Falcons’ embarrassing loss means season was an epic fail
Matt Ryan had two interceptions and was sacked five times in the loss. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
It’s year three of this great franchise awakening, and that means one thing: We don’t grade seasons on the first 16 games.
We can praise the Falcons for a 13-win season. We can marvel at their young quarterback, Matt Ryan, for his progress in three seasons and his ability to pull out victories in pressure situations. We can sit back and praise the owner, the general manager and the coaching staff for seemingly doing everything right and winning 33 regular season games since 2008.
But in January of 2011, the Falcons should not be graded on what happens in the first 16 games. They should be graded on postseasons.
They failed. Epically.
There’s no shame in losing to the Green Bay Packers. But getting bodyslammed 48-21 is a level of humiliation that no playoff team should ever experience, especially this one. Not after a 13-3 season. Not in its first playoff game. Not at home. Not after having a week off while the opponent was in a short week following a road playoff game.
You expected a high point for the franchise. Instead, the Falcons gave us a low — the most lopsided playoff loss in their history.
“We didn’t do anything like ourselves,” Roddy White said. “It felt like were a different football team.”
If the Falcons could have stepped outside themselves and astral-projected into other bodies, it would have been an improvement.
They committed four turnovers. They allowed the Packers 442 yards in offense, 366 coming from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who threw three touchdowns and completed 31 of 36 passes (and I honestly can’t remember the five incompletes).
If you think it can’t get worse, try this: Green Bay never punted. The totals: Five offensive touchdown, a defensive score, two field goals, a missed field goal and a fumble. It was like the return of Arena Football, except only one team was fully functional.
“Totally our fault,” said defensive end John Abraham, who like many Falcons defenders got close to Rodgers on occasion but seldom could get him to the turf (he was sacked twice). “I’m not saying they didn’t play well, but we could’ve done a lot more to move this in the right direction and we didn’t.
“Personally, I had bigger goals. The regular season is good. But being done in the first game hurts, especially the way we got knocked out.”
Some feared the New Orleans Saints coming back into the Georgia Dome and winning for the second time in a month. More feared Michael Vick coming back and winning again. Was this any better — a lopsided loss, with several thousand “Cheeseheads” chanting, “Go Pack Go”?
We thought the Falcons were past this. Granted, they won a lot of close games during the regular season. Great teams win close games. But when a team has such an epic faceplant in its first playoff game, you have to wonder how close it really is.
In 2008 — the first year of the Ryan-Mike Smith-Thomas Dimitroff era — the Falcons rose from two years of wreckage. They went 11-5. Then they lost at Arizona, a team that went on to the Super Bowl — no embarrassment there. This season they went 13-3 and lost to a Green Bay team that may end up in Dallas. The difference is venue — the Falcons were 20-4 in the Georgia Dome in the last three seasons – and what we perceived to be the Falcons’ evolution to this point.
Nobody thought the defense was great. But it appeared to be young and improving and certainly not set up for a dismembering. The offense added Tony Gonzalez last year to win a Super Bowl, but the team hasn’t even won a playoff game. (Nor has Gonzalez in his career. In fact he made his first catch of the game with 2:03 left in the third quarter and then limped off.)
The Packers fumbled on their opening possession. Then they scored touchdowns the next six times they touched the football – five on offensive possessions and one on a 70-yard interception return by cornerback Tramon Williams, a play that Ryan will be reliving in his nightmares for the next several months.
Oh yes, Ryan: The Falcons thrived this season on not turning over the ball. Ryan was at the forefront of that, throwing a career-low nine interceptions. Both second-quarter interceptions were costly. The first ended a scoring drive, though it may have been more the fault of wide receiver Michael Jenkins, who slipped and fell in the end zone, leaving Tramon Williams to make an easy interception.
But the second one was all on Ryan. With the Falcons trailing 21-14, eight seconds left in the half and the ball on the Packers’ 34, Ryan tried to hit Roddy White with a quick sideline pass to set up a field goal. But he threw way short and behind White and the pass was picked off by Williams, who brought it all the way for a score to make it 28-14 at halftime. The most audible sound in the Georgia Dome was a loud groan.
Brave fans stayed for the second half. But when the Packers scored on their first two possessions in the third quarter, it was like somebody yelled, “Fire.” By the end, it was only Cheeseheads in the stands.
This was exactly the kind of playoff meltdown Ryan wanted to avoid. He was 20 for 29 but had two interceptions and was sacked five times. Two years ago, his first pass attempt at Arizona was intercepted and led to a Cardinals’ scoring drive. Later in the game he had a fumble that Arizona’s Antrel Rolle returned 27 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons lost 30-24. We didn’t consider it a great tragedy.
This is different. Two years later, humiliating defeat should not be what this team is about.
They’re not as close as we thought they were.
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1,754 comments Add your comment
Timbo
January 15th, 2011
11:51 pm
Embarrassing loss. Disgrace to NFL football for a number one seed to go out this way. this felt like the days of the 49ers against the Falcons in the mid to late 80’s. blown out after blow out. we embarrassed ourselves.
mike
January 15th, 2011
11:51 pm
I was there left after the 3rd quarter. You really started feeling a little nausous after that horrible Zach Brown Band performance on the National Anthem but figured we overcame with the kickoff return. Man was it rocking then. But after their 91 yard drive to tie it back up you got the feeling we would never stop them and it was going to be a shoot out. The offensive line really struggled with penalties in the redzone. Performance like this really makes the season feel like such a waste. Good analysis Jeff. I guess the Falcon spin doctor will be out starting tomorrow.
InTheShadowofLambeau
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
Someone else said that the Pack wasn’t good and the Falcons are not that bad…and I agree. Atlanta has a good young team and they’ll be back. Heck, 13-3 … there is NOTHING to be ashamed of. Congrats to the Falcons and their fans on a great season.
Sergeant Joe Friday, LAPD
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
Ted M…you’re crazy. It was 99% the defense’s fault. GB receivers were open all night long. It’s hard to beat a team that scores everytime you touch the ball.
Hickory Avenue
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
@Matthew —Is that you , Matty “Ice” ????? Still crying about your garbage-can a** Pigeons , CHOKING on that Green Bay cheese ??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA !!!!!!! You and the whole “ATL” s*ck ……..
Matthew
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
Hey NOLA – when you wake up tomorrow you might have a Super Bowl champion t shirt. But remember, when you wake up, you still wake up in New Orleans… and well, that’s gotta suck.
DandyD
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
Embarrassing. The Falcons peed themselves in public.
tom
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
penalties, turnovers and a defense that did not show up. Done, over, finished.
Scrappy
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
It looked like Mark Richt “prepared” that team for tonight’s game.
SeenThisB4
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
One and Done!
One and Done!
One and Done!
LMAO!!!
GEAUX SAINTS!!
Dr. Warren
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
There need to be changes. We thought the Falcons were the new version of the Patriots, but actually, they are merely the NFL version of the Atlanta Hawks. Was this loss any better than the Hawks’ collapse against Orlando last year? It was worse, because we were the 1-seed, the Hawks were the 3-seed.
Mopar
January 15th, 2011
11:52 pm
For three years I’ve been saying it, but I’ll say it one more time, as long as that clueless, unqualified, incompetent moron B.VanDumba$$ is the DC of the Falcons they aren’t going anywhere. If tonight’s game didn’t prove without a doubt that he is totally over his head and out of his league then no number of humiliating heartbreaking defeats in big games ever will (and I go back to his blowing National Championship opportunities with at least two Bulldogs teams that should have been there).
His bend over and spread ‘em philosophy set the tone for the entire game and not only destroyed the defense’s chances but it infected the offense, special teams, cheerleaders, fans, you name it. If the Falcons don’t run VanDumba$$ out of town get a proven, qualified DC there is no reason to get your hopes up for this team, it ain’t ever going to happen.
old timer
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
It’s not an epic failure. It’s not a bad year. It’s a fine young team with a good future that made terrific strides this season The Packers just are a high-powered team, that can do what they did tonight if you let them get rolling. They have adjusted to the injuries and some of the replacements are better than the players they replaced. I will be just as nervous next week against whomever they play as I was tonight because it’s all good teams now. True Falcon fans, shake this off and look forward to a good 2011-2012 season.
Matthew
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
Hickory Avenue… why don’t you go out to Jackson Square and drown yourself.
Chillin on Paradise Island
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
Whats is wrong with Atlanta Teams? They ALL choke in the playoffs. I dont get it.
Anyways, there is always next year!
Noodlearm
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
let the excuses commence!
Hickory Avenue
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
@Gen Neyland —- Wow , that was very “original” ; but you STILL s*ck ….
Timmy
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
It’s disgusting how Aints fans have latched on to the phrase “Who dat”. “Who dat” originated as a common phrase used by white stage actors performing in black face.
Timbo
January 15th, 2011
11:53 pm
Ryan played like crap.. no arguing that from me, and I’m a big Ryan fan. …No doubt defense sucked azz, but Ryan never showed that he could win it for us in spite of their poor play. Very disheartening.
FalconUGAFan
January 15th, 2011
11:54 pm
Classy post, old timer…thanks..
Whopper Dawg
January 15th, 2011
11:54 pm
They are not as close we we thought they were. The pick 7 before half was a 10 point swing. D couldn’t even come close to stopping them. Overall the organization has done a great job over the past three years, but there is one thing coming home to roost and that is the TD drafts. Look closely at them, once you get past the Ryan/Lofton picks in 2008, most drafts choices are iffy at best. The BEST teams don’t have that type of draft track record.
Eric C.
January 15th, 2011
11:54 pm
NOLA, honestly…I would never waste my time on the NO chat. And, really, you are going to bash the Falcons for losing to the Packers after your team lost to the Seahawks?
Kyle
January 15th, 2011
11:54 pm
Wonder who the fools are that will buy season tickets next year? I’m sure somebody will but they might have to bring back the $10 seats again after this. Pathetic!!!
Waffle House or Bust
January 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
Falcons suck in prime time. We win today if playing the 4pm game.
Gen Neyland
January 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
Yuck : ‘Stay classy Saints Fans’…Are you kidding me..? Man, they rank with the Eagle and Phillie fans…
james Cassara
January 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
I’m a Packer fan but the Falcons have nothing to be ashamed of. They were beaten by a better team who, on this one night, were much better. But with Mike Smith as coach and Matt Ryan at QB the Falcons have a very bright future.
SeenThisB4
January 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
E P I C F A I L U R E !!!!
Ah, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!
Waffle House or Bust
January 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
I say we all roll every Home Depot in Atlanta tonight! Who’s with me?
techengineer
January 15th, 2011
11:55 pm
The season the falcon had was amazing. But tonight they were way over their heads… I can’t think of any player on the Falcons team in any position that I’d rather have over the Packers. Packers were clearly the superior team on each side of the ball from start to finish. Furthermore, after this game I’m questioning the future of Matt Ryan.. I’m not sure that weak arm can take the Falcon to the Super Bowl!
Sam Troy
January 15th, 2011
11:56 pm
I know these NOLAs ain’t trippin…which team got knocked off by the Seahawks with a 7-9 record????
I’d be more embarrased about that situation. Atlanta just choked…choked on a ****, which this city is accustomed to doing….
ATL BOB
January 15th, 2011
11:56 pm
I think this exposure has opened Arthur’s and Dmitroffs eyes as to how far and how much of a farce this 13-3 record was as far as representing a true contender. All year is was like I-don’t-know by these Falcons
yuck
January 15th, 2011
11:56 pm
Atlanta should just give up on professional sports…UGA and Tech too, while we are at it…all our teams suck…one MLB 1995 strike shortened season world championship…this whole city’s sports team are an epic fail…the Falcons are just the most recent…after the Braves post season loss, after the Hawks postseason loss, after the Falcons post season loss…etc…etc…etc….
Sweer Home Alabama
January 15th, 2011
11:56 pm
the problem with the Falcons are the fans.TWO many Nerd and BULLDOG fans in the same building. I am a big PATRIOT fan so we will take care of this bunch for you.You got my word on it.
The falcons are still a good team just not great yet.
SeenThisB4
January 15th, 2011
11:56 pm
What a whipping! The Packers should be arrested for that massacre!!!
LMAO!
GEAUX SAINTS!!!
Gen Neyland
January 15th, 2011
11:56 pm
Hickory Avenue : Got to you, huh…Stick around. I’ll toss you some more…
Tweets that mention Falcons' embarrassing loss means season was an epic fail | Jeff Schultz -- Topsy.com
January 15th, 2011
11:57 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Urvaksh, Urvaksh, ajc sports editor, Jeff Keener, Drew Leachman and others. Drew Leachman said: What the hell? http://tinyurl.com/5uennej An epic fail? Is this guy a Falcon fan? I think we had one hell of a season… [...]
JDW
January 15th, 2011
11:58 pm
Bad game…got beat…they will take a few days off and go back to work. Anybody that that can’t see this organization is on the right track is blind.
onelore
January 15th, 2011
11:59 pm
Matty as cold as Ice!!!!!!
Geaux Saints!!!
Ross
January 15th, 2011
11:59 pm
You know, there are really no words. One has to seach back a long way – to the 64 Colts, having dominated the league with genuine all stars like Marchetti and Unitas and Berry and Mackey, losing to the Browns 27-0 in the champ game, or the 89 Broncos getting destroyed even worse than the destruction visited on the 86 and 87 teams – the Bills four straight SB losses – the always-choke Cowboys and Rams of the late 60s – no, none of that is close. This was IMO the most fantastic choke job in the history of postseason football. There is nothing to take away but bitterness and a demand for accountability. The defensive coordinator has to go – period. You cannot live with this cancer in your innards. Someone has to pay, and it’s Van Gorder. The offense is a work in progress – it can be fixed – but this was a failure of the brain, of the preparation, of cohesion, of everything that’s important in football on the defensive side. Heads must roll.
In all my time of watching the four major and some minor sports – nothing compares to this for abject failure. There is nothing positive to say. The Bills had a better year. All 13 wins were reduced to so much hoodwinking. All the talk of the “process” is nothing but empty blather. You cannot lose a home game in such a disgraceful way and claim to have any legitimate role in the NFL.
I’ll be rooting my heart out for them next year – I hope with all my heart that BVG is selling encyclopedias in Antarctica by then.
Disgraceful. Shameful. Awful beyond these too many words. Shock is not what I feel, because I feel nothing right now.
Gen Neyland
January 15th, 2011
11:59 pm
SeenThisB4 : Like at Seattle..? LMAO
Brittany
January 15th, 2011
11:59 pm
well regardless what any one else says we have had a damn good season. i am very proud of the flacons. you can win them all and they just have to learn from this game. yeah i know it was the playoffs and we were hoping to get to the superbowl but just because we lost doesnt mean we should just walk away from our team and tell themm all to go where ever. no a true fan would say to the team ” guys you played good at least you scored something and we will get them next year. learn from your mistakes and pratice you butts off.” i love you all falcons! good job for making it as far as you did! cant wait till next season now! GOO FALCONS! ( the only team that we can seem to still cheer for now)
Eddie
January 16th, 2011
12:00 am
I have been a Falcons fan forever! This is the worst beatdown I can ever remember! Emabarrassing.performance on both sides of the ball. This team is a long way from competing for anything relevent. Back to the drawing board.
gman
January 16th, 2011
12:00 am
Poor effort, poor coaching, poor game plan, poor fans. Mr. Blank, get two new Coordinators that can actually provide a good game plan and I just might renew my tickets. Someon said it earlier, way to take a great 13-3 record and flush it down the toilet in one night. Pathetic.
David Gates
January 16th, 2011
12:00 am
Come to play next time, little boys! Shameful! Disgraceful!
zombiewoof
January 16th, 2011
12:00 am
Enter your comments here
Big Ray
January 16th, 2011
12:00 am
OH yes, let’s be a “sky is falling” ninny now. What, you expected to be in the Super Bowl three seasons after the team had to be rebuilt from the ground up?
As for Saints fans, shut your pie holes. We took the division from you and we lost in the playoffs to a team that is likely to go to the Super Bowl.
You lost to a team that didn’t have a winning record. And this time, you can’t blame that on anything. We still had the better season. And we’ll do it again next season. So go back to your blogs. Oh wait, I forgot. You keep coming here because you don’t HAVE blogs down there.
Eric C.
January 16th, 2011
12:01 am
Jeff, you are right…this is an epic fail. Not many regular seasons are this special, and to lose in this manner is a major blow. The Falcons did everything right the whole regular season, got the #1 seed, and just fell flat on their collective faces …poof, one disastrous quarter and it is gone. How do you go into the next season and regroup when you know you did everything right before? Obviously, the defense needs more improvement…but it is depressing to think that a 13-3 season can get washed away in 15 minutes.
SAME OLD SAME OLD
January 16th, 2011
12:01 am
I’m not renewing my tix….you can change the logo, coach, owner, QB, field, etc….but its still the same ol G-DAM Atlanta Falcons!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Braves
Brittany
January 16th, 2011
12:01 am
OH AND AS FOR THE SAINTS FANS ON HERE TRYING TO RUN YOUR MOUTHS HAHAHA WHAT DO YALL HAVE TO RUB IN LOOK WHO YALL LOST TO! LMAO!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 16th, 2011
12:02 am
I predicted:
Packers 31
Falcants 10
Someone else predicted:
Falcants 20
Packers 17