LIVE: Falcons hope to avoid hangover from Saints loss
Matt Ryan is hoping for better results when he hands off to Michael Turner today. (AP photo)
Hello. Sorry, but I’m a little rushed today. I just posted a new column on Dawgmania in the BCS, following losses by Kansas State and Oregon late Saturday night. Now it’s time to switch gears to the pro team.
The Falcons play host to Arizona today. This is kind of a big game. I know that sounds strange for an 8-1 team with a three-game lead in the NFC South, but consider the circumstances.
They are coming of their first loss of the season, an emotional defeat to rival New Orleans (31-27), a game in which they felt they should have won (largely because of six red zone possessions that resulted in only three touchdowns). A loss to Arizona wouldn’t devastate the team but it has the potential to make things uncomfortable in the NFC South, with three straight divisional games to follow (at Tampa; home against New Orleans; at Carolina).
The questions about the Falcons now are the same questions we knew before the season: Is their running game and their run defense good enough to compete for a title? The run defense played better in the second half at New Orleans after a miserable first half, but the absence of linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (who will be out again today) continues to hurt the front seven.
The principles of the team’s short-yardage running game have taken a lot of heat, from the offensive line to Michael Turner. It will be interesting to see how effectively Atlanta can run against Arizona because the Cardinals are physical up front.
That said, this is a game the Falcons should win. They can score (NFL’s No. 6 team in offense, No. 8 in points) and Arizona can’t (No. 31 in offense and No. 31 in points). At least, that has been the case up until now.
One key injury note: wide receiver Julio Jones (right ankle) is playing today.
That’s it for now. The venting lines are open. Any new thoughts on the Falcons moving forward?
I’m here to serve . . .
By Jeff Schultz
Recent ramblings from the digital jukebox
• Georgia’s new reality: From on the brink to BCS title possibility
• Upsets launch Georgia into BCS title picture (updated game column)
• Short takes: Murray wakes up the offense
• Weekend Predictions: Dogs, Jackets, Falcons and the lust triangles
• Falcons’ flaws aren’t worse than any other NFL team
• College hoop kings provide rare thrills for Atlanta
• Falcons’ startling admission: Ray Edwards was a blunder
• Will SEC get team to BCS championship (answer below) (with video)
• Georgia wins SEC East, and looks like threat to Alabama
• Richt is coaching through pain (because he fell off a swing … honest)
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968 comments Add your comment
falconsrus
November 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
tttttttttttttttdddddddddddddddd!!!!!MMMTTTT!!!
jo
November 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
Wow, I have not seen that in weeks! Well done! Now we need D and special teams not to give any long pays away.
oldbird
November 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
Relax, Falcon bashers. Everybody has an off day. Jacksonville is actually beating Houston right now.
Coach PJ for write in president
November 18th, 2012
3:56 pm
Go M Turner! We finally ran the ball and scored! Now for the defense to play like they have been……
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
3:57 pm
If I said something wrong, I apologize.
Special Investigative Unit
November 18th, 2012
3:57 pm
Game over…Cardinals have no offense. BUT…this is not a championship caliber team in Atlanta.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
3:57 pm
OMG. A running play. A touchdown. ….
Coach PJ for write in president
November 18th, 2012
3:58 pm
As bad as M Ryan’s 4 picks have been today, it’s good to see he has a short memory and led that drive like he has all year.
Decatur Joe
November 18th, 2012
3:58 pm
It’s snowing outside!
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
3:58 pm
Ryan went 4-for-5 on that drive. Was 24-for-40 with 4 picks before that with no TD drives.
JoeBrave
November 18th, 2012
3:59 pm
lmao
News flash
November 18th, 2012
3:59 pm
why aren’t we blitzing a rookie qB
jo
November 18th, 2012
3:59 pm
Missed giving up a long gain by 1 inch…
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
3:59 pm
I said it at the end of 1st qtr, Matt Ryan will pass the test
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
3:59 pm
Samuel comes out after 1 play. Looked like he couldn’t raise his arm.
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
Gutting job by Samuel. He hurt tht shoulder in the first Qt
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
JSS
November 18th, 2012
3:51 pm
You call everyone “negative” or a “troll” when it is a matter of pointing out truths… That’s being a “prick.” I don’t care about being liked… So that stuff doesn’t phase me… But that painting everyone who is not interested in anointing this team is just wrong…
Any average team would be killing the Falcons right now…
_________________
Points out truths aggravates them no end–precisely because they (the truths) ARE true.
MenVSBoys
November 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
Pressure!
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
Abe is just killing them
Coach PJ for write in president
November 18th, 2012
4:00 pm
Got him!!! BabiNOOOOOO!!
jo
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Wow!
JoeBrave
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Somebody please put Franks out of our MISERY!
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Yes!!! Way to beat a 3rd string QB.
News flash
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
nice play Abraham. AZ should be doubling him.
MenVSBoys
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Now lets see if we can put this away.
Coach PJ for write in president
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Now for ball control…..
Spartacus
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
“You call everyone “negative” or a “troll” when it is a matter of pointing out truths… That’s being a “prick.” I don’t care about being liked… So that stuff doesn’t phase me… But that painting everyone who is not interested in anointing this team is just wrong…”
First, I didn’t call anyone a troll. Second, everyone is entitled to say whatever the heck they want to about the Falcons and their “poor” play today or any other time, for that matter. My only point was that they are calling the Falcons losers without taking into account that the other teams in the league also have professional players that line up and want to beat the crap out of them as well. I understand the negative comments, I just don’t get the vitriol that they are spoken with. My point was that if it’s that bad and makes you so mad, quit watching and rooting for the team that continues to let you down and do something else with your life. At the end of the day, it’s only a game!
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Is there anyone other than FRanks that can return kicks for the Falcons?
Sonny Clusters
November 18th, 2012
4:01 pm
Mr. Blank is getting pretty excited. Whatever happened to the picture of him on his horse?
Back 2 The Brown Paper Bags
November 18th, 2012
4:02 pm
what is authur happy about !?!?
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
4:02 pm
Q: Which qb has the most 4th Quarter come from behind wins since 2008?
MenVSBoys
November 18th, 2012
4:03 pm
Turner should be made for this situation. Lets see how he does.
Andy
November 18th, 2012
4:03 pm
Now they play not to lose and not to win. Do what you did on the last drive. Good grief
News flash
November 18th, 2012
4:03 pm
Tip toeing turner…..
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:03 pm
ANOTHER FREAKIN TIPPED BALL!!!!
Coach PJ for write in president
November 18th, 2012
4:03 pm
You have to be kidding me!!!
MenVSBoys
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Not cool.
Pigskin
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Told ya.
NOT a playoff team.
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
WOW !Another interception! WTF!
Al
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Can he throw a freaking pass NOT into their defenders. Gosh he sucks
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Header!!!
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Here we go, D rise up one more time please
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Should compare Julio to Roddy, not the QB.
oldbird
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
great. another short field for arizona
80sFalcon
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
This is just comical
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
Speechless
JoeBrave
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
How tall is Ryan??? can he not see over the opposing teams fuggin HELMET?
News flash
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
this is crazy
MenVSBoys
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
I just don’t see how you win with 6 turnovers.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:04 pm
What are they doing?