AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2005 > October > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.US3-1, but no cushion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A quarter way through the season, the Falcons are 3-1 with the benchmark early-season test against New England this Sunday. Entering this season, there were a lot of concerns about Atlanta’s ability to get through the first four or five games. Heading into the game with the Patriots with a losing record could have put them in a bad spot and depending on the outcome of that game, it could have been an uphill battle to get back to the playoffs.
However, they’re two games above .500 and of their next five opponents, only Miami has a winning record.
That said, the Falcons trail Tampa Bay by a game in the NFC South and Carolina and New Orleans are 2-2. The NFC South is shaping up to be the NFL’s toughest division, which is why it is crucial for Atlanta to stockpile as many wins against non-division teams — especially the remaining games against the woeful NFC North (Detroit, Chicago, Green Bay,).
Players and coaches feel they have set themselves up well. They aren’t approaching Sunday’s as a team with a plus-.500 cushion that can sustain a loss and be OK, but as a team looking to beat both of last season’s Super Bowl participants (the Falcons dropped the Eagles 14-10 in the season-opener).
I know some of you hate the idea of throwing questions out there, but I think we can get some interesting thoughts on how you feel the Falcons have positioned themselves for the final 12 games. And if you don’t want to look that far down the road, provide some thoughts on how things have gone so far, or how you think things could play out within the division.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By DIRRTYBIRD
October 4, 2005 04:59 PM | Link to this
Falcons are in good shape. We just need to stay healthy, and we’ll be fine. Can’t look past the next week though.
By J*Dub
October 4, 2005 05:12 PM | Link to this
I think the Falcons have done a good job positioning themselves for a winning season and making the playoffs. Before the season started, I looked at the schedule and was fearful that the level of competitive teams in the early going could make for a long tough season. But after a great win against the Eagles, and demoralizing win against the Vikings, the Falcons are set up, nicely. Of course, they should be 4-0 and tied for the division lead, but they were caught napping against the Seahawks - that’s another commentary.
Hopefully, they’ll pick up an unexpected win somewhere, else. Also, Falcons fans need to send a ‘death-ray’ to the ‘Bucs so that they will slip up against some non-divisional opponents, too.
One thing that bodes well for the Falcons this year is that their toughest non-divisional opponents (on paper in the pre-season) were/are at home with Philly, Minnesota, New England, Green Bay, and NY Jets, all making visits to the dome this year.
GO 12th Man!!
By Erik
October 4, 2005 06:35 PM | Link to this
The loss to the Seahawks still haunts me. If we would’ve won that game, the outcome of this 1 would’nt matter much. Now, this is a must win because it;s a home game. You want to win as many home games as you can….
New Falcons Blog
By Scott
October 4, 2005 07:03 PM | Link to this
The Falcons have done well. Given that the consistency in the run game continues, I think the remainder of the season depends heavily on how the receiving corp develops. The Falcons command their own destiny at this point. The Pats come in here wounded, but there is a wicked stat about Tom Brady and back-to-back losses that is not in ATL’s favor. Atlanta’s “D” will have an opportunity to control this game…
By smoovcc
October 4, 2005 09:28 PM | Link to this
The Patriots have to be shaking in the shoes right now, especially their defensive coordinator. Trying to find a way to stop Vick is leaving this poor guy sleepless. Vick runs, passes, and passes on the run. He’s a legitimate big time triple threat. Then Dunn and Ducket are another issue. Oh did I mention Finneran and Crump? This game should be reminiscent of the St. Louis game in January. Let’s face it, the Pats have lost too many key players and coaches. Last week it was most evident.
By William Kitchens
October 4, 2005 09:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t think there is a better defense in the NFC and arguably the NFL other than Atlanta.
Our offense is better than they look on paper to the national media. Total yards vs. passing yards. The object is to move the ball downfield. The best total rushing team in football.
The scoreboard doesn’t care how you rack up points!
Stick a mic in front of any of the 32 NFL head coaches and the first thing they say is we want to establish the run…. With the Falcons, it’s never a question.
I think the Pats regardless of “wicked stats” are in for a surprise.
This team is too well coached… Even the weaker links step it up under Mora and Company.
Tampa hasn’t played anyone yet and were two fluke plays away from a 2-2 start.
The Emporer Gruden ain’t wearing any clothes and will be exposed soon. Tampa, Carolina and New Orleans will all knock each other around by week 16 and Atlanta will stand on the top of the hill.
Each week that goes by our schedule actually begins to look easier because of the way teams are showing.
Tampa with the same schedule other than the Eagles and Seahawks will more than likely drop 3-4 games in the next 5 weeks before meeeting Atlanta.
That’s my opinion.
By Bulldawg Mamma
October 5, 2005 01:14 AM | Link to this
One stupid catch by Jenkins on that fly route vs. Seattle and we’d be 4-0. He’s improving, but that was a big drop.
By Dee Sims
October 5, 2005 02:51 AM | Link to this
The Falcons have come a long way but still have alot to prove. I think our offense is underated because we don’t put up the big passing numbers but who cares as long as we can run and we can win games. Our defense is still a little suspect, I think we waisted money on Jason Webster, he can’t cover my Grandma and he’s always hurt!!!!
By PSack
October 5, 2005 09:15 AM | Link to this
COACHING AND GAME PLANNING
Will make or break us in this game. They got injuries, lost two great coaches, lost a couple good players in free agency and we are playing at home
The only way we lose this game is we drop passes and get outcoached (I guess that sounds simple huh)
By Steelertransplant
October 5, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this
I don’t think we can use the game against the Vikings as any “real” sign of where the Falcons are. As a team they executed greatly on both sides of the ball, however against the better defenses the play calling gets rather predictable and though the Patriots are banged up they always seem to manage. With there large o-line and ball control offense Vick and the boys are going to have to make the best out of the touches they get. In the final minutes of the 4th quarter they have to be up more than three - ask the Steelers about that.
By L.J.
October 5, 2005 11:54 AM | Link to this
Steelertransplant, you are right about the Vikings game not really being a barometer of how good the team is. That game (statistic-wise) was very similar to the playoff game vs. the Rams last year. But I will say this much: This 2005 team at 3-1 is better than the 2004 team that was 4-0 at this point last season. Someone above posted that the Seattle loss haunts them, but at the same time you should point to how they rebounded the very next week at Buffalo on Vick’s bad hammy. That’s what it’s all about. Even though the Pats D is run by the guru Belichick, I think this will be a special game for #7.
By KJ in Doraville
October 7, 2005 09:36 PM | Link to this
This is a must win game for the Falcons much like the win over the Eagles was a must win.If we can set the tempo early just like we did against the Eagles we should have no problems against the Patriots.Win on Sunday and we have set ourselves up pretty good for the next two weeks with us having to play the Saints in San Antoino and then the Jest in the GA Dome so I can see us being easily 6-1.