LIVE: Falcons try to provide some relief for Atlanta fans
Weather in the Washington D.C. area has been similar to mood of Falcons' fans: gloomy. (AP photo)
LANDOVER, Md. — Good morning. It’s the Sunday of what is shaping up as one of the worst sports weekends in Atlanta sports history. (I don’t want to declare it as the worst. Too much competition.)
On Friday, the Braves lost their wild card playoff game to St. Louis 6-3. On Saturday, Georgia got bodyslammed by South Carolina 35-7 and Georgia Tech lost to Clemson 47-31.
Today, it’s the Falcons’ turn to . . . well, what exactly?
They face the Washington Redskins. On paper, this is a game they should win. The Falcons are 4-0 for only the third time in franchise history (1986, 2004, 2012) and have one of the best offenses in the NFL. The Redskins are 2-2, their only wins this season have come over New Orleans (0-4) and Tampa Bay (1-3) and they have one of the worst defenses in the the NFL (29th in total defense, 31st in pass defense, 27th in scoring defense).
But if the backdrop of the Atlanta Sports Weekend From Hades isn’t enough reason to cause concern about today’s game, here are a few things that might:
• Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (RG3) can make plays and has been remarkably efficient for a rookie, completing 69.4 percent of his passes with four touchdown passes and only one interception in 124 attempts. He is averaging 250.8 yards passing per game, but he has been sacked eight times. He also is rushing for 58.5 yards per game (and has four touchdown runs).
• The Falcons’ pass protection, a question coming into the season, was a problem against Carolina last week. Quarterback Matt Ryan was sacked seven times. It needs to be better today, especially given that it’s a road game and crowd noise could become a factor.
• It’s not easy to stay undefeated in the NFL, no matter who the opponent is. That was reaffirmed in the Carolina game. The Panthers, particularly quarterback Cam Newton, were emotionally down and beat up coming into the game. But the Falcons were fortunate to get out of the Georgia Dome with a 30-28 win — only because of a last-minute field goal drive, helped by a 59-yard pass from Ryan to Roddy White.
For what it’s worth, it has been cold and drizzling in the Washington D.C. area, so we’ll see how that affects the two teams today.
What to look for? Mostly whether the Falcons come out firing against the Washington secondary, which includes our good friend (slight sarcasm), DeAngelo Hall. Hey, maybe Hall and coach Mike Smith can rumble again.
That’s it for now. Do you think the Falcons win today to end the sports misery in Atlanta, or do the Redskins complete a sweep?
I’ll be here all game to chat.. The cyber-venting lines are now open.
By the way, I just received the Falcons’ inactive list: QB Dominique Davis, CB Terrence Johnson, FB Lousaka Polite, T Lamar Holmes, TE Michael Palmer, DE Jonathan Massaquoi and DE Cliff Matthews.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,069 comments Add your comment
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
Ryan does not have a home run arm…. but he can really throw the down and out to the sideline ball better than anyone.
falconsrus
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
Tampa gator just beat the ol ball coach aihgt
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
Establish the RUN
Leeman Bennett
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
Roddy for 17! Move that ball.
ijonathan
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
Turner’s lack of speed gives the entire defense time to gang tackle and plug holes
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
Ther is something not right about Julo Jones! Its almost like he dosent try hard enough on his routs! He needs a goo swift ut kicking!
Falcons: Play 60
October 7th, 2012
3:10 pm
it’s like it’s an inside joke throwing to an offensive lineman … are they taking this game seriously?
phil
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
This is so frustrating……like the braves offense.
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
The outside was wide open
ijonathan
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
Why do we think that putting 45 offensive linemen on the field to clog up the middle will be any help to Turner? Sweep, create lanes, give him one cut.
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
That was a wasted down! Run to the pile and fal down.
Superbowl or Bust
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
long drive for a touchdown now
phil
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
Better! Nice run
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
Ever notice that we run worst with we go with “jumbo” package? First down!
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
3:11 pm
Matty Vick!!
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
That receiver was past 5 yards when he was shoved to the ground.
USMC
October 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
I am guessing this will be Michael Turner’s last year in the ATL.
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
Jeff Schultz
October 7th, 2012
2:59 pm
DawNole — Ripping Ryan, defending Vick doesn’t qualify as race-baiting, unless race brought into it.
______________________
I don’t envy your job of having to moderate your blogs–and appreciate the fact that you make an effort to do so. In the case of MCR, you have to look behind the words and read the MESSAGE, which in his case is loud and clear. You know it, I know it, Big Crimson knows it, and many others on here know it. Even MCR himself knows it. But as you’ve pointed out, it’s YOUR blog and YOU have to address these issues in a manner that YOU deem appropriate.
Superbowl or Bust
October 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
RG3 got knocked oooooooooooooout
LIVE: Falcons try to provide some relief for Atlanta fans | Washington Informer
October 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
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phil
October 7th, 2012
3:13 pm
Now the griffin love fest can end.
Mike
October 7th, 2012
3:14 pm
I think that’s it for RGIII. We knocked him out of the game. Not bragging, but I love to knock the QB out of the game.
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
3:14 pm
The Falcons need to shot gun more. This pocket looks smaller. I am still fuming about Chippers error Friday! What a JOKE! He is a HOF, but I am pissed! He cost t Braves that game and he has the nerves to say he is at peace! I BET you are loser!
Superbowl or Bust
October 7th, 2012
3:14 pm
welcome to trhe NFL robert, courtesy of the Falcons
phil
October 7th, 2012
3:14 pm
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
3:12 pm
That receiver was past 5 yards when he was shoved to the ground.
*********
saw it too. 83 knocked flat 8 yrds downfield. Crap no call.
Draggin' Fly
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
If Spoon was a Saint, he woulda just won the pot.
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
Need a TD on this drive.
USMC
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
Welcome to the NFL, “RG III”!
phil
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
What the heck? Idiots.
ijonathan
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
Brilliant
Mike
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
Mike bobo=Dirk Koetter
Superbowl or Bust
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
relax fellas, its in the cards……whoops sorry
Eric C.
October 7th, 2012
3:15 pm
????
J.J.M.
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
Lol a draw to quizz on 3rd down…playing to lose
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
Whatt????
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
Strange….strange…..strange….strange call.
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
That looks like some Mike Mularkey bullsit! What was that?
atlfalconsfan0125
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
What kind of call was that?
Jeff Schultz
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
Kirk Cousins in for Skins.
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
Rise Up Defense.
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
3:16 pm
Dirk is calling an interesting game….
phil
October 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
Boooooooo!!!!
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
Get a Turnover.
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
3:07 pm
Dawgnole…….
Better head coach……..the guy at FSU….or the guy at Florida? My bet long term is Muschamp. Kids in Florida are going to be heading back to Gainesville….if they are not already.
______________________
Muschamp??? Now, is that an objective opinion?
Time will tell. Based on last night, it’s Muschamp. Should be an interesting matchup Nov 24.
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
My lord…..they actually stopped the sweep…..once.
Superbowl or Bust
October 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
watch this back-up come in and beat us
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
3:17 pm
Dent has the cleanest uniform on the defense
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
3:18 pm
Wow how do yo explain that call I am still trying to figure that out! Robinson needs to be a linebacker! He hits better than he covers!
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
3:18 pm
Section — I don’t mind the run on 3rd & 3.
Our problem is we have weak RBs.
phil
October 7th, 2012
3:18 pm
Abe….