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
Kissinger
November 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
It appears there are some tells the defenses are seeing that tell them it’s a run. Absolutely no respect for the pass when a running play is called. And vice versa.
Willy
November 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
Jeff, does your family miss you during the fall?
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:53 pm
I love Rogers, that kid is a football player!!
jo
November 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
This Rogers guy is decent.
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
Here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
Hi guys, I tried to stay away but this BUST is just embarrassing your city and your team. It wasn’t enough getting embarrassed by a Saints team without a coach but to have this CLOWN throw 3 picks in a quarter?
Like I said many times, this CHUMP will never be anything more than a clip board holder….ha ha
rickyroo
November 18th, 2012
1:54 pm
What an awful start. It is amazing how much better a team can look after the bye week. This reminds me of when we went to Philadelphia in reverse. Still very early but I am glad Arizona is not an offensive power house.
Mr C
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
third and short.
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
3rd and long – awesome; 3rd and short, not so much.
Dum-Bass
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
****Ed Pilcher*** you are correct as my family name is Bass, and I have been known to be “Dum” at times. At least I’m honest. Some are “dumb” and don’t even realize it.
phil
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
Fire Mark Richt!!
He’s only 2 wins from a birth in a national championship game, but we all know it will never happen!
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
Another short-yardage bust.
KenDawg
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
What has happened?! The Falcons show that they have no ability to run the ball, so it’s all pass, pass, pass. So the Cardinals defense just keys on that, and we have a real problem.
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
Lil’ Quizz is my favorite player jo. He has a huge heart.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
3rd and inches and Turner loses 2 yards. Great play call.
falconsrus
November 18th, 2012
1:55 pm
Todd is a mud duck
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
I dont get this play calling at all !
jo
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Finally some points!
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Put it on the board, good job Falcons
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
Turner finally gets a decent run, so they replace him with Snelling, who promptly loses two yard. One of those days–again.
At least ol’ reliable Bryant comes through again.
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
CHOKE is here! Finally!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
3rd and short!
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
How in the hell can you not run on 3rd and 1…its clearly that sorry offensive line
Jimmy Crack
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
“Sigh”
- Pat Hill
Mr C
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
o-line can’t run block.
jo
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
As long as we play defense we have a chance in this game.
eturn
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
PRETENDERS look like..something is wrong
Falcaints
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
Quizz is slow, runs about a 4.8, nothing more than a carnival side show. Will never be a feature back, Falcons don’t have a running option.
falconsrus
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
3 points !!!!!!!!!!!
Eric C.
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
The Falcons used the the QB sneak with success last game. I can’t see the game, but why not try a sneak if was only inches? The other run options just aren’t working.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:57 pm
Falcaints — “Jeff, are the Falcons the worst running team in the NFL?” … <<< They’re at least in the discussion.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
It wasnt Turner. It was Snelling.
phil
November 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
Fire the OL coach!!
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
Turner is going to run the ball where the play is called. He will not adjust when the hole is clogged. Not all his fault our line has to do a better job on run blocking, GOOOOOOO FALCONS. RISE UP
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
Willy — “Jeff, does your family miss you during the fall?” … <<< Hah, thanks for asking. They’re used to it.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
1:58 pm
Sorry, I meant to blame Snelling. I should be blaming the o-line, though. Poor, poor play-calling. Turner manages to start moving the ball, and they give it to Snelling, who loses 2 yards on 3rd and inches. SMDH.
Man...
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
They’ve tried Snelling on 3rd and short…….nothing.
Only options left, Quizz and Ryan sneaks.
pathetic.
phil
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Rise up?
Change that to DON’T FALL DOWN!
Eric C.
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Yes, it was Snelling this time…Turner already gets enough blame, sheesh.
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Oh boy, watch this new Arizona QB come in and light up the Falcons.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
You guys fall for CHOKE’s bs every year. He teases you vs mediocre teams and you fall for it year, after year, after year, after year…ha ha
Thomas
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
I wonder who’s at fault for that failed 3rd and 1….Snelling???
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
1:59 pm
Whenever its 3rd and Short. lets get a delay of game to make it easier.
falconsrus
November 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
NFL debut oh no !!!!!!!1 lets turn the D### loose on this guy mike
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
I thought they were suppose to fix this short yardage problem? We cannot run for short yardage with this offensive line!!!!!!! Get the picture and try something else! These guys get paid big money to make decisions that they obvioulsy have no clue about! By the way Pat Hill needs to be fired! I havenever seen a offensive line that cant get 1 or 2 yards on 3rd down Where is the freaking full back? get someone to run block!!!!! IDIOTS
Dum-Bass
November 18th, 2012
2:00 pm
***Phil*** says, “fire the OL coach”. Guess that would be “old lazy” coach!
Falcons 73
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
How about some screens and the no-huddle.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
They are who we thought they were ! The Falcons!
ubah
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Great, rookie QB– hope we don’t make a name for him.
ijonathan
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
On the replay, it think it was Baker completely, awkwardly whiffed on the guy who made the tackle in the backfield.