The unbeaten Falcons fall in a distressingly familiar way
Just a reminder: This is how it looks when a running play actually succeeds. (AP photo)
New Orleans — First, a spot of perspective. The Falcons are 8-1 and positioned to win their division. Just because they lost an excruciating game to the hated Saints doesn’t override all the good work that came before. That said …
The good work that came before didn’t include much in the way of short-yardage excellence. And when a team that couldn’t convert on fourth-and-1 on three infamous occasions last season loses its first game of another year due to the same failures, a flag gets hoisted. No, not a white one of surrender, but surely a bright red banner of warning.
“I don’t know what situation you’d rather be in,” said Michael Turner, the feature back who managed 15 yards on 13 rushes Sunday. “You’ve got one yard for the lead.”
“You’ve got to punch the ball in,” said Jacquizz Rodgers, the change-of-pace back whose 18-yard burst had pulled the Falcons within sight of that final yard.
“Of course you (think you’re going to get that yard),” said Harry Douglas, the receiver who barely missed scoring the go-ahead touchdown on a slant on first-and-goal from the 10. “That has to be your approach.”
That the Falcons’ first play from the 1 was a Matt Ryan pass for Tony Gonzalez tells us they weren’t convinced they could push the Saints backward even three feet. (Malcolm Jenkins knocked the ball down in the end zone.) That the third-and-goal call was a handoff to Turner that became yet another damp squib — of his 13 carries, seven either gained nothing or lost yardage — drove home the point:
An 8-0 NFL team could not line up and gain a precious yard against the league’s worst rushing defense.
By losing a yard on third-and-goal, the Falcons had no choice but to pass on fourth down, and again Ryan’s pass was flicked away. This time it was Jabari Greer, flashing in front of Roddy White. The Falcons would get the ball one last time, but their chance to stay unbeaten had come and gone.
Not that staying unbeaten was such a big deal. “That’s a distraction out of the way,” free safety Thomas DeCoud said, and he had a point. Trouble is, the the Falcons never want to lose to the opponent that has beaten the Falcons of Mike Smith seven times in nine tries.
DeCoud again: “That’s the one team you don’t want to have your first loss against.”
That Sunday’s game was a carnival ride surprised no one. Ryan threw for 411 yards, a career best, and if not — stop me if you’ve heard this one — for a failure on third-and-1 on the Falcons’ second series they might have seized a 14-0 lead.The Saints, who can play offense if not D, overrode that early deficit and took an 11-point lead midway through the third quarter. The Falcons cut it to four points with a touchdown and an extra point, Smith choosing (oddly and wrongly) not to go for two with 13:27 remaining.
They would draw within one point on a field goal after an incompletion on third-and-2. The Saints pushed the lead back to four, leaving the door ajar. The Falcons were too weak to kick it in.
Said Smith: “We were not getting the surge we needed on running plays … We did not win the line of scrimmage in the running game.”
Said Todd McClure, the center: “Every third-and-1 (not converted), every fourth-and-1 … I’m sure there’ll be a lot written about it tomorrow and we’ll be (seen as) a terrible offensive line. But we didn’t get it done today.”
For all their skill — the Falcons outgained the sleek Saints — the question remains: Is this team forceful enough? And not just along the O-line: The Falcons’ defense yielded 148 yards rushing and mustered one sack. For eight games people had been saying, “There’s going to come a time when the inability to run the ball and/or stop the run is going to bite this team.” That time arrived Sunday.
“We’ve got to address (the issues in the running game),” Turner said. “We’ve got to fix it. That’s what championship teams do. There’s attitude, there’s scheme … everything’s involved.”
The Falcons are 8-1. They did not become a terrible team by losing one game, but they cannot become a great one until they figure a way to gain a yard when a yard is mandatory. Is Turner too slow? Is the line too feeble? And if the answer, as seems likely, is a combination of the two, how do you work around it?
After every game, win or lose, Mike Smith says of any lapse, “We’ll get it fixed.” His Falcons have seven more games before the playoffs commence, which means …
Clock’s ticking, Smitty.
Further reading: Here’s why Mike Smith should have gone for two.
By Mark Bradley
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384 comments Add your comment
Falcony
November 11th, 2012
7:59 pm
The Saints were more physical than the Falcons today. We got no pressure on Brees today and Matt had to perform under pressure from only 4 linesmen all day “Good performance under pressure all day Matt.” We could not run and could not stop the run. We made one interception and acted like we won the Superbowl. We may have a good record now but I am still concerned about going into the playoffs. Good teams start to getting it together in November and on. This is the time of year where in the past we either start to falling off or remain the same making no adjustments. If we do not play better defense and if our O-line do not protect better and open holes for the run. If Turned do not stop falling down on first contact we are going to repeat what happened in the previous years in the playoffs. Coaches it is time to make the 2nd half of the year adjustments. Teams are putting it together. Just because we have won 8 games does not mean that we have it together. Stop smelling yourselves and get it together, you have not accomplished nothing yet. I kind of figured this loss would happen before the game was ever played when I heard Roddy White talking about going 16 & 0. Dude Really? You had only played 8 games at the time. Just concentrate on the next game and leave all of that unecessary distraction alone!
USMC DAWG
November 11th, 2012
8:00 pm
I love Roddy White, but every time that young fool opens his pie hole and makes a prediction, WE LOSE!
Just catch the ball and run Touchdowns, Son!
Let your play on the field do all of the talking!
Michael
November 11th, 2012
8:00 pm
@ Wink you nailed it man, thanks for the insight.
Jay Jay
November 11th, 2012
8:01 pm
Falcons just showed who they truly are, an average team. Just follow the dollar. The only reason they were allowed to win in the first place was to secure the approval of a new stadium, which will cost the tax payers dearly in Atlanta. Some think, wow they are winning now. I think, hmmm, they are winning because the league need them to get that new stadium. Just my thought.
Child Please
November 11th, 2012
8:02 pm
Name calling still want get you a super bowl ring. Until your team gets to carry the Lombardi, they will continue to be second no make that third to us. Tampa 1 super bowl ring, New Orleans 1 super bowl ring, Atlanta 0 super bowl rings, you get the message.
ryesouvie
November 11th, 2012
8:03 pm
The Saints beat the falcons and here they come on the blog. Where have you been all year? It will be great when we play the saints in 3 weeks and knock them out of the playoffs…. as far as respect that the saints fans we will give us? we dont want it. the only super bowl ring u got has an asterisk beside it. go back to the cest pool new orleans. Have a good day!
phil
November 11th, 2012
8:04 pm
Hous later and i’m still irritated about this loss.
Big mouth Roddy blew it big time, first by blabbing nonsense, then he blows it on that bomb that would’ve won the game when the saints tried to give it to us.
Then we have Ryan not leading the receivers at the goal line with his weak ass throws.
The Turner run was equally disgusting.
Boooooooooo!
Von
November 11th, 2012
8:05 pm
Here’s the bottom line…..The Falcons no matter how good their record may indicate is that they simply cannot match the intensity of the Saints and their fans. If you can’t beat the Saints without their head coach and a team with one of the worst defenses ever, you have no business talking about wanting respect from around the league and being a Superbowl contender. With Brees at the helm for the Saints the record is 11-2….so this is no surprise. The Falcons with their now 8-1 record should hope they do not see this team ever get into the playoffs. It is what it is. The Saints just have had the Falcons number since 2006. The only chance to make a dent in that number is when Brees retires.
phil
November 11th, 2012
8:07 pm
Lol at idiot saint in atl….
200,000? Right.
Besides, only pathetic losers with itty bitty you know whats say stuff like that.
Michael
November 11th, 2012
8:07 pm
Why are the Village Idoits Saints fan coming out and making comments. I thought our first lost would be to Tampa Bay.
air of mendacity
November 11th, 2012
8:07 pm
Jay-Jay -there are pills that you can take for that btw. Falcons running game pathetic. Need to play Quizz more I think. Turner is over the hill, but line cannot run block. Don’t know the answer, if I did, would be rich. We played poorly and almost won Jay-Jay – not average, just have weak spots.
Saints in Atl
November 11th, 2012
8:09 pm
Ryesouvie, Does your Super Bowl ring have an asterisk? Do you have a Super Bowl ring? How many times have the Facons beat the Saints since 2007?
rip
November 11th, 2012
8:09 pm
What a bunch of soft O Lineman, it is totally a disgrace. This is not the first time they are just soft. Ryan has been making them look good because he is making his reads quickly and getting rid of the ball. I do not think any NFL team well except for Philly would want these fat soft belly whimps
Saints in Atl
November 11th, 2012
8:10 pm
Phil, Look at the scoreboard!
loyal fan
November 11th, 2012
8:11 pm
Good point M.B. Birds have other backs on this team that we only see in preseason.Or they are inactive at gametime.M.T. has been the guy we hooked the plow to in M.R.s 1st two seasons while he was learning the pro game,and hes played his heart out,but i think this team has evolved to fit the style of a sleek slashing runner,One who can acclerate to the line.M.T. dosent have that skillset,And J.R. dont either.When your O.line is primarily set up to pass block,you need that type of back.I think we need to look down the bench.The trading deadlines over folks.
phil
November 11th, 2012
8:12 pm
A tie game in the NFL….
Beena few years.
I love my Dawgs
November 11th, 2012
8:12 pm
Today was not about keeping our unbeaten streak going, it was about beating up those sorry A$$ Saints and putting a nail in their coffin for the season. Everyone wass making a big deal because Atlanta was not getting any love from the media, well guess what, the media will now be talking about how the Falcons were overrated. What we need to do is shut up and keep making a push for the playoffs and then win some playoff games. I hate to say it, but this year’s success depends on what we do in the playoff. I am going to love my Falcons regardless, but I would love to shut the critics up and win in the playoffs. Go Falcons!!l
Bill
November 11th, 2012
8:12 pm
Twice, Twice Turner was given the ball inside the 5 & twice, twice he was stopped for a loss. Cut the loyalty BS, Turner has no push and is not a power runner….line up Snelling he is a tougher short yardage runner, QB sneak or simply pass it 4x’s, why waste the down and effort with Turner…..he is toast, let’s move on.
WhoDat4Eva
November 11th, 2012
8:13 pm
There goes your undefeated season…..HAHAHAHAHA
WHODAT!! HAHAHAHAHA
Jay Jay
November 11th, 2012
8:13 pm
I just took my pills. Taste good and make me really think, thanks for the suggestion. I still say,follow the dollar bill. Yes, they can play from time to time. And they are also allowed to win from time to time On behalf of the citizens of Atlanta, Thank You NFL commissioner for allowing us to win. I truly said allow. I think I will go back to watching real football. College football.
1966
November 11th, 2012
8:13 pm
Alot of Atlanta Falcon fans on here and elsewhere know the stats, players, history, etc. of this franchise and that’s great. I’ve been watching since I was 6 years old, since ‘66. I know a pretty good bit about the info history of this team. More than others, not as much as others. Having said that, I can almost say for certain, that this is not a Superbowl caliber team. Even if it’s only gut feeling. This is not a winning playoff team. The package is still not there. I am tired. I don’t know if it will ever be there in my lifetime. This team is, at best, a reincarnation of the ‘98 team. Yea, I know, they are 8 and 1. So what. I’ve seen this team before.
The unbeaten Falcons fall in a distressingly familiar way
November 11th, 2012
8:14 pm
[...] [...]
Jay Jay
November 11th, 2012
8:15 pm
Great point 1966 and I for one agree!
Joe
November 11th, 2012
8:15 pm
agreed Michael Turner is very slow, how can a 245 bruising back not gain a yard? We got to get the run game back on track! Start Snelling next game, can’t hurt, but we will not succeed in the playoffs if turner cant even rush for a yard
Michael
November 11th, 2012
8:16 pm
Why was FOX broadcasting the San Fran and St. Louis in Spanish.
cb795
November 11th, 2012
8:17 pm
If this was college ball, would coach smith job be on the line with a 2 /7 record against your main rival?
ackshun
November 11th, 2012
8:18 pm
Bottom line 4 wins clinches the division. Not much else matters. Still probably not the best week to release Lou polite.
playmeortrademe
November 11th, 2012
8:18 pm
Easy. run the ball, stop the run. Do that, you are 9-0. If you can run the ball to keep the D honest, open up play-action, and get the tough yards, you win. If your D can stop runs on 1st and 2nd down, you can free up the linebackers and secondary and win 3rd downs. Football basics really haven’t changed much over time.
I love my Dawgs
November 11th, 2012
8:18 pm
Typical Turner
-3 yards
0 yards
.-2 yards
4 yards
-1 yards
8 yards
air of mendacity
November 11th, 2012
8:18 pm
Bill – yes – Snelling, Turner too slow to hit what little, if any, hole or crease we have. Pathetic.
TN Jeff
November 11th, 2012
8:19 pm
Thank you MB for pointing out what the TV announcers never realized – the huge mistake of NOT going for a 2 point conversion which would have made the deficit only 3 points if converted and allowed for the option of a field goal to tie at the end of the game. Same morons covering the game questioned why the Falcons weren’t trying to run the ball in despite Turner having 16 yards on 11 carries. The problem is Turner. He is slow and goes down too easy … almost as if he’s had one too many (oops).
Pete
November 11th, 2012
8:19 pm
The dropped balls and penalties were especially unforgivable, but it was also an aberration.
What isn’t is our inability to make short yard situations and the run game in general. Followed by our inability to stop the run. How is it every team we play has a running back that seems more explosive than ours? I don’t know how we fix these problems with this personnel, but if we can;t figure that out we’ll lose another playoff game.
Gipp
November 11th, 2012
8:19 pm
The Falcons are “Paper Tigers”. Lots of playmakers for sure; Enjoy the regular season, ’cause in the playoffs, they will will Crash.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
November 11th, 2012
8:21 pm
Michael Turner is NOT THE ANSWER!!!!! Please utilize Snelling, Rogers and/or Smith. It is funny how the Saints utilize 4 different running backs throughout the game, but all we saw for the Falcons is the same old busted running plays…..Turner for 1 yard gain or a loss…….The Falcons should have won the game……sorry play calling by the offensive coordinator at the end of the game!!!!
National Sports Media
November 11th, 2012
8:23 pm
HA we were so right about the falcants… lost to the 32nd ranked defence, haven’t defeated a single team over .500… if the falcants make the playoffs its ONE and DONE, 4 straight. This team could go 2-6 in the 2nd half, already got the 0-1 start. welcome back to reality.
Just Me
November 11th, 2012
8:23 pm
Appropriately titled column Mark! This scene is all too familiar with the Mike Smith regime. Because this team repeatedly fails when it really counts, it is easy to label them as SOFT! Today, they could have put New Orleans season on life support, but instead they REPEAT some of the very issues they had coming into this season. At some point, the head coach has to understand that the team mirrors his “nice guy” persona at all the wrong times…and that’s in games that really count. It is sad to say that this mentality will yield the very same result come playoff time. They have to get a chip on their shoulder, and do so quickly, because they are on a crash course collision to get bounced in the playoff just as in years past. The Saints wanted it more today and it showed in their play. Obviously, we did not want it quite as much as much as they did because the manner in which we played did not come close to displaying that sentiment. This one is on Mike Smith for not having the team in the RIGHT frame of mind of going in and smashing an inferior team. If the Falcons would play the whole game (or as least most of it) the way they run their 2:00 minute offense, it would be hard for other teams to keep up. We often play down to the level of our opponent and therefore find ourselves in so many late game drives to pull out a win. The fact that we have been in so many of those types of games up to this point in the season in no coincidence! It speaks to a systemic behavior pattern that emanates from the head coach. Until they realize this very fundamental but fatal flaw, they will NEVER get close enough to even sniff the Super Bowl. The team is SOFT and it consistently shows in the manner of their play. I will still continue to support the team, but doing things the same way and expecting a different outcome is just insane. It is time to Rise Up coach Smith. The team is in a great position and these opportunities do not come along often, so you better seize it now, otherwise the HC seat will get much hotter come this off season.
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
8:24 pm
Not sure if anyone noticed, but the Cardinals had a bye this week. They will bring their best shot…similar to the Raiders who were coming off the bye. The Falcons need to bring their best next week.
rip
November 11th, 2012
8:25 pm
What is the heck is Todd McClure talking about that they gave it their all, is he out of his mind!!!!!!!!!!, and he suppose to be a leader on this team. You should have your head in a bag, to not be able to move the pile 1 yard. Does he not understand, you went man to man and you looked like girls going against men. Same bums you could not get a yard last year. No off season commitment to get stronger, quicker. Stop eating the donuts and hit the weights
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
8:27 pm
If the Falcons lose to the Cardinals and the Bucs beat the Panthers, then the Bucs will control their destiny for the division…the Falcons are in for a fight and need to focus hard on the next game.
1966
November 11th, 2012
8:27 pm
Atlanta Falcon Playbook: 2 pages
Atlanta Falcon Excuse Handbook: 4,278 pages
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
8:28 pm
rip, I’m sure Todd did give his all…just wish Ryan had sneaked it a few more times behind him.
Tim
November 11th, 2012
8:28 pm
Falcons management made the call before the season that they would try to squeeze one more year out of Turner. It may have been a bad decision. We will see.
True Falcon
November 11th, 2012
8:29 pm
Gonzo was wide open when Ryan tried to squeeze the ball in to White. He well never win the big one. He stares the receiver down that he’s throws the ball to. I’ve seen this movie before.
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
8:29 pm
As bad as the Saints defense has been…they get tough near the goal line, gotta give them some credit.
FalconFANatic
November 11th, 2012
8:30 pm
8-1>4-5. Falcons will win division! We will sure up what we need to on defense. Matt Ryan still threw for more than 400 yards without Julio for most of 1st half. Falcons needed a loss (and a bad one) to stay motivated and to realize how much harder they need to work…Go Falcons!
playmeortrademe
November 11th, 2012
8:31 pm
1966,
I hear ya, And I think the 1998 team would beat the snot out of this team. They were a more complete package and seemed a lot tougher on D with Tuggle, Smith, and Bennett. This team needs a running game and a run defense to be comparable
peege
November 11th, 2012
8:31 pm
I don’t blame Samuel – that was an amazing catch, and given our ability to move the ball, I didn’t think it would matter. Instead, I look at the O-line or Turner. Turner just seems to fall down a lot.
cb795
November 11th, 2012
8:31 pm
Coach Smith please give the speed back smith a try!!!!!!!! Turner is being tackled by smaller db’s only using one arm. Maybe he can run better than a 1.2 average.
air of mendacity
November 11th, 2012
8:32 pm
so we are just soft – that is the answer? I doubt it. Don’t know what it is, but it is the achilles heel in the playoffs if we cannot gain a yard on the goal line. Bummer.
Eric C.
November 11th, 2012
8:32 pm
Yeah, agree that a loss kind of refocuses a team…was getting a little tired of hearing the undefeated season stuff. Having said that, sure would have loved to see them get this one.