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
guest
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
The REAL Matty Ice
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
That was good from 60
kerryb
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
Never EVER give Matt Ryan 40 sec and 2 TO’s
The Duke
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
Matty Ice Baby. That’s why he makes the big bucks.
80sFalcon
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
The secondary owes that man a beer!
oldfart
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
Coaches are going to learn at some point that you can’t give the kicker a mulligan with the late time out call to “ice” them.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
Damn it! Where’s my lube?
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
you got to keep the Faith and believe……………………
falconsrus
October 14th, 2012
4:02 pm
Matty Ice and Matt Ice what a duo!!!
no matter how you slice it we 6-0 babies
phil
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
GritzBlitz
October 14th, 2012
4:00 pm
I HATE the MUTTS………………….I cheer for the FALCONS to win.
Josh
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
not pretty – but a win is a win.
yoohoo
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
yeah baby
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
TD Falcons!!
drew
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
Yeah…this team ain’t that good.
All they do is WIN BABY!
6-0.
Choke on THAT, haters.
BWAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
treaddawg
October 14th, 2012
4:03 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.
Err, he completed the last pass that enabled the field goal…
shun
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
matt ryan is the best in the clutch
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
lol @ Choke or in other words……………………chokinggggggggggg
stizz
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
It is scary that we can play at 10% and still win.
Ted
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
6-0 Ugly win, but still a W.
ramblinwreck80
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
WOW…at least one Matt came to play today!!!
How many more wait till next year
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
GritzBlitz…u a Idiot!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
That’s just proof that with a weak schedule
they are winning in SPITE of CHOKE not BECAUSE of him.
Philly and the wide 9 says………
Come get some…………
HA HA
Sav FAN
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
I knew all would turn out okay-bring on all commers
MTSeats
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
how can MSmith be happy
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
Phil back on the bandwagon again …….hey ?………………..hehehehehehe
Tony
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
Oh my God what a kick, this kind of game makes you think this is going to be a special year. Whao.
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
I was away like I said I would be! Now what you friigging witch angus haters!
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
4:05 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!
_____________________
Thank you.
But we’ll definitely take this ugly W.
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
go get your lube choke………………………
ijonathan
October 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
MCR…Wide 9? I think that was Vick’s nickname in the joint.
Billyho55
October 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
SO, WHATCHA GOTTA SAY NOW YOU FAKE PUNK BASS FANS! A WIN IS A WIN IN THE NFL! ENORMOUSLY UGLY WIN!
drew
October 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
ICE baby!
Mike Franklin
October 14th, 2012
4:05 pm
Good thing this is pro football… ESPN would not give any style points for this win… no one got a broke leg to amuse them, either. 6-0 would mean nothing.
Now 6-19 Against End of Season Ranked Teams Since '05
October 14th, 2012
4:06 pm
It’s official….the Falcons are now AFC West champs!!!
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
I dont think Houston will beat Green Bay…………….look for Atlanta to be the only undefeated team in the NFL
GritzBlitz
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
How many more wait till next year
October 14th, 2012
4:03 pm
GritzBlitz…u a Idiot!
_______________________
Thank you Honey Boo Boo!
How many more wait till next year
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
Yes, we played bad D and bad O but WE NEVER QUIT.
Tell it like it is.
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
we will take it!
Mike "CHOKE" Vick
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
We aren’t even good but we’re 6-0! We played on 10% today yet still won! Good teams do that! I’m out!
dean
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
MTseats.
Because there is a 0 in the L column
GregKennesaw
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
ugly win but 6-0 baby!
Ol'JacketFan
October 14th, 2012
4:07 pm
Vick 2 ints and a fumble
The Duke
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
CHOKE is a chick. Note the nickname. Men don’t use emoticons.
Walker T
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
Yes, DawgNole, yes. We are there. Great to be 6-0 with bye coming up, even not playing our best.
drew
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
I’ll take an ugly win over a pretty loss everyday.
Now take a week off and clean some things up.
Our defense was mostly bad today, with few moments of brilliance.
FalconUGAFan
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
GG Falcons…
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
OAKLAND and the FALCON haters are tasting the Kiwi from BRYANT’S Black kicking shoe cause it is so far up their butts their lips are Black…………
I think a Kicker for New England WON a Super Bowl…………HAHHAAAAH
Hate on HATERS………
Billyho55
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
naysayers,
TAKE BOTH YOUR ARMS…CROSS THEM…NOW BRING THEM TOWARD YOUR WAIST UNTIL THEY TOUCH!!!
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
4:08 pm
WTG Matty LEG Bryant and Matty ICE for getting him in range and the entire defense and offense for a great game
6-0 and to the bye we go!!! 4-0 against the AFC West!!! we win their division haha