Falcons vs. Saints Recap...The NFL rules are wack

The Falcons hosted the Saints in what was the biggest home game in Atlanta Falcons history. With a win the Falcons lock up the division and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Saints on the other hand needed a win to secure their spot in the playoffs. The Dome was rocking and definitely had a playoff atmosphere. My take on the game:

Quarterback: C-

• Matt Ryan was pretty dreadful all night. Multiple times it looked like the pressure was getting to him and he wasn't setting his feet and making strong accurate throws. He completed only 15/29 for 148 yards and a score. For as bad as he played we still had a chance to win which is a sign that this is not the Falcons of old.

Running Backs: D

• Michael Turner for 99% of the night was http://www.nonexistant.com/MIA . He had 48 yards on 17 carries for a measly 2.8 average and a COSTLY turnover at the goal line. I will not jump all over Turner since that is his first fumble in a year and a half or so. Its imperative that the Falcons get Turner going. When Turner runs the ball well the Falcons almost never lose. Now you have to give the Saints some credit but the Offensive Line needs to man up and grab a snickers. Starting to look like a bunch of Betty White's out there.

Wide Receivers: C+

• Roddy White had an average day with 5 catches for 43 yards and a score. I thought they needed to try and get the ball to Roddy more but I know you cant just lock in on 1 receiver. I was surprised Tony Gonzalez wasn't targeted more. With the way the saints were stuffing the run you would think the down field passing game would be more open but it wasn't. Michael Jenkins had some nice catches and caused the pass interference in the end zone that was fumbled away by Michael Turner.

Defense: A+

• The defense was outstanding! Drew Brees completed some passes but his yards per attempt for 3 quarters were under 5. We consistently got pressure on Brees and made him have to move of his spot which was a goal of Mike Smiths going into the game. We forced 2 turnovers one of which was returned for a touchdown by Chauncy Davis and the other was an incredible pick by Jon Abraham in which he he could have taken it to the house if it wasn't for Drew Brees making the tackle.

Overall: C

• For the offense to play as poor as they did and still have a chance to win the game you have to be somewhat pleased with that. I am very very happy with the way the defense played and in a way I am glad that we lost. A friend of mine brought up a good point that is is very difficult to beat a team 3 times in a year and had we won last night more than likely we would see the Saints again in a few weeks right back at the Dome. The Dome from what I could tell was rocking and that is the kind of crowd we need at EVERY home game. Once we dismantle the Panthers next week we will earn our bye and home field throughout the playoffs. RISE UP!

I have a quick beef with the NFL and their rules committee that I would like to pick real quick. What is the point of instant replay if it cant be used when it is needed most?? Someone explain the logic to me that under 2 minutes a review can only come from the booth but only certain plays cant be reviewed. Last night Pierre Thomas was down a yard back from where the ref spotted the ball. Since the spotted ball was still an inch short of the first down, it could not be reviewed. Let me get this straight. You have a review system that 1000000000% shows his knee down a full yard back YET you go with the spot of the ref who is watching the game in real time?? Oh and because it wasn't a first down its not reviewable?!?!?! Get a clue already. There is going to be a time where something like that happens at an absurdly critical time in a huge game and the NFL is going to look like a bunch of morons when they have to explain themselves to an entire fan base why its not a reviewable play. Whats the point of having a review system if you are going to let certain plays be reviewed and let others stand that are wrong?

Falcons Week 12 Recap and Top 5 in the NFC

The Falcons found themselves fighting for home field advantage in the NFC with a HUGE game against the Green Bay Packers. A win against the Packers and the Falcons would be in the drivers seat for home field advantage throughout the playoffs. As most of you know Matt Ryan is 19-1 at home as a starter and the Falcons have rarely lost at home over the last 3 years. Thus making Sundays game a HUGE one.

Quarterbacks: A

• Matt Ryan was 24/28 for 197 yards and a score. If I'm not mistaken he was 14-14 in the 2nd half. That is 4 games in a row the Falcon offense has not turned the ball over. Ryan is completing 65% of his passes with 19 TD's to only 5 INT's. Against a Packers defense that leads the league in points against Ryan moved the Falcons up and down the field. Would be an A+ but we only scored 20 points.

Running Backs: A

• Another Ho Hum day for Michael Turner. 23 rushes for 110 yards and a score. Sometimes Turner bothers me by the way he doesn't seem to hit the hole hard but I have to say that it is amazing how he ALWAYS seems to fall forward after the first hit. "I didn't like the way we tackled, but I knew coming in that (Turner) was going to be a challenge. He's so strong." - Packers DC Dom Capers

Wide Receivers: B

• Tony Gonzalez had a couple nice grabs as did Roddy White. A solid performance across the board but would have liked to see a few more shots deep. Not necessarily the WR's fault but overall a good game.

Defense: A+

• The Packers have one of the best offenses in the league and to hold them to only 17 points while turning them over at critical times is incredible. The play on the goal line against Rodgers as he was trying to sneak was one of the biggest plays this Falcons defense has made in years. As much as the bend but don't break motto bothers me its very true with these Falcons. Between the 20's the Falcons will allow you to move the ball but once you get inside their 20 they really stiffen up. 

Bro Nameth's Power 5 of the NFC

1. Atlanta Falcons: 9-2
2. NY Giants: 7-4
3. Chicago Bears: 8-3
4. Philadelphia Eagles: 7-4
5. NO Saints: 8-3

To not have the Falcons #1 is just dumb. Skip Clueless tried to say that the Falcons haven't beaten anyone of any value at home. I'm sorry, I didn't know the Ravens, Bucs and Packers weren't good. The 2 losses the Falcons have are against the Steelers and Eagles. Now the Steelers game was without Roethlisberger but the Steelers D is still the Steelers D. The game against the Eagles was bad I will give you that but they are still  very good team. The Falcons have also beat the Saints on the road. With 2 games left against the Panthers I would have to think that the Falcons have the clear cut advantage in the race for Home field Advantage.

Atlanta Falcons Week 10 Recap and Grades

The Falcons had a short week to prepare for their Thursday night tilt with the Baltimore Ravens. Both teams came into the game with a 6-2 record and trying to establish themselves as the better teams in their respective conferences. This was a key game for the Falcons as a win here would put us in a great spot to get home field advantage if we continue to win at home.

Quarterback: A+

• Matt Ryan played one of the best games of his young career against one of the better defenses in the NFL. Ryan completed 32/50 for 316 yards and 3 scores without turning the ball over. The Falcons were lethal on 3rd down converting 12/20 allowing the offense to chew up the clock. 

Running Backs: C

• Michael Turner didn't really do much but the Ravens are extremely stout against the run. This team is only going to be as successful as Michael Turner. While it is nice that Ryan threw for 300 yards the Falcons are at their best when Turner is rumbling for 100+. Jason Snelling had a HUGE receiving TD that got the ball rolling for the Falcons.

Wide Receivers: A

• The only reason this is not an A+ is because of the pass Roddy White dropped on 3rd and 4 the drive before the Ravens came down and took the lead. If he catches that pass the game is basically over right there. However, Roddy White is a freaking beast! I honestly would not take another receiver in the league right now.

Defense: B+

• The defense was fantastic for basically the entire game but a 4 minute stretch where the Ravens scored 2 TD's. If our defense continues to play this well then we are going to win a lot of games. We recorded 2 sacks and had 2 turnovers. Could you imagine how good Brent Grimes might be if he were 3-4 inches taller? He is almost always in the right spot but struggles with more physical receivers as he just can't hang. All in all I was very pleased with the defense and like how they are improving every week.

Deion Sanders: A+

• The greatest cover corner of all time had his jersey raised in the GA Dome. Deion is the epitome of someone who backed up his talk. If he told you he was going to shut you down, he did. You got guys like Ochocinco nowadays who talk and talk and talk and deliver about half the time. Deion was a baller. I cannot fathom how the Falcons didn't offer him a contract when he was a FA. He calls Atlanta home and would have stayed had they opened their wallets. "I wouldn't have been Prime, if you guys didn't give me the time."