Falcons just keep winning — has anybody has noticed?
Linebacker Mike Peterson reacts after another defensive stop by the Falcons' defense against Dallas. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
OK. Now what?
They have played eight games and won eight games. They have won at home and on the road. In warm weather and cold. On Sundays and Monday, day and night. On national TV and probably when not too many were paying attention because, well, the Braves were still teasing us.
Are they great? I don’t know — what’s great? Halfway through the NFL season, the Falcons are the only team that hasn’t lost a game. So even if they’re just very good, isn’t every other team somewhere south of that?
One week after ending their history of horrors in Philadelphia, the Falcons knocked off Dallas 19-13 Sunday night. And the national analysis figures to focus on the decline of the Cowboys in 3 … 2 … 1 …
“I’m anxious to see what happens, to see if all the networks make it all about the Cowboys,” Tony Gonzalez said. “But that not our primary concern.”
No. Winning is. But it hasn’t escaped the Falcons that them winning often becomes the secondary story to the opponent losing. As Gonzalez said, “I made reference to it [in interviews] because I was a little frustrated after last week. We beat a very good team [at Philadelphia] but after the [television] highlights everything was about Philly. But I understand why. We haven’t done anything. When we get to the playoffs, we’ve lost.”
That hangover, of course, will carry through the regular season. But that doesn’t make what the Falcons are accomplishing any less remarkable. They are doing it with defense (holding Dallas without a touchdown until 5:21 remained), with an increasingly efficient Matt Ryan (who threw for 342 yards despite three sacks and getting beat up by the Cowboys’ pass rush). Even running back Michael Turner finally broke through a 43-yard gain late in the third quarter to set up the go-ahead touchdown.
Their offense didn’t reach the end zone until that score, but it didn’t matter.
“We find ways to win football games,” Turner said.
The Falcons have never been 8-0 before. Then again, not many NFL teams have.
But sometimes streaks this become a search for flaws instead of a recognition of everything that a team does right. The Falcons don’t beat themselves, either with penalties or turnovers. They make plays in the clutch. They are opportunistic. Trailing 6-3, they drove 60 yards in 1:03 to kick a field goal as the first half ended. Things like that often get overlooked.
Through most of three quarters, it was a field goal battle. Each team had two. And then, the team unearthed something rare: a running game.
In the first quarter, Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers combined for eight carries for five yards. Through most of three quarters, Turner had 10 carries for 16 yards. Then it was like a scene from Forrest Gump: He started running from the bad kids and his braces came flying off.
He’s got magic legs!
Late in the third, on first down from the Falcons’ 35, Turner busted through the middle for an eight-yard gain. Relative to the rest of the game, it seemed like a furlong. On his next carry, Turner busted it open for 43 yards before being dragged down by the Cowboys’ Brandon Carr at the Dallas 14. Appropriately, it was Turner who finished off the drive, scoring from the three just 14 seconds into the final quarter, giving a the Falcons their first lead of the night, 13-6.
Some have been slow to embrace the Falcons, at least as an undefeated team. That’s understandable. They don’t dominate opponents. They’re not overly physical. They don’t have a postseason resume that makes you go, “Wow!” More like, “Oy.”
But let’s recap: There were concerns before the Denver game (Peyton Manning), the San Diego game (long trip, short week), the Washington game (road, Robert Griffin III), the Philadelphia game (Michael Vick and city of six straight losses).
If the Falcons wanted to play the no-respect card, they had the comments from Rob Ryan to fuel them. The Dallas defensive coordinator didn’t quite scream, “Guaranteed win,” but he came close, telling Dallas media: “We need to win now. That’s what we’re going to do. We’ve got to win this week and we know it and we’re going to.”
Ryan might have been trying to fire up his players. But is that something a coach from a 3-4 team normally would say before a game against a 7-0 team? Maybe he just didn’t think the Falcons were all that great. But if 8-0 isn’t great, what is it?
Because the last time I looked, the NFL hasn’t had another NFL undefeated team for a few weeks.
– By Jeff Schultz
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159 comments Add your comment
The Dude
November 5th, 2012
6:49 am
Yeah…well…you know, that’s just like uhhh….your opinion man.
Cold cuts for anyone
November 5th, 2012
6:50 am
Well i see where that clown Matty choke Ryan is he change to Saw that1nce too hide…sayin Falcons game was fixed sheesh sore loser from dallas are a idiot in land..Get over it we 8-0 period!
Notso Fast
November 5th, 2012
6:59 am
All a team can do is win. They are probably not great but they may not know that. Ryan has to be the most improved quarterback in the NFL. Fun to watch.
Samuel
November 5th, 2012
7:02 am
Their the only team who’s 8-0 that is flying under the radar. I think down the stretch that’s good for the Falcons.
BubbaDaBaller
November 5th, 2012
7:07 am
They’ll get respect when they handle their post season business…Hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in NOLA will afford them a few months worth then it’s back to the NFL mentality…Not For Long…
tempo
November 5th, 2012
7:13 am
500 teams that get hot in the playoffs are the teams that get respect in the end. Teams like the Indianapolis Colt teams that use to tear through the regular season with Peyton Manning and then get dumped in the playoffs are the teams that get no respect from the media or fans.
Honey boy
November 5th, 2012
7:17 am
Uhh Thomas… this is a Falcon blog numb nuts! Your rumblings make so little sense … Shave your back, put some clothes on and get some sleep…. Your a scary man…
ZinoDawg
November 5th, 2012
7:21 am
Only big issue I see is Dunta Robinson. He is god awful. A penalty or blown coverage waiting to happen.
How much are we paying that guy?
Skeptical of 23
November 5th, 2012
7:30 am
Zino, I think that number is $57 million, b ut I don’t remember over how many (whiffs) years.
NYC Dirty Bird
November 5th, 2012
7:33 am
The media is about ratings. NY, Dallas, Philly, and Washington are all top 10 tv markets. That is why the NFC East teams dominate the conversation on ESPN/NFL Network. Do not take it personal Falcons fans. Like Al Davis said, just win baby.
http://letstalknfl.com/its-not-personal-falcons-shouldnt-expect-any-more-respect-from-the-national-media-if-they-beat-dallas-sunday-night/
Carz
November 5th, 2012
7:35 am
Stop looking for Collinsworth to stroke your fan ego. He’s selling the league. The Cowboys still sell. He is not anti-Falcon. I think he does a great job of pointing out things that are going on, particularly on defense that a TV viewer might miss. For instance, the the Falcons were dropping Dent into that safety coverage on most pass downs, and how Peterson took out the lead blocker on 4th and short(huge play) so that others could make the tackle. The Gfalcons are not a nationally popular team yet. Let them become a regular playoff winner and that will change. The Cowboys live on that national reputation, even though their success is so far in the past. new orleans won the nation over. Now the Falcons need to.
TroutFalcon
November 5th, 2012
7:44 am
Julio Jones makes this Falcons offense so dynamic he is so physical and is a great compliment to Roddy White. Matt Ryan’s comfort level is amazing, there is just no way the opponents defense can cover everyone. This team has the potential to be great and win a championship, then I guess they’ll have to atleast acknowledge us.
heartofdarkness
November 5th, 2012
7:54 am
Sun Tzu would like where the Falcons are in this campaign and would make their profile work for them.
Gtanner
November 5th, 2012
7:57 am
Opening up NFL coverage on ESPN yesterday, they have an intro full of Falcons player quotes, then Suzy Kolber says, “Well we’re talking about you now guys.” Then the panel proceeded to talk about the Cowboys for five minutes with not a word about the Falcons and then they went on to another subject. It was hilarious.
falcon
November 5th, 2012
8:04 am
I’m proud of these Atlanta Falcons. Keep working men, we’re half way there.
JamesMoraSr
November 5th, 2012
8:07 am
Playoffs…Playoffs…Who’s talking about playoffs????
Paddy
November 5th, 2012
8:09 am
Most folks have not paid attention to ESPN for years. They have an agenda and will stick to it for the $.
Thomas Brown…..love your enthusiasm but we are talking Falcons not my Dawgs. Pick your spots, pal! It sort of makes you look like a goof!
Thinkaboutit
November 5th, 2012
8:11 am
T brown, it became obvious why you capped BUMP everytime. That devils dandruff will mess you up, bro! Just think how unstoppable the falcons would be with a real running game! To quote jay-z “on to the next one!”
Alternate Reality
November 5th, 2012
8:13 am
FYI, I switched over to ESPN 2 last night right after the game and Trent Dilfer was positively loving on the Falcons.
Billy
November 5th, 2012
8:23 am
Thomas Brown..get a life.
The Falconator
November 5th, 2012
8:24 am
Another great win. Don’t really care how they do it. Team effort is everything. Problem in the here and now: Run blocking still sucks. Turner, Quizz and company have nowhere to go when they get to the line. Check the replay. Turner’s best run came because Dallas defenders missed their assignments. Would be nice if the O-line could throw a few blocks instead of playing patty-cake and push. This has to be coachable. The post-season will end early again if it isn’t fixed. Go Dirty Birds!
afan
November 5th, 2012
8:25 am
Great job by Falcons 8-0…
How many times has Turner been caught from behind…but I like the bull!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
November 5th, 2012
8:26 am
Our overmatched O-line and D-line played poorly, as usual; Ryan was knocked down, hurried and sacked on nearly every play, while Romo had all day to find his receivers — and we still won. That’s on Matt “CHOKE” Ryan, AKA Noodle Arm — winningest QB in the NFL!
No animals were harmed in the making of this season.
HAHA
Edd
November 5th, 2012
8:31 am
Cry me a river. 8-0 Go Falcons !
Buckeye
November 5th, 2012
8:37 am
Ternnis,
A handful of freshman kids traded stuff for tattoos. Wrong? Yes. Criminal?. No.
Three years later, Tressel learned of the transgression as a result of a federal drug investigation of the tattoo shop guy.
Tressel then made a decision to protect the kids and then lied to the NCAA.
He feel, hard, from grace as did Terrell Pryor. Mike Adams, by the way, started at RT for the Steelers yesterday.
The NCAA come down hard, we hired Urban and the rest is history.
P.S. We’re undefeated at 10-0 and #5 in the AP.
P.S.S. Thanks for asking.
Buckeye
November 5th, 2012
8:38 am
Go Falcons!
Rodster
November 5th, 2012
8:43 am
Nice job Falcons. In the NFL, a win is a win. There aren’t any style points. All the teams have great players. The Falcons don’t dominate in any one phase of the game, but they find a way to have more points than the other team at the end of the game. Just keep doing what you’re doing.
Ivan
November 5th, 2012
8:51 am
Gotta love it. Tony G calls out the media, and after the Falcons walk away with the win, NFL network proceeds to show the post game conference with Dallas, and then continue to talk about the Cowboys for 10 minutes afterwards.
And who couldn’t help but laugh at the intro to Sunday Night Football, when Al Michaels says, “They’re probably the least talked about undefeated team.”
Um….it’s the guys like YOU that make them the least talked about undefeated team.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:52 am
“Because the last time I looked, the NFL hasn’t had another NFL undefeated team for a few weeks.
Which at this point means absolutely nothing. This is why the sports world mocks and laughs at Atlanta sports fans. When it counts, Atlanta teams fall flat on their faces and it happens every year.
Braves – collapse in the playoffs
Falcons – collapse in the playoffs
Hawks – collapse in the playoffs.
Thrashers – oh wait they don’t exist.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
Why did Roddy White call that sports reporter a man four times during an interview after the game?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
I hate to break it to Atlanta fans but they will not beat the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:57 am
“That is why the NFC East teams dominate the conversation on ESPN/NFL Network”
That’s not true at all. Philly gets talked about ONLY because of Mike “dog killer” Vick is falling apart. Washington gets talked about because of their rookie QB. NY gets talked about because they have a great team and won the SB. Dallas gets talked about because they suck so bad and have a lot of money.
Teams that don’t get talked about a lot are the Chicago Bears, which have the best defense in all of the NFL. The Packers are turning it around and they are in the smallest market in all of sports.
D man
November 5th, 2012
9:10 am
Here is some respect, the Falcons played terrible compared to how they are capable of playing last night and left the Cowboys scratching their heads. They should have won that game 40-6 but just did enough to get ahead and hold on. We are so much better than the rest of the league. They must have been looking ahead to next weeks game against the Saints. I imagine they have had that one circled on the calendar since last season. Let’s play a complete game against the Saints and put that argument to bed. Magic number to clinch is down to 4. Go FALCONS!!!
Nghia
November 5th, 2012
9:10 am
This is quite delightful, Let’s go all the way to 16-0 and win the superbowl, one game at a time.
williebkind
November 5th, 2012
9:19 am
When was the last time the Eagles won a superbowl, the last time dallas made it to the playoffs, and when did either have season beginning with 8 – 0? This resume crap is just that–crap. It is not what you did last year its what you are doing this year. A previous superbowl ring in the past has never gotten you another superbowl ring in the present or future. What disrespect to a team who is getting it done! Let’s face it, its not about football it’s all about the NFL staff–the commentators.
Dr. Phill
November 5th, 2012
9:22 am
The Dallas TD looked too easy, but it was still a great win for Atlanta. The announcers are as bad as McCarver and Buck.
JoeFann
November 5th, 2012
9:26 am
Really happy for the Falcons and the fans. Pleased that they’ve passed every test so far. Very happy with the new coordinators. Obviously, until they win the playoffs, they’ve earned little. The makeup of this team tells me they can, but they still have to do it. Looking across the league, I think Chicago looks like the strongest team. They’re physical, in a physical league. The Falcons are more finesse, and might be man-handled. The Ravens are also tough, as are the Texans. Gonna be a great game to watch next week between Houston-Chicago. That may tell us more about the future than the next Falcons game. Don’t get me wrong, I fully support the Falcons and the regime, but my Kool-Aid is unsweetened. Still think we need another LB, and another DB wouldn’t hurt. We miss Grimes and Lofton, though Nolan has done wonders with WD40 and duct tape, and the players we have, have played up! Go Birds!
williebkind
November 5th, 2012
9:28 am
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
Will the bears make the playoffs?
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:30 am
“Will the bears make the playoffs?”
7-1 record points to yes.
williebkind
November 5th, 2012
9:33 am
I have heard many times before, “Dont put the cart before the horse”! Many of you live in the past and cannot enjoy the present. The Falcons are breaking records every week and the NFC East is the weakest division of them all. No wonder the bears have only one loss. They have had 7 practice games.
extremus
November 5th, 2012
9:36 am
I’m excited that the Falcons are 8-0, but their “under the radar” situation isn’t exactly new. It’s kind of like many of the Batman films; seems anytime they have a prime time game the Falcons are Batman and another team and/or opposing QB (examples: Drew Brees and the Saints, Peyton Manning, the Cowboys) are the flamboyant villain who steals all the limelight. Atlanta just isn’t one of pro football’s “storied franchises” (Packers, Cowboys, Bears), feel-good stories (Saints), or mainstream media hubs (New York, Philadelphia, New England), so they’re considered less marketable. If the announcers seem to be pulling for the other team, part of it’s because a Giants/Saints/Cowboys/Bears/Packers NFC representation in the Superbowl would likely garner bigger ratings and revenue. In the end, it’s always about the money.
In a way, I’m fine with this, because if the Falcons were media darlings some of them might start believing their own press, and that would lead to complacency and very likely a hard fall. As far as the respect issue goes, I’ve said before that it really isn’t about Matt Ryan winning a playoff game; nothing less than a Superbowl championship would satisfy the national media or the naysayers that Ryan or the Falcons deserve “elite” status. But we have a lot of football left to play before a playoff spot is even secured, so I agree with Mike Smith’s mantra “one game at a time”. Yeah, it’s aggravating to hear network announcers being homeboys for the other team, but it makes winning all the more satisfying and vindicating, doesn’t it?
GO FALCONS!!!!
phil
November 5th, 2012
9:37 am
Jeff:
Has anybody has noticed the messed up headline for this blog post? Please get them to fix it…..
phil
November 5th, 2012
9:40 am
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
8:53 am
I hate to break it to Atlanta fans but they will not beat the Chicago Bears in the playoffs.
************
And as a Birds’ fan who was there last night, I hate to agree with you. Unless we start putting the damn ball in the endzone some, it’s only a matter of time until the wheels come completely off. Chicago will destroy us in January the way things are going. Depressing to even consider but presently likely.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
9:42 am
Being 8-0 definitely matters. We have a four-game lead in the division, and we’re in the driver’s seat for a bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Yes, I know we blew that opportunity two years ago, but I would still rather have a bye and home-field than not.
Obviously nothing guarantees a playoff win. But I like the grit and toughness I saw from this team last night. They’re smart; they’re resilient; they win when they’re not playing a perfect game. The coordinators are not stubborn and unchanging (Mularkey) or in over their heads (Van Gorder).
Oh, and I really wish we had those draft picks back instead of picking Julio. That trade will cripple this franchise for years to come.
And just for fun, I have to throw in my own complaint about the national media. When Jacquizz jukes no. 40 not just once, but twice, to get first downs, why does Cris Collinsworth bemoan the missed tackle? Why not give Jacquizz credit for juking the poor man out of his shoes? No way no. 40 is going to tackle Quiz in the open field. Give the man his due.
DamnYankee
November 5th, 2012
9:42 am
ajc.com has no mention of the Falcons either other than the link to this story under Sports. We don’t need media validation, but it would be nice if the home town media would get excited about a local success story.
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
9:43 am
@Donnan:
And what does 8-0 point to?
Nite Owl
November 5th, 2012
9:45 am
@Donnan:
How big a jump was it from the sinking Saints ship to the Bears bandwagon?
[pats self on back for alliteration]
Left Coast Dawg
November 5th, 2012
9:50 am
The Bears couldn’t hold the Falcons jock strap!
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:58 am
“Chicago will destroy us in January the way things are going. Depressing to even consider but presently likely.”
Chicago’s defense is lights out.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
November 5th, 2012
9:58 am
“And what does 8-0 point to?”
Like I said earlier, the playoffs.