11-13: Saints March on Falcons Streaks

Good Saturday Morning. It took a while to get this post up, because it’s always hard to write about a loss, but its harder to write about a loss to a division rival that you should have beaten. But being that its 5 days before Thanksgiving as a Atlanta fan I'm just looking forward to being able to see another game and not having to take this loss into a bye week or an extended week.

RECAP

We open things up on Atlanta first possession of the game. In last week’s post and preview I made a point to note that Michael Turner only played 3 quarters and should translate to a lot of Turner and early in the game against the Saints, well turns out I was right. The first play from scrimmage was a pass to Turner, unfortunately it fell incomplete but on the second play big 33 took the ball off the left side and rumbles for 14 yards for a Falcons FIRST DOWN!!! But apparently "Rowdy" Roddy White was to Rowdy because he drew an UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS flag which pushed the offense back inside their own 20 yard line. Five plays later Turner catches the ball for 10 yard gain and runs out of bounds at the Falcons 43. Two plays after that Turner off the right side, 14 yards into Saints territory. 1st and 10 at the Saints 39 Ryan looks for his big play guy JULIO JONES, it appears that Tracy Porter watched the Falcons game last week and doesn't want to be the next DB on the Rookies highlight reel because he interferes with Jones and is flagged for the 15 yard infraction. Few plays later, 1st and 10 down inside the Red Zone against one of the worst red zone defenses in the NFL, Ryan drops back and looks for his sure handed Tight End... Incomplete! 2nd and 10 Turner tries the right side.... Stopped in the back field for a loss of 1.  3rd and 16 Ryan in the Shotgun looks for Rodgers out of the back field and it too falls incomplete and the Falcons are forced to kick a field goal after the 16 play drive comes to a screeching halt. (3-3) 

These are two completely different offenses, which makes this one of the best rivalries in the NFL. When you get two teams, one that hangs its hat on running the football and the other with the drop back passer QB who loves to air it out to a plethora of different receivers, on the same field you are absolutely in for a treat every time these teams get together. That being said, on New Orleans first possession of the game, 1st and 10 Drew Brees drops back and hits David Thomas for an 8 yard completion. On the next play of the drive, this is where the difference of the two teams comes into play; Drew Brees goes DEEP for Lance Moore and falls incomplete. As a Falcons fan I am more than comfortable to say that the Falcons haven't went deep that early in a game since 2008 when Matt Ryan threw his fist pass for a 70 yard touchdown, Atlanta rather run the football take dink and dunk passes and just when they have bored you to sleep almost the take that shot to say HEY! We can do it all too, all be it not as exciting to watch, it has proven to be rather affective over the last 3 seasons. Anyway back to the Saints (BOOOOO) two plays after incompletion, Brees links up with Marques Colston for 10 yards to keep the chains moving. After two running plays net 3 yards, Brees looks for his normally sure handed Tight End Jimmy Graham (who is quickly becoming one of the best tight ends in the NFL and the second best in the NFC South) but this time his hands aren't that sure because he drops the pass.... 4th down! Two different offenses, same result..... A Stalled drive and a field goal... (3-3)

Into the 2nd quarter we go, after the Saints Punter whiffs on a punt that goes about 30 yards from the New Orleans 12. Pro Bowl Returner Eric Weems and presumably good friend of Roddy White, adds 15 yards to the punt after picking up Atlanta's second UNNECESSARY ROUGHNESS Penalty of the game and let’s just say Coach Smith gave Eric a few choice words on the sidelines after the bone head play took Atlanta out of Saints territory. Remember when previously I told you that Atlanta uses the run to bore the defense to sleep? Well on their first play the Falcons woke the defense up with at 17 yard pass to Roddy White down the right side. Three plays later Ryan finds Julio Jones for a 6 yard completion and a first down. Then enter Jacquizz Rodgers, a little guy that when he gets the rock he knows what to do with it. He takes the hand off 13 yards down to the Saints 16 yard line. Two plays after that Matt Ryan looks for Julio Jones to pick up the first down and it’s.... INCOMPLETE and the Falcon send on Automatic Matt Bryant for the 29 yarder. (6-3) Falcons up and we are all happy but the story that goes untold is that the Saints.... The same Saints who probably couldn't stop a little league team from scoring in the red zone has stop Atlanta not once but twice.

After New Orleans and Atlanta swap punts, The Aints Saints have the ball on the 50 yard line. First and 10 Drew Brees finds Jimmy Graham wide open down the left side line for a 29 yard completion moving the ball down to the Falcons 29 yard line. Now I'm no expert nor have I ever claimed to be... BUT I'm just guessing that when the Falcons called those to defensive plays I don't think the play was covering everyone except Tony Gonzalez Jr. So that leaves me to speculate that either that play action that the Saint used (with no running game) was every affective OR that was a HUGE blown coverage by Thomas DeCoud who was extremely late coming from his safety position to cover the tight end who ran clean across the formation basically untouched. Oh well can’t change it now but let’s hope it doesn't happen again. On the next play, wouldn't you know it... Brees throws a 21 touchdown to the none other than Graham, who dare I say it, again left WIDE OPEN!!!! This time leaving 3 Falcons defenders standing at the 10 yard line looking at each other wondering what many fans were screaming at their televisions....Who was suppose to cover him? Two plays.... 50 Yards. AYE, Somebody tell that young man to not hang on the goal post after the dunk. Anyway Touchdown Aints (6-10). I have no idea why my keyboard keeps doing that... Oh Well, IT’S HALFTIME!!!

As we move right along into the 3rd quarter after the Falcons defense forces a Saints Punt. 3rd and 10, in the shotgun Matt Ryan finds Harry Douglas for a 12 yard completion up to the Falcons 42 yard line. Two plays later it Turner around the left side for the 24 yard pick up to the Saints 35. 4 plays later from the 26, Atlanta who has been turned away twice this game while knocking at the red zone door goes for it on 4 and 1 and Turner rams the ball behind the left guard for a pickup of 5 yards. 1st and 10 from the Saints 21 yard line, Ryan under center, with two tight ends and receiver against the saints 9 defenders in the box, fakes the hand off to Snelling, avoids the rush and dumps the ball off to Snelling at the 20 yard line who runs to the 10, smashes one Saint, spins past another, Stiff arms another, and carries 3 more into the end zone... as Chris Berman would say... He's "Rumblin, Stumblin, Bumblin" into the end zone for the 21 yard ATLANTA TOUCHDOWN!!! (13-10)

New Orleans next possession, HERE COME THE AINTS SAINTS. 1st and 10 from the 18 Drew Brees links up with Colston for a 15 yard gain. 3 plays later, in the shotgun Brees finds  Colston again for 19 yards down to the Atlanta 41. Two player later Brees fires a ball DEEP for..... ROBERT MEACHEM. Got cha, thought I was going to say Colston didn't you? Robert Meachem for the 33 Yard Catch and the 33 yard touchdown, good things about that is, at least he wasn't left completely wide open, there is just no defense for a perfect throw. 7 plays 77 yards 3:37 drive... Thats what you call a quick strike offense. (13-17).

Early in the 4th, after a pass bogus interference call on Roddy calls back a 11 yard completion to Tony Gonzalez. 2nd and 19 Roddy decides he wants to play DB as a ball bounces off his hands and into the hands of Saints Linebacker Scott Shanle who returns it 12 yards to the ATL 26. Thanks to the defense, Atlanta only gives up a field goal and gives the ball back to the offense with only about 3 minutes gone from the clock. Unfortunately the Offense isn't able to do much and was forced to punt the ball back to the Saints offense that adds another 3 points and ate more time off the clock (13-23). With 7:13 on the clock down by 10, enter the Falcons offense. First and 10 Ryan hits Gonzalez over the middle for 18 yards, two plays later is Ryan to Weems for 9 yards and a first down. Three plays after a time out is fourth and 3, Ryan finds Roddy for a 6 yard gain to keep the drive going. Next play Ryan again connects with White for 19 yards and is pushed out of bounds at the New Orleans 20. 1st and 20 after being turned away in the Red Zone twice this game Matt, say NO MORE! Shot gun formation for Ryan, and he throws it to Tony G for the 20 yard reception and TOUCHDOWN!!!. (20-23)

Falcon’s defense forces a punt and Atlanta has the ball with 1:55. If you have been following this rivalry what other way would you want to have it other than the team down having the ball will less than two minutes left with a chance to win it. That makes for exciting football. Any first and 10 from the 6 yard line Matt Ryan to Harry Douglas for 23 yards. Next play 1st and 10, it worked so good the first time why not do it again.. Matt Ryan to Harry Douglas for 23 yards into New Orleans territory. After an incompletion to Douglas on 1st down, Ryan finds Douglas again for 20 yards down to the 33 yard line. 3rd down from the 39 Ryan throw incomplete for White... But WAIT there is in fact laundry on the field! Defensive Pass Interference on Tracy Porter. Two plays later on 3rd down again Ryan find Weems for 11 yards and a 1st down. After a spike to stop the clock and 2 incompletions, Matt Bryant trots on the field and kicks the game tying field goal..

As they said on NFL BLITZ WE HAVE OVERTIME!!! Atlanta gets the ball at the 20. 1st and 10 Ryan to Douglas for 8 yards. 2nd and 2 Ryan has a man deep... Its Douglas.... but its under thrown and falls incomplete. 3rd and 2 Ryan's pass fell incomplete and the Falcons are forced to punt. Now the Saints get a turn 1st and 10 from the 27 Pierre Thomas takes the hand off and takes it 1 yard. 2nd and 9 Spoon and Nicholas swarm the ball carrier after a 7 yard pick up. 3rd and 2 Brees throws short to Sproles for a 1 yard gain. 3 and out! First and 10 Atlanta from the 20 Ryan throw another incompletion towards HD. 2nd and 10 Ryan finds Tony Gonzalez for a 9 yard completion. 3rd down and one Matt throws a short pass to Mike Cox, who is filling in for Ovie after suffering an season ending injury, who appears to have the first down until the play is reversed. NO GAIN. Now it’s fourth down, decisions.... decisions...  You go for it twice earlier and you make it so why not... Falcons line up with Turner in the back field. HUT!!! Ryan hands the ball to Turner and...... He is STUFFED for no gain... Turnover on downs. Saints go on to kick the game winning field goal. (23-26)

Offense

What can I say; they came out and played the type of game we all expected them to play. Run, play action, short passes to open up the longer passes down the field, and they did just that. Matt Ryan threw a career high 52 passes which in most people’s opinion was about 20-25 to many attempts for the QB who people believe to have a weak arm and the stats do prove it to be the case (the too many throws part). As a pro the Falcons are 1-10 when Matt attempts 40 or more throws, the one win came last year versus the Ravens when Matt Ryan threw the game winning Touchdown to Roddy White as the defender fell down and White jogged into the end zone. I on the other hand don't feel there is a suck thing as too many throw for a QB, you brought him in to throw the ball and manage the offense and put you in the best position to win at the end of a ball game, and if someone was to tell you that Matt Ryan doesn't do that then they do not watch the Atlanta Falcons play.

Maybe no one noticed the 10 defenders....

However, the jury is still out with the call on fourth down in overtime. Let me elaborate, I don't have a problem with going for it on fourth down, I have a problem with the play call on fourth down. On fourth down the Falcons line up in the exact same formation as they did on fourth down earlier in the game that gained them 5 yards and run the exact same play. My first issue with that is, this is the NFL not some back yard pickup game in somebody's neighborhood, and secondly this is the New Orleans Saints not the scrubs in that aforementioned neighborhood who is going to fall for the same play twice in the same game and lastly my third issue with that play call is all season Falcons have been playing numbers football if there is more than 7 or 8 defenders in the box you check to a pass, if there is less than 6 or 7 you run the football. On this particular play there are 10 Saints in the box so why did Matt not check to a pass, it cant be because he doesn't have control to change the play call and it’s not as if he doesn't have the authority to do so, this to me is one of the world’s greatest mysteries.

As many fans and experts alike have been crying the Falcons play calling is predictable and has been for some time. I have to agree, when coming into a game against Atlanta you should already know that we are going to run the ball and use play action that's fine, but in that situation I would have like to have seen something less predictable, maybe something like that toss play ran against Detroit to pick up a first down at the end of the game. That would have made more sense being that the entire line was marched back into Turner who used his second effort to get back to the line of scrimmage. I feel it was a good gamble by Mike Smith but not a good play call by Mike Mularkey and an even worse decision by Matt Ryan not to audible or check to something that made a little more sense.

Offensive Notables and Player of The Week

As said before Matt Ryan threw 52 passes, completed 29 of them for 351 yards 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Atlanta also ran the ball 32 times for 138 yards with the bulk the carries going to Turner with 22 touches 94 yards and a hefty 4.4 yard per carry average.  Harry Douglas (who came in after Julio Jones re-injured that hamstring) had a monster performance receiving recording a career high 8 receptions for 133 yards, another career high. Tony Gonzalez does what he does with catches for 71 yards and the touchdown to get Atlanta back into the game late in the fourth quarter. Then there is Roddy White, who has completely disappeared this season and played uncharacteristically poorly as well with 62 yards on 4 catches. At one point in this game Roddy White had more penalties and yards than he had receptions and receiving yards which is not what you want from your top wide receiver anytime during the season but most importantly not when your team is battling the for first place in the division. At some point you are going to have to stop jaw jacking off the field and produce between the lines on Sunday and needless to say fans are waiting for that moment.

Player of the Week: Harry Douglas- 8 receptions 133 yards, 16.6 per catch 14 Targets, and 3 yards rushing on a reverse.


Defense

Then there is defense. The Falcons defenses is coming to life late in the season and make no bones about it, all of the fans are taking notice. After earlier in the year Atlanta fan were turning the channels on their TVs when the defense came on the field. Last in 3rd downs, couldn't tackle, bad coverage, zero pass rush. Its almost like a different group and please note the ALMOST. Sunday against New Orleans, Atlanta only allowed the Saints and its high powered offense to convert only 4 third downs out of 13 and when they did tackle they all swarmed to the ball to prevent any second effort yards for the backs and receivers. They did, however, have a problem with coverage on two plays but before I go there let me start on the defensive line, Where in the world is the push up front? There is no excuse for the QB to have all day to stand in the pocket and let a tight ended run from one side of the field to the other to be wide open without so much as a body around Drew Brees's feet, it’s unacceptable. Especially when you have Abraham, Babineaux, Edwards and Peters down in the trenches. There needs to be improvement and quickly.

Back to the first blown overage,  I'm assuming Thomas DeCoud  was suppose to be covering Jimmy Graham and for whatever reason he was late on the coverage and it turned into a 29 yard gain. Earlier in the season you were placed in a weekly competition for your job and I don't think that you would want to pick a game that would place your team as the front runner to start slacking in coverage. Don't get me wrong I like DeCoud and I feel as a DB who isn't afraid to lay a hit on someone is a rarity but they are about as use full as a QB who can’t read a defense. You have to be able to cover as a defensive back and if you can’t you will find yourself on the wrong side of a call asking you to bring your play book with you into the personnel office. The second blown coverage was worse than the first one, it happened right after the 29 yard reception. As a fan I would rather have one player come out and take the blame than have 3 players all looking around wondering who was suppose to back covering that guy. That like the defensive line not getting any pressure is unacceptable and is an epic fail on the defensive side of the ball.

Don't get me wrong and don't let that persuade you into thinking that Falcons played a bad game on defense. The actually did well against the Saints. Holding the offense to 363 yards including only allowing 41 rushing yards the entire game between 3 running backs and most shockingly limiting Darren Sproles to 1 rushing yard and 2 receiving yards.The Falcons maybe shaky against the pass but against the run they are anything but. Atlanta has not allowed a running back to reach 100 yards in 13 games dating back to last season however this was the first time in 27 games the Falcons as a team did not force at least one turnover bringing 1 of three streaks to a end versus the Saints.

Defensive Notables and Player of the Week

Who else but Curtis Lofton leading the team in tackles again this game with 9 total tackles, followed by Thomas DeCoud with 7 total tackles and all solo I might add and then 3rd Sean Weatherspoon with 6 of his own. This is great news to see an linebacker atop the stats in tackles because it wasn't too long ago the team lead tackler was a DB, which either means there was some aggressive backs on the defense or the linebackers were not playing well, and I’ll give you a hint it isn't the first one. The Falcons didn't register a sack this game and only posted 2 quarterback hits the entire game and 5 tackles for loss which are not numbers to be proud of by any means necessary. 

Player of the Week: Curtis Lofton- 9 tackles 6 solo and 1 tackle for loss

Preview

Up Next on Atlanta's guest list is the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have been up and down this year, after losing its first game to Jacksonville; they 3 off three straight wins then dropped two and won two of their last 3 and sit 5-4 on the season. Last week behind Chris Johnson's 130 yards, the league’s worst rushing offense man handled the Panthers and look to let Johnson loose against the Falcons defense. Atlanta has never beaten the Titans, and this will be the first time they have seen Johnson, who missed all the off season due to a contract dispute.If Atlanta wants to win they are going to have to bring that top 5 rushing defense and play solid coverage to send the Titans back to Tennessee with a loss and get the Falcons back on the road to the playoffs.