LIVE: Falcons’ win over Lions crucial to playoff hopes
DETROIT — This is what I see when I look out of my hotel window . . .
That's Comerica Park (Tigers' home) on the left, Ford Field (Lions' home) on the right.
This is what I see when I look out the back of my hotel coffee shop . . .
That's Caesars Palace and the casinos of Windsor, Ontario, just across the Detroit river.
So yeah, I was tempted. But then I remembered I wouldn’t get a paycheck if I chose option No. 2. So here I am. (Besides, the casinos will still be there tonight. The challenge: Making a receipt for red and blue chips look like lunch with Thomas Dimitroff.)
The Falcons play the Detroit Lions today. I would never refer to a game in Week 7 as “must-win” but this comes pretty close. Here’s why: A win leaves the Falcons at 4-3 before the bye week, still in a contention to win the NFC South (which nobody is running away with) or a wild card berth. But a loss drops them further down in the division and playoff race, as they’ve already lost three conference games (Chicago, Tampa Bay, Green Bay).
A few weeks ago, it seemed the Falcons had little chance to win this game. They were struggling on both sides of the ball, the Lions were rolling and the team seemed to have no answer for stopping Matthew Stafford (a weak pass rush) or Calvin Johnson (a shaky secondary).
Stafford-to-Johnson still presents a problem. Those two have hooked up for 36 passes covering 564 yards and nine touchdowns already this season. But defensive end Ray Edwards finally is starting to make an impact on defense and Sean Weatherspoon has been strong the last few weeks.
Here’s Mike Smith on Edwards earlier in the week: “I really think that Ray is becoming more comfortable in our scheme. He’s been able to win the snap. When I say win the snap, his first step has been very quick and he’s been able to get on some edges. Sacks sometimes are overrated but we are seeing the type of pressure that we need to see from Ray.”
Another positive: The offensive line had its best game of the season last week against Carolina. Left tackle Sam Baker (lower back) is out this game and he’ll be replaced by Will Svitek. That’s only a major issue if you’re a huge Sam Baker fan but it does cut into depth. As expected, Julio Jones (hamstring) also is out. (I’ll list the rest of the inactives in the comments section.)
Detroit is struggling in two key areas: running the ball and stopping the run. They’ve lost Jahvid Best for possibly the season and will rely on backup Maurice Morris. That means the Lions will have to attack with their passing game. One huge key will be the Falcons’ defense on third down. They have the worst third-down defense in the NFL, having allowed opponents to convert 39 of 79 attempts (49.4 percent).
I’ll stick with my pick: Falcons win a close game, with Michael Turner and the running game being the difference. But I wouldn’t bet it.
Time to kick off the live blog. Then game time. I’m here to serve.
By Jeff Schultz
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,942 comments Add your comment
Eggs Gimme Gas
October 23rd, 2011
6:22 pm
Lions don’t have top notch talent. They got Stafford,CJ,and Domakansu on defense. They are average everywhere else.
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2011
6:24 pm
SEC346…..
Coomparing Tebow to those for “winners” in college is like comparing a kitty cat against a Lion. Tebow was better in college than those guys…..way better…..and will be in the NFL.
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
6:24 pm
Fatt Matt Stafford has spent more games in a Hospital Bed than in the huddle at this point. he is talented for sure, but I am fatt matt has the Drive to be that great. IMO
Raiders Rock!
October 23rd, 2011
6:25 pm
We gonna end Tebow’s short career when we play em again. Seymour’s gonna BullDawg that Gator….
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2011
6:26 pm
Eggs…
The Lions have tons of top draft choices playing for that team…..at many different postions. You better check that Lions roster again.
Raiders Rock!
October 23rd, 2011
6:27 pm
Tebow wan’t better than Andre Ware or Ty Detmer passing. Maybe running the ball. He should be a RB.
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
6:28 pm
Raiders? hahahaha. the Raiders ain’t got much to bring to the table either.
Sec346
October 23rd, 2011
6:28 pm
Tebow is a hard worker…okay…? So are most successful NFL QBs. You don’t get to the top in the NFL on talent alone. The elite players in the league, regardless of position, all have a burning desire to be the best. Character aside, you don’t think Cam Newton works hard to be the best? Matt Ryan? Tom Brady? Aaron Rodgers?
Braves #17 Fan
October 23rd, 2011
6:28 pm
Did anyone notice Schwartz dissing Smith at mid-field after the game?
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2011
6:29 pm
Anyway……
Most of you will still be hating and denying Tebow for years in the NFL. Good luck with that. Have a nice night.
P.S…….leaving for Gainesville and then JAX on Thursday and Friday night. Don’t expect my Gators to win this year…….but they will have a really good chance if Brantley and Demps are 100 percent. I have my fingers crossed…..if they are….Gators make it 19 out of 23. See ya.
Barry Sanders
October 23rd, 2011
6:29 pm
The Falcons will win this game. This is why I retired early.
mtnfalconfan
October 23rd, 2011
6:29 pm
Why the F*%% are we even discussing Tebow here? TampaGator go find yourself a Denver blog and have at it. YOU LOSER!
North ave. faithful
October 23rd, 2011
6:30 pm
I tell ya what, today when ryan got hurt I sure wish no,15 was coming off the bench for us.
The Nature Boy
October 23rd, 2011
6:31 pm
I gotta weigh in on Tebow…he makes me laugh AND cheer…he looks like a pitcher in the wind-up when sets up 2 throw…it aint gonna work in the NFL…but he got 15pts today in less than 3 minutes….NUTS!!! the dude is an enigma…
Lil Payne
October 23rd, 2011
6:32 pm
Do Chris Redman chew redman 2bacco ?
TampaGator
October 23rd, 2011
6:33 pm
Oh…..caught mtnfalconfan’s post before leaving.
yep……I’m a loser. “We” are discussing Tebow because “we” want to. We live in America. We are also talking post-Falcon win…..and Tebow’s performance today in the NFL (which is relevant to this site)……that is what losers like me do……now….goodnight.
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2011
6:34 pm
ryan:
“How about Tony Gonzales two receptions away from Jerry Rice record liked when his son interviewed his father.”
Gonzales is a hall of fame tight end, but he’s nowhere near Rice’s record for receptions.
mtnfalconfan
October 23rd, 2011
6:34 pm
CYA!!!
Lil Payne
October 23rd, 2011
6:34 pm
Tampongator startsted dis Tebowed jank junks.
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2011
6:36 pm
Braves #17 Fan
“Did anyone notice Schwartz dissing Smith at mid-field after the game?”
I certainly did notice that. Pretty classless on Schwartz’s part.
mtnfalconfan
October 23rd, 2011
6:37 pm
Lets all stand up and bow to Tim Tewbow….He won a huge game against the defending champion Miami Dolphins…FFS
Lil Payne
October 23rd, 2011
6:37 pm
Do Matts Ryan own dat Ryans steakshop ?
AmericanKris
October 23rd, 2011
6:39 pm
Corey Peters is a man with a plan
DawgNole
October 23rd, 2011
6:42 pm
We don’t care where you’re going Thursday and Friday, tampagator. By the way, if fla wins, that will be 19 of 22–not 23. You pretend to know it all, but obviously you’re no more than a BS’er–like the rest of your kind.
PMC
October 23rd, 2011
6:46 pm
Solid win, Solid, Grimetime 20 (Aka Optimus Grimes) was freaking outstanding today.
Back to Falcons Football…. never pretty, no wow Factor but they got it done.
Hope Ovie is ok. If only Lou Delmas didn’t have terrible technique he might be fine. Could have tackled with his arms and body, instead, helmet to the knee. I hope he’s fined for the spear.
Mr Charlie
October 23rd, 2011
6:48 pm
Haters are hatin, cause the Falcoons are winnin. But Matty ice showed a toughness that Atlanta had NEVER had at QB. Choke on that.
mtnfalconfan
October 23rd, 2011
6:50 pm
Matt Ryan is a tough SOB
Mr Charlie
October 23rd, 2011
6:51 pm
Would like to see a lot more Man to Man coverage, loved the way little grimey just took to that Tech loser.
Mr Charlie
October 23rd, 2011
6:52 pm
When his ankle got rolled up on, I thought he was done for the season.
mtnfalconfan
October 23rd, 2011
6:53 pm
Yes he did a great job at holding CJ in check. We only got burned once
5150 UOAD
October 23rd, 2011
6:56 pm
Mr Charlie you are stupid. Grimes was lucky on 1 play cause Stifford threw a terrible pass. Spud Webb of the NFL is not big enough to play 1-on-1 that much against much larger WRs. Spud didn’t take it to CJ as much as Stafford made bad throws. You know your Dawg Fatt Matt the Loser.
Jeff Schultz
October 23rd, 2011
6:56 pm
Game column is posted folks. Sorry, but it took a while in the post-game. McClure and White both went off on Suh for taunting Ryan when he was down.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2011/10/23/falcons-punch-out-lions-then-rip-suh-for-taunting-ryan/
Mr Charlie
October 23rd, 2011
6:57 pm
Game ball for our D. Really played well, hopefully it is a harbinger for things to come. Also like the way Jizz got that last 1st down. We will be seeing a lot more of him in the 2nd half of the season.
Injury Bug
October 23rd, 2011
7:00 pm
@ steve o- because arty obviously wrote that check to the refs today and the lions mgmt didn’t . on at least 3 call after the replay the announcers said they didn’t see the call. maybe one day you can support a team that can win by playing football and not by back room check writing prior to the game . it is atl so by accepting mediocrity in everything , it probably doesn’t matter though
Jimmy
October 23rd, 2011
7:02 pm
TampaGator,
I am not anti-Tebow…I wish him well.
He may indeed “develop” into a better passer.
But all we can do is judge on what we see.
Right now…his arm is not good enough to win consistently.
He has that winner quality but that will not be enough.
If he can’t pass consistently his team won’t win consistently.
That is proven in the NFL.
One dimensional teams are too easy to gameplan.
phil
October 23rd, 2011
7:06 pm
Well, I didn’t think much of our chances today, but we pulled it off. Congratulations, boys.
Apparently the decent game we saw the D play against GB a few weeks ago WAS the start of something.
As for this blog, wow. It’s as bad, or worse, here than the in game Braves blog….incredible stupidity on clear display.
And Tebow? The guy tends to win. I’m a dawg but the man can play, ugly or not. As for Stafford, nothing new. He’s never quite in shape, rarely in the game enough mentally. He’s just soft, period.
fan
October 23rd, 2011
7:06 pm
I have been tough on falcons this year and BVG and MS. I have to eat me blogs on here. The defense and Turner running the ball won this game. I have to say Spoon , Edward and Abe playing great. Can’t leave out Peters. He was the steal of last 2010 draft. He makes up for the bust on Jerry.
North ave. faithful
October 23rd, 2011
7:12 pm
5150 I relize we are both as they like to say techies,I lived on state st. when I was born in 57. But I have to disagree with your take on grimes,I think he played like he was 6-2 today.Hes got a lot of hussle.
The Monger
October 23rd, 2011
8:09 pm
From ijohnathon: “Real American, aside from Turner’s long run and maybe 1 or 2 other decent ones, what exactly did he do today to fill that “MVP” billing?”
Well Mr.Ijohnathon, lets see thats another 27 carries for another 122 yards, this after running for a “meager” 139 yards and 2 tds last week against carolina. Come on man really?!! Do you expect him to run for 200 yards every game or something….This now makes 4 100 yard rushing games for Turner this year, and 23 for his career. I understand he gets his yards in big chunks, but he had 3 or 4 BIG TIME runs against the lions, including that 52 yarder, and even by your whack theory that means he still gained 70 yards on his other carries, so he must have gained a few first downs to be able to tote the rock 27 times in a game….
lets look at how bad this argument is against Turner somehow being a “terrible” running back…
His 2011 so far (we wont even get into his 1699 and 1371 yard seasons)
100 yards vs. Chicago
114 yards vs. Philly
139 yards vs. Carolina
122 yards vs. Lions
thats 4 100 yard games for those counting versus…
20 yards vs. Tampa (and a loaded box with 8 or 9 most of the game, just saying)
70 yards vs Seattle
56 yards vs GB
SO…that means he has 4 100 yard games and 3 non 100 yard games, so he has more one hundred yard games than he doesnt this year….and he is terrible?? Yeah, stupid indeed, I would take those splits from any of the top running backs in the league, not even mentioning his touchdown rate this year…get real bum!!!!!!
Jordan
October 23rd, 2011
10:07 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/10/23/atl-beats-det/
CGD..
October 24th, 2011
10:13 am
“LONG LONG LONG way to go in this one….IF this team can manage to make the playoffs through this schedule, they will be tough to beat anywhere.
Indy
NO
TEN
MIN
@Hou
@Car
JAX
@NO
TB”
10-6 sounds reasonable..Maybe a wild card on the road? Not good……
Its going to be real tough.. Theses playoff teams are going to stop Turner and Ryan is not by some luck going to turn into Drew Brees( what a rocket arm!) 5TD’s, 62 points!!!!!!!!!! OMG……
Defense is looking better than the offense!
Mularkey has got ta go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CGD..
October 24th, 2011
10:17 am
Falcons 30 Indy 17..