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
229 Bravesfan
January 2nd, 2012
12:52 pm
It’s amazing how many trolls on this blog get so much enjoyment in harrasing Falcon fans behind their computer. I’m a Falcons fan all day, and the Dirty Birds will win on Sunday.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Exactly Bravesfan. It is all about the Falcons Fans, if they hate the falcons, and hate our QB and coaches, just why are they even here?
FalconFan
January 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
I cannot wait till Sunday afernoon, AFTER THE FALCONS BEAT THE GIANTS, to see what Matt Choke is going to say. Great job this year Ryan in becoming the ALL TIME FALCON LEADER in passing in a year breaking a 16 year old record.
And for those against the Falcons and hoping for bad weather, the forecast for Sunday in East Rutherford, NJ is 50 degrees, clear and 5 mph winds. PERFECT WEATHER! I beat Ryan will throw for 400 yards against that D.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
1:00 pm
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
12:56 pm
Exactly Bravesfan. It is all about the Falcons Fans, if they hate the falcons, and hate our QB and coaches, just why are they even here?
_____________________________________
Did you show this much passion for your qb during 2001-2006?
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
1:01 pm
FalconFan
January 2nd, 2012
12:57 pm
I cannot wait till Sunday afernoon, AFTER THE FALCONS BEAT THE GIANTS
_________________________________________
Like you said in 2008 & 2010?
HA HA HA
FalconFan
January 2nd, 2012
1:03 pm
Nope nothing said in 2008 and 2010. All I know atleast we are making the playoffs, not like the DREAM TEAM Eagles, who are sititng on their heads today.
Michael
January 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
“I cannot wait till Sunday afernoon, AFTER THE FALCONS BEAT THE GIANTS”
Keep dreaming. Matt Ryan doesn’t play well on the road against good teams. The Falcons will lose.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
Choke- Did you show this much passion for your qb during 2001-2006?
HA HA HA
Actually, I did. I loved the falcons than as I do now, I love Vick as I do Ice. I do not discount what he did. I think the Green Bay victory was as great a victory in falcons history.
I would say when he started getting into trouble for doing supid crap, I started to wonder about his judgement.
Then when the dog fighting thing came out, I said good riddance.
Now if Ice misses the playoff 2 years in a row, and then gets busted doing something illegal, I would say it very well might be time to get a new QB….And I would support that new QB.
So there, sorry to spoil your image of me.
FalconFan
January 2nd, 2012
1:09 pm
Matt Ryan 4177 yards passing, 29 TD’s, 12 INT, 92.2 rating, 61.3% completion rate.
And didn’t play in what would be considered a full game not playing the second half against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay.
8th in the league in rating
8th in yards (6 behind Romo for 7th and didn’t play a full game)
Oh let’s talk Defense. Atlanta ranked 12th in total defense, the NY Giants 27th
FalconFan
January 2nd, 2012
1:10 pm
Vick, what did he do. Took us to the playoffs 2 out of his 6 years?
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
1:11 pm
Michael, I actually am concerned that Ice does not play well on the road, or especially outdoors. But I will not rejoice in a loss, but he he does manage to pull off a W, I would be happy. How about you? Do you want them to lose?
Dissapointed Falcon fan.
January 2nd, 2012
1:26 pm
mystery way, …..
80sFalcon
January 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
Jacksonville wanting to interview Mularky. AWESOME!!
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
1:36 pm
Mr. Charlie,
Please stop feeding these dolts like “CHOKE” and CGD..
Matt Ryan is everything they will never be: Successful, happy, secure and emotionally mature. They are blog children with low IQ’s, low self esteem, absolutely nothing going on professionally and anatomically so short their feelings of inadequacy dominate their every thought as girls laugh at them and real men ignore them…you know, the guys in the showers after a game that stare in wonder and amazement at the studs they will never be.
They are using this forum as their venting process!
Unbelievable
January 2nd, 2012
1:45 pm
The fact that Choke is still holding onto Vick is hilarious. He CAN’T be serious and can only be doing it to stir up the blogs. No person in their right mind can think Falcons should have held onto Vick. Maybe Choke will be handing the popcorn bowl to Vick on the couch this weekend as they watch together the falcons in the playoffs. Just make sure Vick doesnt get injured or fumble the popcorn bowl.
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
1:50 pm
Unbelievable,
Because “CHOKE” has nearly choked on Vick’s (fill in the blank) so often he is deluded due to insufficient perfusion of oxygenated blood to his tiny brain.
HITTMAN JAMILLION
January 2nd, 2012
1:51 pm
I NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY ALL OF THE IGNORANCE & HATE IS SPEWED ON THESE BLOGS. AND THE MAJORITY OF THIS IGNORANCE IS BECAUSE OF RACIST PREJUDICE VIEWS. YOU GUYS STILL HATING. AND BASHING MV7, DUDE HASNT BEEN A PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION IN ALMOST SEVEN YEARS. LIKE MOVE PAST THAT ALREADY,IT ONLY SHOWS YOUR INFERIORITY COMPLEX, LACK OF INTEGRITY, AND CLASS. HOW CAN WE HAVE AN INTELLIGENT CONVERSATION AND DEBATE IF YOU PEOPLE CAN’T GET BEYOND SKIN COLOR?
PLUS THE LAST TIME I READ,& LAST TIME I CHECKED ICOULD READ. THIS IS A FALCONS BLOG DESIGNED FOR FALCON FANS. SO WHY ALL THE HATE IF YOU DON’T ENJOY OR TEAM TAKE YOUR LAME ASS,INTERNET PSUEDO GANGSTA,FAKE TOUGH TALK ASS HOME.YEAH THE SAINTS GOT THE BEST OF US LAST MEETING, BUT THAT’S NOT USUALLY THE CASE. AND BEFORE LAST YEARS MEETING WE HAD PREVIOUSLY OWNED GREEN BAY,WE ACTUALLY WHIPPED THEM. IN WISCONSIN THAT YEAR EARLIER BUT HOW SOON WE FORGET. I SAY RUN THE BALL, PLAY ACTION EXPLOT OUR FORMER EMPLOYEE CORY WEBSTER &COMPANY, AND COVER CRUZ WE’LL BE. GOOD.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
1:56 pm
I hope Grimes is back, he needs to be put on Cruz man to man. Also, keep Chris Houston near by, for all his faults, I am convinced he can run anyone down.
Michael
January 2nd, 2012
1:58 pm
Matt Ryan is everything they will never be: Successful, happy, secure and emotionally mature. They are blog children with low IQ’s, low self esteem, absolutely nothing going on professionally and anatomically so short their feelings of inadequacy dominate their every thought as girls laugh at them and real men ignore them…you know, the guys in the showers after a game that stare in wonder and amazement at the studs they will never be.
————————-
I hate to break it to you Larry but you sound like a complete idiot. What the heck to you know about Matt Ryan’s emotional state besides a couple of post game iinterviews? This blog is an open forum for fans to come on and give their opinion about sports. Grow up. And then you have the nerve to tell “Mr. Charlie” not to feed into these “dolts” when in fact “Mr. Charlie” is one of the biggest instigating clowns on here.
Mister.Earl
January 2nd, 2012
1:59 pm
HIttman Jamillion – since Drew Brees arrived in New Orleans the Saints have gone 9-3 vs the birds.
If New York has a healthy defensive front, you better shore up the porous Atlanta OLine.
Giants 24 Falcons 14
Larry
January 2nd, 2012
2:07 pm
Michael
January 2nd, 2012
1:08 pm
“I cannot wait till Sunday afernoon, AFTER THE FALCONS BEAT THE GIANTS”
Keep dreaming. Matt Ryan doesn’t play well on the road against good teams. The Falcons will lose.”
Michael, while I didn’t mention you personaly it ois comments like this by you above that substantiates this. Matt Ryan can play good on the road and you do not know they wil lose. It is utter, unabashed negativity like this and some of the immature stuff on here that my comments were directed.
Grow the hell up and stop acting like spoiled litte children! If you’re a Falcon fan, act like it! If not, that’s ok, but at least make intelligent counter arguments and stop blabbering childlike nonsense.
Hell, I don’t like the Saints, for example, but I’m man enough and mature enough to give Brees and their superb coaching staff their derserved praise for football excellence.
HITTMAN JAMILLION
January 2nd, 2012
2:10 pm
Mister earl four of those victories are against chris redman the year after vick, one against vick and the ones in the season when matt ryan was hurt. Research it
Mr. Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:12 pm
White QB’s (Ryan) are superior to all minority QB’s. I’m so glad we don’t have a thug QB like Freeman, Vick, Newtown or the new thug coming in next year (RGIII).
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:14 pm
CDG using my screenname again. We know what is on his mind,
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:16 pm
Interesting breakdown for Playoffs – Team Stats: (NOTE: Total Team Stats only and NOT broken down by how they did against specific teams.)
Teams I think most fear to play:
1) Packers: Great Offense – Terrible Defense
2) Saints: Great Offense – Terrible Defense
3) Pats: Great Offense – Terrible Defense
Your expected Playoff Teams:
1) Pittsburgh: Great Defense (as usual) – OK offense
2) Ravens: Great Defense – Less than OK offense
Others:
1) Detroit: Very good Offense – Not so good Defense (Fell from beginning of season)
2) Giants: Good Offense – Not good Defense (But getting healthy??)
3) Falcons: Good Offense – Good Defense (Offense slightly better than D)
4) 49ers: Great Defense – Not good Offense
5) Bengals: Not good Offense – Very good Defense
6) Texans: Good Offense (missing Schaub now though) and Great Defense
7) Broncos . . … who cares:)
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:17 pm
Why does Larry & Mr. Charlie sound alike?
Anyone?
Mr. Charlie/Larry do you have split personalities?
I mean it would be hard to believe God would create two identical IDIOTS.
HA HA HA
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
Choke, no comment on my loyalties to MV7 when he was in Atlanta for the question you asked? Who is the coward now!
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:22 pm
Hey . . .at least no one can say I didn’t try to restart a football conversation. Of course it would be a bit more interesting if the personal feuds could be “sprinkled in”.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:23 pm
Once Recent, NY will be a very tough game, their D is coming along, scary pass rush. It is going to be a pretty big test for us.
HITTMAN JAMILLION
January 2nd, 2012
2:24 pm
Mr. Charlie please keep your inferior comments to yourself,you are so ignorant look around you white is a minority color is the majority. Life is like a box of crayons you only have one white crayon in a box of crayons.As far as being thugs, it was quite gangster how the pilgrims stole,murdered,robbed,and raped the Indians of their land and did the same thing to Africa so hate your own lineage for creating thuggery
Now back to football, Eli best watchout for Abraham and Bierman
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
I know folks sometimes question Ryan’s consistency . . . . .but Eli seems to have bigger hills and valleys. Here’s hoping for a “valley” performance from Manning next week.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:25 pm
Choke is right in the fact that a cold windy day is not Ryans best. I would have rather gone back to New Orleans in some respects.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:26 pm
This is what I don’t understand.
In 2007 The Falcants were 4-12
In 2007 The Ravens were 5-11
I keep hearing the Falcants fans saying the Ravens win playoff games because of
their great defense, but one year before Flacco arrive, that same defense only won 5 games.
The Ravens started over from a horrible 2007 season just like the Falcants, so you have
to look at the quarterbacks for each team, rebuilding in 2008.
No more excuses, both teams were horrible in 2007. You need to face the fact that
CHOKE is not a leader and not INTELLIGENT.
Flacco may not be a super star, but he doesn’t lose games that matter. He doesn’t
have safeties in the playoffs. He doesn’t throw a pick 6 before halftime when the game
is still within reach.
CHOKE is a BUST
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
Choke, I didn’t know the Ravens had a bad season in 2007. What happened? Injuries?? I do know they have been pretty darn good since they have had Ray Lewis, and that’s been a while. Was 2007 an anomaly?
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:28 pm
Hittman, I have said anything about color, ethnicity, or any other racial issues. The 2:12 was done by one of my fans….As they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:20 pm
Choke, no comment on my loyalties to MV7 when he was in Atlanta for the question you asked? Who is the coward now!
___________________________________________
Do you really believe I would take anything you say at face value?
Thank goodness a thing called “archives” were created…………….
HA HA HA
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:34 pm
Choke, then why ask? Also, 49ers were 2-14, Niners 5-11. yet, here are the niners going to the playoffs, and panthers sitting home with a LOSING record….So, but your logic, Cam is a LOSER too.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:35 pm
Cam is a bust. Can’t even get his team to the playoffs. O playoff appearances the ONLY stat that matters.
HITTMAN JAMILLION
January 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm
O my bad charlie i just hate negativity, i come on these blogs as a fan nothing more. I mean why would i go on a saints blog and talk about aaron brooks? Wth smh,it makes no since.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:38 pm
Actually, what stood between a winning and losing record for Carolina? Ice Ice Baby. Think about that, had Cam been able to out duel Ice, they are 9-7, maybe going to the playoffs. But we all know the pecking order in the NFC south.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:27 pm
Choke, I didn’t know the Ravens had a bad season in 2007. What happened? Injuries?? I do know they have been pretty darn good since they have had Ray Lewis, and that’s been a while. Was 2007 an anomaly
___________________________________________________________________
Between 2002-2007 the Ravens had 3 winning seasons and never made the playoffs
back-to-back during that time frame.
Since drafting Flacco they have not missed the playoffs.
Hope that helps
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Flacco is a good QB, although Ice is 1-0 against him….So I guess Ice has “more intelligence” than Flacco.
Also, Flacco plays in the AFC, and lets face it, the NFC is better, more competitive.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:38 pm
Actually, what stood between a winning and losing record for Carolina? Ice Ice Baby
_____________________________________________
Comparing a 21 year old rookie to a 26 year old ZERO man…………………..
All you need to know about CHOKE………………
HA HA HA
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Giants are getting healthy, they are gonna be tough.
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Got it. Flacco is a pretty good QB. He like Ryan also has some growing to do.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
Flacco is a good QB, although Ice is 1-0 against him….So I guess Ice has “more intelligence” than Flacco.
Also, Flacco plays in the AFC, and lets face it, the NFC is better, more competitive.
______________________________________________
The AFC North is sending Baltimore, Pittsburg & Cinncinati to the playoffs………………..
You are a CLOWN……………
HA HA HA
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Choke,
Hey, when Ryan was a rookie, he went to the playoffs…Just saying….. Sounds like you are making excuses AGAIN.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
2:42 pm
Got it. Flacco is a pretty good QB. He like Ryan also has some growing to do.
__________________________________________
No comparison…………….
Flacco has 4 road playoff wins, and has won at least one playoff game per season.
CHOKE has GOOSE Eggs……………
HA HA HA
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
Cincinnati? Really, REALLY? but yea, another ROOKIE going to the playoffs…The real rookie of the year.
And yes, that alone is PROOF that the AFC is weak. Cincinnati>
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:47 pm
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Choke,
Hey, when Ryan was a rookie, he went to the playoffs…Just saying….. Sounds like you are making excuses AGAIN.
___________________________________________
In Baltimore, just going to the playoffs don’t count…………….
HA HA HA