Tarantism's NFL Experience

[tarantism]

Falcons Clinch Playoff Berth With Close Win In Georgia Dome

Safety Thomas DeCoud Makes a Game-Saving Tackle to Ice the Game

(Sunday, January 1st, 2011) The Atlanta Falcons were able to clinch a playoff berth on Sunday following a harrowing 17-12 victory against the division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons, who failed to secure a position in the playoffs in last week's loss to the Saints, looked strong offensively and quarterback Matt Ryan turned in a strong 20/29 for 258 yards and a score. "We knew the importance of this game" said coach Mike Smith following the game, "I was proud that our guys were able to rise up to the occasion and beat a tough division rival". The Falcons defense also looked strong for the majority of the game, holding the Bucs to just 3 points in the first three quarters, with the field goal only allowed when Tampa Bay had a short field following a Matt Ryan fumble.

The Falcons kicked off the fourth quarter scoring with a Matt Bryant field goal that made it 17-5 with just under six minutes to play. However, on the very next play Tampa quarterback Josh Freeman connected with second year receiver Mike Williams on an 80 catch and run for a touchdown. "We were in a cover-2 look" said safety William Moore, who was beat on the play, "and I dropped back but he just got by me". The touchdown made the score of the game 17-12, breathing new life into a Buccaneers team that hadn't gotten it going on offense up to that point. The Falcons and Bucs then traded three and outs, and then Atlanta followed that up with yet another short drive that ended in a punt. With the game on the line, Freeman led the Bucs offense all of the way down the field only to get stopped roughly one foot short of the goal line on fourth down with :23 seconds remaining. Only then could Falcons fans breathe a sigh of relief at the guarantee of the team's 3rd playoff appearance in 4 years.

• The Falcons finished the season 10-6. It was their fourth winning season in as many years under Mike Smith.
• Julio Jones led all receivers with 143 yards on 7 receptions. Roddy White caught Ryan's only touchdown.
• MLB Curtis Lofton turned in another impressive game with 10 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

Next Week: The Flacons will stay home to face the Green Bay Packers in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs.

[tarantism]

Around the League, Week 17 Edition

Terrell Suggs Dominates Week 17, Ravens Clinch Wild Card

Offensive Player of the Week:
Tony Romo (DAL) - 31/42 for 347 yards and 4 TD

Defensive Player of the Week:
Terrell Suggs (BAL) - 11 total tackles, 4 sacks.

• Ravens, Jets, Packers and Vikings secure playoff spots with wild card
• Falcons, Chiefs wrap up divisions with wins
• Source: Big Ben likely MVP
• Percy Harvin tears rotator cuff, will not play in playoffs
• Louis Delmas put on IR with broken foot

[tarantism]

2011 NFL Final Standings:

• AFC North: Steelers (15-1), Ravens (10-6), Bengals (7-9), Browns (3-13)
• AFC South: Titans (10-6), Jaguars (8-8), Texans (6-10), Colts (5-11)
• AFC East: Bills (10-6), Jets (10-6), Patriots (9-7), Dolphins (5-11)
• AFC West: Chiefs (9-7), Raiders (9-7), Chargers (8-8), Broncos (3-13)
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• NFC North: Lions (11-5), Packers (9-7), Vikings (9-7), Bears (9-7)
• NFC South: Falcons (10-6), Saints (8-8), Buccaneers (6-10), Panthers (5-11)
• NFC East: Redskins (10-6), Eagles (9-7), Cowboys (7-9), Giants (7-9)
• NFC West: 49ers (11-5), Rams (7-9), Seahawks (6-10), Cardinals (5-11)

[tarantism]

2011 NFL Statistical Leaders:

Passing Leaders-

• QB Rating: Drew Brees (NO) - 95.7
• Yards: Drew Brees (NO) - 4,681
• Touchdowns: Drew Brees (NO) - 37
• Comp %: Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) - 59%

Rushing Leaders-

• Attempts: Fred Jackson (BUF) - 319
• Yards: Adrian Peterson (MIN) - 1,401
• Average: Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX) - 4.7
• Touchdowns: Thomas Jones (KC) - 13

Receiving Leaders-

• Receptions: Greg Jennings (GB) - 111
• Yards: Marques Colston (NO) - 1,383
• Touchdowns: Greg Jennings (GB) - 16
• Drops: Roddy White (ATL) - 22

Blocking Leaders-

• Pancakes: Stephen Peterman (DET) - 19
• Sacks: Shawn Lauvao (CLE) - 23

Defensive Leaders-

• Solo Tackles: Stephen Tulloch (DET) - 99
• Total Tackles: Curtis Lofton (ATL) - 133
• TFL: Dan Conner (CAR) - 16
• Sacks: Michael Johnson (CIN) - 16.0
• Interceptions: Ronde Barber (TB) - 10
• DB Passes Defensed: Champ Bailey (DEN) - 19
• Forced Fumbles: DeMeco Ryans (HOU) - 6

[tarantism]

2011 NFL Season Awards

MVP:

Ben Roethlisberger (PIT): 329/551 for 4,241 yards, 32 TD and 11 INT

OPotY:

Drew Brees (NO): 364/615 for 4,681 yards, 37 TD and 11 INT

DPotY:

Bryan Thomas (NYJ): 82 Tackles, 15.5 Sacks, 2 INT, 3 Fumbles Forced

ORotY:

Cam Newton (CAR): 302/532 for 3,370 yards, 21 TD and 15 INT, 92 Rushes for 197 yards and 1 TD

DPotY:

Ryan Kerrigan (WAS) - 86 Tackles, 11.5 Sacks, 1 INT, 2 Fumbles Forced

CotY:

Mike Tomlin (PIT) - 15-1

[tarantism]

2011 Atlanta Falcons Team Leaders:

Passing:

• Matt Ryan- 337/615 for 4,019 Yards, 21 TD and 12 INT, 78.2 Rating

Rushing:

• Michael Turner- 288 carries for 1,266 yards and 8 TD

Receiving:

• Roddy White- 94 Receptions for 1,080 Yards and 5 TD
• Julio Jones- 84 Receptions for 1,135 Yards and 9 TD
• Tony Gonzalez- 75 Receptions for 994 Yards and 6 TD

Blocking:

• Garrett Reynolds- 8 Pancakes

Defensive:

• Tackles- Curtis Lofton (133)
• Sacks- Ray Edwards (9.0)
• INTs- Brent Grimes (5)
• Passes Defensed- Brent Grimes (14)
• Forced Fumbles- Curtis Lofton (4)

[tarantism]

Wild Card Weekend 2011

Ray Lewis will be fighting for his second championship starting Sunday

• New York Jets @ Tennessee Titans (Titans +2.5): Mark Sanchez and the New York Jets will try to stop Chris Johnson and the AFC South champion Titans.
• Minnesota Vikings @ Washington Redskins (Redskins +7.5): Led by rookie Christian Ponder, the Vikings will attempt to get through Brian Orakpo, Ryan Kerringan and the stingy Washington defense.
• Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs (Ravens +2.5): The AFC West champs from Kansas City will try to defend arrowhead against Ray Rice, Terrell Suggs, Ray Lewis and the wild card Baltimore Ravens.
• Green Bay Packers @ Atlanta Falcons (Falcons +6): With Aaron Rodgers due to injury, Packers backup Matt Flynn will try to lead his team to victory in the hostile Georgia Dome against the Falcons.

[tarantism]

Ryan, Falcons Victorious For First Time In Playoffs

Matt Ryan Connects With Tony Gonzalez for the Score

(Sunday, January 8th, 2011) The Atlanta Falcons were all smiles Sunday evening following their 30-3 dismantling of the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers, a win has several veteran Falcons breathing a sigh of relief. The win was the first in the playoff career for franchise headliners Matt Ryan and head coach Mike Smith, both of whom have had consistent regular season success in their first four years in their respective positions. The duo both joined the Falcons in 2008, with Smith getting a shot as the head man for the first time and then subsequently drafting Ryan with the #3 pick of the 2008 draft that June. "It feels good" said Ryan, who had come under some scrutiny for going 0-2 previously in the playoffs, "It feels real good but we know that the mission isn't complete yet. There is still a long road ahead with some good teams to play."

It also seems quite appropriate that this win would come against the same Green Bay Packers that dismantled the Falcons nearly a year ago in this same Georgia Dome after the Falcons cruised to a 13-3 finish during the regular season. Of course, after Aaron Rodgers went down with an injury during week 11 the Packers had severely decreased odds of winning the Super Bowl. Rodgers, an MVP favorite before he went down, was replaced in the game by fourth year quarterback Matt Flynn from week 12 on. Flynn played decently, posting an 11/6 touchdown to interception ratio and achieving a respectable QB Rating of 81.9, no doubt helped in part by the immense talent of the skill positions around him. For this game, however, it was Atlanta's young defense that won out as Flynn passed for just 184 yards on 18/35 with one interception and no touchdowns. "We came in with intensity tonight" said Mike Smith following the game, "We feel good but now we turn our attention to San Francisco".

Stats and Notes:

• Julio Jones showed no jitters at all, catching 9 passes for 107 yards and 1 TD
• Quarterback Matt Ryan posted his best ever playoff performance, going 21/28 for 218 yards and 2 TDs.
• The defense was headlined by Ray Edwards, who achieved 2.0 sacks and 5 total tackles.
• Reserve Cornerback Chris Owens entered the game for an injured Brent Grimes during the 2nd quarter. Grimes did not return and reports coming out of Falcons camp say that he has a broken collarbone and will likely miss the remainder of the 2011 playoffs.

Next Game: The Falcons will travel to San Francisco to face the 2nd seed 49ers (11-5) during the NFL Divisional Playoffs on January 15th.