As for the Falcons’ game itself: It was pretty crummy, too
The Falcons stopped Doug Martin the first time around, but not the second. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
This post is an adjunct to the game column, which can be found by clicking here.
1. Offensively, the Falcons were offensive. Matt Ryan’s longest completion — in 44 throws — was for 28 yards, this against an opponent that ranked last in the NFL in pass defense. Their longest run was a 17-yard touchdown burst by Michael Turner, who finished with only 18 yards on six carries. They converted three of 14 third downs. They managed but 278 total yards, their second-lowest yield of the season, and 17 points, a seasonal low. Good thing they played the starters, eh?
2. Defensively, they weren’t much better. The Falcons didn’t muster a sack. They intercepted only one pass by Josh Freeman, who’d thrown eight in the past two games. After holding the smallish rookie Doug Martin to 50 yards in a narrow victory in Tampa on Nov. 25, they saw him rush for 142 yards on 28 carries Sunday, including a rather galling 40-yard touchdown ramble. Good thing they played the starters, eh?
3. About his contingency plans for those starters, coach Mike Smith was vague. It wasn’t clear whether his plan was to stick with them for the duration or to lift them if the Falcons got a lead, which they didn’t. “I can’t say (he’d have played them) all the way through,” Smith said, and then: “If we felt the game was won, then we would make the decision to take players out.” What happened was close to a worst-case scenario: The Falcons played their starters, lost anyway and saw John Abraham and Dunta Robinson injured.
By Mark Bradley
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196 comments Add your comment
Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
4:36 pm
Lovie got fire for not getting the job done. He’s fortunate to have gotton nine years. How long we gonna give Mike Smith? Jim Mora Jr took the Falcons to the NFC Championship and look where he’s at.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
4:36 pm
Like i said in my 3:10 message to you “Lil” Spanky — You got the message!
JSS
December 31st, 2012
4:37 pm
There wasn’t anything going on behind the scene in Chicago… Lovie has been on notice that not making the playoffs was not acceptable… Moreover, they could not beat the Packers regularly… Unlike Mike Smith (see his record against the Saints), that generally gets you the boot!
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
4:42 pm
Amazing how much “knowledge” some of these bloggers think they have!? Incredible and just pompus! Would love it if some of these people on here would show some humilty! Not to mention incredible to see so many non-fans that want to bash the Falcons. Wonder why they show up to tell us how bad a 13-3 #1 seed team is if they dont like the Falcons? Go figure cause for 16 weeks I just cant!
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
4:50 pm
As the saying goes ” a hit dog will holla” dont think I was talking to.anyone particular but you can tell the all knowing ones on these blogs. Happy New Year, be aware of posers and the likes! Lol. They sneak up in you with all this jargon about the NFL yet they go back to community service hours on Wednesday!
JSS
December 31st, 2012
4:54 pm
They must have been “hit dogs?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmpv2i02JNc
Those leaving must need to report to their PO’s?
steve brown
December 31st, 2012
4:58 pm
Buddy – good one – you got me
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
5:01 pm
JSS you the greatest, I have nothing to say to you yet you feel you need to respond to me. Dont waste your breath on a Falcon Fan, you are way to intelligent for that. You have much more knowledge than I do. I have nothing to say to you. I am only hear to speak with other Falcon fans. Your knowledge outweighs my brain. Please continue to post with out wasting all of your knowledge on a Falcon fan like me. I dont deserve to talk to or at you. Happy New Year
gabugman
December 31st, 2012
5:02 pm
You can all blame me for the poor performance yesterday. I promise not to wear the cursed jersey my brother gave me for X-mas last year ever again. It is a 100% loss guarantee. Win the SB and I’ll burn it!
4DaBirds
December 31st, 2012
5:21 pm
Will any of you naysayers who say the Falcons will be one and done be back to comment after the Falcons get to the Super Bowl. I certainly hope that none of you call yourselves fans. Weak bunch of sissy’s
JSS
December 31st, 2012
5:33 pm
14 years later, that is one that “naysayers” have grown old awaiting the so-called judgment day…
monty
December 31st, 2012
5:36 pm
Inexperienced QB picks us apart after throwing 8 interceptions last 2 games or whatever. Ryan and receivers didn’t even look like they were on the same page. As much as I want to believe in this team, Aaron Rogers or whatever top ranked QB will pick us apart. Matt and recievers will lay an egg. One and done!
Falcon Guano
December 31st, 2012
5:47 pm
Here we are at 13-3
and we look like one of if not THE weakest team in the playoffs.
We’ve got a bye and we’ll still be lucky to even GET to the NFC championship game – let alone even have a chance in h3ll to win it.
Weakness is a symptom of bad coaching.
JSS
December 31st, 2012
5:49 pm
I know Najeh Davenpoop will appreciate this one… TFF, not so much…
http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_22288273/oakland-raiders-fire-offensive-coordinator-greg-knapp
chuck
December 31st, 2012
6:02 pm
Peope paid money to watch that crap?
Great Falconi
December 31st, 2012
6:06 pm
I wouldn’t worry too much about that game. We had nothing to play for and played like it. If nothing else, it will leave a sour taste in our mouths heading into that first playoff game. Given the way we’ve shown up for the last two, that’s not a bad thing.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
6:14 pm
Greg Knapp — really no opinion, he’s probably as good as the OC in Jacksonville, your old buddy that once coached your ole ideal Carson Palmer, boy he really looked good this year. I’m sorry i really shouldn’t say anything adout Carson, i really always admired his play. It was unfortunate he got his knee tore up in the playoff game with Steelers way back when.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
6:15 pm
Go Falcons!
Falcons: Play 60!
December 31st, 2012
6:17 pm
“rush for 142 yards on 28 carries”
unfortunately this isn’t a new problem this year, they might be screwed if they have to face a team with a good runner (ie Minnesota)
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
6:20 pm
Until tomorrow ALL
“Happy New Year” Everybody, even to you JSS
I promise, I will be nice at least one time to ZERO, no it’s JSS “Lil Spanky”
Go Falcons!
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:33 pm
and you want some respect.
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:36 pm
Ha,HA.HA,HA,
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:36 pm
LOSERs AGAIN.
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:38 pm
STUPID BIRDS,and still want some respect.
Skeptic
December 31st, 2012
6:44 pm
The Vikings are coming to collect for ‘99. Tick-tock, tick-tock
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:46 pm
Hey Birds,you got all respect your:e going to get.Cause you have not earn nothing but being a loser You should win a certain game but lose it anyway.The games you suppose to lose you just dont lose you lose big time shameful thats how you get NO respect STUPID
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:47 pm
stupid and nonrespectful birds.LOser
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:54 pm
FOLKS do you relies if we had a ARRON rogers type QB and a sure enough head coach we would still be undeafed and no question ask on the way of winning the super bowel.
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:59 pm
With this much Tialant on offense how can you lose? i can tell you why ! (ALTANTA) thats it
Tom
December 31st, 2012
7:01 pm
The Falcons are the number one seed. That is the best any team can do so far. Give them some credit and support. The rest of you are idiots!
falconcritizer2012
December 31st, 2012
7:34 pm
okeetee, pleaseeee don’t drink that much kool-aid and then get on blog….who has little enough sense to offer yon ecouragement. you just have to be scarred man..
okeetee
December 31st, 2012
7:55 pm
falconcritizer2012
…I’m being realistic! All these teams are flawed. Flaws generally manifest themselves when you play on the road! We will be playing at home! Rookies make mistakes. Quarterback rookies generally make lots of them on the road! We are in good shape….for the shape we are in!
falconcritizer2012
December 31st, 2012
8:03 pm
okeetee just kidding with you you had written such an elequent blog. i am really impressed with it. I do hope you are right and i yield to your wisdom. And i appreciate your steadfastnes and passion. God bless you and your family and Happy New Year.
Birdhouse
December 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
How do you go 13-3 with no pass rush? Playoffs are gonna be tough…
phil
December 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
We’re doomed!!!
Falcon Old Timer
December 31st, 2012
11:43 pm
4DaBirds – You bet your sweet a$$ I’ll be back here giving praise to the Birds – BUT – the real question is will YOU be back on this blog after the Birds blow it again in the play offs and don’t make the SB to admit to those of us who have a long history of supporting this team – that you were wrong??
Bull Butter
January 1st, 2013
8:19 am
Phil—Take a pill,and chill! The Falcons are going to be allright. That loss to TB was the best thing that could have happen,they had something to play for,we didn’t! Jan 13 starts a new season for the falcons,so lets all rise up,and stand behind our team.GoOOOOOOOOOO Falcons
Rick Patel
January 1st, 2013
8:40 am
One & done, over & out. Maybe next year?
Jesse Tanner
January 1st, 2013
8:42 am
If the offensive line had worked in MAG -12 bomb dump duing the 68 Tet Offensive, Khe Sahn would have been over ran by the NVA. This group of duds have a heart problem.
DSHASETH
January 1st, 2013
9:55 am
Falcons didn’t look good, but my friend won a car during halftime.
Eric C.
January 1st, 2013
11:57 am
Maybe
Matty Bicep
January 1st, 2013
2:26 pm
JSS @ 4:37 what reality do you live in? MS beat New Orleans this year, he got the #1 seed, I am pretty sure had Lovie Smith done that, he might still have a job.
Sue Georgis
January 1st, 2013
8:42 pm
The only problem I see with game Mike Smith wanted to win it BADLY and lost anyway
Why else when your losing and you go for 4 and 10 with less than 2min left. Oh right it was just practice for when we get to the playoff
spencer
January 1st, 2013
9:17 pm
Could someone please answer me this: If we have another first round flameout, this time against a QB not named Warner, Rodgers or Manning but Griffin, Wilson or — perish the thought — Ponder, then what? Didn’t Mr. Blank say just making the playoffs won’t cut it? Are heads gonna roll on a team that finished with the best regular season record in the league?
Fred Garvin
January 2nd, 2013
11:13 pm
Hey Mark, you need to tell your pal JS that he needs to lose the JSS dude from his blog,, just sayin
Fred Garvin
January 2nd, 2013
11:15 pm
oh, and you too.