The Falcons won a second game in a row, giving them control of the NFC South and a 4-0 record within the division. Relive the stress, strain, frustration and eventual joy of Sunday's win through tweets.
Some people are optimistic pre-game. Others are...less so.
GAMEDAY!! Can't wait to see my boys play today! #RiseUp #ATLvsCAR
— Joe Hawley (@JHawley61) November 16, 2014
Gameday, folks. Win today and the Falcons have effectively submarined two NFC South teams in consecutive weeks.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
@TheFalcoholic The NFC South is in the midst of the worst game of Battleship ever
— Andrew Hirsh (@andrewhirsh) November 16, 2014
And so it begins... RRRRRIIIIISEEEE UPPPPP! #ATLvsCAR
— war - low (@rarehighfives) November 16, 2014
Let's start this one off with a quick touchdown and never look back, eh?
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
I love this feeling of optimism that fills my soul as a game starts. Please let me keep it, Falcons.
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) November 16, 2014
@jeannathomas It's just indigestion. It'll go away around 4:00.
— Jenna Bannister #DBN (@JennaEarwood) November 16, 2014
Just think, right now Mike Smith is wondering why Atlanta lacks toughness while game planning taking a knee with 90 seconds left in a half.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
Nothing like game day. Terrible, terrible game day.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
Let's go Falcons, or just don't make me cry at the very least.
— Josh Gamez (@gamez_time76) November 16, 2014
We STAY ready! Question is, is the TEAM ready RT @Atlanta_Falcons: Are you ready, Falcons fans? It's football time! #ATLvsCAR
— Jawgah Peach (@Justk3ish) November 16, 2014
Always a relevant sentiment.
The Saints are dumb.
— Kendall Jackson (@projectjax) November 16, 2014
The best thing about a Matt Ryan scramble is how Dave describes it.
Matt Ryan scrambling like a five-legged hare in a sack race.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
The Panthers' offensive line was really not good, allowing pressure against the Falcons, even though some of it was negated by a roughing call.
Tyson Jackson gets a sack but gets a roughing call too -____-
— Slick Grimes (@Chill__Cosby) November 16, 2014
Cmon, how is he supposed to sack the guy. So sick and tired of refs
— Snow Miser (@MyNameIs_LEO) November 16, 2014
Back-to-back bad calls by the referees. Clean that stuff up - you get paid to make the correct calls.
— Kendall Jackson (@projectjax) November 16, 2014
Cam must not have taken his Oline to dinner or something. They are trying to get him destroyed #ole
— Steve Wyche (@wyche89) November 16, 2014
Desmond Trufant dropped a pick early. We all had déjà vu.
Oh hey #Falcons defense. I somewhat remember you
— Bonnie Bowman (@b0nnie22) November 16, 2014
Desmond Trufant drops a potential pick. I love that man, but I've typed that too many times.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
Trufants hands sponsored by today by slip and slide.
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
When you look like a receiver & run like one ... but can't catch, @TheFalcoholic -- you get moved to CB
— Knox Bardeen (@knoxbardeen) November 16, 2014
Kemal Ishmael, on the other hand, shut down a Panthers drive with a timely pick.
Kemal Him Ishmael! Interception! #ATLvsCAR
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) November 16, 2014
Kemal steppin UP!
— Krissy Brierre (@krissybri) November 16, 2014
Call me frequent interceptor.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
@TheFalcoholic Ish needs to teach Tru how to catch an INT
— B17 Bomber (@b17fortres) November 16, 2014
Kemal Ishmael with his third INT of the season. He's got a pick in each of the last two games #ATLvsCAR
— Matt Haley (@FalconsMHaley) November 16, 2014
Interception. *Screams* *Baby wakes up* I know this child doesn't expect me to silently watch games from now on.
— Jenna Bannister #DBN (@JennaEarwood) November 16, 2014
It didn't really matter because the offense was pretty meh.
Man, do something with the damn ball.
— Kendall Jackson (@projectjax) November 16, 2014
OH RODDY. #Falcons drops this year are absolutely DREADFUL.
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
Mike Smith is actively trying to get fired. RT @TheFalcoholic Two straight S-Jax carries gives the Falcons a third and short.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
Throw it at DECOUDNT!!!!
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
If either of these teams can get a field goal, they will probably lead the NFC South.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
It was a little surprising that Matt Ryan didn't go for the first down here.
And I'm not someone who often says this, but Ryan should've scrambled there. A slide and he's got it.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
3rd-and-2 call is a pass. It's a good call. But Ryan had an open dive lane for a first down. Should have just taken the dive forward.
— Scott Carasik (@ScottCarasik) November 16, 2014
Does Matt seem a little skittish today?
— FalconsNeedRing (@FalconsNeedRing) November 16, 2014
Ugh, this defense.
Good to see KB getting every snap. I was concerned that he may only get 89% today. #Falcons
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
It looks like Kroy Biermann is running through knee-deep snow in cement boots.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
The Panthers literally have two decent receiving options. How do you leave one uncovered?
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
— Jawgah Peach (@Justk3ish) November 16, 2014
Ugh, this offense.
JJ Watt has more touchdowns than the Falcons this season. #FunFacts
— Jenna Bannister #DBN (@JennaEarwood) November 16, 2014
I don't get it???? We have to be last in third down conversions!!!
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
So far, the commercials are winning time of possession in this game. #Falcons
— Wendy Adams (@wendyradio) November 16, 2014
Is that good? MT @knoxbardeen Not to beat a dead horse, but Panthers had more first downs (8) than Falcons had plays (6) in the 1st quarter.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
WTF is Matt doing? Looked like a Madden glitch stepping up for some reason into his own guy.
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 16, 2014
A lead is still a lead if it's solely comprised of field goals, right?
At least go into the half with a lead. It would be nourishing.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
I'll take these Matt Bryant fantasy points but i'd rather have 7 there guys
— Slick Grimes (@Chill__Cosby) November 16, 2014
Money money money.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
When all else fails… MATT BRYANT DOESN’T. #Falcons
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
Just found a portrait of @Matt_Bryant3 #ATLvsCAR #moneymoneymoneymoney pic.twitter.com/uyALGTgJaz
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) November 16, 2014
This game was just a bunch of ugly offense from both teams.
DONT WE HAVE FOUR RECEIVERS?? AND PLAYING AGAINST THE WORST SECONDARY? AND NO ONE IS OPEN? OK!
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
This game is
— princey massaquoi. (@NFLBadwitch) November 16, 2014
Why. Can't. We. RT @rembert: why can't we do the touchdown thing
— princey massaquoi. (@NFLBadwitch) November 16, 2014
How the hell was Kuechly unblocked? Clean it up, man. Damn.
— Kendall Jackson (@projectjax) November 16, 2014
Our offense looks horrible today!!! Awful!!!
— F.I.L.A. (@joegreen23atl) November 16, 2014
WHO IS JOSH NORMAN?
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
If we lose today, it's ALL on the offense. This offense doesn't want to be in the playoffs. #ATLvsCAR
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 16, 2014
If you like punting and field goals ... come join me in watching this Panthers-Falcons game.
— Knox Bardeen (@knoxbardeen) November 16, 2014
Falconing RT @stayhumble_Lo: What are we doing?
— Jawgah Peach (@Justk3ish) November 16, 2014
Falcons offense is one of the best in the league on paper.. They look lost week after week after week..
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
OK, Dirk Koetter was visibly asleep in the coaching booth, next to a half empty bottle of Jack Daniels. This is getting out of hand.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
It's so frustrating watching the defense holding their own and the offense failing #ATLvsCAR
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 16, 2014
And Atlanta's defense had their not-so-shining moments, too.
Will be curious to see if Massaqoui is still alive or not. #Falcons
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
BREAKING NEWS: #Falcons can’t cover Greg Olsen.
— Aaron Freeman (@falcfans) November 16, 2014
"@TheFalcoholic: Cam Newton scrambles for the first."
— Derek D. Pritchett❗ (@DerekDPritchett) November 16, 2014
Cam Newton is king of the.....Hooray I ran the ball for four yards and will celebrate like I won the Super Bowl act.
— Lance (@SportsGuyLance) November 16, 2014
Another consistently relevant sentiment: thank goodness for Matt Bryant.
When you think life is tough, just remember that MATT BRYANT WOULD NOT BE DEFEATED. #Falcons
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
IT'S A FIELD GOAL EXTRAVAGANZAAAAAAAAA
— Jeanna (@jeannathomas) November 16, 2014
@jeannathomas unst unst unst unst unst
— Andrew Hirsh (@andrewhirsh) November 16, 2014
The #Falcons leading the baseball game 6-3 over the Panthers at the stretch. But... A lead is a lead and I'll take it. #ATLvsCAR
— Wendy Adams (@wendyradio) November 16, 2014
Atlanta only scored 6 points and they're in the lead. This is a miracle and you should appreciate it as such.
— Demetrius (@fergoe) November 16, 2014
Atlanta led 6-3 at the half, and Dave was maybe being overly optimistic.
Halftime. We'll get offense in this game before the sun burns out, maybe.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
Let's check in on the Saints.
New Orloleans
— Reg C (@rcater1) November 16, 2014
The countdown is on.
We are only six weeks, one hour and 40 minutes away from being free of this terrible season. #ATLvsCAR
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
@FalconsM5 and 30 minutes of game time from first place!!
— Andrew Hirsh (@andrewhirsh) November 16, 2014
@FalconsM5 still got a wildcard playoff game to sit through.
— Grant Harrison (@grantharrison91) November 16, 2014
I never thought I would say this, but I'm sick to death of WR screens.
@TheFalcoholic new drinking game, one shot for every incomplete WR screen.
— Matt Spears (@mhspears) November 16, 2014
@BFinn86 why won't smith and koetter ever throw fades to Julio in the endzone? Is he not matchup problem for SBs?
— Benjamin Dumas (@ArchiTECHguy) November 16, 2014
Another field goal for the Falcons gave Atlanta a 9-3 lead. Fans could barely contain their excitement.
#smittyball RT @jeannathomas WE WILL ABSOLUTELY FIELD GOAL THE ENTIRE NFC SOUTH INTO OBLIVION
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
The Falcons, Saints, and Panthers only having Field Goals says a lot about the NFC South. #CARvsATL
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) November 16, 2014
But then they scored a touchdown! It was 16-3 and things were looking up for the Falcons.
#Falcons should engineer another Matt Bryant scoring drive here.
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
Third-and-1 run. Wow. See, it works.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) November 16, 2014
What I've learned: Wish for a touchdown, Falcons reward you with a field goal. BUT wish for a field goal, and the Falcons get a touchdown.
— Kendall Jackson (@projectjax) November 16, 2014
"@danim0: Cincy scored and Falcons scored at the same time.. Look at God !!" Wont he do it!!?? ✊
— ★FELICIA★ (@Mz_MOE_Baby) November 16, 2014
everyone. play it cool. no one say anything or tell the falcons that they're winning.
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) November 16, 2014
Presented without comment.
Falcons take advantage of DeCoud in coverage.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) November 16, 2014
WAS THAT THOMAS DECOUD THAT RODDY JUST BEAT FOR THAT TD?!
— UGA 8-2 | ATL 5-4 (@hashim_cole) November 16, 2014
Roddy being covered by Decoud? #blesst
— Grant Harrison (@grantharrison91) November 16, 2014
Special teams coverage left a lot to be desired at times.
In my Keith Armstrong voice.. YALL NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A-HOLES!
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
And a brawl broke out at one point.
STOP. BEING. STUPID
— Kristen (@kristenm2185) November 16, 2014
Nice of the Atlanta Falcons to show Joe Hawley that he is missed by punching every member of the Carolina Panthers.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
The ring girl holding up the big cardboard "4" is signaling we're about to start the fight's... err, game's final quarter #ATLvsCAR
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) November 16, 2014
Really, it is remarkable how little Cam Newton has to work with offensively.
Thank you, Cam. #ATLvsCAR
— Shannan O (@shannanunc) November 16, 2014
"Okay, Cam, we want you to make us a rabbit stew. You have two sticks of chalk, a single chicken tender and brick dust."
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
Panthers had 43 yards of offense and went 0-for-4 on third down in the third quarter. #ATLvsCAR
— Jay Adams (@FalconsJAdams) November 16, 2014
Matt Ryan, on the other hand, has plenty of talent to work with, and Sunday was not his greatest performance.
Matt out there throwing like cam on third down
— Ronald T. Shields II (@MrShields2) November 16, 2014
Bruh... Who was Matt throwing to?
— Snow Miser (@MyNameIs_LEO) November 16, 2014
Let's check in on the Saints.
Bengals up 26-10 on the Saints with 11:29 left in the fourth.
— vaughn mcclure (@vxmcclure23) November 16, 2014
Hi @Saints
— R.C.A.R. (@CrossonTheRyan) November 16, 2014
Just a reminder.
So if the Falcons hang on to beat Carolina and the Saints lose, Atlanta will be atop the NFC South. That is unbelievable.
— Alec Shirkey (@AShirkey) November 16, 2014
Man, this was an ugly game.
Riverboat Ron, but because those often sink.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
"This Carolina defense is playing well." No, not really.
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
If you are playing the "Falcons/Panthers go three and out" game, please stop now before your liver rockets out of your body in self-defense.
— The Falcoholic (@TheFalcoholic) November 16, 2014
Desmond Trufant needs to just not ever do this again.
Desmond Trufant just turned around and taunted the #Panthers crowd before he realized Kelvin Benjamin made the catch. Embarrassing.
— Knox Bardeen (@knoxbardeen) November 16, 2014
I guess it just depended on the final score of this one.
It's hard to imagine Blank not firing Smith and Dimitroff by 8 am tomorrow.
— Steve Fennessy (@stevefennessy) November 16, 2014
I mean...
"Hey wanna win the division guys" Falcons: pic.twitter.com/2qQj6J7VVa
— Jake Bennett (@DirtyBird_Jake) November 16, 2014
It started to look grim. Two Carolina touchdowns and general Falcons ineptitude gave Carolina a 16-17 lead, and Falcons fans have heard this story before. Optimism was hard to come by at that point.
My right eye is twitching like crazy
— firstplace 4-6 atl (@danim0) November 16, 2014
— Jawgah Peach (@Justk3ish) November 16, 2014
— Jawgah Peach (@Justk3ish) November 16, 2014
Double oh boy.
— Matt Chernoff (@RealMattlanta) November 16, 2014
I'm going to go burn down someone's house
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) November 16, 2014
Kroy is starting over Julio. RT @TheWalkerman Why in the world is Julio on the sidelines?
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
Fans would have preferred a touchdown, and Matt Bryant's wife was nervous, but Bryant is as clutch as they come.
I know Matt Bryant is money, but how about a TD HERE!
— The DW (@TheWalkerman) November 16, 2014
@MelissaGBryant: Here is where my stomach turns inside out and I feel the nausea building ....#Falcons #ForTheLoveOf
— Melissa G Bryant (@MelissaGBryant) November 16, 2014
But Carolina still very much had a chance to win it.
Ok @Atlanta_Falcons defense lets get this stop and win. #ATLvsCAR
— Kimberly (@TheFalconsDiva) November 16, 2014
To be fair, the Atlanta Falcons have become great at collapsing late in games. #tweetthepositives
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
I can't watch this
— Rembert Browne (@rembert) November 16, 2014
You've already punished Atlanta with terrible traffic. Can u please just reward us once with a missed field goal pls @God
— Kevin (@KJS407) November 16, 2014
A missed by Carolina kicker Graham Gano kept the Falcons hopes alive.
Thou art welcome, Atlanta.
— Atlanta Jesus (@Atlanta_Jesus) November 16, 2014
#collegekickers nfc south is just sec east on sunday, right?
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) November 16, 2014
Our @jeannathomas’ Falcons are about to be in first!
— Land-Grant Holy Land (@Landgrant33) November 16, 2014
HE MISSED IT!!!!
— Rumplestiltskin (@SleepytheJoker) November 16, 2014
SKIN OF OUR ASSES.
— Ubuntu. (@TheEightFour) November 16, 2014
the teams in this division, my Lord
— Snow Miser (@MyNameIs_LEO) November 16, 2014
Siddown @Panthers
— R.C.A.R. (@CrossonTheRyan) November 16, 2014
You are NOT Money Matt @CarolinaKicker. Stop pretending....
— AB (@MsBliss1212) November 16, 2014
I can't even say "First Place Atlanta Falcons" without laughing at how absurd it sounds.
— Matt (@FalconsM5) November 16, 2014
This is a win that feels like a loss. Period.
— Krissy Brierre (@krissybri) November 16, 2014
All the Falcons needed to do was get a first down. Did they? LOL, no.
In the hands of the defense again??? pic.twitter.com/H8CXOyMYVB
— WonderJaye (@WonderJaye) November 16, 2014
The only thing that rises up on Sunday anymore is @Atlanta_Falcons fans' blood pressure! And that is the COLD TRUTH!
— Ashlie Hyde (@AshlieHyde) November 16, 2014
we actually still could lose lol
— Ms. Rise Up (@Shantigo) November 16, 2014
Why in the world didn't we try for the first down though?
— Kimberly (@TheFalconsDiva) November 16, 2014
So it was back in the hands of the defense, and Carolina moved the ball into field goal range because of course they did. Ra'Shede Hageman, however, blocked the field goal. Falcons win.
WE IN FIRST PLACE WE IN FIRST PLACE BAD TEAMS CONTEST WE IN FIRST PLACE
— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) November 16, 2014
@Rashedehageman was obviously the greek god of field goal blocking in a previous life.
— 8-8? (@TAllen0919) November 16, 2014
Let's check in on the Saints.
@jeannathomas Who Dey beat Who Dat!
— Jeffrey Wilson (@J_Brian814) November 16, 2014
I won't sugarcoat it. It was an ugly, ugly win, and there's still a lot of season left to play. But for the moment, let's enjoy being on top (of a very bad division).
#tweetthepositives? RT @jeannathomas: You guys...the Falcons have a WINNING STREAK.
— WonderJaye (@WonderJaye) November 16, 2014
@TheFalcoholic: That #Falcons-Panthers game was like watching two mules fight over a turnip...but my mule won, so whatevs. 1st place!
— Lindsay Crosby (@L_Crosby) November 16, 2014
There are a lot of drawbacks to this Falcons team, but at least we know the Falcons' kicker will be more clutch than the other team's kicker
— Steve (@SteveInBrooklyn) November 17, 2014