Post-Game Thread: Falcons fall short of stunning Giants in OT, 34-31
by Adam Schultz on Nov 22, 2009 4:39 PM EST
in Editorial
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PrintSo we’re now officially no longer "winning" our season at a dismal 5-5, .500 mark. With Tynes’ field goal in overtime, the Birds’ stunning fourteen point comeback was halted. We have now lost two games in a row for the second time this season. Last year, we accomplished that horrid feat not once. I’m not exactly sure where this loss puts us in the desperate hunt for a playoff berth, but I know it certainly didn’t help. One thing’s for sure, with a 1-5 road game record, the Falcons won’t be winning any tie-breakers.
- There was and will continue to be many of you calling for Jason Elam’s head on a platter. In this case, he missed one field goal that would have had the Birds up by three at the end of regulation. For what seems to be the second week in a row, Elam’s shanked attempt throbs the worst amidst the pain of defeat.
- I have to say that, given the opportunity, I would have gone for two after that last touchdown. Sure, we may have lost by one if we hadn’t gone for it, but we would have walked away a winner had it succeeded. A missed conversion would have at least taken fate (a coin toss) out of the mix.
- Our offense was, much as it has been, up and down. Case in point: Jenkins was clutch on the final drive to the game-tying touchdown, but missed an easy touchdown in the third quarter that would have gotten the game much closer, much sooner.
- We are in desperate need of Norwood and Turner. Our offense had very little balance in the first half.
- A credit to our defense's performance in the first quarter. A debit to them for the rest of the game, save that last three and out to force OT.
- Take some solace in the fact that our team, as depleted by injury that it is, made a game out of it. We didn't lose ugly.
Expect Dave to ruminate and weigh in on things with his game recap tomorrow morning. For now, I'm going to go make myself some waffles.
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I like the idea
To go for two. Seemed like the o was on fire in the 4th. I guess that was made possible by the defense, but Matt was making good reads even under pressure. DUMP IT TO SNELLING
I said it at least 3 or 4 times in the game thread.
I understand why we didn’t go for two, but we had all the momentum. We could’ve run some crazy play and scored, I’m sure of it.
Coach did the right thing
Go with the statistics and push for overtime. It’s a shame ATL couldn’t win the game without the need for over time.
I'm not saying it was a bad idea
I just think going for two was the better idea. You’ve just clawed your way back, you have ALL the momentum, and you need THREE yards to win the game. I don’t give a rip about percentages. Coach Smith took just as big a risk by playing for OT and potentially letting the game ride on a coin toss, which is exactly what happened, and it sealed our fate long before the first snap was ever played in OT. Why take a chance putting your defense out on the field in sudden death when it’s already surrendered 31 points? If this was a 14-14 game, I could understand it, but not 31-31. It’s suicide, and you can clearly see how the game ended. Just my opinion, though. We’ll be fine, we played well enough to win (yet again.) but couldn’t come away with it.
by Zippo729 on Nov 22, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Very small thing but
who chooses tails on a coin toss. We chose tails on the overtime coin toss.
That is what they say
Although I believe mythbusters confirmed that Heads actually occurs 51% of the time based on like a trillion tosses. Has to do with the weight of the material on each side of the coin.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Blame
the corners and Elam. True Jenks didn’t grab the one in the endzone but its consistently the corners and Elam that’s costing us. We really don’t look good. All a team has to do is pass all day. We suck!!
How many
“career days” or “season best days” have our opposing QB’s had against us this year? I really want to believe in our CB’s, and they seem to play with a ton of heart but they seem to just not have it.
And I agree with Mustang…go for 2, but it is so much easier to 2nd guess after the game…
and they broke a 12 year streak
of the road team winning when the Falcons and Giants play.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 22, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
er, 12 game
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 22, 2009 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Speaking of Jenkins
How many passes did he drop before he played well in the fourth quarter?
Regardless of that ATL lost the game because of two major problems:
1) No pass rush in the second half – put too much pressure on the DB’s
2) Way too many third and longs – Ryan had problems in those situations
There were other issues like how did Boss get so open so often? If Peterson was covering him he was beaten ALOT!! Grimes was covering the Giants biggest receiver often, why? Has the DC not learned anything this year? Brett is a great athlete but just cannot cover guys that much taller than he is. Chris Houston is feast-or-famine. He had some great plays and looked terrible on others, no consistency.
All of these problems are fixable but they have to be addressed NOW if we have any chance of getting to the playoffs.
consistency really seems to be the word of the season
i think it will all pull together.. but probably next season.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 22, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
again I'll say
I never been a fan of brian van gorder. They way he coaches defense is too soft. Why is he even on the staff? Or is he even running the defense and I’m blaming the wrong guy?
by brotherbrown on Nov 23, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions
The relief of this game
Was Ryan’s poise down the stretch. He didn’t look great today, but he didn’t make too many risky/poor decisions. The secondary, which we all knew was going to be a rough spot heading into the season, was what killed us in this game (along with not having much of a pass rush). Now the press is on, and Atlanta needs to win at least 5 of their last 6 to make the playoffs, which is do-able. The schedule is soft as we close the season, and it will probably come down to the game against Philadelphia (a home game) to determine whether or not this team is playoff-caliber.
agreed about Ryan
that’s a huge positive moving head. his poise in the pocket seems to be returning.. the fumble, not withstanding. he did shake a few defensive players to prolong some plays. he’s still growing but overall, that’s a good sign.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 22, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree with the depleted with injuries
statement you made. On offense it’s Turner that we’re missing. Can you really count Norwood? We haven’t really seen him all year long. Snelling did a great job. And on defense, we’re really missing B Williams but other than that, everybody else would have been on the field anyway. And where is Abraham?!?!? I know I saw his number on the field.
yep, lack of pass rush hurt
we got to Eli in the first quarter and had an int. then their adjustments bottled up the pass rush and they started burning us. i think that is the key.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 22, 2009 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
I agree about the pash rush
The DLine played great in the first quarter, not bad in the second and nonexistant in the second half. I don’t understand what’s happening. Are we not changing up schemes on the DLine as the game goes on or does the other team do a better job adjusting?
Beerman isn't quite ready yet
And Abe is starting to show his age.
Evidently, Sidbury isn’t ready yet, either. We need to get a veteran DE (I hate to say it, but Julius Peppers could fit in if we can tone his contract down some.) in the offseason and draft a high caliber CB in the 1st round.
At that point
We could spend the 7th rounder on a prospect and just pull said 7th round kicker out of the UDFA (undrafted free agent) pool.
Don't think that's the major problem
We have rotated out a lot of DL’s this year so noone is getting played out. From the few games I’ve seen the problem is with the blitzes. The Falcons don’t blitz often and they haven’t done it very well. Good blitz stunts will take a lot of pressure off of the DL. Run DL stunts. Rotate out a LB for a DL. There are a lot of things that could help but I’m not sure our DC is that bright.
He doesn't look the part, that's for sure.
If I read the stat sheet right, our lone sack was from Stephen Nicholas.
That’s not gonna cut it if we want to be good.
I’m not sure if they’re getting played out so much as Beerman/Sidbury just aren’t where the coaches want them to be yet in terms of strength/experience. We need someone like Jim Johnson who ran ridiculous crazy cartwheel cannonball blitz packages to victory.
Not sure
I am not sure about Bierman yet. He makes some plays and always seems to be in the picture somewhere but maybe a step slow at times. I expect that to get better with experience. What I am wondering is where is Abe?
Part of our D-line problem is Jerry is out and we put all our eggs in one basket with him so we have to adjust.
Our DB’s are really lacking. Like was said earlier, Houston is feast or famine and Grimes is typically much much smaller than the receiver. Do they have heart? Yes, but I dont think either one of them (Houston/Grimes) has the ability to be much more than a nickel back. One could make the argument that the D-Line is why we get torched in the secondary, but if the QB gets the ball out in under 3 seconds to a receiver, than that is a secondary problem. Also, how many times do our corners not even turn their heads (mainly Houston)?
doesn't matter if we haven't seen Norwood all year.
Because we haven’t
When last year he was there along with Turner and Harry Douglas. We had our full arsenal of weapons on offense. And then this year we got rid of Grady Jackson to be replaced by P Jerry but he’s been out. Foxworth was let go so Grimes (who’s playing well but being overmatched) and Houston (who gets beat) is placed on islands. Too many open receivers. Lack of rotation and freshness. With our offense not being able to stay on the field our defense gets more exposed. Good Offenses can make mediocre defenses look great.
by brotherbrown on Nov 23, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
Hey TD: What you think about D Fox now?
I’m gonna go cry in a corner somewhere …
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
I think D Fox left of his own accord.
Didn’t somebody say he took less to play in BAL b/c it was closer to home?
Debatable
Maybe he was willing to sign for less to play near home, but money talks … and really, any veteran corner would have been fine. It’d be different if Brian Williams were not on IR, but injuries happen in the NFL, and the depth was not there from day one.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
That's true.
Williams played well, but it’s a shame he’s on IR now.
We couldn’t really have predicted that when we signed him, though.
a chance was taken on Tye Hill
unfortunately, that one hasn’t worked out quite as well as williams and foxworth.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 22, 2009 5:24 PM EST up reply actions
I wonder what's wrong with him.
He looked good the game he had the TAINT. He’s been having good/decent coverage when I’ve watched him.
It’s not like we paid much for him. A small gamble that hasn’t worked well, it happens.
Two different ideas:
(1) Making a cost-effective move with a high upside
(2) Bringing in an established vet
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Problem with Fox
Is that he just hasn’t been all that good this season. Not sure signing him to a fat extension would’ve coaxed better play out of him over here, where he has less overall support than he does in Baltimore.
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... fair point
You know me, I’m not one to criticize the FO where I lack the expertise to know up from down (read: I’m no GM).
But I can guarantee you that TD is – at least on some level – remiss about thinking we could get by with this CB corps.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
I agree
And it’s because on a team with a true #1 cornerback, Houston would be a #2 and Grimes would one of the game’s best nickel backs. The fact is, Houston should not be matching up with anyone’s best guys.
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Agreed
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Exactly!
I’m tired of this line about how Houston doesn’t turn his head around — like that’s the magic bullet that would fix everything! The reason he doesn’t turn his head is that he doesn’t want to lose track of the receiver at the wrong time. Every receiver will try to juke the defender by widening his eyes or putting his hands out like the ball is coming, and when the CB turns, he takes off. That’s how it works. So if he was getting beat on fakes all the time, people would be yelling about how he takes the bait too often. I think he’s a decent cover corner who has shown he can stick with a receiver and could improve if he gets a better sense of when the ball is coming. He just seems more focused on keeping his body next to the receiver’s right now, and I don’t have a big problem with that. But your point is exactly right — he needs to be a #2 with Grimes playing a great nickle and an EXPERIENCED, DOMINANT corner at #1. I don’t think we pick a corner in the first round unless he can come in and produce right away.
Teams coming off bye weeks
Falcons have had a team coming off a bye week for the 4th time this year (Bears, Cowboys, Redskins and Giants). Advantage being injuries have an extra week to heal, you are less likely to pick up extra injuries, and the coaches have an extra week to prepare for and scout your team. Seems to be a disadvantage in scheduling.
Yeah.
The Giants are, in my opinion, one of the better teams out there. To go into extra periods with them (in their house, after a bye week) should be considered a victory in some respects. I just hate that we didn’t go for two at the end, there. I’m gonna be ill about that until our next win.
But we were 2-2 in those games
With both losses coming on the road. I think you can bank on having a crappy schedule once every few years (in terms of dealing with the bye). I have almost as much of an issue with our bye having been in week 4 than us playing 4 teams coming off the bye. Both of those issues would be lessened if the NFL would stack byes together in 3-4 weeks instead of spreading them over 7 weeks.
by FalconCrazie on Nov 22, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
We were one play from being 1-3
And the other victory was against the lowly Redskins. I think it has affected us more than it looks.
can someone explain how scheduling works in the NFL?
Draft order, salary cap, and to some extent scheduling (when you ought to play a team that was in the same place in another division during the last season) are supposed to even out chances for teams. And I now there are rules as to WHICH opponents a team will play the next season, but how come nobody accounts for the TIMING of each game in order to eliminate disadvantage from playing too many games against fresh teams?
I think it has a lot to do with tv schedule and ratings
It probably wasn’t done on purpose but the Falcons unfortunately but coincidently got four teams to come off bye weeks. If TV contracts weren’t the issue I’m sure the NFL will look at making or equal schedules for teams.
by brotherbrown on Nov 23, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions
Wished I could have seen it
We were stuck watching Cowboy Redskins score 13 points between them. I had to follow them on gamecast.
I wasn't at home to watch in on my computer
so I listened to it on my GF’s MP3 player. I think I did record the game though, probably will delete it in a few weeks.
by brotherbrown on Nov 23, 2009 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Our Team Sucks!! I want Vick!
Our Defense is HORRIBLE!
our team this season is HORRIBLE!!
I have given up all hope in this team for this season. Offense showed up for the fourth quarter, but thats not enough.
I will not watch a game for the remainder of the season.
I would also like to officially start the requests for MICHAEL VICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
at least if we continue to loose, we will be able to fill seats with Vick.
by VaTechDirtybird on Nov 22, 2009 6:12 PM EST reply actions
The Hokie has spoken ...
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
"That's not the point," he said through gritted teeth
I’m as frustrated as you are, but I don’t believe this team would be any better with Vick than Ryan. It would probably be worse. If there would be more butts in the seat to see a worse team with Vick at the helm, then it says something about the mindset of Falcons fans that I’d rather think wasn’t true.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 22, 2009 6:28 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I would bet
that Ryan’s QB stats, even with the way his year is going, are still better than Vick’s career average. Vick’s career QB rating is 75.6, a 6.6yd per pass average and 142yds/game average, and a completion % of 53.7.
Ryan’s QB rating is 84.1, 7.4yds per pass average and better than 142 yds/game (would calculate but no calculator on hand), and a completion % of 60.5.
No real comparison there. If the ATL fans had rather see Vick than Ryan then they don’t deserve to have a team.
by mwalex on Nov 22, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I agree fellas - - Ryan is the future
Just beyond frustrated! Offense played well, but these injuries have killed our season. Im gearing up for the draft…
by VaTechDirtybird on Nov 22, 2009 11:34 PM EST up reply actions
Defense and Special Teams looked horrible today. Offense was good, anytime you score 30+ points in a game you played awesome.
Some plays we were able to get a rush going and it affected Eli. Most plays we were not, and aside from a few plays, the DBs were just bad. Saw one play were the closest Falcon to Boss was 6 yards away. How does a TE get that wide open.
Weems looked really sluggish on returns, no explosiveness at all. Elam almost shanked an XP, and ofcourse the missed FG.
I saw a stat during the game, we were 6/8 on 4th down conversions this year, 8/10 after today. I wonder how much of that has to do with Elam.
Sometimes going for it on 4th down is better than kicking with Elam
I agree on that point. In fact, Falcons had success in converting 4th down plays not just in the kicking distance but also deep in their territory. This may have something to do with playcalling but most likely it’s in the heads. That also sheds additional doubt on the decision to kick a PAT to tie the game and not go for a 2-point conversion. Although, if they didn’t convert, so many people would say it was a dumb decision.
by Gemini-RU on Nov 23, 2009 6:09 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Great game guys
I was at a friend’s house who’s a falcon fan, and I have to admit I was getting scared towards the end.
In all honesty, I’m glad you guys didn’t go for 2 at the end, I very sure we would have let you guys score.
But it was a good game.
Good luck getting your back to back win. Beat New Orleans please?
The Cowboys are the France of the NFL
-thwalls
On 3rd down, throw it to Smith.
Also
What’d you guys think of our Steve Smith?
The Cowboys are the France of the NFL
-thwalls
On 3rd down, throw it to Smith.
I think he's going to be a star
He started his career a little slow, but it looks like he’s matured a good bit. I think he’ll be good for years to come.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
What's worse...
I don’t know what is worse—-playing poorly and losing or playing better and losing!
This team has a bad feel to it this season. I understand the injuries and the matter of youth at many positions. But where is the veteran leadeship, the ability to plug other players in place and the coaching staff putting them in a position to succeed. This teams has the feel of a team that is not giving all it’s effort all the time. This worries me because I’m not sure we would be winning without the injury issues in regard to the inconsistent way that we play week in and week out. Are we just an extremely young team and got carried away with the potential we saw at the beginning of the year… What do you think?
Gary J Moody
by Gjmoody on Nov 22, 2009 8:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Perhaps it's not lack of effort
but lack of talent and depth. Injuries and rebuilding have us playing mediocre talent as starters in several positions. We’re not as far away as it appears at the moment.
I agree ...
NFLers don’t not try, otherwise they’d be unemployed lickity split.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
I can see an uninspired game or two
but not 3 weeks in a row. And not with Coach Smitty ready to kick your butt if you start dogging it.
Tom, I agree!
You’re right! Forgive me for having a moment of weakness and doubt! Sometimes it just wears on you… I’ve been so used to having my heart wrenched in the past… I guess one can be forgiven for loving this team for so many years and hoping for the team all Falcons fans sooner rather than later.
Gary J Moody
by Gjmoody on Nov 22, 2009 8:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Tough to remain a True Believer
when they break your heart every freakin’ year after a winning season, all right. As things stand now, a 9-7 season would thrill me into incontinence.
Go for 2
Not sure I would have the guts but it looked like Coach Smith mouthed “go for it”…we probably all did but we weren’t ready for a Belecheck week.
I’ve been worried about Elam for most of the year, one day you wake up on the other side of the hill….
If we were 8-7 and that was the last regular season game
I would start a riot if they didn’t go for two. A huge, never ending riot.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
Michael Jenkins...
…seems to have at least one cripplingly destructive drop per game.
I obviously completely understand not going for 2 at the end, but I think that going for it was the better move because we had their defense completely on its heels at the time, while our D had been abused most of the half. Better to make sure that the game was decided with the ball in our hands against their (tired) D rather than relying on our D against their O. Of course, we could have easily failed to get it in or we could have won the coin toss or our D could have just stepped up in OT. It just sucks to lose like that. Schedule still right there for us to get to 10-6 though if we play like we’re capable. Very far from being a season-killing loss.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 23, 2009 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
My problem with Jason Elam and why we need a switch....
He missed the kick today for what appeared to be the exact same reason he missed the kick against CAR. He had a week to bring the new snapper and MK to the side and work that out. It wasn’t a tough kick. We need to at least bring a guy in for a try out this week…I suggest Graham Gano, the best college kicker last year….
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
Gano's another guy who's out there
There are definitely choices.
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by Dave Choate on Nov 23, 2009 12:10 AM EST up reply actions
Y'all hear that?
It’s somewhat faint … yes, it’s getting louder … wait, are they … yes, yes they are … the masses are chanting: Mort! Mort! Mort!
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Janikowski will be a free agent in 2010.
Not sure how he’s doing in OAK right now, but he’s got a monster leg AND NFL game experience (and a 67 yard attempt)
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
I love Janikowski,
But he’s been known to like the drink, and he played more than a few college games drunk. Gano’s leg strength is very close, and much more accurate. I’ve seen them both in games and practice live, and I would take Gano…
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
Elam is gone probably...
knowing arthur blank, he probably won’t allow it. I wonder if rodney harrison will come out of retirement and bring deion with him ,lol
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
I hate to frame any possibility of a playoff birth like this ...
But GB lost both Kampman and Harris to season-ending ACL tears. They might very well struggle in the coming weeks as a result.
If the following happen:
1. Philly struggles down the stretch
2. Falcons win out or only lose another 1-2 games
3. GB struggles down the stretch
… then we might be OK.
One more thing: love the analysis Tloz, but road record doesn’t factor in the tie-breaking procedures at all.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
WILD-CARD
If two or more teams finish the season tied for one of the two Wild-Card berths, one of the following scenarios will apply. If the tied teams are from the same division, the divisional tie breaker above is used. If the tied teams are from different divisions, the following tiebreakers are used:
Two Teams
1. Head-to-Head
2. Conference Record
3. Common Games (minimum of four)
4. Strength of Victory
5. Strength of Schedule
6. Combined Ranking Among Conference Teams (points scored and points allowed)
7. Combined Ranking Among All Teams (points scored and points allowed)
8. Net Points (conference games)
9. Net Points (all games)
10. Net Touchdowns (all games)
11. Coin Toss
Three or More Teams
*If two clubs remain tied after a third is eliminated during any step, the tie breaker reverts to step 1 of the two-team format.
Start by eliminating all but the highest ranked club in each division by using the divisional tiebreaker above. After the field has been narrowed to no more than one team from each division, the following tiebreakers are used:
1. Head-to-Head
2. Conference Record
3. Common Games (minimum of four)
4. Strength of Victory
5. Strength of Schedule
6. Combined Ranking Among Conference Teams (points scored and points allowed)
7. Combined Ranking Among All Teams (points scored and points allowed)
8. Net Points (conference games)
9. Net Points (all games)
10. Net Touchdowns (all games)
11. Coin toss
- Wild-Card tie breakers are also used to determine home-field advantage.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
Elam
I’ve noticed there isn’t much of a bandwagon for this particular issue…So I’m gonna jump on my soapbox and start one:
Jason Elam needs to go. We cannot have a kicker that we can’t rely on. Look at the games this year that we have lost. Ok…maybe Elam isn’t the reason we lost…But all of our losses have been fairly close. A missed Field Goal at 20 – 30 yards is a HUGE morale and momentum killer and with Elam it’s something that is happening more and more frequently. When you can’t rely on your Veteran Kicker to make those relatively close FGs…you’ve got an issue.
I’m not justifying the team’s performance, however. We haven’t played as well as I think we should be, and there is blame to be thrown in all directions. We’ve had crucial injuries which screws up a team’s rhythm and flow…Poor Coordinating (Mostly on the defensive side)…Bad decision making…And the killer: INCONSISTENCY.
On the other side, though, You have some players that have REALLY stepped-up. I cannot say enough for Snelling. One of the commentators made the comment last week against the Panthers…When Turner is healthy he’s in for a few plays and then he takes a break while a back-up relieves him for a bit so he can come back on refreshed…Snelling doesn’t really have that luxury (Can we really count Stecker? Is he even on the team…it seems to change every week.).
I disagree with all the hate that our Defense is getting. Yeah, I get it…they aren’t that great…BUT, it’s the youngest part of the team. We were going to build a defense around Peria Jerry (Remember him?) but he got hurt really early on. I think we’ve just been trying to make up as we go along ever since then. There is definitely some talent there…we just need to get it organized. Poor match-ups, Missed cues, inexperienced mistakes…they just keep plaguing the defense and it can’t really catch it’s stride. Also, I’m not sure what the hell our Defensive Coordinator is thinking sometimes with the play calling…but that’s just me.
Tony Gonzalez. Could he be more perfect? I think he’s my new Man-Crush. I’m Tony Gonzalez? California? (If you didn’t see the Game against New Orleans on the 2nd of this month…You probably don’t get that reference. Take my word…it was epic.)
Final Word: We’re still a young team. We’re working all this crap out. To hell with all the Non-Believers who are saying the team sucks. Oh, and that guy rallying for a Vick return MUST be on drugs. Vick ruined this franchise and it took A LOT to get it back together. I’m not on the “Hating Vick” bandwagon…but I think he was not nearly as good of a QB as the hype made him out to be. Ryan is a DAMN GOOD QB. And lest we forget…Brett Favre (You know…Arguably one of the best QBs of all time (I don’t agree…but whatever)) Started his career in Atlanta and we traded him after his first season where he only played in 2 games. We don’t need to make that mistake again.
i didn’t get to see a lot of peria jerry when he was playing, but I can’t seem to rationalize drafting him. Even without him we are playing acceptable against the run. Unless he was an outstanding pass rushing tackle, I don’t see his value. We definately need a DE with a few years exp in the league for a pass rush. Just not as many years as abraham. Did he even play yesterday, because I didn’t see him (unless the tv where I was at was that bad).
by Whyte Bler 000 on Nov 23, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions
well the fact is
He only played in one and a half games. Play makers on the field make all the difference in the game. We don’t know how many sacks or forced fumbles he could have caused, so looking at the facts that’s an unfair assessment.
Atlanta will win a championship....someday
It's tough to watch NFL when you live accross the world
As it has been in my case – I watch Falcons games from Moscow, Russia. (Especially when kick off is at 4:15pm – that means it’s like 4am when I go to bed.)
I began rooting for the Falcons back in 1998 while being a student at Emory – and what a year it was for the Falcons! Since it was very difficult to watch their games since then, I didn’t feel all the pain from not having back to back winning seasons. And finally, when I got a chance to see all their games on the internet they drafted Matt Ryan, and it was another dream season.
Speaking of this season’s struggles you have to keep in mind that schedule has been a factor. Before the Giants game I knew we’d lose, what was important was HOW we’d go down. And seeing them come back from 14 down on the road, I believe Falcons can still make it to playoffs this season. In two weeks time we’ll see – the Eagles game will be a must-win game. A 10-6 season will be a 70% guarantee that we go through, while a 9-7 will be a 30% guarantee (assuming we beat Philly, otherwise it’s zero). Both outcomes are possible.
I rarely agree with Pat Yasinskas of ESPN, but this one on the Falcons’ playoff prospects is worth reading – http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/5449/wrap-up-giants-34-falcons-31
Okay
I didnt read everyones comments. I will do that later. I just want to say that I was happy to see us come back from 14 down to tie it up at the end. My psersonal feeling is that they should have gone for 2 points insted of the tie. win it or go home. NO overtime for me thanks. Second, wth are you calling tails on a coin toss for??? I know everyone says the odds are 50/50 heads vs. tails, but have you tried it? I have, and I get a consistent 6 or 7 out of 10 heads to tails. Not sure why but I have been testing that since I was about 10 years old. you will never get me to call tails on any coin toss that is for sure. Anyway. thats my 2 cents.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Nov 23, 2009 8:23 AM EST reply actions
Falcons did the right thing putting the game into OT. Sure if you make the 2pt conversion your god, but if you don’t then we all would be here today complaining about it.
by Whyte Bler 000 on Nov 23, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't be complaining about it.
It makes much more sense when you have all the momentum and they’re on the ropes. If you’re gonna lose to them, at least make them stop you while you’re hot. We just sent out our crappy D (which had given up 31 points already) and asked them to stop an offense they hadn’t stopped ALL DAY.
Percentages or not, what sense does that REALLY make? Especially after 4 quarters of tough football? There’s no way I would put my team in that position, not with the D we have, and CERTAINLY not after kicking them in the teeth for 14 points after they’d thought they’d won the game.
We have an All-Universe TE and we’re rabid animals in the red zone. Risking all of that on a coin toss (which we lost) just seems a bit ridiculous to me. TMQ says it best, “Fortune favors the bold.” He also says, “Cold coach wins.” so tell Smitty to dress lightly at the NYJ game.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
What do we need in a CB
Someone fast, physical, big and strong, durable. Not necessary that they be able to catch the ball… I know Michael Jenkins.
Join the movement today—
btrout
I'll agree that the physical traits are there ...
but I don’t think he’s ever played defense, not even in high school. Do you really think he could pick up all the necessary intangibles? It doesn’t seem likely.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
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