pass where he forgot Douglas was playing for Jenkins (shorter and slower) and timed the pass wrong for a touchdown…. That’s part of what makes football football. Great game, both teams. Enjoy your posts though, you actually think before you speak, unlike others on these blogs.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:31 pm
No worries, FrontRow. Meant every word, even.
Good luck down the line. You guys have a HELL of a football team.
Marshall Faulk
September 26th, 2010
8:32 pm
We are showing vick highlights more than the falcons vs the saints because it is a better story
Chad
September 26th, 2010
8:32 pm
Never thought I would see this; the Falcons have more heart and determination than the Georgia Bulldogs. This might turn into a pro state with the way Tech and the Bulldogs are playing. Kudos to Mike Smith and the pros on the roster.
DHD
September 26th, 2010
8:32 pm
Just to repeat…..WE DAT!!!!!
Trent…there are mistakes and missed opportunities in every game by both teams. It’s part of the game. if the Saints aren’t smart enough to hire a decent kicker, that’s their bad.
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:32 pm
Coach Mike Smith showed guts and nuts by going on 4th down again and again. Go Falcons.
Biermeister
September 26th, 2010
8:33 pm
F*** VICK! WHO DAT? FALCONS! WHO DAT? FALCONS! FALCONS GONNA BEAT DEM TAINTS!
PlusSizeModel
September 26th, 2010
8:34 pm
Seeing that Saints assistant on the sideline during their missed kick was one of my favorite parts of the broadcast. He’s starts punching the air for a victory celebration and gets served. That was hilarious.
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:34 pm
The Jags will finish 1-15.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:35 pm
Well, I won’t disagree with that, Marshall. The Vick story IS a better story. He’s coming back from a lot of poor decisions that he’d made in his first run as a franchise player, and deserves every amount of adulation he can receive so long as he stays on the right path. I hope he does well in his run with Philly or wherever else his roads lead.
That said, I don’t miss the guy. I wish him well, but Matt Ryan’s our guy now, and he’s done a good job this season in proving himself to be a franchise quarterback in his own right.
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
8:35 pm
Very Proud of these Men Tonight,,, Go Falcons!!
Chop Buster
September 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
Trent you’re what I call a sore sucker…oops I meant loser. LOL I can always tell a sore loser because he comes on another team’s blog whining like a little girl.
Chad
September 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
True, PlusSizeModel. Then he tried to act like he was scracthing his chin. Funny
Marshall Faulk
September 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
The Vick story will get more press than the falcons, and he is a great quarterback but no one on here will give him credit
Coach
September 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
Hmmm. If average is 75% and you get 70% are you below average or GREAT…..
So if 300 is average and you get 291 are you……. I am not saying anything negative here really, just don’t get the crown ready yet please 7 fans.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 26th, 2010
8:36 pm
It’s hard for a lot of people (in Atlanta especially) to understand how the Vick story could be more intriguing than the Falcons over the Saints. You guys didn’t have a problem when he was the lead story when he was running circles around the league as a Falcon. The guy is an extraordinary talent and that’s what interests viewers as far as TV/Media is concerned. And, the fact that he is doing it after hitting rock bottom makes it all the more intriguing no matter what team he is playing against.
PappyHappy
September 26th, 2010
8:38 pm
Mark Richt should take some lessons of leadership and coaching from Mike Smith!
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
Just think about where our franchise was three years ago, with Bobby Petrino and Mike Vick dominating the headlines here in Atlanta. Ryan was our first pick in the draft that offseason, and we brought in a relatively unknown head coach candidate in Mike Smith, and since then we’ve made the playoffs and gone 9-7 in the two full seasons. Today, we’re 2-1 after beating the Saints on the road, and our only loss was a road loss that we could’ve won against a team that’s gone undefeated thus far in 2010.
Three years ago, we thought our franchise was set back another five seasons from the embarrassments that both Vick and Petrino had given us. Falcons fans — and Falcons haters — need to remember and recognize that tonight. We were going NOWHERE. Now there’s a real spark in the city with this franchise, and Ryan and Coach Smith have been a big part of all that.
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
With two minutes remaining in overtime Matt Bryant kicked the winning field goal. I’m glad he made it. Tying the Aints would have been like kissing your sister.Go Birds.
The Aints reciever are good at doing the dirty bird. Do they know we stop dancing like that in 98.
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:39 pm
Enough said Michael Vick>>>>>>>Matt Ryan
Coach
September 26th, 2010
8:40 pm
Ummm did I say that already?
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:41 pm
Mike Vick is a felon that is on probation. Matt Ryan is true pocket quarterback.