Falconcast: A Look at the Bills

Remember training camp and the preseason when Falcons players really didn’t want to talk about the possibility of back-to-back winning seasons? They weren’t rude about it, they just wanted to focus on the present — the step-by-step nature of an NFL season.

Fast forward to Week 16 of the 2009 season and the Falcons (7-7) are eliminated from playoff contention.

Now’s the time to talk about winning out, finishing off what would be a three-game winning streak and tossing the back-to-back winning season monkey off their back.

“We’re talking about history here,” tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “Since this organization has been around we haven’t had back-to-back winning seasons and I think it’s really important we go out there and get it done.”

Perhaps its the nature of Sunday’s opponent that has fans and media clamoring about the Birds getting to 9-7. The Bills are 5-9, under the direction of an interim head coach and could start a third-string quarterback Sunday afternoon. If the Falcons pick up a win Sunday they’ll close the season with a chance to get win No. 9 against the current two-win Buccaneers.

It’s certainly something those on the outside can speculate about (Matt Moore and I do a nice job of it) but the Falcons are zeroing in on the Buffalo Bills, particularly on a defense that is a respectable 16th in points allowed yet carries the league’s worst unit against the run.

The Bills also have 19 players on injured reserve.

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“They’ve got some physical players in the front four,” quarterback Matt Ryan said. “Linebackers are tough. They’ve had some injuries, no doubt about it, but that’s the NFL at this time of year.”

“They’ve had a couple games where they’ve given up some explosive runs but I feel what they’re doing schematically is very sound,” added Head Coach Mike Smith. “They’ve just had some breakdowns in a couple of games.”

So what will it take to get to 9-7? First things first. Falcons-Bills Keys to the Game:

• Stay strong in the red zone. The Jets were 0-for-3 in the red zone last week thanks, in part, to their own miscues. But the Falcons have had a good share of stands inside the 20-yard line this season. With the Bills offense already limping into the game, a few defensive stops would demoralize the competition. Atlanta allows a score in the red zone 79 percent of the time.
• Start fast, finish strong. The Falcons are 11-1 under Smith when leading at halftime. Say what you want about the team’s ups and downs this season, but the Birds have shown the ability to close out games with a lead. If you’re Atlanta, you don’t want this to be a close game. The Bills have lost five games by seven or less points. Don’t give them a shot.
• Remember what’s at stake. You know that whole back-to-back winning season thing? It’s important.

MORE FALCONS-BILLS COVERAGE:

• GAME CENTER: Stats and more in the NFL.com Game Center
• MULTIMEDIA: Video interviews and more to get you ready for Sunday
• QUOTABLE: Locker Room | Smith Monday | Smith Wednesday
• INJURY REPORT: Falcons injury news presented by Piedmont Healthcare
• J. MIKE’S MISSIVES: Falcons news and commentary from the AF.com editor
• TIME MACHINE: Falcons have provided share of holiday memories
• NOTES AND NUMBERS: Some key figures and notes for Falcons-Bills
• EXPERT’S TAKE: Ira Kaufman talks about the Falcons, NFL standings
• WHAT TO WATCH: Some key factors for Sunday’s game to keep an eye on
• GAME INFORMATION: Important fan information for the final home game of 2009
• PREVIEW PACK: Stats and other preview information from the communications staff (PDF)