For the Falcons, the ‘D’ in ‘defense’ also stands for ‘dud’
One photo of John Abraham tells us all we need know. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Since Oct. 24, the day the Bengals had scored 32 points in the Dome, the Falcons’ defense had been more consistent than their star-spangled offense. (Five offensive Falcons to the Pro Bowl, only one defender.) It had held Baltimore to 21 points, Green Bay and New Orleans to 17. It was becoming the fleet and fierce unit general manager Thomas Dimitroff had envisioned as he was building.
Suffice it to say that TD the GM never envisioned what happened Saturday. Nobody did. Nobody could have.
A defense that didn’t yield more than 32 points in any game this regular season was overrun for 42 points — in the first three quarters. The D had made a big early play, Stephen Nicholas forcing a Greg Jennings fumble that Brent Grimes gathered. That enabled the Falcons to take a 7-0 lead. That would also be the last time over the next five Green Bay drives that the Packers didn’t score a touchdown.
Five possessions, five scores. The first four came on drives of 81, 92, 80 and 80 yards. (The final series spanned a mere 50.) The Packers’ Aaron Rodgers didn’t complete every pass, but he came close. Through three quarters he had passed 31 times, completing 27. He’d thrown for 330 yards in 45 minutes.
Rodgers had treated the Falcons’ secondary as if the signing of Dunta Robinson had never been consummated, as if Brent Grimes hadn’t developed into a big-play cornerback, as if nothing that occurred this regular season had been anything more than a sweet dream.
Alas, this was reality, stark and sobering. In a playoff game against a top-class quarterback, the Falcons’ newly tailored defense was made to seem shabby. The pass rush couldn’t get there, and nobody downfield could cover or tackle or do much of anything.
It was so bad that the Falcons, who’d led 14-7, ventured into the final period down by 28 points. This from a team that had, with Matt Ryan as its quarterback, lost only one Dome game before falling to New Orleans on Dec. 27. That night was disappointing, but not because of the defense. This night, by way of contrast, was so crushing as to make us wonder if the defense is indeed, as Dimitroff suggested this week, rounding into a championship unit.
Could Brian Williams have meant that much? He’s the Falcons’ fifth defensive back, the nickel man. He played in every regular-season game but hurt his knee against Carolina on Jan. 2. He couldn’t go Saturday, and into the nickel stepped Christopher Owens. Falcons defensive backs have had worse nights over the years — remember Charles Dimry against Jerry Rice? — but there haven’t been many. And Robinson and Grimes weren’t any better.
Credit Rodgers and the Packers for seizing on Williams’ absence. That said: Should losing your nickel man reduce a defense — a defense that ranked No. 5 in the 32-team NFL in points yielded — to rubble? If five possessions garner 35 opposing points, can you really be said to have a defense at all?
No, the offense wasn’t very good, either, and Matt Ryan was terrible. (His end-of-the-first-half interception will live in infamy.) But few offenses could have kept pace with the ravenous Packers this night, and certainly Mike Mularkey’s grind-it-out game plan is poorly suited for a point-a-minute game. This loss can be shared by all, but the defense was first — or, put more precisely, last — among equals.
But what now? Is this game a signal that the defense cannot hold up under duress, or was it simply one wretched night under the glare of the postseason? Thomas Dimitroff has some decisions to make, and they won’t be easy calls.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
813 comments Add your comment
Lakedawg
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
Who was pushing Van Gorder for a head coach position? Speak up.
jm
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
January 1981–heartbreak……….January 2011–history repeats itself…embarassed to be a Falcons fan once again……………
Dawgfan13
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
We need a QB that executes like Rodgers. Standing in the pocket and letting it collaspe is not the answer. Funny how the Packers got to our QB and Rodgers went virtually untouched. Did we even have a secondary tonight? Yea I know we had one forced turnover but other than that nothing. Where do we go? We need to look at personnel and coaching…sad game plan or execution ended our run!
extremus
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
Outcoached and outplayed on every level. Boy, this one hurts. Yes, the Falcons are built to get into the playoffs and very well could for a long time to come. But to get to the next level (a Superbowl championship), there may well have to be significant changes both with players on the field as well as coaches (both offensive coordinators and defensive coordinators looked very bad tonight). The killer instinct this team lacked during the regular season, the issue which helped keep opponents in games far more often than should have been the case, reared its ugly head in the worst possible way this evening. This team played inexcusably poorly.
The Packers obviously have that mindset, and have graduated to the next level. Here’s hoping the Falcons were all taking notes; like the Braves learned all too often during their long run of regular season success, you have to have some fire to go with the professionalism to advance in the playoffs, much less win championships.
CaliDirtyBird
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
Honestly as a fan of all Atlanta teams, I can say I’ve never been more embarrassed and that is saying something…
Dave
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
I’m a fan … I have been since 1966. I’m proud of the year they had; but tonight, I’m so disappointed. What a shocking and embarrassing loss for the team.
Dwayne C
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
What a miserable and disappointing end to what was otherwise a solid season. Will the Falcons front office work to continue improving the defense? Who knows. I’m inclined to think it will be a repeat of the ‘80 Falcons team’s playoff disappointment and subsequent 18 years until the Falcons made it to the Super Bowl. Unless some serious improvements are made to the Falcons this team will remain a playoff contender at best. Think another eighteen years passing before the Falcons next SB appearance is fantasy? I said that back in early 1981 after the Birds were eliminated by Dallas.
Matt Ryan 0-2 in playoff games
Atlanta Falcons defense = allowed 78 points in their last two playoff games
Get that defense fixed!
THE WILLSTER
January 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
Once again: And I’ve said it once I will say for the 100000th time: THE ATLANTA EFFECT has reared it’s ugly head again. As hard as teams in this city play, be it the Falcons, Braves, Thrashers(1 playoff appearance), Georgia(I love them, but it still applies), Tech(Nuff said there), and the Atlanta-always get eliminated in the second round of the NBA Playoffs-Hawks, The Atlanta remains in full force. I dare say it may be worse than “The Curse”(Oh Wait, Boston got rid of that in 2004, didn’t they?). I literally hate it, but Georgia sports fan don’t sell out any damn postseason games because in the back of their minds they know what can and WILL ALWAYS happen. “Choke City”. Don’t get me wrong, I love our teams. But I’m not stupid. It happens every year, and this year is no different. Where does the Falcons go from here? I honestly don’t know….
The Thin Guy
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
I we had the Seattle Sea Gulls we would have won. Time to pull for Da Bears.
matty head-lice
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
at least they didn’t pee on the 50
Mr. Cheese
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
P A C K E R S !
we have a ring
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
When will Atl win a playoff game again? The Saints have won a super bowl. How many have Atl won?
Junbug
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha……normally I don’t post anything like this on another team’s site but I’m so happy that the Falcan’ts got their butts whooped by the Pack. You Falcan’t fans were the first fools rubbing it in when the Saints lost last week and karma has found its way to your pathetic stinking city. You know, we may have not won it all this year, but we did win it all at least once. All that home field advantage work you did this year didn’t amount to anything. haha, feels so good to write this. Go home you sorry Falcan’ts fans. Go home and cry your little eyes. You’ll be watching the superbowl from home like usual.
aaa
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
So now it may be the Packers that the Patriots embarass. Good.
grip
January 15th, 2011
11:31 pm
Your joking right? The defense sucked, we just don’t have the talent on defense, but there is no excuse for our offense Matt Ryan was even worse than his playoff debut in Arizona!! His arm is weak and he has know escape ability at all. This is the second time he has looked totally different in the playoffs than he did in the regular season. How do you miss a wide open guy in the end zone? And then throw behind him from the 12 yard line, where is all this leadership and preparation now??? Roddy makes money Turner, Mike Jenkins Olgavie and Tony G., damn how much more can u ask for? Dimitroff has to be taken to the carpet too, Green Bay has hardley any name talent on offense and runs circles around us, where on earth did there receivers go to school?
eagle-nation
January 15th, 2011
11:32 pm
Brain Van Gorder tried to ruin the Ga Southern Eagles and he coached an embarassing game tonight to ruin the Falcons 13-3 season. Send his sorry butt packing………….
renton
January 15th, 2011
11:32 pm
To all the Falcon fans who were azzes to us at NOLA tell me how does it feel to be one and done like us, hell we lost all our backfield and half our secondary but still made it a game in Seattle unlike yall little melt down , Matty Ice yeah right, ohh well at least we have a ring to take the sting away from this year, yall enjoy your little banner but remember a diamond is forever.
DAwgsRlosers
January 15th, 2011
11:32 pm
that was a felony beat down, not a misdemeanor!! Matt Ryan played by far his nightmare game as a pro. from his first pass of the game he suck!!!
MadDawg
January 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
For three years I’ve been writing it and every time I do I get jumped on by all the ignorant dupes on these blogs, but I’ll say it one more time, as long as that clueless, unqualified, incompetent idiot B.VanDumbass is the DC of the Falcons they aren’t going anywhere. If tonight’s game didn’t prove without a doubt that he is totally over his head and out of his league then nothing is going to convince you.
His bend over and spread him philosophy set the tone for the entire game and not only destroyed the defense’s chances but it infected the offense, special teams, cheerleaders, fans, you name it. If the Falcons don’t run him out of town get a proven, qualified DC there is no reason to get your hopes up for this team, it ain’t ever going to happen.
we have a ring
January 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
I rather lose to seattle and have a ring, than never having a chance in hell of reaching the super bowl…
You guys suck
January 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
Seriously, fark all of you, local sports teams. Georgia, the Braves, the Falcons, the Hawks…could you guys no-show any MORE important games?
Randy
January 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
Did those Falcons……
Get their wings clipped
or
Got caught nesting
or
…Were they laying eggs
or
Not have their ducks in a row
or
Had their feathers ruffled……………….
Sure was a Fowl smell coming from that dome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seems the birds of a feather fell together and now the pigeons have come home to roost.
Ahhhh the smell of a cooked bird.
Good night folks.
Kenny
January 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
This is just more of the same for Atlanta’s long lack luster sports history. Big moments? Big games? Big chances? Always a complete flop. Nothing new here at all. Why we thought it would be different, I have no idea.
jack
January 15th, 2011
11:33 pm
Well that sucked,,,, Total embarrassment ,,,,, Not a single Falcon should cash their playoff paycheck,,cause not a single one of them showed up to play tonight,,,,,, What do we look forward to now,, the Hawks ?,,,yeah, right,,, the Thrashers ?,, seriously ?? The Braves ? Not this year,,,, The Bulldogs ?,,, don’t even go there,,,,oh well,, life goes on !
col foot
January 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
The FALGOONS showed their real stuff tonight and little Mattie Ryan was exposed big time. You talk about choking their ever loving guts out, the premadonna falcons did it. They flat out got stomped so bad the fans were booing them off the field…what a bunch of losers. SWEET win Packers!!!
jack
January 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
Well that stunk,,,, Total embarrassment ,,,,, Not a single Falcon should cash their playoff paycheck,,cause not a single one of them showed up to play tonight,,,,,, What do we look forward to now,, the Hawks ?,,,yeah, right,,, the Thrashers ?,, seriously ?? The Braves ? Not this year,,,, The Bulldogs ?,,, don’t even go there,,,,oh well,, life goes on !
Mel in Midtown
January 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
GREAT teams beat good teams with consistency! The Falcons are not a great team. They are missing several pieces. Signing one free agent CB was not the answer to “defense.” The pass defense looked pathetic! Aaron Rogers probably has a tougher time practicing against his own defense.
Tony Gonzalez – and top some extent Roddy White were not factors. We made the Packers wide outs and tight ends look like they were All World.
At least we were spared the Arthur (Jock Sniffer) Blank post game smirk.
cyklops
January 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
need a ‘big’ defensive line that can get push up front need a deep threat receiver and an offensive coordinator. defensive cordinator also ever heard of bump and run coverage to disrupt those quick routes?
O'Brien
January 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
Mark T,
Ryan had 2 costly turnovers. If that doesnt happen, the game is closer.
This was a team loss. Offense was bad, and defense was bad.
Dr. Warren
January 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
Could the ice and snow thrown them off THAT much this week regarding practice?? Just think what the Patriots would have done to this team.
SophyB
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
Way to embarrass your city and your fans, guys. What the heck have you been doing for the last two weeks – getting your fingers sized for Super Bowl rings? Dream on……
Mr. Cheese
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
Grip: the Packers have the best corp of receivers in the league. No big names, just reliable and able to run after the catch.
aaa: we barely lost to the Pats without Rodgers…look forward to a rematch with him in the game.
Football wife
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
Congratulations Packers fans. I’m sad but still believing that this team will build on this experience and become a great team.
Outside the Perimeter
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
Losing is ingrained into that franchise no matter who wears the uniform. In a place like GB, the illustrious past with Lombardy, et al. built a winning culture. You played the game and you KNEW you would win. The Falcons remind me of a kid whistling while walking past the graveyard.
Brian Van Gorder
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
I stink–please fire me.
Sam Troy
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
The last time that I saw this much chokin’ in Atlanta, the Eddie Long Scandal broke.
LoL, this is the team that Atlanta deserves.
Bagface
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
Football coaches gameplan to try and create mismatches and key advantages that lead to yards. How can a coaching staff with 10 seconds left in the first half call a play that everyone in the stadium knows will be called? That was insanity. I told the tv to kick the field goal, but the tv didn’t listen.
zeuz
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
new orleans is a zit on the arse of humanity, props to katrina, next time finish the job.
Real American
January 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
Wow….what a beatdown.
Chea
January 15th, 2011
11:36 pm
I’m getting tired of how QB-centric all NFL discussions are now. It’s a team game and the lines set the tempo. Can Matt Ryan win a super bowl? Of course, he just needs a great team around him, with solid line play and some fiery leaders on defense. That’s sort of what made Michael Vick’s season so special, he had nothing like that and could salvage something.
Like Fred Smoot said: “Fat boys wins my game. I know football, and in December, in the playoffs, fat boys win.”
Scott Case
January 15th, 2011
11:36 pm
Chris Owens was absolutely humiliated out there. Falcons defense is a oke. No one better say “great year” – it was an embarrasment
Disappointed but loyal
January 15th, 2011
11:37 pm
It all started with the slip on the paint in the end zone. Go Falcons!
Georgia Southern Fan
January 15th, 2011
11:37 pm
Brian Van Gorder single handedly tried to destroy the Ga Southern Eagles. Tonight he played a big part in the Falcons lackluster perforamnce.
Hardtimes
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
No longer should you call Matt Ryan Matty Ice but instead Melted Ice!!!
Somber Fan
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
Wow, that was embarrassing. To end the season in that manner is a shame. The zone D got burned repeatedly yet did they change to man coverage, not that I could tell. Ryan choked in the postseason again. His record is officially 0-2. The Falcons got lucky all season and now need to return to the chalkboard and come up with something new. Need reliable secondary. Need the ability to put consistent pressure on the QB. Need a new gameplan. Glad I was able to turn this one off after half. Got a head start on my taxes. That’s how bad this was.
Bagface
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
Oh yeah, and the defense had two weeks to learn how to tackle the quarterback. Is Aaron Rodgers really that elusive? Like Drew Brees? I’m embarrassed – hope the entire organization is as well.
Chuck
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
GAG! Choke! Puke! 1 seed down the toilet and you got nearly half a hundred laid on you ON YOUR HOME FIELD. What a joke–the team and the clueless fans.
Reality check! And time for you ring-les, smack talking jackasses to eat some crow. Your over-rated quarterback sucks. Roddy White needs to stick to twitter. Tweet this, Roddy: NON FACTOR WHEN IT COUNTS. Gutless punk. Same goes for choke artist Abraham… You folded like a cheap tent.
Don’t you clowns EVER mention Matt Ryan’s sorry rear end in the same breath as Manning, Brees, Rogers, or Brady. And keep your smack to yourself until you’ve won a ring (which aint happening any time soon).
Black & Gold
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
My city is home to a Super Bowl winner and I have my NFL SUPER BOWL XLIV CHAMPIONS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS DVD. Bahahahahahahahaha!!!!!
col foot
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
Phony Falcons SUCK!!! and were exposed for what they are…LOSERS!
Football wife
January 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
On one last note, we need an o-line that will give Matt a chance in the pocket. Rogers had anywhere from five to six seconds where as Matt got three tops. Can’t throw if he’s flat on his back.