Thursday, September 13, 2012

Falcons Throttle Chiefs In Arrowhead

Scoring Summary 

First Quarter
Atlanta: Julio Jones 8yd pass from Ryan (7-0)
Kansas City: Ryan Succop 39yd field goal (7-3)
Atlanta: Matt Bryant 34yd field Goal (10-3)

Second Quarter
Kansas City: Kevin Boss 22yd pass from Cassel (10-10)
Atlanta: Julio Jones 14yd pass from Ryan (17-10)
Kansas City: Matt Cassel 5yd run (17-17)
Atlanta: Matt Bryant field goal (20-17)

Third Quarter
Atlanta: Matt Ryan 5yd run (27-17)
Atlanta: Tony Gonzalez 7yd pass from Ryan (34-17)

Fourth Quarter
Atlanta: Matt Bryant 30yd field goal (37-17)
Atlanta: Matt Bryant 41yd field goal (40-17)
Kansas City: Shaun Droughn (Drone) (40-24)


Week one in the books, and boy does it feel good to be back to football. We saw our Atlanta Falcons go up and blow out the Chiefs at home, opening up the season with the clubs first road opening week victory under the leadership of Mike Smith. Just looking at the score you would think it was a blow out from start to finish, and as much as I would to paint it that way, that wasn't the case.

The Chiefs played great football in the first half and it was a shootout up until halftime before the Falcons were able to control the game and pretty much end it in the third quarter. All in all this was a good team win, to open the season but there was defiantly some things that need to be cleaned up on both sides of the ball and some things that we as fans hope we continue to see from our 2012 team.

Offense

I personally like to receive the bad news before the good so let’s start with the things that need work. First off... Where is the run game? I understand Atlanta is moving toward a high flying offense and all that but when 25 of the teams 84 rushing yards come from your pocket passing quarterback something isn’t right.

Atlanta's bruiser running back, Michael Turner only rushed for 32 yards and honestly looked no different than he did in the preseason. Granted Turner had been known to get rolling later in games but with Coach Smith wanting to get second year back Quizz more involved, he is going to have to do more limited carries. 11 carries to be exact.

The other problem I had with the offense is the red zone production. Atlanta scored on its first 8 possessions however 4 of those scores were points scored by kicker Matt Bryant, 3 of which came from inside Kansas City's 20 yard line. When you move the ball down the field or is presented with a short field it is imperative that you take full advantage of those chances. Maybe it’s because its week one in a new offense but you can rest assured that Smitty is going to do everything in his power to get his team 6 points every time Ryan and company enter the opponents red zone.

The positive things that stood out with the offense is the most obvious. The team put up 40 points on the road with little of a run game. Make what you want about the depleted Chief secondary, every player has a job on defense; first, second, and third string, and that is to stop the other team from scoring points.

Matt Ryan shredded the Chiefs through the air for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding another 25 yards and another score on the ground. Ryan and Julio Jones really had it going on as the two connected on 6 of 9 passes for 106 yards and couple of scores. Jones a complete terror against Kansas City, catching pass after pass for big yards. On Jones's first touchdown got behind their Jacques Reeves on what looked to be a nine route after getting a clean release at the line and Ryan put it on the money for six.

The most improved part of this offensive attack is the offensive line. The line did give up a sack, however Ryan all kinds of time against the Chiefs and when he had to he stepped up and delivered strikes like he did late in the third quarter when he found legend Tony Gonzalez in the end zone in his return to the place where his career started 16 years ago.

This week’s offensive game ball goes to Matt Ryan.

Defense

Now on defense, the Falcons started off really bad. The unit allowed Matt Cassel and the Chiefs to move the ball up and down the field in the first half, giving up big play after big play and the BVG comparisons were flowing and plentiful. The defensive line was getting pushed around by the opposition and the secondary always seemed to be out of position allowing the chiefs to convert 11 of 16 3rd down attempts and 5 of 6 in the first half giving up 17 points.

But that is where the Van Gorder comparisons stop. After halftime, coordinator Mike Nolan's unit came out a different ball club and put the clamps down on the chiefs. In the second half, the Falcons held Kansas City to 6 of 10 on third down attempts. No it’s not great but 60% is much better than the 83% surrendered in the first thirty minutes of play.  

The Falcons brought down Cassel 3 times in the game and at halftime linebacker Stephen Nicholas led the charge and it looked as if the entire unit fed off his energy. Riding this wave, the Falcons defense forced three turnovers, 2 interceptions and a sack fumble by John Abraham. If the unit can continue this intensity throughout the season and correct these third down woes, this can and will be an elite defense.

This week’s defensive game ball goes to Stephen Nicholas.

Other News

Unfortunately Falcons Pro Bowl Corner Brent Grimes is done for the year after injuring his Achilles against the Chiefs. This is a huge blow to the secondary but a bigger blow as Grimes was designated the teams franchise player this off season. In the loss of Grimes, Robinson and Samuel will play outside and Chris Owens will take over at the nickel back position.

To counteract the injury Atlanta has signed Terrence Johnson, a college free agent signed by New England in 2009 and most recently played for the Colts in 2011.

Also in week one the Saints fall to the Redskins at home and Tampa Bay secured a victory against the Carolina Panthers. This victory places the Buccaneers atop the division followed by Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina.

Week 2 Preview

In week two the Falcons will be coming home to host the Denver Broncos led by Peyton Manning. In week one the Broncos beat the Steelers 31-19 and the quarterback who sat out a year passed for 253 yards and 2 touchdowns. Matt Ryan has never played against Manning and this game could serve as a huge measuring stick to gauge how far he is from being placed in that elite category of quarterbacks.

Denver's Defense has some great players and could be a challenge for Atlanta as they are still adjusting and setting into a new scheme. Keep an eye on Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil as both of them love to get after the quarterback. This matchup also features three former Jaguar coaches (Mike Smith, Jack Del Rio, and Dirk Koetter) which should cause for a little extra gamesmanship as they attempt to match wits in efforts to propel their respective teams to victory. The Falcons have not lost a week two home match up under Mike Smith and he looks to improve to 4-0 after this week’s game.

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3 comments:

  1. Shields - Nice blog man. Keep up the good work.

    Go D@mn Falcons!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pettus- Thanks for the Read and the continued support of Views from the Nest.

    Devitt- I appreciate the kind words and expressions of support and encouragement. Thats right, Go Falcons!!!!

    ReplyDelete