Post by Guvmintcheeze on Oct 5, 2014 23:27:49 GMT
Rapid Reaction: Atlanta Falcons
What it means: The Falcons (2-3) have lost five in a row on the road and have dropped consecutive games since that 56-14 trouncing of Tampa Bay in Week 3. With four of the next five away from the Georgia Dome, the Falcons have to figure out a way to rally and at least stay on track in the NFC South race. They are 2-0 in the division.
Stock watch: The coaches have to absorb some of the blame for this one after a missed fourth-and-1 play from the Falcons' own 29 late in the game. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter went with a pass play with 4 minutes, 40 seconds left in regulation and the Falcons trailing 27-20. Quarterback Matt Ryan didn't have time to fire off a quick throw and was sacked for a 9-yard loss as new starting left guard Harland Gunn was beaten. Some might wonder why the Falcons just didn't punt the ball with three timeouts left, but coach Mike Smith obviously didn't trust his defense. Matt Bosher also didn't have a great day punting.
Lack of pass rush continues to hurt Falcons: Designated pass-rusher Osi Umenyiora had a sack early. But other than that, the Falcons failed miserably in terms of getting to Eli Manning. The lack of a pass rush put more pressure on the defensive backs and hurt their play. Cornerback Robert Alford definitely made some mistakes, particularly when matched up against Giants rookie Odell Beckham Jr. But Alford would have been helped by a better pass rush. The Falcons still have way too many issues in terms of stopping the run and getting to the quarterback.
Game ball: Antone Smith deserves more touches, period. Smith scored on a 74-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter, his fourth touchdown of the season in limited action. Smith has averaged 53.5 yards on those touchdowns. It's too bad he was pretty much the offense in the second half as the Falcons struggled to get anything substantial going. Maybe they needed to use Smith more on third down, where they struggled miserably.
What’s next: The Falcons return home to face the Chicago Bears next Sunday in a game that will mark Devin Hester's first matchup against his former team. It also will be an interesting battle of receivers with Julio Jones and Roddy White vs. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.
What it means: The Falcons (2-3) have lost five in a row on the road and have dropped consecutive games since that 56-14 trouncing of Tampa Bay in Week 3. With four of the next five away from the Georgia Dome, the Falcons have to figure out a way to rally and at least stay on track in the NFC South race. They are 2-0 in the division.
Stock watch: The coaches have to absorb some of the blame for this one after a missed fourth-and-1 play from the Falcons' own 29 late in the game. Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter went with a pass play with 4 minutes, 40 seconds left in regulation and the Falcons trailing 27-20. Quarterback Matt Ryan didn't have time to fire off a quick throw and was sacked for a 9-yard loss as new starting left guard Harland Gunn was beaten. Some might wonder why the Falcons just didn't punt the ball with three timeouts left, but coach Mike Smith obviously didn't trust his defense. Matt Bosher also didn't have a great day punting.
Lack of pass rush continues to hurt Falcons: Designated pass-rusher Osi Umenyiora had a sack early. But other than that, the Falcons failed miserably in terms of getting to Eli Manning. The lack of a pass rush put more pressure on the defensive backs and hurt their play. Cornerback Robert Alford definitely made some mistakes, particularly when matched up against Giants rookie Odell Beckham Jr. But Alford would have been helped by a better pass rush. The Falcons still have way too many issues in terms of stopping the run and getting to the quarterback.
Game ball: Antone Smith deserves more touches, period. Smith scored on a 74-yard catch-and-run in the third quarter, his fourth touchdown of the season in limited action. Smith has averaged 53.5 yards on those touchdowns. It's too bad he was pretty much the offense in the second half as the Falcons struggled to get anything substantial going. Maybe they needed to use Smith more on third down, where they struggled miserably.
What’s next: The Falcons return home to face the Chicago Bears next Sunday in a game that will mark Devin Hester's first matchup against his former team. It also will be an interesting battle of receivers with Julio Jones and Roddy White vs. Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery.