The moment referee Gene Steratore tossed the coin in the air I had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. When he announced the Falcons had, indeed, lost the overtime coin toss in Sunday’s game against the Giants, the feeling bubbled to full-blown realization.
This is not good.
New York wasn’t about to pull a Marty Mornhinweg and put the defense on the field first in a sudden-death overtime. That meant the Falcons were fighting an uphill battle when it came to scoring first and winning the game.
Or were they?
I wasn’t a fan of the NFL’s overtime system until an offseason conversation with Falcons President — and Competition Committee co-chair — Rich McKay. McKay and his committee watch tape of just about everything in the offseason in hopes of improving competitive balance and player safety. In 2008, according to McKay, 63 percent of overtime games were won by the team that won the toss.
Not all were won on the opening possession.
While it’s not a 50-50 affair, it’s close enough to make everyone a little leery about tearing down a system that creates unparalleled drama and excitement.
The more we talked, the more it became clear many players like the system. Offensive players aren’t the only ones paid on a roster and defensive units across the league get just as excited about the chance to defy the odds and win a game in overtime.
On a more technical note, a college-style overtime where each team gets a possession could turn into a long, back-and-forth process that adds wear and tear to bodies already suffering through a 16-game season.
Most Falcons fans aren’t as upset this Monday morning about the overtime system and its contribution to the team’s 34-31 loss as they are missed opportunities in 60 minutes of regulation. That said, I’m sure we’ll all get the feeling sometime Monday that the overtime format is “unfair.”
But that’s really not the case.
Complete Falcons-Giants Coverage, AF.com
The Falcons lost the game, but showed an ability to come back from a two-score deficit with time running out.
Falcons falter 34-31 to Giants in OT, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“This one was painful,” defensive end John Abraham said. “We definitely have to turn it around from here.”
Wrap-up: Giants 34, Falcons 31, ESPN.com
It’s not over. Yes, the Falcons are now on the outside looking in for the first time this season, but who would have thought the Eagles would sneak in so late in the year and make it to the NFC Championship Game in 2008?
Falcons And Giants Recap: Roller Coaster Of Loss, The Falcoholic
The Giants certainly played like a team with its back against the wall.
Long day for Falcons ‘O’ line, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Falcons players and coaches will tell you they don’t want to be a in a situation where they’re throwing the ball on every snap. That makes pass protection difficult.
Manning has record day vs. Falcons’ secondary, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Eli Manning certainly had a good day at the office. Sure, the Falcons secondary could have played better, but Manning was firing on all cylinders and throwing the ball with pinpoint accuracy.
Giants Win in Overtime to End Losing Streak at Four, The New York Times
Safe to say the Giants have finally found a group of wide receivers that can make the team an all-around offense.
Three keys to the Falcons’ game against the Giants, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Back to the drawing board for some aspects of the Falcons scheme — offense and defense.
Overtime provides relief for Giants, Chiefs, Yahoo Sports
The Falcons didn’t play in the only overtime game from Sunday. The Steelers certainly would love to have done some things differently to avoid a loss to the re-building Chiefs.
Good QBs are torching the Falcons’ secondary, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Listing out what the Falcons could have done is a bit futile at this point. However, I understand the need to look at the past, analyze and figure out what to do next. Can’t know where you’re going unless you know where you’ve been.
Giants relieved to end skid with FG in OT to beat Falcons 34-31, USA Today
The Giants will be in the mix at the end of the season.
The Falcons lose a close one but again find a quarterback, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You can only focus on the negatives so much before your head starts to ache. Here’s to finding positives in the midst of the 24-hour rule!
No chance against New York Giants in overtime for Atlanta Falcons, Examiner.com
Great additional thoughts and numbers on overtime from friend of the program, Daniel Cox.
Falcons’ game against Eagles shaping up as must-win, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A good look at the Wild Card playoff picture, which is still hanging on the wall in Flowery Branch.
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25 Comments
Our next most important games are coming up in the next two weeks. If we can win against tampa and philly then i believe we still be back in the hunt for the playoffs And finish it off with winning the next 3 out of 4 games. going 10-6 should give us hope in the playoffs. The only thing we can hope for is that Dallas and Giants keep winning cuz one of them should be the nfc east division leader and we cant not afford to lose to a tie breaker to those teams.
I agree. We need to play awesome at home! And we always seem to do so. Getting Turner and Norwood back should help. Having Matt Ryan back should help loads too. Jenkins needs to step up and don’t even get me started on Elam! The Defense needs to figure out something! Houston can’t play, and Grimes is way too small! So tired of watching us collapse. The Game against Philly will be huge in 2 weeks! But let’s focus on the Bucs!
Go Falcons!
i agree with him because grimes is sucky he can just jump put hill back out there he is better an let wire start over nicolus
Look, I am a Jenkins fan but he can’t hang on to the ball and it consistently cost the team. It’s time to get Finneran back on the field especially in the red zone. He is a better receiver.
I say we go out and sign Samari Role and put him on the other side of Tye hill, bench or cut Chris Houston . put bergeron in for jenkins , we get norwood and turner back, and we will be just fine. , what do yinz think about this??
@johnny D.
im sorry i just read from what i [osted on the other about role. so dont comment on that but about bergeron for jenkins.
Its time to start looking foward to next season now, I hate to say that but the secondary and Elam SUCK! I wasn’t that great at corner but everyone exept the Falcons know how to get their head around to make a play on the ball. Thanks a lot secondary and Elam yall SUCK!
b.ssssssss ass wipes omggggggggggg
It’s time for FALCONS to man-up and start playing physical,”smack you in the mouth” football,quit makin excuses cause of injuries,coach Smith needs to quit sayin “great effort,i think we played well”,it’s still a freakin LOSS!!,that will have the FALCONS sittin at home come January..Smitty,take a look at some of B.Cowhers old films,and get in the faces of the so called athletes,if they cant step-up their game it’s time to bench them and look at replacing them this season,not next season.The FALCONS play soft,even in the wins,and dont know how to complete the game,and that starts with the coaching.Elam is iffy even with the closest F/G,…Jenkins couldnt catch a cold if it meant FALCON’S would win,sure he had 6 catches,76yrds,but dropped the one that mattered in the endzone…And C.Houston “we have a problem”,its called the way you defend and the lack of attacking the ball when its thrown your’e way,my grandmother could do better,and she uses a walker!!…Smitty dont want to call out any player’s ,well we will do it on here,all three of these players can be benched and it wouldnt cripple our beloved FALCONS in the least.When their name is called to make a GAME CHANGING PLAY,they fail everytime!!Do not take the BUC’S lightly,if we go into this game with the “we played well” mantality,we could lose this game too,..play for 60 minutes and PLAY TO WIN the game,every game,period!!
Why is that every time you sign a big contract, the performance just drops down .. M Jennings.. a simple catch for a touch down pass ..and out pops the ball..
Now why is Roddy White getting as many throws like last year ? What is his production on key plays?
Need to sign a first round draft pick WR and trade a couple of picks for a proven CB. Use the rest on rookie CBs and a freaking kicker. My logic is that it will be easier to train a rookie WR in a somewhat functional offense. With the cornerback thing is so far gone we need real help.
Btw it’s not to late to do something amazing. Go Falcons.
I agree Elam has missed several crucial fieldgoals this year, but its not all his fault. Last year Redman was his holder, he has Canaan holding for him this year. Wonder if they change it back would it make a difference. Also injuries have plagued them this year. We do need taller cornerbacks to stop the pass. All in all, we still have a good team, and I believe we will still make playoffs. GO FALCONS!!!
I agree we have a excellent team, but I’m tired of hearing about injury. Look at who’s hurt on D 2 Rookies (both who barely even played) and Williams which is big. The rookies didn’t even have time to make a big impact. As for Corners I don’t care who’s in there if you don’t look for the ball it doesn’t even matter. Apparently we need to incorporate that into practice somewhere. We still have a chance, but I think Hill, Jackson, or Owens should get a chance they damn sure can’t do any worse than what we have out there right now. Someone made the comment that Ryan has been playing like he is scared of getting hit on the comments from yesterday, but I believe that he did 100% better with that against the Giants. If we lose to Philly or the Bucs we are D O N E DONE! Hopefully we can at least have a winning record and get that monkey off our backs! Go Falcons
falson r the best team or can be if they run a littel more and if they play like they played aginst the giant
and ayes the injurys is killing us and i meant the (falcons}
Falcons
Ok, here is the deal. Great game – Jenkins and Elam needs to go. Plain and simple. Sure our secondary needs help, but if you outscore the other team – you win. Yes Defenses win championships but the offense wins games. Elam – Icon – gotta go – Korean can kick just as well – he sure can’t punt anymore. Jenkins – Fire him, he just isn’t good in the clutch. Harrison is still available. 10-6 isn’t out of reach but I would settle for 9-7. Tampa – split, Jets – W, Bills – W, if Atlanta can sneak one by Philly or the Saints 10-6. Good to see Matty-Ice back this week.
good grief
I did not write the last blog #19 and it’s not the first time somebody has used my name to write something on here.So i say to whoever is using my name,GET A FREAKIN LIFE and quit acting lika punk.If i have something to say, i say it,dont need no help!!!
Let’s not give up on this team yet. They can still make the playoffs. The offense is fine! Matt Ryan looks as it he is back and ready to go. Couple that with Turner and Norwood returning and we will be gravy. I was hoping when Douglas went down we’d go after Harrison! That would’ve helped. Elam needs to go. He’s cost us 3 games! And Jenkins needs to be benched. Play that AFL guy and give him a shot! Our DB’s are bad! If the line just played a little better then we could be good! Huge game against Tampa hopefully Denver ends their skid and helps us out with the Giants! Go Falcons!
Luis
I’m sittin here watching MNF as i write this….And the more i watch,the more i get frustrated with the way the FALCONS play their games.I mean,i see these players passion and intensity to win,that cant be taught.They play asa team and everyone does their job,their out there smiling and playing the game they love.Offense and deffense on both teams playing well,and going to work with hustle and making plays.I dont know if the atmosphere in the FALCONS practices are jus laidback and some of the players get lazy,but we never look prepared to play on Sundays.I like M.RYAN and do believe he is our future,but M.Schaub,the ex-falcon,wow he’s playin great,and his players believe in him leading his team,and his recievers making plays when their called on.That shot was intended for M.JENKINS,the new spokesman for BUTTER-FINGERS candybars.Anyway,i hope to see the FALCONS get that spark soon,.and play the way we all know they can.
I think that the Atlanta is one of the best offensive team in the NFL with Matt Ryan, Roddy White, Turner + co, The O-Line and the new addition of Gonzalez. But we have one of the worst D teams. We need to draft a star cornerback or sign one, we need safeties. We need to keep healthy, especially young players like Jerry, Douglas and rookie Moore. The fact is that we allow too many point against. We scored 31 points against a good defense in the Giants, but couldn’t D up and that’s what made us lose the game. It’s not Matt Ryan’s fault, it was our inexperience at those important positions at Defensive back and I would have really loved to have seen Vontae Davis or a first class rookie cornerback in the next year or so. We still have a chance but now we need to step up
OK, How is this for wishful thinking for better personnel decisions:
-We should have kept Laurent Robinson and traded Michael Jenkins.
-We should have drafted cornerbacks in the first and second round instead of Peria Jerry, who was known to be injury prone, and William Moore, when we already had Erik Coleman.
Matt Ryan called tails at the start of the game and loss the toss. Why oh why did he do the same thing in overtime. Statically heads wins the toss the majority of the time. Hell…I learned that back in a high school statistics class dealing with probabilities.
In Sunday’s game offensive comeback was great, but again the defense could not get a stop….same old outcome!!!!