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
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
4:25 pm
Aaron Rogers is talking about how awful his offense was today, yet made a drive late to take the lead and win the game. Boy, that guy sure does CHOKE.
Once Recent Reader
November 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
I remember watching Meldrick Taylor beat Julio C Chavez for 12 or 15 rounds . . . . .then with one good flurry . . .Taylor down with about 5 seconds left in the fight – Ref called TKO. This sort of reminded me of that fight.
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
Spartacus
November 18th, 2012
4:16 pm
And everyone else’s point is that if you don’t like what you’re reading, stop reading it and shut the hell up.
“. . . it’s only a game.” Classic loser mentality.
Boy, you’ve really worked yourself up into a tizzy. You know, if you took your own advice here, my posts wouldn’t bother you. You would just stop reading them and be on about your day.
By the way, those that don’t recognize that it’s “only a game” are the real losers. They are full of vitriol for the team and obviously have never played real competitive sports, or they would know how difficult it is to win consistently. Good day, sir.
__________________
It wasn’t only my advice, obviously. Take a look at the other posts.
Bad day, loser.
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:26 pm
At least we’re not the Dallas Cowboys struggling to beat the Cleveland Browns.
Mora less Petrino
November 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
“CHOKE” has switched from Vick to Flacco now!
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
4:27 pm
Buy your seat licence now! Grab your chance to see average!
SRF
November 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
Will Spoon ever come back ?
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
So time for me to be called a troll…
So don’t you think with defensive talent equal to the Cards and coordinators capable are not going to burn this game into their hard drives? They got pressure with 4, were even more lethal when they blitzed… And they ran the ball (abandoned it), it was a mess!
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
News flash
November 18th, 2012
4:17 pm
Wow the perfect texans can’t put the powerful jags. The should fire thief coach
_____________________
So the 8-1 Texans are perfect and they can’t put? And their coach is a thief?
Duh!
Mike
November 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
The Falcons were unimpressive today. They still won. That is what makes a good team. On an off day you still get there. I can’t wait for the f’n Saints to come to town.
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
Name me one team that has not looked average at times this year. Houston is tied in OT with Jacksonville right now the worst team in the league. At least Arizona is a team with a really good defense.
TCCB
November 18th, 2012
4:30 pm
Six picks, damn, a good team rattles Matt Ryan and wins.
Stepchild
November 18th, 2012
4:31 pm
Once again the Falcons are” peaking” at the wrong time. Expect them to limp into the playoffs and get jacked up again!!!
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:32 pm
TCCB
November 18th, 2012
4:30 pm
Six picks, damn, a good team rattles Matt Ryan and wins.
____________________________________________________________________________
He really on threw 2 INT’s. The other four were from tipped balls. That’s the O-linemen not getting low enough on their man.
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
4:33 pm
stepchild you poor stepchild we 9-1 and are not limping u idiot
News flash
November 18th, 2012
4:34 pm
@choke
Flacco has huge playoff wins against the dolphins, titans and patriots. HIs qb rating in those games is 46.5. 1td and 6 picks
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
4:34 pm
It feels great to be a Falcon fan right now and watch the h8ers looking for something to say
Dawg Boy
November 18th, 2012
4:34 pm
kev…How can you say the defense should be ashamed of themselves? The D kept them in the game!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:36 pm
5 picks vs 4-5 team…..ha ha
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
4:36 pm
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
4:19 pm
TD/MS are simply putting on a show. Reminds me of the ‘72-74 Flames. Good TV, but no real results.
___________________
Don’t forget the Thrashers . . . Braves (except ‘95 version) . . . Hawks. It all started way back in 1966.
Once Recent Reader
November 18th, 2012
4:36 pm
Hey JSS . ..no Troll name calling here:) I’m sure Defensive Coordinators will try and replicate the Cardinal performance today. I’m also sure the Falcons will try not to replicate their Offensive Performance today – specifically Ryan with the Ints. Thankfully he did have two really nice drives that mattered immensely . . ..the pre halftime FG drive . . . those 3 points were big. And the last TD drive where the O was clicking.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
People aren’t “looking for something to say.” Folks have PLENTY to say!!!
Denver Bird
November 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
Any fan over 40 welcomes “ugly wins” like this compared to what we consistently endured for decades. Ain’t NOBODY gonna make me apologize for the 9-1 birds!
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
Enter your comments here
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
Even with 5 picks these fools are blaming the offensive line….
ha ha
LOSERS love Losers
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
4:38 pm
You told the truth ORR, Not forget the great drive at the end of the half
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
4:40 pm
I am pumped after this win,,,,,,,,TY Falcons for making me proud.
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:40 pm
I see the idiot troll “Choke” is in here again. How are your worthless Eagles and better yet your worthless QB for them doing Choke?
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:41 pm
Hey Choke, 9-1 losers. You’re stupid.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
SEASONS WITHOUT A PLAYOFF WIN:
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Infinity
ha ha
Mora less Petrino
November 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
CHOKE’s real name is Vicktor Massengill.
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
oldbird
November 18th, 2012
4:23 pm
Look at it this way folks. It takes a good football team to lose the turnover battle 6-1 and still win the game.
Mike
November 18th, 2012
4:29 pm
The Falcons were unimpressive today. They still won. That is what makes a good team. On an off day you still get there.
____________________
Can’t disagree with you there, guys.
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
Next three games in Division, with NOLA being a short week, Am I the only one who hates Thursday Night football?
jarrell
November 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
truly another underwhelming win. They seem to play just well enough to win. Wonder if that formula will work in the playoffs… not.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:42 pm
Boom Boom Geoffrion sighting on a Falcons blog!
Old Bird, you counted the Yucks out too soon!!!
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
TB Bucs won late. Lead stays at 3 games. It could be a lot worse, obviously.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:43 pm
kerryb
Go bake me some cookies girl……….
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:44 pm
Man the Bucs & Saints about to double team CHOKE and take this division…. ha ha
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
Can Newton loses again? aw, that’s really disheartening.
Skeeterleg
November 18th, 2012
4:45 pm
The Tampa game next week is a guaranteed loss….
Staring 8-3 right in the face.
At least we’re collapsing early enough to erase all question of a playoff win. phil.
…and the Broncos were a guaranteed loss, then the Eagles, then the Cowboys. The only guarantee is that you will show up every week to further prove you are a drooling moron and don’t know jack crap about football.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
4:46 pm
Howie Long is a troll…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:46 pm
Drew Brees is going to rock the Dome…………
ha ha
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
4:48 pm
I just spent an hour review all the many picks by CHOKE.
Man he has got to be the Dumbest player in the league
because he was throwing picks right in the hands of the other
team.
Dude cannot read a defense if it was kicked in his head.
ha ha
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:49 pm
“Choke” you do realize that EVERYONE in here thinks you’re an idiot. 9-1
Dawg Boy
November 18th, 2012
4:53 pm
3 of the picks were tipped balls…They were “right in the hands of the other team’?…
ha ha
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
4:53 pm
@DawgNole, never followed the Thrashers, too old and hockey cost $, saw Bobby Orr play. Flames were built the same way, good enough to be compete, but lacks the talent to go all the way. Owner’s want butts in the seats ($$). Mike Smith is more concerned about a penalty than an INT (last week).
Once Recent Reader
November 18th, 2012
4:56 pm
Choke . .. no doubt. One bad day throwing those Ints!!! Still – Cardinals could not capitalize .. and hopefully Ryan has gotten the Terrible Game out of his system. But in the end . .. . he added another 4th Quarter Comeback win to the Stat sheet:) Win being the key word . .as you know very well.
kerryb
November 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
We saw why Arizona is ranked 8th in total defense. They are pretty good.
Freedom from insanity
November 18th, 2012
4:57 pm
Don’t feed the Choke Troll…….he is definitely a bottom feeder!
okeetee
November 18th, 2012
5:00 pm
Falcons win game……..but immediately drop 5 spots and out of the top 10 in the “Power Rankings!”