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
Whopper Dawg
September 26th, 2010
8:41 pm
They sure showed something today, They really played hard and played well.
FrontRow
September 26th, 2010
8:42 pm
Hmmmmm so more yards = better result? Brees got 350+, MV got 290 something. Lowly Matt got a scant 220.
Philly can have their story and all the drama. I like the win along with the lack of noteriety.
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:42 pm
Matt Ryan Noodle Arm, snail running QB won’t win anything
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:42 pm
Atlanta fans aren’t going to give the guy credit because his actions essentially left this franchise and this city in the cold, Marshall; who goes from being the face of professional football to doing some of the stuff he was doing behind the scenes? I’m not trying to slam him by saying that, because the past is the past and — you’re right — he has apparently turned things around, but there’s a reason the Atlanta fanbase doesn’t like the guy, and it has nothing to do with anything other than the fact that he played a major part in destroying that which he’d helped build.
Mike Vick is an extraordinary talent; in truth, there’s never been another quarterback like him, with the possible exception of Randall Cunningham in his early days, when it comes to a combination of his legs plus his arm. But he did it to himself with Falcons fans, and you can’t blame the majority of us for turning our back on him after all that we’d trusted him with.
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
8:42 pm
2010 Falcons,, NFC South, Champs,, has a nice ring to it
Coach
September 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
Vick>>>Ryan??????????? Everyone has their own opinion I guess. Looking at EVERYTHING involved in that decision at this moment I feel the seasoned personnel exec. would beg to differ.
Freshmaker
September 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
FWIW, ESPN Radio personality Colin Cowherd said last week on his show that he thinks the Falcons are the team to beat in the NFC, and will go to the Super Bowl.
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
Vick is sick. This punk killed helpless dogs by drowning them. He should be banned from the NFL and still be in the Big Pokey.
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:43 pm
Vick is better than Ryan
TruthSeeker
September 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
The Saints were lucky to even be in overtime. If not for that fluky punt recovery that bounced off DeCoud (and should have been a penalty on New Orleans for kick-catch interference in the first place) the Saints aren’t even in the game. The Falcons thoroughly outplayed the Saints and put a physical beatdown on them in their house. Deal with it.
Chop Buster
September 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
Trent I am talking to you because you’re here crying like a little b*tch. You have the wrong person son…nothing country about me. Don’t live in GA! You are more retarded than I thought with your momma and daddy being siblings and all. Don’t you just hate the Falcons won this game? LMAO
Mr Charlie
September 26th, 2010
8:44 pm
A W is a W in the NFL. If we lost because our kicker missed the winning FG, would there be anyone here talking about how we shoulda won?
It it the NFL, you have 16 chances. So far our only our only blemish is a bad pass they Troy P got his hands on. Not shame in that.
Frozen Rope
September 26th, 2010
8:45 pm
Vick is not our QB,, Ryan is,,, Deal with It,, win win for us,,, ,,,
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:45 pm
falconfan 2986 watch your mouth calling someone a punk, look at the highlights and the stats which show the FACTS
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:45 pm
Vick didn’t get a light sentence for his crimes, guys. He shouldn’t still be in the pokey, and he lost a lot more than any of us ever will for his actions. He’s done his time and paid his debts to society, in other words.
He’s just not someone I’m going to spend a lot of my time rooting for going forward. The past is the past, and we’ve got our own franchise guy now.
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:46 pm
Vick made more better throws than Ryan did today, he is better than Ryan hands down
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
We’ll see, Eagles2010. Time will tell.
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
OK FALCONS FANS IF YOU COULD CHOOSE BETWEEN VICK AND RYAN FOR ONE GAME TO WIN THE SUPERBOWL WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
“You can’t deny that the Saints let the Falcons back into the game in overtime”
you can make the argument that a couple of Falcon play calls kept the Saints (in) the game before overtime was needed.
sure their Kicker missed a relatively manageable kick, however, the premise that the victory wasnt earned is a bit off base. time of possession disparity was pure child abuse.
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:47 pm
MarshallFaulk,
Vick doesn’t deserve ANY credit from Atlanta Falcons fans. Not after what he did to us in 2007. He can have credit in Philly and everywhere else, but I doubt you posting on here about Vicks “accomplishments” on one of the worst defenses in the NFL will get Falcons’ fans to bow down kiss his felon rear end. He’s still a felon, he still the entire Falcon fan base down, and let down his teammates. He can act like a QB all he wants, but he’ll NEVER be a leader and to be a true QB you need to be a leader.
Matty Ice is the truth Falcons fans!!!!! He’s our guy. Boy he had a hell of a game today. Acted like a REAL QB out there today.
Coach
September 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
“more better”..on that note I think I have to call it a night.
Saints Rock
September 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
Hands Down Vick is better, good game by the falcons today
New Orleans Saints’ Sean Payton’s postgame comments – NOLA.com | Who Dat Nation
September 26th, 2010
8:48 pm
[...] Brees, Saints Too Inconsistent As Falcons Take Win in New OrleansBleacher ReportCBSSports.com -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -FanHouseall 1,075 news [...]
Mr Charlie
September 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Glad for Vick, I agree nobody has paid as much for so little. However, if he did not do what he did, we would not have smitty and Dimitrov. We have a great orginization, a QB on the upswing, and a bright future beyond any single player. We learned something…..Good luck to vick.
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
You Falcons Fans Don’t Know Football
truth
September 26th, 2010
8:49 pm
Nearly lead his team to victory is not a win, TXDawg (dumba$$) and I’ve been a Falcon fan since the late 70’s and never heard the aints sat :WHO DAT.” Why don’t you just suck it up ad kno that your team was man handled today and you should stop man handling Vick. When he beats a good team I’ll give Vick his due. I took up for that jerk here in Atlanta and all he did was shove it back in my face. You may now leave because you know I tell the TRUTH.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:50 pm
I would choose Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, Eagles. lol
I’m not sure I’d want Mike Vick in that situation, truth be told. We’ve seen his decision making processes in the past, and they weren’t always the best ones when he was under pressure. Green Bay at Lambeau aside in the playoffs a few years ago, he wasn’t always someone I wanted in those situations because, despite the dangers of his legs at the time, he would make terrible decisions throwing the football/protecting it.
So far, through 10 quarters, he’s done well in the passing department since returning to being a starter, but I’m still not going to deem him the saviour of the Eagles after playing the likes of the Lions and Jaguars.
Trent Dilfer
September 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
Truth watch your mouth you redneck Falcon Fan, No Class
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:51 pm
Eagle2010,
I’ll take Ryan any day. He just went into the SB champs house and rang em up. Meanwhille you are bragging about a QB who played good against a team that will have a losing season this year. PUNK!!!!!
DK
September 26th, 2010
8:52 pm
Hey SeenThisB4,
Your time is passed, you d!ck. As I told you earlier this year, the aints spent the off season partying instead of practicing. Your time has passed, you loser. Leave us alone to enjoy our time!!
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:52 pm
Well I would choose Vick cause its hard for defenses to plan for him
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
Ben, I’d take Drew Brees too. He’s a great QB.
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
8:53 pm
Wow GTMUSTANG PUNK!!! LOL I have a question? What has Matt Ryan Won in his career?
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:55 pm
What has Vick won except man sex with a guy named Shirley in the pen?
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:55 pm
Eagles, flip that question back at Mike Vick.
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
8:55 pm
The Carolina Panthers (0-3) will get their first win next week againts the Aints. Mark my words.
truth
September 26th, 2010
8:56 pm
Seeing that Vick has NEVER had a come fron behind win in the 4th qtr……..I’ll take Matt all true Falcon fans have seen Matt lead his team from behind in the 4th qtr
Dat Hater
September 26th, 2010
8:56 pm
Where dat, who dat, Atl 27 – NO 24 now tak dat!!!!! Happy with the D except that each game we keep giving up that one big play that rears its head to bite us. 2) Harry and Ryan have got to get on the same page if they do we could be really dangerous, 3) Our special teams is not very good, and i hope we have a plan to get better. We are not very good on the offensive end, and coverage punt or kick off. Can anyone from the AJC staff explain to me why we have so many key players on special team. Go back and look at the game, i saw, jennings, grimes, decoud, lofton, bierman, moore, and im sure there were more on special teams. Just seems like we put those guys in positions to get hurt, and wears them down as well.
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
Dilfer….
Awww…I almost feel bad for you man. You must be a Vick/Saint’s fan. I’d be upset too if my team lost at home today and my favorite HB is an ex-felon too. I say HB because Vick is NOT a QB.
JP
September 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
Great game. Still quite proud to be a Saints fan. See you in December!
bigdave
September 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
wow.. the continuous infatuation with Vick positively, or negatively is unreal.
i am/ was a Vick fan. wish him well, however, i could care less about his productivity as an employee of the Philadelphia Eagles. those who hope for his professional and personal demise, seem to be morally out of touch. keep it moving.. and keep it football. the story is old. come our trip to Philly i want his head BUST!
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
Guys I’d want if I were to play in the Big Game:
1. Drew Brees
2. Peyton Manning
3. Tom Brady
45. Matt Leinart
Both Ryan and Vick would be somewhere between 3 and 45.
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
8:57 pm
The Falcon Fan that just picked Drew Brees needs to get off this blog
TXDawg
September 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
I wish I was Mike Vicks tight end. Oh…that made me quiver.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
Agreed, bigdave. Good to see someone else with that attitude.
Matt Ryan is our guy now.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
When did the Saints learn about football? Last year maybe?
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:58 pm
I agree Benjamin,
What the hell has Vick won? nothing more than Ryan and Ryan is only a 3 year QB. Vick had many, many year.
Oh, oh, oh..I got one!
Ryan led the Falcons to their first back to back winning seasons IN FALCONS HISTORY. Vick couldn’t do that.
Mr Charlie
September 26th, 2010
8:59 pm
I am pround of Ryan. He does not have any overwhelming arm stregnth, he has no speed, but he went into the Superdome and played a mistake free, smart game and put his team in postion to win. What is all I ask for in my QB…..Vick, I loved him, he screwed up, paid a huge price, and has worked hard to get back. I wish him the best….Hope to see him in the NFC finals.
GTMustang
September 26th, 2010
8:59 pm
TXDAWG!!!!! LOLLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!!!!
Blake
September 26th, 2010
8:59 pm
SeenThisB4 and HiramSaint…Here… let me slice you a big piece of Humble Pie!