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
Woak Up Dedd
December 29th, 2010
9:24 am
Did you see J. Webb? He outplayed Vick. Give Webb the MVP.
I don’t know what all the hub dub is about that these caints fans keep
blurting about but this Norlans team doesn’t have the sustenance to go far into the p’offs.
joewhite
December 29th, 2010
9:24 am
All year long we have had good success, no need to second guess us know.We need a game like that, our offense scored and how many times burner will fumble a ball like that, he is not adrian peterson. We are going to dallas and taking home the lombardi. GO FALCONS
Woak Up Dedd
December 29th, 2010
9:29 am
I was a little worried about fill-a-dell-fia until last night.
Falcons coaches take note– do to philly what minny vike did on tuesday
JSS
December 29th, 2010
9:35 am
“Falcons coaches take note– do to philly what minny vike did on tuesday”
With whose D-line and linebackers do you plan to execute that brilliant game plan with? You’ve shown no inclination to show that DeCoud and Moore can guard over the top to do that…
Two Dat
December 29th, 2010
9:38 am
Jeff,
Your article belongs on the “Com-on man” segment for ESPN. Shame on you for creating shuch false hope in the dirty birds fan base. Opinions are like rear-ends, everybody has one; you gave us your VERY masterful spin which was a kin to dressing up a nasty terd to look appealing and here is mine; You spoke ture in one of your “we are even comments” if you call the Falcons 3 point win in NO and the NO 3 point in Atl the same well then yes they are – yes they both scored 41 points each – yes they both have pro-bowl QB’s and the list of similarities goes on……but…..
Here’s the real deal, your offense is full of Mularkey and your defense got gassed and then sliced up like Christmas turkey on the 90 yard drive – spin it how you like, your denfense is no where close to “being ready”. They sucked with allowing 8 of 17 on 3rd down conversions most of those conversions coming after half time when the real coaching staff made the right moves. No, your defense is not ready for the play-offs. As it has been said every week “on any given Sunday” and in any given stadium…..Falcons, Eagles, Bears…..I’ll take the Sanits coaching staff and player experience (been there and done dat) over anything out there. I’m not saying we are going to win it all (again), I’m not saying we deserve anything – that’s why they line up and play every game – I’d just rather take my chances with a proven “big show” staff and team. The Falcons will get there (maybe this year or maybe next) but it will not be because of your defense.
GregKennesaw
December 29th, 2010
9:39 am
Looks like the convick got beat by a third string QB, and got his A$$ whooped in the process, ah too bad.
GregKennesaw
December 29th, 2010
9:41 am
hey choke, your boy got his A$$ beat last night, by a WR playing QB, LMAO…. Ibet the Cowgirls beat them Sunday.
RC
December 29th, 2010
9:43 am
Have you noticed that when Matt Ryan changes a play at the line of scrimmage yelling “Kill,” “Kill,” that the “new” play is a run to the offensive right (defensive left) side of the field. I have been watching that for the past five weeks, and it is always the same play, and it happens every time. During the Saints/Falcons game on Monday night, when Matty yelled “kill,” the entire defense slid to their left at the snap of the ball, and I mean the entire defense!! Maybe the OC ought to think about changing that “automatic” to some other run!! If the Falcons had run to the offensive left side whoever was carrying the ball could have walked for a huge gain!!
Two Dat
December 29th, 2010
10:03 am
RC, if “if” was a skiff we could all go boating……
Reality for Two Dat
December 29th, 2010
10:07 am
“I’m not saying we are going to win it all”
playmeortrademe
December 29th, 2010
10:35 am
Forget the Saints, the Packers will be at the dome for Round 2 after beating Chicago at home this week and Philly in Round 1.
Good luck in Chicago, Saints….how did that work out for you the last time you were there for the playoffs?…If you get past Seattle in Round 1….have fun trying to win two straight outdoor cold weather games…
P Rose
December 29th, 2010
10:37 am
VICK = 6 SACKS, 1 FUMBLE/TOUCHDOWN, 1 INTERCEPTION, 22.5 QB RATING, EAGLES LOSE.
HAMP
December 29th, 2010
10:42 am
Funny how now the aints( little a) show up now that they squeaked one. Theory (hope I’m right) we looked vanilla my theory is we wanted to pound it out and beat them straight up. We don’t have to show our true hand until the playoffs. We dominated the ravens who blasted the aints don’t get to cocky aints because you got to see the Bucs this week don’t underestimate or look past them. I would like to add that I hope they beat y’all like a rented mule in the dessert with no water!!!!!
GregKennesaw
December 29th, 2010
10:45 am
P Rose,
Now those are some elite numbers!
Looks like Vick will be starting in the Probowl after all.
Falconsince84
December 29th, 2010
10:55 am
One thing to consider with Philly now locked into the #3 seed and IF the Falcons take care of business on Sunday…The NFL will want Philly in primetime on Saturday night, so Saints would play on Sunday late. The NFL then will want a potential Patriots/Colts game on the following Saturday night, and if the Eagles win they will not put Vick and Brady on the same day, so the Eagles/Bears would be Sunday. Saints/Falcons would be the early game on Saturday with the Saints on a short week after hopefully traveling to Seattle to play a late afternoon Sunday game in the cold. Advantage, Falcons.
Real
December 29th, 2010
11:06 am
Brent Grimes should be in the Pro Bowl! Everyone
will know who Brent Grimes is during the playoffs.
Elvisinthehouse
December 29th, 2010
11:12 am
Jeff you and the bandwagon falcon fans are decieved.Let me give you sorry falcon fans my definition of bandwagon:Turner rush for 130yds he’s a beast.Turner rush for 48yds he’s too slow,”we need another RB”.Murlerky calls a good game he’s trash,he calls a good game “he’s the man”.Falcon fans yall suck and divided and known as the worst fans of all sports.Yall are not true fans sticking with your team through thick and thin,yall are what have you done for me lately fans when it comes to your team.This falcon team is done in the playoffs so get ready for your favorite saying since 1966,WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR!! LOL.
Elvisinthehouse
December 29th, 2010
11:18 am
Never seen fans(falcon) root for the same team then argue fuss and fight on a blog.Yall are confused.Wouldn’t want to go to war with this fan base.
Txghost3409
December 29th, 2010
11:59 am
Elvisinthehouse, I have to disagree with you. Most sports fans are like that. Everyone has an opinion on how to fix their favorite team. And they also think everyone else’s ideas are wrong. People are funny that way. Our wonderful country engenders that kind of attitude.
Elvis is Everywhere
December 29th, 2010
12:02 pm
I don’t know, Elvis. You seem pretty worked up over this. Have a doughnut.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:04 pm
Nothing worse than a blog liar…
P Rose
December 29th, 2010
10:37 am
“VICK = 6 SACKS, 1 FUMBLE/TOUCHDOWN, 1 INTERCEPTION, 22.5 QB RATING,”
25/43 = 58.1 completion rate even with the three obvious interceptions dropped… That is a 78.1 QB rating…
Txghost3409
December 29th, 2010
12:04 pm
Elvisinthehouse, I think the Falcons will win at least one playoff game. If they have to play Philly, they will have problems. Besides Philly, I don’t see any opponent in the NFC who could put them out. Yes, the Saints beat them, but I don’t think they’ll do it again. The Packers have no running game. And the Bears offense isn’t that impressive. Their d’s scary good though.
Mike "choke" Vick
December 29th, 2010
12:04 pm
Did’nt I look great last night?
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:06 pm
“Wouldn’t want to go to war with this fan base.”
I would, I’d know who to stick in the front to take the brunt of the casualties
P Rose
December 29th, 2010
12:07 pm
Sorry JSS. Got my stat from ESPN. I wasn’t intentionally “lying.”
stendek
December 29th, 2010
12:08 pm
Packers concern me more than any other team in NFC Jeff. Another win over these guys will not be easy. Whether at Georgia Dome, Wisconsin or in vacant lot down the street. Anyone but Packers! STENDEK
stendek
December 29th, 2010
12:10 pm
Thug convicted dog killer Michael Sick always limps around to draw sympathy when his playing level peters out. Now where have I seen that before?
STENDEK
FugitivePoet
December 29th, 2010
12:12 pm
Please, powers that be, Please, all that is omnipotent, let us see these ‘aints again in the playoffs so that we can hand them a proper ass whooping in our house and their ingracious no-job-having-looting-bullet-dodging fans will silence themselves by taking a long walk off of a short bridge right into the maw of a new hurricane. Amen.
If they lose in the first round that will be ok too. Amen.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:13 pm
@ Stendek…
Still banned from talking hockey?
stendek
December 29th, 2010
12:15 pm
True fans point out problems with team because they want said team to excel. I contended Thrashers would go into a prolonged slump after an unacceptable loss to an inferior team. Losing streak now at four! True fans can spot troubling tendencies. Is it wrong to point them out? Falcon offense sucked against Saints. PERIOD! Falcon defense was excellent against Saints. For all but one drive. Unfortunately it was the deciding drive! Is that not a fair assessment? :0 STENDEK
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:15 pm
“let us see these ‘aints again in the playoffs so that we can hand them a proper ass whooping in our house and their ingracious no-job-having-looting-bullet-dodging fans will silence themselves by taking a long walk off of a short bridge right into the maw of a new hurricane.”
Seek help… Seriously…
stendek
December 29th, 2010
12:16 pm
By Rawhide JSS. Oh well. Life goes on. Chris still being gentlemanly. Will always speak my mind. Happy New Year.
STENDEK
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:18 pm
Happy New Year Stendek
Kane337
December 29th, 2010
12:19 pm
Spot on Jeff.
P Rose
December 29th, 2010
12:22 pm
This is from “Eagles Gab: The Definitive Philadelphia Eagles Blog”:
Passing Offense: C-
Michael Vick sucked this game. That is really the only way to put it. He was a flat out disappointment and threw and fumbled this game away. Vick may have finished the game with only one interception, but there should have been about four more.
Vick constantly looked like he was trying to force throws, and when he wasn’t forcing throws, it seemed like he was over shooting and over throwing receivers. There were several plays throughout the game where Vick just missed the open receiver.
On other plays, he would just elect to hit the dump off pass to McCoy instead of going for the open receiver down the field. There were plays where it was a designed deep pass and Vick just missed the timing and that’s how the Vikings were able to get that interception.
Then the Vick fumble when being sacked. That was the story of this passing offense. Drop back and get hit and either make a bad throw or just fumble the ball away. At least it was a good play by Antoine Windfield.
Vick’s MVP chances are done. Tom Brady had an amazing game and Vick did not.
Vick finished the game with a 74.1 QB rating. Webb finished with a 87.8 QB Rating.
Wow.
FugitivePoet
December 29th, 2010
12:22 pm
Dear Jeff;
I know that we as a people want to promote an open and vigorous dialogue in the interest of a thriving and vital democracy. However, I think that censorship is occasionally warranted: stopping Fox from making the dumb dumber, counterpointing WSJ from making the rich richer on the backs of the middle class and disallowing subhuman anonymous rejects from the wretched bowels of New Orleans from spewing their effluvium on our beloved Falcons board.
Please take this under advisement for the betterment of mankind…and my blood pressure. Thank You.
FugitivePoet
December 29th, 2010
12:25 pm
Dear JSS: Kiss my ass. Then address your own mental health by upping your meds.
P Rose
December 29th, 2010
12:28 pm
Fugitive Poet, your mind is a raging torrent, flooded with rivulets of thought cascading into a waterfall of creative alternatives.
JSS
December 29th, 2010
12:38 pm
@ The Multiple Name blogger with no clue…
Nope, your invitation was neither enticing nor appealing… Try the Willie Martinez Blogger… My Nyquil wore off at around 6 AM, so what’s your excuse?
stendek
December 29th, 2010
12:38 pm
BLAZING SADDLES! STENDEK
Chief Pitchanono
December 29th, 2010
12:47 pm
Exactly my thoughts, before I read this post. Before Monday nights game I did not believe that the Falcons defense was good enough to win a Super Bowl. Now i’m a believer. This loss means nothing, and after watching the outstanding defensive performance against the best offense in football, i am more excited about the playoffs than ever. Yes I agree, for one night the offense did look bad, mainly because of the turnovers, but I expect coach smith will get some tweaks in and make some corrections. We know we have the talent on offense, it was mainly just poor execution and maybe some poor play calling in certain situations. If center doesn’t botch the snap and give them seven, or if turner doesn’t fumble on the two, we probably get seven. – either way we win the game and allot of this gets overlooked, so I think its probably a good thing we took the loss, now these things will probably get a little more attention and hopefully corrected before we begin the playoffs. Don’t hang your heads or listen to the Brees show on ESPN, we have a superbowl team and everyone should be thrilled. Go Falcons!
Tough Nolla Guy
December 29th, 2010
1:07 pm
Jeff Schultz
December 29th, 2010
11:33 am
Gatorman — Actually, in reality, Vick probably didn’t go to jail for any of those things. He went to jail for lying to the government about doing those things.
——
Schultzy. I thought journalists were well read. Dude this is wrong, the fact that to this day you have no idea why MV7 went to jail is shocking and warrants your immediate resignation.
Mike Vick did time for conspiracy (title 18 section 371 of u.s. code) to defraud the U.S. government
http://assets.espn.go.com/media/pdf/070824/vickplea.pdf
Schultzy you asr such a Homer!!!!
December 29th, 2010
1:08 pm
What game did you watch??? The Saints were 32 yards short of putting 400 yards on this scary defense. 23 first downs! 8 for 17 on 3rd down! Time of possession 36.35 to 23.25! What defense held an offense (with 5 so called Pro Bowlers) to 14 first downs and a total of 215 yards???
I don’t see anything that would make a playoff team scared of this defense. Now be realistic the Saints offense was their worst enemy. Brees’ bone head interception for the TD although the Falcons apply good pressure it was first down and Brees should have just eaten the ball and taken the sack. Then the touchdown to Colston called back because of a false start. The Falcons came out with a good defensive scheme putting pressure on Brees but that was a one game anonamlly for this defense.
This defense shot its wad to win this one game. It would have been better served to save it for the playoffs. What it proved is Atlanta is incapable of gettig to the QB without blitzing. Other teams will be prepared for this defense and I would bet that you won’t see this type of defensive attack by the Falcons again unless they play the Saints again in the playoffs. Even then I believe the Saints will prepare for it.
Now that Atlanta lost this game at home, in Prime Time, a game they wanted badly express by that big mouth Roddy, I don’t think any playoff team is going to be worried about the so called home field advantage.
The only thing that can be taken from this game is that Atlanta can be beat at home especially if the team does come in and try to beat themselves like the Saints did!
Tough Nolla Guy
December 29th, 2010
1:08 pm
FugitivePoet
December 29th, 2010
12:22 pm
Dear Jeff;
I know that we as a people want to promote an open and vigorous dialogue in the interest of a thriving and vital democracy. However, I think that censorship is occasionally warranted: stopping Fox from making the dumb dumber, counterpointing WSJ from making the rich richer on the backs of the middle class and disallowing subhuman anonymous rejects from the wretched bowels of New Orleans from spewing their effluvium on our beloved Falcons board.
Please take this under advisement for the betterment of mankind…and my blood pressure. Thank You.
—-
STFU. You are bitter because y’all got your arses handed to you on MNF.
playmeortrademe and hamp
December 29th, 2010
1:39 pm
To Hamp first:
You dominated the Raven??? Suggestion… stay off the crack pipe. The Falcons win the game at the end only because the refs allowed Tweety White to push his defender to the ground. Without that Falcant’s don’t win so you can hardly say dominated.
Now playmeortrademe: What game was that when the Saints lost to the Bears??? Oh yeah it was the NFC championship game!!! Yeah we lost but answer this are you even old enough to remember the last time the Falcant’s made it to the Championship game?? Or are you old enough to remember when the Falcant’s won the Super Bowl ? Oh I’m soory that’s never happened my bad!!! LOL.
elvis
December 29th, 2010
1:39 pm
Just wondering if anyone else thinks that Turner seems a little tentative? Durability aside, we miss Norwood and his big play/change of pace capabilities.
Rico as in Puerto
December 29th, 2010
1:54 pm
I was one of the first ones to call it on Tuesday morning – the offensive game plan looked so different than what we’re used to. It was a plain vanilla offense on purpose. If we really wanted this game we would have came out like we did against the aints the first game, or the Ravens or Green Bay. Then I thought about this – remember how the aints lost the last three games of the regular season last year when they didn’t matter? It makes all the sense in the world…keep those aces in the sleeve!
Hey Shultzy!!!
December 29th, 2010
2:08 pm
About Jeff Schultz
This AJC sports blogger takes things seriously when he has to, but he really would rather not
I guess when you wrote this article you didn’t take anything serious!!! What a joke!!! Do you really believe what you wrote??
When it was time for this defense to step up what did they do? Jeff
Does allowing a 90 yard drive ( not 80, 70, 60 but 90) when the offense has its back against the wall to take the lead in the forth quarter. Or with the team counting on you to get a stop you allow the offense to get not one but two first downs and run out the clock.
Playoff ready defense simply don’t do this!!!
The tittle of the articlle should be
“defense proves Falcons ready for playoffs but don’t take me seriously”
Thanks Jeff you are really a true Homer and I don’t me Simpson!!!
FACTS
December 29th, 2010
2:11 pm
Wanna know everything about these crazy Falcons Fans read the Vick post that had to be ended . Trajic city!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 29th, 2010
2:16 pm
The Falcons Are 12-3 But They Can’t Draw As Many Fans Without Mike Vick
Adam Fusfeld | Dec. 29, 2010, 10:18 AM | 99 |
The Atlanta Falcons haven’t suffered a local TV blackout in an NFL season full of them, so that alone qualifies as a success at the gate.
But considering their 12-3 record, the Falcons rank a paltry 18th in attendance and have plummeted in value over the last 16 months. Owner Arthur Blank has to be discouraged with his team’s problems at the box office, and on the balance sheet, despite its on-field success. What more can he do?
Over at Forbes, Mike Ozanian has an answer – bring back Mike Vick. He doesn’t actually call for a trade, but does point out that even though the Falcons were worse in the standings during Vick’s tenure, they sold more tickets.
During Vick’s six years the team went 38-28 and filled the Georgia Dome to 96 percent of its capacity. Matt Ryan is 32-15 in two-plus years but Atlanta has filled just 94 percent of the seats. Those unsold seats cost millions of dollars in ticket, parking, concession, and merchandise revenue, according to the story.
But Forbes fails to mention that in between the Falcons’ quarterback transition NFL attendance took a major hit. Leaguewide attendance dropped 2 percent between 2007 and 2010 (projections), from 68,702 to 67,313. That, of course, is a much better explanation for why the Falcons have filled 2 percent less of their stadium, than any disdain for Matt Ryan.
Compared to leaguewide numbers, the Falcons attendance has remained steady. Sure, Matt Ryan isn’t as exciting as Mike Vick, but Atlanta can embrace a winner just as well as it once embraced a highlight-reel quarterback.