Final: A Tough Loss To Swallow
This 35-27 loss is going to be the toughest of the season for the Falcons to swallow and for a variety of reasons. For one, it was within reach and instead of scoring a big road upset against an NFC South rival that they trailed for the division lead, the Falcons (4-3) let it slip away and now stand three games behind New Orleans (7-0).
Another reason: The Falcons did many of the things that they needed to do to win. Michael Turner had his biggest game of the season with 151 yards on 20 carries. The Falcons won the turnover battle, forcing five. In the second half, the Falcons drew within four points — even after Jason Elam missed two field goals — and appeared to have tied the game earlier but had a touchdown catch by Roddy White reversed upon a challenge.
Another reason: For the first time in the Matt Ryan-Mike Smith-Thomas Dimitroff Era, the Falcons have lost back-to-back games. Not bad, considering it’s 24 games in.
But this one will be bitter in part because it came down to three interceptions thrown by Matt Ryan, his third-straight game with two or more interceptions. In addition, last week Ryan fumbled twice, losing one. So turnovers are becoming a concern. One interception on Monday was returned for a touchdown and the other came in the red zone on a tipped ball when the Falcons had a chance to take the lead — both ended up being crucial in the final score. I thought a story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about Ryan’s “sophomore slump” was a bit premature. But after this game, Ryan undoubtedly will face more questions from more media members.
Ryan completed 19 of 42 passes (45 percent) for 275 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions for a 46.6 rating. So in his last three games his ratings are 68.4, 66.1 and 46.6. It’s tough to win games with ratings like that, especially against good teams.
Here’s what Ryan said when asked about that last Thursday, “No, I think that’s the NFL. There’s going to be weeks when you get knocked around and that’s playing this position in this league. Our guys do such a great job up front that you don’t often see that. It’s just one of those weeks you have to bounce from it. … you can’t beat yourselves twice.”
Tracy Porter, defending Tony Gonzalez on the play, had the interception in the red zone. The ball was tipped by linebacker Jonathan Vilma. Vilma played a big role on both interceptions. He may have interfered with White on the first. Regardless, they both counted.
Before Porter’s interception, everything was going the Falcons’ way. Erik Coleman forced a fumble, New Orleans’ third turnover of the game, and then recovered it. On that play, New Orleans lost a challenge to reverse it, resulting in a loss of both a timeout and the ability to challenge any other plays.
But following the red zone pick, the Saints drove the field and scored, putting the game away.
The good news for the Falcons is that their grueling schedule — coming off games with Chicago, Dallas and New Orleans — begins to let up slightly. Their next two opponents, Washington and Carolina, both have losing records. Then looms a pivotal game on Nov. 22 at the New York Giants, who have a losing streak of their own with three after winning their first five.
In a highly competitive NFC, that game — like previous games against the Bears and Cowboys — could end up deciding whether or not the Falcons make the playoffs. In the coming week and the weeks ahead, resilience will be paramount.
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I say we bench mike jenkins and start finn and bench chris houston for tye hill
I concur…bench Jenkins! Dropping balls in end zone being a veteran UNACCEPTABLE!! FINN is a far superior all round player! Earnestly awaiting for some MAJOR roster shuffle!
Unfortunate we lost, but I love the heart the Birds showed last night. By halftime this looked as though it was shaping up to be a good ol’- Falcons getting embarrassed on national TV- blowout, but when Ryan threw that TD pass to Roddy White, the whole tone of the game shifted. Also, the fact the Turner had his running game going was a great sign, not only for that game but for future ones. We would’ve had NO SHOT to beat New Orleans if the Marta wasn’t going.
Drew Brees looks like he’s powered on Lithium-ion batteries most of the time, but I could tell we were wearing him down in the 2nd half. Now, we have to focus on the Redskins and these next few games before we concern ourselves too much with our next matchup with them, but I think the Birds have a shot a beating them next time.
Even with the L I’m proud of that team. There is NOTHING to hang their head about. Look forward to see NO in GA Dome.
@Falconblade22
Falconblade, you said that it will be funny when the Saints lose and it was hilarious when they beat the over-rated dirty birds last night. You guys needed that game much more than we did and as hard as we tried to give it to you, you still couldn’t take it. Lets see how funny it is when we put a beat down on you in your own dome.
you cant knock houston, he played his heart out. jenkins on the other hand, they need to only put him in with the game on the line, cause when it counts he comes through,(bears last year) but any other time he couldnt catch a cold naked in that hotlanta smow. this dude is a bum and we cant even trade him for a 6th round pick. where is finnerian, i love that guy, he has what jenkins lacks…heart
Benching jenkins is not the answer here. It cannot be used as an excuse but the injuries are starting to pile up. we desperatly need a speed man in the slot to slow down blitzing backers. Malarky kept dialing up the deep slow developing routes despite the blitz, something i like, but Gonzales over the middle is not fast enough to be a first option. I would love to see Norwood in the slot more or perhaps Grimes, Harry Douglas’s pre-season knee injury is devastating to that position, losing 2 huge players on the defensive side of the ball showed its impact when Jerry’s run stopping and Williams corner play was needed vs the saints.
The Defense gained alot of confidence monday night despite the loss, and seeing Lofton back in the middle was an answered prayer after biting my nails all halftime. I think the best is yet to come this season for the falcons and that they are a team that noone wants to deal with in the second half of the season.
Couldn’t agree with you more. We need a guy with some speed in the slot. The routes are taking too long to develop. Some more intermediate routes and screens would be great. It better suites our defense when we grind it out, and hit you with the big play every so often to keep you honest. The injury to douglas and Norwood injuries have been huge.
@Jon L
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na4K266bGlo
new dirty bird song
Some friends and I attended game in New Orleans. We were treated very badly!! They threw drinks at us, Spit at us, Cussed us, they threw baby wipes at us cause we are Dirtybirds, they threatened to push us down stairs in Superdome. I wore a red feather boa and they kept plucking my feathers! They wore shirts that said “F@&k the Falcons and wrote same thing on their faces!! They had voo doo rubber chickens. It was the worst experience of my life!! I drove 7 hours from Atlanta so I could leave game before second quarter was over and had to watch rest of game in my Hotel Room!!!
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Some friends and I attended game in New Orleans. We were treated very badly!! They threw drinks at us, Spit at us, Cussed us, they threw baby wipes at us cause we are Dirtybirds, they threatened to push us down stairs in Superdome. I wore a red feather boa and they kept plucking my feathers! They wore shirts that said “F@&k the Falcons and wrote same thing on their faces!! They had voo doo rubber chickens. It was the worst experience of my life!! I drove 7 hours from Atlanta so I could leave game before second quarter was over and had to watch rest of game in my Hotel Room!!!
The saints got so damn lucky the only way that they won is the 3rd and 5 got called back so fuck the saints and all of their fans. they are pussys and they need to go back their parents basement and go to bed.
Shoulda woulda coulda you guys can now use this slogan
Fact there was only about +20 rushing yards difference for the Falcons and about + 20 passing difference for the Saints
Fact the Falcons missed 2 field goals, the Saints missed 1
Fact 4 turnovers Saints 3 turnovers Falcons is +1 Falcons
Fact both teams scored on turnovers
Fact the Saints won
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAINTS