Birdseed: November 3, 2009
I’ve decided pretty much anything I write here won’t make Falcons players, staff, coaches or fans feel better.
You don’t lose 35-27 to a division rival on Monday Night Football with so much emotion and passion on the line and wake up chipper the next morning (or, more accurately, later the same morning).
“Especially with the Saints, you know you’re going to have a tough game,” quarterback Matt Ryan said after the game.
http://video.atlantafalcons.com/video/185675/185675_2009-11-03-010613.flvClick here for more Falcons-Saints interviews
That about sums up why things happened in New Orleans. The Falcons expected a hard game. But it doesn’t really explain all the details and how the team will rebound from a 4-3 record on a short week and take on a struggling Redskins team.
“That’s the way the game goes sometimes… They’re going to make some plays,” Ryan said when asked about his team’s turnovers and the chances to snatch victory away from the undefeated Saints. “A credit to them; They’ve been making those kind of plays all year.”
Still too early in the season for a must-win game, but the Falcons can’t afford too many more losses if they want to keep the playoff dream alive.
“The focus now has to be getting back to work and getting ready for the Redskins,” Ryan said.
The focus will include a game plan that features the Falcons strengths. After Monday night, there are additional positives to build on including 151 rushing yards from Michael Turner, a defense that is increasingly opportunistic and crafty when pressuring the quarterback and a special teams unit that has some tricks ups its sleeve.
But let’s see what the media at large thinks…
Complete Gameday Coverage from AtlantaFalcons.com
We’ve all seen games like this. But we haven’t seen them over the last two seasons with the Falcons. I’m talking about passion. What does the rebound look like with so much left on the field in New Orleans?
Falcons can’t close the upset deal against Saints, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta certainly looked like the upstart team looking for an upset. But, as the game played out, it looked more and more like a heavyweight bout between balanced opponents.
Saints’ remaining schedule is league’s easiest, ESPN.com
Well, that’s not good news.
Crowd was part of Saints’ arsenal, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Get ready New Orleans, you have two nationally-televised games left. They happen to be against the toughest teams left on the schedule.
Saints Beat Falcons and Tie Best Start to a Season at 7-0, The New York Times
More notes from NFL Week 8 and the Saints (Version 2009) have a piece of franchise history.
These truly aren’t the Saints of old, ESPN.com
“Everything that could go wrong pretty much did — and the Saints still won.” Credit to the Saints and a lesson for the Falcons.
Saints have realistic shot at 16-0, SI.com
Plenty of eyes with the Falcons organization, mostly coaches but also everyone at home, took notes from this one. I expect a similarly intense battle next month at the Georgia Dome.
Falcons sought running back help, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Plenty of injuries going into the game, but it doesn’t look like the Falcons suffered any other major setbacks.
A night of fire from the Falcons, but not much Ice, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A few words about Ryan’s Monday night interceptions. The first was to a spot on the field that was to be occupied by a receiver, who was thrown off his route (penalty or not doesn’t matter). The second was a tipped pass (another great play by Jonathan Vilma). The third was a classic Hail Mary pick. I’m not saying there should be additional stat lines to describe interceptions, but I am saying…
Rapid Reaction: Saints 35, Falcons 27, ESPN.com
We certainly have a clearer picture of how the playoff race in the NFC South could shape up.
Former Falcon Hall still no fan of Petrino, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is there ever a game in the NFL without a sub-story line.
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=63c71124-3efe-4a04-8f70-793264fa82be)
Something about the Bears coming to town brings out the best in the ![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=d3a4d741-4a47-4d73-8b99-b6a89fb2f746)
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=f896c3e4-4b5d-4140-b3c5-b0dff194cc4c)

![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=6b4d6dfa-caf7-4724-90f7-87249ad6f4d6)

![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=e5a562e8-cc69-4009-833f-32257540aabe)

Recent Comments