The Falcons Have A Leg Up Without Pat Williams

by Dave Choate on Dec 19, 2008 8:00 AM EST in Falcons News

One half of the Williams Wall in Minnesota is still intact, so it's not like this is going to be a walk in the park.

J. Mike at the Official Site writes that things still won't be easy, but the injury to Phat Pat Williams makes things easier for Michael Turner. The Falcons are going to need all the help they can get given that Jared Allen is going to be in Matt Ryan's grill all day long and Kevin Williams is a concrete golem blocking the middle. The Vikings' defense is more important to this matchup than anyone, even uber-talented running back Adrian Peterson.

So as much as you don't like to see it happen, the injury to Pat Williams gives the Falcons a real shot to established a ground game of sorts. If Turner could go 20 for 70 some-odd yards and come up big in the red zone, the Falcons can probably win out. If they lose this game, we'll call it a great season and basically kiss the playoffs goodbye. This was one of the games I had us penciled in to lose a few short weeks ago, but our gutsy performance against the Bucs and a little injury-related luck have put me in a much better frame of mind.

Gonna be a tough one, either way. Thoughts?

Poll

Does the injury to Pat Williams improve the Falcons' chances?

The line got leaner and we just got meaner

69 votes

Nope, we have just as good a chance as ever

14 votes

Nope, we're screwed

34 votes

117 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

The Falcons

better give me a graduation present in a win on Sunday. Without college to look forward to any more, all I’ve got is Christmas and (with division luck and a win on sunday) a Falcons playoff run before the real world bites me in the butt come February.

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by Adam Schultz on Dec 19, 2008 9:32 AM EST reply actions

Games like this are why we love football!

With both teams playing for their postseason lives, Sunday’s game certainly looks like an epic contest. Let’s all hope Matty’s ready, the Metrodome can be an intimidating, noisy venue.

If this is half the game as the one we played there 10 years ago, I may be shopping for new underwear on Monday. Come on, Falcons!

by tom slick on Dec 19, 2008 9:53 AM EST reply actions

it was obvious

that Matt Ryan was about to swallow his own tongue against the Bucs. Hopefully he has his composure together for this game.

Falcons need this win, I’d really hate to see our season end now, we’ve come so far – I think we can pull it off.

by MentallyMIA on Dec 19, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions

Tom Slick

Hillarious man…

" No, I think I'll sit in the balcony " - Abe Lincoln

by tapate50 on Dec 19, 2008 11:37 AM EST reply actions

I actually get to see this game.

I checked Dish Network and this is one of our games to see. So I will be watching the game on the far side of this long trailer and upon occasion i will run like hell across the trailer to exchange thoughts.

by Funballad on Dec 19, 2008 11:37 AM EST reply actions

Needless to say

If i can run the distance Turner can do his part. I am 5 ft 8 and 240 lbs with a santa claus belly and beard. At 50 years old i am in no shape to run that much but its for OUR Team.

by Funballad on Dec 19, 2008 11:47 AM EST reply actions

special teams

Well, actually the key to this game will be Atlanta’s special teams. Especially punt and kickoff returns as Minn. is absolutely horrible. They also shoot themselves in the foot with senseless penalties and mismanaging the clock. So if we just hang in there on offense and defense we should come up with some big plays in the special team part of the game. Go Falcons!

by dollmanr on Dec 19, 2008 6:17 PM EST reply actions

Just poking my head in from the frozen tundra…

The Vikings were awful on returns early in the season. They seem to have gotten their act together on special teams now. I don’t think you can count on any returns for touchdowns.

Should be a great game. I can see it going either way, but hope the Vikes will pull it off.

Either way, congratulations on a a great turnaround to your season!

by dkerfoot on Dec 19, 2008 7:32 PM EST up reply actions

Good luck!

There’s a certain city in Illinois that can’t wait to see you guys level this team. Keep in mind, Tavaris Jackson is not a good quarterback. He’s not. You can get to him early and often.

Oh, and I see a solid 90 yards and and least one end zone for Turner.

by KDoggers on Dec 20, 2008 10:25 AM EST reply actions