Falcons-Buccaneers Recap: When A Win Says It All
by Dave Choate on Nov 8, 2010 12:00 PM EST
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We must face the fact that the Atlanta Falcons are a good football team.
They're 6-2. On Sunday, against a feisty Tampa Bay Buccaneers team with loads of young talent, they managed to hold on. We saw a quality offensive performance from the Falcons, a ballsy one from the defense and a special teams performance that made the game a lot closer than it needed to be. Are you concerned, gentle reader? Fear not.
Fact is, we've spent an inordinate amount of time this season worrying, fretting, kvetching and having Fred Sanfords at the first sign of trouble. I've been among you when the collective mood of our fanbase seems to go Dirty South when Michael Turner has one bad run. We're worrying ourselves to death over a team that leads the NFC South. Doesn't that seem a little crazy?
There's problems with this team still—we'll get to them in this very post, I promise—but it's time to enjoy this ride. I know we have a tough game coming up against the Baltimore Ravens, but I'm going to kick back and enjoy it for once. At least until Mike Mularkey calls three straight runs up the middle again.
While the Bucs and Saints are nipping at their heels still, the Falcons are now the team to beat in the NFC South and have to be in the conversation with the Giants as the conference's best. If they can put away a hungry rival like the Bucs, they can put away anybody.
Follow along after the jump and we'll hit the specifics.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Bucs must have spent all week preparing for Michael Turner. They had to know that with their well-publicized woes stopping the run that Turner was going to come at them at least 20 times. Despite all that, he still ran for over 100 yards.
It was a vintage Turner game, one where he kept his soul-crushing scampers in the backfield to a minimum. On 24 carries he managed 107 yards and two touchdowns, and ate a big bowl of clock all day while wearing out the Bucs defense. Game ball? Game ball.
And for all those complaining endlessly about Mularkey, realize he only had a couple of bad drives all day. For the most part, our offensive coordinator stuck with what worked and coaxed the game plan the Falcons needed out of a cursed treasure chest somewhere in the bowels of Flowery Branch. - As mentioned earlier, Matt Ryan turned in an efficient performance. We saw what he can do when the Falcons give him the time to make throws, as he was largely on point and managing the game well. In this one, I pin most of the blame for his incompletions on receivers and (who else?) Mike Mularkey for his transparent play calling on a pair of drives where Ryan was forced to air it out.
- All season long, we've wondered why Tony Gonzalez was disappearing. He's still in possession mode—his 8 catches for 72 yards is under 10 yards a catch—but I think the simplest explanation is that Roddy White was doing so well that they hardly needed him. With White out, Gonzo was once again Ryan's favorite target and extremely difficult to cover.
- Speaking of White, he combined forces with Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran today for a nice performance from our wide receivers. Sure, White was hurt, but you didn't think a little thing like pain was going to stop Our Immortal Receiver, did you? Jenkins and Ryan misfired a couple of times, but it was still a nice game for him. Finn continues to be the most clutch 75-year-old in the league.
- Michael Palmer and his Palms of Fury grabbed his first career touchdown. Kudos to Palmer, and hopefully that's just the first of many.
- Mike Peterson was a beast today. Five tackles total, a couple of them for losses, and the Falcons' only sack ensures he gets his dap. Seems like he tapped into the fountain of youth in 2010.
- Jonathan Babineaux picking a pass? Now I've seen everything.
- This was not a great game for the secondary, but Brent Grimes at least atoned for his mistakes with a huge pick of Josh Freeman. Air Grimey lives!
- Everyone keeps talking about how much they miss Sean Weatherspoon, and I'd like to have the guy back as much as anybody. But is there something with Stephen Nicholas I'm missing? He's not a force in pass coverage, true, but he piles up tackles, is stout against the run and is still great at pursuing opposing offenses. Give the dude credit.
- Speaking of credit, Thomas DeCoud wins whatever's left on my Kohl's gift card for his critical stop at the end of the game. Chutzpah, that guy has.
- Matt Bryant is clutch. Yes, I said clutch. No, I'm not drunk.
LOWLIGHTS
- Something has to change on special teams. Michael Spurlock is a dynamic returner, but allowing one touchdown and one near touchdown to the guy is completely unacceptable. If not for a Buccaneer foolishly touching the ball before the Falcons could flop onto it during the horrible onside kick sequence, we'd be slamming them for that, too.
I don't know what it's going to take to solve the problem. I don't know if it's a matter of coaching or a lack of talent and intelligence by the guys who are out there on returns. All I know is that the Falcons can't afford to neglect the problem. - He finished the game fine, but for the first half I wasn't convinced Dunta Robinson should've been out there. Hell, the whole secondary wasn't very sharp today, with Robinson and Grimes being burnt by Mike Williams and William Moore picking up a really stupid PI that could've cost the Falcons dearly. The Bucs' passing game is better than most realize, but I'm dreading what Joe Flacco and Anquan Boldin are going to do Thursday.
- The third down defense has been the butt of jokes here for a while now. Imagine my surprise when they let up big play after big play on third down today, whether it was from LaGarette Blount, Josh Freeman or Mike Williams. We need better adjustments from Brian Van Gorder and the guys on the field in those situations.
- Harry Douglas doesn't even look like he belongs on the football field right now. His hands are an ongoing concern, but it's the lack of route running acumen that really concerns me. Hopefully the Falcons work with him in practice so he can be a valuable part of the offense before long.
- Michael Koenen was punting with a short field today, so you can excuse at least one of his punts. Still, I expect more out of a guy who has been one of the best punters in the NFL for a few years now than a measly 32 yards per punt.
- Stop giving me heart attacks, Falcons!
THE WRAPUP
Game MVP: Gotta be Michael Turner. Without his stellar running and time traveling abilities, the Falcons don't win this one.
Game Theme Song: For the team that holds on and the fanbase that needs to relax.
One Thing To Take Away: 6-2, people. 6-2.
Next This Week: The terrifying Baltimore Ravens. Visit Baltimore Beatdown for more.
Final Word: Winning.
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MM was not mentioned in the low lights. I didn’t watch the game but i listened via Sirius, and from what I gathered the offense had some awesome drives put together, with very little predictability. I am certainly not giving MM Kudos, maybe more of a high five. Lets hope he keeps it up in games to come.
Question: with the 2 interceptions yesterday does that put us back on the top of the picks list?
Bucs and Packers lead us by one with 14
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
Not saying I called it, but we’re 5-3 if that 4th and 1 stand doesn’t happen.
Best in the NFC!
by James Rael on Nov 8, 2010 12:17 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I've now seen five people say Bucs win if they get a TD there, which makes no sense.
There were over two and a half minutes on the clock at the time, and we would’ve only needed a field goal. They hadn’t exactly shut down our offense on the day, so I’d feel pretty good about our chances, especially with Roddy back in the lineup by then. This game frankly wasn’t as close as it appeared.
I am proud to be a Kennesaw State Fighting Owl. -- Vince Dooley
by Jason Kirk on Nov 8, 2010 3:02 PM EST up reply actions 4 recs
Let them have their pipe dreams
Simple fact is we have a W and they got the L.
They can follow their coach around like lost sheep all they want, simple fact is the falcons are a better team, which was proven yesterday. Believing your the best in the NFC is like believing Santa Claus is a real who enjoys whole milk and chocolate chip cookies
problem is
if they got a 1st down and not a TD on that play (which was absolutely possible had they elected to QB sneak), they’d get 4 more tries from within 1 yard line. chances are they’d score, but they’d also burn out the clock, and we’d be left with very little time. now, that doesn’t mean we’d lose immediately, but trying to get into a FG range from our own 20 (getting a better field position would be a low-probability dream with this ST unit) and then watching a desperation kick would be too hard to bear, especially for those with poor cardiovascular endurance.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
But u can never say for certain we would have lost
remember, it only took like 11-12 seconds to beat chicago in 08.
You never know, coulda been the same kind of game. They score TD leave us like 25 seconds, weems returns to 34, 2 pass plays to Roddy and we’re calling timeout at their 28 yd line- 45 yarder for the game- Maybe?
Georgia Native, Indiana Resident, and Falcon Loving S.O.B.
Yeah, thats me.
by ATLsince1972 on Nov 8, 2010 5:39 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
This
too
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
I get your point
and I actually agree, but if you read my post, I say that would be hard to watch for people with cardiac problems ;)
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
And they forget we have Matty Ice who is clutch in the 2 min drill
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
I agree 100% ...
We’re also 5-3 if Burner doesn’t close them out there at the end. We’re also 5-3 if Grimsey doesn’t pick Freeman. We’re also 5-3 if Jenks doesn’t come up with that huge reception.
There are plenty of reasons we could have lost. Obviously. Gosh I hate being taken literally.
Still no telling what would have happened if after
the bucs score that TD to go up 28-27.
Falcons could have had enough time to score a winning FG.
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
by brotherbrown on Nov 8, 2010 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
I know it's not great etiquette, but I am re-posting this here (with minor edit)...
Michael Palmer had a really good game.Just watched the Short Cut and slo-mo’ed. Not only did he have a couple nice catches, but he lined up at H-Back a few times and made some really nice blocks. Pelle’s injury may be helping to bring this guy out of his shell.
Dunta only gave up the one play although it was a big one. It was the only time they threw at him. He took a poor angle. He had some solid tackles. Calling for his head is a little rough, but I guess sweeping over-reactions are something I’ll have to get used to.
Jamaal played his ass off. He blew a few plays up and was held in the end zone on one. Nice to see him hitting a stride.
BVG’s blitzes are total head scratchers. I see DeCoud and Moore getting bad blitz angles when they are sent. I’m no coach, so I don’t know who is accountable there.
The refs were (as usual) not great. I counted at least 4 defensive offsides they missed on the Bucs. The Moore Interference call was iffy, but I think they call that more times than not. Again, I have to also mention the non-holding call on Jamaal in the end zone. The guy basically gave JA98 a hug around the waist. Pretty bad. Not to be totally one-sided, they gave the Falcons a lot of help on the spots (well if the 1st down line can be trusted).
Raheem needs to calm himself down and make some smarter calls. He was over-aggressive and it cost him. He knew he was going for the 4th and goal no matter what and he ran almost into the end zone wasting his last timeout. They needed that timeout either way. They should have just taken the delay of game and gone for 3 or drawn up another play. The onsides kick was about as obvious as possible and although we got lucky they flubbed it, the coaches should have seen that coming. His "unpredicatbility" is almost too predictable and he obviously is trying to be Sean Payton.
I’m going to ignore special teams…we all know they were bad on coverage yesterday.
The whole offense and MM should get a lot of credit for keeping the Bucs on their heels. Pretty good game overall. Defense played well, but we blitz way too many guys at times. That needs some adjusting. Matt and Mike were great. Tony G was on.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
by Duff_Man on Nov 8, 2010 12:25 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Disagree only on one point
That Radio Raheem should have saved that last timeout. If they take the delay of game then you’re looking at 5 more yards for the conversion and an obvious pass situation. That play was essentially for the game. You either punch it in for the win or you turn it over on downs and the Falcons run out the clock with one 1st down (which they did). Field goal does nothing for you at that point in the game.
You gotta avoid the penalty there and give your guys the chance to get a yard. Plus with the short yardage you open the playbook to the run or the play action with a dangerous Josh Freeman.
I disagree, but I am a little more conservative.
Raheem was going for it either way, not for three.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
I caught a mistake.
Looks like they threw at DR twice, not once. There was an iffy third and fourth time where it could have been one of two or three guys covering.
Thing I noticed after the third time watching:
Sam Baker played pretty well.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
Could you next time HIGHLIGHT the edits?
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
Now tell me the cowgirls are better than my falcons.
by loyalDirtybirdfan79 on Nov 8, 2010 12:41 PM EST reply actions
And ...
Everyone keeps talking about how much they miss Sean Weatherspoon, and I’d like to have the guy back as much as anybody. But is there something with Stephen Nicholas I’m missing? He’s not a force in pass coverage, true, but he piles up tackles, is stout against the run and is still great at pursuing opposing offenses. Give the dude credit.
You’re totally spot on there. I’m getting ahead of myself here (the LB Statistics 101 post is a couple weeks off), but consider this:
Positive Win Probability Added Nicholas – 0.4
Positive Win Probability Added Spoon – 0.63
Success Rate Nicholas – 65.1%
Success Rate Spoon – 46.9%
Spoon only had the one sack. And neither has put much pressure on opposing QBs.
Wasn't Nicholas the one covering Benn on the TD?
Not at all sure that Spoon would have done much better, but Nicholas was on top of him and just didn’t look for the ball. I think that’s why we got Spoon, with the hopes that he had better instincts in coverage, anyways. And I think that’s why they had him starting over Nicholas…
My thought on 'Spoon
is that he brings an attitude to the defense. The guy likes to talk and I think when he is on the field, he creates an energy. This is unmeasurable and conjecture but I think it helps the defense. I think he may be slightly better than Nicholas in coverage but fairly equal in ability at this stage. I do think he will become significantly better with time. This said, I think Nicholas is doing a good job and I have no complaints about him.
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 8, 2010 5:54 PM EST up reply actions
Fact is
With or Without Spoon, I think this is the defense we will have (what we seen the last three games)
Steelers were without their offense and developing it with Dixon
Arizona offense is offensive.
NO rung us up with Lance Moore
SF offense was redefining itself
Delhomme and Wallace aren’t better than McCoy
It’s why our defense looked so good
In preseason, the Jags, Dolphins and Cheifs offense isn’t that spectacular (although the Cheifs can score with the wrong defensive plan on the opponent.
The Patriots run us up.
Our Defense gives up big plays…maybe not as much as last year, and we sometimes make more stops sacks or INT’s than last year, so still an improvent. And Our offense is slightly improved…slightly.
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
Quality GAME next Week!
Looking over our schedule, the Saints are the only Quality team that we have beat,. But as a side note, the Saints also lost to two of the worst teams in the NFL following the loss to us and by no means was our victory a convincing win.
Pittsburgh was a good effort but a game we let slip away.
Phily was a brutal game we never showed up for.
Bucs are still unproven as they have yet to beat a team with a winning record.
Hopefully, we get a quality notch on our belt next week against a good Baltimore team and we can put that humiliating Phily game behind us.
Why does Matt Ryan snap calling signal seem to be predictable to the defense?
Someone help me understand this it all seemed to start with the lose in the playoffs to the Cards or atleast thats when I noticed it. I just see him being timed of the snap by the defense very very well. Maybe I am just “Fred Sanfording” about this but I think there is something there and the league defenses know about it.
defenitely
I was talking to someone about that before the game. I also said with someone with experience in the huddle with him.(TG) he would help him by pointing it out, but its a problem
by CollegePark4Life on Nov 8, 2010 2:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I just don't
understand how they can watch the film and not address it. It’s something that the fans can notice(so the players and coaches must notice it too).
Predictable?
The Bucs jumped early all the time, and were flagged three times…I’d say that’s a good job by Ice right there.
The snap count thing believe it or not is improved
Pitt, Arizona and the saints knew the count better than our lineman which contributed(somewhat) to Bakers woes. The niners were also trying to jump it but after 4 weeks MM figured something might be wrong w/going on 3 every damn snap. Hopefully the guys jumping are being drawn now by Ryan and McClure. TB has a young team and Todd knows a few tricks to draw them youngins. He’s gripping the ball harder he’s gonna snap it! Go go go!!
There should have been more
Several times they jumped and were not called.
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 8, 2010 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
Bucs “Hey Ref, you didn’t see anything (hands the zebra some money).”
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
That's a double negative sir
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
by brotherbrown on Nov 8, 2010 11:52 PM EST up reply actions
Special teams blow!
Weren’t we at the top of the list with the same personel last year? Coy Wires head please. Anyway woohoo we beat the bucs now on to more pressing matters. It’s not Baltimore either, maybe we win maybe meh. It’s Clay freaking Mathews that has me spooked. I don’t want that guy anywhere near my QB. I say we pull Matt for a game put rojo in and concede for an L. I’m inclined to believe we match up better against the Ravens offense than the Bucs offense. Why? Because Flacco < Freeman, there I said it. Ravens are a run first team that dink and dunks it’s way down the field. That’s how our D likes to roll. Flacco hasn’t taken advantage of a top 10 WR in Boldin yet. They have no longball. Joe “uni-brow Burt” Flacco is impotent when it comes to going long. Of course Ravens defense is a concern with Reed back but if Matt can spread it around we can take em’.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Nov 8, 2010 1:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I say we pull Matt for a game put rojo in and concede for an L.
Why don’t we pull Baker out for the rest of the Season and put Svitez in?
Or Take Ryan out for the Raven game because of a Ray Lewis Blitz?
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
After stopping big plays so well earlier, Falcons have lost that magic touch
Take away those 2 long passes and the KO return, and the Falcons would have decimated Tampa and given up only 179 yards defensively. Solve that minor problem and the Falcons can compete with anyone in the league.
I’m just happy for a win. The “any given Sunday” cliche’ is truer now than ever before.
Agreed
Fix the big play lapses and both this game and the NO games were not even close. Obviously they are going to happen occasionally but we just seem to let it happen right after a nice drive and score. It’s like a concentration lapse or something. We need more oxygen on the sidelines!
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 8, 2010 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
Pretty sure it's still 2 days before the game
But I can’t find anything “official” on that.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
What I'm trying to figure out is why
the defense seems to be having problems now. At least it seems as though they were playing extremely well the first half of the season while the offense struggled. Now it’s the opposite.
Also, according to ajc.com there will be some changes to “fix” the special teams unit. There’s talk of putting Robert James on the squad. However they have his nickname as “The Hitman”. Isn’t his nickname “The Beast”?
I think his nickname is "HGH" now...
I have no vampire experience, but I have hunted werewolves. I shot one once, but by the time I got there, it had turned back into my neighbor's dog.
twitter.com/technomonk13
The Pass Defense is still bad
It was masked a bit early in the season by the awful Passing Offenses we faced (excluding NO). The injuries the last few weeks haven’t helped, either.
"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." - Aaron Levenstein
The defense gave up 14 points and forced two turnovers. We'll happily accept that problem 16 out of every 16 weeks.
I am proud to be a Kennesaw State Fighting Owl. -- Vince Dooley
You know what? You're right.
A lot of the scoring was attributed to awful ST play.
It's the same defense
We’ve played weaker offenses earlier in the season now that it’s played out more.
See my post above.
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
Wasn't he our D-coordinator in 1998?
Should we or should we not be interested? Hmmmm.
He's certainly secure financially at age 62
20 seasons experience as an NFL DC, he’ll find work if he wants it. Wade took over midseason for Dan Reeves when he left the Falcons in 2003, ironic.
Isn't he a 3-4 coach?
If so we don’t have the players for it. Doesn’t matter anyway. Not gonna happen.
by aces666high on Nov 8, 2010 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
We were 4-3 in 1998 when he was our DC.
I think he can coach anything. Unless our defense falls apart, which I hope not, I don’t expect a change in personnel.
True, we were 4-3 in 98
He was playing a 3-4 in Dallas, but I don’t know if that was a personell thing.
Rich Brooks was our D Coordinator in 1998.
I'm on the Twitter: twitter.com/edgrohl
by Duff_Man on Nov 8, 2010 10:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
But remember
San Diego had a great defense too before Dallas hired Phillips as head coach. I’m definitely not saying that we should change in mid season but I’ve always liked him as a DC.
Great Post
After watching the Browns dismantle the Patriots, I am going to enjoy every win. While there are obvious concerns, our team has won all but one of our close games. The only loss was in OT on the road against the best team in the NFL (right now). Yes, our six losses includes close games against the Niners, Browns, Bengals, and Bucs, but the Bucs, Browns, and Bengals aren’t THAT bad. Just look at the Browns scores even in games they lost.
As far as this game, while special teams are a part of the game and cannot be ignored, if you remove one of those KO returns, the Falcons likely win 27-14 (if the Bucs’ fans can claim that they win if they get the TD at the end of the game, then I can make this statement with a straight face). That’s not a bad game, especially against the feisty Bucs. And while our offense could have been better, I’ll take 27 points every game.
I am not buying that the Ravens are going to come in here and beat us. We’ll win. It will be an ugly, Falcon win, but we’ll win. Early score prediction: 24-20 Falcons.
Go Birds (Falcons, not Ravens, of course)!
"You can't print what I said, but they have to catch us." - Chipper Jones
i go spoon, lofton, nichloas at lb.
Spoon is just hella fast. Speed kills he’s better then peterson vs a screens, short throws and potentially in coverage. I think he’s better then any when blitzing. The d’s problem yesterday was scheme I mean watch the tape. The whole 1st half the corners were 1on1 and the lbs got little to kno pressure. We shudda had way more sacks. I’m not at all scared of the ravens I think they are just like us, with worse corners and better receivers. Its just who wants it more
by DEMBIRDZCUZ! on Nov 8, 2010 7:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Best part of the game – Freddie Falcon was there!
2nd best part – The Goal Line Stand
3rd best – Burner bowling for Bucs
4th best – key Ints
He’s always open. He catches a lot of balls. He’s un-guardable, no matter how old he is
Freddie made my kids cry at publix.
Rule #1: Double tap.
by Ball Hawk on Nov 8, 2010 10:31 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
What did he do?
When you see a person smile, it really doesn't mean anything, unless they are smiling from within...which can be difficult to detect.
by brotherbrown on Nov 8, 2010 11:37 PM EST up reply actions
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