Tag: NFL

It was not pretty; heck not even all that entertaining, but the Falcons and Redman did enough to beat Tampa Bay 20-17 with 20 seconds to play. If I am in the mood, I may post pictures tomorrow. The end result is that the Falcons are still in the Playoff race, but they are battered and bruised.

The “must win” moniker is often over played, but for these two 5-4 teams, it is the real deal. Win and you have a shot at one of the two Wild Card slots, lose and you are almost assuredly out of the Playoff hunt. Well, maybe not for the Giants; they are only one game back in the East, but for the Falcons, the South is already lost.

The Falcons come into this one at an extreme disadvantage. First the numb-nuts that provided for Atlanta’s blatantly unfair scheduling having giving the Falcons another game, this time on the road, against a team coming off a bye week. This makes for of these on the year, which is the highest in the league. What did Atlanta do to piss off the scheduling folks? Second, the Falcons are getting hit hard by the injury bug, with Turner doubtful to see any action, and Norwood, for the first time in four games, will see limited action at best.

Then there is the case of the slumping Ryan. I am not in favor of the sophomore jinx thing, but I think the more he presses, the worse things get. I have written a good deal about this over the last few weeks, so I am not going to go into more detail right now. Just suffice it to say that Ryan has to avoid turnovers and re-introduce the deep ball to have a chance against the Giants.

I love the Falcons media packages that Atlanta puts together for each game. There is some hope for the Falcons because the road team has won the last 12 meetings. If Atlanta gets off to a quick start, and holds the lead at the half, they are 16-1 under Coach Smith. The Falcons rank fourth in strength of schedule, of course as mentioned above that number should have an asterisk due to the number of bye games crap. At any rate, the amount of statistical information in the Falcons media packages, including break downs by games and players is amazing. Well worth a read!

According to the official Falcons site injury report, Turner did not practice again today, but Norwood saw limited action. I know Turner wants to play, but it does not look good. A backup combination of Snelling and Norwood would not be horrible, but Snelling and recently resigned (again) Stecker does not give me a lot of hope.

While the Falcons will not provide an “official” injury update for this week’s Giants game until today, USAPlayers [Gambling site? Came up on a google search for Falcons news] thinks Turner is out for multiple weeks.

Michael Turner has already been ruled out of the game after suffering a high ankle sprain last week against the Carolina Panthers. He will likely be out several weeks. It’s not good news for Matt Ryan, who has made uncharacteristic mistakes in the last several weeks, dropping his team to 5-4 overall on the year. He has thrown 10 interceptions over the last five games and already has more picks than all of last season. He has multiple interceptions in three of his last four games (all losses), and star receiver Roddy White only has one 100-yard game during that span.

I expect that Turner will be out this week, but as far as I can tell, this site is the only site currently claiming that Turner is out against the Giants. Mike Smith’s new conference should confirm later today.

It is no secret that Matt Ryan is struggling this year, and things do not look to get any easier. The upcoming schedule features a road trip to the NY Giants, followed by home dates against Tampa Bay, Philadelphia, and New Orleans. The 5-4 Falcons could find themselves 6-7 after this run (I’m assuming they go 1-3 during this run, beating the Bucs).

According to the NFC South Blog at ESPN

Throw out last week’s win against a horrible Washington team and Ryan wouldn’t have completed more than 57.6 percent of his passes in any game since Oct. 11. On that date, the Falcons went out to San Francisco and trounced the 49ers, 45-10. In the five games since, Ryan has thrown 10 interceptions and seven touchdowns as the Falcons have gone 2-3.

I don’t believe in sophomore slumps, but I do believe that until the Carolina loss, the Falcons lost on the road to New England, Dallas, and New Orleans, all teams at the top of their respective divisions. In truth, Atlanta’s schedule has been brutal. They are the only team that has 4 games against teams coming off a bye week, which makes this weekend’s trip to play the Giants so depressing. NY has not been playing well, but they had a week off to get healthy and prep for Atlanta.

Speaking of not being healthy, how long is Turner going to be out? Just when he got things going again, he went down with an ankle injury. Turner actually had 111 yards on 9 carries in the second quarter before hurting his ankle. Norwood has missed 4 games, and I actually think he has been missed much more than publicized. As a kickoff returner he always has a chance to break a big one. As a change of pace back his speed always gives opposing defenses something to consider. Even with the emergence of Snelling, Norwood gives the Ryan something that no one else offers – pure speed for quick dump off safety net gains.

So back to Ryan. What is wrong? I think they need to get back to play action, deep throws, and some shorter routes. Tony G. gives them everything they need in the middle, intermediate game, but the absence of Norwood has all but removed short passes from the playbook. With receives like White and Jenkins, Ryan should throw deep passes several times a game to take advantage of White’s ability and Jenkins’ size.

The Carolina loss was critical; I think it knocked Atlanta out of the playoffs. I know it is early to call that, but as mentioned above the remaining schedule is brutal. At this point I want them to play for a 9-7, which would get the “no consecutive winning seasons in franchise history” monkey removed.

Let’s just call it now – Elam sucks! As the Falcons were getting ready to kick the FG that would put them up 22-21, I told my kids that Elam misses easy FGs. Little did I know he would miss a f’ing easy one [34 yards]. If the Falcons lose this one, they should dump Elam and find someone who can actually hit them when it matters. Unbelievable.

As ATL gets ready for a trip to Carolina, they need to get some pass protection, double quick. Not that Sam Baker is the end all be all of LTs, but it certainly hurts if he is injured.

Atlanta left tackle Sam Baker missed a second straight day of practice. Julius Peppers, meet Matt Ryan.

Hopefully Turner continues his recent run. If he does, the Falcons will take care of business against the Panthers.

Looks like the weather is going to be glorious today, which means exactly what? I will be sitting in the Georgia Dome missing most of the beautiful afternoon weather! Clear skies – mid 70’s – like I said glorious weather.

Of course I will get to enjoy a little bit of the sunshine this morning in the pregame tailgate activities. For most of these games I do not really do anything over the top. Just me, my two boys (my youngest one is not old enough to enjoy the games), and my Weber Q220. We toss around a football; dad enjoys a couple of cold ones, and take in all the sights and sounds of gameday. Over the last could of years, ATL tickets have been a great investment for quality time with my kids!

At the beginning of the year, and up until the last few days I have looked at the Washington game as a win. The Falcons injury report is pretty lengthy, so this one may be closer than expected.

I still expect that Atlanta will give us a victory; there should be enough offense to overcome a really poor Redskins team.

Go Falcons!

The Falcons are bruised and battered. According to ESPN, the injury report is pretty impressive (if you want to call it that).

Atlanta’s injury report was just about as lengthy Thursday as it was on Wednesday when the Falcons had to estimate an injury report because they didn’t practice. Eleven players are on Thursday’s report and running back Jerious Norwood, tackle Sam Baker, defensive tackle Thomas Johnson and receiver Roddy White did not participate in practice. Defensive end John Abraham, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux and linebacker Curtis Lofton were among those who were limited. Stay tuned on Atlanta’s injuries as we get closer to Sunday. Although the Falcons seem to be catching a break with a home game against struggling Washington on Sunday, this team is beat up right now.

This does not even include long snapper Mike Schneck who was placed on IR this week. I hope Norwood can get back in action this week; he really helps with those dinks and dunks out of the backfield. Baker could probably use the time off after getting embarrassed on MNF. If Lofton is more than a little banged up, the defense can throw in the towel.

After the first half, I did not think that I would actually write about a game that the Falcons could have – let’s say should have – won. The game was much more interesting than the final 35-26 score would have indicated. This brings me to three points.

Turner looked fantastic
Turner and the Falcons rushing attack is back. Turner looked explosive for the first time this year, racking up 150 yards on 20 carries. This is probably the first time ATL has lost when Turner has rushed for 100+ yards. In fact, this is the first time ATL under head coach Mike Smith (and in the Matt Ryan years) has dropped back-to-back games. MNF put up a stat that the Falcons were 6-0 under coach Smith after a loss.

Pass protection sucked
Now that ATL has shown a rushing attack, WTF happened to the pass protection? I think the Saints ended up with 3 sacks, but it seemed like Ryan was under constant pressure. In fact, the Saints were able to seal the deal because they could get pressure with a three man rush. That is a huge let down.

Defense was solid
I have not crunched the numbers, but the Falcons defense played solid, aggressive, blitzing football. Yes, in general the secondary sucks, but they played well. I am not sure how the final statistics will stack up to the typical numbers New Orleans has been putting up, but I suspect that the Falcons were better than average. I appreciated the fact that they were fighting until the bitter end, forcing a late fumble, which setup the successful on-side kickoff recovery.

Looking forward
The announcers carried on about how the Saints would not lose another game, but if I am the Falcons, I like my chances against them when they visit the GA Dome. It is not as if the Falcons did not give the Saints a good game; ATL could have one this one. The no call against White on the interception before the half ended up being the difference in the game.

The NFC South is lost, so it is now time to play for a wildcard spot. The good news is that the Falcons can get health quick with games against Washington (home), Carolina (away), New York Giants (home, but not playing well), and Tampa Bay (home). The Falcons could be looking at a 7-4 or 8-3 record when Vick and the Eagles come calling Dec 6. So there is still hope and optimism.

The Saints are up 28-14 at the half. ATL should have gone into the half trailing by a respectable seven points, but Ryan threw a pick-six with less than a minute to go. Too bad because the game was even at 14 a few minutes ago when I started putting this article together! For what it is worth (absolutely nothing) the replay showed that Roddy White was knocked out of the play on your basic version of a football pick and roll. Not sure how illegal contact (or some other pass interference penalty) was not called on that one!

Win or lose, maybe Turner is back, which will only mean good things for the Falcons the rest of the way. Turner has broken a couple of long ones including a nice 35+ yarder, netting a solid 90’ish yards in the first half. Turner looks like he is on fresh legs tonight; he does not look like he is running in mud. I have to wonder if the Falcons will stick with Turner in the second half, or if ATL will panic now that they are down by two TDs.

Grimes hasn’t done it for me (or the Falcons) this year. I keep reading that he is athletic, but that has not really paid off until he made an amazing high jump type interception. It should make highlight reels; it was very impressive.

Jenkins dropped an easy pass that would have given the Falcons a nice first down inside of the 15 yard line. Instead of getting a new set of downs, and a shot at going up 21-14, ATL had to settle for a 34 yard field goal. Too bad Elam hit the left post, which sucks because 17-14 would have been better than 14-14. Right now 28-17 would have been helpful. Elam also missed a 51 yarder at the end of the half. Not sure you could call it a miss; that is being too generous.

When does Abraham start getting some sacks? The defense is getting decent pressure on Brees, including a nasty sack, resulting in a fumble returned for a TD. Can the Falcons sustain the pressure, without exposing the secondary?

Saints get the ball first to open the third quarter, so things will go down in a hurry if the Falcons do not pick up a quick stop or two.

Jeff Schultz of the AJC predicts that the Saints will win by 10.

Falcons at Saints: The problem isn’t just that Matt Ryan has looked ordinary the last two weeks, or that Michael Turner has looked ordinary all season. The problem is that what the Saints do best (pass) exposes what the Falcons can’t do at all (stop the pass). The Birds will be fine — until Drew Brees gets out of his car. Saints cover 10.

In other words, the Falcons don’t have a chance. On paper I would agree. ATL has not been able to get a running game started, the defense is injured and maligned, and the Saints have been just about perfect. Ah, but this is a rivalry game, and I think (hope) the Falcons have something to prove after getting thrashed in Dallas.

Peter King of SI predicts a 23-20 Saints win, which while very respectable for the Falcons, means that the Saints would not cover the line (New Orleans is giving up 8.5 pts).

Here’s a sports quiz for you. True or false: The Saints’ running game is ranked higher in the NFL than the Saints’ passing game. True. New Orleans is second in the league with 154.5 rushing yards per game. The Saints are sixth in passing yards. Now that is one unexpected little factoid.

No doubt; the Saints are a damn good football team. This is really one of those games where I do not expect a win, but want to at least get out with a respectable showing. While there are no moral victories (a loss will set ATL back to 4-3), I do not want to see the Falcons get embarrassed on Monday Night football.

According to the AP, last Sunday’s Atlanta-Dallas game was a huge rating success for Fox.

The late game, led by Atlanta-Dallas, earned a 16.8/32 with 28.4 million viewers. It was Fox’s most watched Sunday NFL game in 13 years.

This Monday night will be the last in a three-leg National ratings bonanza, providing tons of exposure to the Matt Ryan led Falcons – Oct 18 (ATL hosted and beat Chicago on NBC Sunday Night Football), Oct 25 (ATL visited Dallas and laid an egg on Fox), and Nov 2 Atlanta comes calling on the Saints on ESPN Monday night football. I do not expect the Falcons to beat the dreaded Saint, but I hope they put up a respectable showing.

I wrote about this before the season started, and mentioned it in my post about the Dallas game. The Falcons face a tougher than normal schedule because they face multiple teams (four to be exact) coming off bye weeks. It is pretty ridiculous. According to the NFC South blog at ESPN …

John in Denver writes: Hey Pat, Love the blog. By the time the Falcons host the Redskins in two weeks they will have faced 3 teams coming of bye weeks in a month’s worth of football. The last team, Washington, will be after a short week for the Falcons because of the Monday night game in NO. I am not trying to whine but is this a huge oversight in the schedule or just one of those things?

Pat Yasinskas: I think it’s just one of those quirks that sometimes happens with NFL scheduling. I don’t think the NFL was intentionally trying to make life tough on the Falcons. But I’m sure the NFL has gotten an earful about this. Falcons president Rich McKay is a co-chairman of the influential competition committee and I’m sure he’s let some important people hear about this matter.

It is more than a quirk, but I do not believe that the NFL was intentionally trying to screw ATL. I do think that it is inexcusable; hope it happens to the Saints next year!