A big win only in the sense it wasn’t an even bigger loss
They won this one without Matt Ryan, but they'll need him soon. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
That wasn’t mere urgency at their backs on that final drive. It was utter desperation. The Falcons can read the schedule and the standings, and they know the difference between 6-5 and 5-6 is more than one game, especially when the opponent tipping the balance arrived at 1-9.
“Going under .500,” Roddy White would say later, after he’d caught the fourth-down touchdown pass that won it, “that’s desperation.”
The Falcons escaped Sunday’s game with a season’s worth of hopes still alive, but with every week those hopes are tempered by mounting reality. They started 4-1. Then they lost four of five. They were one play from making it five of six against an overmatched opponent coached by a man seemingly determined to keep both teams in the game. And even after they’d won, this was the verdict of Todd McClure, the center: “One of the ugliest wins I’ve ever been involved with.”
Said Mike Smith, the coach who works hard to say nothing: “We tried numerous ways not to win the game.”
Eventually the Falcons overcame it all — on this given Sunday. The next two might not be so kind. Philadelphia plays here next week, and then the Saints. And there’s no guarantee the Falcons will have their starting quarterback or starting tailback for either game.
Per infuriating team policy, Smith would say nothing about the injuries to Matt Ryan’s big toe or Michael Turner’s ankle. “We’ll know more Wednesday,” he said, perhaps referring to the Wednesday before Memorial Day. But the Falcons lost players at such a dizzying rate Sunday — two offensive linemen were also hurt — that erosion has to be factored into any calculation regarding playoff chances.
The locker room was full of happy talk afterward — beat the Bugtussle Bovines on fourth-and-goal and you’re excited — but there was reality interspersed. The Falcons were outgained and largely outplayed by a Tampa Bay team working behind a rookie quarterback. Their only touchdown in the first 59 minutes and 37 seconds came on a gimmick play. Their quarterbacks were sacked six times. They missed (another!) field goal. They had a punt blocked. They lost a fumble. They were lucky as heck to win.
“That was a good football team we played today,” said Smith, lying.
Said Tony Gonzalez, who caught four Chris Redman passes on the frantic final drive: “We had so many things going against us … Winning this game is really a credit to the way we work.”
Well, yes. It was that. But it was also further evidence that these Falcons lack a separation gear. They led 10-0 but trailed 17-10. They needed six passes inside the 10 — one incompletion was overridden by defensive holding — to score the winning points. White finally made the decisive catch but only after not making the decisive catch three snaps earlier.
The Eagles and Michael Vick are up next — “The winner of this game is going to make the playoffs,” said White, thinking a bit too far ahead — and that will be taxing for all involved even though Vick’s role has been reduced to a cameo. Beyond this arduous fortnight lie three seemingly winnable games, but it took so much to win this one at home that you wonder if the Falcons, to use a Mark Richt expression, have enough juice.
Asked how the mood would have been had that fourth-down pass fallen incomplete, McClure said: “It wouldn’t have been pretty. But that’s the nature of the NFL. One play can change the mindset of a team.”
At issue isn’t so much the minds of the Falcons as their bodies. They haven’t been quite as good as advertised, and now they’re losing men. They still have a realistic chance to make the playoffs, but they might not have enough players.
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412 comments Add your comment
NorcrossBird
November 29th, 2009
7:08 pm
I will happily take a winning season at this point. No way we could go deep in the playoffs anyway without everyone healthy. Last year was a great season built on the run and complimented by outstanding play from a very good, very well-protected rookie quarterback. We also put a decent amount of pressure on quarterbacks to partially cover up for our biggest weakness- the secondary. This year we have played games without our top two running backs, without a starting corner and today without two starting offensive linemen. And they still won today. This isnt the same old birds who would have lost. This team has some real winners who step up when needed- today it was Gonzo, Redman and White. I watched the game till the last play feeling like the Falcons would pull it out, and they did.
BTW, for the guys calling Ryan a sissy, first, you have never had a foot injury and second, I would bet a weeks pay he was willing to go and the coaches wouldnt have it. There are some big games coming up and you dont want to risk your starting quarterback in a game they should be able to win w/o him- and they did.
sidslid
November 29th, 2009
7:08 pm
Area Team Rankings:
Hawks (ugly week when your number one continues an Atlanta tradition of embarassing losses on national TV)
Thrashers (start believing)
GT Basketball
GT Football (has ever a number 7 team been so physyically dominated by an unranked opponent)
UGA Football (can they remember how they played this game)
Braves
UGA basketball
Personality of the week: Caleb King
Dr. Warren
November 29th, 2009
7:08 pm
Falcons will be 8-7 when they face the Bucs again. It is the natural course of things–they must first log back-to-back winning seasons before they can fulfill higher hopes. If the Bucs turn it around on us and win in the last seconds, well, at least some things in life remain predictable.
And by the way, something in Arthur Blank’s face today said, “If they lose this one, it’s time to consider selling…”
Falcon 34
November 29th, 2009
7:09 pm
Good to see “Choke the Dolt Troll”
is back in full swing. You know they’re doing wonderful things at Mental Treatment Centers these days.
Defense is really bad. After defending Coach Van Gorder for quite some time, the magic he wielded at UGA appears to not be translating in Atlanta. We make EVERY quarterback look like a hall of famer. Were the great defenses in the history of the NFL “bend-but-don’t-break” defenses? Nope.
SilverFox
November 29th, 2009
7:09 pm
What a bunch of whiners. Four starters injured!!!!! The backups did a great job stepping up. This team found a way to win…despite all of the weaknesses. Redman and the whole team did exactly what they are paid to do. Yes there are some changes that will No Must be made at the end of this season. Give their best is all we can expect.
Arthur Blank
November 29th, 2009
7:12 pm
By all the comments I’ve read, I would assume that the Falcons lost the game???
Greg
November 29th, 2009
7:12 pm
Pathetic. I’ve been saying all year we’re just an average NFL team. Without Ryan and Turner we’re well below average. .500 is going to be a struggle.
P.S.: Get Elam the hell out of there.
Matt Ryan
November 29th, 2009
7:14 pm
I miss my underneath guy, Harry Douglass!!! That’s why I am getting sacked.
Lil Larry
November 29th, 2009
7:16 pm
This team needs a complete defensive overhaul in the off season. The DL has no pass rushing ability, the LBs get gobbled up by the opponent’s OL or is too slow to cover a TE (which has been the position that has killed us most of the year). The secondary, oh well, we all no this secondary (except Decoud) all need to be sent packing–I wouldn’t keep them as back ups.
Then this patchwork of an OL is beginning to show its true colors against good defenses. They look like superstars against mediocre teams and like a Pee Wee team against the better defenses. If you want Ryan to have a chance in the pocket next year you’d better get some top tier Olinemen to protect this kid.
Speaking of Dimitroff, you wanna be cheap and not bring in any vets huh? This team is getting exactly what you built it to do–NOTHING!!!
Bob Horner stayed hurt
November 29th, 2009
7:21 pm
Dr. Warren….Blank aint selling the TV $$$ is insane……
Herm Edwards
November 29th, 2009
7:21 pm
HELLO!!! YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
7:24 pm
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Will there be a louder ovation for number 7 (the opposing player) or number 2 (the home player)?
flafalcon
November 29th, 2009
7:26 pm
I’m happy for the win saved season for at least another week. This game should not have been so hard, these are the teams we are suppose to beat. I think Redman looked better then Ryan has the past month. Turner should not have played today. Snelling was doing fine and again this was suppose to be an easy win. I think this has to be it for Elam. How many more times are we going to let him cost us points and games? The corners were horrible again. Man we got lucky.
Nativebird
November 29th, 2009
7:27 pm
The jig is up, the wrapping is off, as much as I hate to admit it, this team is missing a lot. Not to play hindsight, but when the bandwagon was thumping chests at 4 and 2 and proclaiming 11-5 and a playoff deep run, surely I wasn’t the only one sheepishly saying, “gee that would be great….but”.
This Smitty, VanGorder and Mularkey coached team 26 games in and DROPPED BALLS, NO PASS PROTECTION, DEFENSE GETTING TOASTED 80 YARDS IN 2 PLAYS….
sorry, but it is not ONLY the mediocre players that MUST start getting questioned.
the HOMEYMOON is over coach, time to start playing and winning convincingly.
Dr. Warren
November 29th, 2009
7:28 pm
I hear ya, Bob…but still, the guy already is a billionaire and despite all the TV money the Falcons are his play-toy. I think the Mora-Vick-Petrino debacles took a lot out him. If the franchise fails to improve considerably in the Dimitroff-Smith regime, I bet Blank folds his cards.
Arthur Blank
November 29th, 2009
7:29 pm
Where was all this complaining when we were 4-1, maybe I should move the team to another city that show some respect.
Jesus Juice
November 29th, 2009
7:30 pm
30-24
John
November 29th, 2009
7:31 pm
Hey Mark, good job pitching a fit because Mike Smith wouldn’t give you an injury update. Letting a prudent team policy sour your entire article shows an acute lack of professionalism on your part. You’ve covered sports long enough to know head coaches go to extraordinary lengths to keep their opponents in the dark, so it shouldn’t shock you when he doesn’t escort you into the training room to discuss x-rays. Time to act like a big boy, and not a spoiled kid.
Fair and Balanced
November 29th, 2009
7:33 pm
Bugkiller, give it up…there were 20,000 empty seats today! By all accounts you can expect half the Dome to be Eagles fans and half of the Falcons fans will be cheering Vick as well…you will be seething with anger as he gets cheered, so deal with it now. LOL
Jesus Juice
November 29th, 2009
7:34 pm
its Mark Bradley what did you expect John? He is still waiting on John Kincade to another compare and contrast type of story
Falcon Obit
November 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
There is no discernible difference between Chris Redman and Matt Ryan other than jersey number. Ryan is seriously over-rated.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
November 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
a few years ago I was hammered and walked into the leg of a sofa and jammed my pinky toe…….I limped for 2 weeks…I hope Matt Ryan heals quicker than me…..toes are important……
Ross
November 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
Tampa Bay did not play like a 1-9 team – they looked pretty sound to me outside the penalties. I’ll take the victory in place of the Giants loss, which should have been ours.
-drl
John
November 29th, 2009
7:37 pm
Good point, Juice.
Bob Horner had a sweet compact swing
November 29th, 2009
7:37 pm
Falcon Obit ……rotten post…you’re wrong sir….but I will say this..Redmon did okay today….
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
7:42 pm
Blank will never sell, he has to be in the public eye. However I think it is moot, this regime will keep the Falcons in the top third of the league more times than not.
RS
November 29th, 2009
7:42 pm
Enter your comments here
Vick was convicted
November 29th, 2009
7:43 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan
November 29th, 2009
7:24 pm
QUESTION OF THE DAY:
Will there be a louder ovation for number 7 (the opposing player) or number 2 (the home player)?
The racist in the crowd will be clearly identified.
“Don’t fight the dogs”
John
November 29th, 2009
7:43 pm
Bob Horner definitely had a sweet compact swing…much better than that overated hack Brad Komminsk.
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
7:43 pm
On another note, how many Home Runs do you think Horner would have if he played at Fenway? I mean, he flew out to deep left about 120 times a season.
Falcon Obit is a dumba$$
November 29th, 2009
7:45 pm
Falcon Obit
November 29th, 2009
7:36 pm
There is no discernible difference between Chris Redman and Matt Ryan other than jersey number. Ryan is seriously over-rated.
Your assessment shows why you are writing on a blog on Sunday afternoon verses anyone paying for your opinion. My opinion of you is “You are a fool”.
Falcon Obit
November 29th, 2009
7:46 pm
6-10
November 29th, 2009
7:07 pm
Not at all worried about having Redman in there. He’s better than Mr. Ice anyway. I AM concerned about not having the burner though. We’re in deep trouble if he can’t go.
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Ryan was so shaky in the first 5 minutes of the game I wouldn’t be shocked if he was yanked and the “hurt toe” isn’t just a mirage. He won’t play next week and since Turner risked his CAREER to get out there so soon to help him then he’s probably done for the rest of the season.
NativeBird is a dumba$$
November 29th, 2009
7:47 pm
Nuff said.
Falcon Obit is a dumba$$ again
November 29th, 2009
7:48 pm
More dumba$$ comments from a dumba$$ fool.
Kane337
November 29th, 2009
7:50 pm
How is it that the Oline protected Matt Ryan so well last year and opened big holes for Turner, but this same exact bunch is failing so much this year? I don’t get it.
jack
November 29th, 2009
7:50 pm
Vick’s 2009 stats: 15 carries for 65 yards and is 3 for 9 for 6 yards passing.
You can either give him a standing ovation for this performance, being a convicted felon, for admitting that he was the last to arrive and first to leave practice, basically not giving a xhit about his teammates…
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
7:53 pm
The best way to handle Choke is to ignore him, just like he ignores me when I bring up the fact that:
* In 2005, A 1-7 Green Bay team marched into the Dome and beat the 6-2 Falcons, starting a 2-6 slide that squandered a rare opportunity to have back to back winning seasons.
* In 2006, and 1-6 DETROIT team beat the 5-2 Falcons, then the next week the 2-6 BROWNS beat the Falcons at HOME to send them spiraling toward another non-winning season.
Until Choke discusses these failings, and how Ryans has an opportunity to go down as the most consistent winning QB in Atlanta Falcon history, I say we completely ignore him.
By no means does this mean I believe he should be banned, on the contrary, I repect his right to speak his mind, but I also will exercise my right to point out the flaws in his logic.
Mark Bradley is very dumb(would you agree?)
November 29th, 2009
7:53 pm
Enter your comments here
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
7:54 pm
Question of the Day:
Why would anyone miss Vick when he could not take care of business in 05, or 06, when he lost home games against cellar dwelling opponents?
Najeh Davenpoop
November 29th, 2009
7:56 pm
I do have to question how serious a guy’s injury is when he can walk to the locker room without a noticeable limp. Scrambling isn’t exactly a very important part of Ryan’s game. Who knows how painful it was to him, but you would think a toe injury wouldn’t be enough to knock a pocket quarterback out of a game. A running back, maybe.
Then again, the Falcons’ offensive system is good enough that Redman was able to replace most of Ryan’s usual production, so maybe they held him out as a precaution.
Mark Bradley is very dumb(would you agree?)
November 29th, 2009
7:56 pm
Having a scrubb quarterback who is famous for his handoffs to Turner fake a twisted ankle as an excuse for poor play is kinda like Mark Bradley closing down his racist blog site when ever its blatantly clear that he and his nut huggers are losers. Matt and Mark, two losers.
Happy thanksgiving to all the Vick fans.
Mr Charlie
November 29th, 2009
7:57 pm
Think of the Irony. Vick playing for Philly, the team that owned him in the 2002, and 2004 playoffs, and how he cannot even beat out Kevin Kolb for the backup to Donovan McNabb.
Fair and Balanced
November 29th, 2009
7:59 pm
Errr, Mr. Charlie…Vick has beat out Kevin Kolb..that’s why he is listed as the backup on gameday LOL, did you not realize that Kolb is listed as the #3??
Falcon Obit
November 29th, 2009
8:00 pm
So there is speculation that Ryan is sorta faking this injury??
Turner the MVP
November 29th, 2009
8:01 pm
Turner should sue the Falcons for forcing him back out there too soon just to try and make Ryan look good. Now he’s probably gone for the season!
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
8:02 pm
Fair and Balanced
November 29th, 2009
7:33 pm
Bugkiller, give it up…there were 20,000 empty seats today! By all accounts you can expect half the Dome to be Eagles fans and half of the Falcons fans will be cheering Vick as well…you will be seething with anger as he gets cheered, so deal with it now. LOL
“That’s funny as Hell” Better leave SpermKiller alone before he reaches in his closet for a special hood
An Observation
November 29th, 2009
8:03 pm
I realize there are other major issues going on with the Falcons but can we please get a new place kicker. Elam is way to inconsistent for a team that is struggling to win games.
GO FALCONS!!!!
Falcon Obit is a dumba$$ again
November 29th, 2009
8:05 pm
Falcon Obit
November 29th, 2009
8:00 pm
So there is speculation that Ryan is sorta faking this injury??
Only to racist or those who think the felon was screwed by the Falcons. In other words, only by idiots like Falcon Obit.
Die-Hard
November 29th, 2009
8:08 pm
Fox sports just reported LIGAMENT damage in Ryan’s big toe ( the “plant foot” for the biggots here). Let’s see anyon play with that.
Matt "Choke" Ryan
November 29th, 2009
8:09 pm
Matt Stafford plays with a SEPARATED SHOULDER and the CHOKE leaves for a sore toe – give me a break.
The team needs PLAYERS not WUSSIES!
“DUMP THE CHUMP”