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
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:49 pm
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>
___________________________________________
You mean like losing to that AFC led Rookie in Houston……………….
Keep going Charlie, you foot is going deeper and deeper…………..
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
It’s no surprise based on your homework that you are a CHOKE supporter.
LOSERS love company………………….
HA HA HA
SMH@Falcons
January 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
Hey CHOKE your funny as hell!!!!
you be killing me..you are currently in the running for best comments ever made by a saints fan….
Here are the nominees
1.SeenThisB4
2.Hiramsaint
3.Matt “Choke” Ryan
4.#1SaintsFan
5.Whodat70816
~SeenThis is killing it right now, but your gaining on em
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
3:05 pm
Choke, I understand that is the big hurdle – playoff win. But as you know, I don’t hold that as the standard for who is the better QB, just who has the better team. But for now I put them in the same tier . . . .with my standards, I’ll put Ryan slightly higher than Flacco all things being the same . . .ie Team Defense.
Mr. SaintsFan Jr.
January 2nd, 2012
3:07 pm
I dont blame you guys for not wantign to come to New Olreans, I can see mass suicides in birdtown after Saturday night.
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
A description of Larry in his own words:
“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…”
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
Saints Fan Jr . . ..I don’t think anyone would look forward to playing the Saints . . .no matter the location. But it is the playoffs. One game. And that Defense has to be a bit of a concern. The Lions have proven they can score and throw the ball well. I do think Saints will win, but as you know from last year . . .stranger things have happened.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
3:13 pm
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
A description of Larry in his own words:
“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…”
______________________________________
Sounds like Charlie and his gang
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
3:16 pm
If you can’t get a playoff win at the minimum, what right have you earned to be the franchise leader?
In places like Baltimore, New York, New England, etc., they hold their quarterback to a higher standard and doesn’t support him blindly.
That explains why CHOKE is still viewed as a winner in this mediocre town………….
HA HA HA
Mr. SaintsFan Jr.
January 2nd, 2012
3:17 pm
You guys keep going back to that Seahawks game, we were down to our 8th string running back, we lost 3 defensive starters in the last game of the season againt Tampa. We had no running game, there was debate about playing our starters yesterday because of that reason. But I’m aware you Falcons not aware of all that info about the Seahawaks game. Last year is last year. I hope your Falcons can pull one off so the fans can have somethign to hang your hats on.
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
3:20 pm
Saints Fan Jr . . . . .When I talk about the Seahawks game it is not to ridicule the Saints. I like the Falcs but was brought up in Mass and now live in SE FL . . .Pats fan from childhood, but have liked the Falcons since the Gritz Blitz days . ..was a youngster then:) Like them even more now as a BC Alum – Ryan. So I don’t get into the NO – Atlanta Fans hate-fest. Just was mentioning anything can happen in the Playoffs . . .and when it does there is no second chance.
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
3:22 pm
“Sounds like Charlie and his gang”
Their like Vampires……Too ignore them would be best..
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
Saints Fan Jr . . . .Anything can happen in Playoffs .. .includes Super Bowl. So as a Pats fan I still have to live with the frustration of the NY Giants victory over the previously undefeated N.E. Nothing is tougher than that . . .even having to suffer Choke’s endless barrage of no Playoff Victories for Falcs with Matt Ryan as the QB. It is the truth and cannot be argued . . ..only the truth of a future Playoff win will end that debate. (Choke will then have to move on to no Conf Champ . . .then no SB – but that would be preferred to 0 – Whatever in playoffs!)
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
3:25 pm
Larry+Charlie=Museum pieces(Klowns) not clowns-Klowns…..
20th century elks……
Mister.Earl
January 2nd, 2012
3:28 pm
The depth the New Orleans Saints accumulated at running back is looking more important than ever as the team gets ready to enter the playoffs.
For a lot of teams, news like the reports that rookie running back Mark Ingram will have toe surgery and miss the postseason would be devastating. For the Saints, it’s not that big a deal.
That’s a big difference from last season, when the Saints had a bunch of injuries and basically ran out of running backs in the postseason. That was a major reason New Orleans lost to Seattle in the postseason.
But this time around is totally different. Even without Ingram, the Saints have plenty of depth and versatility in the backfield.
They have three healthy running backs in Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory. Sproles is the speed back and also is a big threat as a receiver out of the backfield.
Ingram mainly had been used as a power back. But Thomas and Ivory are capable of sharing that role.
If the Saints have to play an outdoors game in bad weather in San Francisco or Green Bay, the running game could be more important than ever. With Sproles, Thomas and Ivory, the Saints won’t miss Ingram all that much.
Mr. SaintsFan Jr.
January 2nd, 2012
3:29 pm
I agree with you Reader. just stating I truly believe we would have had a better showing last year then we did, this is an old rivarly one that will continue to play out till we all take our last breathe.
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
3:30 pm
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
Ever heard the term Doppleganger?
Doppleganger: alter ego, carbon, carbon copy, clone, counterpart, image (or doppelganger), double, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, fetch, likeness, look-alike, match, mirror image, picture, replica, ringer, spit, spitting image, twin
BINGO! LOL!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
@CGD
You may have a point.
The signing of Vick back in 2001 must be killing them even after 10 years.
HA HA HA
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
3:36 pm
Saints Fan Jr . . . .it’s been bad on the Playoff front for me the past 4 years. Pats and Falcons have both been one and done. Pats have not looked good in POs, Falcs did not look good last year . . .but I really thought they let that Arizona playoff was one for the taking that got away from Falcs in 2009.
Once Recent Reader
January 2nd, 2012
3:37 pm
. . ..and with the Pats D . . .and the Giants D playing well again . . . ..I can easily see another 1 and done for my favorite Teams this year!!
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
3:38 pm
You got it MCR!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
3:51 pm
All the Talk on The NFL Network & ESPN is Turner, Turner, Turner.
Not a mention of CHOKE…………….
HA HA HA
SMH@Falcons
January 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
@choke….your funny as hell!!!!
you be killing me..you are currently in the running for best comments ever made by a saints fan….
Here are the nominees
1.SeenThisB4
2.Hiramsaint
3.Matt “Choke” Ryan
4.#1SaintsFan
5.Whodat70816
~SeenThis is killing it right now, but your gaining on em
SMH@Falcons
January 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
lol
SMH@Falcons
January 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
@choke….your funny dude
you be killing em..you are currently in the running for best comments ever made by a saints fan….
Here are the nominees
1.SeenThisB4
2.Hiramsaint
3.Matt “Choke” Ryan
4.#1SaintsFan
5.Whodat70816
~SeenThis is killing it right now, but your gaining on em
SMH@Falcons
January 2nd, 2012
4:04 pm
.
Here are the nominees for best comments ever made by a saints fan…
1.SeenThisB4
2.Hiramsaint
3.Matt “Choke” Ryan
4.#1SaintsFan
5.Whodat70816
~SeenThis is killing it right now, but your gaining on em
Here are the nominees
1.SeenThisB4
2.Hiramsaint
3.Matt “Choke” Ryan
4.#1SaintsFan
5.Whodat70816
~SeenThis is killing it right now, but your gaining on em
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
When Eli picks-a-part that vaunted Falcons D
And puts up a Shellacking on the broken wings watch em crawl back into their rabbit holes and the silence will be huge…….Crickets……………………………… Kinda like what happen last week after that beat down from the Saints…..
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Today these delusional fanatics have their chest all pumped up and sticking out after beating up a very poorly playing team who lost 10 in a row..Whats amazing is the Falcons had actually lost to this sorry organization early in the season outside on the road…
OUTSIDE ON THE ROAD!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Steve-O
January 2nd, 2012
4:18 pm
CGD..
January 2nd, 2012
4:09 pm
Today these delusional fanatics have their chest all pumped up and sticking out after beating up a very poorly playing team who lost 10 in a row..Whats amazing is the Falcons had actually lost to this sorry organization early in the season outside on the road…
OUTSIDE ON THE ROAD!!!! Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
__________________________________________________________________________________
So did the Saints.
KC
January 2nd, 2012
4:49 pm
Go buy Matt Ryan some track shoes – he is going to need them
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
It is quit simple, if Flacco is better than Ryan due to playoff since, Dalton is better than Cam, due to him getting his team to the playoffs. You guy just hate it when I use your own logic to make you look like idiots. It is fun.
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
5:13 pm
CGD
Today these delusional fanatics have their chest all pumped up and sticking out after beating up a very poorly playing team who lost 10 in a row….What does that say about the coach and QB of this team that lots 10 in a row….And they did beat us earlier, and they beat the saints too….So, they had talent, must be the QB and HC.
SMH@Falcons
January 2nd, 2012
5:22 pm
There is an award coming up
The nominees are
5. #1SaintsFan
4. Whodat70816
3. HiramSaint
2. Matt “Choke” Ryan
1. SeenThisB4
Marc
January 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
was in the dome for the tampa game. fans were awesome. lots of passion. looking forward to this playoff win.
henry ledford
January 2nd, 2012
5:52 pm
I’ll be so glad when this season is over. I’m sick to death of hearing how we lost to Green bay last year. Didn’t other teams lose in the playoffs? How ’bout New Orleans losing to a 7-9 team>
henry ledford
January 2nd, 2012
5:53 pm
How can I repeat myself when this is my first time ever to comment?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
6:32 pm
Mr Charlie
January 2nd, 2012
5:11 pm
It is quit simple, if Flacco is better than Ryan due to playoff since, Dalton is better than Cam, due to him getting his team to the playoffs. You guy just hate it when I use your own logic to make you look like idiots. It is fun.
____________________________________________
Who said Cam was better? That’s your conscience haunting you
Just because Cam set the record for passing for a rookie and other records, I never said he
was better. You just did.
HA HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
January 2nd, 2012
6:33 pm
CHOKE is not even the best quarterback on his team.
The jury is still out on Redman>CHOKE……………
HA HA HA
Delusion of the FAILCANTS fans is comical
January 2nd, 2012
7:17 pm
Hating on the Saints in a FAILCANTS blog is funny….I would be focused on the beat down you are about to receive by the Giants….it will be like clubbing baby seals for the G-men….pity…
doggoneit
January 2nd, 2012
7:31 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan—- falcons ARE IN THE playoffs … And you still live with your Mother HA HA HA HA HA HA
DeyGonBeatDem
January 2nd, 2012
7:47 pm
The nominees for the best comments made by saints fans are…
SeenThisB4
HiramSaint
Matt Choke Ryan
#1SaintsFan
~~~Yall be killing em’
Keep it going!!!
Atl > NY
January 3rd, 2012
11:01 am
The giants aren’t that good—Atl should be able to beat them by 10+. Ryan will light up their weak secondary and the angry falcons D will shut down manning.
Gerhart76
January 3rd, 2012
2:12 pm
I remember way too many times, that the Falcons looked like the Bucs in the last game of the year with their bags already packed with a soon to be fired coach after 3 seasons (or a punished GM annoited the interim coach, i.e. Pat Peppler). This is much better; but I do understand those wanting more.
I’m just not sold that we are as talented as we think we are. We absoutely have to do something about our pass rush or we are going to get killed.
I’m also much more comfortable with Svitek rather than Baker (who has either regressed or has a worse injury than indicated)
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January 3rd, 2012
2:40 pm
[...] Falcons have talent. But they are 0-2 in the playoffs under this regime and they’ve struggled against good teams this season. To succeed in this postseason, they’ll need to win on the road, in the cold and/or difficult [...]
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January 4th, 2012
11:27 pm
[...] I noted the other day that the Falcons (10-6) largely fattened up on mediocre opponents this season while going only 2-4 against winning teams, I thought it would be only fair to break [...]
FalconsGal777
January 6th, 2012
5:22 pm
I agree with Dawg48. Past a point, we beat enough teams to make it here. If we blow it, yes, it’s going to suck. So relish right now, my friends.