Falcons-Chargers: Falcons Charge Into Sixth Place with Win

While the weather in San Diego was typically perfect, the Falcons-Chargers game on Sunday was anything but.

The Falcons did a lot right to warrant the 22-16 win, but they also managed to make some atypical mistakes that could have cost them the game.

The Atlanta offensive big three came up big. Quarterback Matt Ryan was 17-for-23 for 207 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Michael Turner rushed for 120 yards and wide receiver Roddy White caught six passes for 112 yards, surpassing the 1,000-yard plateau on his second reception.

Atlanta continued to get big plays, but from a variety of unsung heroes. Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, fresh off his contract extension signed on Tuesday, contributed 1.5 sacks and rookie defensive end Kroy Biermann chipped in with his first career sack.

On offense, tight end Justin Peelle caught a touchdown pass and emerging do-it-all man Harry Douglas added his first receiving touchdown of the season on the heels of his standout game last week against Carolina, in which he returned a punt for a touchdown and rushed for one as well.

But on this holiday weekend Atlanta has a lot for which to be thankful. Not many teams can travel across the country, turn the ball over three times and walk away winners. The Falcons definitely had some holiday magic working in their favor on Sunday.

The defense stepped up to plate again this week to bail out an offense that scored 20 of the 22 points, but also left the game in doubt with the turnovers and a few miscues.

On the first possession in the first quarter, Atlanta drove 49 yards only to have Ryan overthrow Michael Jenkins in the end zone. Jenkins was wide open, but the rookie quarterback couldn't quite put enough touch on it for the fifth-year receiver, also a newly extended player, to reel it in. The Falcons were only able to come away with a field goal on that drive.

Another first-quarter mistake came for the Falcons on the following possession when the Chargers punted to return man Douglas. He fumbled the catch and San Diego recovered on Atlanta's 20 yard-line.

Four plays later, running back LaDainian Tomlinson found the end zone for the only time on Sunday. After that touchdown run, Tomlinson was heard from little for the remainder of the game. Atlanta's defense held the running back to 24 yards rushing, the second-lowest total of his career.

On the next possession Ryan found White on an impressive 38-yard reception but could do little more, coming away with another field goal.

After a calm, yet stern conversation with Douglas from Atlanta's coach, Mike Smith, the rookie return man took the first step toward making up for his prior costly turnover in the second quarter. Fielding a punt at his own 22, Douglas returned it 32 yards to open up the Falcons' first possession of the second quarter.

Coach Smith's early decision to go for it on 4th-and-1 was successful, showing once again his faith in his offensive line and the running game, and on the next play Ryan connected with Peelle for an 18-yard touchdown.

A great tackle by special-teamer David Irons started the Chargers' offense at its own eight-yard line and the Falcons' defense increased the pressure on San Diego.

After a penalty, safety Lawyer Milloy, on a blitz, recognized the run and dropped Tomlinson for a three-yard loss. The official's spotting was questionable and Atlanta believed it had a safety. The officials placed the ball on the one-inch-yard line and the Falcons resumed their efforts for a safety.

On third down, defensive end John Abraham had San Diego quarterback Phillip Rivers in his grasp before he threw it away.

Yellow flags appeared and Atlanta knew it had its safety and the Chargers' offense's number. Rivers' was charged with intentional grounding and the Falcons went into halftime with a 15-7 lead.

Atlanta opened the second half with a heavy dose of Turner on its first possession, but on 3rd-and-8, Ryan called receiver Brian Finneran's number.

The veteran receiver fumbled the seven-yard pass and San Diego safety Eric Weddle returned the fumble 86 yards for the Chargers' second touchdown. The two-point conversion failed, but Atlanta's lead had dwindled to two points.

The first play of the fourth quarter culminated an impressive drive by Atlanta with a touchdown catch from Douglas, who with that catch made up for his earlier fumble.

Atlanta's defense came up big again on the following possession when defensive end Jamaal Anderson blocked a field goal attempt. Atlanta was not only unable to capitalize on the play, but put its defense right back on the field two minutes later when Turner lost a fumble, his first lost fumble of the season, that was recovered by the Chargers' Quentin Jammer.

With good field position, San Diego put together a drive, but could only register a field goal, thanks to a big play on third down from corner back Domonique Foxworth.

Rivers found receiver Vincent Jackson in the end zone, but Jackson had to jump to catch it. While in the air, Foxworth was able to push the receiver out of bounds, resulting in an incomplete pass.

Atlanta was unable to put any points on the board on the following possession and with 2:46 remaining, the struggling Chargers' offense took over one last time.

On second down, Abraham and Babineaux met Rivers in the backfield for a loss of nine yards. On the following play, safety Erik Coleman made a tremendous leaping play to break up a pass on what would have been a sure first down.

San Diego's coach, Norv Turner, made the decision to give the ball back to Atlanta, with the hope that his struggling, and NFL-worst pass defense, would stop the Falcons.

But former Charger Turner ensured that would not happen. On 2nd-and-7, he gained 14 yards and the game was over. Ryan and the offense assumed the victory formation and walked out of San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium with an ugly but much-needed win.

In the NFL, ugly counts and Atlanta has to give thanks. Their defense shut down one of the league's most potent offenses, yet turnovers almost cost them the game. The defense deserves the credit for Sunday's win.

"It all goes back to how we practiced during the week," Babineaux said of the defense's play. “We keyed in on what they want to do in the run game. We came in and stopped the run and made them pass. Once they started passing we got after them."

Atlanta has to hope its second trip to the West Coast for a very physical game hasn't taken too much wind out of its sails. As all of the games concluded on Sunday, the 8-4 Falcons found themselves in the sixth-and-final playoff spot. It's a delicate position in which to be and they need to continue to win to ensure an improbable playoff position.

This season is no longer about exceeding expectations or gaining respect. It's now about that playoff run and anything less than that for this Atlanta team will be a disappointment. The kind of fight they showed in Sunday's game will go a long way towards keeping them where they are right now.

Coach Smith said after the game of his team, "This is a resilient football team. This is a group of men that enjoy being around each other. They fight hard every single day.”

Four games remain. Winning three out of those four will require some resilience, but would also likely ensure that coveted final playoff spot. And once they're there, the new season begins.