LIVE: Falcons can make it 6-0 before getting a little rest
Michael Turner scored the wining touchdown last week at Washington. (AP photo)
Five games into the season, the Falcons (5-0) already have a 3½ game lead over Tampa Bay (1-3) and a four-game lead over New Orleans (`-4) and Carolina (1-4). They also are one of only two unbeaten teams in the NFL and lead the race for home field advantage through the NFC playoffs.
What does this all mean? Well, not quite nothing. But not nearly everything.
It’s only October, and as impressive as the Falcons have been in many areas — particularly pass offense, pass protection and to so me degree pass defense — they weren’t great in consecutive come-from-behind wins over Carolina and Washington. The biggest issues remain the running game and run defense, which also happen to be the two factors (along with quarterback play) that generally separate the Super Bowl contenders from the also-rans in December and January.
Today’s game against Oakland seems to set up perfectly. The Raiders (1-3) aren’t very good, they can’t run the ball (32nd) and their secondary is horrible. The Falcons also know they have a bye week after today, before going into a potentially difficult three-game stretch (at Philadelphia, home against Dallas, at New Orleans).
Matt Ryan should be able to throw the ball against this team. But at some point, the Falcons need to get their running game on track. Michael Turner had a 13-yard touchdown run in last week’s win at Washington but generally he has struggled this season behind a weak-blocking line.
Just a few bullet points and then I’ll open up the phone lines.
• Linebacker Stephen Nicholas (ankle) and defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (groin) were both limited in practice this week but are in the lineup.
• Falcons coach Mike Smith (48-21) can tie Dan Reeves (49-59-1) as the winningest coach in franchise history in only his fifth season.
• Tight end Tony Gonzalez needs one touchdown catch to hit 100 in his career. He has four already this season — previous season totals with the Falcons: 6, 6 and 7 — and had 13 receptions for 123 yards and a TD at Washington.
That’s it for now. The cyber-venting lines are open. I’ll be here if you have any questions.
By Jeff Schultz
•
Earlier blogs from the digital jukebox
• Fan revolts out of control, one even wanted to fight UGA player
• Weekend Predictions: No sacrifices, but Falcons, LSU win
• Video blog: Are Falcons (5-0) really better than before?
• Radakovich says Johnson is ‘right person for job’
• Al Groh’s problems at Georgia Tech weren’t pure ‘fantasy’
• Falcons are easy highlight in Atlanta’s dark sports weekend
• Short takes: Gonzalez, Bryant and missing RG3 in Falcons’ win
• Braves’ Frank Wren needs to fix good, but not great, team
• Chipper Jones on loss in his finale: ‘Ultimately, I’m to blame’
• Spurrier should take a lesson from Richt on handling criticism
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1,090 comments Add your comment
phil
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
Why are so many of you so dumb is the better question?
Billyho55
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
HERE WE GO! ICE TIME!
Sav FAN
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
INT coming up
shun
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
the game is tied. the falcons r not losing
ramblinwreck80
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
no consistent pressure on Palmer and see what happens…TIE GAME!!!
J.J.M.
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
Here comes a INT from ryan
Ted
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
Just dumb
ijonathan
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
GET. OUT. OF., BOUNDS
Kyle
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
Could Mike Nolan have played that anymore wimpy? Where is that defense that played against Denver. I haven’t seen it since that night.
treaddawg
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
Yep gotta learn not to celebrate till it’s over, unless it isn’t close
LOL at the Aints
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
Relax fellas,, we got this! LOL
Thomas DimiHairGel
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
We’re not Anti-Falcons!
We’re calling out terrible play. We haven’t looked good in weeks!
guest
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
Cmon!!!!
You gotta get out of bounds on that!!!!!!!!!
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
Brian Vangorder
October 14th, 2012
3:55 pm
you clowns still suck with out me.HAHA
HOW is LIFE in Auburn?
theight
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
As I stated earlier in the weekTony Dungey right. throwing the ball 50+ times per game is not going to do it. You can’t control the clock. If you don’t put up points the opposing team will stick around and beat that a s s. This defense stay on the field way too much because of the offense. This should be vice versa.
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
need a fieldgoal to win……………………..
FalconUGAFan
October 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
The bastion of the less intelligent..name calling
shun
October 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
gumbel and dierdorf must really love the raiders. mcfadden has been shut down and they act like he has 300 yards rushing
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
We’re gonna inch it down the field!!
Ghost of Al Davis
October 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
The Falcons will never beat the 49ers, Eagles or Giants in the playoffs. Enjoy your 6-0
Brian Vangorder
October 14th, 2012
3:57 pm
Dennis Allen was on Falcons defense a few years ago.
Ted
October 14th, 2012
3:58 pm
Lets pretend Julio Jones is on our team, and try and find him on a flag pattern.
Thomas DimiHairGel
October 14th, 2012
3:58 pm
Why throw that pass?
Brian Vangorder
October 14th, 2012
3:58 pm
defense coach that is.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
3:58 pm
Thomas DimiHairGel
October 14th, 2012
3:56 pm
We’re not Anti-Falcons!
We’re calling out terrible play. We haven’t looked good in weeks!
Not every team does BUT hell the NY GIANTS won the Super bowl after not looking good for weeks.
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
guest
October 14th, 2012
3:54 pm
Why are Falcons fans so vehemently ANTI Falcon??????
_______________________
Are you stupid? Look at the team’s history. We WANT to win. Just weary of the annual beatdowns.
guest
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
Geti it to Matty (Bryant) Ice!
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
BRYANT wins it
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
this is the ballgame boys…………………
Jeff Schultz
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
55 . . .
musicgeekmusic
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
Enter your comments here
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
That one was ugly!!
FalconUGAFan
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
Agreednot anti-Falcon…just used to these games not going our way….
shun
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
thanks for the practice kick
GritzBlitz
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
guest
October 14th, 2012
3:54 pm
Why are Falcons fans so vehemently ANTI Falcon??????
___________________________________________________
Too many are like 5150….
dean
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
Bryant has the range. if he can get the bearing.. over
Mora less Petrino
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
6-0! Ugly, ugly, ugly, win! Key word being WIN!
The Duke
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
55 yards…………FALCONS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many more wait till next year
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
Falcons WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
$$$ Bryant
Ol'JacketFan
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
Falcons win 6-0
dean
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
Biiiiiggggg EXHALE
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
Did Bryant make up for that earlier miss or what!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL at the Aints
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
6 and 0 baby! Told yall we had this…
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
3:59 pm
guest
October 14th, 2012
3:54 pm
Why are Falcons fans so vehemently ANTI Falcon??????
_______________________
Are you stupid? Look at the team’s history. We WANT to win. Just weary of the annual beatdowns.
========================================
A dWag and Nole should feel that way just judging from your college teams choices.
GOOD>……………GOOD………………..GOOD told you F……ing Falcon HATERS.
CHOKE on THIS………..
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
thats your ballgame boys……………………hehehehe………………………6 – 0 Choke and Falcon haters…………………………….
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
Just Win Baby
shun
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
lol win baby win
GritzBlitz
October 14th, 2012
4:01 pm
Let’s see cocky Matt Ryan make a “get the F off my field” comment now…. He did nothing to contribute to the win.
theight
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
Matt Bryant is the new hero of this team!!