Post Game Thread: Falcons Eke Out 28-20 Win Over Panthers

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 6:39 PM EDT in Falcons News

What a nail-biter.

Games against divisional rivals are some of the toughest for fans. I can't stand losing a winnable game, and there was the outside chance that we might do just that for pretty much the entire game thanks to an average defensive effort and the occasional weird play call. In the end, however, the Falcons' truly incredible offense and some timely plays by the D (thank you, Chris Houston!) brought us to victory. Great, great game.

Consider this the post-game thread for the game, so feel free to talk here about anything you saw. We'll have the more official recap and tlozwarlock's always excellent observations tomorrow.

A couple of things to consider:

It's amazing how quickly players can win our hearts. Chris Houston has been in the fanbase's collective basement for months and months now, but one interception and a nice tackle erased all of that. Welcome to popularity, Chris!
Matt Ryan looked great again, with the exception of an early game pick. You cannot overstate how much Tony Gonzalez has done for this offense, even if he's hurting the numbers of Roddy White and Michael Jenkins somewhat. We have a great suite of weapons.
Michael Turner did more grinding on the ground this game than a high school dance. He still hasn't had a breakaway game, but he got it done when needed. The fumble concerned me a little.
Welcome back, Jason Elam...as much as you can be welcomed back when you don't kick any field goals.
Woo!

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I like Turner's lack of usage early on...

he’ll be stronger for pounding it when we really need him to later in the season. Perhaps earlier rather than later. If NE plans better to apply heavier coverage on our passing game, Turner should see more running lanes. If defenses continue to try to stack the box and resort to zone coverages to stare down our running attack, I think Matt Ryan is quickly proving that he can get it done through the air.

Pick your poison offense. Stop the run, we’ve got plenty of options in the pass. When you decide not to stack the box, Turner is going to have one heck of a game.

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 20, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

I certainly hope so

New England is going to throw a lot at us, but they no longer look invincible.

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions

I watched NO vs PHI...

and boy do the Saints look a good team this year… im scared for our defense against that team

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Sep 20, 2009 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Thankfully

I’m scared for their defense against our team.

This is the most impressed I’ve been with Matt Ryan (minus the first series or so). I’ll expound upon this when I get the chance to go over the tape tomorrow, but rest assured: He’s playing like a Top 5 talent.

by BigManChili on Sep 20, 2009 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions

You guys look surreal

with your efficiency on offense…I do not enjoy the thought of having Tony Gonzo running free i n the middle of our defense which has been our weak point so far, the middle…
With that said, I enjoy that fact that we dropped 48 points on what is a top 5 NFL defense…
TO Falcon, did you see Sheldon Brown walk out with the hockey thug mask pre game?

The Easter Bunny is a savage...

by ShadowFlash on Sep 20, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Again let me say

Gizflam the Panthers. Gizflam them and their stupid faces.

Maybe there is no Heaven. Or maybe this is all pure gibberish — a product of the demented imagination of a lazy drunken hillbilly with a heart full of hate who has found a way to live out where the real winds blow — to sleep late, have fun, get wild, drink whisky, and drive fast on empty streets with nothing in mind except falling in love and not getting arrested...Res ipsa loquitur. Let the good times roll.

by iRonin on Sep 20, 2009 7:17 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs

Rec'd!

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 7:20 PM EDT up reply actions

NOW you've done it

You’re going to fire up their locker room with trash talk like that.

by tom slick on Sep 20, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Just like the Jets

Totally fired up the Patriots, who came out and rolled over….oh.

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions

2-0 Going into the Road Matchup in New England

Exactly where we need to be!

by LetsGoFalcons on Sep 20, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Jerry injury?

Good game …defense bent but didn’t break.. Encouraged by Decoud play and think he will improve thru the season as he matures. He played well in Cal’s secondary but it takes time in the pros.. Any word on the Jerry injury? Think we can take the Pats next week to start the season 3-0. I dont ever remember a 3-0 start. Anyone know if and when was the last time we started 3-0?

by SteveD on Sep 20, 2009 7:30 PM EDT reply actions

In 2004 they started 4-0, finished @ 11-5

1986, 4-0, 7-8-1.
1981, 3-0, 7-9.

ESPN reported that “Falcons coach Mike Smith was vague about the (Jerry) injury after the game. He said details would be revealed when the team puts out its injury report on Wednesday.”

by tom slick on Sep 20, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions

That is not good

If Jerry is out, our run defense is in big trouble. We got gashed when we was out of the game. There is a huge drop off between him and the second unit. We are going to need him.

by SG Standard on Sep 20, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

a couple of non-official reports

have him missing games. hopefully they are wrong but it’s not looking good.

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 Sep 20, 2009 8:25 PM EDT up reply actions

The way he came off the field

I would be happy if he’s ONLY out a game or two.

Yep, I remember 'hemorrhage', and 'embolism', and even 'detached retina'...
It sounded scary, but when you smell the goal line, they're only words. Just words.

by Bill Dauterive on Sep 20, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

That’s what I was thinking – “Crap, he’s gone for a while”…

by orang3b on Sep 21, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions

It didn't look good

He was putting zero weight on one leg, which doesn’t bode well (one would think).

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.

by FrankyWren on Sep 20, 2009 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions

4-0

Hmmm wonder if we can top that 4-0 start.. That would be impressive..But it’s not how we start but how we finish right? That sucks about the injury but it happens to every team.. Next guy has to step up .. Hello Jamal Anderson? You still there? 2 games and hasn’t even registered a tackle yet… Pretty sad..Thanks for the info Tom…

by SteveD on Sep 20, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions

MIKE PETERSON

for Comeback Player of the Year. He caused another fumble today. He was such a great pickup!

Its true. I'm a Falcoholic! I just can't live without Falcohol!

by phoenix falcoholic on Sep 20, 2009 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

He's the man

I’ll wait a little longer before I hand him any big awards, but the dude has been vital to our success thus far.

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

He scooped up a blocked punt.

He intercepted a ball and forced two fumbles last weekend.

You have opinions. We all do. Some of yours may have to do with the Falcons. Sign up today and share them.

by Adam Schultz on Sep 20, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I know

But two games. Give him three, at least.

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

So, about that blocked punt...

I laughed and asked my girlfriend how that goes down in the stats, is that a punt return for Mike Peterson?

Lololololol

by iRonin on Sep 20, 2009 10:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Snelling has hands!

I take back everything negative I’ve ever said about him.

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.

by FrankyWren on Sep 20, 2009 9:02 PM EDT reply actions

Wow, this is a life-changing event

by Dave Choate on Sep 20, 2009 9:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Still worried!!

I am still very worried about houston back there. he did good a few times but what happens next week with randy moss??

by Pharoah_Rah on Sep 21, 2009 6:59 AM EDT reply actions

Williams wasn't mistake free either

our strength is the front 7… the 4 guys around them still make me very nervous. Maybe Williams will continue to improve as he gets better incorporated into the system, but he seems much slower than all our other corners (better at covering, worse at speed, he gets beat in man to man and should NEVER… I repeat… NEVER – please hear me out here VanGorder… NEVER try to rush the passer, leave that to all the fast guys that back him up).

I still would like to see Tye Hill active for a game too…

know what you believe in and why you believe in it

by MentallyMIA on Sep 21, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions