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
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
5:27 pm
One point win is all the insurance I need…
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
5:32 pm
3 point win or 53 point win, it is all the same in the NFL ..there are no coaches writers or computer polls involved. It is nothing like college football where a team such as Alabama really is 50 points superior to an apponent. In the NFL the difference in 6-0 and 3-3 teams can likely be 1 player. Look at the records of Pittsburgh and new orleans(i hate the saints) this year..are they really that much worse than the same teams over the last 5 years? no its what one or two players or even 1 or 2 plays can mean in the NFL so when you are given 6-0, as fans, we need to smile and say thank sir you may I have another! Thats my feelings on it, anyway
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
5:34 pm
i type cixelsyd
musicgeekmusic
October 14th, 2012
5:47 pm
Trisha is spot on. We haven’t won pretty the last three weeks, but we’ve won, something Falcons teams of old wouldn’t have done. We don’t cave this season, and that’s a big plus. Also, despite what naysayers may babble, when a QB throws 3 picks and still has the confidence on his arm and skills to put the team in field goal range in the last few seconds, that’s huge. Matt had a crap game, no question, but we didn’t fold. Philly is a HUGE game. They’ve owned us for years and, if we come out of that with a W, well, sky’s the limit.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
5:48 pm
For the Vick lovers:
They can’t even beat the Lions at Home, no less.
Btw, the Lions committed 16 penalties today, a league high!!
How’d the PETA’s favorite player do today?
Well, in OT, the first 2 plays were sacks!!
Fact is, the Falcons & Eagles are identical Teams.
Both have weapons on the outside, Philly has an edge at RB, the Falcons have an edge at TE.
Both Defenses have basically the same stats.
One Team is 6 & 0, the other is 3 & 3.
You tell me.
It sure as hell ain’t our coaching advantage!!
The Duke
October 14th, 2012
5:55 pm
I didn’t see Matt Ryan limping around with a leg brace on like McCrackon was with that pro o line vs Mizzou…lol…
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
5:55 pm
Trisha — keep your head up Gal.
I know it’s been tough on the Plains on this year!!
At least you show up,unlike some of your brethren.
Btw, I’m getting so sick & tired of these networks showing other jerseys in our Dome, every week!!
There are more freakin Giants fans in the stands in SF today than 49er fans!!
Do they mention it?
Michael
October 14th, 2012
5:56 pm
@Big Crimson 75 let it go, that was the past, so for Heaven please let Michael Vick move on with his life. We want to enjoy the Falcons of today, without being reminded of the past. PETA are a bunch of idots anyway. They are now protesting the fish at the GA Aqu.
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
6:02 pm
musicgeekmusic
ctober 14th, 2012
5:47 pm
Philly is a HUGE game. They’ve owned us for years and, if we come out of that with a W, well, sky’s the limit.
____________________
Generally agree, but they didn’t own us last year, when we beat them and knocked Vick out of the game. Unfortunately, that victory wasn’t enough to earn us our first playoff victory in the Smith regime.
extremus
October 14th, 2012
6:05 pm
Okay, let’s start with the positives. A win is a win in a league where every one is huge. Being 6-0 for the first time in team history going into the bye is great. A repeatedly demonstrated ability to win under high pressure is…to some degree…reassuring.
That said, the 2012 Falcons may have a perfect record an an inside track currently to the division title and even home field advantage in the playoffs, but they’re still obviously not a perfect team. We know that in the NFL, an upset can happen any given Sunday, but this makes three narrow escapes for Matt Ryan and company since opening the season with those impressive blowouts, all against teams with sub-.500 records. If this sounds familiar, it should; it’s how the Falcons that went 13-3 while playing in many similar contests were doing a couple of years ago. They won the NFC South and home field advantage only to get utterly embarrassed by Green Bay two weeks later.
I’m not saying whether history will or won’t repeat itself. To be certain, the defense seems more solid (not to mention they’ve saved this team’s collective bacon more than once) so far this year. Ryan is throwing with more accuracy and strength, today’s performance notwithstanding. But as we saw in that first half, it doesn’t matter much if you go 13 for 17 in passing if 3 of the remaining 4 are picks. And with a receiving corps like this, the Falcons should be running up the score and putting opposing teams away, not allowing them to hang around or take late leads.
So far I like the work that Koetter and Nolan have done alongside Mike Smith; the Falcons are definitely improved on both sides of the ball. But it was evident that this team A) needs the bye week to rest up in a bad way and B) needs that time to shore up the chinks that opposing teams have begun to exploit in their armor. 6-0 is an awesome start, but come January none of us will care about that; we’ll only care how this team finishes. Fair or not, they could go 16-0 and the pressure to succeed in the playoffs would not be off of them, on several levels. And by “succeed” let’s be totally honest; we’re not talking about Matt Ryan winning a playoff game. We’re talking about winning a Superbowl before that window slams shut.
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
6:06 pm
@Big crimson
Thanks..It’s been a hard year, especially losing to ole miss, but I take heart that either Bama or LSU or SC or FL will likely make it 7 in a row for the SEC
old man football, indeed…
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
6:09 pm
Michael — I understand what you’re saying.
When he was here, I supported Vick as much as anyone.
Fact is, the guy killed this Franchise.
We were saved by Matt Ryan. We are blessed to have Matt Ryan.
Normally, I pay little to no attention to the Vick zealots, however from time to time I must point out the obvious — he’s killing another Team & another Coach!!
…….and for the record, I agree on PETA.
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
6:10 pm
Ok Nation heads up…..the trolls will roll hard this week! No mention of 6-0……just that we did not lose but looked bad winning! Protect yourself from the following:
1. JSS
2. STB4
3. CHOKE (HIS TEAM DID)
4. HIRAM
5. IF I MISSED YOU PLEASE INSERT YOUR NAME HERE
Protect your Nation…the trolls are angry we 6-0……
Rise up!
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
6:12 pm
Well put extremus!
Great Falconi
October 14th, 2012
6:13 pm
Too many mistakes today all over the place. We won. We made it to our bye undefeated. It’s nice to be able to complain when we’re winning. Gotta get better, though. No doubt about it.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
October 14th, 2012
6:17 pm
The most insignificant 6-0 team in the history of the NFL.
vs 1-4 Panthers……struggled.
vs 2-3 Redskins……….struggled.
vs 1-3 Raiders…………struggled.
CHOKE has 6 picks in the last 4 games.
Good luck in the 1st round annual 1 and done club
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
6:24 pm
5150, for some reason while reading that last post The American Dream Dusty Rhodes popped into my head, screaming “..more A** than a toilet seat, baby!”
scary
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
6:27 pm
Tom Brady just tossed his 2nd interception of the day as well..Ryan just had an off day..it is a good statement on your team that when the inevitable bad game comes along, you still win
phil
October 14th, 2012
6:27 pm
Superbowl or Bust
October 14th, 2012
4:04 pm
Phil back on the bandwagon again …….hey ?………………..hehehehehehe
**********
followed em religiously every single year since 1977.
Yourself?
Whadda Ya Know?
October 14th, 2012
6:28 pm
For all you haters…a WIN is a WIN, is a WIN!!! No matter how ugly. I know you’re just hating the Falcons didn’t play their best game and WON AGAIN! Damn. LMAO at you fools.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
6:29 pm
TrishaDishawareagle
October 14th, 2012
6:24 pm
5150, for some reason while reading that last post The American Dream Dusty Rhodes popped into my head, screaming “..more A** than a toilet seat, baby!”
scary
==========================
But always use the SAT cover…..LOL
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
6:29 pm
SET cover sorry.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
October 14th, 2012
6:38 pm
The most significant pet murderer in history:
vs. Spike… strangled.
vs. Spot… strangled.
vs. Fido… strangled.
VICK has 317 pet murders on his permanent record.
Good luck with your annual “My hero is a sadistic scum” club.
HA HA!
phil
October 14th, 2012
6:43 pm
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
5:00 pm
If you want me to SAVE the Tatas then I need to see more of the ones I’m trying to save. LOL
If women to want us to Save them then walk down the street and show us the Tatas for donations. LOL
***********
ain’t a thing funny about remarks like this. Ever have a mom or a daughter? Grandmother, possibly? Wife? Think about what you’re making fun of…..
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
6:45 pm
ehehehehehebeheh laughing at Choke…the one that ia kicking the Ryan Choke angus! Lol so tell us Choke ( the one who kills dogs) your QB had two picks and a fumble today had the lead but could not did not will the team to a win……damn that Ryan he cant win a playoff game! Lol. Has anything to do with your team winning or your QB winning? Nope……so what now…..who you want to blame….give us that tired angus joke again with the scores…or better yet tell ua how bad Ryan is after he had a horrible day but still drove ua to get in field goal position….go head tell us. Lets hear the one about no playoff wins…it never gets old. Go head tell us how your 3-3 team has played the best teams and only lost because you had the lead and because Ryan cant win a playoff game…..go head
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
6:50 pm
extremus
October 14th, 2012
6:05 pm
______________________
Didn’t paste it here, but that was an accurate summation you posted at 6:05.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
6:51 pm
I wouldn’t sell my soul to get the Falcon’s Running game but We are still winning.
It happens to even the best….a Stumble……..October 22, 1972 Buffalo Bills W 24–23 6–0
phil
October 14th, 2012
6:53 pm
You have some issues, 5150…..assuming any truth to what you said, I’m sorry, but aside from that, you need help.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
6:55 pm
October 2 4:05 p.m. EDT at Arizona Cardinals W 31–27
5 October 9 1:00 p.m. EDT Seattle Seahawks L 25–36
6 October 16 1:00 p.m. EDT Buffalo Bills W 27–24
7
8 October 30 1:00 p.m. EDT Miami Dolphins W 20–17
9 November 6 4:15 p.m. EST at New England Patriots W 24–20
10 November 13 4:15 p.m. EST at San Francisco 49ers L 20–27
11 November 20 8:20 p.m. EST Philadelphia Eagles L 10–17
The NY GIANTS LAST YEAR………………………………..
DawgNole
October 14th, 2012
6:55 pm
Answer This
October 14th, 2012
6:45 pm
ehehehehehebeheh laughing at Choke…the one that ia kicking the Ryan Choke angus! Lol so tell us Choke ( the one who kills dogs) your QB had two picks and a fumble today had the lead but could not did not will the team to a win……damn that Ryan he cant win a playoff game! Lol. Has anything to do with your team winning or your QB winning? Nope……so what now…..who you want to blame….give us that tired angus joke again with the scores…or better yet tell ua how bad Ryan is after he had a horrible day but still drove ua to get in field goal position….go head tell us. Lets hear the one about no playoff wins…it never gets old. Go head tell us how your 3-3 team has played the best teams and only lost because you had the lead and because Ryan cant win a playoff game…..go head
_______________________
That’s two weeks in a row that MCR has crowed about Vick victories–as if he’d already secured them. And of course, he DIDN’T secure them at all. He continues to bolster his record as a liar and a coward.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
6:57 pm
PHIL…………..and you DON’T have ISSUES? Ask you wife, children and boss cause I think they will tell you that you have ISSUES.
Big Crimson 75
October 14th, 2012
7:01 pm
Duke — McCarron’s fine.
They played on a Field that resembled a slip-n-slide yesterday.
Not sure what the McCrackon comment is all about.
My QB is 18 & 1 with a Natty Title on his résumé in a year an a half starting, how’s yours doing?
Also, I might mention, in that downpour yesterday, he broke beloved UGA QB David Greene’s SEC record for consecutive passes without an INT.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
7:06 pm
Bi Cri 75 I hate the dWags but I don’t think McCarron is a better QB than Greene. Hell 35:55minuter Murray was in the heisman talk at the start of the year. Murray is a STAT padder against bad teams and McCarron is padding STATS after his D and Running Game has KILLED the other D…….What UGA or Bama QB has been good in the NFL in a LONG time. I will wait on Stifford, but I don’t think he is GREAT he has a GREAT WR…Calvin.
phil
October 14th, 2012
7:15 pm
5150 – i’m the boss. They like me ok.
This could one day be you, if and when you rescind that government assistance.
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
7:15 pm
The 49ers were the Best team with a loss. Then the Texans were the best team with a loss……………..Well the 49ers look like CRAP today. at HOME………….Screw the Falcon Haters……………
phil
October 14th, 2012
7:19 pm
I will give you that, 5150……they do look awful.
Of course, the Texans remain unbeaten…..
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
7:20 pm
BRADY LOST to SEE ATTLE…….HAHAAHH
5150 UOAD
October 14th, 2012
7:22 pm
PHIL if you think THEY like you then you are Stoned and Stupid. They might be NICE but they would just as soon hang you out to dry as you are doing the Falcons.
phil
October 14th, 2012
7:24 pm
Go gobble some more doughnuts, fat boy…..
Jeff Schultz
October 14th, 2012
7:59 pm
Commenting closed here. You can continue on the game column:
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/10/14/falcons-6-0-but-turner-is-frustrated-with-running-game/