After poor start, Falcons are desperate for a victory

In just the fifth week of the NFL season, the Falcons find themselves backed into a must-win situation. While the injuries have mounted and they’ve been stumbling over themselves in the red zone, the New Orleans Saints have raced out to a 5-0 start and are early front-runners to dethrone ...

• 4:41 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez remains steadfast that 2013 will be his last

FLOWERY BRANCH – Despite the Falcons’ 1-3 start and sagging Super Bowl odds,  tight end Tony Gonzalez remains steadfast that 2013 will be his last season in the NFL. The future Hall of Famer returned for his 17th season after contemplating retirement after last season. But with the Falcons coming ...

• 10:08 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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QB CORNER: Q&A with Matt Ryan

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and his revamped offensive line will face another tough defensive front against the New York Jets.Ryan has won 10 of his past 13 games against AFC teams, but two of the losses have been this season to Miami and New England. He also lost to Houston ...

• 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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X-FACTOR: Jets QB Geno Smith

In 2008, the Falcons wrote the playbook on how to win with a rookie quarterback.The formula: Run the ball and let the rookie pass against simple, single-high-safety looks as much as possible.The New York Jets have seen some good and some bad out of rookie quarterback Geno Smith, who was ...

• 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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ON THE HOT SEAT: Falcons coach Mike Smith

The Falcons, who have lost two games in a row, have never lost three consecutive under coach Mike Smith, the winningest coach in team history.The last time the Falcons, who have matched last season’s loss total, lost two in a row were Games 12 and 13 of the 2009 season.Against ...

• 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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ROBERT ALFORD’S WEEKLY DIARY

Falcons rookie Robert Alford will provide a weekly diary for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution this season.The Hammond, La., native who played at Southeastern Louisiana, intercepted Saints quarterback Drew Brees in his NFL debut. This week, he’s getting ready to make his “Monday Night Football” debut as he faces rookie quarterback Geno ...

• 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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STAT CORNER: Falcons struggle in the red zone

The Falcons are struggling inside their opponents’ 20-yard line.They entered Week 5 leading the NFL with 18 red-zone trips. But they’ve scored only seven touchdowns (38.5 percent), which ranked 28th in the league.“When your production isn’t where it needs to be you assess everything,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “(Offensive coordinator) ...

• 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013
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THREE KEY MATCHUPS: Jets at Falcons

Jets CB Antonio Cromartie vs. Falcons WR Julio Jones: Cromartie is a two-time Pro Bowler and is highly respected by Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Jones is off to a great start this season and was able to get open deep last week against New England despite double and triple coverage ...

• 12:00 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, 2013

Falcons RB Steven Jackson out for Jets game

Falcons running back Steven Jackson, who’s battling back from a hamstring injury, was declared out Saturday for the “Monday Night Football” against the New York Jets. Jackson will join left tackle Sam Baker (knee) and linebacker Akeem Dent (sprained right ankle), who previously were declared out for the game, which ...

• 4:22 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013

PRACTICE REPORT: Jackson declared out for Monday's game

UPDATE: FLOWERY BRANCH -- Falcons coach Mike Smith told the media that running back Steven Jackson has been declared out for Monday night's game against the New York Jets. The defense could get a boost from the return of cornerback Asante Samuel (thigh injury, questionable), who was limited in practice ...

• 11:49 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
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Matt Ryan believes his pass protection is improving

The Falcons’ offensive line hasn’t exactly been saving Private Ryan this season. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, the team’s $100 million man, has been under siege as his revamped offensive line has struggled to protect him over the first four games. “I don’t know really much about the perception,” Falcons offensive ...

• 12:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013
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Roddy White’s ankle still not 100 percent healthy

In his quest to become 100 percent healthy from a high right ankle sprain, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White suffered a setback after playing extensively against New England. He played 74 of 76 (97.4 percent) of the offensive snaps against the Patriots, his highest total of the season. “Yeah, and ...

• 5:52 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
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INJURY REPORT: Samuel, Worrilow return to practice in limited roles

FLOWERY BRANCH --  Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (hamstring) and linebacker Paul Worrilow (knee) and returned to practice in limited roles on Friday. Linebacker Akeem Dent (sprained right foot), left tackle Sam Baker (knee) and running back Steven Jackson (hamstring) did not practice. Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux (foot), wide receiver Julio ...

• 4:13 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
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Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez consecutive games 200 mark

FLOWERY BRANCH -- With a catch against the New York Jets, Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez can join wide receiver Jerry Rice as the only players in league history to caught a pass in 200 consecutive games. Gonzalez stands at 199 catches. Rice, who played most for the San Francisco ...

• 3:37 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
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After playing 97 percent of snaps, Falcons WR Roddy White still not 100 percent healthy

FLOWERY BRANCH --- In his quest to become 100 percent healthy from a high right ankle sprain, Falcons wide receiver Roddy White suffered a set back after playing extensively against New England. He played his most action of the season against New England. He played 74 of 76 (97 percent) ...

• 12:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
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Falcons fantasy update: Schedule gives comfort

This is the “Fantasy Football: Two-minute drill,” a close look at Falcons players for Week 4. After a disappointing 1-3 start, the Falcons have an excellent chance to get things turned around against the underperforming Jets on Monday Night Football. There’s not much to not like about the Jets on ...

• Updated: 11:37 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
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Falcons Mailbag questions

Jets at Falcons: Julio Jones vs. Antonio Cromartie

FLOWERY BRANCH – Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones vs. Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie will be one of the key matchups when the Falcons (1-3) host the New York Jets (2-2) on “Monday Night Football” at 8:40 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. “They have great and talented guys in the skill ...

• 10:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013
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Steven Jackson could boost Falcons’ red-zone offense

The Falcons, who are struggling with their red-zone offense, are holding out hope for the return of running back Steven Jackson, who’s been out with a hamstring injury since Sept. 15. While Jackson did not practice Thursday, he was not declared out of the game as linebacker Akeem Dent (ankle) ...

• 5:36 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013
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Stephen Nicholas handled demotion well, ready to return

Just call him “Standby Stephen.” Over the past four seasons, Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas started 46 regular-season games. This season, with the team looking to improve its pass coverage of tight ends from the linebacker spot, he was demoted in favor younger players Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow, undrafted rookies ...

• 4:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013
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