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
Terry Bradshaw
December 9th, 2012
10:48 pm
“Turn out the lights. The party’s over.” Next week will be brutal. One and done yet again….
JSS
December 9th, 2012
10:49 pm
Funny, this idiot is trying to Tolkien real people… Only crazy middle earth dweller around here is the spinner (answer nothing) that makes James Carville’s hag of a wife seem intelligent….
Oh yeah,
D. Orlando Ledbetter @AJCFalcons
NBC announcer Rodney Harridon said “no one is afraid to play the #Falcons.”
tony
December 9th, 2012
10:50 pm
I don’t blame the coaches nor the players for their deficiencies because it’s the gm responsibility to get the right players to play in the trenches. In the National Football League games are won in the trenches.
Claude Humphrey is one of the few falcons to ever dominate in the trenches well over 40 years ago. Dimitroff need to do a better job in evaluating OLs and DLs.
As much as I would like to see this team win a sb, I just don’t think they got enough manpower in the trenches. This offseason they need to try to sign Branden Albert-OT, Sebastian Vollmer-OT and Glenn Dorsey-DT(he got injured this season). Try to steal Eddie Lacy-RB and Philip Lutzenkirchen-TE in the draft. I know Sheldon Richardson-DT probably won’t be there when our time roll around but that guy is a force to be reckoned with.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
10:50 pm
“Turn out the lights. The party’s over.”………………..Dandy Don Meredith use to sing that on MNF.
Terry Bradshaw
December 9th, 2012
10:54 pm
@5150. Yeah
Terry Bradshaw
December 9th, 2012
10:54 pm
@5150. Yeah
tell the truth
December 9th, 2012
11:02 pm
The Falcons have what must be the easiest schedule in the NFL- the only winning team they played was Denver BEFORE Manning got started and it was at home. Ryan is just like any other QB; rush him and put pressure on him and his stats don’t look too good.
ClassicHawks
December 9th, 2012
11:03 pm
WORST FANS IN THE NFL!! ATLANTA FALCONS. YALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. CRY ME A RIVER. THE BOWL COMES THRU THE DOME!!!!
THIS IS THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
We took a day off! It Happens you cowards!
Go Bandwagon Somewhere else! Disgusting FANS!!!
Matt Ryan a back up???? He Threw for 345+ 2 Scores 34-49(69%). Sound Like All Pro Numbers to Me…
Team was off for a 4 Day Weekend…
Comeback to NO PADS, NO TACKLING…
They Weren’t Prepared or Awake for this Game, It HAPPENS!!!!
Can’t Believe I Have to Cheer With you DOUCHBAGS in NEW ORLEANS in FEBRUARY…
I’m Disgusted by Our Fan Base… It is the MOST FICKLE IN THE WORLD!!!!
THE HAWKS ARE 12-5 by the Way… HOW ABOUT YALL GO SUPPORT EM!!!!
ClassicHawks
December 9th, 2012
11:04 pm
WORST FANS IN THE NFL!! ATLANTA FALCONS. YALL BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES. CRY ME A RIVER. THE BOWL COMES THRU THE DOME!!!!
THIS IS THE BEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.
We took a day off! It Happens you cowards!
Go Bandwagon Somewhere else! Disgusting FANS!!!
Matt Ryan a back up???? He Threw for 345+ 2 Scores 34-49(69%). Sound Like All Pro Numbers to Me…
Team was off for a 4 Day Weekend…
Comeback to NO PADS, NO TACKLING…
They Weren’t Prepared or Awake for this Game, It HAPPENS!!!!
Can’t Believe I Have to Cheer With you DOUCHBAGS in NEW ORLEANS in FEBRUARY…
I’m Disgusted by Our Fan Base… It is the MOST FICKLE IN THE WORLD!!!!
THE HAWKS ARE 12-5 by the Way… HOW ABOUT YALL GO SUPPORT EM!!
Connor
December 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
To all of you saying Smitty should be fired, please get off this comment board. You are not real Falcons fans. ATL has 11 wins, tied for most in the league, and you want the coach fired? Talk about knee jerk reactions, grow up. They’ll get it fixed and play well against New York at home. Falcons at home under Smitty= very hard to beat. Falcons after a loss= very hard to beat. Next week the Falcons will be extremely hard to beat.
DECATUR JOE
December 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
If the Green Bay Packers win their four remaining games they will have a total of 12 victories. The Falcons need to win at least two more games to avoid playing in Green Bay for the NFC Championship if they are fortunate enough to win a playoff game at the Dome.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 9th, 2012
11:08 pm
A lot of panic on this blog. Don’t lose sight of the goal. This was a bad loss, but it means no more than any of the empty regular season wins from the last few years. This team will be judged by what it does in the playoffs. If they get it together by then, this will all be forgotten. If they don’t, there will be plenty of time for doubting and questioning at that time.
Call a more balanced game and fix the problems in the defensive front 7 and they can put this behind them.
Falcon fan
December 9th, 2012
11:13 pm
I am a loyal Falcon fan and I believe we will win the super bowl.
Go Birds!!!
DrPepper
December 9th, 2012
11:27 pm
The Falcons have played a very easy schedule and do not have the elite talent you look for in a SuperBowl bound team. We have too many holes. We don’t put enough pressure on QBs and our offensive line is rather weak. We need another good linebacker and cornerback as well (since you really need 3 good starting corners these days). Our QB is good but not in the elite group of QBs. Our RB is very slow and not of much help anymore. The problem has more to do with talent than coaching. The elite QBs like Rogers and Manning will kill us in the playoffs. This has not changed from the 2 previous years.
Sklipch
December 9th, 2012
11:30 pm
I have enjoyed watching the Falcons this year because every game seems to go to the last play before you can relax and enjoy a win. Unfortunately, I remember how bad that playoff game was last year against the Giants. I can’t give serious consideration to the Falcons going to the superbowl unless they beat the Giants next game.
Rev Al
December 9th, 2012
11:33 pm
I had the over…….so, it’s all good….
Dr. Phil
December 9th, 2012
11:36 pm
Thirty five yards rushing won’t get you far in the playoffs and shouldn’t get you a new stadium either.
Honest
December 9th, 2012
11:51 pm
Buy Blank a new stadium, contribute $300M
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
11:56 pm
Today this team showed what it would do for it’s HeadCoach. Not much, I guess. Maybe warm and fuzzy goes only so far.
CGD..
December 9th, 2012
11:58 pm
Remember, Coach Deer in Headlight is coaching this team. They wont get it together in the playoffs..
The Giants put up 52 on The New Orleans Saints today?
Up next: The New York Giants
MTSeats
December 10th, 2012
12:01 am
More softballs from the ajc. Rainbows and unicorns. $
Connor
December 10th, 2012
12:02 am
man you bandwagon fans are annoying, if you can’t be faithful, please go find another team. I dont wanna be cheering next to y’all
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:04 am
Surely not CGD…………say it aint so……………..not another one u done in the playoffs? Let em at least get to the Superbowl game and lose it like in 98…………………they lose against the Loser Pansies but they probably will whip the Giants next week
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:06 am
13- 3 this season before the playoffs
MTSeats
December 10th, 2012
12:07 am
Hate to admit, Ryan under MSmith, he’s peaked. Has to have a clean pocket, o-line can’t do it. But we have 5pick Julio, 66yds today.
falconion.4.life
December 10th, 2012
12:08 am
How the hell do we expect to get respect and shut up idiots like Rodney Harrison the way we were dominated by a trash team like Carolina? We’re an elite team and still tonight, in front of a national audience, Harrison tells the world, “Ain’t nobody afraid of Atlanta. The Giants are THE team to be afraid of.”….. Maybe, after seeing how we played today, he was right. I don’t know about you guys but I’m really, really P-O’d !!!!!
Gritsfalcon
December 10th, 2012
12:12 am
Here IS the bulletin board material for the falcons this week:
Rodney Harrison, NBC……” the NY Giants are the best team in the NFC…….nobody is afraid to play the falcons……”
Caleb
December 10th, 2012
12:12 am
Wow, it will be a bloodbath in the dome next week. Will get really ugly. 55-10 is generous. Take everything you own and put it on the G Men. Easy way to double up
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:13 am
probably what happen to the Falcons today from the remark Ryan made about getting off our field well Harrison’s remark may just bite him in the butt next week when they play our Team………………………….hoping here Atlanta puts a butt whippin on em in the Dome for last year !
MTSeats
December 10th, 2012
12:14 am
Beware our badass D, check that, badass O, check that, just beware! We won 11 (barely).
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:17 am
Where can I bet 2000 on the Giants ?……………………..joking here , Atlanta may surprise the Giants and everyone that doubts they can beat them……..Falcons are tough in that Dome……..thinking only 6 losses and 3 of those were to the Saints
red riding hood
December 10th, 2012
12:20 am
who’s afraid of big bad falcons?
CGD..
December 10th, 2012
12:24 am
Gaints 48
Falcons 24
CGD..
December 10th, 2012
12:24 am
Giants^^^
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:26 am
ha ha
CGD..
December 10th, 2012
12:27 am
Michael M., the Falcons are superior at Home in the Regular season..
Playoffs? Now that’s another story..
They better bring everything and the kitchen sink against Eli or else..
Oh the Humanity!
ATLien
December 10th, 2012
12:28 am
Anyone see the end of eagles bucs? Foles completes a pass to maclin short of the end zone with 14 seconds left. Offense hustles to the line and SPIKES THE BALL with 2 seconds left and runs the next play. I know it’s the wrong forum but just had to reiterate what an IDIOT Mark Richt is.
Aaron Rodgers
December 10th, 2012
12:29 am
Hey “Choke,” if you’re going to insult Matt Ryan, compare him to me. Don’t ever compare him to Joe “I’m the best quarterback in the NFL” Flacco, who only wins games when his defense compensates for all his many failures.
CGD..
December 10th, 2012
12:29 am
did ya hear Vegas rates the Falcons as the 7th best team in the NFL?
How dare they! Do they have some kind of inside info? What gives?
red riding hood
December 10th, 2012
12:31 am
how about falcons win a SB and Blank gets a new stadium. Otherwise, upon failure, full ticket refunds.
CGD..
December 10th, 2012
12:31 am
Mark Richt= 2-15 against top ranked teams since 2008.
Always go with the other guy.. That’s easy..
CGD..
December 10th, 2012
12:33 am
Superbowl or Bust
Bust.
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:35 am
Giants wont win it this year..forget about that one…………………………….
Aaron Rodgers
December 10th, 2012
12:35 am
I just read more of the comments on here and I can’t believe people are using Joe Flacco as a slam against Matt Ryan. … Ryan is freaking Joe Montana compared to Flacco. If you’re going to insult Ryan, compare him to me or Tom or Peyton Manning. Never, ever, use Joe “I’ve thrown for less than 190 yards in 5 of the last 8 games” Flacco as a slam against anyone.
Michael M.
December 10th, 2012
12:39 am
Stop Victor on the Giants and Atlanta can beat em…………………………….
MTSeats
December 10th, 2012
12:39 am
Sad but true, Falcons don’t excel at anything. And only one news paper to cover it. Body waste needs at least 2.
MTSeats
December 10th, 2012
12:42 am
That first half offense was something to be admired. SB bound no doubt.
Arkansas Hopefull
December 10th, 2012
12:43 am
Why would you expect anything different from this team? Have you been watching them at all this year.. They have to be one of the luckiest 11 and 2 team in recent history.
Ryan is completely overrated.. and always has been!
This Offense, no matter how much you want to tout all of the weapons we supposedly have, has been extremely inconsistent!
And the Defense? Well, it’s a joke of undisciplined players that have absolutely no determination to win.
Honest
December 10th, 2012
12:51 am
From RG3, God be the Glory, I got me a white woman. Screw black is beautiful.
endoftheworld
December 10th, 2012
12:53 am
i feel as if atlanta fans only truly thrive when their teams show signs of weakness. unlike chicago, where they “love their losers”, atlanta fans “love to hate any team that ever exists, yet still be fans wink wink”