FLOWERY BRANCH -- All that Super Bowl banter is history. The Falcons, after dropping to 2-3, have a much simpler goal: They just want to put an entire game together.
When the discussion turns to the most disappointing teams in NFL, the Falcons, the defending NFC South champions, are on the list with the Eagles (1-4) and New York Jets (2-3). All have underachieved or been slow to pull things together.
“We’ve got to look ourselves in the mirror and say, ‘OK guys, we still have opportunities for victories,’” cornerback Dunta Robison said. “We have to go out there and get the job done. Talk is very cheap.”
The Falcons have been inconsistent. They lost to Chicago, beat Philadelphia, lost to Tampa Bay, beat Seattle and lost to Green Bay. They haven’t been able to string together enough plays on offense or defense to post back-to-back wins.
“We have 11 football games left,” Robinson said. “Right now, we’re 2-3; not where we want to be. But the beauty of it is, that we get a chance to correct it and we get a chance to fix it.”
The Falcons are not in a panic over their 2-3 start.
“We are going to be all right,” said linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, who led the team with 11 tackles against Green Bay. “We have to feed off of that. Even though we didn’t finish the four quarters, there are definitely some positives that we have to take from the game that we did have and use that to our advantage.”
The defense might have played its best game of the season against Green Bay. It controlled the line of scrimmage and got some pressure on Aaron Rodgers before giving up two long touchdown passes in the second half.
“We have to play for 60 minutes,” Robinson said. “We can’t play for 30 minutes and win in this league.”
The defensive effort drew plaudits from Atlanta's offensive guys, who struggled after a fast start.
“I thought our defense played outstanding,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “If they play like that every game, there is no reason why we shouldn’t win a lot of games.”
The Falcons face Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers (1-4) at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Georgia Dome. The revitalized Panthers have played strong in all of their games.
Gonzalez said if the Falcons defense can build on the Green Bay performance, the offense will follow suit.
“We have to feel good about them even though we didn’t come out on top. ... I know the offense can play better," Gonzalez said. "We were moving the ball up and down the field, but, when you have penalties like that, especially in the second half, that will kill you.”
The defensive players appreciated the support. They’d like to help out with more three-and-outs.
“That’s great to hear the offensive guys have our back,” Weatherspoon said. “We are just going to go out there and try to get those guys the ball a little more.”
The Falcons, who were the least-penalized team in the league last season, had some untimely penalties against the Packers. Right tackle Tyson Clabo was called for holding to nullify a 47-yard pass play. He also had an illegal hands to the face call that slowed a drive and Roddy White was called for unsportsmanlike conduct to hinder another possession.
“It’s tough to beat people as it is, without making it tougher on ourselves by doing those things,” left guard Justin Blalock said. “We had a couple of procedural penalties as well. ... We were unable to overcome those.”
The Falcons are convinced they can dig out from under their slow start.
“I’m not too concerned with us being 2-3,” Weatherspoon said. “I know that we can get things going. It’s early. There are a lot of ballgames left.”
The Falcons have blocked out all of that earlier Super Bowl chatter.
“We really didn’t pay [any] mind to the expectations,” safety William Moore said. “It’s good to be one of those teams that’s expected to play great, but we are just trying to play game after game.”
The Falcons were 13-3 last season and have already matched their loss total. The team insists it hasn't become complacent after last year’s success.
“We are not trying to live off of last season,” Moore said. “I know that for sure."
About the Author
