If I told you Michael Turner would be held to under 100 total yards (88), Matt Ryan would throw two picks, Jason Snelling would not play, and the Buccaneers would win the time of possession and total yards battles would you really think the Falcons made it out of Tampa with their 10th win? I really doubt I would have. Sure enough when the game was on the line, special teams and defense rose up and saved an offense that was anemic for three-plus quarters. Does home field advantage look that much more important now.
With just 10:24 remaining in the game Samuel L. Jackson appeared on the Tampa Bay pirate ship and roared ‘RISE UP ATLANTA’ and sure enough Eric Weems and his blockers listened. Not only was Special Weems’ return big I the fact that it was 104 yards, coupled with a big three and out by the defense allowed Mike Smith and Mike Mularkey to stay the course with the offense. Matt Ice got the ball back and lead the Falcons on a 67 yard, four minute drive that not only ate up some clock but gave Atlanta a 27-24 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. The drive was full of big plays, none bigger than the 25 yard perfect pass and amazing grab on 3rd and 20.
No one had a bigger game than Brent “Air” Grimes, who had 7 tackles and 6 passes defended to add to his win sealing interception, while having another Freeman pick overturned. Grimes may be the most athletic player not only on the Falcons, but in the entire league, don’t believe me look at the following clip.
I find it interesting that when these two teams played in Atlanta, Michael Spurlock's big kickoff return put them back in a game they may have had no business in and in ATL-TB part deux the the Weems return put the Falcons back in it.
This game was big for the team’s mindset going forward to know they can win on the road against a good team when not only your quarterback is having a bad game, but it seems that nothing is going your way.
Through 13 games the Falcons have all but locked up their spot in the playoffs, but for this team that’s not good enough they have their sights on a bye and playing in the Georgia Dome through January.
Extra Points: I have rarely listened to an NFL telecast where I felt like one announcer was pulling as hard for one team as Charlie Davis was for the Buccaneers, it was embarrassing.
-I haven't heard anyone point this out yet, but the game winner to Jenkins looked like the same play as Roddy's clinching touchdown in the Baltimore game.
-I feel moving forward Atlanta has become THE team that Raheem Morris will focus on beating starting in training camp.
-The refs were brutal in this game, there's no way around it. From not calling a personal-foul on Tampa for pushing White to the ground early in the game and then turning around a quarter later to calling one on Roddy to a little shove. Add that to all the reviewed plays and the lack of false starts on Tampa's offensive line, although I've found those are rarely called in close games on the home team.
Extra Points: I have rarely listened to an NFL telecast where I felt like one announcer was pulling as hard for one team as Charlie Davis was for the Buccaneers, it was embarrassing.
-I haven't heard anyone point this out yet, but the game winner to Jenkins looked like the same play as Roddy's clinching touchdown in the Baltimore game.
-I feel moving forward Atlanta has become THE team that Raheem Morris will focus on beating starting in training camp.
-The refs were brutal in this game, there's no way around it. From not calling a personal-foul on Tampa for pushing White to the ground early in the game and then turning around a quarter later to calling one on Roddy to a little shove. Add that to all the reviewed plays and the lack of false starts on Tampa's offensive line, although I've found those are rarely called in close games on the home team.
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