Was a uniform change just what Falcons needed...

Old school logo and helmet: Photo by Curtis Compton/AJC

Did a new change of uniform to the old school mean a new change in attitude?  Back to the old way of Falcon football. Run, run, run, and more run until the defense tires out. Run the ball to set up the pass. Well, all was a welcome sight yesterday in the Georgia Dome as the Falcons (3-3) downed the Carolina Panthers (1-5) 31-17. Are the Falcons going to approach the rest of the season as they did yesterday, or was this the result of just playing the Panthers? This could be a little bit of both. Playing the Panthers might of been just what the Falcons needed. Yes,

despite what a record might be, any team can win on any given Sunday. Falcons started the game receiving

first, gained one first down, then had to punt. Here we go again!!! A drive that looked promising, but stalled. Reminded me of past games this season. But that is where the no nonsense Falcon play stopped. The defense stepped up as Panthers QB Cam Newton drove his offense down the field. On the goal line right before the half, Newton fired back to try to hit WR Steve Smith with a TD to try and go up 17-14 on the birds. But safety Thomas DeCoud stepped up and intercepted the ball, the the clock ran out. Falcons up 14-10 at the break.
                                                                                                  Falcons didn't do much in the third quarter, and wasn't expecting too much in this quarter from my guys. For the entire season, they have only scored 16 points in this quarter. But how things changed in the fourth quarter as the Falcons scored 17 unanswered points to go up 31-17, which is how the game ended. But I have to give some props. RB Michael Turner staying consistent with his running, gaining 139 yards on 24 carries, and tallying two scores. The offensive line played really well, only giving up one sack, and giving QB Matt Ryan plenty of time to connect with his receivers. Ryan finished the day with 163 yards on one TD throw and one TD of his own. The O-line also gave  Turner plenty of running lanes for Turner to run through. So I say this, if the Falcons had a good game just because it was the Panthers, I thank the Panthers. Hopefully this gave the Falcons the confidence they needed to go through the rest of the season. And word to Offensive Coordinator Mike Mularkey, open up playbook for the rest of the games this year like you did this game. I saw an offensive scheme that I wanted to see. Stop being so conservative.
Falcons head up to Mo Town this upcoming Sunday for a showdown with UGA standout starting QB Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions (5-1). Kickoff is set for 1pm.