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
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:24 pm
There’s Falcons highlight of the game — 53 yard punt by Matt Bosher to Arizona 5.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:24 pm
I am simply amazed that they continue to try running Turner on first down when he does absolutely NOTHING.
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
Not many Michael Turner fans at the game today.
80sFalcon
November 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
NFC South might be won with 8-8 the way this game is going
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
1:25 pm
At some point you have to give up on turner and see what snelling and quizz can do
Ken Akerman
November 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
I live in Arizona and I am listening to the Cardinals-Falcons game on local radio. The play-by-play announcer is saying that the stadium is only half-full and he says that the fans in Atlanta should be ashamed of themselves. If this is true, why isn’t there more passion for the Falcons in the greater Atlanta area?
Rick
November 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
Az point total the past 5 games.
3
16
14
3
17
They got 10 against these losers in 6 minutes.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
Other running backs bounce to the outside and try to make things happen, but not Turner. He just continues to try and make a hole when there is none, and gets tackled for no gain or a loss.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
1:27 pm
If the Cards had a QB, this game could be ugly!
Rick
November 18th, 2012
1:27 pm
Watch, here comes a first down pass
ubah
November 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
hearing some boos when Falcons run. Wonder if William Andrews is available.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
Best defensive drive of game, obviously helped by field position. Falcons should come out of this near midfield.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
Arizona has no offense.
Free Fall
November 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
9-7 and no playoffs. End of Smith era.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:28 pm
Wow. An honest to goodness 3 and out.
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Sign a punt returner…
extremus
November 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Turner needs to be cut NOW. If the Falcons can’t find somebody else who can do the job then hey, they’re no worse off than they are now, right? If your run game is near the bottom of the league it should be a hint that there’s something wrong with your featured running back, and recently Michael Turner is doing “good” just to get back to the line of scrimmage. If the Falcons insist on keeping him and trying to make it work out they will pay dearly; there’s no getting around it.
Rick
November 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Wow great return! Run straight into their players and no cut.
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Great kick, but is Franks the best option for returning kicks…sad.
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:29 pm
Worst return game in the NFL, do the Falcaints have any speed?
JSS
November 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
Turner tried getting outside, you can hate him, but that line is getting crushed!!!
phil
November 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
Ken Akerman
November 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
I live in Arizona and I am listening to the Cardinals-Falcons game on local radio. The play-by-play announcer is saying that the stadium is only half-full and he says that the fans in Atlanta should be ashamed of themselves. If this is true, why isn’t there more passion for the Falcons in the greater Atlanta area?
*********
they choke….you know it’s coming. Every time.
Pigskin
November 18th, 2012
1:30 pm
We don’t score here…….put a lid on this season folks. It’s done.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
Fat, drunk and slow is no way to make thru life, Turner.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:32 pm
Ryan gets mauled again.
Rick
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
Again white loses the ball. Idiot has no clue
falconsrus
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
roddyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
Roddy not focused today; hold onto the freaking ball!!
playmeortrademe
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
Julio proving to be a bust if he’s not durable and can’t be reliable as a pass threat.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
This o-line has been suspect since Harvey Dahl left. He was one mean and nasty SOB.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
Great effort by Roddy on that but out of bounds.
Blazerdawg
November 18th, 2012
1:33 pm
KA , yes we should all have the passion of the Phoenix fan. Dome is almost full. Tailgating was great today….took a while ro get in.
GritsBlitz
November 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
Ouch
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
And there’s INT #2.
Rick
November 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
Way to go ryan! How many tips is that!! Throw is right into their arms. Idiot
phil
November 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
McClure says it’s not the lines’ fault….
McClure lies.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
Come on man.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:34 pm
Pick after tip … that’s at least 3 tipped passes.
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
Falcaints are just a bad team, lack of talent. No heart.
Pigskin
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
That’s it folks!
80sFalcon
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
WTF!!! I think this is going to be one of those games. Nothing going Atlanta’s way
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
GOOOOOOO FALCONS
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
Ken Akerman
November 18th, 2012
1:26 pm
I live in Arizona and I am listening to the Cardinals-Falcons game on local radio. The play-by-play announcer is saying that the stadium is only half-full and he says that the fans in Atlanta should be ashamed of themselves. If this is true, why isn’t there more passion for the Falcons in the greater Atlanta area?
________________
I’ve already explained why. Forty-six years–their entire existence–without a championship. And that’s just the Falcons. The city’s pro teams have competed for 156 seasons with ONE championship to show for it–the ‘95 Braves.
egr
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
how tall are the Cards Tackles?
Free Fall
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
Greatest meltdown in NFL history.
stizz
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
That is why we don’t throw to HD.
Andy
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
This is not a playoff team. Good grief they suck. Really 10-0 to az?? They’ve lost 5 in a row.
Kissinger
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
Did someone tell the falcons this is a playoff game? Deja vu.
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
1:35 pm
So this is the team everybody thinks can win the Super Bowl? Yea right! Matt Ryan has to play better!
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
Tampa. will roll this team.