Football Atlanta - Online
www.FootballAtlanta.com
Atlanta Falcons
News
The latest news
stories and features on the Atlanta Falcons
College Football SEC Page College Football ACC Page
Georgia Bulldogs Page Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Page Sponsors
Live Blog from the Georgia Dome By Don Stone - Football Atlanta
Its been a tale of three seasons. The surprise 5-0 start that had fans
thinking Super Bowl. The 6-0 middle that had fans calling for the heads of
everyone from Thomas Dimitroff to Dan Quinn to Matt Ryan.
And the finale, which could result in a three game winning streak to close
things out, including am impressive win last week against the previously
undefeated Carolina Panthers.
If Atlanta manages a win against the rival Saints in the season
finale, they would finish 9-7. Certainly an improvement over last year's
6-10 and 2013's 4-12. Most fans were predicting an 8-8 or 9-7 finish before
the season began. But, given the 5-0 start, the season seems to have fallen
short of expectations. But, even with a lost against New Orleans, 8-8 would
still be a step in the right direction.
Even if both teams missed the playoffs, a match up with the Saints is
always meaningful, especially with the first loss of the season (31-21)
coming at the Super Dome. The Atlanta offense in that game put up 413 total
yards. But the defense had no answer to the former Georgia Bulldog
tight end, Ben Watson.
New Orleans limps into the Georgia Dome at 6-9 having lost 5 of their
last 7 with Daniel Ellerbe and Marques Colston among the
inactives. In two of those game, their defense gave up over 40 points. The
Falcons again will not have RB Tevin Coleman. But, otherwise are at
full strength.
The Saints got things started at their 20. But, a nine yard first down
pass to RB Travaris Cadet was all they could muster. After a 50 yard
punt, Atlanta began their first drive from their 10.
They opened with an 8 yard pass to Levine Toilolo. Devonta Freeman
picked up a first down on a four yard carry, then got nine more to the 32. A
third straight carry got another first at the 37. Terron Ward gave
Freeman a breather and got 11 on his own. TE Jacob Tamme made a
diving catch on a third and ten for another first down at the NO40. A short
carry put Freeman over the 1000 yard mark. The drive stopped there with
Shayne Graham connecting from 51 yards to give Atlanta the first points,
3-0.
Cadet became a one man wrecking crew on the Saints' second drive. First,
he took the kick out to the 30 then carried it for six before taking a pass
all the way to the Atl28. Tackle Zack Strief had to be helped off the
field. Watson was back at it pulling in a catch at the 7. Drew Brees
had a third down pass batted down but was given a new set of downs at the 2
on a personal foul. A holding call moved them back to the 12. Tim
Hightower got 11 back with a carry to the one, then pushed it in for the
Saints' first lead, 7-3.
Devin Hester, who had missed most of the season with a foot
injury, took the kick off out to the 18. Julio Jones caught his first
pass for 10 yards. After a five yard loss, Freeman caught a pass for 14 then
got the first down with 7 more to the 44. A handoff to Freeman got nine more
as the first quarter came to an end. Ricardo Allen was taken to the
locker room for a possible head injury and was out for the remainder of the
game.
Atlanta converted the third down with a short pass to Tony
Moeaki. The fifth year tight end from Iowa was wide open on the next
play and took it 42 yards for the distance, running over a defender as he
crossed the goal line to give the Falcons the lead 10-7.
Cadet again had a good punt return for 38 yards to the NO32. Brees
picked up big chunks of yardage with passes of 12 to Hightower then 22 to
Brandon Coleman. The picked up another first on an 8 yard pass to
Austin Johnson at the 23. Still another first on a completion to Cooks
at the 14. He found Watson in the end zone to change the lead again 14-10.
Hester took the kick off to the 22. On a third and 10, Tamme was open for
a 32 yard reception at the 44. Jones got 15 more at the 29. Tamme again for
five at the 27. For the first time, the Falcons came away with no points
after an incompletion and a blocked field goal attempt. New Orleans took
over at the 35 with a chance to extend their four point lead.
The defense had been one of Atlanta's strengths this season. But, they
were having a tough time stopping Brees who immediately hit Hightower for 21
then found Coleman open for 13 more to the Atl26. They finally stopped the
Saints but Sean Payton decided to go for it on a fourth and one at
the 17. The coach called his first time out calling a short pass that came
up a few inches short. A big stop as the ball turned over on downs with
three minutes left in the half.
Ryan hit Jones for 27 yards to the 47. Ryan overthrew an open receive as
Roddy White was open but couldn't reach the too tall pass at the two
minute warning bringing up a big third and four at the NO47.
After stopping Freeman the Saints drew a big facemask call giving Atlanta
a new set of downs and the ball at the 33. Scrambling to his right, Ryan hit
White for 11 with 1:40 to go. Freeman weaved his way up the middle for seven
as the Saints took their second time out at 1:30. Jones pulled one in for 14
and made it to the one with the Saints taking their final time out. The
catch put Jones at third all time yardage for a season passing Isaac
Bruce. With 26 seconds remaining Freeman strode to the right corner of
the end zone for the game's fourth lead change. Atlanta 17, New Orleans 14.
Julio was seen walking to the locker room.
Statistically, the ball game was pretty even, no only in points but in
total yardage, passing, rushing and time of possession.
The Falcons got the ball to start the second half at their 20.
Whatever the reason for the early exit, Jones was back on the field. Ryan
got things going on the first play with a 12 yard pass to Tamme. Freeman
picked up 7 giving him 1600 total yards for the season, with Jones
converting for seven more to the 47. A holding call on Toilolo made it first
and 20 from the 37. A roughing the passer call gave Atlanta a first at the
NE48. A deep ball was dropped by White at the 20 before Ryan was sacked for
a 7 yard loss at their 47. Cadet fair caught the 45 yard punt at the 8.
Brees began moving the ball again with a 22 yard completion to Willie
Snead. He threw an incompletion on third down again got a new set of
downs on another holding call putting the ball at the Atl40. Cooks was open
for 12 and another first down at the 23. On a big third and ten Brees
overthrew into the end zone. Kai Forbath tied the game for the first
time at 17 with a 41 yard field goal.
The Falcons began moving again with a 13 yard catch by Jones at the 40.
His 7th catch of the day got 7 more and a first down at the NO46. Freeman
ran for 10 to the 31. On a third and 10, Justin Hardy picked a good
time for his first catch, a gain of 16. Six more on the ground by Freeman as
the game moved into the final quarter of the season.
A completion to Hardy gave them a first and goal at the three. But, the
rookie fumbled costing his team at least three in a close game, the first
turnover by either team. A problem Atlanta had in bundles during their
losing streak, but seemed to have cleaned up recently. The Saints took over
in the shadow of their goal line at the four.
Coleman got them some breathing room with a 13 yard catch. Hightower got
another first on the ground to the 28. On a third and six Brees hit Snead
for 13 at the 45. Jonathan Babineaux hit Hightower in the backfield
for a 5 yard loss. A third and 11 again was no problem for the Saints'
offense with a 21 yard completion to Coleman at the AF35. The ball continued
to move, 12 yards farther with another Coleman catch. Another third down at
the 13 and again another conversion as Hightower moved it to the 12. The
clock had run down to just over six minutes left in the game. Then, the
Falcons fortunes reversed as Charles Godfrey forced a fumble with
Robert Alford recovering at the Atl one. The Saints had moved the ball
95 yards and came up with nothing.
A great catch by Jones at the 27 was helped with a pass interference call
moving it out to the 37. Jones again with 26 yards to the NO35. The catch
put him second in all time receiving yards for a season behind Jerry Rice.
The clock was at 3:00 left in the game. A huge unnecessary roughness call
moved the ball out of field goal range to the 43 forcing a punt that was
fair caught at the 14 with 2:39 to go.
So far, not much success in stopping Brees but crucial that it be done
here. Coleman was wide open at the 35 with lots of open field ahead of him
when he dropped an easy pass. Payton took his first time out of the half.
Watson got seven brining up a big third and three at the two minute warning.
The defense held and Atlanta would get another shot to win it in regulation
with 1:55 to go from their 24. Prior to the last few seasons, Ryan was a
master at pulling it out in this situation. Not so much lately. The scene on
the field took fans back to the six game losing streak as Ryan was picked
off on the first play putting the Saints in position to win at the 25. The
winning season went up in smoke. The QB stood on the sideline with his hands
on his hips unable to do anything more but watch as the season ended as a
microcosm for everything that was wrong in 2015. It was there for the taking
but also there for the giving.
The Saints milked the clock with a first down run to the 8 by Hightower.
Forbath was brought in to ice it and with it a frustrating season was
unmercifully put to sleep. The Falcons had finished 8-8 with a pair of the
losses at the hands of their rivals in New Orleans.
Undoubtedly, a lot of changes will be coming...on both teams. Rumors that
staples for years in the Crescent City, Payton and/or Brees, might not be
back for the Saints. For Atlanta, Arthur Blank might be moving
Dimitroff from the GM position. His track record of draft choices and free
agent signings left little defense. A lot of players may have seen their
last minutes in a Falcons uniform. Still a two game improvement from last
year's record. But, disappointing, nonetheless, given the 5-0 start.
