Atlanta Falcons Escape Sunday Worse for Wear as Buccaneers Drop a Heartbreaker

The Falcons kept their heads above water in the NFC playoff race, but they paid a huge price.

From the onset of Sunday's kickoff, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came out physical. With the announcement that head coach Raheem Morris will be calling the plays, the Tampa Bay faithful had a close eye on the results. They were not disappointed.

From the first snap of the game, the Bucs came out to punch the Falcons in the face. It didn't take long before the first of many injuries surfaced.

On the 10th play of the game, Falcons golden boy quarterback Matt Ryan was rolled up while being sacked by two relative unknown defensive ends. One of the two, named Tim Crowder, was just signed this season as a free agent from Denver.

I mention Crowder merely due to the fact that I pined for him in 2007, when then Falcons GM Rich McKay was steering the ship. Crowder went in the second round, 17 picks after the Falcons selected cornerback Chris Houston.

Crowder had a much better game Sunday than the disappointing Houston.

When Crowder emerged from the sack high-fiving his teammates, quarterback Matt Ryan limped slowly off the field and wasn't seen in the huddle for the rest of the game. His replacement, veteran Chris Redman, had to take the reins and lead the Falcons to victory.

Redman stepped on the field for the first time in 27 games for the Falcons and delivered the mail. He did a solid job keeping the chains moving, and for someone that takes very few reps with the first string offense, he performed very well.

"I am always in the game whether I am in or not," said Redman after the game. "As the backup, you have to be prepared to play at any second to be in the game. I understand that I am one play away from getting my number called to step in. This approach enabled me to focus in and help the team as much as possible."

The Falcons are lucky they have a backup that prepares this way. Tampa Bay was playing "Nothing to Lose" football Sunday and came out with massive pressure packages—namely, blitzing safety Ronde Barber.

Before the first half had ended, the Falcons had lost their starting quarterback, left tackle, and right guard. Physical indeed. The birds got beat up.

Shortly after the second half was under way, another blow was struck to the Falcons offense. Stud running back Michael Turner went down with another leg injury.

So welcome back to the huddle, Chris Redman. You are working with backup running backs who have both been injured, a backup offensive tackle guarding your blind side, and the meanest offensive lineman on the team standing on the sidelines injured.

Now go win the football game!

And that he did. It took a last second pass on fourth down to Roddy White to do it. This game was controlled by Tampa Bay from start to finish. But it isn't about who wins the battles; it's about who wins the wars.

“We had double slants called with man coverage on the last play," said Redman. "We liked our chances with WR Roddy White one-on-one making a play for us on fourth down. Roddy is a great player and we had all the confidence in him. Our timing was a bit off prior to that touchdown catch.”

All that matters is the war was won.

The Falcons are still alive for a playoff berth going into a very difficult two-week stretch against Philadelphia and New Orleans. Both games are at home. If the Falcons plan to sniff the playoffs, they must win at least one of these two games, with the Eagles game being the most important in the case of a season-ending tiebreaker.

They will go into these games likely without Matt Ryan. It all falls on the shoulders of Chris Redman. I personally have faith in his ability to distribute the ball to the playmakers. The real question mark going into those games is honestly that porous Falcons defense.

It is up to the defense to shore up and impose their will on these two dynamic offenses. Both teams have been stopped this season in different games—the Saints against the Jets and the Eagles against the Raiders. What's troubling is both the Jets and Raiders are better defensively than Atlanta.

Defensive coordinator Brian Van Gorder is terrified to blitz good quarterbacks. He plays two of the best in the next two weeks. Expect to see more bend and break defense.

But back to observations from the Tampa Bay game.

STUDS OF THE WEEK

Chris Redman

Stepped in admirably with half the offensive unit injured. He tossed the winning touchdown pass as well as several key third and fourth down completions.

Tony Gonzalez

Until the final drive of the game, Gonzo was relatively invisible. He was double-covered much of the game and fought through those to be ready to win the game. That last drive was worth the price of admission.

Michael Koenan

I can't say enough about the boybarian. He's one of the best in the league. Between forcing touchbacks and booming 60-yard punts that take six seconds to land, he's just solid. He kept Tampa Bay pinned back anytime he was called upon.

Michael Jenkins

I defend him constantly to fellow Falcons fans. He's one of the best blocking receivers in the NFL and gets little credit in that area. There is a reason the Falcons get so much production running his direction. His problem has been dropping passes. Well, not Sunday. He had a great game with Redman throwing him the rock.

Roddy White

Between the receiver screen he took past Aqib Talib for over 20 yards and the game-winning touchdown, he played hard Sunday. He's a guy I'm glad to have on our side in the battles. I have a feeling he's going to have a helluva day Sunday with Redman tossing him the rock deep.

Chevis Jackson

I have to show my LSU alum some love here. He played very well—better than any other cornerback on the field. Not saying much there, but he was the best.

Jonathan Babineaux

Invisible for most of the game, he came through with a clutch sack and forced fumble to force the Bucs to punt midway through the fourth quarter.

DUDS OF THE WEEK

Jason Elam

I hate to pile on this guy because he's been so clutch in his career in the past. This season, something's up. He missed another pretty automatic field goal Sunday. It was announced today that he was released, and I wish him the best. He seems like a great guy, but he's either injured or he has Rayfinkleitis.

Sam Baker

Matt Ryan isn't the only one going through a sophomore slump. Baker had a really bad November and topped it off with getting injured. His replacement, Will Svitek, doesn't thrill me, but the way T-Rex (yes, Baker has short arms) has been playing, I can't say with any faith it's a downgrade.

Tye Hill

I hope you put some of that famous lasagna in your refrigerator the night the Falcons signed you. You can freeze it and take it with you next year to whatever team signs you. Sunday I had D.J. Johnson flashbacks. The difference is, Antonio Bryant is no Jerry Rice.

Chris Houston

Turn your head and play the ball Chris!!!! Write this down, take a picture, I don't give a...well, you get the idea. Turn your head and play the ball!!!

John Abraham

...To say I'm disappointed would be too much of an understatement.

Mike Peterson

Has he played in the month of November? I swear I see a jersey whose name is covered by hair sometimes. I just figure it can't be Peterson because it's usually side camera walking into the play after the whistle. Very disappointed in him after a fantastic September.

Chauncey Davis

Is he still on the active roster?

I can't say I'm optimistic about Sunday's game against the Eagles after watching the home game against the Buccaneers. The Falcons are supposed to be a force at home. I realize injuries are mounting, but Tampa Bay was a 1-9 team going into Sunday. You aren't supposed to rely on last second heroics in those games.