In the end, Falcons defense collapses

Even when the Falcons were on their way to the NFC’s best record during the 2012 season, they didn’t play great defense but thrived on stops in the red zone and with takeaways.

The defense used that formula to put the Falcons in prime position to beat the Browns on Sunday and stay in the NFC South lead. But then the defense collapsed in the final 44 seconds and sent the Browns to an improbable 26-24 victory at the Georgia Dome.

“They just made some great plays,” Falcons cornerback Desmond Trufant said. “That’s all I can say. We made great plays when we needed to, but when we needed that one stop, we didn’t get it. That’s kind of disappointing, but we can’t sulk.”

The Browns started the last drive from their 20-yard line and needed just six plays and 39 seconds to move 61 yards to the Falcons’ 19-yard line. After quarterback Brian Hoyer spiked the ball to stop the clock, Billy Cundiff kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired.

Hoyer was ineffective for much of the day but made plays at winning time. After an incomplete pass to begin the final drive, Hoyer completed four consecutive passes for 61 yards to set up Cundiff’s kick.

Hoyer began the march by making a tough throw under heavy pressure for 11 yards to wide receiver Miles Austin. The Falcons blitzed with cornerback Josh Wilson and linebacker Paul Worrilow, who hit Hoyer as he delivered a sideline pass to Austin with safety Kemal Ishmael in coverage.

Next, Hoyer sidestepped Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann and threw a 24-yard completion to Josh Gordon in a window behind safety Dezmen Southward and in front of Worrilow. Then Hoyer threaded a pass between Ishmael and safety Dwight Lowery to tight end Gary Barnidge, who broke a tackle attempt by Ishmael to gain four more yards for a total of 11.

Hoyer’s final pass was on a quick slant to Austin, who lost cornerback Javier Arenas when he ran into Barnidge. That 11-yard gain set up the winning kick.

“We’ve all just got to finish, especially myself,” Ishmael said. “They were the No. 3 team in explosive (plays) coming in. I think we did a pretty good job holding them with all the weapons they have at receiver. Give them their due. They made plays when they needed to.”

The Falcons’ defense had made timely plays until faltering on the final drive.

The Falcons had three interceptions against Hoyer, including two in the fourth quarter. Trufant’s pick in the end zone erased a prime scoring chance for the Browns, and Southward’s interception gave the Falcons the ball at their 45-yard line with 2:42 left.

In the first half the Falcons held the Browns to field goals on two trips inside their 20-yard line, and Ishmael’s interception halted the Browns after they had a first down at the Falcons’ 44-yard line.