Falcons punch out Lions, then rip Suh for taunting Ryan
Roddy White celebrates with Tony Gonzalez after an 18-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Then he had some choice words for Detroit after Sunday's win. (AP photo)
DETROIT – It was less than an hour before the game when the Falcons emerged from a tunnel at Ford Field and found the entire Detroit Lions team standing there in the corner of the end zone. Mike Peterson, self-appointed drill sergeant in matters such as these, announced his team’s arrival.
“We had somewhere to go and they were in our way,” the Falcons linebacker said. “I said, ‘We’re not going around them — we’re going this way [straight ahead].’ I said, ‘Get the bleepity bleep out of the way.’”
Some pre-rumble-like jawing ensued. There were no punches but it got uncomfortable enough that pipsqueak game officials were forced to step in and separate a thousand pounds of humanity.
This was a good sign for the Falcons.
There hasn’t been a game this season when they didn’t slip a gear at some point. Sunday’s game was no exception. But what they gave us after the pregame stare down was easily their most impressive victory of the season and one of their edgiest.
They beat a 5-1 Detroit team, 23-16. They won on the road, where they hadn’t been impressive. They saw Matt Ryan leave the game with what appeared to be a serious knee injury, only to see him return and immediately fire a 49-yard completion to Harry Douglas. They saw Michael Turner leave the game with a dislocated finger, only to have someone on the sideline pop it back into place, after which Turner came back and broke off a 50-yarder.
Ndamukong Suh grabs the facemask of Matt Ryan in the first quarter, drawing a penalty. (AP photo)
They were smack-talked, taunted and treated to cheap shots by the Lions, and they won anyway. Ryan threw two interceptions but he made plays to win the game. The defense, maligned for much of this season, held the Lions without a third-down conversion until late in the third quarter. Calvin Johnson was relatively held in check (one touchdown).
After a loss to Green Bay had them reeling at 2-3, the Falcons have responded with consecutive wins over Carolina and Detroit, and have reason to feel good about things going into the bye week.
“This changes a lot,” said center Todd McClure. “We knew the type of team we had, we just hadn’t put it together. We weren’t perfect today. I know we had some penalties, but we overcame them. This win I think could catapult us for the rest of the season.”
The game started with some ill feelings. It ended that way, too.
When Ryan tripped over tackle Will Svitek with 10:13 left in the third quarter, he fell awkwardly and immediately grabbed his left knee. Tight end Tony Gonzalez said later, “I thought it was something bad. Anytime they come get you off the field, you think it’s something serious, especially when you have to go back to the locker room.”
As it turned out, Ryan missed only the first two plays of the Falcons’ ensuing possession, returning to throw a 49-yarder to Douglas on third-and-8 to set up a field goal that increased the lead to 20-9. (Coach Mike Smith on Ryan: “It just shows you the resolve and resiliency of this guy.”)
But when Ryan was down, writhing in pain, Lions defensive linemen Ndamukong Suh and Cliff Avril taunted him, according to the Falcons.
“I had respect for Suh before the game,” McClure said. “But when Matt was on the ground, the things he was saying and the trash he was talking was definitely uncalled for. There are certain things you don’t do. [He said], ‘Get the cart’ and several other things that I can’t repeat.”
Roddy White said, “I lost a whole lot of respect for 90 [Suh] today, and also 92 [Cliff Avril], the [bleep] they were doing when Matt got hurt. That was unacceptable. … Like 92 was kicking [Ryan’s] feet, saying, ‘Get him off the field.’ We don’t do stuff like that. We don’t rally over guys when they get hurt. It was just inappropriate behavior. I mean, ‘Get the cart’? Are you serious? Come on. When you compete, you never want to see a guy get hurt.”
Suh and Avril were not around to respond to the comments afterward. But it doesn’t seem like the kind of thing somebody would make up after a win.
Detroit has lost two straight since a 5-0 start. The Falcons have won two straight since 2-3. This could be a market correction. Certainly, the Falcons feel like it is for them.
“They were 5-1 and they were absolutely drinking the Kool-Aid over here,” White said. “We just wanted to get a win. We didn’t want to fuss and fight and argue with those guys, like, ‘Who’s the better team?’ We got the W. That’s all that matters.”
By Jeff Schultz
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369 comments Add your comment
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:19 pm
Well, Stafford has played about his maximum # of games for a season hasn’t he? It is about time for Stafford to take that cozy seat on the bench and just cash some checks.
Injury Bug
October 23rd, 2011
8:20 pm
thats what i thought but matbe one day the failcans will win a meaningful game using football skills but untill then it’s up to artys’ checkbook
Jim 007
October 23rd, 2011
8:21 pm
If it is true, Suh & # 92 are nothing more than Dog Squeeze !!!
Hope the Lions lose every game !!!!
katherine
October 23rd, 2011
8:22 pm
Injury Bug
October 23rd, 2011
8:20 pm
thats what i thought but matbe one day the failcans will win a meaningful game using football skills but untill then it’s up to artys’ checkbook
what are you talking about? the game the falcons won today was very meaningful and they did it with heart…playing through injuries and pain…you obviously know nothing about football so why are you even on this blog?
Chas
October 23rd, 2011
8:24 pm
Just as Cash said it ain’t easy being a boy named Suh. What a classless group. I was starting to like the Lions until this game. Reminds me of the Glanville years. There is a difference between being tough and dirty you idiot Lions.
Dawglasville
October 23rd, 2011
8:25 pm
katherine My bad. My ADHD kicked in.
BVG did a very nice job on Calvin Johnson. Of course Grimes did his part too. Georgia always did a really nice job of shutting CJ down. Van Gordor one year and then, believe it or not, Martinez the next two. Of course, Reggie Ball didn’t help his cause either. Great win. Katherine, again, I should look before I leap.
katherine
October 23rd, 2011
8:26 pm
no worries
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm
Football is a pretty dirty and mean game, but not sure what more you really expect for these guys. I would bet that after getting beat on all day some pretty choice things get said and done in the name of Winning.
Michael M.
October 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm
Collinsworth is a longhead skinny Dork that talks thru his beaker………….gives me the creeps listening to him rattling off at the mouth !
David Smith
October 23rd, 2011
8:27 pm
Great win by our guys today. To go into our bye week with a winning record is huge and could be a turning point to a otherwise disappointing season. Detroit is too good a team to exhibit such unruly behavior as celebrating Ryan’s near injury (Delmas showed more concern over Ovie’s injury) and their coach isn’t a class act either.
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:30 pm
Mercedes Benz and the NOLA Superdome is freaking too funny.
Michael M.
October 23rd, 2011
8:31 pm
The Saints are using the “Three Stooges Status” for tonights game, one upstairs and two on the sidelines………….mmmmm…..wonder how this is going to play out !
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:32 pm
Almost a catch on the long pass.
Ryan's Dad
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Usually a win is a win. But this win felt so much better because our defense looked so good in limiting Stafford and company’s 3rd down attempts. More than anything else, this gave me hope for the rest of the season.
Jeff Schultz
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Suh really is a great player. It’s unfortunate that he has to mess that up with cheap shots and classless actions. Hopefully he’ll mature.
Joe
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Suh, nice name, is one of the dirtiest players i’ve ever seen and this reinforces that to probably the dirtiest in the nfl. I am hoping karma pays him a visit very soon in the form of a torn acl or broken leg.
Jeff Schultz
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Rooster — Thanks, fixed that.
Delbert D.
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Collinsworth? Hah! I TiVo’d the game, and fast-forwarded between plays. Took 1 hour and a half to watch the game.
Jeff Schultz
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
Straitroad — Thanks.
falcon fan 24/7
October 23rd, 2011
8:33 pm
The Lions are overrated and classless like their coach. They are going nowhere fast.
Michael M.
October 23rd, 2011
8:36 pm
Suh probably wind up in trouble with the law sometime down the road most of those kind of folks wind up in prison ,,,,just reality !
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:38 pm
Football is the best………….we love our Thugs. our Thugs are nice. we hate your Thug because they are Dirty. Wait next year during free agency we want to buy 2 of Your Dirty Thugs. When they play for us they will be good Thugs.
Bleed red
October 23rd, 2011
8:38 pm
Who dat is a joke them saints are a thing of the past get it HA HA HA HA HA……….
katherine
October 23rd, 2011
8:38 pm
stop saying thugs uoad…its annoying
Joe
October 23rd, 2011
8:39 pm
20 minutes til walking dead. I am stoked!
katherine
October 23rd, 2011
8:39 pm
i know joe…i love it too!
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:41 pm
kat that is football. They are bad we are good, but the truth is they are ALL pretty bad if they want to be around for a while.
Michael M.
October 23rd, 2011
8:41 pm
The Lions played like the Walkin Dead today…………………….awwww Caints got em a Touch….bless their lil hearts ! ha !
katherine
October 23rd, 2011
8:42 pm
you dont have to call all football players thugs uoad……its making assumptions
The Monger
October 23rd, 2011
8:43 pm
post of the year, I couldnt have said it better myself stendek
“Grumble Jeff. The Falcons won. I am okay with that. Roddy White made a TD catch worthy of a Pro Bowl receiver. I am okay with that. Future NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez became the number two pass catcher all time in NFL history. I am really okay with that. The Falcon defense allowed 16 points to the Lions of Matt Stafford. I am okay with that. I am okay with the Falcon field goal kicker. What I am not okay with is failing to pick up a first down on a third and an inch then letting the Lions off the hook with a fourth down FG, the Falcon punter who could not earn a spot on a decent high school outfit, an offensive lineman that almost ends career of Matthew Ryan, Michael Turner runs for no or minus yards, idiot penalties well away from play which negate big yardage and Falcon defenders who drop easy as pie interceptions. Congratulations Mr Gonzalez. Way to return to action Matthew Ryan. It is obvious if MR goes out the losses will mount up quickly. Other than all that I am just plain okay. Have a nice one. ”
That basically sums it up for me, Roddy and Gonzo both had some nice, nice catches. Matty Ice threw those 2 terrible interceptions, one right to the safetys numbers and one overthrowing Gonzo, subpar game once again. Turner had some nice runs, sandwiched in between those no gainers and 1 yarders, Weems had some nice returns negated by penalties, including a 104 yard td….inexcusable. Lots of penalties, I think at least 10. Grimes dropped pick was lame as all. Bosher is just terrible, I cant stand to watch another SINGLE ONE of his weak, horrid abominations of a “punt” that wobbles of his foot and goes like 30 yards downfield, he is a garaunteed field positon killer and needs to be released IMMEDIATELY!!! However, despite the penalties mistakes Matt Bryant and the Defense get the job done and get the co- game balls for this game. Bryant, what can I say this guy is as money and Pro Bowl as they get…29 straight now I believe…WOW. Peters, Nicholas, and Edwards were balling on defense today. Abe was decent as well…
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
8:44 pm
Ok GOONS.
Mike In Dunwoody
October 23rd, 2011
8:44 pm
It says a whole LOT about how tough these Falcons are once you remember what happened today. Total unprofessionalism from the Lions, who maybe expected a coronation of sorts. Not today, fellas.
And the referees were just as bad. A personal foul committed at the goal line which the referee himself broke up and yet–no call against the Lions?
Clearly, the Falcons are a much better team than the Lions. I was appalled when I heard the fans boo Ryan’s return. Classless.
The real story? The Lions have been exposed BIG TIME. We all know this game wasn’t nearly as close as the score suggests. The actual score? My count says 33-16 AT LEAST.
Who Me?
October 23rd, 2011
8:48 pm
Jeff, what’s the word on Ovie Mughelli (sp?)?? How bad is the knee?
katherine
October 23rd, 2011
8:48 pm
good post mike in dunwoody
Jeff Schultz
October 23rd, 2011
8:50 pm
Who Me? — Ovie doesn’t look good but D-led is handling the injury report so I’m not sure what team said.
ramguy68
October 23rd, 2011
8:51 pm
I just wish someone had told the announcers that the NFL reviews all TD’s now. They didn’t seem to know that.
cdog
October 23rd, 2011
8:51 pm
as i said after the officials took the green bay game from the falcons, there is a lot of football left.the falcons are near the top in the league. they need to solidify the offensive line. the defense can be a top notch defense. i guess you will see plenty bandwagon people jump on the falcons bandwagon now. mark bradley, the howard cossell of the AJC SPORTS SECTION WILL STILL TRY TO GET ATTENTION WITH NEGATIVE STATEMENTS EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE KNOWS HE DOESN’T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT SPORTS. GREAT WIN DIRTY BIRDS. LETS HEAL WITH BYE WEEK AND GET READY TO CRUSH THE COLTS
Ryan's Dad
October 23rd, 2011
8:54 pm
Watching Matt Stafford today, he reminded me a little of Jeff George when he was with the Falcons. I think Matt helped us stiffen up on 3rd down conversions for the first time this year.
The offensive line looked a little better except for Garrett’s two consecutive motion penalties!
The Monger
October 23rd, 2011
8:55 pm
meant to say Weatherspoon was balling, not Nicholas, although Nicholas had a decent game as well, not to many bad plays on the defensive side today, if this offense and Matt Ryan EVER GET GOING, we COULD be GREAT, but that is a BIG IF the way matty ryan is playing….
Matt Ryan now has 9 td’s and 8 interceptions for the year, he is not moving forward, and if his play continues at this pace WE WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS….thats the sad truth. Luckily, we have some awesome momentum after winning 2 in a row going into the bye, we get a bye week to rest and heal our guys, then go to Indy to play a weak team without their leader, where we should feast and go to 5-3 and really start rolling…one week at a time
P.S.- PLEASE CUT MATT BOSHER!!!!! NOW!!!!!!!!!
Zamboni Racer
October 23rd, 2011
8:57 pm
Wow, gutsy win in a tough atmosphere today. Great to see the Falcons at 4-3 after their inauspicious start – remember 0-4 in preseason? Team made some of their customary missteps but then before the momentum turned completely against them, they would rip off a big offensive play and keep it going. Hope the improvement continues for rest of the season!
Smiling Jack
October 23rd, 2011
8:58 pm
Falcons are cool, man! A hard fought game and victory! How can we complain? Falcons are busting ther butts to win and they did. Go Falcons!!!!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 23rd, 2011
8:59 pm
If my parents stuck me with a stupid name like Ndamukong, I’d lash out at the world too…
Any word on Ovie?
Injury Bug
October 23rd, 2011
8:59 pm
matty melt is coveting brees skills right now- katherine -did you watch the game ? even the announcers kept saying they didn’t see the “calls” the refs were making. obviously arty swapped some cash for calls in that game
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 23rd, 2011
9:00 pm
Sorry..Didn’t see that update above..
The Monger
October 23rd, 2011
9:01 pm
Seriously is there a better field goal kicker in the NFL right now than Matt Bryant? I mean there are only a few comparbles to the type of zone he is in right now, i think one more will be 30 straight for Bryant. He will get another pro bowl and he deserves it. He is only 36, which for a kicker means he could have 5 or 6 more great to good years left if he conditions himself well. My mouth is watering at the thought of having a solid, reliable, almost automatic kicker in the playoffs for years to come. It really helps, just think New England and Indy when they had Vinatierri and Vanderjagt…
Vince
October 23rd, 2011
9:01 pm
Janky!
TrishaDishaWarEagle
October 23rd, 2011
9:02 pm
For those into karma, I saw where Mike Vick said about Suh, “We talk on the phone some, he’s my dawg”..sooo..He’s gonna get his eventually..
Injury Bug
October 23rd, 2011
9:06 pm
how ’bout dem saints !!!!
Jason
October 23rd, 2011
9:08 pm
The Lions are the Georgia Tech of the NFL.
kerryb
October 23rd, 2011
9:08 pm
Has anyone heard anything about Ovie Mughelli? I’m holding my breathe with him knowing how important the FB is for us.