Forget loss — defense proves Falcons ready for playoffs
John Abraham has 13 sacks (and added an interception Monday) to lead Falcons' defense.
FLOWERY BRANCH – For the first time in more than 10 weeks, it was the day after a Falcons’ loss Tuesday.
Cleansing breath.
Who knew this season would bring about such an adjustment period?
As you look to get grounded again, here’s your focal point: A three-point loss to the defending Super Bowl champions who probably were just a little more desperate for a victory probably doesn’t constitute a collapse. Nor does it alter the power structure in the NFL’s playoff field. As coach Mike Smith said again Tuesday, the day after a 17-14 loss to New Orleans: “There’s 15 other teams [in the NFC] who would love to trade places with us,” and I think we can assume that includes the next opponent, Carolina (2-13).
Truth is, we know now pretty much what we knew before Monday’s loss. The Falcons and Saints are dead even. It’s not bad to be dead even with the defending champions. Also, Philadelphia, Chicago, Green Bay are all conference threats to get to the Super Bowl — not a revelation. And in games when Michael Turner (2.8 yards per carry) can’t run, the Falcons’ offense tends to shut down.
But the loss to the Saints wasn’t a horrible sign for the future. The Falcons can still achieve all of their regular-season goals — NFC South title, first-round bye, No. 1 seed — just by beating Carolina, and that game plan usually entails little more than having a pulse.
In fact, notwithstanding Smith’s position that “nothing good ever comes from losing,” there were some fairly significant positives. Some of the areas that we questioned about this team might have been answered, particularly on defense. Offense was a problem Monday, but occasional criticism of offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey notwithstanding, scoring generally hasn’t been the problem this season (the Falcons are fifth in points: 25.5).
Sounds strange. But I feel better about this team now than I did before the New Orleans game.
Consider:
– Despite the Saints’ 90-yard touchdown drive in the final minutes Monday, the Falcons’ secondary has been strong. They make plays. Pass defense figured to be an issue this season. But with the meteoric rise of Brent Grimes and the short learning curve of safety William Moore, it’s now a strength. Surprisingly, the biggest question mark is $57 million cornerback Dunta Robinson. Here’s your stat of the year: Four linemen — John Abraham, Chauncey Davis, Jonathan Babineaux, Kroy Biermann — each have more interceptions (1) than Robinson (0). (Smith said Robinson is “coming along” after missing training camp with a hamstring strain. Can you still be “coming along” in Week 16?)
– The pass rush pressured New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees all game (though he was sacked only once because of eight missed opportunities, when pass rushers overran him). Abraham and Babineaux in particular have been strong. Abraham has 13 sacks, the second-highest total of his career. There is no better sign for the Falcons’ postseason fortunes than Abraham.
– Monday’s game was extremely winnable. Two Falcons fumbles led to one New Orleans touchdown and prevented an Atlanta touchdown. Michael Jenkins dropped a touchdown pass (albeit, drawing a pass-interference penalty in process).
Finally, there was the decision of coach Mike Smith to punt on fourth-and-six with 2:52 left, leading to the Saints running out the clock. Smith didn’t second-guess himself on that Tuesday, though he acknowledged that the Falcons’ defense (which allowed the Saints to get two first downs and run out the clock) might have been fatigued in that 90-yard drive: “We ended up playing 75 snaps on defense, and that’s a lot of snaps. In the average game, you’re playing 60.”
Some skeptics believed the Saints would expose the Falcons. They didn’t. Monday’s loss changes nothing. This team looks ready to take the next step.
Just don’t lose to Carolina.
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408 comments Add your comment
Keith
December 28th, 2010
11:47 pm
there is nothing wrong with Mularky’s play calling, contray to popular belief we are not a big play offense, the Falcons are a gind it out eat it up offense. 2 plays, yes 2 plays that were mistakes (that we normally don’t make) were the difference. Todd Mclure does not make that mistake. and we know Turner does not fumble. so please people get in sit down, buckle up and hang on, I see a long playoff ride coming!!
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:47 pm
I doubt we lose to Carolina, lame duck coach, playing for #1 pick. would be hard to see us lose, but anything is possible.
Dr. Warren
December 28th, 2010
11:49 pm
What has happened to Roddy White? More pointedly, why wasn’t Mularkey calling his number more often in the 2nd half? On that last drive, Ryan threw twice towards Douglas, who as all of you might know, is not one of our two Pro Bowl targets.
JSS
December 28th, 2010
11:49 pm
They already played this year, Spags has no answer right now for Colston, Moore, and Henderson..
5150 P.O.A.D
December 28th, 2010
11:50 pm
It is so WINDY in the ATL. How does MV7 Swing? Is he swinging in the wind towards the Eagle or towards the OTHERSIDE? MV7 you look sick can I take your Temprature? Don’t worry it will not hurt as bad as the game tonight.
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:51 pm
I know Rams played NO, but as we saw with the Ravens and Falcons, the answer is bing the house. For the Rams to win, Long makes some big plays….
JSS
December 28th, 2010
11:51 pm
He did, they bracketed White and Gonzalez and dared the Falcons to get Jenkins and Douglass off jams at the line…
JSS
December 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
They brought the house in the 1st meeting, it wasn’t pretty
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
But we never went no huddle. NO will see a completely different game plan if we meet again.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 28th, 2010
11:53 pm
JSS . .. .What I “kind of” miss is Matt “Choke” Ryan’s rambling monologues that usually could be found at the end of the posting string last year . . .on Sunday’s after losses. I actually did find myself LOLing as I read his discussions with himself . .as everyone else either had bailed immediately after the loss or could no longer take his attacks. The ramblings at that point usually had nothing to do with football at all.
JSS
December 28th, 2010
11:54 pm
Shockley and Graham take away so much of what the Rams like to do…. They did it the first time too
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:55 pm
Not saying they will win, I actually think NO is the most dangerous team out there. As we saw the past two week, the Eagles are overrated. Vick is getting beat up and not in rhythm.
"If you cant take the heat, Stay out of the Kitchen"
December 28th, 2010
11:55 pm
@JSS, Okay.
JSS
December 28th, 2010
11:56 pm
The Saints and the Patriots are the only two teams that can really attack the middle of the field from a two tight set…
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:56 pm
The irony is the Reid showed how you beat Vick….And Chicago.
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:57 pm
There is a lot of options.
BLUE
December 28th, 2010
11:58 pm
@ SaintVick speacking of my house your mom just left, and she is going to need a good scrubing with some strong soap when she gets home, and she can tell you where I live so you can bring her and the knife IF vicks comes back to Atlanta
Mr Charlie
December 28th, 2010
11:59 pm
If Eagles are 3 seed, we cannot see them until the final game. They will have to get through GB and Chicago. Not likely. Urlacher has always had Vicks number.
Tom Brady
December 29th, 2010
12:00 am
I’ll take my MVP now, Thank you !
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:01 am
MCR makes points, I know you guys despise him… Heck, like most hate me; but if I were him, I’d stick to the script too!
@ORR…
You know where I stand on this whole thing… I just try to stay out of it…
Mr Charlie
December 29th, 2010
12:02 am
We play either Green Bay, Saints, or NO in our first game. We cannot play Eagles or Bears.
So Eagles have to beat Green Bay and the Bears to get to Atlanta.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:02 am
Well, Except for the Willie Martinez blogger… But I digress!
Capt. "No Comeback" Vick
December 29th, 2010
12:03 am
Has the game started yet? WHAT!! It’s OVER? Give me a break it’s Tuesday.
Capt. "No Comeback" Vick
December 29th, 2010
12:10 am
Mr. NFL/MVP vs Joe Blow from whatever college he came from making his 1st NFL start.
This should have been a no brainer huh?
AVERAGE JOE WINS!!
Once "Recent" Reader
December 29th, 2010
12:10 am
Yeah I know JSS. Choke actually did/does make a lot of good points . . . .that many might not actually think about because of the way he liked to get their goat up (is that the right term??) Folks wasted a lot of energy getting aggravated with him as it had no affect whatsoever on what he would post.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:11 am
That is what makes pro football so much more interesting than college football… The 6 weeks of playoffs are a variety of elements… The college game has atmosphere and little else…
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:13 am
@ORR…
Were you still in New England when Mularkey was in Buffalo as the head coach?
Matt Ryan
December 29th, 2010
12:14 am
Chokster ?, Back at cha !
What goes around, Comes around
December 29th, 2010
12:17 am
Right Choke ?!
Once "Recent" Reader
December 29th, 2010
12:18 am
I moved to SE Florida in 8/2000. I remember Mularkey’s name . . . . .but can’t remember when he was coaching there.
Atlanta Peach
December 29th, 2010
12:19 am
The Giants must be kicking their azzes !
Once "Recent" Reader
December 29th, 2010
12:20 am
And I know Mularkey drives a lot of folks crazy . . . .but hasn’t he been with Falcons since Smith got here??? I saw a stat showing Smith is the winningest NFC head coach since he’s been with Altanta. They . . .. including the Offense have to be doing something right. They know their players strengths and stick with it . . . . .even if it drives many fans nuts.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:32 am
I was wondering, I lived in Pittsburgh for a year and a half when he was elevated to the OC position for Cowher in 2000 to 2001… I think why he is so hamstrung here is that he had Hines Ward and Randle EL who were so diverse in their talents. He’s been chasing that ever since in my mind… I know he got out of Buffalo because he could not find it there… Roddy has Ward like talent and sometimes the determination. But I think that his discipline is what keeps him from getting there possibly… Jenkins will never reach what Randle El did his first time there… I mean, the man got Kordell Stewart to a championship game… Just saying…
Atlanta Peach
December 29th, 2010
12:34 am
Hypothetical speaking, Let’s say Green Bay in and they win the first round and Seattle or the Rams also win in the first round. The Falcons would still play Green Bay even if their record is better than the division winners Rams or Seattle ?
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:37 am
They play the remaining wild card…
Gulfwaves Gary
December 29th, 2010
12:38 am
A fumble at the goal line on the way into the endzone. A offensive game plan with Harry Douglas as the go to guy and All World TE Tony must have been on IR because he was not part of the plan. On NO 90 yard drive we never rushed at all. It was disapointing because the whole world was watching and we just let it get away. I will say Breese gets away from sacks like nobody else. I am still confident in our team, just a little bit less. GO FALCONS!
Atlanta Peach
December 29th, 2010
12:40 am
Thank you !
Atlanta Peach
December 29th, 2010
12:40 am
Not fair !, But thank you.
Once "Recent" Reader
December 29th, 2010
12:42 am
JSS . . .. we get 25 ppg, normally we totally dominate time of possession, we are right up there in 3rd down conversions . . .which is normally a result of decent yardage on 1st and/or 2nd down. It’s not flashy like the Saints or Manning with the Colts, but we have been getting the job done on O . .. .most of the time. Yesterday I don’t think they expected a continuing tough Rush D by the Saints . . . as from what I understand they have not been great in that area this year. So we didn’t come out with the “no huddle” type of scheme that was pretty effective against the Ravens. Who knew the Saints would shut down the rush so well.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:43 am
You guys just like talking… Douglass was not the “go-to-guy.” This is not the first time that teams have taken Tony Gonzalez away… And it won’t be the last time either…
Kevin
December 29th, 2010
12:43 am
The Falcons are relevent now and will be here to stay for years so I am pretty happy right now….GO FALCONS 2010 NFC SOUTH CHAMPS!!! IN YOUR FACE SAINTS!
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:46 am
Wow, someone is stuck in the 70’s! Groovy man!!!
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:55 am
Well time of possession has been the cusp of my argument regarding what the Falcons must do… They teams who have rushed well against the Saints have something that Falcons don’t… Diverse tool set receivers (Arizona, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, the Rams, and to a point Cleveland) who take up their safeties and at least 2 linebackers…
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:59 am
I had no problem seeing them shutting down the Falcons running game, Turner and Snelling generally will their way to a lot of yards late in games… Baltimore did to them what the Falcons generally do…
PS Falcon
December 29th, 2010
1:02 am
“Some skeptics believed the Saints would expose the Falcons. They didn’t.”
What planet are you on? Stop the Falcon run and you win. Simple as that.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
December 29th, 2010
1:02 am
crickets still chirping…………..
Once "Recent" Reader
December 29th, 2010
1:06 am
I agree they get the yards late in games . . .but normally that’s when they’ve been somewhat productive running in the first 3 quarters. They just never seemed to get anything going consistently yesterday outside of the big run by Turner. Even 3 yard gains can keep that game plan for later big runs due to tiring D . . .. .not the case yesterday. I would have thought the passing game would have opened up a bit more. There were flashes of that, but Ryan was not on form . . ..or as you have mentioned JSS . ..the receiving corps wasn’t up to par in getting separation . . .especially since I can only assume Gonzales and White were also being targeted for special attention.
Dirty Bird
December 29th, 2010
1:11 am
Jeff Schultz – Do you think it possible that the Falcons, realizing that they pretty much had the #1 seed locked up and are likely to play the Saints in the divisional round, kind of closed the playbook offensively, so as to not give anything away for round 3?
JSS
December 29th, 2010
1:15 am
Did you read the Sharper post game interview with Ledbetter? I don’t get along with him but it is a wet towel to the face if you’re a Falcons fan…
As far as Ryan, when teams bracket his keys; it has really gotten him… Much more last year, but this year he’s done more to get over it… Excluding the 2nd Tampa game, they were jumping routes like crazy…
JSS
December 29th, 2010
1:21 am
I keep hearing people thinking that the Falcons have some new stuff up their sleeve… You are what you! The last time I saw a team actually do that was the 84 49ers who introduced the jumbo in the backfield… Or the 90 Giants when they threw the playbook away against the Bills…