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
mark33
December 28th, 2010
3:31 pm
I know my following comments are a “half-full” outlook on things and i may be way off base…
But, looking “Big Picture” at the season and heading into the playoffs.
This loss is may not be as bad as it first seems.
Here me out. If we win last night and win against the Panthers, that is a 10 game winning streak heading into the playoffs. And if we get to and win the SuperBowl, which is what we want, that would be a winning streak of 13 games. THAT, just does not happen very often.
Did i want to beat the Saints and finish it off in style on MNF? absolutely.
But, if this loss get’s the Falcons refocused to the point where they play very well for their next 4 games… And we end up playing the Saints again… i think we beat them in the dome. We most likely would not have beaten them 3 straight games in one season anyway…
So, last night’s loss was not much more than 1 loss and didn’t mean a whole lot. It was a blow to the ego and a national let down… But in the “Big Picture” described above, it just might serve us well in the long run.
(at least, that is what i am hoping for!)
gadawgs
December 28th, 2010
3:38 pm
Roddy, Next time just shut up and play the damn game. They punked you and our offense last night. I was there and saw it first hand. Pathetic game plan with no adjustments from Mularkey. Have to give the Saints credit they came into our house and did what they had to do.
gadawgs
December 28th, 2010
3:40 pm
Also, DatBoot..As promised I will be a man of my word and come on here the day after and give your Saints props and respect for coming into our house and getting the job done. They showed what champions are made of. Hope our guys paid attention.
gadawgs
December 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
Roddy next time please just keep your mouth shut and play the game. You and our offense got punked last night. Mularkey’s game plan and in game adjustments were awful. Good job Saints.
BravesFan79
December 28th, 2010
3:43 pm
Biggest game in franchise history?? Not even close! The game was basically meaningless. Kinda like a preseason game. We will dominate Carolina next week and get the top seed. Its whats done in the playoffs thats important. If we had won last night, but someone important like Matt Ryan had gotten hurt… THEN it would of been a huge loss overall! But hes healthy… and were the top seed… so last night is no big deal. Go Falcons!
NOLA ROTS
December 28th, 2010
3:44 pm
I knew we never should have dryed out that SH**THOLE of a city/slum. Too bad Katrina didn’t run up the score a few years back. What a cesspool filled wiht human waste.
SlumDog
December 28th, 2010
3:47 pm
NOLA ROTS is actually quite astute although he/she is mean spirited
Mudbug
December 28th, 2010
3:49 pm
Hey NOLA rots, how about a name and address so I can pay you a visit? P**ssy!
The Word
December 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
The Big Hurt…..that post you wrote is so right and hope the Falcon front office reads it.
mokha099
December 28th, 2010
3:55 pm
Roddy…hahahaha…how does it feel to be the biggest moron in the world. Win something first before you start to display your UAB education…. BTW, shut up, that will do more for you.
You talk and your check bounced big time….. SHUT UP dude!
this was a big game for falcons…. and they blew it when they could’ve made a statement. way to go.
and by the way, roddy shuutttttt uuuuuupppppppppppp!!!
The Word
December 28th, 2010
3:58 pm
NOLA ROTS….is Roddy your brother?? People like you and Roddy that make comments like this show how small of a person you really are!!!
Falcon Lover
December 28th, 2010
4:00 pm
All Falcon Fans need to read….The Big Hurt’s first post….it is right and untill we do something we will continue to be in the Saints rear view mirror!!!
OceanPondAngler
December 28th, 2010
4:02 pm
The Fail-coons are desperately clinging to their legacy of losers……..so much that winning is such an oddity to them they simply cannot handle it.
who dat wildcard
December 28th, 2010
4:08 pm
`
Who dat wildcard road team
going to the windy city to play da Bears at frozen Soldier Field
jesip
December 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Read The Big Hurt’s comment….couldn’t be more right! WHO DAT WILDCARD…I don’t think the Saints are afraid of anyone!
goosenola
December 28th, 2010
4:12 pm
Considering we’re one 29 yard field goal from sweeping the dirty birds again, I hope we have to come back to the wanna-be dome in the playoffs. I’m alot more worried about Vick and snow than ATL.
Jonis
December 28th, 2010
4:15 pm
Falcon Fans need to realize that the Saints have been on the big stage and we have not. It showed last night and we need to go back and watch alot of film.
NFC South Champions
December 28th, 2010
4:26 pm
The 12-3 Falcons will be just fine.
Jo
December 28th, 2010
4:30 pm
THE BIG HURT….ur first post is so right!!! The Falcons better start realizing what you said.
SAL PAOLANTONIO
December 28th, 2010
4:42 pm
Boomer,
it looks like the Falcons will go 13-3 and wrap up the division.
Bobby Cox
December 28th, 2010
4:45 pm
You just have to tip your cap to the Aints,,,, they were lucky to get the win,,,, we’ll get em next time..
Bobby Cox
December 28th, 2010
4:49 pm
Not Impressed with Drew Brees,,,,He made some really bone headed plays,,,
Bobby Cox
December 28th, 2010
4:50 pm
This Falcons team under coach Smith will learn from this and continue to get better.
Pete
December 28th, 2010
4:51 pm
No big deal as we are 1 and 1 against the Aint’s. We will be the #1 team in the NFC and if we open up the offense we will be fine.
John Sloane
December 28th, 2010
4:57 pm
The true test will be in the NFC post-season. If the Eagles and Falcons match up for the conference game, THAT will — so far — be considered — the most important game in the history of the franchise. Gotta hand it to Mr. Blank for taking the time to turn around a dysfunctional franchise, top to bottom. Maybe someday will win the Super Bowl.
nhe
December 28th, 2010
5:03 pm
We need to stop blaming Mularkey and start blaming Turner when we lose (which isn’t often).
Mularkey has built a very good strong running game/play action offense – and he’s getting the absolute max out of every player but one.
When the other team puts 8 in the box to stop the run, Mularkey is simply asking Turner to grind out 2 or 3 tough yards, regardless of whether or not the hole is there. Get us to a manageable 3rd and 4 Michael, that’s all you have to do.
But Turner only runs hard when there’s a hole. Then he gets a head of steam going and good things happen. But far too often, when there’s no hole, Turner folds up like a cheap card table – he refuses to fight for tough yards. He leads the league in carries of 2 yards or less.
Mularkey has got to be pulling his hair out over Turner. “You’re built like a dang tank, just run someone over!”……..
Turner looks way to concerned about wear and tear on his body.
If he doesn’t “get the memo” next week, the Falcons need to take the offensive game plan they had for the Ravens (which did not include much of Turner) throughout the playoffs.
B
December 28th, 2010
5:13 pm
Ok I have read all the post.There are sick Falcons fans out there. This game counted on your record if you want to admit it or not. This was a game for the world to see and the Falcons laid an egg. When the running game got taken away Ryan did not even try to stretch the field. You can’t run the ball in the playoffs with 8 in the box. So you have to go deep to back the safety up. The whole league knows that Atlanta is not going deep, so this loss was very disturbing. You can’t win in the playoffs if you can’t run ball. Last night was a dose of reality went up against a good team and was beaten easily with to bad turnovers by the opposing team. This is what needs to happen get a new QB before it is to late you saw it last night and you have seen when he was a rookie in the playoffs in Arizona he is not a big game QB no killer instinct sorry.
Jo
December 28th, 2010
5:14 pm
nhe….let me know what you think of The Big Hurt’s comment.
CHICKEN HEAD DIRTY BIRD
December 28th, 2010
5:22 pm
HAHHAHAAHAH! FALCONS LOST! WHAT MY FAVORITE PART OF THE GAME IS WHEN THE SAINTS WON AND CELEBRATED ON MID FIELD!!! ***HIGH FIVE****
Capologist
December 28th, 2010
5:51 pm
Then Bobby you must not think much of Matt Ryan at all.
Uncle Rico
December 28th, 2010
6:21 pm
I’ve been a Falcons fan since ‘66 and wanted to win this game badly – for all the reasons that have been alluded to above. But I remember how it was to watch the Cowboys, Steelers, Raiders, etal, in the playoffs year after year thinking about how nice it would be if the Falcons were relevant at this time of year. Well here we are! The Falcons will be here at this time of year for a long time and will win it all soon – if not this year – stay thirsty, the season ain’t over!!
hiramsaint
December 28th, 2010
6:29 pm
all that depth? shut down turner and white and you shut down the falcons. even the refs gave you your only off. t.d. and stole 1 from us and it still wasn’t enuf. hope y’all enjoy watching us in the s.b. again as matty slushy will surely choke AGAIN in your first playoff game
who cares
December 28th, 2010
6:29 pm
noodle arm and turner lost the game
fatz
December 28th, 2010
6:49 pm
agree with nhe re: Turner. he doesn’t look very explosive when there is traffic in front of him. he’s hell on wheels when there is a seam and he can get through the line of scrimmage, but he does not run over people- ever- at the point of attack. seems to be more concerned as to how he protects himself vs. breaking free. i don’t understand why the don’t use snelling more as a banger. he seems to be much more willing to run into the wall then turner.
lets face it. any defensive coordinator in this unimaginative league of me-too offensive schemes (save for bellichik and andy reid) has a simple game plan he basically hast to follow when playing the falcons. stack the box, stop the run and therefore eliminate the play action passing game, and force ryan to evade the primary rush and get the ball out quickly. ryan is improving on that note, but its still the way to beat the birds. the falcons success in the postseason really rests with their defense, because their offense is not going to score a lot of points.
PS: the best thing that could happen to the falcons is for mike malarkey to get one of the head coaching jobs available. he has maxed out as offensive coordinator. can’t take them to a level of innovation that you need to have to win the whole thing.
clay
December 28th, 2010
7:11 pm
Go figure. All the saints fans have come out to bash the falcons. Well I think we gave yall one tonight just like you gave us one in the dome. Now we dont have to worry about beating yall three times in one year. Twice will be fine with me. This game does not prove anything. All it does is just set this thing back one week. It was a tough fought division game that happens every year. Look at the falcons last year. They were playing for nothing and still almost beat em twice last year. This means nothing. I love the falcons chances if they come back.
Gee how could nobody see this coming. As soon as the Falcons loose one freaking game then everyone in the city freaks out. Lets fire everyone now and bring back jim mora too. Relax guys were 12 and freakin 3. 3!!!!! Nobody saw this coming at all. So relax guys its not the end of the world. So what they lost a game. We still have the best record in the NFC.
ya moma an' nem
December 28th, 2010
7:27 pm
Here Saints fans give you cogent feedback, arguable indeed, but constructive. You, hate on the SB Champs, dogged the city, have you no honor? I know Atlanta is a great place, I’ve made good money there and someday, with hard work and a bit of luck, you’ll get one. But right now you sound like sore stinking losers. Here you are on a roll, get tripped up and you respond by insulting your wakeup call. kudos to Saints fans for staying on the morale high ground.
ya moma an' nem
December 28th, 2010
7:28 pm
Sorry, Kudos to those honorable Falcon fans as well, I feel you Uncle Rico
Katrina says...........
December 28th, 2010
9:01 pm
Falcons lead the League with 7 ProBowl selections ! Who knew !!!
COMAN
December 28th, 2010
9:11 pm
WOW!!!! Listen to some of you…..The Saints had a tougher schedule than the Falcons. That’s by virtue of having a superbowl season. Not even room for arguement there. The Falcons played the Saints tough. Real tough. The blitz just kept coming. Coach Smith would love to take his decision to punt back with hindsight. But looking at the way the Falcons defense was on Brees, it may not have been such a terrible call after all AT THAT TIME. The Falcons should beat Carolina with ease. Very possible last nights game could be a preview of things to come. As a Saints fan, I would love to beat the Falcons again. But you know what? I’d rather not play them again. I’m sure Falcon fans feel much the same way about the Saints. Let’s face it. The Saints beat the Falcons in a very hard fought game.
Bobby Cox
December 28th, 2010
9:19 pm
You are correct, was not impressed with Ryan either,,, but I havent seen Ryan just flip the ball up in the air with no idea where its going
Ed
December 28th, 2010
10:45 pm
The Falcons wonder why they get no respect…..it’s because when they find themselves in a position to really make a statement (like last night) they roll over at home and show the whole country their true colors. Then everyone remembers why they didnt give these clowns respect in the first place. Fumble the ball away at the 1? Get a late gift turnover and do nothing with it? Punt the ball away in the waning minutes while trailing the defending world champs?
what a joke. this is why i can never support this team.
Ed
December 28th, 2010
10:47 pm
How can you people be so bad at spelling
5150 P.O.A.D
December 28th, 2010
11:08 pm
MV7 AINT looking like NO MVP 2nite.
Still@theBAR
December 28th, 2010
11:09 pm
MV7 is the JOKE wE ALL KNOW HE IS.
Sautee Dawg
December 28th, 2010
11:19 pm
Mark, you have an article downgrading Caleb King for not making the Liberty Bowl, but refuse to have any comments about Ga. Tech’s loss to the Air Force. Is this out of respect to the men playing for the Air Force Academy, or the usual one-sided reporting???
Kyle
December 28th, 2010
11:27 pm
Not Defending the Falcons because there is no excuse for losing but I love seeing this so called MV7 looking like the old man he is limping around and getting beaten like he was at 10050 Cielo Drive on August 9, ‘69.
Mike "Choke'" Vick
December 28th, 2010
11:32 pm
HA HA HA HA HA Where you at Mr Choke,you boy Mike “Choke Choke Choke” Vick played like a real winner tonite,lets see sacked what 6 times,1 pick should have been 4 picks,2 fumbles lost and where in the hell was he throwing the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL LOL What a CHOKER Mike Vick is,he played like he was playing Ghetto Football in Virginia in the low rent housing lots.Vick is the biggest CHOKE in the NFL. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Mike "Choke'" Vick
December 28th, 2010
11:35 pm
Mike Vick got noodle arms and legs,maybe he smoked too big a blount before the game tonite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike "Choke'" Vick
December 28th, 2010
11:37 pm
Hey Mike a 3rd string ROOKIE out played you tonite HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Atlanta Peach
December 29th, 2010
12:23 am
@Mike “Choke” Vick, He can’t come on here remember ?, He’s banned on Bradley’s Blogs !