I Hate Losing to the Saints, But...
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 11:23 AM EST
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I am not going to gloss over how much I continue to be consumed by blind fury and unadulterated rage from the loss on Sunday. And the Falcons didn’t just lose to the Saints--they handed them the ball in field goal range in overtime after failing to convert a crucial, and short, fourth down attempt. Expletives deleted.
But, for some odd reason--possibly the cumulative effects of persistent insomnia, but I don’t think so--I feel more optimistic about the Falcons now than I did at this point last week. And I’m not going to just throw a bunch of platitudes your way, like, "Oh, there’s a lot of football left to play," and "The Saints are a stupid dumb, anyway," even though both of those things are true. There are some legitimate reasons to be encouraged by Sunday’s performance. Hit the jump, and bear with me.
Yes, there were things that happened on Sunday that did not necessarily delight me. The penalties, for one thing, are just out of control. A hallmark of the Falcons’ success last year was disciplined football, and 10 penalties for a combined 85 yards is not even remotely disciplined. Roddy White was responsible for a couple of the penalties, dropped a touchdown pass, and directly contributed to Matt Ryan’s only interception, yes. That was frustrating. Ryan’s accuracy, or lack thereof, is disturbing. The playcalling, particularly in overtime, made me want to physically fight Mike Mularkey. The trademark Brian Van Gorder pillowy soft zone defense that left Jimmy Graham way too much room to make a handful of plays made me want to physically fight BVG, too. In addition, our pass rush, which has been solid over the past few weeks, was able to apply zero pressure to Brees. Ugh. And I am still mystified by the lack of strategic intelligence behind the execution of 4th-down-gate. If you line up with Turner in the backfield on a crucial 4th and <1, and then, not surprisingly, the Saints take a time out to prepare for what they observed in your formation, and after the time out you line up in the formation they just prepared for during the time out, you are not going to get the first down. Going for it was the right call in my opinion, but the execution was just woefully inadequate.
So, reading that probably made you feel worse about the loss than you did before. I know that writing it dampened my enthusiasm considerably. Let’s move on to more pleasant observations.
We have excellent running backs. Michael Turner had a good day, Jacquizz Rodgers continues to impress, and Jason Snelling--wow. It was actually a pass that led to his touchdown, but what he did with it after catching it, running through almost the entire defense, left me speechless. If the Falcons remember they are supposed to be a run-first offense, they will be successful. They abandoned the run in overtime for no apparent reason, and if they hadn’t, I believe they would have been more likely to churn up yards, move the chains, and put Matt Bryant in range--and I firmly believe he would not have missed again.
Julio Jones got hurt on Sunday, and Roddy, as we all know, has been struggling in various ways. However, Harry Douglas stepped up in a big way, and Tony Gonzalez proved to be as reliable as ever. Now that we know Mike Mularkey remembers that Harry Douglas exists, maybe we will see a more diverse approach to the passing game.
Matt Bosher is much improved. Poor punting and kickoffs put us at a disadvantage early in the season, and I am encouraged by his progress. Our offensive line has also improved greatly. Ryan was sacked just once on Sunday.
All of the aforementioned issues are well and good, but there are two main reasons for my optimism about the Falcons’ potential this season. The first is the defensive performance they turned in against the most statistically successful offense in the league, and the second was their resolve in coming back from a ten point deficit to tie the game.
The Saints have been averaging 31.3 points per game, 436.9 yards of total offense per game, and 319.4 passing yards per game. Brees was pretty close to his passing yards average in this game, but the key was limiting touchdowns--allowing two passing touchdowns as opposed to the Saints’ average of 3.5 per game was impressive. The Falcons also essentially shut down the Saints’ running game altogether--New Orleans averages 117.5 rushing yards per game, and they managed just 41 yards against the Falcons. The Saints average 24.5 first downs per game--the Falcons let them have 18. The Saints are averaging a 53% conversion rate on 3rd downs, and the Falcons’ defense kept up their stalwart 3rd down performance, allowing the Saints to convert just 30% of their attempts. The soft zone coverage may make us all want to punch somebody in the face, but aside from that, this is a legitimately good Falcons defense.
I’ve already mentioned the discipline our team played with throughout the successful 2010 season, but another hallmark of that season was the Falcons’ ability to come back from a deficit and win games--like they did against the 49ers, the Bengals, and most particularly the Ravens last season. Of course I have not forgotten that we actually lost on Sunday. I’m not delusional. I understand what a win would have meant, and the loss is beyond disappointing. But this was the first time this season I have seen any fight or resolve from the Falcons’ offense under adversity. The Falcons showed some spark in the 4th quarter against Tampa Bay, but that game was so mistake-ridden that it ceased to matter. They had no fight against Chicago, and despite such a strong start against Green Bay, they had no answer for the Packers once they started rolling. This Saints game was different. The Falcons stayed focused despite being down ten points, and made quick work of tying up the game.
And then the offensive playcalling went haywire in overtime, and Michael Turner never touched the ball until it didn’t make any sense for him to touch the ball, and we all know what happened after that. It sucks. That being said, I really thought the Falcons would split with the Saints this season, and they still can.
I don’t think you can look past any team, but we have a relatively easy stretch coming up, with the Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings at home, and the Matt Leinart-led Houston Texans after that. The Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday Night Football are not particularly scary, and the next game will be the rematch with the Saints in the Super Dome. Since the Jaguars game is a Thursday night matchup, and we take on the Saints on Monday Night Football, we have a nice, long stretch to prepare for New Orleans. Our last game is against Tampa Bay, a division rival that has basically imploded, in the Georgia Dome. Any team can win any game on any given Sunday, but we have the talent and skill to win every game left on our schedule.
I hate losing to the Saints. I hate everything about it. I particularly hate losing to the Saints by three points because of the way we handled that 4th down attempt. But, I love the improvements I’ve seen in this team, I am impressed by our defense, and if we continue to play the kind of football that limited Drew Brees and the explosive Saints offense and forced Sunday’s game into overtime after being down by 10 points, we can be successful down the stretch.
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Jenna,
You know, I feel the same way you do. I cannot wait until Sunday. I also agree with everything that you said. This loss however was nothing compared to the post season disappointments. We’ll be fine, I’m not worried, especially with the schedule of the Magnificent Seven games we have left. Well done post :-).
Evil Falcon
Thanks!
Believe me, I was not this optimistic immediately after the game. And, I’m still mad and disappointed and frustrated about the loss. But there is ample reason to believe we can handle our business from this point forward.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 11:46 AM EST up reply actions
The Call
A lot of things went wrong during that game before the overtime play call. If anything my gripe is the play-call itself, not that Smith went for it instead of punting.
Mentally Drained
When the smiths owned the Falcons you didn’t expect anything out of the Falcons, you knew they would never be a top tier team. Then Arthur Blank bought the team, had a few rocky yrs but he finally found the right combo in HC & GM. But this season has drained me. The roller coaster season has left me ill. I guess it’s a bigger let down when the team has played so well the last few yrs. I know the season isn’t over, but for the falcons to get into the playoffs they need to take the division. they lost key tie breaking games this yr, unless the bears just collapse starting next Sunday. I see the falcons at 11-5, they will need some help to get in the playoffs. I don’t see N.O. collapsing either.
New Orleans
Wouldn’t have to collapse for us to catch them. They are heading into the bye this week. We win against Tenn. and we’re only 1 full game back. Next week if we beat Minnesota and they lose to the Giants we’re tied up again.
I don’t see another loss our way except for possibly the rematch in NO. Although the score says differently, I do believe we’re a better team than the Saints, as we outmatched them in nearly every statistical category.
by DopeFalcons on Nov 15, 2011 12:19 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Nice observation DF.
By God, I think you’ve GOT IT! I didn’t see it like that. You know us Falcons fans seem to get caught up in the NOW to hard to look to the immediate future and evaluate the possible outcomes. Let’s hope you’re right though.
I would like to say I agree with you
but NO still has two big advantages over us – offensive playcalling (Payton vs MM) and QB (Brees vs Ryan). coming back from a 10 point deficit equalled to a feat for the Falcons, while coming back from double digit deficits is a cake for Brees and Co.
let’s see how we play them in their house. I feel like this season we reversed our fortunes with the aints – we won the first game last season and lost the second when it mattered little to us. if we beat them and hang on to a playoff spot we’d complete the cycle.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Good points. What I'm about to say may not be well recieved here
But for the most part the coaching staff called a well enough game to not only win, but to have won by atleast two scores.
I’ll start on Defense. On the plays where Nicholas gasped about 3 times on the same Colston over the middle play, he bit early on Sproles and left his position. Same for Spoon on the last third down attempt they converted twoards the end. Van Gorder had him in the right spot, he just whiffed on the deflection. The Graham TD was a mental error and a slipup in coverage.
On Offense, there were THREE different blown TD chances just off the top of my head. The underthrown deep ball in OT to Douglas (Ryan’s fault), the dropped pass by Julio in the endzone, and the dropped pass by Roddy in the endzone. Not to even mention the drop pass by Tony that would have put us inside the 5 with the clock stopped.
Yes some of the playcalling in OT was baffling, especially only giving Turner the ball once, but we had NUMEROUS chances.
The coaching staff should be the least of our worries, guys.
Agreed.
They didn’t call a great game, but it wasn’t necessarily all of their fault there. What I didn’t like was the penalties (which is a reflection on coaching IMO). I actually blame RW most of all for the loss. As unfortunate as all of those other plays, his drop at the end of the game was the most egregious. Imagine the headlines if Ryan would have engineered a 4th Qtr comeback culminating in a perfect strike to White in the endzone.
I’d feel much better right now.
nice and optimistic post Jeanna
and a good read!
they say there are no moral victories, and while I saw a lot of positives in this game (and you mentioned all of them except for how we handled Sproles), I refuse to think we’ve improved.
any time a team losses but puts up a good fight and does some things well, we’re inclined to think that those are the signs of good things to come. but all those positives make sense only if the team is able to build around them and win future games.
in reality, however, this team is still inconsistent – we can limit Brees (although he still had a stellar rating) and show great signs of improvement in special teams and offense, but fold in the next game. stop brees and give up 400 yds to tarvaris type QB, score points against strong Detroit defense and struggle against a team with inferior D.
I am not saying you’re wrong and we’re not going anywhere and bla bla bla. but believing this team can win all of its remaining games (although we got a break in having to play Leinart) or at least go 6-1 (it will take 11 wins to make playoffs since we are not good in conference record) is a little too hard. the next 2 games will show if this team is really able to learn from past mistakes.
and last, but not the least – this coaching staff should finally trust Ryan to make calls at the line of scrimmage. even I, being a zillion miles from GA Dome, could see the Aints selling out for a run on that 4th down play. Ryan could still audible out of the play and throw to a TE. or just call another TO. but he didn’t do it. and if they already handed him the car keys, he should bear the blame along with Smitty and MM.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
You're in Moscow?
You literally are a zillion miles away from the Georgia Dome.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
yes
which makes it very difficult to follow the team – a 1pm kickoff is equivalent to 10pm here, and if the Falcons play a late night game, I end up being late to work in the morning. that’s ok, especially if they win.
the flipside is that nobody else watches not just Falcons, but any American football. so if we lose badly nobody will make fun of me.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
that has been a solution for me
for the past 3 years. but GamePass lags by about a minute. So ironically, when I’m really nervous and want to find out how the play went, I can open a Falcoholic game thread or NFL gamecast and see the outcome.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
As I said EARLIER
they played pretty badly.Did stupid stuff.Penalties- unbelievable in the number and the lack of quality in another way ( crappy refs).Still we almost beat them and i thought they( NO ) played well.So they didn’t win we lost this one but as you say I’m not discouraged especially since it is Tuesday.Something is going to wake these guys up eventually and maybe this will be it.Also Ryan typically has a slump around now so we have to deal with that.I noticed that he goes into the slump from mid season till the beginning of the last quarter of the season.Very unscientific.Just my gut observations.Thanks JT
by JT131 on Nov 15, 2011 1:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Playoffs...
The Saints game was extremely frustrating on multiple levels, but with the scheduling gods smiling upon us, and Leinart at the helm for Houston, there is NO REASON we can’t finish at 11-5 at least. With The schedule that Detroit has, there is no way they match us. Let’s just take care of business, get to the playoffs and let the chips fall where they may.
by The "Ice" Man Cometh... on Nov 15, 2011 1:14 PM EST reply actions
ironically
last season the Saints were in the same position – they lost to us in their house, and could end up missing playoffs. instead, they engineered a winning streak, including a win in Atlanta, and hung on to the fifth seed.
Atlanta Falcons fan in Moscow, Russia
Can't afford to lose more than 2 games.
Lose a game till the end, we finish 11-5 and most likely make the playoffs. Lose 2 games and hope Detroit and Falcons have a tie at 10-6, at least Falcons have a tiebreaker over Detroit.
It's all about Process...
Detroit?
Stafford broke his thumb, they have no running back. They have to play Green Bay twice, at Chicago and at Oakland. Detroit’s a nice story, but I don’t think they make the playoffs.
I think we’re competing with Dallas and Chicago for the WC.
I agree, and...
I think Dallas will probably implode at some point in the very near future. Just a hunch.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 2:18 PM EST up reply actions
I love watching our very own Lauent Robinson excel...finally...somewhere
He’s made Romo look pretty good the last few weeks.
He has, indeed...
But one can only protect Tony Romo from himself for so long.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions
I know!
He is married now, so I guess the whole girlfriend distraction ceases to be viable for him. But maybe we could get Jessica or Carrie Underwood to sit in the stands and distract him nonetheless?
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
Bears are in, Dallas, no...
Dallas has a tough schedule and at best they could finish 10-6. Bears are basically in due to an easy schedule and tiebreakers over everybody. All I’m getting at is that as long as we play solid football, not great football, we should make the playoffs at the very least…
by The "Ice" Man Cometh... on Nov 15, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
I agree with this line of thinking
The Falcons DO continue to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties and some poor execution at critical moments.
But I also think the verbal beating that Smitty is taking in the press this week will help unify the team for the rest of the season.
Yeah so why are linemen pulling on a 4th and inches?!
So you’re lined up to make a statement first down, not give the ball back to the Saints and keep the drive alive. (1) Mistake #1 looking up to Mularkey to call in a play. (2) Mistake # 2 not using a simple QB sneak or having the back 5 yards back from the line of scrimmage making it even harder to get the yardage. AND for the top of the pile (3) …drumroll please…linemen are pulling after the Saints had already called a timeout and had beef up front to stuff the run. Really?! That’s Mularkey’s play…let’s pull some linemen so they are going sideways or backwards while rabid D linemen are charged to go straight ahead. Seriously?! It’s beyond stupid. Either two linemen were absolutely brain-dead stupid or Mularkey is. My bets on Mularkey.
The dropped passes, penalties, and overthrowing wide open receivers for touchdown passes are also inexcuseable. They looked like they can hang with a very good team only to constantly shoot ourselves in the foot. Hats off to the defense except for Duntay in man-to-man who always gets beat. Seriously…there’s the play that’s called then there’s having a freaking BRAIN in your head. You don’t release a TE into the endzone when you aren’t covering anyone else!!!!
The Best
Jeanna this is the absolute best article I’ve read since the loss. I agree with you wholeheartedly. We are who we are – this isn’t the first game with errant throwing by Ryan, stupidity by Roddy, unnecessary penalties or blown coverage by the defense. What I love is that the team has learned to overcome the flaws while improving – if that makes sense.
The OL and Bosher have improved IMMENSELY. Now if we can get a therapist to see what’s going on with Roddy… Hmm, wonder if Dani from Necessary Roughness is available, LOL.
I’m very optimistic about the rest of the season. Now to show CJ2K that he is NOT back.
by FalconsDiva on Nov 15, 2011 2:35 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
Thank you so much!!
And that DOES make sense! And CJ-formerly-2K, as I like to call him, is not going to run on our guys like he ran on Carolina, of that I am certain!!
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 4:07 PM EST up reply actions
Some nice optamistic points...
nice job as usual Jeanna…
With that being said…everyone get out your cloaks, crosses and bibles; proclaim me an agent of Lucifer and prepare to have me burned at the stake!! Maybe the following is just after effects of Sunday, while a distinct possibility, I don’t think so…
I think making the playoffs at this point would do more long term harm than good. I LOVE my Falcons but there are some serious changes that need to be made in coaching and I have this strange feeling that a playoff berth would stop this from happening.
This team is not ready to compete at the level needed to bring home a SB victory. The talent is definitely there but this will be a round one or two exit from the playoffs which is not what we want…again!! But this of course is just my opinion.
Not making the playoffs, however painful a prospect that sounds to most everyone (yes, even to me) I feel could have a motivating/solidifying effect on the team and at the same time force the FO to take a long hard look at the teams weakest area now…coaching. AB and TD have done such a good job building the “player side” of the team, why not on the coaching staff as well.
To me something is very wrong here; I just don’t see them fired up. I don’t see that “winning confidence” coming from most of the players. I see apprehensiveness, hesitation and nervousness. There is a “desire” that is just not there like it was last year. I think the much harder schedule and some serious issues within the coaching have been exposed this year and making the playoffs will only serve to mask changes that need to come but might not if this team does make it to post season play and say they win their first playoff game under our new management team.
I know allot of you probable think I am probably being negative…far from it actually. I WANT this team in the hunt for a SB title EVERY year!! I just feel there is a hurdle or two that still needs to be jumped in order for them to get there. I am just offering an alternative thought process here…not meant to be negative at all just trying to see things beyond this season.
As always, all is just my opinion…
"I'd run over my own mother to win the Super Bowl." - Joe Jacoby, formerly of the Redskins
"To win, I'd run over Joe's mom too." - Matt Millen, formerly of the Raiders
"We now have exactly the same situation as we had at the start of the race, only exactly the opposite" - Murray Walker, Sportscaster
Oh, I definitely want to make the playoffs.
But I don’t think you are being negative, and I do see what you are saying. I think many fans have consistent concerns about Mularkey in particular, and to a lesser extent, BVG, and I do think you are correct that if we make the playoffs our coaching staff will remain intact unless another team (the Eagles? Because there’s no way Andy Reid has a job after this, right?) scoops up one of our coordinators for a HC position.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
totally agree blood talon
I think even if we make the playoffs and lose MM is gone. BVG will stay and I’m not even that bothered by that. Arthur blank I think will step in and demand MM gone and hire a proven coordinator. We have way too many weapons to not have a top 5 offense. Great job jt too.
by ocfalcon on Nov 15, 2011 5:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Whistling passed the cemetary!!
I love how falcAints fans continue to ignore the 600 lb gorilla in the room!
I read article after article, patting the falcAints on the back for limiting the Saints runs game, or something similiar.
The problem is, YOU STILL LOST!!!!
I can guarantee bird dropping fans, your team DOES NOT want to face the New Orleans Saints when they are firing on all cylinders!!
I noticed falcAint boards were almost hyperventilating over beating the Colts 31-7.
Just a little fact to help spoil your party: The Saints scored 2x that and scored more points in the 2nd quarter, 44, than the the falcAints did the entire game.
the taints were doing the same thing
right after they lost to KC. remember that one? the papers in NO and the blogs were “woe is us – we suck” for days.
so go back under your bridge and FOAD. thank you for your cooperation.
or st. louie
which ever one fits the latest taint collapse.
Congratulations Saints fan
Now go play in traffic.
by kaminator on Nov 15, 2011 9:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
that's a whole lot of talk...
For a dude whose team won by three in overtime.
by Jeanna Thomas on Nov 15, 2011 9:50 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Second comment ever ey?
I don’t want to call troll prematurely but…I just called troll.
Be sure to check out this week's Best Case/Worst Case article here.
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by Turner_The_Burner on Nov 16, 2011 6:44 AM EST up reply actions
I feel the same way, too
After the game I decided I was finished with this team. But as I thought about it more, I was actually happy we lost. That’s crazy, cause I hate Saints fans and knew they’d be throwing it in our face. But I feel good about the loss. We need adversity. We took chances. We made stupid plays. We had zero takeaways and Brees played mistake-free. And we still almost won. The Saints WILL either lose to Detroit or the Giants at home or to Tennessee on the road, and we will win out. We will make the playoffs and win the division.
by kaminator on Nov 15, 2011 9:45 PM EST via mobile reply actions
neither are superbowl worthy
Just a warning.. I’m a Saints fan :)
Let’s just be honest here. Both are very good teams but neither are even close to be considered super-bowl contenders. That being said, I agree that Atlanta still has a good chance to take the NFC South title. The Saints will definitely shoot itself in the foot again at least once before the Monday night encounter. They may quite easily lose the next one against the Giants and a resurging Tenessee away from home isn’t a gimme either. I had the falcons losing the road game to the Texans, but now that Schaub is out for the season that’s winnable too and suddenly we are looking at the Saints return game for the decider. As we know, anything can happen there, but the Saints should still be considered favorites for that one.
As for last Sunday’s game, it was once again highly competetive. In the Saints fan’s mind, it shouldn’t have been that close. 10 points ahead in the 4th quarter. Come on! There were several 4th downs and an easy pick that Roman Harper couldn’t haul in somehow. The Saints defense, playing quite good for most of the game then suddenly started to unravel. Kudo’s to the falcons offense, but that should never have happened. Also, the Saints offense stalled with good falcons defense. Weatherspoon is a beast out there. Our own LB’s, on the other hand, are amongst the worst in the NFL. and that explains our defensive struggles. You have quite a formidable defense, the first defense to be able to effectively take Sproles out of the game. You still have to pick your poison, so Colston had a huge game, but I thought it was the right strategy on the falcons part.
With regards to your offense, if only Matt Ryan could throw accurate darts downfield! In the pre-season he showed he could, but he was terrible at it this game. He should have been picked once and some other time he was so far off that nobody on the field could be seen even close to where the ball landed. I think he’s developing in a masterful game manager, is second to none in reading defenses, but most of the damage really comes from check downs, slants and throws in the slot. It can be effective against confused Saints line backers and other weak defenses, but in order to take the next step, Ryan needs to really improve his deep throw. If he can’t, the falcons can only be very good, but never great.
I think that’s the difference between the Saints and the Falcons. The Saints can be anywhere from bad to great, and the falcons can be anywhere from good to very good.
That’s why you rely a lot on a very big running game and controlling the clock. You can be a very good offense, but I’ve never seen a great offense.
In order to win the big one, one needs to be able to be great. The Saints can be on offense, but is generally lousy on defense. The falcons don’t stink at anything, but that isn’t enough either.
a realistic saints fan!
We all agree with pretty much everything you said. Matt ryans deep ball is weak. We all k ow about it and each week we all Bitch. I don’t think we need the deep ball to win though. Short to midrange can get it done. Controlling the clock I think is one our biggest assets. Hoping with a new offensive coordinator you’ll see us dominate. Until then we will only be average
by ocfalcon on Nov 16, 2011 12:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Agreed Jeanna
And some other things to keep in mind about the NFL this season:
- The current undefeated champs were 5-4 at this point last year. So long as we can make it to the dance, anything is possible
- Most of our losses have been the Falcons beating themselves. Even against Green Bay, we were playing well until our own mistakes began condemning us.
- When your biggest issues are primarily mental in nature, a good head coach will find a way to make the necessary corrections.
So, before we all go and burn the GA Dome down in frustration, it’s time to take a deep breath and realize that the old saying IS TRUE: There is still a lot of football left to be played. And I believe our team will turn it around in time to make the playoffs, and possibly do some damage while they are there.
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