Falcons bounce back against Titans, as they always do
Michael Turner ran over and around the Titans, and the Falcons rolled to a win (Curtis Compton)
Let’s put aside for a moment that the Falcons set out to serve us a gourmet meal Sunday but their quest for perfection was slightly marred by the overcooked lobster and then dropping the dessert in our laps.
They won again. That’s what they do after losses. No matter how physical or emotional it was. No matter how long public debate seems to stretch into the following week. Of all the things this regime has achieved, one of the most remarkable is that the team’s ability to rebound after defeats.
The latest illustration was Sunday’s 23-17 win over Tennessee, which came on the heels of last week’s overtime loss to New Orleans. The game may have left an after-taste, the result of the offense turning six red zone possessions into only two touchdowns. But there’s something to be said for this team’s resilience.
Under coach Mike Smith, the Falcons are now 16-3 after losses, eight straight wins and 4-0 this year.
“It says a lot about the team,” Smith said. “Regardless of the outcome, we know it’s a long season, we know we have to move on to the next game. From the first day we talked about what the formula is for a successful football team. Part of that is putting defeats behind you. We don’t let things linger.”
Mike Smith inspired Falcons' players with his words the night before the game. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Smith hammered it home again Saturday night. His speech to the team, while short on pyrotechnics or even some great revelation, apparently struck the right chord with players.
“It wasn’t anything big, but I think what he said went to everybody’s heart,” center Todd McClure said.
“We’re at a point in the season now where we really need to start hitting our stride,” said tight end Tony Gonzalez. “We’re almost there — we’re not there yet. As Smitty said, we have to start putting things in overdrive. When we have a team down, let’s step on it.”
For most of Sunday, the Falcons looked like the kind of team Smith embraces: physical on both sides with a dominating running game and a stout defense.
Michael Turner, who rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown, said, “Sometimes you have to remember why this team was put together. You have to play smart and play physical. We haven’t been doing that lately. We were losing focus in games.”
The Falcons opened the season with a borderline humiliating loss at Chicago, but rebounded with an emotional win over Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles. Losses to Tampa Bay, Green Bay and New Orleans were followed with wins over Seattle, Carolina and Tennessee, respectively.
They haven’t lost consecutive games since Dec. 6 and 13 of 2009, a streak that has reached 29 games.
“I don’t think it’s arrogance or overconfidence,” Gonzalez said, “but every game we’ve lose this year we felt, ‘Man, we could’ve had that one. Even the Chicago game.”
This isn’t to say the Falcons don’t have flaws. They do. The offense walked over Tennessee with 432 yards. They had a 100-yard rusher, a 316-yarder passer (Matt Ryan) and a 147-yard receiver (Roddy White).
But the result of six red zone possessions were two touchdowns, three field goals and a fumble. Maximum potential: 42 points. Falcons’ net: 23. Great teams don’t leave so many points on the field.
This should have been a lopsided win. But when Titans rookie backup quarterback Jake Locker threw two late touchdown passes, there were a few tense moments on the Atlanta sideline.
But the Falcons played with an attitude and a physical edge they sometimes have been missing. Titans running game Chris Johnson (12 carries for 13 yards) was outgained by one Matt Hasselbeck scramble (17 yards).
That kind of defense will serve this team well. So should the schedule. The Falcons’ 6-4 record doesn’t sparkle but the final six games present great possibilities. Three of their remaining opponents — Minnesota (2-8), Carolina (2-8), Jacksonville (3-7) — have a combined record of 7-23. If the Falcons sweep those, that gets them to nine wins before even addressing the other three opponents (Houston, Tampa Bay, New Orleans).
It all sets up for a nice playoff run. They could use a few more touchdowns. But at least we know resilience isn’t an issue.
By Jeff Schultz
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186 comments Add your comment
Ole Falcon
November 21st, 2011
10:06 am
How long are the Falcon’s going to storm down the field until it’s 1st and goal and then run Turner into the line; then have a pass broken up, resulting in a field goal? HELLO! Everyone in the southern hemisphere knows you are going to do that and they have everyone including the ball girl packed in to stop it Why not a play action and then a flip out to one of the substitute tight ends? Even if it didn’t work it would have a better chance than Turner against the world in the middle of the line.
North FLA Falcon
November 21st, 2011
10:07 am
The play calling was some of the best I’ve seen. I like the fake handoff/pitch and then Ryan rolls out. The receivers got open and Ryan made some great throws.
Ole Falcon
November 21st, 2011
10:10 am
I, of course, meant run Turner into the line TWICE!
Geo
November 21st, 2011
10:23 am
Agree Ole Falcon. They really need to work on their red zone offense. If they could have punched it in a couple of times with all those trips down their against the Saints they would have won, and the Titans were able to make it close yesterday due to their inability to put up six in the red zone. It’s not the players’ fault, it’s the no-imagination playcalling. The neverending problem with their OC, too predictable.
Someone else said maybe they are saving a Rodgers toss in short yardage for the playoffs. I used to think that way too, but it hasn’t happened yet (i.e. last year’s playoffs). We can only hope…
Geo
November 21st, 2011
10:25 am
Of course they didn’t have Rodgers last year, but you know what I mean. “it” equals getting more creative, using more than a one page playbook.
Al
November 21st, 2011
10:34 am
Great article.
D man
November 21st, 2011
10:34 am
What a boring game. The fans in the stands were asleep and it felt like there was no energy in the building. That was the first of a long winning streak for the Falcons. Next up is the Viks without Peterson, then we go play the Texans without a QB. Things are looking good for the Falcons… Defense looked much better yesterday too. Way to go guys…
D man
November 21st, 2011
10:43 am
We will be heavy favorites to win the next 4 games and will go into NO for a Monday night showdown with a 10 & 4 record. That will be a payback game. We should have beat those Saints in Atlanta and we will beat them in NO just like last year.
Eric C.
November 21st, 2011
10:58 am
@JSS, I see my comment made it through, hope you are taking notes…to everyone else I apologize for the multiple entries
season ticket holder
November 21st, 2011
11:13 am
Get ready Falcons and Saints fans; looks like the stars are going to align for a first round playoff game against each other. The Pack and Niners have the bye weeks pretty much locked down. Boys and Giants will battle for the division title and the other will be left in the cold, leaving the Saints, Falcons, Bears, and Lions vying for the remaining three spots.
The Lions have to play the Pack twice, Saints,, and some teams from the AFC West – they will lose at least three games and finish at 10-6.
The Bears have an easy schedule will finish 12-4 or 11-5
Figuring the Falcons run the table (along with Saints with the exception of losing to ATL on 12/26) both teams end up 12-4 with the Saints getting the tie breaker for the division and the Bears getting the tie breaker on the Falcons.
Another playoff game between the two will only add to an already stellar rivalry.
SeenThisB4
November 21st, 2011
11:29 am
@Season ticket holder: Yeah, good luck with that!
MG3
November 21st, 2011
11:30 am
Nice win by the Falcons yesterday. They win Sunday and Saints will lose to an angry NYG team on Monday night making this a close race to see who wins the division. Chicago will falter without Cutler and Detroit’s schedule will cause them problems down the stretch so even a wild card is good possibility. And to all the Ryan haters, I’ve been a lifelong Falcon Fan…arm strenght or not I’ll take his winning percentage against anyone we’ve ever had.
season ticket holder
November 21st, 2011
11:35 am
@SeenThisB4 – Seriously, how do you think the playoff seeding will be? Based on the teams in the hunt and the remaining schedules I think the following is very likely:
1. Green Bay
2. San Francisco
3. New Orleans (long shot for the Falcons)
4. Dallas/New York
5. Chicago
6. Atlanta
Tommy
November 21st, 2011
11:39 am
Suddenly the playoffs are in reach. . .not only do the Falcons have one of the easier remaining schedules in the league, but all of the teams around us in the NFC standings will be playing one another down the stretch. For example, as long as we keep taking care of business, no matter the outcome Saints/Lions, it helps us–if Detroit wins, it could put us in a tie with New Orleans, if the Saints win, we pull even with Detroit and win the tie-breaker.
It’s looking good.
Mr Charlie
November 21st, 2011
11:43 am
Chicago lost Cultler, they are not shoe in. They do have a pretty easy schedule, but it is hard to win the he NFL without a QB.
Learn to tackle
November 21st, 2011
11:43 am
Saints implode. The December curse returns.
Learn to tackle
November 21st, 2011
11:44 am
Mr Charlie, it’s shoo in.
Mr Charlie
November 21st, 2011
11:44 am
Why would anyone call winning our division a “long shot”, the ‘Aint have a tough schedule, plus we play them. I would say it is about 40-60 their favor, but not a “long shot by any means.
MG3
November 21st, 2011
11:45 am
Falcons should still be focused on winning the South, then let the wild card fall as it may.
MG3
November 21st, 2011
11:47 am
@ Mr. Charlie – agreed.
The Saints were an OT win last week of being down to the Falcons in the division yet people act like they are so elite and we are so average. Looking forward to the rematch and if the Falcons can continue winning, which they should do against the weak schedule, then I like our chances.
Mr Charlie
November 21st, 2011
11:48 am
Being a game out with 6 to go is not exactly insurmountable. We will have to beat New Orleans, and while that is not given, i usually comes down to one play vs them, so the odds are on our side there. We just got to keep winning, and make sure we smack Lienart around good when we play the Texans.
Mr Charlie
November 21st, 2011
11:52 am
December is the month that makes or breaks teams, and for all the “Ice can’t win pressure games”, his record in December is better than any month. Plus I get the feeling watching the team yesterday that they have righted some issues. For all the hullabaloo about which play our coaching staff should call, we do have a great staff, it not experienced in the playoffs.
elvis that falcon fan
November 21st, 2011
11:54 am
RIP Larry…you are missed. Now onto yesterdays game. Ryan looked really sharp even on a couple of scrambles. Turner was on fire…late in the game you saw Tenn defenders making arm tackles on him. Palmer looks side a solid back-up for Gonzo. Harry Douglas continues to show why he is needed on this team. O line did a good job…Roddy for the 2nd week in a row had a pass hit him in the hands in the endzone late in the 4th that would have clinched the game and he didnt make the play. And predictably Van Gorder dialed up the all to familiar prevent scheme late in the game when pressure was needed. And even more predictably Mularkeys play calling in the red zone kept us out not execution. Try something odd like a shovel pass or a direct snap to Quizz or maybe even a half back pass to Gonzo in the end zone….anything..just cannot settle for 3.
bigdon
November 21st, 2011
11:54 am
Ugly win for sure. Not sure which was uglier, the one in Athens or yesterday. I’m serious when I say this. Does Roddie need a vision check a la Brian McCann. One ball litterally whiffed though his
hands in the end zone as he more or less clapped at it. I’m not so sure he’s seeing it like he used to. Either that or crack like the rest of them. Lastly, why oh why can’t we just put them away so I can change the channel, run to the fridge (Or bathroom, depending on need and amount of beer I drink.). But,,,,,,,nnnnnoooooo. We gotta string it along, drag the damn thing out and give me gas. The Falcons are taking a toll on my health. My mother told me it was unhealthy to hold it in too long. I ask simply this. Is the entire 4th quarter too long? BTW: Michael Turner, great game. I was literally standing up heading to the can when you fumbled. Thanks a lot. I’ll send you a bill when I blow my colon out. The good news is my pee pee dance has gotten much better.
O'Brien
November 21st, 2011
11:58 am
Jeff,
The Falcons opened the season with a borderline humiliating loss at Chicago, but rebounded with an emotional win over Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles. Losses to Tampa Bay, Green Bay and New Orleans were followed with wins over Seattle, Carolina and Tennessee, respectively..
I’m a big fan of the Falcons, but I’m not impressed. If Vick doesn’t get hurt, do the Falcons win that game? Also, the other teams they played after losses were Seattle, Carolina, and Tennessee. Seattle had a chance to win, but missed a game winning FG, Carolina is 2-8, and we let Tennessee hang around, despite them losing their QB.
Falcons still have lots of room for improvement (imo).
Do you have the Falcons record with Julio Jones, and their record without him? If I’m not mistaken, they have a winning record when he doesn’t play, and a losing record when he does. Not sure what to make of it.
Rikus
November 21st, 2011
12:03 pm
Always a good read.
MG3
November 21st, 2011
12:06 pm
Good points O’brien, but I think 3 of the 4 teams who beat us could make the same observations. All but the Chicago game could’ve been won by the Falcons…especially Tampa and NO. Even the GB game was a one possesion contest until late in the 4th.
I like Julio a lot but completely agree with you there. With the pieces we already have in place I’m not sure he’s going to make that big an impact, but I certainly hope I’m wrong.
Jordan
November 21st, 2011
12:29 pm
http://isportsweb.com/2011/11/21/falcons-edge-titans/
Mr Charlie
November 21st, 2011
12:44 pm
Obrien, you can’t play “what if” in the NFL. We are 6-4, and I believe our best football is in front of us. Jake Locker lighting us up was not good, but you see that all the time with Rookie QBs, when you don’t have any tape on the guy, it is really hard to defend against him. We just have to remain focused and not let off the gas against these struggling teams.
I remember in 05 and 06 we were here, and then lost to some real stinker teams to knock us out of the playoffs, but I think we have a better team now.
Yeah Right
November 21st, 2011
12:53 pm
JSS….buzz off. Nobody cares what you think, we don’t want to read your long-winded posts, and while I will say I appreciate your comment to 5150 about LM, the rest of what you have to say is pure drivel. Oh, and nobody cares that your a grad student or that you went to church….go somewhere else to get your pat on the back.
Matter o’ fact, why don’t you just go away….far away….
Yeah Right
November 21st, 2011
12:54 pm
Mr. Charlie, the no tape excuse is lame. Truth is that it was Christoper Owens again. The worst CB in the NFL.
Yeah Right
November 21st, 2011
12:59 pm
MR2 ran the offense the entire first half and some of the 2nd half. He was calling audibles and changing the play at the line; the result? A first half score of 20-3. Then we changed gears and started playing Smitty Ball. The result? Once again we let a crappy team come back on us. Oh and I guess Franks is a bust, since they are unwilling to let him do anything. I thought he was better then Owns (as in receivers own Owens) but guess we’ll never know since they refuse to let him play. But then I thought anyone was better than Owns.
Mr Charlie
November 21st, 2011
1:07 pm
Not making excuses, but you see it all the time, just one of those NFL things. I am just glad we hung on.
What is funny, there are those who do not credit Ryan, and say it was Turner who won it. Our line was opening holes because Ryan was calling the plays at the line, and calling plays and blocking scheme as dictated by the defenses, and got turner to the 2nd level to where does his thing.
Ryan is just a smart dude who is all upside as he get more and more control of the offense. Is he perfect? No, but neither am I.
Jenn
November 21st, 2011
1:15 pm
I think Roddy had a wake up call…after that horrible excuse for a performance against the Saints with the personal fouls, dropped pass that cost us the game etc I was very impressed yesterday. He has taken a Twitter hiatus ever since the loss. Courtland Finnegan even tried to bait him during the game and he walked away…definite good sign.
JSS
November 21st, 2011
1:18 pm
@ Yeah Right…
Pull out your big set and make me leave… You’re too stupid to even get what I was doing and why I was doing right… And when you get a grown man’s user name in January when they convert the AJC Blogs, bring your shovel and bucket…cI know a man in South GA who needs his pigs slopped… That is exactly what your comments amount to in form and matter…
@ Eric C…
James L. Davis, PC – Macon, GA, he’s on retainer, bring yours, I’m more than happy to listen to any Superior Court judge in this State laugh you out the door…
randawg6
November 21st, 2011
1:46 pm
Run d is stout. Decoud & robinson need to play better. Thought Ryan had nice touch on all his passes
NATIVEBIRD
November 21st, 2011
1:59 pm
OK, BVG, CHRIS OWENS IS TURRIBLE! I MEAN TURRIBLE!
I left the game last night mad as hell at one person in particular, Chris Owens!
How many touchdowns does he have to give up? Pls play Franks! Anyone
But Owens!
How many times is he not in a position to make a play?
Damn, Stevie Wonder called me last night and said, ”
Did you see that sh$t? Owens sucks!”
He is watching on the field so put him back on the
sidelines if we want 2 win. Let him watch from there.
achybreakyheart
November 21st, 2011
4:42 pm
Had the rookie started the game..we would have lost!! You people need to get a life! All this groping around in the dark..you need purpose and direction!!
The birds are a mediocre, middle of the road team at best..They promise to be better..but alas..to no avail..better luck next year!
Samuel L. Jackson
November 21st, 2011
4:58 pm
If the NFC is a middling conference outside of the Packers, then what does it say about the Falcons to have a middling record of 6-4 in said middling conference? All 4 Falcons losses were to NFC competition. What world do you people live in, cuz it sure as hell ain’t reality?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Day One Fan
November 21st, 2011
7:00 pm
@5150 UOAD. You turd sucking troll. You dare to disrespect the deceased Larry Munson like that. You are EXTREMELY lucky I am not where you are. Sorry for the anger Shultzy. That ignorant comment toward a very good human being set me off.
Saints R.E.A.M.
November 21st, 2011
7:35 pm
Good fortune will shine on the Atlanta Falcons yet again this year!!! If you don’t believe you were a lucky bunch last year to get to 13 wins……you will certainly agree that you have a favorable schedule…especially when you consider: You play Minnesota with most likely no Adrian Peterson & You play Houston with no Matt Schaub… Then you face Carolina & Jacksonville…two cupcakes. And then you have New Orleans & Tampa Bay….the Saints may have nothing to play for at that point if things are wrapped up….who knows? If you don’t win 10 games this year they should dismantle the team and fire the coach & GM.
Mr. Charlie
November 21st, 2011
8:03 pm
I hate Vick because quarterback is for whites.
I rip Vick because he is athletic and black.
phil
November 21st, 2011
10:19 pm
It’s nice to win games, but our team isn’t really going anywhere.
Let’s accept reality here. We can’t beat the top teams and are beating lesser teams by just a little….not a recipe for ultimate success.
Oh, and fire FG…
trademark
November 22nd, 2011
3:52 am
You don’t need to look to far to know the Falcons are scaring people…just look at all the little Trolls that are so SCARED, they just have to come to a team’s blog that they hate, and talk smack. Daily. S-C-A-R-E-D. Little. Trolls.
The reality is, there isn’t a team in the NFL the Falcons can’t beat at this point…and yes, New Orleans Trolls, this means your “elite” team, too. I watched that game. Try to tell me with a straight face that the Saints and their fans weren’t p*ssing in their pants while the Falcons drove 90 yards and tied that game. Damn near won it. Rabbit’s foot up your a$§ that we didn’t. That’s OK, use up your damned luck now, you won’t have it later, it won’t save your a%$ all the time. But good for you, you got the W, for now. We play for the division for real in week 15.
Saints R.E.A.M.
November 22nd, 2011
7:40 am
Yes they are scaring the H3LL out of sub-.500 football teams !!!!
True Falcon Fan
November 22nd, 2011
8:46 am
@JSS — I’ve been traveling —- got on-line noticed your posts —- what’s up with you?? Why have you lost your patience with folks, “you are the self proclaimed wise kid of sports”?? You sound like a whiner “as in wine” that needs some cheese to go with your “whine or wine”. Are you trying to achieve something you prefer not, the point is something is up with you, is it with mom or you?? Don’t forget as you stated in your own words, and i quote, “I chose to move back to ATL from SF to take care of my mom”. Hey relax, go get a new J.O.B. or something, “a life” maybe……
I am glad to hear you are working on your MBA, however you should know most of these bloggers don’t really care about whether you get or obtain an MBA!
Go Falcons
Ueeediot always..
November 22nd, 2011
11:30 am
FAL-CONS SCARING PEOPLE??????????????^^^^^^^^^^^
OH THAT’S RIGHT THIS IS GEORGIA, A FORMER BRITISH PRISON CAMP. I ALMOST FORGOT….
THAT EXPLAINS A LOT….
JSS
November 22nd, 2011
6:31 pm
True Falcon Fan
November 22nd, 2011
8:46 am
“@JSS — I’ve been traveling —- got on-line noticed your posts —- what’s up with you?”
Still sticking your nose in places that it has no place being I see… Nobody heard a wink from your sad a** after all that crap you spewed before the Saints came the town and laid that “L” on your team…
“MBA?” I don’t need an MBA, ” I said “Grad School” genius…
Also, you pathetic creep, if you’re going to quote me, do it right… “I choose to come back to Georgia from Los Angeles and take care of my ailing Mother.” I know that you’re illiterate geographically as well now…
You really need to give up the 5 or 6 user names that you post under, keep your nose out of my business and generally shut up…
P.S.
Since 1966, 295-397-6 (102 games below .500) You’ll doubtfully not live long enough to see them above 500! You’re a creepy loser!
True Falcon Fan
November 22nd, 2011
7:16 pm
6:31 pm — Hey Buddy or whatever you have real “PROBLEMS” —- my bet is “Mommy does take care of everything” —- You’ll figure it out…
Nobody needs to be a genius to know you are a “NUT”!!
In your case you need a good Psychiatrist, for sure!!!!! Go see S&W they are cheap and they are located in your local pawn shop, only takes a one split second treatment and “YOU” will be cured of all your problems!
Good Luck on your next task
JSS
November 22nd, 2011
7:47 pm
@ Idiot Fan…
I wouldn’t give a fool like you the satisfaction,,, You keep posting and proving how much of a creep you are… I won’t dignify that silly blow your brains out insinuation that you just made… You ain’t a “buddy” of anyone except your right hand… Now go in your dark room and cure you own problems… And there’s a saying that 99% of the world gets, but you obviously don’t, “leave mothers and fathers out of it.” Those are the reason you are pathetic creep loser…