Falconcast: Redskins Preview
The ultimate goal is the playoffs, but this week’s target is to avoid a bona fide losing streak.
The Atlanta Falcons entered last week’s game against New Orleans having never lost back-to-back games in Mike Smith’s tenure as head coach. But, at the hands of the Saints, the Birds lost for the second time in two weeks.
Three in a row would put the team in some bad company — .500 at the halfway point with ground to make up.
The Falcons were 4-3 at this point last season as well but no time like the present (or a game against a 2-5 team with struggles on offense and the front office) to get back on track.
Matt Moore (@FalconsMMoore) talked about this and other topics in a new edition of Falconcast.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FALCONS-REDSKINS PREVIEW
While the Falcons match up well on paper with the Redskins — a team that hasn’t scored more than 17 points and fumbled 20 times — games at the Georgia Dome are played on turf.
Washington has the league’s fifth-best scoring defense and, while the record may not show it, the Redskins have been in games. All the team’s losses have come by 10 points or less.
Some things to keep in mind when you take a look at this week’s Keys to the Game:
- Attack the Redskins defense. There are Pro Bowlers at key Redskins positions. There are big names at others. That’s no reason to abandon the running game. Running back Michael Turner rushed for 151 yards and a score last week. A good running game will soften Washington’s No. 2-ranked pass defense. Keep in mind Roddy White had a 100-yard game in New Orleans and a 200-yard game when Turner rushed for three scores in San Francisco. Balance can be achieved.
- Win the special teams battle. You’ve probably heard of DeAngelo Hall, Sanrana Moss and Antwaan Randle El. They have one thing in common. They’re all listed on the depth chart as punt returners.
- Keep the intensity. Last season when the Falcons scored first the team went 11-1. This season, the record is 2-3. The only way that happens is if, like Smith said, the effort lacks after the opening minutes. Keep up the pressure on offense and defense — Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell has been sacked 20 times — and you avoid a third-straight loss.
MORE FALCONS-REDSKINS COVERAGE:
- GAMEDAY LIVE: More coverage in this special section of AtlantaFalcons.com
- GAME PREVIEW: More thoughts on the game from AF.com’s John Manasso
- GAME NOTES: Stats, fun facts and jersey information for Falcons-Redskins
- WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Some things you may not have known about this matchup
- J. MIKE’S MISSIVES: Thoughts on the game from the AF.com Managing Editor
- INJURY REPORT: Click here for the Piedmont Healthcare Injury Report
- GAME INFO: Pregame festivities and halftime entertainment information
- EXPERT’S TAKE: Trotter’s thoughts on the Falcons, NFL after eight weeks
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Anything less than a ‘blowout’ to DEADSKINS ….in UNACCEPTABLE!!
No disrespect to Redskins…they have gone through a lot BUT, its OUR time OUR moment..OUR dome!!
Falcons win by double digits!! Yea baby!!
Comment update: 1st I throught the Falcons would play better against the
Cowboys than what they did. 2nd The Falcons played a much better game
against the Saints. Now at 4-3, we face the Redskins. Like in anyother
game, you cannot turn over the football, Refer: Matts Int. to the Saints
just before half time that gave them an easy 7 ( that was the backbreaker ). Smith is right, if you expect to win, you have to be 100%
for 60 minutes. Start backing off, you are going to get burned. FALCONS:
remenber there a 2 main reasons why a team makes the playoffs. 1 you must win in your division and you must play better in the 2nd 8 games of
the season. With a Falcons victory over the skins, your 5-3 and 4 of
your last 8 games are division games. Just keep hitting and play smart
football. GO FALCONS
@Sam
. i love that saying lol
i hear that my man. Falcons are gonna nail them this sunday just like that redskins promo said this Sunday the ass whooping begins
Guy’s we are a middle of the road team.Off season we need too revamp the entire secondary!
I agree Rodney. These last 2 weeks were a reality check for us falcon fans. Were mediocre at best. That’s just the plain truth.
Everybody always says its our defense and understandably so. Grimes & Houston aren’t my favorite falcons either but 4 da last 3 games atl is 1-2 to my opinion because of da offense. Our defense is wat some call a “bend but not break defense” which means ur offense has 2 score points,and control the clock and LIMIT TURNOVERS! 3 things our offense has accomplished only once this season against the 49ers and the results were a blowout. Our offense in my opinion is 2 talented 2 play the way they’ve played so far I imagined there would be more scoring and more balance. Don’t blame the defense they are young and are playing better than I expected especially against the #1 offense in the saints. Defenses win championships even “bend but don’t break defenses”(colts over bears, rams over titans) when your offense controls the game. And with the talent Atlanta has on offense that’s expected.
The Falcons need to keep CB Hill in the game not Grimes how had the only good game of his being a started last week, he get beat more than any CB on the roster, that will help the D line do their job better and help with the pressure on Wash. QB, you can”t use Grime on Special teams because he can not tackel or stay on his feet when running in coverage!
they just cut jack williams from the broncos…let pick him up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Na4K266bGlo
new dirty bird song
o ya its ok to facebook me ill send u the ringtone if u want it
To say that the falcons are mediocre is true. However, the offense has not lived up to epectations. I guess its a mixture of no Harry Douglas, no running game, porous blocking, injuries, etc. My point is they played with heart even in losses. That makes them dangerous and above average.
Falcons Will Win All they gotta do is throw a screen to norwood
Yes we have problems on offense. We need to throw more screen passes, more deep passes. We’ve got the talent just use it. Offensive line has to protect Ryan better. Defensive secondary can’t let recievers get behind them to protect against the pass. Go Falcons!!
@VeryBIgTaco
good call , but im’m not sure he’ll be playing.
@bigdawg
i disagree. we are not a mediocre team. i believe we finally have something to prove.