Short takes: Ryan awful, defense great, win important
Matt Ryan had rough first quarter with three interceptions and taking hits like this. (AP photo)
(I’ll be back shortly with my column off the Falcons’ game against the Arizona Cardinals. Until then here are my three “short takes” on the game.)
1. Ryan’s nightmare afternoon: If the Falcons weren’t playing Arizona, which has one of the NFL’s worst offenses, they would’ve been blown out Sunday. As it was, Matt Ryan threw three interceptions in the first quarter (one actually was the fault of Roddy White, who dropped a pass and it was picked off in mid-air) and a career-high five in the game. With a fumble, the Falcons actually turned over the ball six times but Arizona capitalized with only one touchdown and two field goals — 13 points. Ryan had thrown as many three interceptions only twice previously in his career. But he did come through on the go-ahead drive, completing four of five passes and setting up the Falcons’ lone offensive touchdown drive (a one-yard run by Michael Turner). Trivia note: Ryan is the first quarterback since Bart Starr in 1967 to throw five interceptions and no touchdowns and win anyway.
2. Defense comes through: OK, for all the praise offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter has been getting, this was Mike Nolan’s week. And everybody on the Falcons’ offense owes everybody on defense a nice dinner. The Falcons’ offense not only committed six turnovers, it often gave the Cardinals short fields to work with. Two of the Cardinals’ first three scoring drives were two plays for nine yards (touchdown) and four plays for nine yards (field goal). But the Falcons’ defense held Arizona out of the end zone after that first touchdown just 1:06 into the game and equaled the Falcons’ offense in t0uchdowns scored (one for Jonathan Babineaux on a fumble return, one for running back Michael Turner). Arizona was limited to 178 yards in total offense and its two quarterbacks were limited to 11-of-27 passing for 70 yards (three sacks). No Falcons player or coach who was asked could ever recall winning a game when their team committed six turnovers.
3. A big win because of what’s next: Losing to Arizona would not have crippled the Falcons in the NFC South (they started the day at 8-1 and with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay, four over New Orleans). But it might have made things uncomfortable. Here’s why: Atlanta faces divisional opponents in the next three games (at Tampa Bay, home against New Orleans, at Carolina), then finishes the regular season with three more difficult games: home against the New York Giants, at Detroit and home against Tampa Bay. Now at 9-1 with only six games to go, the odds are long that the Falcons are going to blow a six-game lead. And fortunately, this league doesn’t operate on style points, just wins.
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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118 comments Add your comment
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:36 pm
0-3 In the playoffs…………..
Sorry guys facts don’t lie…………..
Outscored 72-23 in last 2 playoff games……….
Sorry guys facts don’t lie………………..
11 picks in last 8 games……………
Sorry guys facts don’t lie………………
You are entitled to your own opinions but not your own facts
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:37 pm
CHOKE was throwing picks like he was at a Kmart blue light special……………………
HA HA
contribute now
November 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
Please buy your 2013 season ticket now. I need the money, and everyone knows, players can’t be bought.
Jeffro
November 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
The bucs are going to DESTROY atlanta twice but birds will finish 12-4 and not make Super Bowl.
Yawn
dawgnation1
November 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
They have to have a new stadium dummy. If we want the Superbowl or to keep the SECC then the dome isn’t going to cut it. You’re not going to be paying for it anyway. Got news my stupid friend, blank would have no issue moving this team if he doesn’t get the deal he wants. None of these owners would have an issue with it.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:40 pm
In the old days, after a performance like CHOKE had today he would have been taken behind the stables and shot………….
HA HA
Dave
November 18th, 2012
6:41 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan coming to you from his mom’s basement.
Sorry guys facts don’t lie.
Falcon Mania
November 18th, 2012
6:41 pm
The sAints only wish they were 9-1.
good home
November 18th, 2012
6:44 pm
looking for a few greyhounds. prior experience, AJC can provide ref.
dawgnation1
November 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
Choke….. you’re an idiot if you would rather have Vick instead of Ryan. That a-hole couldn’t make it through an entire season with 5 pro-bowlers in front of him. Inaccurate, obviously can’t study film, basically is too stupid to actually win anything. Know wwhat’s funny though? You talk about the last playoff game the falcons won was with Ronnie Mexico, well that was the last playoff game he won too.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
All kidding aside for a second, I cannot STAND the fact that the Falcons are 9-1. I’m just praying they lose in the playoffs. I hate them and I hate Matt Ryan for being rich and famous and I hate all of you. My parents never loved me and put me out on the street in New Orleans until Katrina forced me to Georgia. I resent all of you Georgians. I say “HA HA” and put a smiley face to act like I don’t care, but this really sucks. But still ……
HA HA!
Greg Banks
November 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
It seemed that batted balls were as big a problem as anything else today.for Matt I know there’s tremendous parody in the league but we consistently seem to play to level of our competition. Again a wins a win. Tough stretch of the schedule coming up. Gonna be interesting to see how we match up over the next couple of weeks.
Steve
November 18th, 2012
6:47 pm
A day in the life of the posted Matt “CHOKE” Ryan:
Wake up, alone. Turn on the computer. Wait all day for a new Falcons blog. Act like a 3 year old and type all sorts of ridiculous comments. Play with his Vick dolls. Go to bed alone. What a sad, pathetic life. I would be a little baby like him too I guess if I had no woman, friends, or life.
treaddawg
November 18th, 2012
6:49 pm
The way Ryan was throwing picks today, I had to squint to make sure MV7 hadn’t snuck into the game wearing white- out. But then he had the game winning drive and I knew it was the real Matt.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
November 18th, 2012
6:49 pm
CHOKE IS BACK! Where have you been these past few weeks? Your boy Vick looked good today. He always looks better on the sideline than he does on the field. Your Eagles sure stunk up the joint, though, didn’t they?
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:50 pm
He guys I heard that the Falcons have a good shot this year….
Oh that was the Air Force Falcons……
My bad…………..
HA HA
Yo Vince
November 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
A 100 different teams could have played that agame today and lost. It shows that the D can really rise up when the ball does crazy shiz. Oh yeah, Choke is a idiot
Steve
November 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
Why do you people respond to “Matt CHOKE Ryan?” That’s what he wants you to do. Just ignore the little boy. He grew up without a father and has no woman, friends, or life.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:52 pm
I heard CHOKE and Flacco were friends once until CHOKE was denied an application to the Playoff Win Club………..
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:54 pm
yo Jinny
100 qbs would not throw 5 picks…………
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
Steve
If you are going to ignore someone, you can’t mention their name.
I bet your parents are so proud.
HA HA
Allenman
November 18th, 2012
6:56 pm
This was a lazy, sloppy, poorly coached performance. Had we played a quality team, we would have been really embarrassed today.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:57 pm
I had to light a candle at the shrine of the greatest QB I have ever seen, my hero Mike VICK da TRUTH…but that’s done now so I’m back biatches to defend my idol the best dog killa around!!!
HA HA
Allenman
November 18th, 2012
6:58 pm
And by the way, that’s parity, not parody. Although the Falcons were a parody of a first division team today.
The 27th
November 18th, 2012
6:59 pm
Wow CHOKE is really losing it. HA HA
SMFH
November 18th, 2012
7:00 pm
“CHOKE” I am delighted when you are not here. I keep hoping you are back in prison.
The 27th
November 18th, 2012
7:01 pm
And I mean the real CHOKE not the fake ones. HA HA!!!
Go Jackets
November 18th, 2012
7:01 pm
Houston (picked to win SB by several outlets) struggled with 1-8 Jville. Not much difference tween worst and best in big boy football guys and gals. Falcons win, thats all that matters.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
November 18th, 2012
7:02 pm
Choke – Two things bud – #1 – Vick did not lose today, that would normally be good news but guess what, he did not play because of a headache! #2 – Atl played like sh-t, with 5 int’s and hardly no rushing yards. But somehow we won, makes us 9-1 right?
SMFH
November 18th, 2012
7:02 pm
The reason he is called “CHOKE”? Because when he gives Vick a Monica, that’s what he does.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
November 18th, 2012
7:04 pm
Another thing, Arizona is got a hell of a DL. maybe one of the best in NFL?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
I like little boys a lot!
The 27th
November 18th, 2012
7:06 pm
Remember “CHOKE” its just game and at the end you still dont matter or make a difference. HA HA!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
7:07 pm
Those picks were not CHOKE’s fault. I heard the Cardinals secondary were using the Predator invisible mode…….
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
7:10 pm
CHOKE was under a lot of pressure today. I heard Mrs. CHOKE told him if he doesn’t win a playoff game soon, she’s trading up for Flacco.
HA HA
The 27th
November 18th, 2012
7:11 pm
Wow you are really losing it CHOKE. Its just sad. HA HA!!!
Loose Caboose
November 18th, 2012
7:19 pm
First you have dummy MCR…then you have jjs, talking about homophobes…and he lives on these blogs 24/7… lmfao !!! Get a life !
rufus
November 18th, 2012
7:29 pm
Look at the relative parity in the league (just based on won/loss) then consider the Falcons’ 9-1 record. I say we are doing well. Only Bears come close. Ryan was obviously far below mediocre, but a lot of the blame goes, I believe, to the offensive line.
BTW, many, maybe not the truly premiere, teams play to the level of its opposition.
I think for Atlanta to have emerged victorious while playing so poorly (on offense) bodes well’
Go Dawgs, too.
Droppy White
November 18th, 2012
7:30 pm
With me and our oline not blocking worth a dam, we caused 3 of the ints. not one word about that though!
TCCB
November 18th, 2012
7:32 pm
New England 7-9 Atlanta 9-1 who is the better team? I would love to know what you think
TCCB
November 18th, 2012
7:35 pm
Hello Choke, I hope all is well.
air of mendacity
November 18th, 2012
7:38 pm
come on – Ryan had a bad game, give it a break. Only one was horrible throw – others were tipped etc. We won anyway — that is what is important. Yes, we need to get more consistent running but I am encouraged. We need to get Julio healthy – the ankle worries me and we also need to get even better against the run. but it can be done — no dominant teams in NFL ANY GIVEN SUNDAY
air of mendacity
November 18th, 2012
7:46 pm
Enter your comments here
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
7:48 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
November 18th, 2012
5:15 pm
This Thursday the Falcants won’t be playing a quarterback less
team
___________________
Your first-ever truthful post–not that you intended it that way.
DawgNole
November 18th, 2012
7:51 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
November 18th, 2012
6:12 pm
When I’m here you don’t like it, and when I’m not you are not happy.
_____________________
Actually you have that last part backwards.
Matt"CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
8:49 pm
hey guys must i remind you that I am GAY!
MV7
November 18th, 2012
9:17 pm
Hey Choke, am I your fantasy QB?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
November 18th, 2012
9:19 pm
TCCB
What’s happening?
You know I have to keep these delusional never gonna win another playoff game again ever fools in line
LoyalFalcon
November 18th, 2012
9:24 pm
@Man…
Thanks bro! Some people on this blog have no idea how hard it is to win an NFL game. On any given Sunday any team can be beat. These games will help prepare us for the playoffs. For those who say Matt hasn’t won a playoff game yet, you’ll find something negative to say when he does starting winning them. Who cares what you haters think. We will be just fine. Go Falcons!
LoyalFalcon
November 18th, 2012
9:26 pm
This was by far Matt’s worst game. The offense better tighten up!