DEL.ICIO.USFalcons’ put winning formula to work on road
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Green Bay, Wis. — The Falcons’ winning formula is pretty basic.
Jump out to an early lead, run the football, make just enough plays to hide your weaknesses and then hold on for victory.
Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Matt Ryan and Roddy White celebrate their touchdown connection for a 17-7 lead over the Packers in the second quarter. It was White’s third touchdown reception of the year.
Three times the Falcons have followed the plan. Three times it’s worked.
Just this time, it was carried out with methodical madness at historic Lambeau Field against the battered Green Bay Packers.
Keeping it real simple, the Falcons pulled off an improbable 27-24 victory before a stunned crowd of 70,616 Sunday.
“Games like this can define a season,” Falcons veteran linebacker Keith Brooking said. “This was a huge hurdle that we overcame today.”
The Falcons improved to 3-2, with their first road win of the season and just second in their last 13. The Packers, just a year removed from playing in the NFC Championship game, dropped to 2-3.
“This was confirmation of what we are doing as a football team,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “I really believe that. This confirms that we can go on the road and win in a hostile environment.
“I think it’s very big for our young football team.”
The Packers were missing several key starters on defense, but quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who injured his shoulder last week against Tampa Bay, played the entire game.
The Falcons had dropped their two road games this season at Tampa Bay and Carolina, failing to score a touchdown.
Rookie quarterback Matt Ryan struggled in those road games. Against the Packers, he completed 16-of-26 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. He did have one costly interception in the end zone.
“Matt is growing up as a football player,” said running back Michael Turner, who powered the offense with 121 yards rushing on 26 carries. “Every week, he’s getting better. He understands this game and has adjusted to the speed. He’s doing great.”
Ryan finished with a quarterback rating of 94.1.
“Nothing really surprises me about this young man,” Smith said. “He’s really in tune to what we are trying to get done.”
The Falcons came out against the Packers and scored on three of their first four possessions to take a 17-7 halftime lead.
On the opening drive, Ryan completed a 37-yard pass to Roddy White on the first play from scrimmage. The Falcons ended up scoring on a fourth-and-goal on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Justin Peelle.
“We grew up a lot,” said White, who finished with eight receptions for 132 yards, all in the first half. “We’ve got a lot of young people and they grew up today. We made a lot of big plays.”
In the second half, the Packers fought back to tie the game 17-17 with a little over 10 minutes to play.
The Falcons showed their mettle by re-capturing the lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, Jerious Norwood found a seam and broke free for a 54-yard return to Green Bay’s 48-yard line.
Turner ran for nine yards and fullback Ovie Mughelli ran for nine yards to move the Falcons into field goal range. After a Norwood run for no gain and an incompletion, Ryan hit Norwood for a 7-yard gain to the 23.
Elam made the 41-yard field goal to make it 20-17.
Rodgers got into a grove in the second half and was torching the Falcons’ secondary. But linebacker Michael Boley stopped Green Bay’s next drive when he intercepted a pass intended for Ruvell Martin at Green Bay’s 16.
“We were sitting back in a zone coverage and reading the quarterback,” Boley said. “His eyes took me to the ball.”
Three plays later Turner scored on 2-yard run to make it 27-17 with 3:39 to play.
Rodgers was not finished. He drove the Packers down for a touchdown but Falcons safety Erik Coleman recovered the on-sides kick.
They Falcons were not in the clear until Turner converted a third-and-1 with 1:42 left. Turner found enough room around the right side for two yards.
“We lined it up and kept pushing,” Turner said. “I just found me a crease and kept driving my legs.”
After the first down, White knew it was party time. He was in the huddle jumping on Turner’s back.
“Roddy was excited out there, “Turner said. “He was probably the most excited guy. He was acting like we’d won the Super Bowl.”
.JPG)
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