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
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:31 pm
Unfortunately Humphrey did not get to play with that team… Falcons went 3-4 and he was forced out… He did get back into the league with the Eagles and made the Super Bowl on the 80 team that wiped the floor with Cowboys after they stunned the Falcons…
phil
October 7th, 2012
4:31 pm
Great Falconi
October 7th, 2012
4:28 pm
phil talks this way about any team covered on the AJC. This is what he does. Because he’s commenting on Atlanta pro or Georgia college teams, he’s usually right. It’s up to the teams to shut him and many of the others out here (including me) up and do something meaningful when it matters the most.
*********
EXACTLY!! Waiting and hoping still….
Sid
October 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
Tampa Gator…..that 80’s team also hit and tackled well. I was at Futlon Co Stadium when Danny White threw the dying duck pass to Preston Pearson…..Falcons had that game won. Damn Cowboys…have hated them ever since. Cried all the way home and it was COLD.
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
Mmm, little boys…
phil
October 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
Fire Mike Smith?
Nah…..
Yo Vince
October 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Seen this, J S S, MCR last seen kissing each others tears and azz
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Tampa G…
Yeah, he played on the 82 team (the first strike), they made the playoffs and laid an egg in Minnesota…
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
I am out….allergic to negative talk about a 5-0 team that is totally different from the last three years they have played! 790 the zone spoke about all the people who say we never win in the playoffs….we know! Can we just enjoy being 5-0; if not come back during the playoffs and blog…until then I will keep cheering on this 5-0 team!
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:22 pm
And you say you a fan phil? Quiting before we even get there? Real gan….
______________________
More gibberish from the dope. Let’s see now, how many errors can we squeeze into one line of type?
Old School
October 7th, 2012
4:33 pm
Wow, what a game from Tony! Jeff, are the 13 snags a single game, career high?
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:34 pm
Bennett didn’t know what to do with Riggs, he actually ran back kicks that year…
phil
October 7th, 2012
4:34 pm
But the 80 team choked as all have done but the 95 Braves…..
It is our destiny….
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
4:34 pm
GB in trouble….
FalconsFan
October 7th, 2012
4:34 pm
LOL> Vick has more tunovers than TDs. The Eagles should be 1-4
Yo Vince
October 7th, 2012
4:34 pm
J S S, MCR, Seen This last seen kissing each others tears and azz
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
4:35 pm
Phil — I understand the frustration concerning the pro teams in town, butt give these Falcons a chance.
This Team is going places.
We practically have the Division won. We’re still getting better.
Matty Ice is the biggest reason.
TrishaDishawareagle
October 7th, 2012
4:35 pm
GB going down to the colts! Lets go chargers tonight!
Sid
October 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
thanks Dawg Nole….I knew they had a long winning streak in 80. They could never beat the Rams in L.A. ….always ugly games.
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Still crying about your puppies getting leashed yesterday? Lol. So sad you still mad…..is the gibberish? Or did I get that right? 35 – 7……lol. lets godawgs sickem! Lol you got beat by a chicken…..
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Great Falconi
October 7th, 2012
4:28 pm
phil talks this way about any team covered on the AJC. This is what he does. Because he’s commenting on Atlanta pro or Georgia college teams, he’s usually right. It’s up to the teams to shut him and many of the others out here (including me) up and do something meaningful when it matters the most.
________________
Well done.
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Scam is having a hard time today against the Hawks
cybo
October 7th, 2012
4:37 pm
Weatherspoon dancing on the sideline AFTER THE GAME worries me.
Please dont get locked up after the game
GO HOME PLEASE
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:38 pm
FYI i am typing on a cell puppynole! Lol. Worry about your puppies instead of me fake angus fan! Lol. Yip yip……sound of a puppy getting pecked by a chicken!
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:39 pm
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:36 pm
Still crying about your puppies getting leashed yesterday? Lol. So sad you still mad…..is the gibberish? Or did I get that right? 35 – 7……lol. lets godawgs sickem! Lol you got beat by a chicken…..
___________________
You said you were outta here. As big a liar as MCR–only a lot dumber.
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:39 pm
Close Old School, 2004 he had 14 catches…
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
Down goes GB. Glad Falcons are not losing those types of games
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
Yip yip…..yip
Draggin' Fly
October 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
Colts down the Pack
ijonathan
October 7th, 2012
4:41 pm
I’m doing my Discount Doublecheck move here in honor of another GB collapse.
atlfalconsfan0125
October 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
Packers just lost!
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
I am out now, Clowney is sacking my QB again and I am getting pecked by a chicken….yip…yip……yip
Bri
October 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
Rise Up!! My guys got it done! 24-17 Go Falcons!! 5-0!!
rm
October 7th, 2012
4:43 pm
How bout them Colts…
Old School
October 7th, 2012
4:43 pm
Thank JSS! Wow, and he’s in his 16th season. Making the youngsters look bad
YouKnowWho is a Troll
October 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
I’m still waiting to see where MCR is. No one runs his yap, but then runs away when things go bad faster than that guy.
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:44 pm
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
4:35 pm
Phil — I understand the frustration concerning the pro teams in town, butt give these Falcons a chance.
This Team is going places.
We practically have the Division won. We’re still getting better.
Matty Ice is the biggest reason.
____________________
It can all change in a heartbeat Big C, as it has so many times in ATL.
After nearly a half-century of futility, it’s up to the team to prove itself first, then the fans will return. Long way to go this season. A huge first step would be a win next week vs Oakland, followed by that bye week to heal up and rest. It’s all out there in front of them, if they can just take advantage.
Voice of Reason
October 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
CHOKE — WHERE ARE YOU????? Vick loses, Ryan wins — and most important, the Falcons TEAM wins!!!! Where are you Choke the Joke? Where are you???
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:45 pm
(FAKE) JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:32 pm
“Mmm, little boys…”
Enjoy you ban… You should have read Page 1 before you dropped that one I suspect!
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
4:46 pm
Answer this
October 7th, 2012
4:42 pm
I am out now, Clowney is sacking my QB again and I am getting pecked by a chicken….yip…yip……yip
__________________
Knew you’d be back. Liar!
Falcon Nation
October 7th, 2012
4:47 pm
Real fans are here for the long haul DawgNole….not just when we win…..
Section 212
October 7th, 2012
4:49 pm
Our kicker made a 53 yarder off the grass in the rain…GB kicker missed 51 yarder indoors.
Voice of Reason
October 7th, 2012
4:49 pm
CHOKE??? WHERE ARE YOU, JOKE???? {sound of crickets. Crickets. Cheep, cheep, cheep …} It’s all about heart. These FALCONS are for real!!!
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:50 pm
DawgNole, we never agree, but why let him get to you?
Big Crimson 75
October 7th, 2012
4:56 pm
Giants, Pakers & obviously the Saints are not as good as they have been.
Our competition is coming from our old Division, the West — in particular the 49ers.
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
5:00 pm
Falcon Nation
October 7th, 2012
4:47 pm
Real fans are here for the long haul DawgNole….not just when we win…..
________________________
I’ve been here since 1966. That’s the long haul. It’s included a lot of losses, and I’m still here. I’ve never left and never will.
How about you?
DawgNole
October 7th, 2012
5:02 pm
JSS
October 7th, 2012
4:50 pm
DawgNole, we never agree, but why let him get to you?
___________________
Who never agrees? And who’s getting to me? Guess I need a little more clarity.
Falcon Nation
October 7th, 2012
5:04 pm
Grew up in Grant Park and the old man would take me to Fulton County to see the games…..I am the second generation and my daughter is part of the Nation……all I am saying……is that you have to stay true to the Nation….cause when we win its going to be soooooo sweet!
JSS
October 7th, 2012
5:05 pm
Matthew Ryan, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MarkATL
October 7th, 2012
5:05 pm
Oh Choke… Heeeerrrreeeeee Choke!!!!! Come out, come out, where ever you are!!! LOL
JSS
October 7th, 2012
5:08 pm
Crimson… The NFC is cannibalizing itself… The Niners (bye) and the Vikings (Wildcard weekend) will have a home field if win… The thing you don’t want to see is someone in the NFC East or the Central suddenly get an identity… All bets are off if that happens, excluding Dallas, they can get hot and can run the ball, but you can discount it if you like…