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 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
Falcon Flap
December 9th, 2012
8:23 pm
5150…it should honestly be even worse for the smaller tech portion of the falcon fan base. Its the dawgs ,yellow jackets, braves, falcons, hawks that contribute to the numbness that has come over this state.
_______________________
Don’t forget the Flames and Thrashers. They, too, were major contributors during their failed attempts to survive here.
all i remember is the pitiful Panthers are 4-9
December 9th, 2012
8:28 pm
and they think they won the Super Bowl.
Roswell bob
December 9th, 2012
8:30 pm
Didn’t see the “mercantile” owner on the sidelines today. Must be a holiday. How convenient
Honest
December 9th, 2012
8:31 pm
As history says, you can’t put money on N’s. There’s no honor to be found.
Eric C.
December 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
Hey Roswell bob, say what you want about the bandwagon fans, but there is a very loyal fan base that has followed this team through some of the worst seasons imaginable with nothing to show for it but one appearance in the SB.
Pete
December 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
This game had “trap” written all over it. I’ll worry if we can’t get it done against the Giants next week.
G-Men In Tights
December 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
You have access to Mike Smith, Jeff. Yet you won’t ask him the tough pointed questions. You writers just massage his ego.
Thomas Brown
December 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
Eric C,
How can it change the whole dynamics of the game when we can’t stop them on defense ?
You’re reaching for straws to try to blame the game loss on the officials on a 2-point desperation call with 15 minutes remaining in the game when we can’t run the football 3 yards all season long.
We lost the game because (1) we cannot run the football and (2) because our defense was non-existent when the score should have been 35 to nothing if Cam Newton had run the ball 1 time in the Red Zone on all those field goal drives they settled for. The outcome had NOTHING to do with the officials stealing the game from us on the 2-point conversion, and it had likewise nothing to do with the dynamics of the game where we can’t run the football and can’t get off the field on 3rd and 4th downs against a 3-9 team 1-5 at home.
Quit trying to make excuses for the performance today
Eric C.
Kyle
December 9th, 2012
8:33 pm
This team is right in their comfort zone for December and January. At best they will look average this month and then they will get their butts handed to them after one game in January and that will be it. A team that can win a Super Bowl would never loose to a team like this in the first place much less be man handled by them. The perfect word for them all once again from the top down is Pathetic.
Roswell bob
December 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
Eric C. You are right that there is a very loyal base of long time Falcons fans and support!
all i remember is the pitiful Panthers are 4-9
December 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
and the sAints are 5-8
and the Bucs are 6-7
stendek
December 9th, 2012
8:35 pm
Hi Jeff. Know WHY no one takes Falcons seriously? Because of crap like this! Not only did an NFL bottom feeder defeat them to put the skids on a long home losing streak but dominated in the process. To say I am completely embarrassed would be an understatement of monumental proportions. Notice play of Matthew Ryan has been on decline of late in spite of wins? Not even in class of choke Aaron Murray. Should have left Michael Turner in Carolina. The guy has become totally worthless. Wiull Giants whip Falcons in Dome. Considering the Giants put up almost 100 points on the Saints today that seems a good bet. Not confident with Matthew Stafford Lions on horizon. Bucs no pushover either. May enter playoffs on major downer. Could be another quick exit. Was Mike Smith not a defense guru? What happened with that? Maybe Falcons are afterthought after all. Despite record.
Darkcow
December 9th, 2012
8:36 pm
Tony G’s comments just confirm that this team is too concerned with what the national media’s perception of them is. If these are the things they are worried about, they are sure to fold like a lawn chair in the playoffs again. I think they are definitely a very good team and could win the SB. But with this “We need to prove ourselves to ESPN” mentality, it’s gonna be the same ol sht.
intheknow
December 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
The Panthers are noithing more than a team going NOWHERE led by a QB that would sell his mother if he thought he could make a little money. The Falcons need to chaulk this loss off to just what it was….a loss …period. Does this mean Carolina is better than them…no….it means they got a bunch of loud mouthed marginal players that happened to finally play well. When playoff time comes they’ll be home watching it on TV because they couldn’t get it done over the course of the season.When you got to run your mouth to get attention you’re usually not that good….if you were other teams would be singing your praises and I don’t hear then doing it. The Panthers remind me of a bunch of children tring to get attention……a bunch of want-a-bees. As long as they have Cam Newton as their QB they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Felix
December 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
I have been concerned that the weak schedule the birds have played masked how good this team really is. This loss shows that my concern is a valid one. These Falcon are over rated. I the first half they were completely dominated by a lousy team. The Giants will make these Falcons look more like sparrows.
intheknow
December 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
The Panthers are noithing more than a team going NOWHERE led by a QB that would sell his mother if he thought he could make a little money. The Falcons need to chaulk this loss off to just what it was….a loss …period. Does this mean Carolina is better than them…no….it means they got a bunch of loud mouthed marginal players that happened to finally play well. When playoff time comes they’ll be home watching it on TV because they couldn’t get it done over the course of the season.When you got to run your mouth to get attention you’re usually not that good….if you were other teams would be singing your praises and I don’t hear then doing it. The Panthers remind me of a bunch of children tring to get attention……a bunch of want-a-bees. As long as they have Cam Newton as their QB they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Felix
December 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
I have been concerned that the weak schedule the birds have played masked how good this team really is. This loss shows that my concern is a valid one. These Falcon are over rated. In the first half they were completely dominated by a lousy team. The Giants will make these Falcons look more like sparrows.
G-Men In Tights
December 9th, 2012
8:37 pm
Damm blizzard in Green Bay tonight…
Eric C.
December 9th, 2012
8:39 pm
Thomas Brown,
I never made excuses. I fully believe the Falcons deserved to lose today. I just disagreed with your point about that bad call not being a big deal. The fact is, a ONE possession game is a lot different than a TWO possession game when there is less than 10 minutes left in the game. Offense philosophies changed dramatically for both teams based on that call. If that doesn’t click with you, then I am sorry.
JSS
December 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
@ DawgNole…
Well your boy is starting to babble again with one of his “personal rants.” Somethings never change, his team got dragged from post-to-post like one of those old leather strap matches, and all he wants to do is deflect with cliches about any given Sunday… Lucky not to be 0-3 in the last three meetings with Carolina… He needs to understand those “facts.” Good luck with him…
Darkcow
December 9th, 2012
8:40 pm
I like Tony’s pride in his team, but he’s letting the stupid national media get in his head.
You don’t see ESPN questioning the legitimacy of the Texans every week, do you? No. They love to hate us. They want Falcons players to constantly hear about their playoff failures. They want them to doubt themselves. Follow the money. They want the big market teams to win. Simple as that. What’s good for the NFL fat cats is good for ESPN’s, respectively.
stendek
December 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
I really want to have confidence in Matt Ryan. I do not. Think we can get my guy back from Texans?
all i remember is the pitiful Panthers are 4-9
December 9th, 2012
8:41 pm
and the Bengals beat the over rated Giants 31-13.
E Love
December 9th, 2012
8:42 pm
Falcons will be alright by playoff time.
stendek
December 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
Is anyone else here as utterly disgusted in Michael Turner as I am? The fat out of shape slob has become as slow as molasses in winter. Tired of seeing his uninspired tip toes after getting handoff. Anyone else feel the same?
G-Men In Tights
December 9th, 2012
8:43 pm
Stafford just ran a qb keeper for a td. Ryan couldn’t find or buy the balls to do that… I’m gonna put $10,000 on the team Falcons play in playoffs to beat them. Easy money…
Eric C.
December 9th, 2012
8:44 pm
Roswell bob, yep…and most of them are pretty ticked off right now so stfu
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
8:46 pm
@Bugguy
December 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
Luv the falcons, but they aren’t half as good as they think they are. Best comment of the day
Thomas Brown
December 9th, 2012
8:46 pm
Falcon Flap December 9th, 2012 8:23 pm
“Its the dawgs ,yellow jackets, braves, falcons, hawks
that contribute to the numbness that has come over this state.”
___________________________________________________
Falcon Flap, Sports have not been any good for a long time now here in HotLanta. Other cities have something in Sports. All we get here is we are the worst sports’ fans in the world. No. Actually, we’re not. As you say, we really haven’t done much in Sports. Consistently, we’re told that something is going on with 1 of our Sports’ Teams, and then we try to watch the games, and see nothing but utter failure at the most simplest of game strategies.
As fans, we see Cam Newton and figure you have to spy on him. Then, he puts up a performance like today against our 11-1 team. It’s sad really what HotLanta Sports’ Teams give us as fans. I blame the coaching. We all blame the coaching. We know going in what has to be done. Then, we watch as they don’t do what they had to do.
And, we’re supposed to be nothing but great fans ?
Horrible game today. At least I don’t have to buy into this Super Bowl 2012 Falcons’ football team.
What have the Hawks done here ?
What have the Braves done here ?
What have the Falcons done here ?
What the hell else is there ?
all i remember is the pitiful Panthers are 4-9
December 9th, 2012
8:46 pm
and cammy cam has lost 19 out of 28 games.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
8:47 pm
Football (unlike the other sports that play multiple games to get a winner in the playoffs) a good or bad match up determines the outcome in a single game. Ryan and the O never found a rhythm today. Today was a good day for Rogers but they didn’t use him enough on screens or with Cox to lead for him.
Falcon Flap
December 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
Dawg Nole your right..the thrashers and flames were just not worth mentioning lol.
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
8:49 pm
I enjoyed seeing the hometown kid show us what he works with
Go Cam!!!
Georgia
December 9th, 2012
8:50 pm
We need the falcons more than they need us. I can’t live without a football team. I require a great Qback, and Ryan is just that. Win or lose, none of the fans can explain Mike Smith football. All fans can do is text musical fruit toot. Mike Smith? My heart bets on Smith having heart. You gotta have heart. I believe. It’s a matter of faith. We will beat the giants. (Six brewskis talking)
just plain stupid
December 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
Arthur Blank should give a refund to all the Falcon fans that were at the game..seems fair to me
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
Lol poor little man you my boy! Not once have I made excuses for my team they got they a$$ kicked and I said so! Now what? Go back and read little angry troll, i dont make excuses I make solutions unlike you. The rant comes from trolls like you here and for what again? Lol so I can kick you in the dirt! We got our butts kicked today and we still 11-2 and already in the playoffs….now what? Like I said earlier angry little troll…maybe we should call you angry little hobbitt?Thats you that deflect with talks of scheme and nonsense…and you who ask for backup from Dawgnole…and again i leave you dribbling nonsense asking others for help…..angry little hobbitt
Thomas Brown
December 9th, 2012
8:51 pm
Eric C,
You posted a post post-game just now and stated that the 2-point conversion changed the whole dynamics of the game on a what you say is a bad call.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
8:52 pm
Sorry but Flap & Nole the Flames had a GREAT following and were a blast to watch. Turner couldn’t sell them on TV in the south back then. The OMNI was packed for the FLAMES but you couldn’t sell Tuborg beer in the south.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 9th, 2012
8:53 pm
The play calling has to get more balanced. 49 passes to 11 runs is just ridiculous for this team. Can’t put that much responsibility on Ryan and expect to win, especially with the line not pass blocking well. With such an unbalanced game plan, it’s no surprise that Carolina dominated time of possession.
G-Men In Tights
December 9th, 2012
8:53 pm
I said before season Falcons should have traded for Rams Steven Jackson. But the blind loyalty to Non-money Earner Turner by Blank was automatic. Watching Turner tip-toe up a lineman’s back for a half yard was old to me after 1st half of game 1 this year.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 9th, 2012
8:54 pm
The play calling has to get more balanced. 49 passes to 11 runs is just insane for this team. Can’t put that much responsibility on Ryan and expect to win, especially with the line not pass blocking well. With such an unbalanced game plan, it’s no surprise that Carolina dominated time of possession.
BravesFan79
December 9th, 2012
8:54 pm
Falcons played like this game meant nothing. Coach should of taken the loss at halftime, and sat EVERY starter for the 2nd half. This would of accompished 3 things: 1: Show the Panthers we really dont give a damn about them and this game is meaningless to us. 2: Not risk any injuries. 3. Sitting guys on the bench sometimes allows them to see the game from a different angle, making them focus better in the end.
NewStadiumGoodbye
December 9th, 2012
8:54 pm
And say goodbye to your new stadium Mr. Blank. The Falcons suck!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
8:55 pm
Flames may not have WON enough but they were loved and people did go to the games.
Season GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1972–73 78 25 38 15 65 191 239 852 7th, West Did not qualify
1973–74 78 30 34 14 74 214 238 841 4th, West Lost in Quarterfinals, 0–4 (Flyers)
1974–75 80 34 31 15 83 243 233 915 4th, Patrick Did not qualify
1975–76 80 35 33 12 82 262 237 928 3rd, Patrick Lost in Preliminary Round, 0–2 (Kings)
1976–77 80 34 34 12 80 264 265 889 3rd, Patrick Lost in Preliminary Round, 1–2 (Kings)
1977–78 80 34 27 19 87 274 252 984 3rd, Patrick Lost in Preliminary Round, 0–2 (Red Wings)
1978–79 80 41 31 8 90 327 280 1158 4th, Patrick Lost in Preliminary Round, 0–2 (Maple Leafs)
1979–80 80 35 32 13 83 282 269 1048 4th, Patrick Lost in Preliminary Round, 1–3 (Rangers)
Totals 636 268 260 108 644 2057 2013 7615 Six playoff appearances; 2–15 record
just plain stupid
December 9th, 2012
8:55 pm
grown men shouldn’t wear skull caps with pom poms on top…
Roswell bob
December 9th, 2012
8:55 pm
Georgia- that is no blizzard. Maybe for here. But “spitting snow” where I came from lol
Georgiavol
December 9th, 2012
8:56 pm
One and done again this year. Just watch. Our offensive line is just that, offensive. And our DLine isn’t much better, with one ageing star alongside a bunch of never will be’s.
Thomas Brown
December 9th, 2012
8:58 pm
Our 1 hope for 2012 put up a bad loss today. I am sorry I watched it. I should’ve known better. You Falcons’ fans have lied to yourself about this football team 2012. The offense, special teams and defense was out-played by a 3-9 team 1-5 at home. There. That is a post about the Falcons on a Falcons’ blog. That what you want ?
garcia
December 9th, 2012
8:58 pm
Rember Todd McClure publicly responding to fans’ critcisms?
Do you remember that somber press conference after the Giant playoff loss?
You have to wonder what Arthur Blank is up to this evening. With an important vote tomorrow, he is probably making phone calls to shore up his supporters. I wonder if he is making those phone calls from Dimitrof’s office. Tommy should listen to all the swine stool Arthur is swallowing to keep his new stadium, after such a loss. No threats, just the psycho-torture of seeing your boss turn beet red.
Tell it like it is.
December 9th, 2012
8:58 pm
Matt Ryan is in decline,and so is the whole team!