The Beat Blog

The Falcons are going to look back at this half and think about what might have been. If Michael Jenkins had caught that third-down pass for a first down. If Jason Elam had made those two field goals. If Matt Ryan had not thrown that interception. If they could have all those plays back, the Falcons might be looking at a one-point halftime deficit.

Instead, they’re down 28-14 and against the NFL’s top offense — which the Falcons have yet to force to punt, although they do have two turnovers — that’s a big uphill climb. Just looking at the situation strategically. New Orleans will start the second half with the ball and then the Falcons have to think about if or how they change their play-calling. For example, Michael Turner is having one of his best games of the year with 89 yards on 10 carries, but how much can you run the ball if you’re down by two touchdowns or more the next time your offense steps on the field?

With Brent Grimes’ interception of Drew Brees with 3:59 left before halftime, the Falcons’ defense appeared to be following a game plan that could have guided them to victory. It was bending, but it wasn’t breaking.

As a result, one might have to look at the Falcons’ offense as a phase in which to do some soul-searching. At one point, quarterback Matt Ryan was 6-for-14. As it is, he is 9-f0r-18 for 99 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and 43.5 quarterback rating. Interceptions are starting to become a problem for Ryan, especially that one returned 48 yards for a touchdown by Jabari Greer. All week, Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith talked about how opportunistic the Saints defense is, about how mindful Ryan would need to be of the Saints’ ability to intercept the ball — New Orleans came in with 13 interceptions. It was safety Darren Sharper that Smith often was talking about, but it was Greer who victimized Ryan just before halftime.

In contrast, Drew Brees is picking up large tracts of yards. He is 15-of-17 (88 percent) for 201 yards for a rating of 111.0. His only blemishes are his two turnovers, an interception and a fumble returned for a touchdown. The Falcons’ defense has made two big plays in the first half in the second half, it will have to make more big plays as well as the routine ones. New Orleans is a perfect 4-for-4 on third down conversions.

A few other observations:

• ESPN analyst Jon Gruden pointed out the Falcons difficulties on third down and said “that’s surprising;” fellow analyst Ron Jaworski said Falcons opponents are converting on third down 45.2 percent of the time.
• On Brees’ touchdown pass to Marques Colston — in which Colston outjumped Falcons cornerback Tye Hill for the ball — Gruden said, “That’s courage by Brees because that is tight coverage…. Marques Colston is a beast.”
• Jaworski was particularly critical of Michael Jenkins after his drop that set up Elam’s 34-yard missed field goal try: “They have yet to find a compliment to Roddy White… Michael Jenkins has got to step his game up.” Too many drops, Jaws said, and pointed out that Jenkins has  no touchdowns in 14 games.
• After Colston beat Hill for that touchdown, it looked like Grimes took over at the left corner spot. Grimes made an amazing leap for that interception.
• On Ryan’s interception for the touchdown, it looked like Roddy White may have been interfered with by Jonathan Vilma. Said Jaworski, “Roddy White may have an argument that there may have been a little contact” by Vilma as Greer picked off the pass.
• Gruden after Ryan’s drive following the interception: “I really like what Matt Ryan did coming back after the interception… great poise.”

jmanasso Gameday Drew Brees, Jon Gruden, Marques Colston, Michael Jenkins, Mike Tirico, Ron Jaworski, Tye Hill