DEL.ICIO.USFalcons secure playoff spot, hungry for more
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Monday, December 22, 2008
Minneapolis — Now that the Falcons have done the improbable, they are set on doing something most thought utterly impossible.
Making the playoffs after a season of turmoil is just fine. But now, with a taste of success, they want the whole thing.
Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Matt Ryan fumbles as he leaps over Minnesota’s Ben Leber (51) at the goal line in the third quarter. Justin Blalock recovered for the ball for a Falcons touchdown.
They want to bring the first Vince Lombardi trophy to Atlanta.
With Minnesota treating the football like a steaming hot potato, the Falcons capitalized on four turnovers for a 24-17 victory Sunday at the Metrodome.
“I don’t think there is a team out there that we can’t compete with,” center Todd McClure said. “I’m looking forward to it, it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
The win secured at least a wild-card playoff berth for the Falcons, their first trip to the playoffs in three years. They could still claim the NFC South crown, following Carolina’s loss Sunday night. The Falcons (10-5) host St. Louis on Sunday. The Panthers (11-4) play at New Orleans.
In the Falcons jubilant locker room, one thing was clear. Just making the playoff is not enough.
“Especially for the older guys, you don’t know how many times you are going to have this opportunity to get in again,” McClure said. “So we have to make the most of it.”
The Falcons, predicted by most to be NFL doormats and in a rebuilding mode, are back in the playoffs for the first time since after the 2004 season. They reached the NFC championship game in Jim Mora’s first season before losing to Philadelphia.
That was followed by seasons of 8-8 season and 7-9 and Mora’s dismissal. Then there was last season, which started with a federal dogfighting investigation that landed Michael Vick in prison and ended with new coach Bobby Petrino leaving to coach the University of Arkansas.
“It’s been a long four years, up and down,” Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White said.
Most of the players were thinking big, White included.
“It means you’re going to be in this thing until the end,” White said. “It means you’re going to have a chance to win the Super Bowl. You’re in the tournament.”
Running back Jerious Norwood, who scored on an 8-yard shovel pass to make it 14-7 early in the second quarter, was also considering the possibilities.
“It’s a great feeling, just to have chance,” Norwood said. “All you can ask for is a chance.”
With a new general manager, new head coach, rookie quarterback, a re-tooled offensive line and a young secondary, most had the Falcons winning between one and four games this season.
They heard the naysayers.
“We kind of used that to fuel our fire,” McClure said. “Nobody gave us a chance.”
Before the Falcons took the field, they knew their position. Dallas lost on Saturday and 25 minutes before kickoff, news of Tampa Bay’s loss was already making its way up an down the sidelines.
The Falcons took the potentially raucous crowd out of the game by scoring on their opening drive out of the no-huddle attack. It was a good omen for them. The Falcons are 7-0 when they score on the opening drive.
Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey was ruthless with is play calling. He knew the Vikings were without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams, so he attacked his replacement Fred Evans. By the time the Falcons drove deep into Minnesota territory, Evans was replaced by Jimmy Kennedy.
“We ran the ball a lot,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “That’s been our trademark this year.”
The Falcons didn’t take full advantage of the three first-half fumble, but managed a 17-7 halftime lead.
The Falcons opened a 17-point lead, after Ryan scrambled down to the 1-yard line before fumbling. The ball slipped through the hands of Minnesota safety Darren Sharper in the end zone. Left guard Justin Blalock, for the second consecutive week, came away with a key fumble down in the pile.
Blalock was credited with a touchdown, the first by a Falcons lineman since Robbie Tobeck scored a touchdown against Pittsburgh on Oct. 27, 1996.
The Vikings’ rallied, adding a field goal and touchdown, but came up short with cornerback Domonique Foxworth knocked down a pass intended for Bobby Wade late in the fourth quarter.
The celebration started.
Turner, who scored his 16th rushing touchdown of the season, was not in the middle of the festivities. He’s been to the playoff two times in four seasons with San Diego and reached the AFC Championship game last season.
“I was just happy seeing the other guys who have never been, see them celebrate,” Turner said. “The guys that have been there before know this is just the beginning. There is something that’s bigger, out there for us.”
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