Well seems like after my post last week things in the NFL went in reverse. I jinxed the once unbeaten Detroit Lions and "The Dream Team" woke up. Week 6 featured potential on field fights and major knee injuries... and I'm not talking between players. Also things reverse from last week the Falcons opponent, last week the Falcons hosted the 2010 NFL Champs and this week Atlanta hosted the 2010 NFL Chumps also known as the Carolina Panthers.
RECAP
With rookie receiver Julio Jones out with a hamstring injury, Atlanta started this game with the ball and was forced to punt after just 6 plays. Cam Newton, the number one overall pick in this past draft, led his Carolina offense onto the field looking to jump to a fast start in the building he grew up just 15 miles away from in College Park, GA. Well the Panthers didn't start that fast, after all their first possession only yielded 3 points. (0-3)
On Atlanta's second possession, the Falcons used a series of runs and short passes to move the ball down the field until on 2nd down and 11 Matt Ryan drops back and launches the football 37 yards to Roddy White who is open in the end zone...... INCOMPLETE!!! But wait; there is laundry on the field. That's right Roddy was so open that the defender had no other choice than to interfere. Interference in the end zone doesn't do your team any good because it just gives the offense the ball on your one yard line. First and Goal at the one, that's easy pickings for Turner, who took it off the left tackle for the 1 yard score. (7-3)
Into the 2nd Quarter we go. Carolina with the football and Cam starts to carve up the defense averaging 19.3 yards per pass attempt on this drive, including a 31 yard strike to Jeremy Shockey on 2nd and 8. Johnathan Stewart caps off the Carolina 9 play 81 yard drive with two runs one for 13 yards and the next for 1 yard but this one gave the Panthers the lead. (7-10)
The problem with the Falcons this year has been with its ability... or lack of ability to answer the oppositions blow. 1st and 10 Turner rumbles off the left side for 33 yards, five plays later Matt Ryan goes over the middle for Harry Douglas, who started for Julio Jones and the next play Matt Ryan goes deep down the right sideline looking for Roddy White. Remember earlier when I said White was so open the defender had to interfere? This time was no different Chris Gamble was hit with the second defensive pass interference flag which set up Atlanta again at the 1 yard line. Three plays later Matt Ryan finds..... I’ll give you 3 chances Roddy White? Tony Gonzalez? Harry Douglas? So close, OVIE MUGHELLI for the one yard score to take the lead (14-10) over the visiting Panthers.
On Carolina's ensuing possession, Newton has the Panthers marching. 3rd and 10 he finds Shockey for 12 yards and a first down. A few plays later on 2nd and 10 Cam scrambles for 13 yards and is tackled by Thomas Decoud and another first down for Carolina. 1st and 10 with the time ticking way Cam fires a pass Steve Smith, but its tipped by William Moore and INTERCEPTED by half man, half leopard, all amazing, Brent Grimes.
3rd Quarter of every Football game Atlanta has been HORRIBLE. The Panthers used a 13 play drive to take the lead on a 14 yard scamper by rookie QB Cam Newton (14-17) . Carolina did a good job to keep the Atlanta offense of the field, taking 9 min and 52 seconds off the clock and held the Falcons to just two possessions one was a punt and the next carried over into the 4th quarter which resulted in a Matt Bryant field that tied the score at (17-17)
In the 4th, after forcing a Panthers punt Matt Ryan and the offense take the short field and makes Carolina pay on a 3rd and 6 he finds his tight end Tony G, three plays later he hooks up with Harry Douglas for 34 yards on another 3rd down. Two plays later Turner rumbles 11 yards down to the Panthers 1 yard line. Next play Matt calls his own number and scores the 1 yard go ahead TOUCHDOWN!! (24-17)
The Panthers need a score, and need a score fast, on the first play of the drive DeAngelo Williams bursts up the middle for 18 yards and a first down... On the next the Falcons defense makes them pay, Cam Newton drops back looking to hit his running back on the screen but BIG MAN WITH FOOTBALL!!! Defensive tackle Corey Peters stretches out to make the one handed interception to stop Carolina in their tracks 8 plays later Atlanta adds the game sealing score to beat the Panthers (31-17)!
Offense
The Falcons offense got back their bread and butter. RUNNING THE FOOTBALL! The team stock piled yards on the ground with 166 and 3 scores, in large part of Michael Turner who had 139 yards on 27 carries and 2 scores. Mike Mularkey, who was under some pressure, did a nice job in keeping the offense on track calling a nice mix of play action passes and run plays. While he isn't off the hot seat just yet, a few more games like this one and he might be looked at for head coaching jobs during the off season. It seems like so long ago I was ripping the offensive line about protecting Ryan and opening holes for Turner and they played well today and are starting to get that chemistry down that made them so successful over the past 3 years. The offense seemed to flourish without rookie Julio Jones and it makes me wonder if the woes of the offense came from trying to force the ball into his hands. If Atlanta is able to incorporate Jones into what they accomplished versus Carolina, this team is posed to finish this year among the top teams in the NFL.
Offensive Notables and Player of the Week:
Matt Ryan finished the day with 163 yards and 1 Touchdown. Not great numbers but Matt Ryan managed the game and took what allowed, even a few shots down the field for those coveted "explosive" plays. Harry Douglas led the team in receiving yards with 57. Tony Gonzalez led the team with receptions. Jacquizz Rodgers one rush for 8 yards and a 1st down and Reggie Kelly caught his pass of the season for 7 yards.
Player of The Week: Michael Turner 27 Carries 139 yards 2 TDs 5.1 per carry and 8 receiving yards
Defense
The Falcons Defense for the second straight week showed up and played their hearts out. Brian Van Gorder, similar to the offensive coordinator, heard whispers of people (mainly the fans) wanting Smitty to take over the defensive play calling. One problem the defense still has is getting off the field on 3rd down allowing Carolina to convert on 8 of 12 first downs. They did however shut down Steve Smith, limiting him to 66 yards (most of which came after trailing). The defense also forced Cam Newton to throw three interceptions, none more amazing than the one handed pick by defensive tackle Corey Peters, that virtually sealed the victory for Atlanta, along with 3 interceptions the Falcons caused 2 fumbles but recovered neither. Atlanta Falcons added two sacks marking the second straight week that Ray Edwards posted a sack which is great news for fan who are wondering if Atlanta addressed their pass rush during the off season.
Defensive Notables and Player of the Week
The Falcons have a lot of talent with this defense and if they could find some type of way to get off the field on 3rd down they could be feared throughout this league. Thomas Decoud registered 8 tackles which was most on the team and also added an interception as the game clock ran out. Curtis Lofton added 7 tackles of his own. Brent Grimes also added an interception to turn the Panthers away as they looked to take the lead just before the half. Ray Edwards is starting to cause destruction registering his second of his young career with the Falcons, and drawing a holding penalty which could have very well been his second of sack of the day.
Player of the Week: Corey Peters- 1 tackle and 1 Interception
Preview
Week 7 Atlanta gets to travel to Motor City to play The Detroit Lions. These are the Lions of the past few years; they are coming off their first loss of the season and are looking to rebound against a Falcons team who is still trying to put together back to back victories for the first time this season. If Atlanta expects to leave Ford Field with a win they are going to have to find a way to slow down Georgia Tech stand out wide receiver Calvin Johnson and stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Atlanta hasn't played the Lions since Matt Ryan's rookie season way back in 2008 and if the Falcons want to win they will have to control the clock and put up points on the road if they want to improve to above .500
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