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
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
No Run D. No Run O. Not looking good.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:36 pm
Tipped passes are on both line AND QB. Ryan has to step away from penetration before delivering.
Vince Lombardi
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
What the hell’s goin on out there?
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
Again sign a punt returner
80sFalcon
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
At least the defense is trying to keep us in the game
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
Samuel on bench with helmet off. Looks looks like a shoulder.
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
Franks, hmmm, not a fan.
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
This joke of a team wants a new stadium, really?
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
We all know the Falcons got this!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Trust me
Pigskin
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
“Greatest meltdown in NFL history.”
Well, we’re good at ’something.’
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
WTF is wrong with our kick returner?
Free Fall
November 18th, 2012
1:37 pm
Wow, I guess Ryan is not elite vs elite defenses.
phil
November 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
Run Turner!! Our only hope! Lol
jo
November 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
Falcons D is playing well but no offense. We cant run the ball..surprise surprise so az is sitting on the short passes.
Go Jackets
November 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
IMHO, we hvat too many hotdogs (ole timey term I know), and not enough Julio Jones’ Matty Ryans’ and Tony G’s.
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
Would Turner play much less start for any other team? Slowest back in football.
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
1:38 pm
Yea ryan throw into triple coverage
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
If not for the trolls, this blog would be half-empty. Just like the Dome.
Jimmy Crack
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Dominique Franks is a couple of clubs short of a full deck in the decision-making game.
“Satisfied” says he needs to be cut.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
And Ryan just un-corked a 30-yard incompletion. Way to go!
jo
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Will the impostrr playing Ryan pleasegoaway now.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
OK all you DWAG and Falcon fans Jump off the bridge now and you can stop posting for the rest of the game. We don’t need to hear your crying.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
INT #3.
egr
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
after a great start . The Falcons will loose 6 games
Go Jackets
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
uh oh!
GritsBlitz
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Nice pick
Pigskin
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
oh brother.
This is ugly.
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
This is surreal.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Come on Ryan.
Andy
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Ryan sucks!!!!
extremus
November 18th, 2012
1:39 pm
Well, the one good thing that’ll come out of this game (which is quickly looking more and more like a Falcons crash n’ burn-style loss) is that heads will assuredly roll. Edwards was gone this past week; you can bet he’s only the beginning after the debacle we’re witnessing now. If Mike Smith and co. don’t get the ship righted ASAP, this “special” season is going down the crapper. And it’s abundantly clear that big changes are needed at multiple positions on the field right now (RB, offensive line, and defensive pass rush most notably).
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Ryan… awful forced throw and interception.
egr
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
i guess that was Roddys fault also.?
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Matt “Happy Feet” Ryan having a bad day
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
This IDIOT lets the ball bounce to the 7 yard line instead of fair catching it! What is wrong with this team? This is exactly what Georgia sports team do, CHOKE in the big games! Dont get so excited about the bulldogs playing for a National Championship! Alabama will ROLE them in Atl. How many big games has Aaron Murray actually looked average in? He has been horrible! Now look at Matt Ryan….. The Falcons look AWFUL! Blow OUT City today!
Go Jackets
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
This smells/looks/feels like the Raiders game all over again.
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Mattie Thrice.
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
True test is when things are not going your way…..Ryan will pass the test at the end of the day
Free Fall
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Ryan being exposed vs playoff quality defenses. Sounds like playoff football?
Bone
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
This team sucks!
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
1:40 pm
Fitzgerald was wide open on that. Caught a break there.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
It would be 17-0 right now if the Cards had a decent QB.
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Ryan has no trust in his 3rd WR…
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
If Cardinals had a Qb they would already have 30 points. Have fans started leaving yet,
stizz
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
They have a RB who can cutback, well basically every NFL team does.
eturn
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Thought I wouldnt say this …. this season…. But the Falcons are beginning to look like PRETENDERS
Steve
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Thank goodness that the Falcons are playing a bad team or this could be very very ugly. Already ugly enough, as it is.
playmeortrademe
November 18th, 2012
1:41 pm
Did this team really go 8-0? This is life in this state. Kids, never get your hopes up for any team from the state of Georgia. ever.
Free Fall
November 18th, 2012
1:42 pm
Well folks you are watching a meltdown of great proportions.
MTSeats
November 18th, 2012
1:42 pm
Perhaps, Ryan wouldn’t feel the need to force the throw if a running game existed.