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Atlanta Falcons
There were no secrets that at some point the Falcons could be exposed on defense, especially their small corners. That concern is coming to fruition, as they rank 31st against the pass. Where Atlanta unexpectedly (4-3) hasn't established itself is on offense, and veteran kicker Jason Elam has become a liability.
The running game has been hot and cold, although Michael Turner finally had a strong game (151 yards) in a tough loss to New Orleans on Monday night. Atlanta seems to be having a hard time adjusting to defenses trying to take tight end Tony Gonzalez out of the game. Quarterback Matt Ryan also is struggling, completing 57 of 110 passes with five TDs and seven interceptions over the past three games. More troubling, he's been sacked seven times the past two weeks after getting taken down just twice in the first five games.
While the Falcons should beat the Redskins (2-5) at the Georgia Dome, where Atlanta is near invincible, this is hardly a slam dunk. Atlanta hasn't held up well against physical defensive fronts and Washington is the third straight team Atlanta is catching off a bye (what schedule-maker did it tick off?). The results of the other two didn't go so well. If the Falcons fall to 4-4 by losing their third straight, they could be in serious trouble of even challenging for a wild card (the 7-0 Saint are going to be hard to catch for the division title).
This is a franchise that, since its inception in 1966, has never had back-to-back winning seasons. If they accomplish that but don't make it to the playoffs, it will be a disappointing season.
There were no secrets that at some point the Falcons could be exposed on defense, especially their small corners. That concern is coming to fruition, as they rank 31st against the pass. Where Atlanta unexpectedly (4-3) hasn't established itself is on offense, and veteran kicker Jason Elam has become a liability.
The running game has been hot and cold, although Michael Turner finally had a strong game (151 yards) in a tough loss to New Orleans on Monday night. Atlanta seems to be having a hard time adjusting to defenses trying to take tight end Tony Gonzalez out of the game. Quarterback Matt Ryan also is struggling, completing 57 of 110 passes with five TDs and seven interceptions over the past three games. More troubling, he's been sacked seven times the past two weeks after getting taken down just twice in the first five games.
While the Falcons should beat the Redskins (2-5) at the Georgia Dome, where Atlanta is near invincible, this is hardly a slam dunk. Atlanta hasn't held up well against physical defensive fronts and Washington is the third straight team Atlanta is catching off a bye (what schedule-maker did it tick off?). The results of the other two didn't go so well. If the Falcons fall to 4-4 by losing their third straight, they could be in serious trouble of even challenging for a wild card (the 7-0 Saint are going to be hard to catch for the division title).
This is a franchise that, since its inception in 1966, has never had back-to-back winning seasons. If they accomplish that but don't make it to the playoffs, it will be a disappointing season.
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i'll admit, i am a little disappointed that our O isn't as consistent and that we don't really have a #1 corner yet, BUT i remember predicting that we would lose the NO, NE and DAL games in the preseason. they'd all be pretty winnable at home, but those are just some tough teams to beat at their house early in the season.
we'll get it going though. this time last year we were 4-3 and we went 7-2 over the last nine games. the 2nd half of the schedule is much easier then the first and we have games against the skins, bucs twice, panthers and bills as all games we SHOULD win. that leaves the jets, eagles, saints and giants. we should be able to get 2 of those at least, if not 3.
also remember the colts also struggled at the beginning of last season as their O couldn't get in rhythm, but they picked it up.
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