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
The Real Falcon
October 7th, 2012
4:04 pm
5-0 BABY!
The Real Falcon
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Will be tailgating as always Sunday!!!
Falcons65
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
That’s a beautiful thing.
TrishaDishawareagle
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
WTG Matty WTG TonyG for a great game.. WTG Roddy and Julio WTG O-line WTG D
WTG Pittsburgh for stuffing mike vick down into his helmet and punting it..
WTG Coach Smith!!! 5-0 5-0 5-0
eddie willers
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Guess he ain’t no Danny White.
Cursed
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Vick just lost morons
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Wow Ray Edwards is still on the team? Where the hell has he been? Decou, Witherspoon, Ryan, Gonzales,Jones, Roddy all pro bowlers this year!
dawggirl
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Thank you Falcons for salvaging this horrible weekend. 5-0 looks pretty damn good. Love that we got to sack KC and make him throw two interceptions.
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Yes. Hey Choke, get off the ledge!!!
Sid
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
Dog Killer loses again
MenVSBoys
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
5-0 with a struggling Raider team next week. Looks good for the 1st half of this season.
Leeman Bennett
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
We have never passed this way before!
phil
October 7th, 2012
4:05 pm
5-0
Never thought I’d see this day!
Way to grind it out and prove me wrong.
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
Meanwhile, Vick’s bunch has lost another one. Like I said, MCR is a liar (as well as a dirtbag).
falconsrus
October 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
Cherk down in flames like a sad troll, try to keep the hair on your chinny chin chin up ha ha ha
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
Wow….
I thought those Andrews and Cain teams went 5-0 at least once. Guess not. Way to pull it out Falcons….after playing while dreaming for most of the game. Who is next?
ab initio
October 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
Glad we won, but this was too close. This team has got to carve out an identity on both sides of the ball, or this season will end as quickly as the others.
Smith is going to have to help with that question of identity.
JK
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
Dear Choke. Falcons 5-0, Fumblin’, Bumblin’ Mike Vick 3-2.
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
Dam they did lose! Well I still like Vick….. but them dam turnovers!!!!!!!
Eric C.
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
5-0 woo hoo!
phil
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
Struggling teams are dangerous…..
Never, ever underestimate anyone in this league!!!
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
Philly loses…..that’s too bad.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8E_zMLCRNg
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
…and the cherry on top??
Mike “Choke” Vick, coughs up a few more today, and the federal convict loses yet again!!!
David
October 7th, 2012
4:08 pm
Choke,
Where you at, bud? You were just boasting about all the come back wins Vick has had this year. Unless ESPN/CBS/NFL.com and many others are wrong, then it turns out Pittsburgh won that game, not Philadelphia. Both are in the same state, man, but they’re different cities and teams.
You’re about as intelligent as our ex-quarterback.
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
4:08 pm
Why would Tony Gonzalez retire……he is still the best TE in the game. And will be again next year if he decides to play again. What an amazing athlete.
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:08 pm
Here comes the Raiders to the Birds Nest next week!
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:09 pm
ab initio
October 7th, 2012
4:06 pm
Glad we won, but this was too close. This team has got to carve out an identity on both sides of the ball, or this season will end as quickly as the others.
Smith is going to have to help with that question of identity.
__________________
Now don’t be negative or Answer This (Mr. Smarmy) will be all in your face.
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
October 7th, 2012
4:09 pm
…..now if the Aints lose today, bring out the paper bags!!!! 0-5 anyone???
Anyone hear from “SeenThisB4″ lately???
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
4:09 pm
David…..
I think Mick Vick is intelligent…….but lacks a sense of morality……what is wrong and what is right.
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
Could GB lose to Indy?
eddie willers
October 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
Smith is going to have to help with that question of identity.</I.
LOL… Ryan, White, Jones, Turner, Douglas, Gonzalez….I am sure any coach would LOVE to have THAT identity problem.
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
@ Tampa G…
Nope, they had a 9 game win streak in 80…
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
FALCON FAN
October 7th, 2012
4:07 pm
Dam they did lose! Well I still like Vick….
____________________
And that’s your problem.
phil
October 7th, 2012
4:10 pm
Tony Gonzalez….
Legend.
He deserves a statute.
falconsrus
October 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
And Aaron Rodgers sacked twice in a row trailing Colts!!!
Sid
October 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
Tampa Gator the best those Andrews-Cain teams was 12-4 on ‘80…..I think they started 4-2 that year and then won like 8 in a row.
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
October 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
…..I don’t know DawgNole….I just had this calm sense that the Falcons would win today.
Ryan looks like Brady, Brees (not the Brees of this year), or Rodgers out there..
oldfart
October 7th, 2012
4:11 pm
TG has stated that he wants to break the mold of the typical great athlete and go out while leaving some on the table. He’s doing so well though that I’m hoping he reconsiders.
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
Tony G is remarkable. Sure hoping the team can send him out on a high note in early ‘13–unless he wants to come back.
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
DawgNole……
NC State????? I mean…..NC State???? Of all teams to lose to……NC State???? Didn’t Ga. Tech beat NC State???? Or was it Western Kentucky???? I mean…..lose to NC State???? Ranked 3rd in the nation…..and lose to NC State of all people. NC State?????
cybo
October 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
Hey Falcon Fan
Dont Forget Matt Bryant
atlfalconsfan0125
October 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
Yes!
Michael
October 7th, 2012
4:12 pm
Ditto @ Phil, Tony Gonzalez is a legend.
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:13 pm
They started 3-2 or 2-3 almost every season
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
October 7th, 2012
4:13 pm
…Seriously….”crickets chirping”…..that all you got “Choke”??
Go give your Vick blow up doll a hug okay?
Tampa Gator
October 7th, 2012
4:13 pm
DawgNole…..
Of course…..Florida plays Vandy next week. Scares me……when FSU can lose to NC State.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 7th, 2012
4:13 pm
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since ‘05
October 7th, 2012
4:09 pm
…..now if the Aints lose today, bring out the paper bags!!!! 0-5 anyone???
Anyone hear from “SeenThisB4″ lately???
I saw him on Bourbon Street with a Brown Paper Bag on his head !
eddie willers
October 7th, 2012
4:13 pm
Tampa Gator the best those Andrews-Cain teams was 12-4 on ‘80
That was the best Falcon team to date (even better than that weird Super Bowl team) until maybe now.
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
October 7th, 2012
4:14 pm
good call Cybo, money 52-yarder by Bryant!