Falcons get their reality check, and it’s not what they expected
Falcons could do nothing to stop Drew Brees and the Saints. (AP photo)
(UPDATED: 1:03 a.m.)
NEW ORLEANS — So much for the mystery.
There’s no need to wonder how heavily to weigh six consecutive dominating quarters against Carolina and Jacksonville. As it turns out, it means only that the Falcons are better than Carolina and Jacksonville — neither of whom they’ll be facing in the playoffs.
They’re not as good as New Orleans. They’re certainly not as good as Green Bay. It remains to be seen if they’re as good as anybody in the playoff field (although they did beat Detroit. But the Falcons won’t be playing them, either.)
Pecking order was firmly established Monday night. The Falcons got boat-raced by New Orleans 45-16 at the Superdome. At least, that was the score the last time anybody looked up.
“I think it’s an aberration,” coach Mike Smith said when asked what this says about the state of his team.
He had better hope so. The Falcons just suffered their worst loss ever under Smith. The 29-point deficit was even bigger than last season’s playoff loss to Green Bay (48-21).
Some might have been upset that the Saints poured it on at the end. (Drew Brees threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game with 2:51 left, prompting Saints coach Sean Payton to later alibi that he was just trying to get Brees the single-season passing yardage record on that drive.)
But when a team gets body-slammed like this, it has nothing to whine about.
The Falcons didn’t merely get beat by a seemingly faster and more talented team. They got punched in the mouth. They lost both lines of scrimmage. They had receivers laid out in the New Orleans secondary, and their own defense didn’t reciprocate. They got outcoached. They didn’t have an answer for a New Orleans offense that went over 300 yards by halftime or for quarterback Drew Brees, who just made them look silly most of the night.
They gave up a 92-yard kickoff return and allowed a touchdown on a 30-yard fumble return after Julio Jones found himself with an excess of thumbs. So they spread the agony around.
This all happened with quite a bit on the line, not the least of which was a slim chance to rally and win the NFC South.
“It’s pretty embarrassing the way we played,” linebacker Curtis Lofton said.
“I don’t even know what this means — I don’t have a clue,” wide receiver Roddy White said.
This doesn’t mean the Falcons are incapable of winning a first-round playoff game over Dallas, New York or San Francisco. But they have beaten only two teams all season that currently have winning records (Detroit and Tennessee), and this performance by players and coaches leaves nobody with any sense of comfort.
There’s also this: If things fall just right (or wrong), the Falcons will be coming back to New Orleans in two weeks for the playoffs. Sleep well, Brian VanGorder.
After consecutive wins over Carolina and Jacksonville, the Falcons had started to believe they could go on an improbable playoff run from a wild-card position this season, just like the Green Bay Packers did last season. But this game provided no reassurance of that.
Smith again: “I felt like we had a good week of preparation. I didn’t see this coming. We didn’t play Atlanta Falcons football and the scoreboard indicates that.”
What the scoreboard indicated was that this defense still can’t handle offenses with an elite quarterback. The only thing the first half gave the Falcons were bad flashbacks of Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ offense, ripping them apart in January.
The Saints led 21-10 at halftime. They would’ve had four touchdowns in four possessions, but one would-be score went off Jimmy Graham’s hands in the end zone, was volleyballed by William Moore and fell like manna from heaven into the hands of Falcons defensive back Dominique Franks for an interception. So much for the Falcons’ first-half defensive highlights.
When Brees stepped back to pass, the Falcons’ secondary looked like somebody had kicked an ant hill. The Falcons rarely pressured Brees, rarely blitzed and, when they did, they got burned. Brees threw for 230 yards on only four possessions and New Orleans totaled 306 yards in offense.
There is your reality check about the Falcons’ defense in game No. 15.
Moving the ball wasn’t an issue early. The Falcons’ drove to a field goal and a touchdown on their first two possessions. But when they stalled, New Orleans kept going. As much as the Falcons fashion themselves as an explosive offense, they’re not nearly at the level of New Orleans or Green Bay.
The defense’s only hope against opponents at this level is to punch them in the mouth. But the Falcons were throwing hooks at air Monday night. In the first half, Brees moved the Saints 84 yards in 3 minutes and 28 seconds, 81 yards in 3:59 and 80 yards in 1:55.
You could almost hear defenders yell in unison, “Which way did he go?”
When New Orleans took a 28-10 lead in the third quarter on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Brees to Robert Meachem, chants of “MVP, MVP,” went up in the Superdome crowd.
Nobody in white jerseys would cast a dissenting vote.
The Falcons were looking for a sign that they could do something special in the postseason. Instead, they got smacked with a reality check. Barring an unexpected mutation, they’re nowhere nearly good enough for that.
By Jeff Schultz
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751 comments Add your comment
Saint Van Gorder
December 27th, 2011
10:04 am
Just making the playoffs isn’t good enough. The Falcons have done that 3 years already. To watch them get embarassed by a team in their division should make Mr. Blank angry.
Georgia
December 27th, 2011
10:04 am
Ray Edwards is a joke
M Fender
December 27th, 2011
10:04 am
I have to agree Panic Bbutton is a moron. Mularkey and Smitty may not win a Super Bowl but
Arthur Blank will.
We have another running named Smith (#35) who looked great in pre-season. Where the hell is he? Give that man a shot. We need some help in the running game. And almost everytime Snelling runs the ball he gets yards. Mularkey finally woke up and involved Snelling in the last half of the season.
Another issue last night involved yards after the catch. There were none. Credit the Saints defense. When our receivers caught the ball they were right there.
M Fender
December 27th, 2011
10:04 am
I have to agree Panic Bbutton is a moron. Mularkey and Smitty may not win a Super Bowl but
Arthur Blank will.
We have another running named Smith (#35) who looked great in pre-season. Where the hell is he? Give that man a shot. We need some help in the running game. And almost everytime Snelling runs the ball he gets yards. Mularkey finally woke up and involved Snelling in the last half of the season.
Another issue last night involved yards after the catch. There were none. Credit the Saints defense. When our receivers caught the ball they were right there.
Jon W
December 27th, 2011
10:05 am
Going into the game, I thought we had the advantage with the time off. As the game progressed, i thought it was bit unfair that we were playing in their building on MNF. We earned the right to host The Saints in our building on MNF. As the game entered the second half, it appeared no one cared about winning except the fans. Like we were relived to have made the playoffs the day before so no need to make a statement now. The goal was met even if the objective of winning was not a priority
falcons fan
December 27th, 2011
10:06 am
I think its funny how the Falcon players don’t know what the loss to the Saints “means to this team.” Its pretty simple to me. The Falcons are a very average team at best that made the playoffs during a very mediocre year for the NFC. They are no where near the Saints and Packers and because of all they gave up for the Julio Jones pick, they will remain an average team for years to come.
Mediocrity continues...
December 27th, 2011
10:06 am
test
Mediocrity continues...
December 27th, 2011
10:07 am
1. Run defense sucked last night
2. O line was horrible on third and 4th down last night
3. Third and long for our defense has been a joke for YEARS
4. Matt Rayn checkdowns to the RB all game long, gimme a fuckin break…
5. Dunta Robinson got burned all game long
6. How much money is Ray Edwards stealing from Atl
7. How much money is Dunta Robinson stealing from Atl
8. Let’s give up our next two drafts for Julio Jones, nice fumble resulting in a 14 point swing in one play.
9. Brent Grimes covering a 6′6″ TE that can jump over a NBA back board in the end zone
10. Roddy looked great last night.
11. matt Ryans arm stregth.
12. OC and DC have GOT TO GO, just start over already…
Jimmy Crack
December 27th, 2011
10:09 am
Let’s be clear, ONLY AIN’TS FANS ARE FAMOUS FOR WEARING PAPER BAGS OVER THEIR LITTLE PIN HEADS. That is something Ain’ts fans OWN in NFL history, with A DECADE IN PICTURES AS PROOF! No Super Bowl or SHAM rules-manipulating passing record will erase that STAIN OF EMBARRASSMENT.
Concerning the Falcons future, there is NOTHING this team can do (short of a perfect offensive game with no picks or punts) to beat the Saints if we see them in two weeks. The Giants or the Cowboys, maybe we can beat them in their own back yards, but not the Saints. NO WAY. No game planning by our DC or OC at this point will make this team any better. It is the players and their play on the field and these guys aren’t going anywhere in the postseason if the game goes through that sump pump called New Orleans.
After this ROUSING PERFORMANCE, I’m guessing the attendance at next week’s game against the Bucs will be around 20,000 or so, in anticipation of the upcoming Falcons’ playoff “run”.
Falcon Fan
December 27th, 2011
10:09 am
“an aberration”??? Somebody tell that albino that this was RE-AL-I-TY!
Our defensive line is small and undersized. It doesn’t matter how fast they are because time and time again has shown that this doesn’t work.
Get rid of Mularkey and Van Goober and the albino too if he’s not going to insist on being better!
Jon W
December 27th, 2011
10:11 am
M fender.. To get yards after the catch require the ball thrown in stride. I am not going to say anything negative about Matt R. Many of his throws are after the break when our receivers backs are facing the defense. The other top QBs find a way to throw to the spot they expect the WOs to be hence catching in stride and producing yards after the catch. We mustva had 5 black jerseys around our guys when they caught our dinky 5-7 yard check offs
Atl Bob
December 27th, 2011
10:11 am
Bottom line, I expected the Saints to put up some points but here are the issues.
No pass rush, no speed in the backfield (still) and the combination of the QB and the offensive line.
No screen passes to curtail the rush = no creativity in the offense.
A running team that can’t run and a team with these receivers can’t dominate the air.
I think we have a better set of receivers but after that, QB, RB the Saints are by far more dominate and especially the difference at QB puts us at a great disadvantage.
NEXT YEAR MAYBE = Can we draft a back in this order: Back with speed not just quikness, O-line (can’t get the run going, can’t protect on the pass), defensive line.
I wish there was another QB alternative but that just me.
GT
December 27th, 2011
10:12 am
The results is a playoff team for the Falcons. Sure we played a very weak schedule but unlike college football a weak schedule in the NFL is still a schedule. Parity is magic, KC beats GB get out of here but it happened. On top of that the Falcons are in the playoffs three out of four years nothing flukey about that.
This is the stage where most Atlanta teams blow it. They can’t take the next step. For the Falcons they have never been this far before, never even had back to back to back winning seasons. We really should be celebrating, though it doesn’t feel like the old Fulton Stadium crowd that weathered the games in the old days. That team seemed like real football, this stuff feels like the world of Sid and Marty, an amusement park.
damngooddawg!
December 27th, 2011
10:12 am
I for one am really tired of watching the Saints kick the Falcons’ butts on MNF as in 13 months after Katrina and now this. They (the Saints) are media darlings anyway. Given Brees his profs, but dang, guys, do you have to play the butt boy. Why can’t you play like you’re getting millions of dollars when it counts. You are a lousy 8 and 8 or 9 and 7 team and always will be, if lucky.
tell it like it is
December 27th, 2011
10:12 am
The Saints are my pick to win it all,the packers don’t have the defence that the saints have.
Bruce Mac
December 27th, 2011
10:13 am
Matt Ryan competed to the end, he is a winner. We need a running back and another DB or two.
blazerdawg
December 27th, 2011
10:17 am
GT – man, I miss the old Fulton Co Stadium crowd – not the sightlines, or the amenities, or the lack of a nearby bar – but I do miss the crowd in those days, good seasons and bad.
GT
December 27th, 2011
10:18 am
Ryan is a real professional, he needs a fullback. It is amazing how bad Indy got without Manning. We would be the exact same.
Payback Time
December 27th, 2011
10:21 am
The saints ran up the score on ATL—the falcons will remember this insult in the playoffs—it’s payback time!! FAlcons beat the saints in the playoffs!
FalconFan
December 27th, 2011
10:22 am
You cannot blame Matt Ryan for this for sure. He has had a great season. He will break Jeff George’s single season passing record for the Falcons on Sunday. (4143 yards). His season:
90.7 Rating
4,071 yards
27 TD’s
12 INT.
He has had a great season although so many want to bash him. The line protecting him stinks, the running back is aged and cannot run like in the past, the defense has no rush, the DB’s can’t cover and the OC and DC need to go.
If Ryan was playing for Sean Peyton, he would probably be the MVP. Considering having an idiot for an OC consider this that Ryan is ranked for 2011:
8th in the league in rating
7th in the league in yardage
6th in the league in TDs
The Falcons have a QB and receivers that will grow (Jones), but they have a LOT of holes to fill to compete week in and week out. But QB isn’t one them.
Brees better play well Sunday or he will have the shortest lived record ever in the NFL. Brady is only 190 yards behind him.
ATLien
December 27th, 2011
10:23 am
A lot of over-reaction here, led by the over-reactor in chief Mr. Shultz. What this game means is NO won a game on Monday, December 26th. That is all that it means. Falcons looked flat. Like a team that knew it was in the playoffs, and virtually had nothing to play for. No excuse for that. But I don’t feel any worse about the Falcons playoff chances. In fact, maybe they’re better. Sometimes a good butt kicking is what a team needs to motivate them.
My only complaint about anyone is Smith. And only because he didn’t go cover zero when Brees is throwing the ball late in a blowout chasing a record. Don’t fault the Saints for going for it. Do fault Smith for not ordering Brees to be put on his tail even if it results in a penalty.
Peter
December 27th, 2011
10:24 am
The aberration….. is the D line… Ray Edwards is useless, and John Abraham is great against teams that suck.
The rest of the D line is suspect at best…… No size or HEART.
Robinson at corner is way over rated and over paid.
Yes we need a Fullback, but Turner is no longer a burner, and maybe he has been over worked as we don’t have much in the way of a second back.
Hi, I'm Donta Robinson
December 27th, 2011
10:24 am
And I am not very good…….At least I have TONS of money…..SUCKERS!!!!
FalconFan
December 27th, 2011
10:25 am
With Detroit playing Green Bay Sunday and the Falcons playing Tampa Bay, the Falcons would be the 5th seed, not 6th. They would play the winner of the Cowboys/Giants and If they win and New Orleans beats the Lions, THEN the Falcons would play the Saints. Atlanta owns the tiebreakers with the Lions because of head to head win.
Saint Van Gorder
December 27th, 2011
10:26 am
Excellent stuff Jeff ! Right on the money as always with an “ant hill” joke or two !
But all joking aside, anybody that watched that game last night knows that the Falcons defense cannot stop the Saints offense. No pressure on Brees and no coverage on receivers spells disaster and moreover a buncha tds !
NO1 FALCONFAN
December 27th, 2011
10:26 am
LET THE FRONT OFFICE KNOW THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOOTBALL IN ATLANTA…FANS@FALCONS.NFL.COM..770/965/3115…I HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH AN UNPREPARED TEAM NOT SHOW UP FOR SUCH A HATED RIVAL LIKE THE AINTS
Icepack
December 27th, 2011
10:28 am
Same song…but last night the performance added a new refrain….this GUTLESS team sucks.
And now I lay me down to sleep
knowing the saints my ass has beat
and if I die in this forlorn state
I don’t care, I still get paid….
Julio just fumbled again….
Saint Van Gorder
December 27th, 2011
10:28 am
Word is that Green Bay will sit most of their starters and won’t play hard against Detroit. They have nothing to gain by winning that game. Look for a Falcons-Saints rematch in the Big Easy. Leave the children at home and bring some extra gauze & bandages for the Falcons defense…
Brad
December 27th, 2011
10:29 am
Obviously we need a new coaching staff. We have too much talent to be this bad. Smitty was a good fix to come in and turn things around, but Defensive coaches NEVER win Super Bowls. We need a new STAFF!!!
DetroitBraves
December 27th, 2011
10:30 am
I know there are people that have totally given up on Matt Ryan and others that defend him. I guess I’m somewhere in-between. I mean, his overall record is good but he really does struggle with the deep ball. My wife actually said during the game last night (and she doesn’t really care that much for the NFL) that Ryan seems like a really smart QB but doesn’t throw as hard as some guys. She asked me what I thought he would be like if he was smart AND had a cannon arm. I told her he would be Aaron Rodgers. But at any rate, I could definitely get on board with giving him another shot or two with a different OC. And really, I could give everyone another shot or two with a different DC. Maybe some of these players just really aren’t as good as everyone thought but the supposed talent level and the results just don’t add up. Isn’t there some saying about insanity being doing the same thing over and over but expected different results?
MG3
December 27th, 2011
10:31 am
Falcon Fan – Detroit will most likely beat GB this weekend b/c they will be playing the 2nd string since GB has nothing to play for. Atlanta unfortunately is headed back to NO in the first round…hope I’m wrong.
Saint Van Gorder
December 27th, 2011
10:31 am
No excuse to “look flat” on Monday Night Football with the NFC South Division on the line.
FalconFreak
December 27th, 2011
10:31 am
Same story…average defense and C- offensive line play. Where’s Dahl? Someone better put some bigger, faster defensive and offensive linemen in the calculus when they go shopping free agency. It’s amazing Matt is not on injured reserve. What a beating he’s taken this season. And Turner, always a fighter but he has lost a step…or two. Falcons better shop for a top tier running back also. FWIW, I expect New Orleans to go all the way this year. Falcons are done and it’s time to sharpen up the drafting pencil with a focus on linemen.
evil empire
December 27th, 2011
10:31 am
Tom Jackson called out Abraham on ESPN pregame show…Falcons and UGA have sooooo much in common….can only beat good teams….and both fan bases are stupid….
BigTimeTECHFan
December 27th, 2011
10:31 am
Watch the film of the TD pass on the photo above. huge holding right behind Brees, ref looking right at it and no call
How come every time the Falcons play the Saints there are always a bunch of no call for the Saints, yet every close call goes against ATL.
R White was held before the pass interference
Hold and block in the back right in from of Sproles on the long kick return
NO 1st/ or 2nd TD not reviewed, think the guy was down before he reached the end zone
pass interference on J Jones on long pass at the end of 1st half, no call
Holding on ATL running back was cheap call. he nailed the dude as he was jumping.
No holding on screen play, never heard that rule, did not even see Brees throw a screen pass, no player was out on wing for screen pass garbage call
Bad call on the intentional grounding, 44 was over there, broke wrong way after the throw
we will never beat the saints as long as they keep getting all the calls, the officiating demoralizes the Falcons
evil empire
December 27th, 2011
10:33 am
you don’t get the calls because you suck, losers…hahahahaha…
Peter
December 27th, 2011
10:36 am
New England usually drafts big lineman early, then picks up pieces later on….why ? They want to protect the Franchise….Tom Brady.
Falcon’s pick the pieces up early in the draft, then the lineman….. We all can see the difference in the results.
BigTimeTECHFan
December 27th, 2011
10:38 am
At less you agree we don’t get the calls
Dan Fouts was 10 times better then brees, he had to pass when DB were allowed to play, DL would hit QB after every pass. Brees would throw 5 picks every game against Hayes and Haynes.
Mike
December 27th, 2011
10:39 am
I laughing hard right now with all of these crazy post on here.
For most of yall that is crying about Falcons, think about this. We never had a back to back winning seasons and going to the playoffs 3 out of the 4 years before this regime, and sure we got our butts handed to us last night, but we just have to dust ourselves off and trying much harder again, believe me this loss sting the players lot more than its sting with us.
I got faith that the Falcons can pick themselve back up and realize they have to come to the game focused and playing at 110% through the game. For the Saints, I dont like yall fans one bit, but I have to say congrads on beating us and getting that record but the playoff is going to be good and bloody and hopefully the Falcons is going to be ready this time.
Mediocrity continues...
December 27th, 2011
10:39 am
Third and long for the Atl D?? Here’s all NO needs to do in two weeks when facing 3rd and short. Just go ahead and throw in a false start to back you up 5 yards. Automatic 1st down. I loved how last night the commentators kept saying “predictable defense for atlanta” on yet another third and long conversion.
If Spagnuolo (sic) gets the axe in St Louis GO GET HIM.
Mularki has had 15 games to figure out how to put this O together and still hasn’t figured it out, show him the door as well…
BigTimeTECHFan
December 27th, 2011
10:40 am
Saints fan yelling MVP, Rogers should be MVP
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2011
10:40 am
HA HA HA
Told you fools
Mr. Mustard
December 27th, 2011
10:42 am
Smith again: “I felt like we had a good week of preparation. I didn’t see this coming. We didn’t play Atlanta Falcons football and the scoreboard indicates that.”
Atlanta Falcons Football?
Actually Mr. Smith – that is exactly what you played last night.
Completely unprepared for a team leading your division, that you play twice a year and with which you gave up 8 for 8, 3rd down conversions in the first half.
Their kicker booms it out of the end zone. Ours? He reaches the 5 yard line, then suddenly we cannot tackle.
Our secondary looks confused as if they are surprised that the other team snapped the ball.
You know what? Enough is enough, this is the 4th year and the Falcons are out coached and over matched.
Not good enough,oh and by the way – how much for a beer?
Pathetic.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2011
10:42 am
Mike Vick Curse baby
BigTimeTECHFan
December 27th, 2011
10:42 am
Ryan was awesome, best QB on the field last night.
Mediocrity continues...
December 27th, 2011
10:42 am
One more thought…
How much money is being stolen from Atl by Dunta Robinson? Dude get’s burned every game. I remember him calling out Jacksonville’s WRs a few games back. NO’s WRs should be saying the same thing about his sorry arse,
YOU BUM ROBINSON
DW
December 27th, 2011
10:44 am
They are who we thought they were (Playoff team, but no championship pedigree). Really disappointed in our defensive effort and offensive closing ability. Against good teams (note- when everyone got excited about little winning streak, I guess it got lost on who we beat)drives have to closed out with touchdowns.
FalconFan
December 27th, 2011
10:44 am
I will agree and they were even talking on ESPN radio this morning that the officiating was some of the worst they had seen in a long time. They were really making fun of the “there is no holding since it was a screen pass and the lineman was shucking the defensive lineman.” Like the referees know what the play was and Brees took off and ran for 10 yards. Let’s all do that. Say it was a screen pass and it’s ok to hold. The non call on the Kelly hit after the call on the Lofton hit was ridiculous along with the defensive offsides that wasn’t called. The officials did make the game get out of control early, and then it didn’t make a difference.
BTW, no way Green Bay will let Detriot beat them on their field when they have a bye week coming up.
Mr. Mustard
December 27th, 2011
10:45 am
Finally, what Peter said.
I have wondered why we don’t focus on the lines. But we have a secondary that could not stop Big Foot.
FalconFan
December 27th, 2011
10:46 am
You cannot blame Matt Ryan for this for sure. He has had a great season. He will break Jeff George’s single season passing record for the Falcons on Sunday. (4143 yards). His season:
90.7 Rating
4,071 yards
27 TD’s
12 INT.
He has had a great season although so many want to bash him. The line protecting him stinks, the running back is aged and cannot run like in the past, the defense has no rush, the DB’s can’t cover and the OC and DC need to go.
If Ryan was playing for Sean Peyton, he would probably be the MVP. Considering having an idiot for an OC consider this that Ryan is ranked for 2011:
8th in the league in rating
7th in the league in yardage
6th in the league in TDs
The Falcons have a QB and receivers that will grow (Jones), but they have a LOT of holes to fill to compete week in and week out. But QB isn’t one of them.