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
Ed
January 2nd, 2012
8:59 am
Well it looks like we are getting the Giants I think the Falcons can win the game by getting Turner going and allow Matt Ryan to go into the no huddle and torch the Giants secondary. I look for Abraham to have a big day rushing Eli.
ajc retired jack
January 2nd, 2012
8:59 am
the falcons can beat any team if they come out of the box like they did yesterday. go detroit! if they win two games, we get to play at home.
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
9:01 am
The Falcon team that came out in the first half yesterday (yes, I know who the opponent was) can play with anyone, even the Saints.
Frankly, and I know I’m in the extreme minority–if not the only person on the planet–but I think going back to New Orleans would have been to our advantage. We know them, we hate them, and having that azz whooping fresh in our minds would have been to our advantage.
I think the elements could be tough to overcome in New York…remember the Eagles/Falcons NFC Championship Game? However, this time we have a real, professional QB to compete…not a RB with an inaccurate, strong arm!
We may not win, but we WILL compete and this WILL be a close and hard fought game!
ls1z28chris
January 2nd, 2012
9:05 am
Two victories over opponents with winning records. Two.
Don’t get too excited, clowns.
Ben Roeth-rapist-berger allegedly
January 2nd, 2012
9:08 am
Hope they win at least one game.
Diane West
January 2nd, 2012
9:08 am
Couldn’t Be Better Said!!! We want our Falcons to succeed but are weary as likewise evidenced with Atl. Braves of being taken to the edge of hope and expectancy and then dropped off the cliff!
Last year against Green Bay Surely did say No. 1 seed means nothing—Why were we Not surprised? Rahter not even go there if the same is in store. For Now—Believing in the Best!!
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
9:09 am
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…”
BS! I know you couldn’t prove anything!
September? Are you kidding? Sure, I may have written something oposing perverse, illegal sodomy of children, Jerry (you’ve often stated you see nothing wrong with this or other acts of perversion), but, again, prove to me where I have weriously wanted innocent human beings “dead” or “mutilated?”
You’re a sick puppy, Jerry!
D-NICE
January 2nd, 2012
9:12 am
good game until the second string Quarterback came into the game and laid an egg with the only draft pick we have this we need to find us a back up QB we can probably can Russel Wilson
GoodbutNotEliteTeam
January 2nd, 2012
9:13 am
we should all be grateful for this team… Three years of back to back to back winning seasons…
Ryan is a very good QB with a 25-4 winning record at home… He now holds several all-time Falcon passing records….
Now….if Malarky will run an unpredictable offense like GB-NE – NO the Falcons can beat NY before GB crushes the team at GB
MG3
January 2nd, 2012
9:14 am
What’s up with all the negativity? We should be ecstatic that the Falcons moved into the 5th seed and now playing a very winnable game. Go Falcons!
Ted M
January 2nd, 2012
9:14 am
hmmm…The Giants are favored by 3. They shouldn’t be favored, I guess its the home field advantage.
Ted M
January 2nd, 2012
9:16 am
Ryan is an okay QB.
Ted M
January 2nd, 2012
9:17 am
Ryan should be okay enough to beat the Giants…they stink.
whodat70816
January 2nd, 2012
9:17 am
Matty Ice will melt under the pressure of that pass rush the NYG displayed yesterday.
Dallas would have been a much easier task for the Falcons, but hey anything can happen.
However I do predict that next week all you Falcon fans on here will be back to running Mike Smith, Murlarky and noodle arm Ryan out of town!
But I’m going to wish your boys lots of luck, because I wouldn’t mind seeing an NFC Championship game played in the MB Super Dome between 2 NFCS teams.
ls1z28chris
January 2nd, 2012
9:21 am
Who is the guy on the Falcons sideline with the pedophile mustache?
DawgVoiceofReason
January 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
As a lifelong and long-suffering (somewhat redundant, I know) Falcons fan, I’m excited that the Falcons are in the playoffs. However, like others have said, they need to win this “win-able” (sp?) playoff game to take the next step and validate what they have accomplished so far. The Giants are a real test, especially playing at their stadium, but it is good not to have to open against, say, the Packers. We can build some confidence and then will be prepared to take on whoever we might face.
1981fan
January 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
Congrats on another good year. Moving up means blocking and tackling and confidence and fighting for footballs like Mr. Jones does….in the NFL teams build and good teams move up on these things…the rest are just part of the league and they are just there but not for long..the ones who stay there do not depend upon always having the most talented QB but on having a good QB and a team that blocks and tackles and wins…
The ATL!!!
January 2nd, 2012
9:25 am
NY is overrated and soft—the ATL will pull the upset and then beat Green Bay—mark it down! These falcons are on fire—Ryan will light up the weak secondary and the angry Falcon’s D will shut down manning!!! Falcons—to the NFC title game!!!!
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
9:32 am
Only sick puppy is you Larry… And your sad little “Jerry” pun can’t shake your little rattle… You, the AJC staff, and Jeff Schultz all remember your venture into soft core that day… You spent the next month trying to get that “Jerry” pun to stick… Poor generator cranking Larry, poor little Larry! Oh, “Lambo:” “Captain, they drew first blood!”
SilentCC
January 2nd, 2012
9:39 am
So beware folks — all the Falcons did yesterday was beat up on a bad team in the first half, then PRACTICED MEDIOCRITY the entire second half. Only 3 points the entire half???? C’mon man!!!
Their mindset does not bode well.
Clint
January 2nd, 2012
9:42 am
Falcons are lucky Dallas got beat. The Cowboys would have destroyed the Falcons !
FL dawg
January 2nd, 2012
9:46 am
I dont care if ATL wins the SB….they wont. Their entire 2012 draft should be spent on nothing but DB’s. If they use all their piks on DB’s, there’s a chance one might pan out. Unless there is a DL pick hat could be a diff maker (there’s always a steal in the draft) why does it always end up in NE?
C’mon Dimitroff Julio was OK but lets go total defense this yr!
JSS
January 2nd, 2012
9:49 am
And tell Jeff Schultz and the AJC staff to send you a copy of your post at 12:01AM from Eagles-Falcons Live Blog on pg. 55 and see if refreshes your (Larry) Puritan mind…
Donaldo
January 2nd, 2012
9:50 am
Will be a toss up between Gents & ATL, they both will play not to lose. One & done for either team.
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
9:52 am
Jerry,
You are a sad individual, indeed. Just go back and look at most of your responses to individuals on this and all other blogs you contaminate and you’ll witness a pervasive theme of negativity and condescending remarks–almost always initiated by you and unprovoked–to all whom you disagree…starting with me again on this blog.
There’s little doubt in my mind you are a smallish (physically and emotionally), insecure, and angry man who thinks of himself as the “Jeff Schultz Blog Alpha Dog.” Sadly, Jeff allows you to constantly demean anyone you choose. I guess he likes you for some bizarre reason. Maybe it is your initials? Maybe your initials are identical to his? Maybe “JSS” is actually…?
Worset of all, you wouldn’t have the courage outside of hiding behind a keyboard to be available for a “correction” in your behavior by those whom you insult as you are the classic blog bully and coward!
You’re a weak, negative, angry litte boy, Jerry, and you, I, and anyone that sees through your babble know it!
Felix
January 2nd, 2012
10:03 am
I can’t have confidence in a team that has so many wins against bad teams. When they played a good team recently (the Saints), they didn’t look very good. But I will say this about the Falcons–at least they made the playoffs… something their baseball cousins, the Braves, failed to do.
Sam
January 2nd, 2012
10:04 am
Who’s going to stop victo Cruz? I hope Grimes will be healthy. The vaunted cowboys pass rush couldn’t bring down Eli. He’s so good at escaping rush. Our weak pass rush will give Eli time to pick apart our soft zone d.
Irving Johansen
January 2nd, 2012
10:08 am
Who Dat?? Falcon fans, you should worship Cheese since GB beat the Lions and you AVOID/WIMP OUT/TAKE THE BACK DOOR/ETC from not having to play NO!! MATTY ICE should be able to get his FIRST playoff victory with an assist from GB! Once again, the FALCONS can’t do it on their own…..What a JOKE of a team…..WHO DAT…WHO DAT….WHO DAT….We’ll be waiting for you!!!
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
10:14 am
@ Irving
You better worry about the Lions – remember the Seahawks
drew
January 2nd, 2012
10:17 am
“…given who’ve they’ve beaten and who’ve they’ve lost to…”
“…But if doubts remain, it’s not a mystery way.”
Jeff…what up? No editors in today? Got grammar check??
+++++
I would’ve preferred Dallas…Romo finds ways to lose; Manning finds ways to win. And with our pass defense, Eli should have a field day. The way the Falcons have played all year, I can see us getting embarrassed again next weekend…but I can also see us making a run.
tell it like it is
January 2nd, 2012
10:20 am
Jerry/Larry …..Really? come on guys
Greg Mendel
January 2nd, 2012
10:22 am
After decades of mismanagement and losing seasons, it’s a relief to argue about “one and done” in the playoffs. The norm used to be how soon the Falcons would be “done” in the regular season.
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
10:28 am
LOOKS LIKE U CLOWNS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE NEW ORLEANS AFTER ALL///U WILL HAVE TO FACE OUR NATIVE SON ELI MANNING! #TEAMELI WHODAT!!!!
Eric C.
January 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
Well, the Falcons should get their points…NYG gave up 402 this year. The last time they played at giants stadium, 2009, they put up 31 W/O Turner.
The weather doesn’t look like it will be much of a factor…definitely no unusual cold and perhaps not much wind either — hopefully no rain but not completely sure of that yet.
X-factors…Ray Edwards – dude, if you ever had it in you, bring it now – Grimes, healthy???
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
10:32 am
oHHHHHHH WELL WELL WELL…MONDAYMORNING….did you come up with anymore nursery ryhmes for you fake@$$ falclowns? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..U SEE HOW THAT LAST ONE WORKED OUT FOR YOU HUH? I WOULD CHILL ON THE PREDICTIONS UNTIL YOUR TEAM CAN PROVE THEY CAN WIN A GAME THAT MATTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #LETSGO
Take it from me.
January 2nd, 2012
10:34 am
The Falcons may be playing the best team in the playoffs next sunday.hey i know green bay,and NO are good,but the gaints are the most balance’ed team,and coming to gather at the right time,and thier defence is starting to play lights out with thier pass rush,witch does’t bold well for Matt Ryan,and the falcons.the question is,can the falcons offencesive line hold off that big Giant defencesive line?can the falcons defencesive secondary cover the gaints receivers?Looks like the Falcons may be matched up agianst the best team,in the first round of the playoffs after all.
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
10:37 am
@TheAtl:::
REALLY???????????????? WILL BE YOU BE BACK AFTER THE GAME SUNDAY? LMFAO
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
10:38 am
Congrats Fakeclownfailure
Your Saints are a terrific team and may win another Super Bowl. To tell you the truth I expected the Saints to beat Atalnta last week but it was more fun to tweak the trolls with a poem. But don’t count your chickens yet as Seattle proved last season nothing is written in stone. The Lions have the firepower and your D is suspect. Maybe I’ll come up with a little Lion poem this week.
Irving Johansen
January 2nd, 2012
10:38 am
WHO DAT SINISTER-lookin Dude on your sideline with the thin mustache, big hawk beak and beady eyes??? Oh DAT is your Owner–AWTIE BLANK…..and Why is it DAT they never show the “PLAY 60″ on TV?? Is it DAT AWTIE and his 2nd Wife (Stephanie) are no longer?? She shoulda figured DAT Awtie would need a Younger babe soon….Oh Well, I’d take $50 mill as a settlement……..Folks, just like his Wives, AWTIE ain’t gonna stand for 1-and done playoff team…He’s a gonna replace the team too for a “YOUNGER BABE” soon…..including players, Coach Smith, GM Dimitroff….Remember DAT History repeats itself….I’m just saying…..
RL
January 2nd, 2012
10:39 am
No
Big Wally
January 2nd, 2012
10:44 am
Can someone provide an interpreter for FAKECLOWNFAILURE so we can understand what that nitwit is trying to say.
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
10:44 am
@ Iving Johansen
Is your light in the loafers owner still frolicking around on the field twirling his little umbrella?
Mister.Earl
January 2nd, 2012
10:46 am
stendek is the worst piece of ignorant trash this place has to offer.
1. Next to Indianapolis, the happiest guys have to be the Atlanta Falcons. With Detroit’s loss, they become the NFC’s fifth seed, which means they avoid getting butchered in New Orleans next weekend. I know, the Falcons said they wanted to play the Saints again. Yeah right.
No visiting team WANTS to go into The MB Superdome
DawgDad
January 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
I want the Falcons to win (of course, duh) but I certainly do not expect them to beat the Giants. Both teams have ground and air weapons, but Manning is a better passer/playmaker and a more proven winner than Ryan at this point and the Giants figure to wreak havoc in the trenches. Face it, the Falcons have regressed significantly on the o-line this year, the pass rush disappears for long stretches, they get overmatched physically and burned by big receivers, and they are susceptible to being gashed in the running game. Giants are equipped to capitalize on the Falcons weaknesses; Giants win, 34-23.
What do the Falcons need to win these games? First round caliber contributions from Sam Baker and Peria Jerry. Add Pro-Bowl or near-Pro-Bowl contributions from these two high draft picks and the Falcons would be competing with the big boys.
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
10:47 am
@MONDAYMORNING
Im more interested in reading your nursery ryhme after your clowns get embarrassed AGAIN! ON NATIONAL TELEVISION::::I KNOW YOUR HAPPY U WONT HAVE TO FACE NEW ORLEANS AGAIN! 45-16 (sweet victory)REMEMBER THAT? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…
AND I DONT REMEMBER YOU PREDICTING A SAINTS WIN,,,U WERE CALLING US THE AINTS AND MAKING STUPID COMMENTS ABOUT “MATTYICE” BLAH BLAH BLAH AND WHAT HE WAS GONNA DO TO US BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MR. MELT WILL MELT AGAIN!!!!
Sid
January 2nd, 2012
10:48 am
The Falcons are a good football team. They become great when each and every player gives everhthing he’s got every single play. Not all our Birds play like that. They have got to want it bad and it just may be that we are satisfied with “good” play, not great. I want to know who cares about that hardware that comes with championship football. When they do they’ll play better using what’s between their ears. You got to want it bad. They’ll need that to get past the Blue Giants.
Tojo
January 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
There are matchups that favor the Falcons vs. Giants next week, and Giants are as schizophrenic as the Falcons when it comes to inconsistent play.
But then we come to the matchup of the Giants defense front with those quick athletic pass rushers against the Falcons O-line. better hope we can run block, develop a screen game & work quick throws to Gonzales & Julio. Because Matt Ryan will NOT have time to progress through his reads in their normal passing scheme.
Time for Mike Mularkey to show if he’s really the creative genius some people including himself think he is. Ryan could end up like an upside down popsicle planted in the meadowlands turf.
On the plus side, maybe Suh will dismember Drew Brees after the whistle and there goes the degenerate team from Louisiana out of the playoffs. Plus Green Bay now has a quarteback controversy to worry about!
Big Wally
January 2nd, 2012
10:49 am
Your right I don’t want to go to the FEMA Dome, with the way the NFL and referees allow the Saints to get away with murder down there your basically playing 11 vs 18.
realitycheck
January 2nd, 2012
10:51 am
At least they were able to avoid the trifecta(0-3) by not having to play the Saints again!
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
10:52 am
@Big Wally….
Now its the referees fault we won????? Yall be killing me! The referees scored the points for us??? REALLY?
@Monday Morning..AND YOU WAS THE ONE THAT SAID THE SAINTS FANS WOULD BE WHINNING ABOUT THE REFEREES!!! ###GO FIGURE