So going into last Sunday's Falcons/Saints game, I wasn't all comfortable thinking we were going to win. Despite having four straight winning campaigns under Head Coach Mike Smith, the Falcons have only won two games in the last 12 meetings. Not a good sign, even if the team was 8-0 going into the campaign. So the team played good football, but the end result wasn't what was wanted. The final score was in favor of the Saints as they soared to a 31-27 victory to improve to 4-5, as the Falcons fell to 8-1. But the truth is still understated, the Falcons are still a great team and still hold the #1 position if the playoffs were to start today.
Penalties is what really doomed the Falcons. One in particular was on the CB Asante Samuel interception. After the takeaway, he and S William Moore celebrated a little too much and drew a 15 yard unsportsman flag. Instead of being at the 15 yard line, the Falcons lined up at the 30. But still, Falcons still should have been able to punch it over the goal line for six, but instead, ended up kicking a FG for three. Four points left off the board right there. That would have at least resulted in a tie ballgame. But as it is, that wasn't the only blunder. With under two minutes left in the game, Falcons had it 1st and goal and couldn't score a touchdown. Electing to not hand off to RB Michael Turner, Falcons threw and couldn't punch it in. Turner is losing a step. In the Saints game, he carried the ball 13 times for only 15 yards. I believe his time in Atlanta is winding down. I know the Falcons are a pass happy team these days, but they still have to be able to hand off some. Falcons will figure this out and get back on the winning track. If you would have told me during training camp that after week 10 the Falcons would be 8-1, sitting atop their division, with the only loss being to New Orleans. I wouldn't be happy that we loss to the Saints, but overall I would be overjoyed. Any team would take that record. I don't watch or listen to a lot of football after a loss until the next game because I don't like listening to the negativity from the media It's understandable that after a loss, a team drops in the power rankings. Falcons dropped from #1 to #2, still not bad. But the media always act like a team is doomed and won't ever win another game.
But this is not your father's Falcons. These Falcons will bounce back. They have something to still play for. Something to prove to the media and to themselves. If the Falcons keep winning they could wrap up the division. But the Bucs (5-4) and the Saints (4-5) are both playing very good ball right now.
Penalties is what really doomed the Falcons. One in particular was on the CB Asante Samuel interception. After the takeaway, he and S William Moore celebrated a little too much and drew a 15 yard unsportsman flag. Instead of being at the 15 yard line, the Falcons lined up at the 30. But still, Falcons still should have been able to punch it over the goal line for six, but instead, ended up kicking a FG for three. Four points left off the board right there. That would have at least resulted in a tie ballgame. But as it is, that wasn't the only blunder. With under two minutes left in the game, Falcons had it 1st and goal and couldn't score a touchdown. Electing to not hand off to RB Michael Turner, Falcons threw and couldn't punch it in. Turner is losing a step. In the Saints game, he carried the ball 13 times for only 15 yards. I believe his time in Atlanta is winding down. I know the Falcons are a pass happy team these days, but they still have to be able to hand off some. Falcons will figure this out and get back on the winning track. If you would have told me during training camp that after week 10 the Falcons would be 8-1, sitting atop their division, with the only loss being to New Orleans. I wouldn't be happy that we loss to the Saints, but overall I would be overjoyed. Any team would take that record. I don't watch or listen to a lot of football after a loss until the next game because I don't like listening to the negativity from the media It's understandable that after a loss, a team drops in the power rankings. Falcons dropped from #1 to #2, still not bad. But the media always act like a team is doomed and won't ever win another game.
But this is not your father's Falcons. These Falcons will bounce back. They have something to still play for. Something to prove to the media and to themselves. If the Falcons keep winning they could wrap up the division. But the Bucs (5-4) and the Saints (4-5) are both playing very good ball right now.
The Falcons look to get back on the winning track this Sunday as they host the Arizona Cardinals at 1:00pm at the Georgia Dome. RISE UP!!!
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.
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| Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley I am a loving husband, father. God and family are #1 in my life. Academic Librarian/Cobb Game Day Magazine Contributor/Sports Writer/Sports Blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized when they are written." |
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