A great escape shows us how special these Falcons can be
Ball in the air, game on the line. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
For three games they’d run nice and easy, never once trailing, facing only one gotta-have-this drive. (That came against Denver, and they got it.) But the Falcons play in the NFL, where nothing stays nice and easy, and Sunday they happened on an opponent who wouldn’t yield and a predicament that would have taxed the faith of a saint.
So it was that Matthew Thomas Ryan, named after two saints, took a snap at his 1 and backtracked into the end zone with 59 seconds remaining and his team, without a timeout to its name, down a point. Already Ryan had been sacked seven times, and as a nod to Carolina’s pressure the Falcons did something odd. At a moment of near-desperation, a time when you’d expect every receiver on the roster to be zigging this way or that, they dispatched only two men to run routes.
Roddy White down the left side, Julio Jones on the right. Everybody else stayed to block, and even as he retreated Ryan did a strange thing: He faked a handoff to Jacquizz Rodgers, and here you almost laughed. What offense in its right mind bothers with faking a run at its 1 with no timeouts left?
This carefully considered offense did. “It was actually more a protection thing,” Ryan would say of the play-action ploy, and it worked. Given a clean pocket for the first time in ages, he stepped forward and let fly. The ball traveled 65 yards and came down in the professional hands of Roddy White, who’d beaten Josh Norman and outleaped (for the second time this day) safety Haruki Nakamura. Just like that, the undefeated Falcons were positioned to win on a day they coulda/shoulda lost.
Said Todd McClure, the center: “It’s unbelievable. Matt said, ‘I went back and threw it as far as I could, and Roddy made a play.’ ”
Said Ryan: “It was a good throw and a great catch.”
Said White: “I try to track [the ball] at its highest point and jump just before [the defender] does. It’s kind of easy to do.”
Well, no. It’s not easy to do. But the beauty of these Falcons is that they have enough talent to carry them above and beyond. It’s why they’re 4-0 and have all but lapped the field in the NFC South. It’s why they’re capable of winning much more than the NFC South.
Ryan again: “I threw it high and far. We practice that. Roddy went up and got it.”
Then this: “In that situation, you have to make a play that changes the outcome of the game.”
The famous Cam Newton nearly made such a play inside the final two minutes, but he fumbled while lunging for what would have been the clinching first down. (John Abraham, man in the news, knocked it loose.) Had Newton held the ball, the Falcons wouldn’t have touched it again. As it was, the ball was moved backward and Carolina coach Ron Rivera flinched at fourth-and-1, and for his timidity he wound up losing.
If you have a choice, you don’t give a great quarterback a chance to beat you. And that’s what Ryan is becoming – a great quarterback. He has won unwinnable games before (meaning Chicago as a rookie), but in the fifth year of his NFL life he has become the guy who, as the glib coach Jimmy Johnson used to say, “can sink the 8-ball on the break.” How else to describe a quarterback who took his trailing team 77 yards in 49 seconds without needing to call time?
That the Falcons won on a day when they weren’t the best only tells us they’re not just gifted but fierce. They needed that test, and they aced it. Said Mike Smith, their coach: “It was just a matter of time before we would have to play from behind.”
Said McClure: “We’ve got unbelievable skill guys, and we know that if there’s a little bit of time we can win.”
Apart from the ending, this wasn’t a great day for the Falcons. Because of the ending, it became a great day. It showed them that they can do whatever it takes to win. It showed them that their quarterback can absorb a dozen big hits and rise above the bruising. It showed them that their ceiling is higher than the roof of the venue for this stunning escape.
By Mark Bradley
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258 comments Add your comment
Failcant fans are a joke
October 1st, 2012
9:01 am
Listen..hear that? Right….crickets…when you bring up Lombardi trophies and playoff wins, the loser Failcant fans go quiet…..who dat got the Lombardi? Right…..lmao…FAILCANTS…forever ringless in da ATL ghetto…or trailer park…
keniboy
October 1st, 2012
9:01 am
todd grantham, were you ignored as a child?
jason
October 1st, 2012
9:13 am
I am a believer in No.3 Matt Bryant!!!
WAS THERE
October 1st, 2012
9:13 am
That was the most exciting (and gut-wrenching) win I have evr seen in a Falcons stadium–the noise level was unbelievable, and the fans hung tough and proud, right to the bitter end. My son and I were there, and both agreed it was the funnest game we’ve ever gone to. Also have to say, there were a bunch of Carolina fans all through our section, and the banter and play back and forth with those folks–all in good fun right to the end–made this win even more special. Everyone was gracious, and their fans, to a person, congratulated all the Faslcon’s fans when they left–what sports is all about. Man, what a GREAT afternoon at the Dome! Proud of you, boys!!!
ImGumbyD**MIT
October 1st, 2012
9:14 am
Ryan is becoming – a great quarterback.
No Mark…Ryan IS a great quarterback. What else does Ryan have to do to be considered “great.” Oh…oh…let me guess, win a playoff game. Come on, that’ll be the icing on the cake for our great quarterback.
Rey
October 1st, 2012
9:16 am
Great win, but what’s up with the right side of the Falcons offensive line? Clabo and the other guy, Mike? need to hit the weight room or something.
Nativebird
October 1st, 2012
9:19 am
He’s more than close to great. Top rated QB in the NFL through 4 games though you’d never know it according to the prevailing Sports press, best QB season in 2011 by ANY Falcon QB ever…that’s EVER, including Bart, including Chandler, George, any. Yet all you press yahoos and Ryan haters talk about is arm strength. Yesterday should ‘finally’ put that to rest. Most wins (or tied) for any Quarterback IN HISTORY through his first 4 years as a pro. on and on and on. again, Matt Ryan is a future HOFer that know one knows about…the question is not if he’s win a Superbowl, the question(s) ARE: How many? and with WHAT TEAM! though I hope firmly to the contrary , but If i was his agent….NO long term deal with Arthur hammer-salesman Blank till i test free agency.
D man
October 1st, 2012
9:21 am
Great to know that our Falcons can play a bad game and come away with a win. Great teams do that…
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:24 am
Falcons were lucky and GOOD! This game shows something different as compared to Falcons teams of seasons past.
GREAT teams too, win come from behind games with lucky opportunities…
All you/the nay sayers out there please keep betting that “NO PASS LINE” at the crap,,,, “I’m lovin’ it” all the way to the BANK!!!
Go Falcons — Redskins Next
D man
October 1st, 2012
9:30 am
CBS Sports is picking us to win the SuperBowl…
“Best-case scenario has them three games up in the division. Defense wasn’t spectacular, but Michael Turner looked fresh (the Panthers have a way of doing that) and what a job by Matt Ryan to engineer that last-second drive. Not unhappy with picking them to win the Super Bowl at the moment.”
SPECIAL??????????
October 1st, 2012
9:40 am
“A great escape shows us how special these Falcons can be”
The Falcons have not defeated a good team this year. The Falcons will not beat teams like the Giants, Steelers or Ravens. The Falcons will lose in the playoffs…again.
SPECIAL??????????
October 1st, 2012
9:40 am
“what a job by Matt Ryan to engineer that last-second drive.”
He threw a bomb to Roddy White. Not exactly “engineering a drive.”
3 points regarding the Falcons, who won on a 3-pointer | Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2012
9:41 am
[...] touchdown in the first quarter; the 14-yard slant for a touchdown in the second quarter, and the 59-yard victimization of Nakamura on the first play of the Falcons’ drive to the winning field goal. Oh, yeah: White also had a [...]
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:42 am
9:19 — Little too presumptuous don’t cha think. MR2 really does need to win at least one SB, plus MVP. ComOn Man, you are most definitely over zealous in you announcement at this time. Back off a little, Not much though, hopefully all our hopes for these Falcons come true sooner than later…….. However I’m lovin your enthusiasm for sure!!!!
Go Falcons — Dim pesky Redskins next
P Rose
October 1st, 2012
9:44 am
Cam Newton, native Atlantan, after his team scores (game not over), laughs, taunts fans, does the “ATL Stomp.”
Matt Ryan, after his team scores (game over): “Get the FU@# off MY field!”
God, I love this game.
Jerry S
October 1st, 2012
9:46 am
Mark Bradley wrote: “…Carolina coach Ron Rivera flinched at fourth-and-1, and for his timidity he wound up losing.”
I’m a Falcons fan but that’s ridiculous criticism. “Timidity”? Because he didn’t want to risk turning the ball over on downs on their own side of the field? That’s just stupid. As it was, he pinned the Falcons back on their own one. It took not only a 59 yard strike from Ryan to White, but a pass interference call and a field goal that was not a chip shot. Good win for the Falcons but blame Newton for fumbling, not Ron White’s call on 4th and 1.
Jerry S
October 1st, 2012
9:47 am
I mean Ron Rivera…
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2012
9:47 am
It wasn’t on Carolina’s side of the field. Just FYI.
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:48 am
WHY
eric
October 1st, 2012
9:49 am
What’s the point in continuing this “no playoff wins” meme anyway? We won’t be able to settle that for 3 more months so just give it a rest. What we can talk about is how this is shaping up to be the best Falcons season ever. A win in Washington next week will give us our first ever 5-0 start which is something even the ‘98 SB team didn’t do.
We will deal with playoff wins when we, you know, GET TO THE PLAYOFFS!
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
9:49 am
Hey Mark — whats up with “comment is waiting moderation” ?
Mark Bradley
October 1st, 2012
9:59 am
What’s up is that the comments on this post reached such a disgraceful level last night that I shut commenting down. I re-opened it again this morning, but the personal insults need to cease.
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
10:02 am
“ZERO” you kidding me — that’s NOT personal — “That’s a compliment” !!!
BK
October 1st, 2012
10:04 am
GREAT GAME.. WAY TO GO FALCONS NEVER SAY NEVER…THIS IS OUR YEAR WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!! GO FALCONS!!
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
10:06 am
Hey Mark: check your system last night you’ll notice i was NOT on the blog
Have a great day — Also GREAT article, by the way!
Go Falcons
warfalcon
October 1st, 2012
10:09 am
Baby Cam did cry and his mother did bring his bottle! NEXT UP the Washinton Redskins and the rookie RGIII,FALCON`S defence will be ready for him.Oh Washington has toast on defence D.Hall,HAVE A GOOD GAME RODDY,HARRY,JULIO AND TONY. LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
stendek
October 1st, 2012
10:09 am
Hello again Mark. As a football watcher who is not afraid or reluctant to criticize I am almost mute this season. Both the Falcons and Bulldogs are undefeated. I simply do not have the heart to lambast the woeful Yellow Jackets. Middle Tennessee State? Sigh. First off, 20 or so Volunteer points can be blamed directly on the Dawg offense not the men of Todd. Now to the Falcons. I was set to recite drivel about no killer instinct after the Falcons squandered a home lead against an inferior foe. I was primed to crucify Matt Ryan for being sloth footed and not possessing enough sense to simply throw the ball away on far too many of his sacks. I was set to forward my high prescription eyeglasses to the Falcon QB after that boneheaded mystifying end zone interception. I awaited the start of the Packer-Saint clash when the refs put the Falcons on their own one despite the fact that the Panther downing the punt was clearly on the goal line. I knew the Saints would not win in Wisconsin so I was irate that the Falcons were not going to go four up on them. I should have heeded the advice of my pal Alfred Neuman and not worried. That pass to Roddy White seems surreal even now. Even time I watch the replay I cringe at how the pass seems to be slipping away from the Falcon receiver. Thankfully this was not destined to be a drop. Not this day. I trust the consistent Falcon placekicker not the one in Athens. Is there a field goal kicker at Georgia Tech? Oh well. Completion to superstar Tony Gonzalez who would scamper out of bounds. FG for 4-0 start. Could the Falcons have gone 99 yards? Dunno. Not about to rule such a scenario out however. Not about this bunch of survivors. Team of destiny? Could be. May be one in Athens too. Good for bird and canine fans thus far. Not so much for yellow bee followers. Have a great week.
Paul
October 1st, 2012
10:15 am
I’ve just a simple comment. Haven’t read all the posts. Matt Ryan became a man and a franchise quaterback yesterday! He was chunking darts all day long. He’s a skinny dude that seems to be genetically impossible to bulk up and put on any weight. I know he works and lifts weights. Still, a skinny dude. But he did fling it 65 yards and on target and that should be proof enough of his heart and mind — arm strength be “dad -goomed”. Don’t want to get edited here! Short is, we now have the quarterback that can not only take us to — but win a Super Bowl! He’s playing at an elite level now — and I’m sure his team mates know it. Once people start believing — great things can collectively happen. Thanks fans who got to the game and cheered these guys on. You are a part of — what I think — may be history in the making.
warfalcon
October 1st, 2012
10:19 am
SPECIAL?????????? NEW YORK A GOOD TEAM THEY GOT BEAT BY THE EAGLES,WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT ON DEC.19,2012.RIGHT NOW WE ARE FACING THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS. ONE GAME AT A TIME REAL FALCON FANS.
stendek
October 1st, 2012
10:22 am
No one has been more critical of the Falcons over the years than I as a sufferer since that initial campaign. I have seen all the highs (few) and lows (many) since 1964. Any criticisms after a victory such as this one are unwarranted. That coming from a fire and brimstone outspokenly critical Falcon fan. Sure this was one the Falcons should have lost. I am sure there is one down the line the Falcons should win but will not. Know it alls contend that things even themselves out in sports. As a Falcons/UGA/Tech/Flames/Knights/Chiefs/Hawks/Thrashers onlooker over the years I can attest that is a bald faced lie. I am going to savor this season. Naysayers be darned.
stendek
October 1st, 2012
10:29 am
Whoops. Left out Braves. Sorry Chipper. Embarrassments to country are USA national men soccer team (Olympics? What Olympics) and any American golfers who compete in Ryder Cup (chokers of mammoth proportions). Hey, I have to complain about something.
True Falcon Fan
October 1st, 2012
10:30 am
“MeAngelo” — will likely come-up lame this week jus you watch and see……… I just can’t wait to hear from Lil Joe Thiesman — he jus loves those Falcons don’t cha no
Go Falcons — Redskins next
GATiger
October 1st, 2012
10:35 am
As a N.O. native and former Saints season ticket holder )they were perennial losers all 3 years – so I’m the biggest Saints hater around), this is the perfect storm. If some of you have the time/inclination, you should read the sports blogs on nola.com. They’re blaming Goodell, Katrina, global warming, George Bush and anything else they can think of when they should be blaming their GM for paying a very good but aging Brees $100MM and ignoring glaring needs all over the defense, RB and OL. It’s truly humorous.
Buzz2011
October 1st, 2012
10:44 am
Wrong again Bradley!! Ryan is no where close to great. Nowhere close! He wins games he should win and can’t beat the elite teams. This is the same thing you preach about the little Dawg QB, Murray I think. Until they can beat the elite teams, they will not be elite. You should know this , but hope it helps you.
Buzz2011
October 1st, 2012
10:47 am
@srendek Have a good week.. Go Jackets……………….
Buzz2011
October 1st, 2012
10:47 am
@stendek Have a good week.. Go Jackets……………….
Esquire
October 1st, 2012
10:52 am
Only one winless team left in NFC
September 30th, 2012
9:22 pm
The Caints blow the last minute FG attempt and my moniker survives another week.
The Eagles made it through the first quarter without a turnover! What the heck!
********************************************************
I said early on the Caints should have kept Kasay and cut loose Hartley………….
Mikey
October 1st, 2012
11:01 am
It is SO nice to have a QB that other coaches fear! No matter how good a young QB is, it takes a while for them to build up such a strong reputation in the NFL. Matt Ryan is now getting to that point. As we saw, Ron Rivera has not yet developed that fear yet and it cost him the game. When you are playing a QB like that, you need to risk a 4th and one to keep it out of their hands. Ryan proved him wrong and did his job to instill FEAR in NFL coaches. Is he there yet? Time will tell but he is on the right path for sure! GO FALCONS! YOU ARE RISING UP!
ueeediot
October 1st, 2012
11:03 am
Would you losers shut up about 13th grade football games that you play on Saturday? No one gives two flips.
Cedric
October 1st, 2012
11:10 am
None of us know the future… Just cheer for the team!!!!!
Leading Off: Tim Tebow Time Draws Near — Leading Off | News Fringe
October 1st, 2012
11:12 am
[...] In other furious happenings, New England pulled itself off a pad in fantastic fashion, Mike Reiss writes on ESPN.com; a Vikings have assured during slightest Clark Judge of CBSSports.com that they are for real; and a Falcons staged a finish that should have people desiring in boundless intervention, writes Mark Bradley in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [...]
ueeediot
October 1st, 2012
11:12 am
Matt Ryan – best QB the Falcons have ever had
Mike Smith – In 3 more wins will have the most ever for a Falcons HC. Ive got strategy issues with this guy, but he is the best the Falcons have ever seen
Roddy White – best Falcons WR…. EVER hands down.
Keep Hating
Redskins and Raiders…. 6-0 or 5-1 Still killin the NFC South (and leading the AFC West too!)
Ken
October 1st, 2012
11:14 am
Matt Ryan and the Falcons know how to RISE UP!!! Falcon fans get your popcorn ready there will be more RISE UP moments to come!!
Is Falcons QB Matt Ryan a legitimate MVP candidate?
October 1st, 2012
11:25 am
[...] NFL seasons, Ryan was more solid than spectacular, but as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Mark Bradley writes, the 27-year-old is now cracking the elite class of NFL [...]
The Falcon Project
October 1st, 2012
11:35 am
http://thefalconproject.wordpress.com/2012/09/30/matt-bryants-leg-lifts-falcons-over-panthers-30-28/
Football Runners » A great escape shows us how special these Falcons can be
October 1st, 2012
12:09 pm
[...] Journal-Constitution Click here for full article Share on Facebook [...]
Jay Dubu
October 1st, 2012
12:12 pm
I know Matt Ryan has been great this season with the offensiv weapons that are available on offense, but greatness is determined when you do it in the playoffs.
Let’s see how things unfold, before he’s added to the ballot for Canton.
P Rose
October 1st, 2012
12:13 pm
Stendek wins The World’s Biggest Falcons Fan Award, for being a fan since 1964, two years before they even existed. Congratulations, sir.
superg
October 1st, 2012
2:19 pm
We are back where we were last year:
No protection from the OL.
Poor defense.
Why would you quote an offensive lineman after such a poor game?
bighittas
October 1st, 2012
2:34 pm
DD totally agree.
I even wrote Fox and asked if that’s the best they could send. Stockton has always been anti-ATL. I can remember the days he was broadcaster for the Celtics-Hawks playoffs and was such a Celtic fan it was pathetic.
Those idiots yesterday were even talking about how great the hit made by the Carolins DB was just before they saw the flag for helmet to helmet contact.
Bums.