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
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
10:53 am
RIGHT ON @REALITYCHECK
Big Wally
January 2nd, 2012
10:54 am
I take it English is your second language.
Big Wally
January 2nd, 2012
10:55 am
NFL has one set of rules for everyone else, and another set of rules for the Saints.
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
@ Fakeclownfailure
Is your screen name a shot at the Falcons or did you actually fail to land a job as a birthday clown? Considering your incoherence maybe you should shoot for a position as a mime instead of a clown. I know it’s tough to stand on any corner in New Orleans without gagging but it may your only shot at gainful employment.
FAKECLOWNFAILURE
January 2nd, 2012
11:01 am
WOWWWWWWWW!!!!!! STOP YOU WHINNING BIGWALLY///
YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT THATS NOT TRUE!
Eric C.
January 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
What???
A couple of wins against burn-out teams and all of a sudden they are the fearsome foursome??? The Giants have averaged one more sack a game than the Falcons…other than that this defense is not elite…giving up 402 pts and 376 yds/gm …not a championship D.
NYG is one miracle finish away from a 6 game losing streak.
Big Wally
January 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
Saints are very good team, with the help of the NFL referees, they are a great team.
G2
January 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
Do people realize Julio Jones almost had a 1,000 yards receiving and he only played 3/4 of a season?
Greg Mendel
January 2nd, 2012
11:14 am
The number one challenge for the Falcons right now isn’t winning a playoff game. It’s figuring out why the team was so inconsistent in 2011. I still think the Julio Jones deal was an acceptable calculated risk that will pay dividends for years to come. But I also think the Falcons were hoping for a greater immediate impact that didn’t happen this season, because facets of the team they thought they could rely on (the OL, for example) became unreliable.
This team is still developing, and despite (yawn) another winning season and a playoff berth, I’m guessing Falcons management was surprised that weaknesses and inconsistency showed up in areas where they weren’t expected. The challenge will be to identify and solve those problems.
These are the Atlanta Falcons. Never in all the years before the current regime could fans honestly believe the team had a legitimate chance of beating any opponent on game day. I wouldn’t bet much money on the Falcons if they were up against Green Bay, New Orleans or New England next Sunday. But I wouldn’t bet a lot of money against them, either. Even with their weaknesses and inconsistency, they aren’t the Dysfunctional Smith Family hobby anymore.
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 am
READ MY LIPS: No shot in ole NEEEW YOOOORK, Start spreading the News. The Falcons are comin to play. They want to be a part of it, in OLE-NEW YORK! They want to wake up in a City that never Sleeps…………..Wait a minute..They’re going to get beat down in a City that never sleeps…lol
Eli will pick a-part that secondary.. Giants O-line will dominate the Falcons D-line, sorta like what you saw in New Orleans!
0-3, tradition continues………………Blah Blah Blah….
That is all….
Chop Buster
January 2nd, 2012
11:24 am
1) We CANNOT doe the same things we do in the regular season (i.e., Turner up the middle, prevent zone defense)
2) Falcons have to come out and ATTACK the Giants on both sides of the ball for 60 MINUTES
3) Don’t get beat with the big play
4) Don’t turn the ball over; but force turnovers by the Giants
5) If there’s a time to pull all of the tricks out of the bag and show we can win a playoff game it would be this coming Sunday for this coaching staff
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:25 am
Arthur shooting Blanks!
enter you comments now: ???
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:27 am
Prediction: Giants 35 Falcons 17
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:30 am
A MESSAGE FROM BLANK TO VICK:
Mike I want to formerly apologize to you.
I foolishly listened to the bias non paying idiots living in the past.
I should have realized that you are a once in a life time talent.
I took for granted that beating you laid down on Brett Favre.
I took for granted that beating you laid on St Louis.
I screwed up big time.
I should never have listened to that big hair Dimitroff.
I should never have wasted 72 million on a clown who can’t throw
with zip past 20 yards.
I’m sorry Mike, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:32 am
@CGD
Come on, 17 points – really?
That is a slap in the face to the Giants.
HA HA HA
DP
January 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Dog Killer Vick landed himself in prison after getting a $100 million contract from Blank and the moron CHOKE thinks Blank owes Vick an apology?
And of course there’s the fact that Vick, despite being surrounded by a “Dream Team”, will be watching the playoffs on TV this weekend.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:35 am
Eric C.
January 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
What???
A couple of wins against burn-out teams and all of a sudden they are the fearsome foursome??? The Giants have averaged one more sack a game than the Falcons…other than that this defense is not elite…giving up 402 pts and 376 yds/gm …not a championship D.
NYG is one miracle finish away from a 6 game losing streak.
________________________________________________
I think you are confused about which team you are referring to:
4 straight games vs ROOKIE qbs
then………………..
1 game vs Drew Brees
I guess being PUNKED by Drew Brees followed by a 4 win team is the cure to all
mediocrity
Sid
January 2nd, 2012
11:36 am
Detroit has the weapons to beat New Orleans……………obviously Detroit is a much stronger opponent than was Seattle last year. Vegas implied final score is NO 34 Detroit 24 but the game could change on a turnover or 2…………Detroit is 3rd in the NFC at +13, NO -4.
Recap 2010: Remember when the Saints got stopped on 4th and 1 on their own 30 yard line in the 3rd quarter against Seattle. Just dang.
SEATTLE — Matt Hasselbeck threw four touchdown passes and Marshawn Lynch scored on an electrifying 67-yard touchdown run in the final minutes to lead the Seattle Seahawks to an improbable 41-36 victory over the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints in the opening round of the playoffs.
The Seahawks (8-9) came into Saturday’s game as the first division winner with a losing record, yet pulled off one of the biggest upsets in NFL playoff history — with authority.
The Seahawks held a 34-20 early in the fourth quarter before Drew Brees looked ready to lead the Saints (11-6) on one of their patented comebacks. But Lynch broke about a half-dozen tackles for his TD with 3:22 left as Seattle finished off the Saints.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:37 am
DP
January 2nd, 2012
11:34 am
Dog Killer Vick
______________________________________
You say that like dogs matterr
I will say this about dogs. At lease they are smarter than idiots like you.
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
Big Wally
January 2nd, 2012
11:08 am
Saints are very good team, with the help of the NFL referees, they are a great team
______________________________________________________
Still whining about the refs?
The refs could have closed their eyes and CHOKE would still….well…..CHOKE
DP
January 2nd, 2012
11:39 am
“at lease”
CHOKE, you’re a moron and show it with every post. I have a dog and he’s easily smarter than you.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:40 am
G2
January 2nd, 2012
11:12 am
Do people realize Julio Jones almost had a 1,000 yards receiving and he only played 3/4 of a season?
_____________________________________________________
He would have led the league in receiving if CHOKE was where he belonged
Carrying the clip board
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:41 am
Greg Mendel
January 2nd, 2012
11:14 am
The number one challenge for the Falcons
________________________________________________________
The number one challenge for the Falcants is finding a trading partner for CHOKE the JOKE
DP
January 2nd, 2012
11:42 am
Hey CHOKE, if Ryan is so much worse for receivers than Dog Killer, how about giving us a comparison of Roddy White’s stats with Dog Killer as QB to his stats with Ryan as QB?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:44 am
45-17
All that matters
You Falcants fans are such LOSERS……You breathed a sigh of relief when Detroit lost and San Fran won………………
Such losers, got PUNKED on national t.v. ………………
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
DP
January 2nd, 2012
11:39 am
“at lease”
CHOKE, you’re a moron and show it with every post. I have a dog and he’s easily smarter than you.
______________________________________________
Better make sure that waste stays in your yard, he could end up in a ring near you………….
HA HA HA
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
Maybe the dog killer can watch Ryan in the playoffs on TV if the dumb a$$ can figure out how to work the remote.
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
Hey MRC, The Falcons had there “playoff” win yesterday..They better savor the feeling cause its fleeting fast….
Arthur probably wont be walking the sidelines..He went MIA in that Saints game LMAO!
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
MCR, MV7 had a nice game yesterday! Got em back to 8-8 after that horrific start?..Like Arnold says, They’ll be back!
Giants 35 Falcons 7
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
DP
January 2nd, 2012
11:42 am
Hey CHOKE, if Ryan is so much worse for receivers than Dog Killer, how about giving us a comparison of Roddy White’s stats with Dog Killer as QB to his stats with Ryan as QB?
____________________________________________
Sure if you will compare playoff wins before age 26…………..
Ooops he has ZERO playoff wins, so ZERO comparison………………..
You really should let your dog handle your comparisons……………
HA HA HA
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:50 am
their^^^
D man
January 2nd, 2012
11:50 am
Can the Falcons beat a good team? Yes, the Lions. Can they beat a team like the Giants? Of course, they already have. Tennessee, Eagles, And Seahawks… Can they beat an elite team? Maybe, but they will need to get the “no playoff win monkey” off their back first. Then, yes they can beat an elite team…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:51 am
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
Maybe the dog killer can watch Ryan in the playoffs
_____________________________________________
I’m very sure that will make it’s way on Comedy Central as well
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:52 am
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:46 am
Hey MRC, The Falcons had there “playoff” win yesterday..They better savor the feeling cause its fleeting fast….
Arthur probably wont be walking the sidelines..He went MIA in that Saints game LMAO!
_____________________________________________________
I believe Art said if CHOKE didn’t win a playoff game this season, changes will be
made. Looks like they will trade up for RG3
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
Hey Choke
How many super bowls did Dick get us to. You don’t get a ring for playoff wins so he accomplished nothing in Atlanta except embarrasing the team and wasting his talent. Ryan is three times the QB that Dick ever was or ever will be.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:54 am
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
MCR, MV7 had a nice game yesterday! Got em back to 8-8 after that horrific start?..Like Arnold says, They’ll be back!
_____________________________________________
And Philly didn’t throw away the entire draft just to be 1 and done Part III…………
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
D man
January 2nd, 2012
11:50 am
Can the Falcons beat a good team? Yes, the Lions. Can they beat a team like the Giants?
___________________________________________
You need to put down your MADDEN…………………
HA HA HA
Sid
January 2nd, 2012
11:56 am
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan January 2nd, 2012 11:30 am
**********************************************************************
The one you are truly angry with is Mike Vick, admit it. You don’t strike me as a person who is bothered by cruelty to animals, you’re just pissed he was stupid enough to get caught. Vick apologized to his fans, after he lied that is. Why don’t you accept his apology and attempt to make intelligent input on a sports blog. Don’t you want to go on the Eagles blog?
Atlanta fans supported Vick until he flipped us off which meant a lot more then than what we understood. Though I wanted the prototypical QB Schaub under center Vick was damn fun to watch. Green is my favorite color, what’s yours?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
Mularkey getting head coaching offers…………………..
All you need to know about CHOKE……………..
Mularkey was not holding CHOKE back, he was preventing a total collapse…………
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
The Ravens won another division title, and off to more playoff wins……………….
CHOKE on his way to be underachieved vs Flacco…………………….
Some things never change…………………..
HA HA HA
Eric C.
January 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
D man, great analysis. That is all we can ask for this year…a playoff win. That will be a huge step for the Smith/Ryan era and will make this a successful season.
Yo Vince
January 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
I, for one am so sick of Choke. Please go away. We all hate you, accept JSS, your girlfriend. Matt Ryan just threw for more yards than any other QB in Falcon history. He is a great guy. He has never done anything but win. We all know Brees is the Man, and we all forgave Vick for being a complete loser gangsta. We hate you though. Go away
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
12:00 pm
NUMBER 5
The number of times Victor Cruz will be doing his salsa dance……………..
HA HA HA
Monday Morning QB
January 2nd, 2012
12:01 pm
Choke
You are a mindless idiot. You come on this board the day after the Falcons concluded their 4th consecutive winning season and their third playoff invitation in four years under Ryan and you try to elevate a worthless loser like Dick. He was never able to string together two consecutive winning seasons but he was able to spread herpes and get thrown in jail for dog fighting. You are a worthless piece of excrement which is proven by the fact that you would align yourself with Dick..
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
12:02 pm
Yo Vince
January 2nd, 2012
11:59 am
I, for one am so sick of Choke. Please go away. We all hate you
__________________________________________
BOO HOO HOO
Take a Midol girl
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
0-3 In The Playoffs
Only stat that matters…………………..
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
12:03 pm
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CHOKE
2008 safety vs Arizona
2010 Pick 6 before half vs Green Bay
HA HA HA
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
12:04 pm
RG3> Melt! Make the trade Arthur.. You’ll have to upgrade the QB position to go all the way Sir..
MELT AINT THE ONE GRASSHOPPER!
Oh RG3 is one smart dude.. He’ll get it done with his scholarly mind and arm…Oh did I mention he’s a mobile rocket launcher?
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
11:57 am
“Mularkey getting head coaching offers…………………..
All you need to know about CHOKE……………..
Mularkey was not holding CHOKE back, he was preventing a total collapse…………”
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sheesh………………
jv
January 2nd, 2012
12:06 pm
macon bird fan, do you remember, 9-16-73, when falcons ran up score 62-7 over poor saints, now that is classy?