jmt57

I didn't see the game but from looking at the recaps and stats came away with a few thoughts about Atlanta. Perhaps somebody with more knowledge can correct, amplify, whatever.

Defensively the Falcons allowed Jake Delhomme to complete over 60% of his passes for over 300 yards. In addition Carolina ran for 144 yards, averaging close to six yards per rush. The Panthers were able to roll up 440 yards against the Falcons, gaining an average of 6.6 yards per snap. In addition the Carolina offense was able to convert on 7 out of 12 third downs against the Falcons. The Atlanta defense did force two turnovers however, which helped limit Carolina to 20 points. But considering the way the Panthers were able to move the ball - they punted just two times - perhaps the Falcons' defense is just what the doctor ordered to get the Pats offense back on track.

On offense Tony Gonzalez seems to have already become the Falcons go-to-guy. He caught all seven passes that were thrown his way last week, for 71 yards and a touchdown. In two games Ryan has thrown the ball to Gonzalez 16 times, resulting in 12 completions for 144 yards and two touschdowns. Neutralizing Gonzalez will obviously be one of the Pats priorities on defense.

The other big weapon for Atlanta is RB Michael Turner. For all the press Ryan gets, it looks like Atlanta is more of a running team than a passing team. Turner carried the ball 28 times last week and in two weeks has carried the ball a league-high 50 times already. As a team the Falcons ran the ball a whopping 37 times last week for 151 yards - but only 4.1 yards per attempt. Turner is no threat to catch the ball out of the backfield; he has one reception for five yards this year and totalled just six receptions for 41 yards last season.

QB Matt Ryan has thrown 5 TD and just one INT in two games so far, after posting a 16:11 ratio last year. He completed 20 of 27 last week and though his yardage may not be as high as some other quarterbacks, his completion percentage and QB rating are among the NFL's best. Roddy White was Ryan's favorite target last year, but there's a significant dropoff after he and Gonzalez: Marty Booker, Michael Jenkins and Brian Finneran are adequate but nothing special.

Special Teams looks like it may be a very strong suit for Atlanta. Jason Elam still has a strong and accurate leg on field goals. All five of Michael Koenen's kickoffs went for touchbacks last week. Koenen also punts and averaged 49.7 yards per punt last week with a net of 44.0; last year he had 25 punts inside the twenty and the Falcons as a team allowed only 49 punt return yards last year, an NFL record. Falcons opponents starting field position was the 24.6 yard line last year, 2nd best in the NFL.

farn

As has been the case in both of the games this season - as more than likely in most games - I am more concerned with D than O.

People might think the O will be a problem going forward, but I continue to think they'll get it together. But will the D continue progressing (especially vs a high powered offense like ATL ?).

jmt57

Falcons: 5 things we learned from the Atlanta Journal Constitution

Apparently not everything went right for Atlanta last week. Apparently dumb penalties, a red zone fumble, poor technique on an attempted tackle, and poor situational awareness on a hail mary at the end of the game nearly resulted in a loss for Atlanta last week. Atlanta was unable to run out the clock in the 4th quarter, and then their prevent defense nearly prevented a win. Reading the column and the following comments I'd never guess Atlanta was 2-0. Looks like negativity among fans is a universal thing. Though Falcons fans do have sufficient reason for being skeptical; the franchise has yet to put together back-to-back winning seasons (though that streak should end this year.)

Here's the best part of that column:

mgteich

There isn't much question that our defense is the question mark against ATL.

TheComeback

Hopefully Brady and the oline can handle the Falcons' pressure, as that seems to be the only strength of their defense.

It might be difficult for our D to contain Tony Gonzalez. I'm pretty confident we can shut down their receivers. T.O. had nothing on us and neither did Evans.

We'll need to double up Tony, if possible. Our best match for him would be Guyton or A.D., but I don't think either of them can cover him for very long by themselves. Keep Chung/McGowan/whoever the nickel safety will be over the top on 3rd down.

Nikolai

Gonzalez is the biggest threat to the Patriots and I expect that if the Pats are going to take away a weapon, it's going to be him. The upside is that moving a safety closer in will help to contain the run, but the downside is that this puts the game in Matt Ryan's hands, and he's a solid QB.

Abraham is a traditional menace for the Pats, and I expect some trouble from him, but fortunately, I don't expect Atlanta to bring the pressure the way NY or Buffalo did. As long as Brady is careful and not trying to force anything in the passing game, it could be a good week for the Pats.

In fact, I'm fairly sure it will be. I said on Sunday that the Falcons are not going to enjoy their stay at the Razor, but I'm going to hold off on any score predictions until that thread comes up.

By the way, thanks for making a thread that looks forward (to the Falcons) and not backward.

HEY BRO! WHAT UP?

This is the game they either go back to basics on offense, or they take their insanity (passing offense) to a whole new level.

supafly

I don't care anything at all about the score, it can be 3-2 for all I care.

As long as we come away with a win. I really would like to stay away from facing Baltimore with a 1-2 record of course, there'd be some added undue pressure.

jmt57

How about putting Springs on him? Gonzalez may as well be a WR rather than a TE the way he is used in their offense, and Springs was signed in large part due to his ability to handle the bigger, more physical receivers.

Patspsycho

I think we keep both safeties on top for this reason.