Falcons beat another bad team, but can they beat good one?
Two touchdowns by Julio Jones (left) helped stake the Falcons to an early 42-0 lead over Tampa Bay. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
(UPDATED: 11:30 p.m. The New York Giants defeated Dallas, which means the Falcons will face the Giants next Sunday at 1 p.m.)
If there is one absolute this season about the Falcons, it’s that they know how to wipe their feet on the lampooned and downtrodden. They create excitement for punch-drunk fan bases dreaming of Andrew Luck. They can beat any team that has been considered as an emergency replacement by the Big East.
But can the Falcons win a playoff game and, you know, actually beat somebody good?
They beat Jacksonville. They beat Indianapolis. They beat Carolina twice. They didn’t beat Tampa Bay on Sunday so much as they dodged exploding parts and avoided hyperventilating from laughing. The Falcons led 42-0 after 23 minutes — aided by three turnovers — pulled most of their starters early and somewhat wobbled to the finish line (not that the wobble of backups really matter), winning 45-24.
They made the playoffs. They finished the regular season with a record of 10-6. Not great, given the adjusted standards in Flowery Branch, but certainly not awful.
Still, have you ever bought one of those build-it-yourself desks from a cheap furniture store, and then, seemingly 17 minutes after you’ve tightened the last Swedish screw into pressboard and placed your computer, printer and books on top, one of the legs folded like linguini?
That’s kind of where we’re at with the Falcons. They went 8-3 after a 2-3 start this season. But given who’ve they’ve beaten and who’ve they’ve lost to, it’s fair to wonder if they’re going to turn into limp pasta in the postseason when they’re under more pressure.
Careful about conclusions. The Falcons just annihilated a team that finished the season with a 10-game losing streak. (That’s not a franchise record. Oh, did this postgame cry for a John McKay quote.) It makes you wonder how the Bucs beat the Falcons in Week 3.
Michael Turner, who had struggled of late, rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
The Falcons’ last four wins came over Minnesota, Carolina, Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, teams that finished with a composite record of 18-46. They went only 1-4 against the NFL playoff field (the only win coming over Detroit).
They went 2-4 against teams that finished with winning records (Tennessee was the other one), 7-1 against teams with losing records and 1-1 against .500 teams.
You don’t indict a team for beating schleps. But skepticism is completely appropriate.
The question isn’t whether the Falcons have the talent and experience to win a road playoff game over the New York Giants next Sunday. They do. The question is which Falcons’ team will show up.
“People are going to have their doubts about us until we go into the playoffs and do some good things,” tackle Tyson Clabo said. “Just because we feel like we have the talent to do some special things doesn’t mean anything. We have to perform. You can’t just write down the roster and decide who wins from there.”
When Detroit lost to Green Bay Sunday, the Falcons were handed the NFC’s No. 5 seed on a platter, meaning they didn’t have to travel to New Orleans next week. They will still be on the road for the entire playoffs (barring an implausible NFC title match-up with Detroit), but running back Michael Turner offered, “It’s been proven over time that seeds do not matter.”
We know that to be true. The Falcons were the No. 1 seed last season and got drop-kicked by Green Bay.
Quarterback Matt Ryan played less than a half. He stuck around long enough to throw two touchdown passes and establish a new single-season franchise record for passing yardage. Running back Michael Turner also spent the second half reclining, after rushing for 172 yards and two touchdowns (one for 81 yards) on 17 carries.
We witnessed three interceptions by the Falcons’ defense, a pick six by linebacker Curtis Lofton, a sack and forced fumble by John Abraham.
We saw why general manager Thomas Dimitroff believed wide receiver Julio Jones was worth more than a few draft picks. Jones had a 17-yard touchdown catch to make it 14-0. On Tampa’s first ensuing play from scrimmage, Josh Freeman had a pass intercepted by Dominique Franks at the Bucs’ 48. On first down, Ryan fired a pass to Jones near the 15-yard-line. Jones collided with safety Tanard Jackson, made the catch anyway, went down, got up and then pulled defenders with him into the end zone.
Plays like that show us what potential this team has. But if doubts remain, it’s not a mystery way. Not enough highlights have come against good teams.
By Jeff Schultz
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946 comments Add your comment
P B Orr
January 2nd, 2012
1:35 am
Here’s an interesting fact – the Falcons are 10-10 against the Giants all time. They are 7-2 in New York, and their first franchise win was against the Giants in New York, on November 20th, 1966. They were 0-9 until then. Randy Johnson was 15 of 25 for 177 yards with 3 TDs and 1 pick. He added another TD with his feet.
ohhhhYEAH
January 2nd, 2012
1:39 am
But you said”as though this IS a high school team,” which holds no weight, considering this is NOT anything like a high school team, nor are “all” the players from Atlanta, nor do they play outdoors, they play in a dome. so I don’t even see the point of that comparison in the first place.
Overrated
January 2nd, 2012
1:40 am
Tim Tebow might be the worst QB ever to play in the NFL. The guy is terrible.
DAMON
January 2nd, 2012
1:44 am
Obviously you are a right brain person; nothing is wrong with that but critical thinking is not your strong point.
With that, I’m out….
ohhhhYEAH
January 2nd, 2012
1:46 am
Whatever you say friend. Its not my fault your point was weak at best, or maybe you really did have a point, and were just having trouble putting it into words. Happens to all of us at some point. Have a great morning
P B Orr
January 2nd, 2012
1:50 am
It’s hilarious, you throw one interesting fact after another at blog children, and there is no response. Their sensory apparatus does not register things that require reflection. Everything must be couched as a threat or an insult. SO let’s try this. The Falcons have got into the Giants’ grill 7 our of 9 times in New York and made them their b—-. How’s that, oh children of the net?
Falcons Fan
January 2nd, 2012
2:18 am
Uh, Jeff? Please shut up. You are the worst “home town” sports writer ever. Zero support for the Falcons, and I am kinda over it. Yep, there deserves to be reserved enthusiasm, but it’s enthusiasm none the less. So either get on board, or move to another city and be a Debbie Downer there.
Thanks and Happy New Year!
FALCONS 1 AND DONE!
January 2nd, 2012
2:59 am
ohhhhYEAH,
AS I SAID, THE 5th SEED FELL INTO YOUR LAP! FALCONS DIDN’T BEAT ANYONE FOR IT!
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL FOR YOU! TEAM GIANTS!
MarkATL
January 2nd, 2012
3:07 am
NYG are a beatable team. If they can slow down Tuck and Pierre-Paul on defense, and then stop Cruz, Jacobs, and Bradshaw on offense, they will have a great chance. Falcons can stop the run and make Eli throw the bulk of the game. That would but the birds in a better position to win.
SawThat1nce
January 2nd, 2012
4:48 am
Why doesn’t the NFL scheduled all of the Falcons games against teams that only have winning records, then maybe people like J Shultz can be happy.
Dan Elway
January 2nd, 2012
4:52 am
The Giants are big boys who have won Super Bowls. One & done for Dirty Birds.
SawThat1nce
January 2nd, 2012
4:52 am
The Falcons would of had two wins against teams with winning records, IF, a couple of their WRs had not dropped game winning TDs in the endzone in both games.
Bird Watcher
January 2nd, 2012
5:03 am
Whew! Glad we backed into the playoffs after we leaped in last year only to get blown out against the Pack. At least we don’t have to go back to the ‘Big Easy’ I mean New Orleans and have Drew Brees and those Cajuns filled with fire water open up another jar of that ‘whip butt’ like they did a couple of weeks ago on MNF. We can beat up on the Bucs and Panthers but those Saints are in a different league from us. No sir fellow dirty birds, those aren’t your daddy’s Saints that we used to beat up on. 10 out of the last 12 they have won! Don’t need to go back down there until next year. Those Saints are putting up unreal numbers down there. What a great team! Wish we could be just like them here in ‘dirty bird land.’ Speaking of numbers, I wish that I could be in that number when the Saints go marching in to that big bowl game in Indianapolis in February. Child us dirty birds ain’t going nowhere but home to watch after the Giants do us in. They tell me ol’ Archie Manning managed to get his hands on a jar of that ‘whip butt’ that Drew and those Cajuns put on us and gave it to Eli. One and done son! That’s us! One and done!
Joe Tess Fish House
January 2nd, 2012
5:55 am
Flacons backd in 2 the palyofs
Jo
January 2nd, 2012
6:13 am
If the birds can win next week, I want a shot a GB. I would throw everything at Rogers and more as well as pound their defense. Remember we played well fo 3q before falling. If we pla 4 q and really try….who knows.
painter
January 2nd, 2012
6:44 am
I love the Falcons and was at the game yesterday. I loved the way we whipped up on the Bucs but I don’t see us advancing past the Saints or Packers, but I do see us capable of beating the other three, even San Francisco. Matt will get his first playoff win, but that’s it. Then hopefully the OC walks and Smitty takes over the defense while hiring someone capable of bringing the offense together, somebody like Norv. But until then, let’s be ready to get disappointed again. Good write-up and Happy New Year.
George
January 2nd, 2012
6:56 am
Facing The Giants. The movie has already been released. This must be the sequel.
Manny
January 2nd, 2012
7:01 am
As I’ve said at least once a week for a while now, I don’t care about the Falcons going to the playoffs. All I want is at least ONE playoff win. The Falcons needs to beat the Giants. If they beat the Giants and get a playoff win, then I will know that there’s something building here. If they don’t beat the Giants, then I vote that Arthur Blank should blow this team up and start over.
I personally think that the Falcons are way better than the Giants. This should be a Falcons win. This should be a good victory here, if this team can play at their potential. If not, it going to be a terrible off-season if they don’t blow it up. (And when I say, “Blow Up”, I’m talking about only Julio Jones, Brent Grimes and Mike Smith remaining. Everyone else can go away.)
Can I tell you why I REALLY just want a playoff win, at least? Because of only two words: Michael Vick. Seriously. Mike Vick is still here, even though he’s in Philly. There are still people who are comparing Matt Ryan to Michael Vick and how the last time the Falcons won a playoff game, Vick was the quarterback. 8 YEARS AGO!
And there are STILL people going around talking about dog-fighting. And that Vick was the worst quarterback ever. And that he’s just a “THUG” (which is a racially-charged code for the N-Word.) Meanwhile, I’m sitting here thinking that even though the Philadelphia Eagles are not even in the playoffs, they will probably win a Super Bowl before the Falcons do. And that’s sad because the Falcons beat bad teams but can’t win against the good teams.
Take the Saints, for example. The Falcons can and should beat the Saints. The Saints are vulnerable, but they are a good football team. And we lay eggs against good football teams. Why is that? I think that it goes down to one thing: Heart.
It’s simple: Against bad football teams, we are sure tacklers. Against good teams, our tackling goes away. That is a tell-tale sign of mental lapses during games. When the competition is strong, we wilt. That’s a huge problem.
So I’m not happy. I’m not all giddy about going to the playoffs. So what about going to the playoffs? What I want is a playoff win!
Because with a playoff win, the Falcons can be the Falcons. I think we can set our expectations properly. It can finally stop the Vick stuff and finally start looking to the future instead of longing for the glories of the past.
Samuel
January 2nd, 2012
7:09 am
I’m glad the Falcons are in the playoffs, being that said we needs some of the dormant players to show up. Peria Jerry, Ray no sack Edwards, inconsistent Kroy Beirmann and Babenuix who all but has disapeared this year.
Ackshun
January 2nd, 2012
7:09 am
I’m getting a little tired of this crap. “Oh the Falcons can’t beat good teams.” That’s simply not true. The Falcons beat Detroit at home when Detroit was undefeated and favored. And that was with Megatron and Bigfoot (Suh) playing for them. Meanwhile the Saints and the Chiefs both saw there 1 squads get beat by sub-par teams, the Rams and the Chiefs respectively. The truth is that there is no team on either side of this playoff picture that these guys can’t beat. Do you think Reheem Morris told his guys to rollover yesterday? All of them were fighting for their jobs and they got beat because the Falcons did what they needed to do consistently to beat them. This article is a waste of inik because anybody can beat anybody in the NFL, it professional football. The last New Orleans game only proved that its a bad idea to take Christmas Day off pound down the vittles and drop 1300ft in altitude to play football. These next 3 victories really won’t do very much to give the falcons respect. I can already hear Saints fans saying But they didn’t beat the Saints! ditto pack fans. And I could care less. This is a good football team and I am happy for them.
Kimberley
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 am
If Turner can run the ball, The Falcons have a chance to win in NY. The Line opened Giants +3.. considering its in NY, thats the odds makers saying they think the only advantage NY has is its in NY. That said. Justin Tuck is Healthy, Osi Umenyora is playing, Jason Pierre-Paul in playing, and Mathias Kiwinuka is there. And they all looked REALLY ANGRY against the Cowboys. With the Giants, Alot of the time theres no DT, they line up 4 Defensive Ends, Pass rushers who are strong as bulls and fast as greesed snot, and send them on down after down. So if Turner cant run the ball decently to back them off a lil.. Matt is going to have a long freegin day.
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 am
“Ackshun
January 2nd, 2012
7:09 am
“I’m getting a little tired of this crap. “Oh the Falcons can’t beat good teams.” That’s simply not true. The Falcons beat Detroit at home when Detroit was undefeated and favored.”
What is untrue is that Detroit was undefeated, they lost to Niners the week before… Nice spin…
Saint_Hata_#101
January 2nd, 2012
7:29 am
Yes sir i can’t wait to see the Ain’ts on primetime get their SUH kicked out of them gonna be a long day Dree Breezy gonna be running for his lil life I hope they separate his shoulder and Suh stomps on him go LIONS in a upset 37-31.
Saint_Hata_#101
January 2nd, 2012
7:31 am
TURNER WILL BE THE BURNER AND THE GIANTS HAVE SUCKED ALL YEAR WHAT MAKES THEM SO GOOD NOW…
sainthiram
January 2nd, 2012
7:33 am
we’ll see if you think they are good next sunday. you’re already a 3 1/2 pt. dog to a 9-7 team cause everyone knows how the failclowns fare against teams with winning records
12 men in the huddle
January 2nd, 2012
7:33 am
I can guarantee one thing next week! The Giants will NOT slap 50 points on our heads like the Saints would have done! Believe it or not, this is a WINNABLE playoff game for us! The Giants are seriously flawed, just like us. They can’t defend the pass, they can’t stop the run, they make stupid mistakes at inopportune times….they fumble, they throw interceptions. The ONLY thing they do well is rush the passer on occasion. Our running game can negate that pass rush…if it’s working. If our two wide receivers catch all the catch-able balls thrown to them, we could win this game!
sainthiram
January 2nd, 2012
7:34 am
it took a game against a team on a 10
rudy
January 2nd, 2012
7:35 am
anything possible, if the focus is set properly……
sainthiram
January 2nd, 2012
7:35 am
GAME LOSING STREAK TO MAKE TURNER LOOK VIABLE
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
7:37 am
P B Orr
January 2nd, 2012
1:50 am
“It’s hilarious, you throw one interesting fact after another at blog children, and there is no response. Their sensory apparatus does not register things that require reflection.”
No, it is called “you’re posting at 1:00AM the morning after New Year’s.” Reflect on what most folks who are not mentally insane were doing? Sleeping…
Kimberley
January 2nd, 2012
7:37 am
Giants havent sucked all year. They have been as schizo a team as there is in the league.. but thats ALOT of talent to say theyve sucked all year. They can do the one thing that disrupts any good offensive team, the get to the QB.. as good as anyone in the league. and The Birds dont exactly light the world on fire on the road. Going into Their house, having not been tested in a very very long time… the game worries me..
dcb
January 2nd, 2012
7:48 am
Right on Kimberly. Plus it appears the Giants are finally getting healthy and as the announcers so aptly said last night, the make-shift offensive line required by injuries is now starting to look good with the chemistry that only experience playing together can produce. So what it appears to me to boil down to is Eli – I’ve been watching the Giants ever since Coughlin, a family friend from his playing days at Syracuse, took over. And Eli is either very good or very bad. The Giants win or lose depending on which Eli shows up. If he’s handling pressure this year better than ever before as the announcers’ opined, then we are really in tough shape. There is no better pass rush in either league than the Giants. Big, big test for the first playoff game. It worries me, too.
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
8:01 am
P B Orr
January 2nd, 2012
1:35 am
“Here’s an interesting fact – the Falcons are 10-10 against the Giants all time. They are 7-2 in New York, and their first franchise win was against the Giants in New York, on November 20th, 1966. They were 0-9 until then. Randy Johnson was 15 of 25 for 177 yards with 3 TDs and 1 pick. He added another TD with his feet.”
What is funny that “selective facts Peanut Butter and Orifice” forgets to remind everyone that then Giants were equally as bad as the Falcons and finished 1-12-1… The were in the midst of 5 straight seasons where they finished at .500 or below. They had 14 losing seasons out of 20 between 1965-1983… Oh yeah, that classic in 1974 with Tarkenton scoring on a QB draw to win the game was played in New Haven CT at the Yale Bowl while the Meadowlands was being completed and Yankees Stadium was being renovated, so adjust your “New York City” total…
Nasmasher
January 2nd, 2012
8:03 am
Giant pass rush to much for Falcons
Manny
January 2nd, 2012
8:04 am
Ackshun,
It doesn’t matter what Raheem Morris told his team, the Bucs are terrible this year. They have no playmakers. You supposed to beat the Bucs badly. Who was impressed with that win? I’m not.
As a matter of fact, I’m not impressed with ANY of the Falcons regular season wins. If you want to impress someone, win a postseason game. That would impress me and make me feel like those regular season games meant something. If not, it would be just another “One-and-done” year and the Falcons will be no closer to winning the Super Bowl from last year.
Here’s the bottom line: In my book, win a playoff game. If not, go away. That’s all I care about right now.
Buzzman
January 2nd, 2012
8:05 am
Why did we pay big bucks for Edwards? He hasn’t done a thing for this team. I see the Giants winning by 2 touchdowns. Matty Meltdown will throw 2 ints., sacked 2 times. Turner will only run 40 yards, White and Jones will be under 75 yards each.We don’t have the horse’s to beat a playoff team.
Nadsmasher
January 2nd, 2012
8:07 am
Falcons can’t handle the cold in the Meadowlands. Ryan better be real good throwing into those swirling winds and that O line needs to block JPP. Tall order.
PMc
January 2nd, 2012
8:07 am
Love Julio but they needed much more than an underwear model at DE they still could improve at FS and SLB and none of that includes drafting a freaking punter.
Mr. Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
8:11 am
Giants 35 Falcons 14
Jim
January 2nd, 2012
8:12 am
How should someone try to determine how good a team is? It is simple: look at how it has played over the sixteen game season. Using this objective standard, the Falcons should not go deep into the playoffs. They have yet to dog up a good team, and the debacles with Green Bay and New Orleans really show how this team does under the gun. I have no faith in this bunch. They only play well against inferior opponents; put a good team up against them and they just collectively fold. Want an aberation? (Mike Smith’s gem). The aberation would be for the Falcons to beat a few good teams in a row, and they certainly must do it now or they will be watching the playoffs like the rest of us…in the stands or on tv . Giants 27-17.
jman41287
January 2nd, 2012
8:13 am
I hope we (falcons) lose! We dont deserve to be in the playoffs. (in my jim moras voice) PLAYOFFS, YOU TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS, WE TRYING TO BEAT A GOOD TEAM. LOL. Maybe if we lose we can get rid of the OC and DC.
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
8:17 am
JSS
January 1st, 2012
11:26 pm
Larry
January 1st, 2012
11:17 pm
“JSS, Unprovoked, you always draw the first blood. I’ve just decied to be the bigger man and ignore you. Honored to have made your pdf folder…”
Only a fool like you would…
Still wishing human beings “dead.” Astonishing… But hey, you’ve never shown a bit of sense…
Alright, Jerry, I’ll bite…open up your pdf file entitled “Those whom offend me and I’m saving this to get even” and provide some proof where I have wanted “human beings dead.”
Mark
January 2nd, 2012
8:36 am
No they can’t beat anyone good because they are a bunch of overpaid whimps who do enough to get that big pay day. The giants will beat them easily. Eli will pass all over that pathetic secondary just like drew did. And it will get a quick good bye to the season
Will
January 2nd, 2012
8:37 am
Giants favored by 3. That says it all.
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
8:38 am
This will be a great game between two good teams with two solid QB’s. However, regarding the Falcons, there is one exception expressed in a question: can the Falcons overcome the single worst Defensive Coordinator in the game in BVG?…Doubtful!
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
8:40 am
P B Orr
January 2nd, 2012
12:22 am
“Oh BTW that’s since 1960. I know Norm van Brocklin and YA Tittle each had at least one 500 yard game So that’s 13.”
Van Brocklin’s 500 yard passing game came back in the 1950s (1951 to be exact) …
Since 1960 500 passing yard games…
Oct. 28, 1962 – Y.A. Tittle#, New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins
27 of 39 for 505 yards and 7 TDs
Since 1980 is the real difference when they changed the chuck rule and illegal contact rules
Dec. 26, 1982 – Vince Ferragamo, Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
30 of 46 for 509 yards and 3 TDs
Oct. 13, 1985 – Phil Simms, New York Giants vs. Cincinnati Bengals
40 of 62 for 513 yards and 1 TD
Oct. 23, 1988 – Dan Marino#, Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets
35 of 60 for 521 yards and 3 TDs
Dec. 16, 1990 – Warren Moon#, Houston Oilers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
27 of 45 for 527 yards and 3 TDs
Nov. 10, 1996 – Boomer Esiason, Arizona Cardinals vs. Washington Redskins*
35 of 59 for 522 yards and 3 TDs
Nov. 5, 2000 – Elvis Grbac, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Oakland Raiders
39 of 53 for 504 yards, 2 TDs
Nov. 19, 2006 – Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints vs. Cincinnati Bengals
37 of 52 for 510 yards and 2 TDs
Dec. 20, 2009 – Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers
29 of 46 for 503 yards and 3 TDs
Sept. 12, 2011 – Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins
32 of 48 for 517 yards and 4 TDs
January 1, 2012 – Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
36 of 59 for 520 yards and 5 TDs
Yeah, real “old-timey” like Ferragamo, Grbac, and Esiason!!! (Coughing)
Nativebird
January 2nd, 2012
8:47 am
Giants are beatable by my Falcons. Saints are not. Same for the Packers. Our franchise certainly has the talent in players. Coaching? That’s another story.
BirdDawg24
January 2nd, 2012
8:54 am
the Falcons secondary may cost them the game . That and a lack of a pass rush. gotta get pressure on Manning or he will pick secondary apart. Think about what Brees and Rodgers will do to them, oh i forgot we dont have to think we know. until defense is fixed this is still just an average team.. Not trying to be a hater ,, Falcon fan for over 25 yrs. but this same old story is getting really old. This defense will make Eli look like an Elite QB..
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
8:57 am
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
8:17 am
JSS
January 1st, 2012
11:26 pm
“Alright, Jerry, I’ll bite…open up your pdf file entitled “Those whom offend me and I’m saving this to get even” and provide some proof where I have wanted “human beings dead.”
And my name ain’t “Jerry!”
Your Monday morning September 19th tirade with included no more 6 references to oral sodomy, 4 references to physical acts of Pol Pot like acts of human mutilation, and 3 acts of Serbian like acts of massacre… The blog filter doesn’t seem to like when you submit the actual post itself, so there’s the paraphrasing… But you remember what you type…
Ted M
January 2nd, 2012
8:57 am
The Giants stink. The Falcons won’t (even in years to come) and haven’t met a worse opponent in the playoffs. They gotta win this game. They should be favored. But I’m still worried.