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)
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
968 comments Add your comment
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Well Matt,,Yes we believe in Matt Ryan so who cares what you think
phil
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
It’s the line that can’t block and the obvious nature of the play call there.
Fire someone!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Who gets 3 picks in 1 quarter?
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
2:01 pm
Its the coaches! Stop running CRAP we are not good at!
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
2:02 pm
What is going on with the run defense?
phil
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
At least you guys aren’t suffering through the awful joe buck calling the GB game…..
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Falcons o line miss dahl
Jimmy Crack
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Heck yeah
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Pass was going forward
Special Investigative Unit
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
**Breaking News **
We have discovered that Gary Coleman of “Different Strokes” fame is not dead! He has changed his name to Jacquizz, and plays football for the Atlanta Falcons.
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
2:03 pm
Whoa … that’s close. I initially thought incomplete but not sure now after seeing replay. Ball might’ve been out before arm came forward.
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
1:56 pm
CHOKE is here! Finally!
________________
Surely you didn’t expect him to stay away with the Falcons losing.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
At least you guys aren’t suffering through the awful joe buck calling the GB game…..
___
Haha. Its not all bad!
Eric C.
November 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
Radio guys are sure it is a fumble fwiw
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
Matt Ryan is always going to give the Falcons a chance to win, is he having a bad game, yes, but I like him better than a lot of guys in this league!
ijonathan
November 18th, 2012
2:04 pm
Enter your comments here
Dilla
November 18th, 2012
2:05 pm
The Falcons need to take a 5yard penalty on 3rd and short. We have a way better percentage on 3rd and long.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
2:05 pm
Hey MCR, can you remind us what the playoff scores were? I seem to have forgotten.
Ed Pilcher
November 18th, 2012
2:05 pm
I guess we will have to depend on the defense to score points……
jo
November 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
Falcons D is good today regardless of severe offense woes.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
Call will stand, i hope!
Mike Franklin
November 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
Ed Pilcher – Actually, in this case, we have to depend on the zebras…
JSS
November 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
Ha ha, a team with no QB or RB is trying to give away a game!!!
Jimmy Crack
November 18th, 2012
2:06 pm
Useful refs eating their whistles…TOUCHDOWN, BABY!
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
YERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
Touchdown — Huge for team and defense deserves it because of way they’ve been playing.
Last four Arizona possessions: 2 punts, 1 FG (set up by Ryan interception) and that fumble recovery for TD.
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
Go Abe!!
80sFalcon
November 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
Turn the game off, come back to find Jeff scolding me and the Falcons within 3. Apologies to Jeff.
Steve Superior
November 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
@DawgNole
Of course not. He only comes out when his mom calls down into the basement and says Matt Ryan is having a bad game.
phil
November 18th, 2012
2:07 pm
What happened? Game break hasn’t once showed our game.
jo
November 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
Down by 3 is really good after what we haven seen so far! We will take it! Keep up the D again!
falconsrus
November 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
great job D###
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
Yes TD!
LHarding Dawg
November 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
Dang people, give the Falcons a chance. Three picks and only 13 points, we can, and did, overcome that in one play. Game on.
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stizz
November 18th, 2012
2:08 pm
Wow.
Blessed with new life. Now blow this team out.
JSS
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Instead of running it down their throat, they are trying to throw it… Ha ha
atlfalconsfan0125
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Cant we be happy for a minute? Damn man
AndrewRiggs
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Schultz, why did they let Ovie go?
GritsBlitz
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Falcons want them to score again….
Jeff Schultz
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Defense has to carry team again after bad KOR coverage.
jo
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Wow, now the special teams are helping Arizona too???!!!!
FALCON FAN
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
So kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone is not an option???????
Chop It Up
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Come on really? Who is the special teams coach?
goFalcons
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Tell them LHDawg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jimmy Crack
November 18th, 2012
2:09 pm
Special Teams!
Da-na-na na na na na!
phil
November 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
Looks like abe finally woke up….
Of course he often does against the lesser teams.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
This looks like the Giants game last year where the defense led the offense in scoring
This dude CHOKE lights it up vs mediocre defenses and lights & deer syndrone comes on when he has to play vs a half way decent defense.
Same old story, even with all those weapons.
J.J.M.
November 18th, 2012
2:10 pm
Come on bosher boom that ball