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
Gotta Love IT
September 26th, 2010
9:14 pm
Michael Vick!! Damn! thats a bad boy!! Did you see his FootWork? off the chain…
Mattie lice cant carry Vick Jock Strap!
Damn, if Author Blank wasnt an idiot we could still have Vick. Can you imagine how electrifying the city and stadium would be.
Oh well Ill say this for Matt Ryan. He is indeed a great hand off artist! those 3 yard don’t get excited and throw the ball away passes and those in your stomach hand offs from Mattie lice is among the best of the falcons players.
Now if he could just pass and run like Vick….
Eagles2010
September 26th, 2010
9:15 pm
Well I can’t wait until the falcons and eagles play, that will be a good game
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 26th, 2010
9:15 pm
Nah Truth, my parents moved to Atlanta in 1969. But I did have some cousins caught up in Katrina and they witnessed some horrific scenes.
jo
September 26th, 2010
9:16 pm
shocked but happy with the falcons, hope it lasts
Jim
September 26th, 2010
9:16 pm
who dat lost?! lol
truth
September 26th, 2010
9:16 pm
Don’t live you Vick fantasy out on my behalf WONONEGAME. Sick pervert.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
9:16 pm
Vick IS the better fantasy quarterback because of his legs. I won’t deny that, TX.
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
9:17 pm
truth Needs to get off this blog moron, only for true falcons fans you bandwagon rider
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 26th, 2010
9:18 pm
Yeah Benjamin, he put 24 points up for me today. And to think, I almost started McNabb or Bradford over him.
Manny
September 26th, 2010
9:18 pm
Oh please stop it with the “Vick vs. Ryan” stuff. Vick isn’t here. He’s doing quite well in Philly. Matt Ryan is here. Even though he hasn’t won a playoff game yet, he just might this year.
But Matt Ryan’s game is very different from Mike Vick’s. Vick is big-play, Matt Ryan is controlled and methodical. The trick is the system. Mike Vick has to win every game in Philly in order for Philly to win, Matt Ryan just have to be smart and make good decisions and accurate passes. And they have identical records.
Right now, Philly needs the superstar. A superstar will mess up the Falcons system. So I don’t think that Vick will play as good here than what he is playing right now for the Eagles.
(But 3 TDs and 1 Rushing TD, which equates for all scores, looks really sweet on a Falcons box score… especially with almost 300 yards passing!)
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
9:18 pm
I can’t believe you wanna be true falcons fans choose other teams players for FF, once a falcon always one for everything
How bout them Dirty Birds!
September 26th, 2010
9:18 pm
Ol’ mo is with this team. Where are all of the Ryan haters now??
jo
September 26th, 2010
9:19 pm
falcons should have won it before the saints should have won it. thats the truth so the win was deserving.
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
9:19 pm
How would Ryan carry Vicks Jock Strap. Vick want let anybody but a skanky tramp near his junk. Plus that is where vick keeps his smoke now that everybody knows about his fake water bottle.
truth
September 26th, 2010
9:19 pm
TX finaly you hit the nail on the head…….VIck is a “fantasy” QB. Good job.
Regina
September 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
Everyone’s saying that the Saints kicker lost the game for them. But the saints defense should’ve held the falcons. They didn’t, The falcons won because they ran the ball and the saints defense got tired. Good teams win with muscle and hustle. They falcons did that today.
ejj
September 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
I must say i was really impressed, with the win. Bryant did a great job. Made me really glad to be a falcon fan in the bar today.
LOSERS
September 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
FALCONS SUCK
BLUE
September 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
Give VICK time he will do something stupid and be in trouble he can;t change don’t want to lose his street cred
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
September 26th, 2010
9:20 pm
I would win nothing but a Fantasy League idiot award if I had all Falcons players on my roster. I mean dang, I have Michael Turner, Roddy White as starters with Snelling on the bench…..geez!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:21 pm
The Falcons played but all the focus is on Vick! LOL, 3 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD is enough to divert the attention away from the Birds. LOL
Gotta Love IT
September 26th, 2010
9:22 pm
truth
“Eagles fans have no RIGHT coming on OUR boards telling us we should not have hard feelings against Vick. None of you were around when he took his 130 mill and then give us the bid.”
1) LEARN TO SPELL A SIMPLE WORD LIKE ” BIRD.”
2) HE WASN’T GIVING ME OR HIS FANS THE BIRD HE WAS GIVING IT TO HATERS LIKE YOU.
3) IF I COULD SEE YOU ID GIVE YOU THE BIRD TOO.
4) IMAGINE THE MIDDLE FINGER ON A BIG BLACK HAND POINTING IN YOUR DIRECTION…THAT’S FROM ME TO YOU.
YOU FEEL ME?
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:22 pm
Falcons fans mad cuz they got overshadowed. Dont hate, its not the fault of the Eagles or the national media. Just that on a national scale, it is what it is.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:23 pm
Betta hope Turner and Snelling stay extra healthy!
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
9:23 pm
TXDAWG you sound like a wanna be Falcon fan making excuses for FF, I think you chose Drew Brees also, another Falcon bandwagon rider
cheshire
September 26th, 2010
9:23 pm
There are two things Mike Vick has that Matt Ryan will never have –
1 – the ability to scramble and pick up yards with his feet
2 – the psychotic urge to torture and electrocute animals
Hmmmmm…. yeah, call me crazy, but i think i can live without those 2 things in my QB
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:24 pm
Why Falcons fans have such short attention spans? Cant be happy for your team? Got to start talking about Vick, even now? Oh, I guess 4 TDs is a lot from one person, so….carry on!
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
9:24 pm
truth needs to go back to school and learn how to spell
Da Sheff
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
Gotta give it up to Matt Ryan today. He became the leader if the team officially today.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
If you a real Falcons fans why you even bringing up Vick? Because he’s on your mind and you just got to talk about him? LMAO
DEZZ NUTTZ
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
5150 P.O.A.D.
DEZZ NUTTZ AINT FAKE. CHECK EM OUT!
cheshire
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
Gotta Love IT – it’s not ID, it’s I’D – it’s called a contraction, moron. Still think you’re fit to give people lessons on how to write?
You feel me?
truth
September 26th, 2010
9:25 pm
Man the Falcons beating the aints has made alot of people angry. Ruined ya’lls day today didn’t it……I know I know you wont sleerp well tonight.
Just say your prayers…..
Now I lay me down to sleep, my saints my saints they just got beat.
I hope I die before I wake, I just can’t take this awful fate.
GEAUX FALCONS!!!!
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
9:26 pm
Give it time. The Philly fans are such nice people. They will show VICK what True Philly Loves after he Fs-up Bigtime.
cheshire
September 26th, 2010
9:27 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle – no one feels the need to talk about Vick. they talk about Vick because idiots like you come on their board and bring it up. i’m sure you’re getting a brain cramp right now trying to wrap your mind around this difficult concept, but just take a break and come back and i’m sure it will start to make sense. cool?
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
9:27 pm
I hope these Vick azz- kissers and aint fans don’t live in Atlanta.If so get the blank out!
cheshire
September 26th, 2010
9:28 pm
lol – great point 5150 P.O.A.D.. it’s like watching an abusive husband go for his 2nd wife. they have no idea what they’re in for and they’ll be in denial until they have no other choice.
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
9:28 pm
TrishaDishaWarEagle Why are you even on here this blog is for true falcons fans not war eagles, auburn has a blog site
leont1
September 26th, 2010
9:29 pm
I am a Saints fan and I say congratulations. Falcons won and that’s the bottom line. Been watching Saints-Falcons games for a long time, this one rates in the top 5. However, I still believe in the end the Saints will be the better team and has a better chance to go back to the Super Bowl. Falcons secondary still has some issues and Matt Ryan just doesn’t strike me as a super bowl caliber QB, running game is definitely in the top 2 or 3 in the league. Coach ishowed some balls today for a change. All in all Atlanta has a nice team, if Saints don’t turn it over Falcons get an L, but congrats can’t wait until December.
truth
September 26th, 2010
9:29 pm
Watch out the spell patrol is out. Stupid geeks. I’m could careless if I miss a key know and then. When some of you grow up it wont matter either. It’s a sports blog for cripe sake.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 26th, 2010
9:29 pm
Comparing Michael Vick to Matt Ryan is completely unfair to Matt Ryan. Vick made the second round of the playoffs in his first year as a starter (age 22), the NFC Championship Game in his second season as a starter (age 24), and made three Pro Bowls in four total seasons as a starter. Ryan made the first round of the playoffs in his first season as a starter (age 23) and missed the playoffs in his second season as a starter (age 24). Expecting Ryan, or anyone else for that matter, to accomplish that much at that age is not at all fair, especially considering that Ryan doesn’t have the otherworldly talent that Vick does.
I keep saying this, but the proper guy to compare Ryan to is Joe Flacco, who came into the league in the same draft as Ryan and is the same age as Ryan. So far in their careers, Ryan started off better out of the gate but Flacco has shown more progress, although Ryan has gotten off to a better start this season. In order for Ryan to live up to the higher draft status and much larger contract he has than Flacco, he should reasonably be expected to significantly outperform Flacco over the course of his career. That is a fair expectation to have.
WW
September 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
If I were to chose any player for an all time best team, the first player I would chose is Luck. Since, we obviously already have that player, I think were in pretty good shape. Well played game.
truth
September 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
Hope you caught the I’m in that. lol it made some of you crinch. LOL!!!!!!
WONONEGAME
September 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
Spell Check
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
VICK VICK VICK VICK…………so there. Now are you Falcons fans gonna get mad or just talk about the Falcons? LMAO…why you so gullible and can be drawn into a back and forth like that? Dont you have some mental strength to ignore it..that is…IF you really want to ignore it. Naw, y’all wanna talk about Vick…you know you do! LMAO
falconfan 2986
September 26th, 2010
9:30 pm
Mike ”Sick” Vick is a speeding ticket away from returning to the Big Pokey.
DEZZ NUTTZ
September 26th, 2010
9:31 pm
There are three things Mike Vick has that Matt Ryan will never have –
1 – the ability to scramble and pick up yards with his feet
2 — throw the ball deep consistently,utilizing incredible foot work, throwing off foot or across his body on the run
2 – the psychotic urge to torture and electrocute opposing secondaries.
cheshire whats your view of Dezz Nuttz? Do you like them?
leont1
September 26th, 2010
9:31 pm
Oh and one more thing, please dismiss with the Vick talk, your QB is Matt Ryan. Vick has been gone for three years, let it go.
Benjamin
September 26th, 2010
9:31 pm
For the record, I could care less who says what in the media. The guys on Sportscenter and in newspapers don’t win football games. They could put Vick and the Eagles on the cover story of CNN.com tomorrow morning and I wouldn’t give two craps about it. It won’t change the fact that we took a team that hadn’t been beaten in many games — the defending Super Bowl champion Saints — and beat them in their own yard with our guy leading the way today.
Vick and the Eagles can get all the press and attention they want. I don’t care anything for that stuff.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
September 26th, 2010
9:31 pm
Sine you Falcons fans love talking about Vick, while pretending that you don’t…did you see the analysis of the games from all the national shows? They talked about the Falcons-Saints game too! Just not as much.