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
Buckeye
November 18th, 2012
5:03 pm
Lucky to get this one. Hopefully the O got it out of the way.
P.S. Send Dent back to the dogs.
oldmike
November 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
matt”choke”, etc. what is your problem. go root for someone. don’t fill this blog with your consistent rant. you seem to be most quiet when the team plays well. don’t get out.
Buckeye
November 18th, 2012
5:04 pm
Damn, JAX had a shot to win/tie against the Texans. Would have been huge for home field for the Falcons.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
@ ORR
Just remember my admonition from before the GB playoff game… If this was a “once” this season matter (see the Raiders & Panthers games) then it would be another matter… This is Rex Grossman stuff… He is supposedly way better than that especially touch and read…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
5:05 pm
kerryb
You do realize that’s a compliment coming from you?
HA HA
JSS
November 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
Buckeye, the Texans are in the AFC…
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
Shultz,not good with numbers, what is the Falcons(i.e. MSmith) record vs +500 teams?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
5:06 pm
So CHOKE now has 11 picks in his last 8 games……….
What a LOSER………..
HA HA
LDawg
November 18th, 2012
5:07 pm
Ugliest game I ever saw – and I watched the UGA–Scar game. The commentators said it was the first time since 1967 when a team (with Bart Starr) won with 5 INTs and no passing TDs. Thank God the D bailed us out and thank God Arizona has no offense except Larry Fitzgerald.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
5:07 pm
Packers 48-21
Giants 24-2
Packers 50-?
ha ha
LDawg
November 18th, 2012
5:08 pm
And CHOKE – we still won you loser.
Loose Caboose
November 18th, 2012
5:11 pm
Hey Matt “Choke” whatever….crack kills…
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
5:12 pm
Enough with a break from the real world. Time to go read up on Israel vs. Hamas.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
5:12 pm
1 and done is CHOKE’s destiny. Don’t tempt fate…..
HA HA
Loose Caboose
November 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
MCR…put down the pipe dude…that is if you are a dude.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
MARK BRADLEY
Keep making those superbowl predictions…..ha ha
Spartacus
November 18th, 2012
5:13 pm
Positive signs from today:
1. Defense really stepped up and shut down the Arizona offense (a few gashing runs, notwithstanding).
2. the resilience of this team to continue to compete and pull off wins says a lot about their mental toughness. That will come in hand in the playoffs
3. Rogers is slowly being entrusted to run the ball more, as he is much more effective than Turner.
4. Result of # 3, Turner started running with much more decisiveness and actually flashed the skills that made him one of the top rb’s in the league a few years ago.
5. Matt Ryan, though he made several bad plays throughout the game, still is clutch when he needs to be, at the end of the first half and the end of the game. The dude has no conscience when the game is on the line and needs to run the 2-minute offense. That will bode well in the playoffs.
Yes, it was an ugly win, but 5 picks is a fluke, especially for Ryan. However, we are 9-1 and if the team can figure out how to deal with their weaknesses (offensive line, rb, run defense), then we should be able to get home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Then, we will see what the team is really made of, in particular, Ryan.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
5:15 pm
I’m going to be closing commenting here.
My “short takes” on Falcons win posted:
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/11/18/short-takes-ryan-awful-defense-great-win-important/