LIVE BLOG: Hot Falcons get another big test from Packers
Michael Turner carries for the Falcons Sunday against Green Bay. The Falcons led 10-3 at halftime. (AP photo)
Good morning. Need coffee.
I fully expect to see better football and fewer turnovers today than I witnessed last night in Athens. Georgia and Georgia Tech will go to low-tier bowl games — and those are gifts. The Falcons (8-2) and Green Bay (7-3) are two of the NFL’s top teams and could be on track to meet for the NFC title and the Super Bowl berth.
It may take me a few cups of coffee to get me going this morning. I left Athens at 1:45 a.m., got home at 3 a.m., crawled into bed at 3:30 a.m. But I’m in a climate controlled stadium and looking at a 1 p.m. kickoff. So that’s a significant step forward from last night.
OK, about the Falcons. This game is very similar to the Baltimore game two weeks ago. It’s a chance for the Falcons to gauge themselves against one of the league’s elite. Back in early August, I gave you my rankings of the top five NFC teams. Four of the five are still looking pretty good: 1. Green Bay; 2) Atlanta; 3) Dallas (oops); 4) New Orleans; 5) New York. Let’s not talk about No. 3.
The Packers are solid. They rank eighth in scoring and second in points against. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has seven touchdowns and no interceptions in the last two games, although it’s worth noting those numbers came against two imploding teams, Dallas and Minnesota.
Actually, the Packers’ last two wins came against opponents that fired their respective head coaches (Wade Phillips and Brad Childress) the next day.
Going out on a limb here: The Falcons’ Mike Smith is safe.
Here are a few obvious keys today:
♦ Get pressure on Rogers: Defensive end John Abraham is expected to play after sitting out last week’s game in St. Louis with a groin strain. That should help. The Falcons rank only 25th in the NFL with 18 sacks, but Abraham has eight of those. The next closest: Curtis Lofton and Jonathan Babineaux with two each.
♦ Pass protect: I know, also kind of obvious. But the Packers rank among NFL leaders with 29 sacks. The Falcons’ offense’ after some inconsistencies early in the year, has excelled during the current four game winning streak. During that span, quarterback Matt Ryan has thrown for nine touchdowns, one interceptions 1,103 yards.
♦ Turnovers: This qualifies as another “duh” key. But consider this: The Falcons are 7-0 this season when they win the turnover battle and 1-2 when its even or they lose it.
One last thought before I turn it over to you: The Falcons can really set themselves up nicely for the postseason if they win today and next week at Tampa Bay. They would be 10-2 overall, 7-1 in the conference and 3-0 in the NFC South with only four games left (two with Carolina, Seattle and New Orleans). But that’s probably getting a little too far ahead.
That’s it for now. I’ll check back shortly. Should be a great game.
♦
Falcons inactives: John Parker Wilson (third quarterback), CB Dominique Franks, RB Antone Smith, T Garrett Reynolds, G Mike Johnson, TE Michael Palmer, DE Lawrence Sidbury, DT Trey Lewis.
♦
About last night:
♦ Georgia wasn’t any more impressive in a win than it was in some losses
♦
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1,086 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
2:37 pm
The two teams have had a combined five three-and-outs.
Just saying
November 28th, 2010
2:38 pm
Jeff it is hard to telling tv. Is green bay playing really deep safeties? Or doubling roddy?
Russ, the Unemployed Mascot
November 28th, 2010
2:38 pm
Last night when Blair lined up for that kick I was watching Coach Grantham and I am pretty sure he shot a bean through a straw and hit Blair in the instant before he tried the extra point kick. I was not close to the field, though, and I could be mistaken.
drmondo
November 28th, 2010
2:39 pm
I hope the D keeps the pressure up. Get a sack or two and shake that offense up!
Supes
November 28th, 2010
2:39 pm
Give props to the Green Bay defense, they stopped turner on 2 consecutive plays…forcing the short throw and the 3 and out. Too bad we didn’t bury them deep in their own end…starting at the 20…not a good punt.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
2:39 pm
CORRECTION: Make that 3-and-outs. Forgot about MT’s first down run this last possession.
mountain_jim
November 28th, 2010
2:39 pm
too conservative on 1st and 2nd killed that drive
Far_East
November 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
INT now
Chattanooga Dawg
November 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
Just saying
November 28th, 2010
2:38 pm
Jeff it is hard to telling tv. Is green bay playing really deep safeties? Or doubling roddy?
-Radio commentators are saying they are doubling Roddy.
Russ, the Unemployed Mascot
November 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
Mr Blank and I are talking about me working with the Falcons. Since I am not a bird, it probably won’t be a mascot job but I am open to something in the marketing and/or public relations areas.
Supes
November 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
Great job by the Falcons Run D today!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
@Frozen Rope
I don’t like bands…………..
45ACP
November 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
Fumble atlanta’s ball!!!!!!!!!!!
J.J.M.
November 28th, 2010
2:41 pm
he was down
J.J.M.
November 28th, 2010
2:43 pm
rodgers is just running all over us
Tmac
November 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
Our punter sucks.
I’ve never seen so many 35 yard punts by a punter in the NFL in my life.
We need someone who can flip the field.
This “hang time thing is great when you need it, but when you are looking to pin the the team back or flip the field…
Hang time don’t mean SQUAT!
J.J.M.
November 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
how you not catch that
J.J.M.
November 28th, 2010
2:44 pm
at least someone is throwing the ball down the field
Dennis
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
And the midget gets burned AGAIN!
Ross
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
Grimes :/
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
Nice pass.
A-Jax
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
6′3″ vs. 5′9″…..that will be so exploited in the playoffs
FreeGumbo
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
Rogers is making it look like taking candy from a baby!!!! Can’t wait to see Drew and the boys come in. And the Saints have a running game with Ivory and Bush coming back!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Mobile qbs………… ha ha.
Just saying
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
Grimes is abused every game. He gives great effort and rarely blows assignments but he is just not tall enough.
GTMustang
November 28th, 2010
2:45 pm
Grimes just got picked on
FreeGumbo
November 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
Playoffs???? Did you say Playoffs???
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
Falcons couldnt dodge bullet that drive. Flea-flicker play was big on third-and-2.
Falcons 2010
November 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
wow, this D can be crap at times
if they have to face Vick and the Eagles again, I’m almost certain they’ll lose
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
Fun watching these two teams go at it.
SRF
November 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
mark it down – Falcons miss the playoffs
Ross
November 28th, 2010
2:46 pm
Grimes’ issue is not height, it’s body control.
WTF?
November 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
Aaron Rodgers just showed how weak the Falcons defense really is. The’ve looked poor since the Packers’ first possesion. What are they doing?
ubah
November 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
really wish they could work on spying on Rodgers a bit.
GTMustang
November 28th, 2010
2:47 pm
Falcons 2010,
Teams will figure out Vick again. Don’t worry about that. He had a fluke performance against Washington.
Remember he wasn’t good enough to put two winning seasons back to back here in Atlanta.
ijonathan
November 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
I think Rodgers believes he just won the Intercontinental belt, or maybe the T.V. title?
45ACP
November 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
About the hats, what flavor of cheese is that?
Just saying
November 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
@freeDumbo : how much did vega pay Roy Williams to give the ballgame to the saints.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 28th, 2010
2:48 pm
Sorry guys, I’m just killing time until the ELITE qb starts at 4:15.
Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
Just saying: Yes, Roddy White has been doubled quite a bit.
FHZ
November 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
CBs too short… Somebody in the front office should’ve done something about this secondary..
Falcons are going to have just a “good playoff run”, but no real threat o win anything.
If you wait to wait a 4-12 season to fire coaches, or sit certain players, your head coach will be fired.
Winning is one aspect, but how you win.. And are you a real elite team with smart play..
Are you CBs always chasing opposing WRs in-space?
Do they always give 10 yard “cushion”?
Frozen Rope
November 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
@ Choke,, Bahahaha,, good catch
J.J.M.
November 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
falcons just dont have pass rush thats the thing you cant expect our below average pass D to keep us in the game…at this point im willing to see some all out blitz
GTMustang
November 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
SRF,
The Falcons won’t miss the playoffs. Every game after this one is very winnable for the Falcons.
They still have to play Carolina twice and that’s 10 wins right there.
ubah
November 28th, 2010
2:49 pm
ijonathon– funny (-:
musicgeekmusic
November 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
I get so tired of watching the Falcons defenders play with their backs always towards the ball. Is that how they’re taught?
rfgh
November 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
Green Bay has been touted all week as a GREAT offense. They have TEN points! Every corner gives up catches or all games would end in 0-0 ties. We knew game would be close, so wait till end of 4th before passing judgement.
Falcons 2010
November 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
“Teams will figure out Vick again. Don’t worry about that. He had a fluke performance against Washington”
I’m talking about his running, I don’t think they could stop him … Rodgers is the leading rusher for the Packers right now
dawggirl
November 28th, 2010
2:50 pm
What’s with all these penalties?
Gary O
November 28th, 2010
2:51 pm
Another penalty on ATL