Short takes: On Julio Jones, Matt Ryan, no turnovers
Falcons have followed franchise mandate through eight games (all wins). (Curtis Compton/AJC)
Here are my three short takes from the Falcons’ win over Dallas Sunday night:
1. Julio Jones is a difference maker: With every play he makes, the Falcons’ receiver buries concerns by some that the Falcons might have given up too much in trade for him before the draft two years ago. Jones finished with five catches covering 129 yards. That includes a 38-yard catch in the first quarter while he was being mugged by Morris Claiborne (who was called for pass interference) and a 48-yard gain in the fourth quarter when he lined up in the backfield, took a short pass and bolted past the likes of DeMarcus Ware. He also ran for eight yards on a reverse on third-and-1.
2. Matt Ryan shows toughness: Ryan was hit so hard on a blindside sack by Ware that it looked like he might have to come out for a few plays. He didn’t. He was sacked three times and leveled after several throws on a night when the offensive line had its worst game in pass protection (which had been a strength this season). Statistically, Ryan threw for 342 yards on 24-of-34 passing, and that doesn’t account for at least two drops and two throw-aways).
3. This team doesn’t beat itself: Do the Falcons have flaws? Of course. The NFL is devoid of great teams. But they don’t beat themselves. They committed only two penalties for 15 yards and did not have a turnover. (Ryan fumbled on the aforementioned Ware sack but it was recovered.) A team can go far in this league if it doesn’t make dumb mistakes.
– By Jeff Schultz
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89 comments Add your comment
KC Falcon
November 5th, 2012
12:54 pm
Native- Are you Choke’s twin…cousin? BillyBob Choke? What kind of sorry a$$ prediction is that!?
Do you even pay attention to any of the games?
Lou Kirouac
November 5th, 2012
1:04 pm
Interesting observations. But are they yours – or Lilly’s??
Agree with them all – especially the third one. Discipline and clutch plays are defining this team………
There's Choke
November 5th, 2012
1:07 pm
NativeBird, Matt Ryan will never leave Atlanta. He’s here to stay. The reason the Falcons are so good is because they don’t beat themselves. The great teams don’t make mistakes. It makes the other team have to play perfect and just outplay you to beat you which is why nobody has beaten us to date.
Dan
November 5th, 2012
1:33 pm
Before the game Dallas was supposedly one of the most talented teams in the league and they were going to be playing for their season. So you had a talented motivated team….if any other team had beat them it would have been all over about what a great, gutty win. This team is very similar to the 98 team…well coached, prepared with a lot more playmakers. Lets also not forget Falcons played without a beast in the middle on defense last night too….although Peterson and Nichols played pretty well
Richard
November 5th, 2012
1:36 pm
Cleveland dropped from no. 6 (Jones) to no. 27 (defensive tackle Phillip Taylor) in the 2011 draft, picking up no. 59 (WR Greg Little) and no. 124 (fullback Owen Marecic), as well as a 2012 first-rounder (Weeden) and a 2012 fourth-rounder (traded when Minnesota fleeced them into giving up three picks to jump a spot to take Trent Richardson, whom the Vikings weren’t taking, anyway). Just for fun, can we pay-per-view a phone call of Cleveland’s Mike Holmgren calling Atlanta and seriously offering Taylor, Little, Marecic and Weeden for Julio Jones, with all proceeds going to Chuckstrong?
Richard
November 5th, 2012
1:37 pm
^^ Sorry, I hit enter without attributing that to Grantland.com.
GetReal
November 5th, 2012
1:41 pm
What’s the deal with Chris Collingsworth? I thought he was going to cry when the Falcons did not fold.
blue
November 5th, 2012
1:50 pm
Not impressed: Maybe, when stating “do you think they put fear into” certain teams, you should use one that they didn’t already beat this year (San Francisco)?
Kelly
November 5th, 2012
1:55 pm
Hmm. Every playoff team ATL has faced w/ Ryan has gone on to the Super Bowl, two of those three teams have won the Super Bowl. Wow! So Atlanta hasn’t been the only team to lose to those teams?
Paddy
November 5th, 2012
2:01 pm
Thomas Brown…..people are making fun of you again. I know you are used to it. But have you no shame? You give all us Dawg fans a black eye. Give it a rest, pal!
Lowski
November 5th, 2012
2:15 pm
Not Impressed is “Choke”. Same pompous attitude. He just changed names to wash off the Saints shame.
Falcons Chic
November 5th, 2012
2:22 pm
Wow. Lotsa Btchn from fans of an 8-0 team, I’ve never been a pom-pom toting cheerleader, so I don’t want this to sound happy: But, get real: We are 8-0.
Yes, we have to face the Giants (they of playoff safety fame) and complete the rest of the schedule, but we’ve got the impetus to make it deeper in the playoffs than we ever have before at the exact same week of the schedule. And, now, back to my newly found gloating thoughts…
Not Impressed
November 5th, 2012
2:27 pm
If the Falcons think Ryan took a beating from the Dallas rush, better take your midol before the Arizona rush comes to town. Arizona’s offense may suck but that defense is top 5. They made Aaron Rodgers and Mike Vick run for their lives. Just imagine what that means for the speedy Ryan.
GregKennesaw
November 5th, 2012
2:32 pm
@Falcons- Still so you predict the falcons will lose 3 out 4 of their remaining road games? Just curious, what was your prediction on the road games they have already played and won? Also from your predictions the falcons will only play .500 ball from here on out mostly against teams with a losing record.
GregKennesaw
November 5th, 2012
2:37 pm
all the Falcons have to do to make the doubters and haters go away is just to keep on winning. Makes’em crazy! Next week the aint’s and their vaulted defense(NOT). Then we get Arizona at home.
These may not be, GregKennesaw,...
November 5th, 2012
2:40 pm
…your “father’s Falcons”, but, they are still the “Atlanta Falcons” – hence, the dire predictions regarding “road wins” and the thought of losing 4 of 8 to teams that they “should” beat, based on paper analyses…
And you are correct, GregKennesaw...
November 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
…the home/away/home/away schedule for the Birds this year is pretty good…
After further review...
November 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
No, Thamas, the Falcons are not a concensus number 5 after coming off a win versus an inferior oppinent. They are undefeated, and the only team in their league to be able to say that
13-3 and first round loss again?
November 5th, 2012
2:47 pm
The Falcons are good and will be in a fight with the Bears for the top seed. However I am not convinced yet. Am I am the only one who believes had Dallas gotten the ball back they would have scored a TD for the win.
The Falcons played the “perfect” game with no turnovers but at the end of the day only scored one TD, that is not going to work against Green Bay.
harleyman
November 5th, 2012
2:48 pm
Who are you trolls pulling for tonight since there seems to be a conflict of interest? Vick vs. Saints
KC Falcon
November 5th, 2012
2:55 pm
Choke knows what Midol is. Not surprising.
Why don’t you call out some of the offensive linemen you don’t like. They’re in the same game.
Did Arizona win in Green Bay? Answer- No.
By the way, Dallas did get the ball back and DID NOT score a touchdown.
And in the Choke gets to root for any team that may effect the Falcons- It’s your Super Bowl tonight.
Aints and E-Gals. Your heros MV7 and DB9. Somebody’s gotta lose there tonight. That’s just too bad isn’t it?
LDawg
November 5th, 2012
3:07 pm
The O-line is a strength? Did you see the Carolina game where he was sacked 7 times?
BobDawg
November 5th, 2012
3:09 pm
Let’s face it… Mularkey is having a “blast” in Jax and Van Gorder is about to be fired along with Chizick in Au-Barn…. We have two really great OC’s and DC’s now and they will get it done in the playoffs… and did you really think Ryan will never ever win a playoff game??? Once he gets the monkey off his back… watch out… It could be a fun 2013….
LDawg
November 5th, 2012
3:11 pm
13-3 – yes you are the only one who believes that – they had one lucky drive. Notice he didn’t even take a shot down the field?
KBP
November 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
Offensively, Dallas is not very good. Defensively, they are very good. If Bryant makes those field goals then we have a double digit win and the national media would probably say we should have scored touchdowns. Never mind the fact that we just shutdown a team that scored 23 unanswered against the defending SB champs and their vaunted defense. Falcon fans, we should give our team credit as we see the national media does not. Of course the playoffs loses have been hugely disappointing but I am glad we are at least making the playoffs and we will not lose in the first round every year. I am very confident in Dimitroff and Smith as they have set us on the right course. Let’s see how this plays out this year. The offensive and defensive philosophy makes this team much better than the last 2 playoff teams and hopefully we prove that this year. I think we will lose 2-3 games and the sooner the better as I don’t even want to entertain the undefeated season nonsense. I think it hurt the Pats in ‘07.
Rodster
November 5th, 2012
3:19 pm
The Falcons are a good team. I think staying under the radar is a good thing. Let the rest of the league think we’re soft. Having a big bullseye on your chest never helped anyone. The Falcons have to got to deep in the playoffs then they’ll get everyones attention which is not really that good of a thing.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 5th, 2012
3:23 pm
The EAGLES need to hurt Brees and the Saints to put Vick out of the game and after that I don’t care who wins tonight.
KC Falcon
November 5th, 2012
3:25 pm
Playoffs aren’t on Falcons or their fans minds until January. Next game is the game. Aints will be licking their wounds following a physical game with the desparate (multiple players only meetings) E-Gals.
,
And if Jerry Jones wants to wave big time cash in front of Seen (the Overseer of Bountygate) Payton
Nola could be singin’ the blues again down on the BYE BYE You!
blu eagle
November 5th, 2012
3:31 pm
Loved how the announcers were trying to give dallas a chance, well they might get a turnover, well if they stop them, blah blah blah. Jaws from sportscenter just gave falcons the #1 power ranking this week they do like us they do. This Falcons team stuck it down Dallas throat and 8-0 is no joke in the NFL, I believe!
Esquire
November 5th, 2012
3:47 pm
Dallas’ defensive stats prior to the Falcons game:
PTS 23.1 (18th) YDS 292.4 (4th) PASS YDS 187.7 (3rd) RUSH YDS 104.7 (13th)
……………and after the Falcons game:
PTS 22.6 (18th) YDS 312.5 (5th) PASS YDS 205.5 (5th) RUSH YDS 107.0 (15th)
Super Falcons
November 5th, 2012
3:58 pm
Win or lose, I love our Atlanta Falcons, but I do enjoy their winning streak more than their losing. Teams are not built in one year, ask Dan Snyder who’d been trying to buy the Lombardi Trophy through free agency for years (Jerry Jones closely behind.) Good teams need effective leaders, as evidenced, for example, in the difference between Michael Vick, who was all about himself, and Matt Ryan, who is generous in always praising the team first. Furthermore, Dan Reaves was the Falcons’ only other competent coach before Mike Smith. In short, this Falcons team was built methodically and slowly for greatness, and I believe the team’s core players are now in place for a start of a long winning tradition in Atlanta football.
Esquire
November 5th, 2012
4:17 pm
The Falcons still…
November 5th, 2012
10:05 am
…have to play at N.O. at TB, at Carolina, at Detroit, and play the Giants, N.O., AZ and TB at home – and unfortuantely, they lose at least 3 of those four road games, plus at least one at home – they will then have to travel to Chicago to make the Super Bowl, so, i just don’t see it happening despite this feel good, 8-0 start –
******************************************
If I am following you correctly you say the Falcons finish the Regular Season 12-4 but don’t have home field for the NFC Championship and that Chicago wins the NFC………..
Chicago Offense
PTS 29.5 (3rd) YDS 324.4 (25th) PASS YDS 195.9 (29th) RUSH YDS 128.5 (10th)
Atlanta Offense
PTS 27.5 (7th) YDS 376.6 (8th) PASS YDS 278.1 (8th) RUSH YDS 98.5 (25th)
Chicago Defense
PTS 15.0 (2nd) YDS 318.1 (6th) PASS YDS 230.1 (16th) RUSH YDS 88.0 (6th)
If you will note that Da Bears defense is ranked 6th, the Cowboys 5th and yet the Falcons just beat a team with a better defense than Da Bears. And frankly, those Da Bears offensive stats don’t exactly leap off the page at me. In other words………….if the Falcons are playing away for the NFC Championship it won’t be at Soldier Field.
Esquire
November 5th, 2012
4:31 pm
Super Falcons
November 5th, 2012
3:58 pm
Win or lose, I love our Atlanta Falcons, but I do enjoy their winning streak more than their losing. Teams are not built in one year, ask Dan Snyder who’d been trying to buy the Lombardi Trophy through free agency for years (Jerry Jones closely behind.) Good teams need effective leaders, as evidenced, for example, in the difference between Michael Vick, who was all about himself, and Matt Ryan, who is generous in always praising the team first. Furthermore, Dan Reaves was the Falcons’ only other competent coach before Mike Smith. In short, this Falcons team was built methodically and slowly for greatness, and I believe the team’s core players are now in place for a start of a long winning tradition in Atlanta football.
*****************************************
I concur. And it would still be a tall order to talk winning tradition NFL football in Atlanta under the Smith era ownership. Thank you Arthur Blank.
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Jamie
November 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
15 yards on 2 penalties and that offensive pass interference on Julio was BS!
Esquire
November 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
KBP
November 5th, 2012
3:12 pm
The offensive and defensive philosophy makes this team much better than the last 2 playoff teams and hopefully we prove that this year. I think we will lose 2-3 games and the sooner the better as I don’t even want to entertain the undefeated season nonsense. I think it hurt the Pats in ‘07.
**************************************
Whoa………….lose 2-3 games the sooner the better???? Sure, the undefeated season talk is nonsense but we aren’t entertaining it. If it happens it happens but right now we only have one game on our schedule and that’s the Caints this Sunday. The coaching changes have really paid benefits not only in philosophy but how the game plan is implemented. I look forward to our team stopping by “the statue” at the Mercedez Benz Dome. It’s called Re-Birth and the Caints need to start over because they sure are dead. Michael Koenen has been immortalized.
Esquire
November 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
Jamie
November 5th, 2012
5:23 pm
15 yards on 2 penalties and that offensive pass interference on Julio was BS!
***********************************************
True but thankfully they missed one on Roddy…………..!!!
atlantaALLDAY
November 5th, 2012
6:34 pm
@Not Impressed U NEED TO GET A LIFE LOL I SEE U DONT HAVE 1 YOU STAY ON OUR PAGE YOU ARE A STR8 UP HATER GO PLAY IN TRAFIC SOME WHERE
nuclearjim
November 5th, 2012
8:53 pm
Uh, HELLO?? We are 8 & 0 and looking to the second half looking healthy and close nit. Yes, our playoff appearances have mirrored the Braves recently – the team ATL loses to wins the Super Bowl or World Series (mostly). Past disappointments are in the past. I like to win and I like the excitement of the chase. But I would LOVE a Lombardi Trophy and some gaudy rings…..
DIEHARDFALCONSFAN!!!!
November 5th, 2012
11:06 pm
Fxxk all the haters! This is going to sound crazy but i would love to see atlanta not get home field advantage and beat all these so called threat teams and win the superbowl or atleast get there. No matter hiw good we r or how far we get in the playoffs,we will always hate us for something. We dont have to prove crap to any one! GO FALCONS! RISE UP!!!!