Sloppy play leads to another Falcons loss

Matt Koenen looks in disgust as his field goal flies to the right.

The Falcons had the ball late in the 4th quarter, with the game tied at 27. They had about a minute left, giving them a chance to beat the Buccaneers, who have a solid presence in the league. But they blew it. Michael Vick turned the ball over with a fumble and setup the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a game winning field goal. The Falcons tried one last time to tie it up with a Matt Koenen field goal, but the ball sailed to the right of the goal posts and it was all over.

Even though the Buccaneers jumped out to a quick 13 point lead, it was a pretty close throughout the whole game. Atlanta’s offensive side spread out its scoring with touchdowns from T.J. Duckett, Alge Crumpler, and Michael Jenkins. Meanwhile Todd Peterson was able to kick two field goals for the Falcons. Michael Vick threw for over 300 yards while Roddy White and Michael Jenkins had 4 and 5 receptions respectively.

On the defensive end, the Falcons totally shut down star receiver Joey Galloway. Atlanta’s defense also held Chris Simms to only 107 yards passing. Looking at the stats you would think that the Falcons came away with a victory, but somehow, they just couldn’t capitalize. This was the third loss in the past 4 games for the Falcons.

Author's Insight:
Life as a Falcons fan is getting bad. I feel like they lose all the time now. After that disappointing loss to the Packers I really needed a win this Sunday. Beating the Buccaneers would have been huge. Warrick Dunn should have put up much better numbers going up against his old team. He should have been more hungry for the win.

On a side note, I recommend readers check this Falcons message board provided by ESPN. They have some pretty good topics noted.

A sad loss to the Packers

The Falcons hit a low point in the season this past Sunday by losing to the Green Bay Packers, who had only won 2 games all season before winning this week. Atlanta was picked to win easily over Green Bay, but instead they lost by 8 points.

The usually strong Falcons defense did not play the well on Sunday, allowing the Packers to score a total of 33 points. They allowed Brett Favre to gain over 250 yards passing, which would have been fine if Favre was still in his prime, but he’s nearly retired.

However, the real (secret) weapon that killed the Falcons was a man by the name of Samkon Gado, who scored 3 touchdowns for the Packers. Despite being a 3^rd string running back, he was able to score 3 touchdowns against Atlanta. Called up from the practice team a week ago, this was his first time starting for the Packers. Somehow, the Falcons defense couldn’t stop him.

Meanwhile, Atlanta’s offensive side is to blame as well. Michael Vick, despite his 209 yards passing, had three fumbles throughout the game. Three fumbles in one game is inexcusable for a quarterback at his level. However, Warrick Dunn cushioned his follies by fumbling once himself. Thus, it was a team contribution to the embarrassing loss against the Packers.

Author's Insight:
This game was a huge disappointment to me. The Packers are terrible. I don't understand how Samkon Gado makes his first professional debut and the Falcons let him score his first three NFL touchdowns. There is no excuse for that. And I don't understand why Michael Vick can't just hold onto the ball. This season started off well and is getting worse and worse every week. We need to stop getting injured, stop playing sloppy, and start winning games.

Falcons win over Dolphins, Vick wins over critics

The Falcons held on to a close victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, winning the game 17-10. Meanwhile, Vick answered the complaints about his performance in the pocket with 228 passing yards, while throwing 22/31.

The Falcons played well on Sunday, they just had trouble putting the game away. They drew first blood in the 1st quarter with a 71-yard drive, ending in a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Warrick Dunn. The Dolphins answered in the 2nd quarter with a rushing touchdown by Ricky Williams which tied the game at seven.

The Falcons took the lead once again in the 2nd quarter with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Brian Finneran. Atlanta was able to hold onto the lead for the rest of game, but sloppy play got in the way of a blowout victory. The Falcons had many long drives that they failed to convert into touchdowns. They also had 2 turnovers compared to the 1 turnover by the Dolphins. At the end of the 4th quarter, the score was 17-10, Falcons victory.

Michael Vick had his own battle to fight this past Sunday. Critics of the superstar QB insist that he can't throw from the pocket, and lacks the skills of an NFL quarterback. However, he was able to prove them wrong by putting up great passing figures against the Dolphins. Meanwhile, he still was able to scramble for 38 yards rushing. He seemed more than happy to announce that he proved himself and that critics should stop analying number and start respecting that he's winning games.

Author's Insight:
I'm happy that the Falcons beat the Dolphins, but I wish their gameplay would have been a little bit better. I think they had lots of chances to put more points on the scoreboard and failed to do so. These are mistakes that will lose games to better teams in the future if they don't correct them. I was very pleased to see Vick throw for 228 yards. I think people need to stop telling him he's a bad quarterback. He's winning games so shutup about him. I hope he keeps throwing the ball well but starts running the ball more like he used to. I think he really messes with the defense by running them up and down the field. Falcons take on Green Bay next week, let's hope for the best.

Bye week... Falcons sign Edwards

After beating the Jets last Sunday, the Falcons have a bye week. The following Sunday they travel to Miami to play the Dolphins. The dolphins are have a record of 3 wins, 4 losses, so the Falcons are picked to win. Atlanta's taking time in their week off to work with their newest player, Antuan Edwards, who is a recently signed free agent.

Edwards, who previously played for Miami and St. Louis, is a 7-year veteran safety. He is not a grand additino to the Falcons secondary, but he will most likely offer a useful contribution. However, the Falcons will primarily use him for special teams until they can get him familiarized with their defensive playbook. Once he is acquainted with Atlanta's plays, he will join the Falcons secondary, whose key player is DeAngelo Hall (cornerback).

The current safety tandem, Keion Carpenter and Bryan Scott, have not been performing well for the Falcons. Between the two of them, they have one sack, one fumble recovery, no interceptions, and only 6 passes defended. DeAngelo Hall is the only player with an interception in the Falcons secondary. The rest of the 7 interceptions have come from linebackers.

Author's Insight:
This was no big move for the Falcons. Edwards will probably be used more for special teams and although he doesn't have much competition for playing time in the secondary, I don't think he'll make much of a difference in Atlanta's defensive performance. I'm confident in DeAngelo Hall keeping quarterbacks on their toes. This Sunday should be a definate win for the Falcons. Miami is struggling this year.

Easy win over the Jets

Jumping out to a 17-point lead in the 1st quarter, the Falcons had no trouble dominating the stuggling New York Jets. Testaverde, the Jets quarterback, had one of the worst games in his NFL career thanks to the Atlanta Falcons defense.

The first 17 points of the game were a result of turnovers by the NY Jets. The Falcons jumped out to an early lead with a touchdown run by Michael Vick and a Todd Peterson field goal. However, the Jets didn't get a break after that. Chauncey Davis picked up a fumble by Testaverde and ran 24 yards for another Falcons touchdown. Getting the ball back soon after, the Falcons put 3 more points on the board with another Todd Peterson field goal. The score was now 20 - 0 in the Flaoncs favor.

Finally, the Jets scored a touchdown before the end of the first half. Testaverde finally was able to hold onto the ball and jumped into the end zone on a 1-yard rushing touchdown. Things were starting to look a little better for the Jets.

Hopes of a come-back dwindled as Michael Vick scored ran for another touchdown early in the 3rd quarter. Although the Jets were able to score one more touchdown before the game was over, with a 1-yard run by Curtis Martin, they never made much of a come back. The final score was 27-14.

Author's Insight:
Key players for the Falcons was the overall defensive effort and Warrick Dunn, with 155 rushing yards. Michael Vick's 2 touchdowns helped Atlanta, but he also threw 3 interceptions which cancels out his contribution. I was happy to see the Falcons win, but it's not that great of a victory because the Jets are terrible this year. However, it was fun making fun of my roommate as my team killed his team.

Falcons luck out in a win over the Saints

Schaub and Peterson celebrate as they watch the game-winning field goal pass through the uprights.

The game was close throughout. The Falcons and Saints exchanged touchdowns over and over again. It came down to the last few minutes of gameplay, where the Falcons had the chance to kick a field goal to break the tie. Peterson's kick floated to the left and missed. However, a yellow flag brought the cheer of the Saints' fans to a silence. The penalty was on the defense and the Falcons got another chance to win the game. Peterson made the 36-yard field goal and it was over. Falcons victory.

Peterson started the game off with a field goal as well, to get the Falcons off to an early lead. The special teams and defense played a big role in scoring in the game. Deangelo Hall picked up a fumble by the Saints and rand 62 yards for a touchdown. On the next Saints drive, the Falcons blocked a field goal and Demorrio Williams ran 59 yards for another dramatic touchdown.

Another key contributor to the Falcons' victory on Sunday was Warrick Dunn, who rushed for 100 yards and scored a touchdown to give the Falcons the lead in the 4th quarter. Since Vick is still not back to his usual self, there has been more pressure on Dunn to be a stand-out threat on the field. So far he is doing a good job at filling that role. In the past few games Dunn has put up really good numbers for the Atlanta Falcons.

Next week, the Falcons should have an easy victory against the NY Jets, who are struggling this year. The Jets' only solid player this year has been Curtis Martin, who is a seasoned running back. Due to injuries, their starter is Vinny Testaverde, who is way too "seasoned." If the Falcons lose to the Jets next week, I will be very disappointed.

Patriots too much for Atlanta

Matt Schaub, completed 18 passes for 298 yards, throwing 3 touchdown passes.

Despite not having their star quarterback, the Falcons only lost to the Patriots by 3 points. While it is dissapointing that they lost, I'm also impressed that Atlanta was able to make it such a close game.

My team went into this game knowing that the odds were against them. The Patriots are one of the best teams in the NFL. They won the superbowl the past few years. Meanwhile the Falcons had a bigger disadvantage by not having their star player, Michael Vick.

The first quarter started off much the way everyone thought it would. The Patriots' Patrick Pass, who is replacing the injured Corey Dillon, scored a 6-yard rushing touchdown. Soon after, Daniel Graham caught a 45-yard touchdown pass, which was followed by a Vinatieri extra point to put the Patriots up 14-0.

The 2nd quarter was the Falcons come-back quarter. Matt Schaub, who is filling in for Michael Vick, threw his first of three touchdown passes to Justin Griffith. Then, after a 2 field goal kicks by the Falcons, the Patriots were down to just a 1-point lead. Atlanta totally shut down the Patriots offense during the 2nd quarter.

In the third quarter, Brady put an end to the come-back by throwing 2 more touchdown passes to Ben Watson and Bethel Johnson, to put the Patriots ahead 28-13. However, Matt Schaub came into the 4th quarter looking for a win. He threw 2 more touchdown passes to Alge Crumplet (25 yards) and Dez White (14 yards). With a little less than 4 minutes left, it was a tie game. Sadly, my hopes of a Falcons victory over New England came to an end as Vinatieri kicked a 29 yard field goal.

It's ashame that the Falcons came so close to beating last year's superbowl champs, but let it slip away in the 4th quarter. I'm proud of how they played though. Matt Schaub threw for 298 yards and had 3 touchdown passes. That is a really good performance for a backup quarterback. He nearly matched Tom Brady in every game statistic. I wish the defense would have picked up their gameplay a little bit. If they would have put a little more pressure on Brady I think Atlanta would have came away with a victory. Next Sunday the Falcons play the New Orleans Saints. I'm hoping for a Vick return and an Atlanta victory.