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
once recent reader
December 27th, 2011
2:29 am
Loserville . …they are what they are . . .9-6!! Maybe we also play better against Chicago. Maybe we do what we should have done against the Texans. Maybe Roddy holds on to that pass against Saints in game 1. Lots of maybes. One thing that is not a maybe . ..Falcons are 9-6 today and NOT 7-8.
CGD..
December 27th, 2011
2:30 am
No picks next year in the 1st and 2nd rd??? OMG……Sheesh…
What a disaster.. Guess Dimitroff went all in.. Odds usually are not good going that route?Ya think?
mike
December 27th, 2011
2:31 am
got to admit every time they get extra days off they must be at cracker barrel cuz they looked sluggish .one step behind on every play
What a farce
December 27th, 2011
2:32 am
the playoffs. NFL creates a second season to rake in more money. How many times out of 50 has a low life team like…well most they will play…won the superbowl. In other words, the one of the top 5 teams will win it. No need for a month of playoffs..well except to make more money.
Loserville USA
December 27th, 2011
2:34 am
once recent reader — MAYBE we just run the ball 20 times with Turner and see what happens. Ridiculous game planning.
6-1 when Turner runs 20 times.
1-5 when Ryan throws 40 or more passes.
Something is really wrong in the war room.
Loserville USA
December 27th, 2011
2:37 am
once recent reader — poor game planning all season puts this team at a disadvantage.
6-1 when Turner runs 20 times.
1-5 when Ryan throws 40 times.
Something is wrong in the war room.
keepinitreal
December 27th, 2011
2:39 am
The Falcons-Saints matchup is starting to remind me of the Georgia-Florida games from earlier in the century, with Mike Smith playing the role of Mark Richt and Sean Payton as Urban Meyer. Much like Richt, Smitty is a nice, buttoned-down head coach with a nice, buttoned-down team. But Payton’s Saints, like Meyer’s Gators, are the bully on the block. They’re cocky, they’re relentless, they have a killer instinct, and, most importantly, they’re damn good. When the nice team meets the bully, it’s no surprise who wins the great majority of the time.
I’m beggining to fear the Falcons have developed a Club Med atmosphere that’s not conducive to winning the big games. We looked a little scared of the Saints tonight, quite frankly. I’m thoroughly disappointed and quite concerned about this team’s chances of seriously contending for a Super Bowl under this regime.
extremus
December 27th, 2011
2:41 am
Rough loss tonight but from the get-go it seemed the odds were going to be hugely against the Falcons. Not only did they have to deal with a hostile crowd and a team wanting to ensure A) a division title and B) a record for Drew Brees, but there were also some definite officiating discrepancies that favored the Saints. And the announcers might as well have all been wearing Brees jerseys in the booth; by the end of the first half I’d heard enough gushing praise for Drew Brees, the Saints, and the city of New Orleans to make me nauseous.
That said, the Falcons got out-played. They have no pass rush, and their ability to stop the Saints on 3rd and long situations was laughable. The secondary got torched time and again for big gains. And the offense went back to its patented inconsistency in the loud environment.
It’s not a good feeling right now as a Falcons fan, knowing this team is good enough to make the playoffs but still vulnerable in enough areas that they can’t seriously be considered Superbowl material. That’s a no man’s land, because they aren’t eligible for higher draft picks (after the Julio Jones trade that’s a moot point for this coming year anyway) to quickly help fill those holes. And the mentality of Atlanta in big games right now is to survive; against the predators who go out each and every game expecting and intending to run up the score on their opponents (like Brees, Rodgers, Brady) the Falcons just don’t stand much of a chance, I’m sorry to say. Either you have the killer instinct or you may as well not bother showing up. The Falcons are so frustrating to watch because time and again they come close enough to remind us just how far they still have to go.
Mountain Dawg
December 27th, 2011
2:41 am
What a crying shame that the City of Atlanta must be represented by this totally inept ‘team’. I have watched them since their inception, and they have NEVER failed to CHOKE and stink up the place during big games on national TV, especially MNF. There is only one football team in this state with pride, guts and class – the UGA Bulldogs. We run this state!
Bird
December 27th, 2011
2:43 am
Can’t blame this game on Julio Jones.. The kid had 8 catches for 128 yards and a TD. The fumble hurt but the game was basically over already. This loss is on the defense and OC. The Falcons try to run the craziest plays on 3rd and 1. Line up and run the ball. All that roll out fake to the man in motion crap, please stop with that MM. This ain’t the PAC-10.
once recent reader
December 27th, 2011
2:45 am
Loserville . . .agree totally on that. That stat of 40 times+ comes up often from Mr. Choke on these blogs. Its a distorted picture IMO. This team is currently built for balanced attack. There may be games where the plan is to not run, such as Baltimore last year, and it works. But the strength of this team is mixing it up. If Ryan is throwing it all the time that goes against that strength. In almost every win, Ryan has played pretty well to very well – and when Turner is doing decently/well – he has a much greater advantage. What is too bad, is in some of those losses with 40+ passes, they’ve had opportunities to win. But we’ve seen them . . ..it’s the Red Zone issues. Be it bad execution on QB/Receivers or penalties . . ..they gotta get better.
Let's Be Honest
December 27th, 2011
2:46 am
The comment/stat aout Turner is nice until you realize that he has worn down every season he’s been in Atlanta. Can’t keep handed the ball to a guy who can barely get you two yards per.
Loserville USA
December 27th, 2011
2:47 am
Then run Snelling! Then run Rodgers!
Get to 20!
Let's Be Honest
December 27th, 2011
2:48 am
Julio’s fumble hurt, but he is playing as hard as anyone on the team, closing in on 1,000 yards as a rookie is damn impressive.
But Arthur needs to take a hard look at these assistants, both lines and the secondary.
Let's Be Honest
December 27th, 2011
2:55 am
The Falcons pass rush is a little better than last year, but it’s still not where it needs to be, compared to a team like the Giants. Feels like this team rarely gets any pressure up the middle (Babineaux/Peters) and Abraham never shows up in big games.
Julio Jones
December 27th, 2011
2:59 am
I thought that I was gonna help. My bad. The coaches in ATL SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
menlobrave
December 27th, 2011
3:10 am
Started watching this team when I moved to Atlanta in 1970. They sucked. They suck. They will suck. Mediocrity at its finest-our Atlanta Falcons. The Chicago Cubs of the NFL.
kong
December 27th, 2011
3:16 am
Hey, these are the Falcons, remember? What did you expect?
Remember the Thrashers
December 27th, 2011
3:40 am
Well another Game of well we got ready to go all ready Matt Ryan ready coach’s ready(well some were)And the defense ready to Go(oh they went to Brothels) and goin win cause we better team quotes the Falcons coachs and cheerleaders..Now 9-6 it will be 9-7 after we lose to a Bad Rex Grossman n The redskins sealin us as 6th seed and we have play 49ers in wildcard at SF folks and detroit vs Ny Giants…..in wildcard…Now if we beat redskins we will play Ny Giants and Lions 49ers…..and siants vs packers in cold Green bay sold out always never empty seats here at dome its empty seats n library crowd ….
mike
December 27th, 2011
3:40 am
the Dogs?seriously?they have been reemed year after year except when they had Hershel.
Mock 1
December 27th, 2011
4:06 am
The Falcons got beat where it counts,on the o-line and the D-line! Why havent BVG figured out that his soft defensive scheme hasnt worked since he arrived! Why dont our coaches ever make any adjustments at all? MM does not seem to be the same coach that he was with the Steelers!?!? The defense needs a Jenny Jones make over! It real hurts to get treated like a rag doll by the saints…SMH
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2011
4:17 am
Can’t win shootouts when your QB can’t throw deep.
RMikel58
December 27th, 2011
4:30 am
Congrats to Drew Brees on breaking single season passing yards record. Also winning the Division.
I predicted a 37-20 outcome which i wasnt far off but Falcons have no reason to ashamed of what happened.
New Orleans year to strive toward a Super Bowl. They played like champions last night and its what expected being at home and having a QB like Brees. We started out slow this year but im elated to get the chance to play in the playoffs.
Look Atlanta Falcons are as talented as the Saints are but i think bringing out a group of players on and off the field confused the Falcons on Defense.
It was a mastery of art by New Orleans Offensive Coordinator. Van Gorder wil just have to figure how to counter attack it.
I see glimpses of comparisons between the Saints and Packers run from last year. They are coming off a streak that may take them far into the playoffs.
I still think they must face the Packers in the NFC Championship and that could very well be Lambeau Field a very tough place to play. Wish the Saints luck and it woiuld be great to see them beat the Packersthis year.
As for my Atlanta Falcons, we had a few setbacks this year, doesnt mean that we dont have a chance to advance in the playoffs. Im still gonna root for them regardless.
Be a good sport and congradulate New Orleans on its win and lets move down the road because theres more football to be played.
TheAntiMe
December 27th, 2011
4:42 am
The Falcons should be banned from playing on Monday nights FOREVER!!!!!
Columbus
December 27th, 2011
5:23 am
As is common, the angle here is wrong. The Falcons did not so much get out-played as they beat themselves. Saints defense sucked too. Falcons offense was just as good except when it came to the red zone but that was not as what made the game lopsided and part of that was penalties also. It was OBVIOUS to everyone that had the Falcons not made the mistakes, that this game was going down to the last few minutes. Sure you could say making more mistakes is being outplayed but that was not the what this article was saying. It was saying that their offense and defense outplayed us and were better hat is just wrong. Cut out the mistakes and this is a nail-biter. Take away some costly penalties, the Jones fumble and the kickoff return and this game was fairly EVEN. When the Falcons got into a position(that they certainly wanted to avoid)of getting behind that much they had to abandon the running game for the most part and the Saints got oppurtunities to light the receivers up. I certainly seen Moore lay some hits on some Saints! Guess that dont count and only the Falcons receivers got hit hard!
Again let me TELL YOU LIKE IT IS AND WAS:
Cut out the mistakes and this was another close game just like the one that went OT earlier this season. Nobody stops the Saints unless they have an off-game offensively OR and this is the KEY to the Falcons POST-SEASON SUCCESS AGAIN THIS YEAR: QB PRESSURE. Pressure Brees and he will throw INT’s all day. Dont work against Rogers though. You have to hammer him and put him down. Falcons better fix their pass rush and blitz some more since the DL is not getting the job done. Play some man to man and do some creative outside the box blitzes from different positions. SOMETHING! or it will be a repeat of 2010……
Cut out the penalties and the Jones fumble for a TD and this was a very close game. Falcons beat the Falcons more than the Saints beat the Falcons.
Saintsfan11
December 27th, 2011
5:35 am
Being a die hard Saints fan since ‘86 I know how much it sucks seeing your favorite team lose. I wore that bag on my head many nights. However, things turned around for us, and I’m sure they’ll turn around for you one day soon.
As far as those complaining about Brees throwing with less then 3 minutes left to break the record…think about it…Monday Night Football, playing AT HOME against your rivals in front of thousands of fans, with the chance to do it WHILE making a touchdown???
Why the hell not?
DC Dirty Bird
December 27th, 2011
5:38 am
Stat watchers need not comment. You can’t run the ball down three scores when your RB isn’t a homerun
CrisD
December 27th, 2011
5:43 am
Bottom line here – if you are going to insist on playing a soft zone against elite qbs in this league and have no creative blitz packages to affect the qb’s timing in the pocket, you WILL BE picked apart in the secondary. See last years games against NO and GB. This loss falls totally on the coaching staff…
No one can cover NFL grade receivers when the qbs have all day to throw!!!!!
DC Dirty Bird
December 27th, 2011
5:47 am
Davenpoop,
Can’t put this one on Matt. No huddle was working until MM took over inside the 30 and we started huddling. This game really illustrated how inferior our Coordinators are. A better DC would showcase 25 Moore, sit 28 Decoud, and attack on 3rd and long.
If Mike Smith can’t make a change at DC then he has to go.
Stevereeno
December 27th, 2011
5:54 am
The Falcon still have a good team, they just aren’t gelling. They’re hurting themselves with penalties and missed efforts, lack-luster play. I hate to say it’s coaching.
Dutch
December 27th, 2011
6:06 am
This isn’t rocket science…if you don’t pressure quarterbacks like Brees and Rodgers, they’re going to eat you up.
Joey
December 27th, 2011
6:14 am
“We didn’t play Atlanta Falcons football and the scoreboard indicates that.”
*****************************************
Sorry Coach Smith, but I think Falcons football is exactly what happened. You play for FGs.
The Saints Peyton plays for TDs.
Falcons4Eva
December 27th, 2011
6:19 am
Mike Smith: “I think it’s an aberration,” coach Mike Smith said when asked what this says about the state of his team.
Translation: “Its Sean Payton and Drew Brees”
Matt Ryan: “For some reason, we just didn’t play our best football tonight.”
That reason being: The Saints.
Falcons4Eva
December 27th, 2011
6:24 am
Jeff Shultz: “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.”
Jeff – Why are you using so many words in your description of the Falcons awful performance. You could have easily summed it up 5 words: “They Got Their AZZZ Kicked”
Dan
December 27th, 2011
6:25 am
What synergy!!! The Falcons faced a very, very talented team. Coaching A+, Fans = “12th man”, QB ou-of-this-world, freakishly good. Hey! He broke D. Marino’s record! That is not done every day…27 yrs. it stood. Let’s face it, the Falcons have faced the Super Bowl winner in ‘11 and the team that well might be ‘12 winner.
Can’t ever remember such an awesome display of offense, so well-coached and informed and rabid fans. What we saw last night was rare. The Falcons got beat by a better football team and that’s that.
The Falcons have a class act football team with a bunch of hard-working guys, who might well be in the Super Bowl were it not for these exceptional teams.
I am not ashamed to say I was a fan of the Bills’ teams that went to the Super Bowls. While not as successful as Packers and Saints in that they have “rings”, the same synergy there. Talent, good coaching, rabid fans all made for exceptional teams. It is not easy to put it all together like these three teams have. All three cities have rabid, well-informed fans who wouldn’t let there teams lose at home. Wish Bills could have played SB in Buffalo. Things might have been very different.
atlantattoseattle2015
December 27th, 2011
6:28 am
i will not be renewing my season tickets after this one..I HATE THE SAINTS!!!FALCONS YOU HAVE 11 DAYS AND THIS IS THE BEST YOU CAN DO??FUNNY IF I DONT DO MY JOB I,M YELLED AT AND REPRIMANDED..A BUNCH OF MILLIONARES DONT DO THIERS AND THEY REMAIN MILLIONARES..WHY SHOULD I PAY HARD EARNED MONEY FOR A TEAM TO PLAY LIKE THEY DONT HAVE A HEART OF PRIDE..AND AFTERWARDS CONGRATULATING THE HATED SAINTS??I,M BURNING UP!!I HATE THE SAINTS!!DEFENSE??WHAT DEFENSE??45 TO 16??WHAT AN EMBARRASEMENT TO THE CITY AGAIN!!SOMEONE NEEDS TO BE FIRED!!
Falcons4Eva
December 27th, 2011
6:28 am
Roddy White: “I don’t even know what this means — I don’t have a clue,” wide receiver Roddy White said.”
What it means Roddy is: The Saints are better than the Falcons. Has been for the past 3 years. in reality. And for years to come it would seem. They have won more games. Won the Bowl. Got better players and Damn sure got better coaches. Those my friend are the facts. Plain and simple.
bob
December 27th, 2011
6:32 am
I’m so tired of watching zone defenses on 3rd down and giving up big plays I could scream. Now pressure on the QB and no tight coverage on the wr’s. Doing the same thing for the whole year and expecting a different outcome? How many 3rd and longs were made against this defense? 60-70%?
Pathetic.
Embarrased Falcons Fan
December 27th, 2011
6:32 am
Wow, another egg on National tv. The defense was exposed again.
Falcons4Eva
December 27th, 2011
6:37 am
Mike Smith: “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.”
Translation: “We lost touch with reality and got the big heads about beating a terrible Jacksonville Jags team and luckily coming from behind to beat a rookie QB in Cam Newton. Our preparation for this game was giving the players 5 days off and a couple of 2 walk-through practices and the scoreboard indicates that”
In other words: We got our butts handed to us. AGAIN on Monday Night Football.
Corny Hull
December 27th, 2011
6:42 am
Yeah, Arthur Blank knows something about getting face exposure on TV, especially the sidelines. The little dude probably has never had a set of shoulder pads on his entire life unless it’s supplied in a Brooks Brothers suit. I wish for 2012 one of his resolutions would be to stay off the dag gum sidelines in any game. I guess he feels he has to be a Jerry Jones wanna be. This is where the Falcons can start their improvement!! Drives me nuts!!
atlantattoseattle2015
December 27th, 2011
6:45 am
A RROGANT A$$ drew FREEZE MENTIONED A RECORD 323 times last night and that was just in the first half..you would have thought this moron was the only one on the field..the annoucers HAD THIER HEADS SO FAR UP IN THIS A$$HOLES LOWER INTESTINES..
UGAKev
December 27th, 2011
6:46 am
Atlanta sports…..EXPECT NOTHING MORE
Big Al
December 27th, 2011
6:47 am
Hang in there Falcons fans. There will always be next year. Arthur Blank will take your season ticket money and laugh all the way to the bank.
Sure was fun watching that A whooping last night. Who Dat answered loud and clear.
Mr. Charlie
December 27th, 2011
6:53 am
*giggle*
Strange Murphy
December 27th, 2011
6:54 am
Falcons just need to fold. They’ll be a pretty good team every few years but never gerat. I’m getting too old to keep hoping THIS will be the year!
Oh and the Saints can suck my arse!
SCFalcon
December 27th, 2011
6:56 am
Mike Smith has to make some changes as far as his offensive and/or defensive coordinator positions. This team has too much talent to play like that.
cloudodust
December 27th, 2011
6:57 am
Rumpled, crushed, smacked, trounced, whipped, embarrassed nationally. That about sums up the game for the Falcons in 10 words or less. Why waste time with filler words?
Falcons4Eva
December 27th, 2011
6:59 am
Are we really that surprised at the outcome of this game? If so…why?
I’m not surprised. Extremely disappointed. I thought we would win, based on my assumption that Mike Smith and his coaching staff (and especially the players) would have had enough pride and ballz to stand up and be a MAN and do something about the dominance the Saints have over them (by dominance I mean in the sense that the Saints own us since Sean Payton and Drew Brees teamed up).
Tonight was affirmation that the Falcons are NOT an elite team. only above average. Last years 13-3 record really could have easily been 9-7 but for a few luckily bounces. As for this year….One has only to look at who we beat and the number of rookie quarterbacks we played.
Bring on the Hawks. (good grief).
TheATL
December 27th, 2011
6:59 am
This game is meaningless, the falcons will step it up big in the playoffs and beat the Saints!!! — Smith and Dimitroff will come through!!!