On a night with everything to gain, the Falcons somehow lose
Do you believe in miracles? For Matty Ice, there were none this night. (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
The biggest home game in franchise history: That’s how this was billed, and here we pause to note that 46 seasons make for a considerable chunk of history. (Almost half a century!) And even if the Falcons entered Monday night’s game against New Orleans with a comfy Plan B — they could lose to the Saints and still win the NFC South and clinch a No. 1 seed by beating Carolina on Sunday — nobody wanted to do it the easy way.
But that, alas, is the way it will have to be. The Falcons tripped over their moment. This isn’t to say they can’t have moments still, but they couldn’t handle this one.
If you’re going to be a champ, you have to show you can beat a champ. The Falcons had already taken down the reigning champs once this fall, but that was in Week 3 in the Superdome when not many people thought this team would be 12-2 on Christmas. That was a case of a rising team slipping up on an established power. Monday night was different: It was a match of peers, a prime-time convocation of two of the NFL’s finest.
It wasn’t a game of precision. Center Todd McClure whiffed on a shotgun snap that spawned the Saints’ first touchdown, and Michael Turner fumbled when the Falcons were poised to take a third-quarter lead. But the defense kept the game close enough for one play to turn it, and one play did.
It was the Falcons’ defense that undid them in their improbable playoff run of 2008, a defense that was so outclassed in Glendale, Ariz., that general manager Thomas Dimitroff flew home determined to embark on a massive redo, and sure enough he (re)did. The Falcons dumped five starters off that 11-5 team and, in going 9-7 last season, paid the inevitable price of such sweeping change. This year, however, has seen the changes brought to bear.
These Falcons can play D with the big boys. On Monday night they held a high-test offense to 10 points — seven off the aforementioned short field — over 56 minutes. They induced Drew Brees, Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, to commit two egregious fourth-quarter turnovers, the first a silly underhand toss the Chauncey Davis fielded and returned for the go-ahead score, the second a bat-and-grab interception by John Abraham.
The Falcons had a chance after the Abraham swoop to close the case, but a possession sputtered after one first down. Whereupon the Saints drove to a touchdown, Brees finding Jimmy Graham on a slant with 3:24 remaining. But this was what the Falcons’ defense, even in its wobbles, had done all season: It had kept games close enough for Matt Ryan to win them at the end.
And here again was his chance. He hadn’t had a great game through 56 minutes, but the beauty of Matty Ice is that those first 56 minutes can be a red herring. On the first snap after the Saints took their late lead, Ryan scrambled for 20 yards, and you thought, “Here it comes” — the final copyright-protected Falcons Finish of calendar 2010, to be placed on the shelf alongside the escapes against the 49ers and the Ravens and the Packers.
But then a strange thing happened. Ryan threw incomplete on third down, and Mike Smith, the coach who dares to dare, chose to punt inside the final three minutes. It almost worked — the Falcons thought they’d recovered a Graham fumble, but replay correctly overruled — and Matt Ryan never got another chance.
“We didn’t get the outcome we wanted,” Smith said, “but we like where we’re at. Fifteen other [NFC] teams would like to be where we are.”
And that’s true. But there was no hiding the disappointment. “You’ve got to look at the body of work,” Smith said, but this was a night that went against what we’d seen before.
A formula tested over 14 games fizzled in the 15th. The defense held the Saints to 17 points and scored seven itself, which should have been enough to win but wasn’t. The offense couldn’t hold up its end, and the dauntless Smitty outsmarted himself at the end. The biggest regular-season game in Falcons annals will go down, sad to say, as a whiff.
By Mark Bradley
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405 comments Add your comment
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:37 am
Falcons fans we need to get a grip here…. We lost this game tonight because of two big mistakes. I would feel better losing this game tonight then losing the same game in january when it matters most. The saints lost how many games in a row last season to end the season? what was their end result again? Sports fans have a short memory… remember the arizona cardinals bad ending to a season some years back before making it to the super bowl? This was like losing a preseason game tonight , the saints wont even make it to play us again so get over this game because next week we are NFC South champs !!!!!!!!
Kramer318
December 28th, 2010
12:37 am
Because ball spots are not reviewable if the team did not gain a 1st down.
P. Bull Terrier
December 28th, 2010
12:38 am
Good point, Kenny. Mike Vick is so important in this world that an Eagles win over the Falcons would be the end of everything in the state of Georgia.
Chuck the Aints
December 28th, 2010
12:38 am
Look all you haters and fuc_ing idiots like falcons sorry,the Falcons WILL WIN THE DIVISION and play at home with a buy in the first round.The defense played really well and the offense was alot vanilla.I really like our chances in the playoffs,the front seven on defense was awesome and the coaching staff will turn Matt Ryan loose in the playoffs.Roddy will prove he is the best reciever in the NFL.Falcons play in Dallas in the Supper Bowl as u call it u dog killing loving idiot who MV7 HAS NO IQ HE IS A DUMB ASS WHO WILL CHOKE UNDER PRESSURE GO MATTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gen Neyland
December 28th, 2010
12:38 am
Turnovers. The gift that keeps on giving.
*Note to Coach : Give your team an attitude. One that says, “you slap me and I’ll beat you down.”
Defense did their job.
athbird
December 28th, 2010
12:38 am
you don’t often win 12 straight in the nfl. That’s what it would have taken to win tonight and then win next week, added to the streak going into the game tonight, and then run the table in the playoffs. A close loss to the Saints may get everyone refocused on the game, maybe forget some of the hype that’s brewing. Start a new streak next week. I still like our chances.
Breesus
December 28th, 2010
12:39 am
wa wa wa…. all of a sudden the Fal-Cants lose and the fix is in… nevermind the obvious pushoff on
Roddy against the Panthers and the INT that wasn’t against the Bucs… Rather fitting that you p!ss and moan when the calls don’t go your way
KimZ'spackage
December 28th, 2010
12:39 am
Some of You Falcons Fans are as BiPolar MPD as the UGA DAWG fans. Back your team and don’t let the SWINGS drive you crazy. Please go get some out of MV7’s water bottle twist is and just RELAX. I would love to play Texas Hold’m with some of you people. You flip faster than a French Rue Walker on Port call. The Falcons will be fine and the Defense showed a lot of heart tonight.
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:39 am
Mark you are very merciful to the pheasants but the one line that sums it all up is :
“If you’re going to be a champ, you have to show you can beat a champ.”
Kenny
December 28th, 2010
12:39 am
I’m with Stendek. That spot on second down with the guy’s knee down a full yard and half from the spot was suspicious too. Muffed snap? Fumble at the one? It does get suspicious from time to time.
SQUAWKER
December 28th, 2010
12:40 am
You’re a clown, Bradley. What an asinine message. I texted my buddy that I didn’t care how the game ended because it’s clear this franchise has arrived. We are so well-managed/well-coached/well-quarterback it’s ridiculous. You think a staff that truly “gets the big picture” looked at this game as “the biggest game in franchise history”? You’re f*cking nuts. The biggest game in franchise history is the game featuring these two teams later in the year….in the playoffs. The only significance of this game is that it now means we can’t sandbag to try to prevent Carolina from drafting Luck. Otherwise, this game was MEANINGLESS to Dimitroff and the people who really know the score. Only fans and squares like yourself would bat an eye at the result of this game.
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:40 am
WHO DAT your an idiot to come in here talking smack ….were fixing to be NFC South champs and have the number one seed ….I can talk smack to you all day baby!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 28th, 2010
12:40 am
“The Saints had the easiest schedule in the entire NFL and lost 4 games.”
The Saints and Falcons have identical schedules with the exception of two games.
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:41 am
“Mike Vick is so important in this world that an Eagles win over the Falcons would be the end of everything in the state of Georgia.”
Well almost everything….
nothing destroys the ignorance of a RED NECK!
The Grinch
December 28th, 2010
12:41 am
Stendec, Brian Williams is the player you’re referring to and yes, he had an absolutely horrible game. Otherwise I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about and I’m probably not alone.
No, it isn’t really a big deal statistically that we lost this game. But it was on a big stage where we could have shut the critics (who are legion) up and established ourselves as the team to beat. We still are in reality, but our coaches played not to lose instead of to win and now we’ll get the same lack of respect in the playoffs as we got in the regular season.
Kramer318
December 28th, 2010
12:41 am
And we beat the champs earlier this year… So what’s the big deal? I think it’s safe to say we’re on the same level with them. Who cares who is better right now? We get our #1 seed next week and we did our job. Saints will have to do work just to get back to the GA Dome to beat us 2 times in a row and against a Falcons team that won’t play nearly as conservative.
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:41 am
GO FALCONS!!!! 2010 NFC SOUTH CHAMPS!!!
Who Dat Nation
December 28th, 2010
12:41 am
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:40 am
WHO DAT your an idiot to come in here talking smack ….were fixing to be NFC South champs and have the number one seed ….I can talk smack to you all day baby!!!
We just beat them Falcons loser, WHO DAT?? We Dat idiot. GO SAINTS!!!!
Falcons in the Driver's Seat
December 28th, 2010
12:42 am
Nayeh: Go to ESPN and look at the Strength of Schedule. Saints had the easiest schedule in the entire NFL.
nanunanu
December 28th, 2010
12:42 am
Falcons choked. Bottom line. Fumble at the goal line. 3 and out at midfield after second interception. Allow 90 yard drive!! Chokers, pretenders, one and done. Can’t even come close to handling pressure of playoffs.
Dwayne
December 28th, 2010
12:42 am
@ jack: calling me an “idiot” on a blog eh? Takes a real man to do something like that.
Eric C.
December 28th, 2010
12:42 am
Metallica0785, apparently the only way that play gets reviewed is if it was ruled a first down…they will not challenge spots that do not result in a first down. It was definitely a bad spot.
Billy, Matt Ryan is one of the most clutch QBs around. In this game, he can’t take the blame for not making a comeback when the coach calls for a punt to one of the greatest offenses in the league with less than 3 minutes left.
NoleRick
December 28th, 2010
12:43 am
whew…that feels better this bandwagon was too full, at least i can breathe now..
Pete
December 28th, 2010
12:44 am
I hate tonight’s loss as much as anyone – McClure botching a routine snap? But I’ll tell you what, the English used by many on this comment board is unbelievable, and it is perfectly understandable why you are not in real positions of authority. Go back to school, folks!
stendek
December 28th, 2010
12:44 am
Saints > Falcons
Packers > Falcons
Eagles = Falcons
Bears = Falcons
Falcons > REST OF NFC
It is what it is.
STENDEK
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:44 am
TONIGHT’S GAME IS THE VERY REASON THE PRESS GIVES THE FALCONS NO RESPECT. THEY ARE LOSERS WHO GOT HERE ON M TURNERS LEGS PLAYING BALL CONTROL TO KEEP MATT RYAN FROM EMBARRASSING THE CITY. FALL CONS STUNK AGAIN TONIGHT.
TCCB
December 28th, 2010
12:45 am
Don’t blame Michael Turner the Falcons played a REAL team Tonight And That team was Healthy and that makes a differance. To you guys a win is a win The Falcons beat the Ravens with 7 starters on IR and you call that a WIN “COM ON MAN” but when you play world Champions not only can you not have turnovers but you have to complete passes as well too; many 1 2 3 and out. the center funbled the ball why not blame him? The Team LOST
This IS NOT A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM one round in the playoffs and they are done!!!!!!!!!
JD
December 28th, 2010
12:45 am
All you people who think this game didn’t mean much to the Falcons, pack your lunch and watch from the cheap seats from now on….this game wasn’t about just this game, it was about stepping up a level. Clearly the Falcons are not there yet. I like the direction, but we have 2 really big glaring problems, both on offense:
1. Matt Ryan
2. Mike Mularkey
Ryan got out-played by a seasoned veteran Quarterback in Brees, completely understandable. My biggest complaint with Matt is that he seems to not be doing so well in pressure situations. Hell, he was better in his first year than he has been this year. You keep looking for Matt to step up, like Brees does, when the game is on the line and right now he just looks either a. confused or b. scared.
Both Smith and Mularkey got out-coached tonight by Sean Payton. Payton didn’t blink and Smith didn’t bother trying to outsmart him. the offensive mindset to conitnually push the bull via the run on first down is not competitive at this level. You have to be creative and our play calling is just flat out not. Where were the quick screens tonight, the dumps to TG on quick slants inside? Did you see what Drew Brees did all night to us?
300+ yards of passing and none of it was more than 20 yards. He owned us in the short yardage.plays but he kept the chains moving.
Turner and Snelling were both ineffective tonight. Yes, some of that was the O-line but using Turner straight up the middle on the same play twice at the goal line was not smart. Why don’t we sweep outside once in a while – New Orleans knew exactly what we were going to try when we lined up for first and goal, hell the whole world new. No creativity whatsoever and that falls directly on the coaching staff.
Outcoached and outplayed.
Offense: D
Defense: B-
Coaching:
Smith: C
Mularkey: F
BVG: B
One and done in the playoffs kids, despite the home field advantage we’ll have. Gotta know the Eagles and the Saints are going to give us fits.
And Breesus, give it a rest loser, You’re giving the real New Orleans fans a bad name…..
Rodney
December 28th, 2010
12:45 am
WOW! What type of “fans” are you people? In a long season, games like this are bound to creep up. A hard fought defensive battle that went down to the last few possessions. FALCONS D was RIDICULOUS tonight!! This was the best I’ve seen them all year, and they showed up big against the defending SB champs and one of the premier QB’s in the league. Our O was obviously stagnant as most folks have mentioned but to come on ajc and completely sell out our boys after a tough loss is spineless! Last I checked we still own the best record in the NFC and it’s not by accident. We have played lights out all year and last time on national TV, handed the Ravens a L. Furthermore, these division games always go tit for tat and it’s a knock out drag out type of game (ask P. Thomas) that is close 99.9% of the time, just check the history of this series. Not to mention, Drew Brees didn’t have a much better game than M. Ryan but somehow found a way to win. I applaud him but don’t for one minute question the heart or skill of M. Ryan. The man is money, don’t judge him based on one performance. Let’s do that with you on your job and see if you stand the test of time…I think not. Also, for all you who call CMS conservative, you’re talking about a man with heart and passion and who will go for it on 4th and whatever and most of the time is successful. They will re-group like elite teams do and come back with more zeal and fire in their bellies to take care of business hereafter. As a former player, trust me when I say this loss will leave a bitter taste in their mouth, and in the end may turn out to be just what they needed at the time they needed it to propel them to greatness! GO BIRDS! Here’s looking forward to Dallas!!
Falcons in the Driver's Seat
December 28th, 2010
12:45 am
Meaningless game for the Falcons. Saints fighting to get in the playoffs.
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:46 am
TONIGHT’S GAME IS THE VERY REASON THE PRESS GIVES THE FALCONS NO RESPECT. THEY ARE LOSERS WHO GOT HERE ON M TURNERS LEGS PLAYING BALL CONTROL TO KEEP MATT RYAN FROM EMBARRASSING THE CITY. FALCONS STUNK AGAIN TONIGHT.
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:46 am
WHO CARES who dat….NFC SOUTH CHAMPS!!!! Guess what your football team was handed a fooball game tonight … i promise you will not beat us twice …congratulations who dat you beat us in a game that will mean nothing when it comes to holding up the lombardi trophy… Are you really that stupid of a fan? The who dat is the gayest things in sports history you embarress yourself everytime you say it.
Falcons
December 28th, 2010
12:47 am
Remember when the Saints lost to the Browns and Cardinals, two teams with a combined record of like 10-20?
Who Dat Nation
December 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Falcons
December 28th, 2010
12:47 am
Remember when the Saints lost to the Browns and Cardinals, two teams with a combined record of like 10-20?
But we just beat the Pigeons is the Trash Dome
Now you know
December 28th, 2010
12:49 am
SUPER VICK IS OH SO SLICK SO GET OF HIS……
CB
December 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Thanks, defense for one of the greatest efforts ever by a Falcon’s team. Offense, thanks for one of your worst games of the year. You are who we thought you were. I never thought I would see you play a second half like tonight.
Ron Roberts
December 28th, 2010
12:49 am
Najeh, we BEAT the Browns – in THEIR stadium; the Saints lost to ‘em at home. We BEAT the Cardinals; the Saints did not. That’s the difference in the division and NFC home-field advantage.
I’m telling you, and KRAMER has it right, we played a conservative offensive plan tonight, and by DESIGN, I think.
This loss won’t mean crap if we run the tables from here on out. Guess what? There are a LOT of 3-or more loss Super Bowl champions in NFL history.
Good grief; you REALLY think we pulled out all the stops tonight? Did you WATCH this game? All those runs between the tackles? Seriously?
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:49 am
its the NFL and the falcons lost the game tonight therefore we will correct the issue and move on
Falcons 12-3 > Saints 11-4
NFC SOUTH CHAMPS
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:50 am
WHO DAT stop embarressing yourself lmao
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:50 am
its okay who dat enjoy your wild card birth
Iceman
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
I love how one loss and everyone is like fire the coaches and panic mode. Didnt our defence hold the Saints to 17 points. Yes the offence sucked and the last time I checked we are 1-1 with the Saints and have the best record in the NFC.
Falcons
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
I still want to know why Tough Nolla Guy spelled his name wrong. Probably an Eagles troll who doesn’t know how to spell.
Ron Roberts
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
Who dat nation….. in a game that meant more to you than us…
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
Who Dat a saints fan is talking about a trash dome??? Wow that is too easy of a comeback I will not even go there
smooth01
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
ok saint fan yall won….but don’t 4get yall lost first, 2nite was a good game that we could have easly won…..yall needed this game…we wanted this game, but we lost….but to me it was a good game, the d held bree high power offence to 10 points till 3mins in the 4th. like i said we could have won this game…..yall wad.
Falcons in the Driver's Seat
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
If the Falcons were fighting to get in the playoffs like NO was, Coach Smith doesn’t punt, but this game is meaningless to the Falcons playoff seeding – unless you think Carolina is going to come into the Dome next Sunday and win. Coach Smith says, “It’s a process.”
Calm Down
December 28th, 2010
12:52 am
Everyone seems to be buying into the hype that “networks” pumped into this game. They played up the Falcons home record while totally discounting that the Falcons didn’t even need this game, meanwhile, they continued to sniff the jocks of Drew Brees and the rest of the Saints (like they have done ever since their team became the poster child for the NFL). Sure, I get the mental victory angle, but do you seriously think this Falcons team came away from the meaningless game (in the realm of playoff standings) thinking “we can’t hang with this Saints team”?
Calm down! The real season starts after the regular season ends. This was just a bump in the road… the kind where you look back and say “oh, did I hit something” and then carry on with your day.
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:52 am
amen iceman…falcons fans either stay us or find another team
Who Dat Nation
December 28th, 2010
12:53 am
UGAKev
December 28th, 2010
12:50 am
WHO DAT stop embarressing yourself lmao
SAINTS 17 FALCONS 14 in the Dome loser
Who Dat Nation
December 28th, 2010
12:53 am
Ron Roberts
December 28th, 2010
12:51 am
Who dat nation….. in a game that meant more to you than us…
Every game counts loser