Atlanta Falcons vs. Arizona Cardinals: Five Observations From the Game
Yesterday was a game played with as much urgency as a 0-1 team can show at home, as the Atlanta Falcons routed the mistake-prone Arizona Cardinals 41-7. The Falcons dominated this game from the onset, thanks in large part to their ability to run the ball, and play stifling defense against one of the league's better receiving corps.
That said, there were a few things that I observed about this team that will go a long way to determine whether or not Atlanta will be able to take it to the next level, beginning next week at the Superdome against the New Orleans Saints.
5. William Moore Was Another Great Draft Pick
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William Moore started yesterday at safety, and instantly made an impact in the secondary. He picked off one pass from Arizona QB Derek Anderson and almost had a second interception. The point is that he gives Dunta Robinson exactly what Atlanta needs in the secondary—a hard-hitter who's not afraid to go at the quarterback.
Since he has experience playing against spread offenses, it will come in great handy when Atlanta goes up against teams like the Saints and Green Bay Packers. If the rest of the secondary can continue to play great one-on-one against the receivers, it allows Moore to roam out in space like a vulture to pick off passes, and make bone-crushing hits.
4. The Defense Is Very Underrated
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If there is one thing that Atlanta learned from its loss at Pittsburgh, is that they can hang on the road with their formidable defense. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has this team playing as a unit, and rookie Sean Weatherspoon made his presence felt with his first sack of his career. They haven't allowed great receivers to get behind the secondary, and being able to force turnovers has improved in the past few years.
If there is one area of concern, it's that the name John Abraham hasn't been mentioned much during the broadcasts, and that has to change as the schedule gets tougher later in the season. Yes, the Falcons have guys like Dunta Robinson and Curtis Lofton, but if they want to play deep into January, No. 55 must be able to put more pressure on the QB.
Also, the defense has got to keep the opposing running backs in front of them. Twice they have allowed TD runs over 50 yards, and if they allow that to happen next week at the Superdome, Drew Brees and the Saints will have a field day.
3. Ovie Mughelli Needs to Lay off The Dumb Penalties
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Twice in two weeks fullback Ovie Mughelli has committed dumb penalties, which have hurt the Falcons tremendously. In Pittsburgh he had a holding call that put Atlanta deep in its own territory in overtime. Also, he had a unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that took Atlanta out of a first-and-goal situation near the endzone.
Veteran players cannot makes these kinds of mistakes and put their offense in such bad field position. It already cost them one game, and it will cost them another if he doesn't cut out the silly plays.
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2. Atlanta Will Be Fine at RB, Even Without Michael Turner
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As of 4:15pm yesterday afternoon, approximately 500,000 people put Jason Snelling on their fantasy team. Most Falcons fans know that Snelling stepped up admirably when Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood went down last season, and if he continues to play at this level, then Turner and Norwood can take solace in the fact that Atlanta now has a three-headed monster at running back.
This is huge for a team that is determined to win via the running game. Also, the offensive line began to open up holes for Snelling which enabled him to get the tough third down yards as well. Going up against the Saints next week, coach Mike Smith will need to use all of his running backs to keep the Saints defense in check, and most importantly, keep Drew Brees off the field.
1. Matt Ryan Plays To His Strengths
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Everyone here knows that I am a Matt Ryan apologist, and the way he played yesterday validated my views of the franchise leader. A lot of critics and "insiders" were ready to rip Ryan after losing at Pittsburgh (which just happens to be a tough place for any team to play) but I wasn't.
What a lot of people need to understand is that Ryan is the type of QB that wins because he plays to his strengths, which is the short, intermediate passing game. Sure that doesn't help a lot in fantasy stats, but the idea is to win real-life NFL games, not throw the ball down the field and just forget about running the ball, which is something the Dallas Cowboys should probably remember right now.
That being said, Matt Ryan targeted his running backs as well as Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, keeping the Cardinals 3-4 defense off balance. He has such a command of the situation that he isn't going to do anything to hurt his team, that first-half fumble notwithstanding. Great quarterbacks use their personnel to win games instead of always trying to win the game by themselves, which is something Brett Favre hasn't figured out yet.
Ryan is unstoppable at home, but in order to win big games on the road he will have to play to his strengths and avoid trying to sling the ball all over the field, because that is not who he is. Atlanta is a balanced team with one of the league's smartest QBs behind center. That is what wins championships!
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