Story of the season: Falcons mess around but win anyway
The fourth-and-goal stop that finally restored sanity. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
These are the 2011 Atlanta Falcons: Ahead 17-0 at the half, they turn a punt into an off-the-hip turnover and a fourth-and-13 into a galling Minnesota touchdown and, quicker than you can say “Percy Harvin is really fast,” a game that should have been locked away is in danger of becoming the worst loss of Mike Smith’s four seasons.
These are also the 2011 Atlanta Falcons: Needing to catch the really fast Percy Harvin to stave off a 107-yard touchdown on a kickoff return, Christopher Owens somehow does. The Minnesota touchdown goes forever unscored, and the Falcons win by 10 and slide into the sixth spot in the NFC playoff grid, which means this team would qualify if the postseason began today.
In sum, these are the 2011 Atlanta Falcons: Shaky enough to make you think they’ll never go anywhere but stout enough to make you reconsider.
Is this team as good as I thought it would be? Through 11 games, no. But parts of those 11 games have been promising enough to make me think — and I’ll concede I might be in the minority — that these Falcons could get hot enough to win a few games in January. Which means I’m going more on faith than on evidence, which is a risky proposition. That said, the Falcons don’t blanch at the concept of risk.
“We played through some ebbs and flows,” said coach Mike Smith, understating hugely. “We showed our composure.”
Well, no and yes. The Falcons turned a mismatch — going with a rookie quarterback and without Adrian Peterson, Minnesota entered 2-8 and managed 93 yards and zero points in the first 33 minutes — into a hairbreadth thing. They do this often. (See the halting victories over Seattle, Carolina and Tennessee for further proof.) And what, linebacker Curtis Lofton was asked, does that say about this team?
“We win,” Lofton said. “We don’t blow teams out, but we win.”
The NFL isn’t the BCS. There are no voters or computers to sway. You play a season and you tote up wins and losses, and if you’ve got enough of the former you keep playing. As long as you keep playing, you’ve got a shot. The 2008 Arizona Cardinals were 9-7 but came within one Pittsburgh drive of being Super Bowl champs. The 2010 Green Bay Packers were 10-6 and the NFC’s sixth seed, and they won it all. (For the record, the Smith-coached Falcons were eliminated by both.)
Said linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, whose fourth-and-goal stop of Toby Gerhart subdued the Vikings at last: “We’ve got to work on [putting opponents away]. But it’s tough on Sundays.”
Said Lofton: “We’re not playing consecutive football — the whole team playing a complete game. We haven’t hit our peak yet.”
In those frantic moments when Harvin appeared bound for the touchdown that would bring the Vikings within three points again, it was possible to wonder if, far from scaling a peak, the Falcons were about to plunge into an abyss. But the moment passed. Owens kept chugging — “I just didn’t give up on the play,” he said — and hauled down the guy who might be the NFL’s fastest.
Said Smith: “You can overcome some of your mistakes by hustling.”
Yes, it’s a maddening team to watch, but which would you rather be: A maddening 7-4 or a dead-in-the-water 4-7? (Like Tampa Bay, say.) And lost in that 7-4 is that these Falcons were 2-3 after being outclassed at home by Green Bay; they’ve since won five of six. They’ve cinched up the chinstraps and given themselves a chance.
Said center Todd McClure: “We have gotten better the last five or six weeks. But we still haven’t played a complete game.”
And maybe they never will. Maybe that will be the epitaph of the 2011 Atlanta Falcons: “They were good enough but not consistent enough.” But you know what the 2010 Packers were through 11 games? After a loss on the final Sunday of November in the Georgia Dome, they were 7-4.
If we fault the Falcons for even letting Minnesota have a sniff at victory — and we can and should — we must also ask this: Can we dismiss the result in a result-oriented business? They mightn’t be the prettiest winners, but they do win.
By Mark Bradley
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147 comments Add your comment
Bob W
November 28th, 2011
8:05 am
The Falcons get the lead and go conservative on offense. You can count on it. Look at the good teams. They keep doing what worked. Malarkey needs to remember that the pass can set up the run as well as the other way around. How many times this year have you seen them throw an incompletion on first down and then run Turner off tackle on 2nd? Imaginative offense in first half and then back to the predictable offense in the 3rd quarter.
truth
November 28th, 2011
8:14 am
Why do you always compare other teams (from previous seasons) to Atlanta Sports team?
Just because GB was 7-4 last year doesnt mean the Falcons will win the SB.
ohmy
November 28th, 2011
8:50 am
how many games/wins have you seen in the last few good years that we have not had to come from ahead to win? its good that we win but, MAN, it can drive a fan nuts!
Spider-Man
November 28th, 2011
8:53 am
Weak win over a weak opponent….moving forward…
dawg gone
November 28th, 2011
9:07 am
How can anyone think the Falcons will do anything IF they make the playoffs when you lead the league in dropped passes and one of the most penalized teams. I don’t get it.
Yo Vince
November 28th, 2011
9:14 am
Gotta give it up for Chris Owens on the rundown. That showed a lot of heart. Matty was Ice cool Sunday. Run D looked great.
C from Marietta
November 28th, 2011
9:22 am
People just b/c they are in the no huddle does not mean the OC is not calling the plays. If you notice Matt Ryan looks at the sideline. I just love to read the whinning on this board. You would think the Falcons were 2-9.
Rickster
November 28th, 2011
9:23 am
In advance of Mark’s “Hot/Not” column:
Packers: First 11-0 start in team history (with 3 wins in 10 days?) White hot. Could it get hotter?
Whyyyyyyyyyy yes it can!
Aaron Rodgers: 17-0 in his last 17 starts? In the words of “Idol’s” Randy Jackson, “that’s smokin’, molten lava hot!”
Joe Tess Fish House
November 28th, 2011
9:25 am
How many times have I siad this team is no good. 2 many fist round draft pics that R busts. Add 2 that that Dunto Roberson is a total looser that cant tackel cant cover and is a cheep shot artist and U got a rcepie 4 disaster.
SawThat1nce
November 28th, 2011
9:26 am
When the Falcons get something like a 14 to 17 point lead in a game, and still have close to another 30 minutes left to play, and then go into the conservative offense, I think you have to lay that on Mike Smith, and not Malarkey.
That seems to be the way that Smith likes to play it.
Wedgie
November 28th, 2011
9:33 am
The Packers will bet the Falcons as USUSAL if they make the payoffs
pigskin philosophy
November 28th, 2011
9:34 am
the falcons are heartbreakers. Don’t be a fan. Don’t root for them.
They’ll only break your heart in the first round of playoffs like always. (sob)
AlanFalcon
November 28th, 2011
9:37 am
3rd quarter blues continue, what goes on in the Falcons half time meeting, whatever it is it’s a game changer and it takes the whole 3rd quarter to adjust?
Bill Sanford
November 28th, 2011
9:38 am
A win is a win. We weren’t as good as 13-3 a year ago. However, the stop by Chris Owens could be the play that we look back on as one that turned the season around.
DC
November 28th, 2011
9:38 am
Rickster leave that to the professionals…
PMC
November 28th, 2011
9:44 am
Well, I mean, these Falcons aren’t that much different than the Jets really and the Jets have won a few games in January over the last couple of years.
I’d really like someone in the organization to explain why they lose their mind for 30 minutes of every single game.
PMC
November 28th, 2011
9:46 am
Chris Owens though, was Roddy White like from last year. Excellent hustle play that saves a game.
If they ever manage to put a complete game together and play well on offense and defense at the same time, they would look very impressive.
Never will be convinced.
November 28th, 2011
9:48 am
Mark,
Way to stay on Blanks payroll with the bait. The first good team they meet in January will crush them. You know that, Blank knows that but we have seats to fill and advertisers to make happy in the meantime, right.
HARDY DOG
November 28th, 2011
9:48 am
We need to win all our games!!!!There is no room for ERROR. We also need the N.Y. Giants to beat the Saints tonight.
PMC
November 28th, 2011
9:48 am
I’ll take 7-4 though. I’m pretty happy. I belive that they can be better than this because they leave so much out there. I think they can finish strong. Even if they aren’t a great team, it’s better than being what they were for 40 years.
PMC
November 28th, 2011
9:50 am
The good thing is all that matters is that they add the W to the column.
It doesn’t matter what anyones opinion is for the post season. It doesn’t matter if you win by 3 or 43. Just win baby.
Donaldo
November 28th, 2011
9:53 am
Sorry I am not buying this team as an Elite one. Too many individuals not enough team, coaching is suspect. This includes the owner. This team will continue to disappoint until the culture changes, the results speak for themselves.
Hindu Elvis Pimp
November 28th, 2011
10:02 am
Chris Owens, Donta Robinson and Thomas Decoud need to be released.
Owens is always out of place. Yeah, he made a TD saving tackle, but he also gave up a TD and had he turned around and looked, he would of had an interception.
Robinson is playing better, but is still out of place most of the time. He misses too many tackles trying to deliver the big hit.
Decoud – See above.
In need of a real hoppy beer.
November 28th, 2011
10:11 am
It’s true. This team has a winning record, won 5 of 6 games and would qualify for post season play. We’ve been there before. We want more and what I’ve seen this year is not what I really want to see. I want to see a team that can and will win a Superbowl. I believe this team can, I have just not seen it yet. What makes this troublesome for me is the Falcons gave up a lot(future draft) for a player that seems to be the real deal, but has not made a difference.
We were led to believe that explosive plays were what was missing. I didn’t believe it. I know that consistent play, discipline and focus is what makes the difference………That’s what I want to see.
Stepchild
November 28th, 2011
10:16 am
Well we gotta beat who they put in front of us….but I gotta admit we’ll know nothing about this team until they play Elite teams and win. Haven’t done it all season and barely did it last season. Our biggest win was over Detroit!! And then Philadelphia after that!!! Our best attribute is playing teams that have been riddled with injuries……and squeaking out a win! That formula will get you pounded in the playoffs.
I’m not ready to “Rise up” just yet…..Not convinced.
Mike FR
November 28th, 2011
11:42 am
I don’t want to compare two different teams because it makes no sense, but for arguments sake, lets look at the ravens. They play to the level of their competition. They tough games against the steelers, 49ers and such. But then lose to lowly seattle, titans and jags. I’ll take the falcons ugly wins against the vikes and the titans any day!
As I know some of you will say that the ravens beat good teams and we just fail to do so. Let me remind you, that out of our 4 lost games, 3 were “winnable” (chicago dominated us so I won’t count that). 1st the bucs, we played a horrible game and still managed to stay behind only by 3, roddy dropped a td pass that would”ve win the game for us.
2nd, don’t forget we were 14 up against the pack, and then, MS though it was enough against the super bowl champs and decided to go to sleep. But based on the 1st half, it lookd as if we were able to beat them.
3rd, we gave the game to the saints with the 4th and 1 call.
SeenThisBFalcon
November 28th, 2011
11:43 am
Good teams finds ways to win..the Falcons are starting to look like the Falcons from last year winning down the stretch..if the loss to the Ain’ts doesn’t occur this would be a six game winning streak the Falcons are now starting to play better on both sides of the ball and look out NFC the Falcons are for real and will be winning a playoff game this year…can’t wait to beat Green Bay at Lambeau and spoil there repeat see you in the Divisional Rd….
Mike FR
November 28th, 2011
11:43 am
*typo* “They tough games against” — They win tough games ….
SeenThisBFalcon
November 28th, 2011
11:43 am
RISE UP!!! THIS YEAR WE WILL….
Rainman
November 28th, 2011
11:48 am
For the life of me I don’t understand why we don’t use Quizz Rodgers more. Everytime this kid touches the ball something good happens. He needs to get at least 10 touches a game. He reminds me of Darren Sproles. Figure out how to run the screen pass to him or at least a swing pass out of the backfield. Come on man!!
PreyDawg
November 28th, 2011
11:51 am
The Falcons were up convincingly on Green Bay and actually looked dominant for a stretch. It was the offense that let the defense down by going 3 and out.
When they finally woke up and got out of the idiotic bunch formations that Mularkey insists on 20 times per game, they moved the ball big time against New Orleans.
Whoever said this team would get crushed by a good playoff team is not watching very close. They play part of every game with their heads up their posteriors. If they even focus for 4 quarters they can beat any team in the NFL including Green Bay.
Biggest weaknesses right now are: D-backs do not play the zone all the well and Van Gorder loves it. 2) Ryan is not seeing the whole field. He is good, very good, but there are a ton of open guys that he is not even looking at on almost every play. I attribute this to how much we got him NAILED in the first 5 games. The line (ie Sam Baker especially) was one of the worst in the NFL then. 3) Mularkey and Smith still think we are a power running team and we are not. The bunch formation over and over and over again on first down is putting us in WAAAAAYYYYY to many second and longs. Everybody in the stadium knows Turner is coming and where he is going to. Was VERY glad to see us FINALLY call some running plays out of the spread yesterday.
Brent
November 28th, 2011
11:57 am
I think the difference between us and the elite teams is the fact that we, the Falcons, won’t go for the jugular. Our typical game performance is jump out to a nice lead (i.e. no huddle), then try to slow the game down (i.e. pound the ball with Turner). We allow the other team back in the game, return to no huddle, then score again to put it out of reach. We should be attacking in no huddle for 60 minutes. That’s what the elite teams do, the Green Bays and the New Englands. They don’t stop attacking.
Maybe our coaching staff should google “Greatest Show on Turf,” those Ram teams would be another good example of how a team never stops attacking.
I think after 4 or 5 games of this same pattern, that the coaching staff would realize “slowing the game down, trying to run the clock” is a detriment to us.
Hopefully Mike Smith will wake up before it’s too late.
Pete
November 28th, 2011
12:01 pm
The Falcons are good but CONSTANTLY give up HUGE plays. They will controll the clock with a masterful QB in Ryan and way above average power back in Turner only to make most games close because of a lunatic inept D secondary.
Won’t be in any Super Bowls soon with this glaring defect, a 4th rate D secondary.
Doug Pancoast
November 28th, 2011
12:31 pm
We will make the playoffs…just like I guaranteed after the Saints game. We will finish with 11-12 wins. And we can still do this if we can get healthy and get everything together. Our pass defense HAS to improve. Right now, our run defense is championship caliber. Our pass defense is just bad.
Stepchild
November 28th, 2011
12:45 pm
What games are you guys watching??? The “no-huddle” for the Falcons is run at a snails pace….Matt Ryan makes all of these audibles which usually equals a running play to Turner. I watched the Patriots run the no-huddle against Philly and they are running plays with 16 seconds still left on the play clock!!! Not the Falcons…we call audibles until the clock is down to 5 seconds 99% of the time. Our best play out of the no-huddle is to pound Turner!! Our no-huddle is to hurry up to slow down…..we wear defenses out because they are in a 3-point stand for an eternity!!! LOL!!!
Tigers Fan in Athens
November 28th, 2011
12:53 pm
Those of you complaining about the success of the Falcons must not remember the “old days” prior to Mr. Blank’s ownership of the team. Sure, there was the SB year in ‘98, and Bart & the boys had a good season in ‘80 – until D. White & the Cowpokes ruined it all, but that was about it.
Back then, most seasons the Falcons were league doormats. The best chance for a win was the twice annual game against the other doormat team ,the Saints. And those games could always go either way.
We are currently looking at probably 4 winning seasons in a row! There’s nothing I’d love more than a Falcons Super Bowl win, but given this team’s history, I’m not complaining if they don’t get there this year.
BTW, SEC title game – Geaux Tigers!!!
Tommy
November 28th, 2011
1:30 pm
They’ll probably win 11, but 10 wins will do it. The Lions still have to play the Saints and Packers, the Giants play the Saints and Cowboys, and the Bears still have the Packers. They’ll keep knocking each other off and piling up losses while we cruise through a relatively soft schedule. Even if we don’t beat the Saints and get the division we should be the #5 seed and go to Dallas, New York, or back to New Orleans for the playoffs.
Ivan
November 28th, 2011
1:40 pm
“Good teams bury the weak teams. Just look at Green Bay,New England,and New Orleans for proof.”
ROFL. You mean the same New Orleans that lost handily to the 2-9 Rams?? That logic doesn’t define the NFL. Go back to Madden.
JSS
November 28th, 2011
2:36 pm
Everybody remembers the “bad old days!” That is why no one with any real idea will not simply accept this it “could be worse” attitude that permeates Braves fans and has leaked across the town… Simple question, what do you want to be, like Cubs fans? They were a fairly successful franchise until 1945. In the 70 years since, barely any “real” opportunity to be a true winner. Sorry, those Bum Phillips like expectations that many of you accept is why this franchise (the rest of the teams in this town) never really reach the promised land. You don’t know what it means to demand more! You better start doing it soon, just ask Indian, Browns, Cubs, Royals, Az Cardinals, and Kings fans!
Gerhart76
November 28th, 2011
3:28 pm
I never thought after last year that we were a “top” Super Bowl contender. Certainly in the hunt for the playoffs. I didn’t think we addressed the issues that hurt us last year: Team Pass Defense.
Our pass rush is even worse this year than last (is Edwards another TD free agent “bust”?). And we continue to get beat by “blown” coverages. Heck I’d rather see us go man to man and get beat rather than some of the crazy coverages I’ve seen this year (i.e. Harvin’s TD).
Given Rogers’ high level of play and offensive system, I’d be surprised to see anyone else go to the Super Bowl from the NFC. From the AFC I’d say either Steelers or Patriots becasue of their QB play and ability to score readily.
For whatever reason we don’t have that same mindset. Some of the offensive play calling is made just to keep our defense off the field to protect our weak pass defense.
I actually had higher hopes last year going into the playoffs. Green Bay seems to be in world of their own right now. We’ll see how they play it out.
Hey "DHunt"
November 28th, 2011
5:03 pm
You are quite the superfan. Keep drinking the kool-aid. We’ll have a gift certificate to any home depot on it’s way.
Thanks, A. Blank…I mean, some dude
occam's boner
November 28th, 2011
5:09 pm
Well said, “extremus.” My sentiments exactly!
I’d like to take it one step further…do they “get it?” Do they really want a ring? Or are they satisfied with having a team just good enough to put butts in the seats and sell licensed merchandise at high prices??? It sure seems like the latter. Oh, they make it look good…but still. Gotta wonder.
RA
November 28th, 2011
5:15 pm
What gets lost in this is that the Falcons are actually playing winning football, and they have been for the last 3.5 years. Think about it folks since the time that this franchise got established, how many three year stretches have gone by when the Falcons weren’t a laughing stock? How many quarterbacks got drafted who in their first four years won over 40 gams? How many running backs did Atlanta bring in that hit as many franchise marks as Michael Turner? True, two trips to the playoffs in three years with an 0-2 first round record isn’t all that great, but how many years did Falcon fans have to wonder when thier team would even reach playoffs again? I’m sorry folks but even to talk about Atlanta getting beaten by Green Bay in the playoffs is light years from where they were four years ago when the head coach resigned to coach college and the starting quarterback was behind bars! No, they’re not perfect, no, they don’t look like a team that’s superbowl bound…right now, and yes, they need to improve on putting teams away, but for my money, I’ve seen the best stretch of Falcon football over the last three years that I’ve every seen during a three year stretch. If anyone out there is willing to tell me that I’m wrong, I’m all ears.
JSS
November 28th, 2011
9:18 pm
When your experience is the toilet in a I-20 truck stop in Bremen (I.E. Falcons football 1966-now), of the illusion of the last few years gives one the perception that you finally got to use a urinal and feel like your in the the Tah Mahal… That is a sad post-script…
Florida Falcon
November 28th, 2011
10:57 pm
Just give me one playoff win please!
Mora less Petrino
November 29th, 2011
12:22 am
The Giants are looking bad the last few weeks! Losing to the lowly Eagles at home and getting embarrassed on Monday night, making three losses in a row. The Falcons stood to gain no matter the outcome of the game tonight. Just win baby!
Elvis
November 29th, 2011
10:03 am
Once again we see the same thing. The falcons play an obviously over matched team and make them look wretched for 2 quarters and then the inevitable happens….Mularkey goes in at halftime and whines to Smitty and Smitty gives him the keys and then…..well you know……And how many more third and more than ten yard conversions are we going to give up before TD fires Van Gorder…No pressure on 4th and 13???? are you serious? Lofton covering Harvin?