Falcons give performance to leave us wondering again
DeAngelo Williams' 53-yard touchdown off a screen pass buried the Falcons late. (AP photo)
CHARLOTTE – It started with the Carolina Panthers winning the coin flip for the first time this season. It ended with the Falcons being trash-talked off the field by a last-place team. Somewhere in between, we witnessed Atlanta’s worst four quarters of football of the season.
And the Falcons’ deserved it all – the loss, the mocking, the questions about what this means moving forward.
“I can hear everybody right now,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “They’re getting off the bandwagon. I can hear them jumping off. Looking at our history, people are going to go, ‘See, I told you.’”
OK. It’s a little premature for I-told-you-sos. The Falcons haven’t lost a playoff game yet. But it has to be concerning when an 11-1 team falls behind 23-0 to a 3-9 team, and at one point finds itself being outgained 356-66. It’s concerning any time a defensive front is so thoroughly shredded the way the Falcons’ front was Sunday, and the offense can’t run the ball (again), and all hopes of opening the regular season’s final month with an impressive win are emphatically squashed.
Cam Newton account for 403 yards and three touchdowns passing and rushing. (AP photo)
The Falcons lost 30-20 to Carolina. They managed to make Cam Newton feel like he was back at Auburn again.
If Newton could combine for 403 yards and three touchdowns with his arm and legs in victories every week, media members wouldn’t be hiding behind potted palms and waiting for anonymous quotes that rip him for being petty, immature and ego-maniacal (just paraphrasing the attack pieces).
The fact the Falcons lost a game in itself isn’t devastating. They’re 11-2. They’ve already clinched the NFC South Division and remain in a strong position to clinch home field through the NFC playoffs.
But Gonzalez is correct: This was like feeding steroids to a doubting public.
Next week’s game against the New York Giants will tell us something. The Falcons find themselves having to rebound, physically and emotionally, against the team that drop-kicked them out of the playoffs last year.
“We all knew we were flat,” linebacker Sean Weatherspoon said. “It seemed like every time there was a play to be made, we were almost there. You can’t be almost in this league.
“We get a chance to go after some guys who controlled our destiny last year.”
Yes. Best to turn the page as quickly as possible. Embrace the possibility of amnesia.
The Falcons made the Panthers look like a playoff team. Carolina scored on its first five possessions (two touchdowns, three field goals), and only one of those ended in a big play (Newton’s 72-yard touchdown run, finished off with a flip). Mostly, the Panthers punched the Falcons in the mouth.
It figured they would milk this a little, and they did. When the Falcons rallied for a 30-28 win back in September in the Georgia Dome – Matt Bryant’s game-winning field goal coming with five seconds remaining – quarterback Matt Ryan was caught on camera screaming toward Carolina’s bench to, “Get the [bleep] off our field!”
So when this one ended, several Carolina players were overheard trash-talking on the field, led by defensive end Greg Hardy, who witnesses say mimicked Ryan’s comment, “Get the [bleep] off our field.” Bryant’s reported response: “Watch us in January.” Introducing, the trash-talking kicker.
Hardy is the same obscurity who earlier said the Panthers were a “better” team than the Falcons, adding: “I’m trying to mess up their whole playoff experience. I want them to go home sick in the stomach, mad about life, a couple depression issues …” (He didn’t make himself available for the media Sunday.)
Down 23-0, the Falcons showed a pulse. Ryan’s four-yard touchdown pass to Julio Jones closed it to 23-13. But a seemingly successful two-point conversion pass to Roddy White was ruled incomplete (questionably), deflating the comeback. DeAngelo Williams’ touchdown on a 53-yard screen pass slammed the door shut.
When asked if he considered this loss a bump in the road, Gonzalez responded: “It better be, if we’re the team we think we are.”
Instead, they’ve left everybody wondering again.
By Jeff Schultz
The last dozen from the digital juke box
– Short takes: Cam Newton and Panthers’ line dominate
– LIVE: Falcons have chance to clinch playoff bye
– Even at 11-1, Falcons know they can’t afford to settle
– ‘Sack Schultz’ Bowl Blowout contest (from Potato to BCS)
– Hawks are surviving nicely without Joe Johnson (gee, go figure)
– OK, Falcons’ critics: Find something wrong with John Abraham
– Brian Gregory may have Tech on way to something good
– Trying to win is only half the problem at Georgia State
– Georgia earns respect in defeat, but loss will be hard to take
– Braves dump a pitcher (Hanson) they once viewed as gold
– Falcons’ offense hits a wall, but as usual it doesn’t matter
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722 comments Add your comment
DawgNole
December 10th, 2012
11:52 am
Cobb Falcon
December 10th, 2012
8:08 am
Anyone who knows anything about football knows what happened. You have a team that’s worked hard all year and already made the playoffs vs a team that’s dwelt in the cellar and is playing in the only “playoff” game they’ll see this season. The Falcons were as flat as week-old road kill. No adrenalin……it happens. BUT…they better use this as a learning tool in order to be successful in the post-season. All losses aren’t bad.
__________________
You were doing fine til your last sentence: “All losses aren’t bad.” If you think that way, you’ll play that way.
Seasoned Ticket Holder
December 10th, 2012
11:56 am
I watched the game and I really couldn’t care less.
I didn’t see guys playing out of position, and I didn’t see us handing the ball to Turner as though we didn’t know he has forgotten what to do when he gets it. Ryan’s accuracy was off, and we were slow to the ball on defense. No evidence of systematic deficiencies (that we didn’t already know about).
I saw a team that already clinched its division and is close to clinching home-field throughout the playoffs go up aginst a team lead by a guy who loves opportunities to perform.
Cam Newton is smart. He knew what this game meant to the Falcons (next to nothing). It was just a little road trip after a long break after beating their actual division rival. Of course they were flat footed and probably already thinking about avenging last year’s loss to the G-Men.
Cam executed brilliantly and everything went the Panthers’ way yesterday. Big deal.
Nobody got hurt and no new major flaws were exposed.
Talk about past playoff failures if you want (because we all like dwelling on the past as a way to conjure things to feel bad about when we hate ourselves), but get over this game quickly because it doesn’t matter.
What matters to me is that we get to see playoff football in the Dome, and I would prefer a W this time.
Also, can we please stop pretending this is Matt Ryan’s team or Mike Smith’s team or Spoon’s team?
Isn’t it obvious that this is Roddy’s team?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 10th, 2012
11:58 am
Mask of False Bravado
December 10th, 2012
10:43 am
Love how the troll keeps using Flacco as a reference, when his playoff stats are AWFUL and he has ridden the coattails of the defense to playoff wins. Flacco hasn’t won playoff games; his defense has.
Flacco’s career playoff stats: 9 games, 54% completion, 8 TD, 8 INT, 1532 yds (170 per game) and a rating of 70. Flacco has as much to do with the Ravens playoff success as Trent Dilfer did……except Dilfer had a much higher rating and his TD/INT was 4/1
_____________________________________
You forgot to mention that Flacco never had a safety, a pick 6 and you also forgot to mention that in Flacco’s last playoff game he passed for over 300 yards and out played Tom Brady and if not for a gift wrapped touchdown drop they would have been in the superbowl.
Hell, CHOKE still has not passed for 200 yards in the playoffs.
Next excuse?
Enjoy your LOSER, LOSERS
DawgNole
December 10th, 2012
12:01 pm
Bling’s theThing
December 10th, 2012
8:50 am
We were all duped when they drafted Turner and looked like they may be going the right direction in terms of Trench warfare (and now look at how Turner does, even though he is past his prime and it shows).
_________________
They didn’t draft Turner. Maybe your memory is blinded by all that bling.
Russdawg
December 10th, 2012
12:07 pm
Time once again for our beloved Falcons to CHOKE
If this team with this record loses the playoff game then line up the firing squad.
Matty “Roll Tide Ice and this whole team have a lot to prove this time.
Gone are the days of “will the Falcons have a winning season”, “will they make the playoff’s”
WIN A $!%^& game in the post season !
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 10th, 2012
12:09 pm
Here is the cost for rolling the dice and taking short cuts with winning a playoff game or superbowl.
Instead of drafting a good tight end you waste a 2nd round draft pick on an aging tight end that will retire this season.
Instead of drafting a good running back you throw some 50 million on a running back and burn him out so now he is old and worn.
Instead of drafting a good center or offensive lineman you throw away a whole draft for a wide receiver that is 2nd to A.J. Green, who was a straight up draft pick. Now McClure is old with no replacement.
Instead of replacing the old and soon to retire Abe your Julio draft picks could have been used for his replacement.
So Falcant LOSERS CHOKE has set this franchise back instead of forward, because he is such a mediocre talent it took a lot of talent to make him look a step above mediocre.
The dude in his 5th season as the starter has thrown 7 picks in 4 games, 14 picks on the season and only 2 off the league lead, and 60 out of 75 games played.
So enjoy your LOSER, LOSERS
HardyFalcon
December 10th, 2012
12:10 pm
The Falcons look like they where still on break. Our defense will cause us to lose in the play-offs. We have such a weak and predictable defense and pass protection. The gane against the Giants will be the tale of the tape. Michael Turner needs to be put on the practice squad watching the pole dancers.
questions abound
December 10th, 2012
12:16 pm
OK..I have been a longtime Falcon fan and always will be. No Tony G. I will not be jumping off the bandwagon. But, that’s not to say we who are true fans are sick of our team not coming out to play the game and that lays at the feet of MS. You are professionals…so you had some extra time off. We regular people take vacations too but when we have to go back to work that’s what we do..work.
I bet everybody in the stadium knew what the first offensive play would be for the Falcons..Hand the ball to Turner and get 1 yard. Why? cuz MS doesn’t want to change…or is it..Just a thought all teams have tape on Falcon tendencies what if when we get to playoffs we start to see more Quizz, Snelling and A. Smith so they haven’t planned for it. We get to go no huddle…and with different plays in the mix thats a plus for us.
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
December 10th, 2012
12:18 pm
keep buying the hype Falcons fans…i’ll be here to laugh in your face late January…
Falcons Fans
December 10th, 2012
12:20 pm
Don’t blame us! We could share HUNDREDS of stories of losing, bad draft picks, unreal player behavior, Mora, Petrino, the coach that got the DUI, and on and on – yet the Georgia Dome is full and often very loud.
WE showed up to takeover that stadium in Carolina yesterday.
Still positive, after all of these years. Going to get that first round bye and get ready for the ride to the Superdome.
Go Birds!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 10th, 2012
12:22 pm
The following quote was on NBC Sportstalk:
Ryan was caught on camera telling the Panthers to “get the f— off our field” after pulling out a 30-28 win. The Panthers got a 30-20 win on their home field on Sunday and didn’t forget what happened back in September during the first meeting.
How can a whimpy LOSER never gonna win a playoff game like CHOKE talk trash?
HA HA
Seasoned Ticket Holder
December 10th, 2012
12:22 pm
Yes, let’s blame Turner’s demise on Mularkey.
Mularkey’s scheme over-emphasized the run and “wore out” Turner.
And BVG made Thomas DeCoud eat an entire pot roast and 16 ounces of mac ‘n cheese right before kickoff.
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
December 10th, 2012
12:23 pm
you can go to the Superdome if you choose…just don’t expect the Falcons to be playing…
MelDee
December 10th, 2012
12:26 pm
Wondering again about what? The Falcons play just like the Braves do – - – they start out on fire and fizzle out in the end.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:27 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
Gotta hand it to fans of GA sports. They are some of the most delusional fans in the country. Back in 2010, UGA fans etc were all calling Cam names and it’s hilarious to watch Cam run and throw all over that overrated Falcon defense.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:27 pm
“The Falcons play just like the Braves do ”
The only difference is that the Braves have actually won playoff games in recent years.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:28 pm
Where is Mark Bradley? I haven’t heard a peep out of him since his precious DWAGS were embarrassed on national television two weeks ago.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:29 pm
” Our defense will cause us to lose in the play-offs.”
The defense can’t score all the points for your team.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:31 pm
“Going to get that first round bye and get ready for the ride to the Superdome.”
So you’re going to see either the Giants or Packers?
Buckhead Benny
December 10th, 2012
12:39 pm
We need to get a big DT and a big offensive guard and move Peter Konz to Center- We need someone like the Chase kid from Alabama or the Larry kid from kentucky the guard someone that is 330-340 like Just Blalock becasue our issues have been huge since Harvey Dahl left-
We could also use someone like a john Jenkins at the DT that would make it harder for other teams guards and lineman to get to our linebackers-
We are not winning at the point of attack on either our offensive or defensive lines- I think our skilled positions are great to be honest but we have to get more stout up the middle on both offensive and defensive lines
smlarsen
December 10th, 2012
12:43 pm
Donnan… really… embarassed you prick. You must not have seen the game. AL won by 4 points with 5 seconds left in the game you crimson blind prick. Snap out of your elephant fuc*** dream world and join us here in what we like to call reality. Falcons are 11-2 what ever team you route for is not so get over you reject.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 10th, 2012
12:44 pm
CLASSIC QUOTE FROM ESPN:
“The Falcons were in playoff form Sunday, but that’s not a compliment.”
HA HA
Tomahawkin
December 10th, 2012
12:47 pm
smlarsen
“Donnan… really… embarassed you prick. You must not have seen the game. AL won by 4 points with 5 seconds left in the game you crimson blind prick. Snap out of your elephant fuc*** dream world and join us here in what we like to call reality. Falcons are 11-2 what ever team you route for is not so get over you reject.”
OUCH
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 10th, 2012
12:48 pm
Since going 8-0 the Falcants are since then 2-2 and both losses by losing teams, and one team without a head coach.
HA HA
Tomahawkin
December 10th, 2012
12:49 pm
Fact of the Matter is This is a Huge Statement Game Against Eli and “The-G-MENNN!!!” I have a nasty feeling in my Big Boy gut that Eli is gonna Pick apart our secondary….Its Gonna be brutal!
Huge Statement Game Sunday, and watch the Dome be filled up by Giants Fans, SMH
smlarsen
December 10th, 2012
12:49 pm
Ha ya Matt “chooke” ryan. Ravens sure are doing well this year. Who was that they lost to yesterday. Oh yea the RED SKINS. Ha ha ha you want to talk about a choke. Your team still probably cant breath. Get out of this blog you waist of energy. Your team sucks almost as much dick as your quarter back so why dont you go bandage up the wounds they suffered yesterday and get on a ravens blog. Well if they have one that is. I mean i cant personally see why anyone would want to talk about the ravens other than lewis. Have a nice day moron. Sad this is what you do day to day.
Vick a Loser
December 10th, 2012
12:50 pm
Hey Choke what is the Eagles record and why did Vick get benced for a rookie QB YOU PUNK
Shouldn't have done all that acid in the 70's
December 10th, 2012
12:50 pm
I agree with every single one of you and it won’t matter a lick if they skank off the field against NY. Help me, Obi Juan Kanobi. Help me. Baker stinks. Contz stinks. McClure stinks. Clabo stinks. Turner stinks. Ryan stunk up the place. Great timeing, boys. Tightening up for the playoffs. Just saying. Coming out limp wristed like you don’t have a care in the world. You guys have been sliding down in effort all season. I’ll be there Sunday cheering as loudly and obnoxiously as I possibly can. LIterally the whole season comes down to this game as you may VERY WELL see the giants in again in a couple of weeks. Are you men or are you limp wristed Lemon Peel patrons?
Shouldn't have done all that acid in the 70's
December 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
Washed my mouth out with used toilet water to get the taste of the Pantheres game out of my mouth.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:52 pm
“Donnan… really… embarassed you prick. You must not have seen the game. AL won by 4 points with 5 seconds left in the game you crimson blind prick. Snap out of your elephant fuc*** dream world and join us here in what we like to call reality. Falcons are 11-2 what ever team you route for is not so get over you reject.”
I love angry little UGAG fans.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:54 pm
“Falcons are 11-2 what ever team you route for is not so get over you reject.”
You should take remedial english, ma’am. I’m not sure how one “routes” for. Can you please explain that one? Also, 11-2 means NOTHING in the playoffs. What was the Falcons record when they were destroyed by an 8-5 Giants team last year?
Keep trying, troglodyte.
?
December 10th, 2012
12:55 pm
MATT RYAN IS THE SORRIEST QB IN PRO FOOTBALL. HE COULDN’T HIT A BULL IN THE ARSE WITH A BASS FIDDLE. HE KINDA REMINDS ME OF ANOTHER JERK THAT PLAYED FOR THE FALCONS. I WAS HOPING EVERY TIME THAT HE GOT HIT THAT THEY WOULD BREAK HIS LEGS. SORRY, FRANCHISE QB. MR NOODLE ARM.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:55 pm
“Since going 8-0 the Falcants are since then 2-2 and both losses by losing teams, and one team without a head coach.”
They’re also 0-4 in the playoffs with Matt Ryan but to Falcons fans, he’s the bestest ever.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:56 pm
What does UGA and the Falcons have in common?
They can’t win big games.
DawgNole
December 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
BillA
December 10th, 2012
10:02 am
I’m a die-hard Giants fan but I don’t expect an easy game at all next week. Falcons fans are some of the worst I have ever seen, how can you expect a team to feed off of a fan base they cannot count on week in and out.
___________________
Easy for you to say from your team’s perch atop the NFL as defending World Champs. How many Super Bowls have your guys won? How many have the Falcons won?
You need to walk in our shoes for 46 years before preaching to us about our support of a team that’s NEVER given us a championship.
smlarsen
December 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
How can you even live with yourself. You really think we were embarassed. Ha Ha man, you are delusional. That was the best college football game played all year. One that came down to the final seconds and the final drive. Alabama fans just have this idea that it was a blow out. Maybe cause thats what their use to and yall just can’t face facts that every team you play doesnt suck as bad as auburn. Whatever it is yall need to work on it. Its pretty sad when you people can’t even admit it was a good close game. I think that makes yall the losers in the end.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:57 pm
“Your team sucks almost as much dick ”
Looks like Choke won the argument. When folks start spewing out childish insults like that you know they’ve lost the argument.
Sucks for you (no pun intended).
AlanFalcon
December 10th, 2012
12:58 pm
It seems as though the additional rest period that Coach Smith gave the team allowed them to wally in their sucessful season thus far, boy I hope they got a wake up call, if not this will be a bigger disaster than the 2011 Braves at the end of their season.
I hope this team is better than they have looked over the past 4 games or you could say season.
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
12:59 pm
“Alabama fans just have this idea that it was a blow out.”
Nah, they’re too busy laughing at DWAG fans and their overrated football team. It’s like last year when DWAG fans were saying “we won us da first half!!!!!!!!!!!”
DONNAN OF A NEW ERA
December 10th, 2012
1:01 pm
Falcon fans and UGAG fans are very similar. Both teams can’t win big games, both have a QB who caves under pressure and both have a fan base that claims that their teams will win it all next year.
WOOF WOOF!!!!
Grounded
December 10th, 2012
1:05 pm
Fickle Mikle and Roswell Bob sais it all: 1) You have to win on the line of scrimmage to win in the NFL, particularly in the playoffs. We shot our wad to get one receiver – a world class receiver, but one that was far too expensive and has undermined our ability to build our lines. This one is on Dummytroff, not Smitty. 2) If you are going to build a new stadium please build it in the suburbs or, at the very least, in Doraville at the old GM plant. For God’s sake do not put it downtown and fill it with the same old surly, malcontent employees who do not give a damn about the fans.
Granny
December 10th, 2012
1:07 pm
Oh pooh. The Falcons took the week off to get ready for the Gents from New York. I bet they score more than 2 points against them this time, playing indoors, without any cold wind running down their spines. The question is how many times will Ole Yellow-spine (Mike Smith) play the missionary style football he knows so well (you know, always let the opponent and your team be within 7 points at the end of the game), i.e.: no fake punts on 4th and 1, no unexpected onside kicks to start a half, no laterals to Julio Jones who then throws a 50-yard TD pass to an uncovered Matt Ryan, etc., etc. If all goes well, the Falcons will win 48-45. If all goes bad, the Yankees win 45-9.
DawgNole
December 10th, 2012
1:12 pm
MG3
December 10th, 2012
10:14 am
The sky is not falling people, we have key players on the bench getting healthy and all that matters is that first playoff game at home. Carolina, and Cam especially, had a good day but this game was not important for the Falcons
____________________
“. . . this game was not important for the Falcons”??? Say what?!
I’ve never seen so much loser mentality and rationalizing on a blog.
Cruzin
December 10th, 2012
1:22 pm
The Falcons won’t make it through the first round of playoffs. They still lack several key players to compete with the big teams.
Bad Itch
December 10th, 2012
1:25 pm
The nagging feeling about the Falcon is, you simply can not trust them to deliver.
John
December 10th, 2012
1:28 pm
I crack up when I hear this stuff. 11-2 is all that matter right now. Patriots went 16-0 and lost in the Super Bowl. Cry me a river people 2 losses in the regular season doesn’t determine the Falcons outcome at the end. Get over the past playoff years already and come up with something new. THis is a new season and a new year. RISE UP ATL
REAL FALCON FAN!!
December 10th, 2012
1:28 pm
Wow where are all you fans after a win? I have not seen this many comments on any article about the Falcons all season!! You all got something to say after a loss and your team is in first place!! Just goes to show you Atlanta fans are the worst!! Falcons will bounce back and yes beat the GIants on Sunday!!
FALCONS RISE UP!!
Grounded
December 10th, 2012
1:29 pm
A direct quote from Rodney Harrison on last night’s Sunday Night Football: “No one’s afraid to play Atlanta.”
DawgNole
December 10th, 2012
1:35 pm
Answer This, your 10:06 a.m. post actually appeared to be thought out and sensibly written. A rare event compared to your usual in-game and post-game rants against those of us who dare cast a critical eye toward our Falcons when they stink up the joint. Are you drinking heavily every week when you post all that gameday screaming and wailing about those you perceive as “negative”?
What you NEVER seem to understand is that a passionate fan of the team can still take issue with it when it performs poorly–as this team has done for most of its 46 years. Doesn’t mean that passionate fan is no longer a fan; just means he’s weary of being beaten over the head with playoff futility for four and a half decades.
Why can’t you understand that? Why defend losing and poor play? Praise them when they excel, and question them when they don’t. Nothing in the world wrong with that.
As for your exchanges with Thomas B, I can tell you from personal experience that he’s a formidable opponent on the blogs. We’ve been at each other’s throats for most of this season–even though we’re both Dawg fans (ironically). Kinda nice right now to be on the sidelines for this one.
By the way, I’m not only a Dawg. As the “DawgNole” handle implies, my loyalties are split between Dawgs and Noles. Each has two bitter losses this year, and that’s certainly disappointing–as was the Falcons’ performance yesterday. None of which makes me a “negative bandwagon jumper” at all.
Gatorzone
December 10th, 2012
1:43 pm
People who say this was just a loss haven’t been watching this team all season… This seems to be a trend, and we are just preparing ourselves for another postseason debacle… I wonder what the deal is with Smith getting so conservative lately! What happened to the exciting team we watched early in the season???