Saints gone, Vick gone and Falcons ready to defend turf
Brent Grimes (20) and William Moore are two reasons for the Falcons' improved defense.
The New Orleans Saints are gone. Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles are gone.
Can you do without the drama? Thought so.
The Falcons’ first opponent of this postseason will be Green Bay. That hardly qualifies as an easy draw. At the outset of this season, many considered the Packers the best team in the NFC. But with the potential of Vick returning to the Georgia Dome in two weeks (nobody really relished that scenario) and the possibility of a third game against division rival New Orleans (were you really hoping for a showdown game against the defending Super Bowl champions?), this was as good a scenario as the Falcons could have hoped for.
They will be at home. They have had a week off. They will be facing a Green Bay team coming off a physical and emotional win and playing in a short week.
If you wonder whether the Falcons are good enough to beat Green Bay, maybe you’ve forgotten that they beat this team in November 20-17 at the Georgia Dome, when the defense wasn’t nearly as good as it is now.
Goodbye, Saints. Goodbye, Vick.
Now it’s just about football for the Falcons and trying to remember what postseason success feels like. When they play the Packers Saturday night at the Dome, it will be six years to the day of their last postseason victory — a 47-17 dismembering of the St. Louis Rams (Jan. 15, 2005). The following week, they lost the NFC title game at Philadelphia.
Then came the slide, then the misery, then the cataclysm.
It’s there for them. They are rested and they have the advantage of playing on their home turf, where they’re 20-4 since their rebirth in 2008 and quarterback Matt Ryan is 20-2.
It’s worth noting that when the Falcons defeated Green Bay in November, wide receiver Roddy White proclaimed: “I have no plans of going to Lambeau Field in January. I plan on staying right here and sleeping in my own bed in the playoffs.”
So let’s see where their own beds and climate controlled temperatures take them.
The path to a Super Bowl is there. That’s not just because the Falcons have a smart and efficient quarterback in Ryan, a game-changer in White and a versatile offense that prefers to pound the ball with Michael Turner. It’s because of a defense that nobody talks about.
This isn’t a game of real estate; it’s a game of points. The Falcons’ defense ranked only 16th in yards allowed during the regular season and 22nd against the pass. But they finished fifth in scoring defense at 18 points per game. In the final seven games of the regular season, the Falcons allowed 17, 17, 24, 10, 18, 17 and 10 points.
Has anybody noticed that?
Jack Tatum, the former Oakland Raiders safety, once proudly declared, “I like to think my best hits border on felonious assault.” (Worth mentioning: If Tatum played in Roger Goodell’s NFL, he would be jailed merely for thinking of inflicting harm.)
The Falcons’ defense doesn’t remind you of Tatum. They seem less a felonious assault squad than they do a bunch of sneaky pick-pockets.
We just watched the New Orleans Saints give up 41 points to the Seattle Seahawks. They’re out. So is Kansas City, which allowed 30 points to a pedestrian Baltimore offense. So are the Eagles, who finished 21st in scoring defense and couldn’t stop Rodgers and the Packers when they needed to
The Falcons’ defense hasn’t necessarily been some impenetrable force. But more often than not, it has made plays to win games or hold leads.
Defensive end John Abraham, from start to finish, has been the team’s best defensive player (the numbers: 13 sacks, one forced fumble, his first career interception). But the biggest difference of late is that the secondary no longer resembles scattering ants. Cornerback Brent Grimes and safety William Moore — who spent most of his rookie season on a training table – each have five interceptions. They’re two of the big reasons the lampooning has stopped.
“We know Abe has been a productive guy,” defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder said. “Those two [Grimes and Moore] really have been the next two guys in terms of lively production. Grimes really has a comfort this year playing corner in the NFL. His growth has been unbelievable. It’s been fun to watch. William makes mistakes but his interceptions and his impact in tackling are evident.”
They’re better now than the last time they played the Packers. The Saints are gone. Vick is gone. So let’s see where this road takes them.
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948 comments Add your comment
Jeff Schultz
January 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
Early answer on line: Falcons have opened as a 1-pt favorite on one online sportsbook, according to this: http://www.cappersmall.com/nfl/articles/1534/nfl-divisional-playoff-odds.html. Over/under is 45.5. More official odds will come out tomorrow.
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
Line is from the 4 letter network…
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
That line sounds about right. It will be interesting to see if it changes much this week.
Atlanta Peach
January 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
4 inches of snow already !
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:33 pm
RockyMTN
the falcons still have Babineaux that OBAMA can cheer for. Babs kill his girlfriends dog last year.
Reggies Bush
January 9th, 2011
9:34 pm
Sorry GregKennesaw , I forgot school is closed tomorrow. Carry on.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:34 pm
It was Warren Sapp who said on NFL Network two weeks ago that people who say that defense wins championships don’t know what they are talking about. The defense just lets your team hang in a game until the offense wins it.
Atlanta Peach
January 9th, 2011
9:35 pm
Offensives, Damn !
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:35 pm
kerryb, exception going to the bears and ravens superbowl teams.
MalibuGT
January 9th, 2011
9:35 pm
All right, bring on the packers! sorry we won’t get to wipe the floor with the ‘aints or the iggles.
The vick defenders really crack me up. If Ryan throws an interception in the end zone to lose the game to the lowest seeded playoff team they’d be barking like dogs (pardon the pun).
Ross
January 9th, 2011
9:36 pm
I hope Van Gorder understands, that the way to defense Rodger is not with blizting, but containment.
RockyMTNFalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:37 pm
I say the Falcons win by 4. 28-24
Tell the truth
January 9th, 2011
9:37 pm
The Packers are better than they were last time too. And now they have a running game.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:38 pm
I don’t think the line on the game accounts for the fact that the Packers will be playing on tired legs while the Falcons are rested. Thats why not many #6 seeds make it to the Super Bowl.
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:38 pm
I think Rodger is the best QB facing blitzs.
Kinda scary…
realheavyd
January 9th, 2011
9:38 pm
Screw the Falcons! Damn Dirty Birds, I hope they go down to the Pack too!
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:39 pm
But can’t give him too much time, either.
So, what do we do?
Mora less Petrino
January 9th, 2011
9:39 pm
“CHOKE” is Bobby Petrino. He’s mad he left for Arkansas instead of staying and having Matt Ryan running his attack. Simply sour grapes from the job hopper. Hey Bobby ‘CHOKE” Petrino, good game against Ohio State the other night!
jakedsnake
January 9th, 2011
9:39 pm
-1 sounds about right. However, ESPN is already starting their stuff about how the Falcons probably don’t want to see the “hot” Packers. I’m thinking it’s the Packers that wish they weren’t playing the Falcons. Falcons know they’ve got to beat some good teams to get respect. They’ll show up Saturday. We’ll get these guys out of the way and play the Bears (probably) at home for the NFC Championship.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:39 pm
tell the truth, I think the falcons front 7 is better then the eagles 7. That being said, we will have to keep their backs in check.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:40 pm
I see Roddy White and Michael Jenkins running past their secondary and Michael Turner pounding them into submission.
Turtsnap
January 9th, 2011
9:40 pm
The way I see it, the Eagles looked like crap most of the game and still almost won it. Two missed FGs and an offense that couldn’t turn the 3rd downs into 1st downs…….. I like our chances on Saturday in the DOME
Wood Man
January 9th, 2011
9:41 pm
We’ll be bringing da wood on Rodgers come Saturday!! I sure hope #33 is well-rested because we can’t have him tiptoeing up to the line of scrimmage trying to find a hole. It’s time to pound the ball down their throats.
Get ready #12 cause the ball is coming to you when Roddy is doubled up. Prediction: Grimes gets a pick and the Falcons win by 10. Let’s rock the dome on Saturday!! Go Falcons!!
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
9:41 pm
Mediocre but resilient defense can beat an incredibly stupid offense. Hitler’s “invasion” of Russia at Stalingrad is a good example.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:41 pm
I think the Falcons front seven is faster than the Eagles front seven. They are going to put Abe against Bulaga at right tackle and he is going to abuse the rookie.
stendek
January 9th, 2011
9:42 pm
The lying convict dog killing thug did it to Falcon fans. Again! The Michael Sick EZ pick (sound familiar?) returned the Packers to the Georgia Dome. Yikes! In my heart I believe only one team left in NFC playoffs is capable of knocking off my beloved Falcons. That team is next up. I know the Falcons CAN defeat GB. They have once. I just do not envision it happening again. I PRAY I AM WRONG! It is said that payback is Hell! I remember years ago when the Falcons rained on the Packer parade on their home turf. Is this comeuppance? I certainly hope not. Envision an OT defeat. Not being gloom and doom just realist. Damn Michael Vick! A million times over. Go Falcons! Notice feigned injury near end? All Falcon fans have seen THAT before! STENDEK
Ms. GeorgiaGirl
January 9th, 2011
9:43 pm
FALCONS…..RISE UP…..ALL CYLINDERS…STRAIGHT AHEAD TO THE SUPERBOWL WIN!!!!!!!
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:43 pm
So Choke,
By your logic, it should now be “Mike Choke Vick”, correct? I mean he was one and done, which why you call Ryan choke? what do you say? simple question? Or are you just a homer?
Ben Roth-rapist-berger
January 9th, 2011
9:44 pm
Last six games of GB = 3 win 3 loss.
Don’t see why people are so in love with them. Had one blow-out game against NYG, but lost to Detroit??!!
Oh yeah, they barely beat the DogKiller’s team in the wildcard round.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:44 pm
Turtsnap, you are right. The Eagles havn’t been playing well for two weeks. They got beat by a third string QB two weeks ago but they still almost and should have won this game if their kicker could have made two kicks.
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:45 pm
Matt choke has officially retired until the next time the saints look like a good team. Then he will talk trash and live to irritate.
Sports Review
January 9th, 2011
9:46 pm
[...] at University of Phoenix Stadium in the NFC title game, sending the Cardinals to the Super Bowl.Saints gone, Vick gone and Falcons ready to defend turfAtlanta Journal Constitution [...]
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:46 pm
ReggieBush, I doubt you know what the inside of a school looks like, I thought all you saints fans learned your trade in prison, isn’t crime the number one income producer in that sewer, you call a city.
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:46 pm
The Packers barely beat a Chicago team that has a bad offense to get in. Could only manage one TD against them. They could only manage one TD in the second half today. Now they are more tired on a short week. I don’t think this game is going to be as close as some are trying to say on TV.
tjhook
January 9th, 2011
9:47 pm
I’m just happy Philly is out so the Vick prescence won’t be a distraction. Falcons win or lose on their own merit. Go Birds!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2011
9:47 pm
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:32 pm
By the way Choke, Mark Sanchez couldn’t hold Matt Ryan’s jock strap. The Jets usually win in spite of him.
_____________________________________________
You just described CHOKE
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:48 pm
Sex is overrated! The Falcons are underrated! Since my woman don’t like football much I am riding the Falcons to the SuperBowl since she will not let me ride her until football is over anyway.
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
9:48 pm
Rodgers’ Wondelic score was 35, and Ryan’s was 32. The 3-point home advantage makes them even money.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:49 pm
Speaking of reggie bush, what a bust of a first round pick.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 9th, 2011
9:50 pm
Until you can pass for 3,000 yards, have a qb rating over 100, rush for nearly 700 yards and run a 4.3 forty – you are just a game manager.
There is nobody close to the great Mike Vick.
“Don’t Hate – Appreciate”
Reggies Bush
January 9th, 2011
9:50 pm
Hey GregKennesaw , that’s Mr. Reggies Bush to you. Need to brush up on your reading pal.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:50 pm
Choke answer the question, is it now “Mike Choke Vick”? one and done baby, loved that interception!
stendek
January 9th, 2011
9:50 pm
Formula for success? Pressure GB QB from the second his plane touches down in Atlanta. Scheme for failure? Allow GB QB time to find numerous holes in Falcon secondary. The GB QB will make mistakes when under pressure. The GB QB will light up the Falcons with points if he has time for a doughnut and cup of coffee in pocket. Please mark these words. Let someone other than bozo who blitzed against Saints give it a try. That jerk must have missed a dozen sack opportunities! STENDEK
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:51 pm
Choke, that was the dumbest comment you have made on here. Now, how many last minute wins has Matt Ryan engineered this season and during his short career. The Falcons have not been blown out of a game that he has QB’d. How many times have the Jets been blown out since Mark Sanchez has been there? How bad did the Patriots beat them. How many last second wins has Mark Sanchez engineered? I can only think of one this year against a sorry Cleveland team.
Samantha
January 9th, 2011
9:51 pm
The FAILcons will lose either this game or the next! They are NOT Superbowl material!
suwaneefalcon
January 9th, 2011
9:52 pm
My God, he is here. The most ignorant person on the blogging network, Matt Choke Ryan! I give you credit you showed up. Like Custer did on his last stand. Like Brees did in Seattle.
GregKennesaw
January 9th, 2011
9:52 pm
Reggie first round bust! heck they get more upset when they’re number 2 and 3 backs are hurt, he’s worhtless
Delbert D.
January 9th, 2011
9:53 pm
“Don’t see why people are so in love with them.”
Same reason the press loves the Big Ten. They think that the northern states are really immensely larger than the southern states based on the Mercator projection maps. Get a freakin’ globe.
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 9th, 2011
9:53 pm
Samantha
And what kinda MATERIAL are you? Superblow?
Kerryb
January 9th, 2011
9:54 pm
Choke, you saw the description of “choke” tonight when Vick threw that interception on a potential game winning drive. Had the guy open if he threw it to the back of the endzone but no, he threw it short. That is choking.