after watching the Lions game 3 times...

[mashedpotato]

I noticed that we absolutely destroyed the Lions. The score didn't reflect how bad we actually killed them. We kneeled at the end of the game in the red zone. We gave them a touchdown at the end of the half. I noticed the Lions were scrapping and struggling for every inch they gained. We weren't giving them anything. We on the other hand made it look easy. I wish every week could be like that. That was about as close as it gets to a perfect game.

[*NiteFalcon*]

I noticed that we absolutely destroyed the Lions. The score didn't reflect how bad we actually killed them. We kneeled at the end of the game in the red zone. We gave them a touchdown at the end of the half. I noticed the Lions were scrapping and struggling for every inch they gained. We weren't giving them anything. We on the other hand made it look easy. I wish every week could be like that. That was about as close as it gets to a perfect game.

yup...but i still cant put out of my mind how foolish it was that we didnt just go into halftime up 21-7... we were so far in Lion territory, it could not have ended well by passing the ball

[mashedpotato]

I was saying that going into that drive also. I was like down the ball...run the clock out. Then they messed up that pass and stopped the clock and opened the door right up for em. It made me mad. Gave them an opportunity to score and tie it up after the half. Our only bad coaching decision.

[paulitik]

I was saying that going into that drive also. I was like down the ball...run the clock out. Then they messed up that pass and stopped the clock and opened the door right up for em. It made me mad. Gave them an opportunity to score and tie it up after the half. Our only bad coaching decision.

I think they learned from it though.

[Frenzy™®]

we had that Turner TD called back too,and that PI call gave them another TD

[great white hope]

you had to watch it 3 times to figure that out?? :P I told my buddy during the game that the score should have been 41-10

[BenB321]

It was close to a perfect game. I told somebody that the Falcons beat them in EVERY phase of the game. This year for the first time in a long time I feel that were are fundamentally sound in all respects. We probably won't go to the playoffs but we don't have any glaring weaknesses.

[celtiksage]

I only got to follow the game on gamecenter being at work and all, but I had an observation that needs some clarification from someone who actually saw it. It seemed to me we basically whipped them in every phase of the game, but....

Am I wrong in being concerned about our KO team? When watching it on gamecenter, I would see us kick the ball to the goal line or around the 7 and it seemed like they'd always return it 25 yards or more. I'm sure it was the KO coverage unit, but may have been the punt coverage team. Did I notice that right, or am I overreacting to something that was actually different than my perception from Gamecenter?

Thanks.

celtik

[jdwfalcons]

The Falcons played a great game against the Lions.

[Izo#2883]

I only got to follow the game on gamecenter being at work and all, but I had an observation that needs some clarification from someone who actually saw it. It seemed to me we basically whipped them in every phase of the game, but....

Am I wrong in being concerned about our KO team? When watching it on gamecenter, I would see us kick the ball to the goal line or around the 7 and it seemed like they'd always return it 25 yards or more. I'm sure it was the KO coverage unit, but may have been the punt coverage team. Did I notice that right, or am I overreacting to something that was actually different than my perception from Gamecenter?

Thanks.

celtik

Im gonna see it again today, im gonna give you my thoughts on it afterwards.

[Theyhateme : )]

I noticed that we absolutely destroyed the Lions. The score didn't reflect how bad we actually killed them. We kneeled at the end of the game in the red zone. We gave them a touchdown at the end of the half. I noticed the Lions were scrapping and struggling for every inch they gained. We weren't giving them anything. We on the other hand made it look easy. I wish every week could be like that. That was about as close as it gets to a perfect game.

Yeah you are right...but it's about time for us to move on....

How do you think we will do against Tampa Bay as it relates to what happened in the Lions game? What mistakes did you see? What can we improve on or what needs to carry over to the Tampa Bay Game?

[Brewcrew]

I was really scared at halftime that the same old Falcons were going to come out and give up the lead and the game. Thank God for Smitty and crew. They made neccesary adjustments and put their foot on the Lions throat when it counted. That is something we haven't seen out of this team in YEARS.

[Theyhateme : )]

I was really scared at halftime that the same old Falcons were going to come out and give up the lead and the game. Thank God for Smitty and crew. They made neccesary adjustments and put their foot on the Lions throat when it counted. That is something we haven't seen out of this team in YEARS.

I was in the stands...mad as heck...yelling...just run out the clock, but they never did and it showed on the scoreboard.....

The refs helped them as well.....with the flags being thrown in the endzone.....

[capATL]

The KO issues were more a result of short kicks than coverage. I thought our coverage on KOs and punts was very good. We had one KO deep in the endzone, but several were well within the field of play 5-15 yard lines. [if someone re-watches the game, please feel free to correct this if wrong--I am going by memory.]

[R.C. Collins]

It seemed to me our only weakness was our secondary. They did not play bad at all but, that is almost the only way they were able to move the ball on us. If we would have shut down their passing game we would have had a chance to shut them out.

[st4ngeI2]

I noticed that we absolutely destroyed the Lions. The score didn't reflect how bad we actually killed them. We kneeled at the end of the game in the red zone. We gave them a touchdown at the end of the half. I noticed the Lions were scrapping and struggling for every inch they gained. We weren't giving them anything. We on the other hand made it look easy. I wish every week could be like that. That was about as close as it gets to a perfect game.

you missed that the refs gave them Kevin Smith's touchdown when they called that bogus hold on Houston on 3rd down in the red zone- that was a BS call

[putnam6]

I was saying that going into that drive also. I was like down the ball...run the clock out. Then they messed up that pass and stopped the clock and opened the door right up for em. It made me mad. Gave them an opportunity to score and tie it up after the half. Our only bad coaching decision.

I was going sit on it too.and **** if Ryan didn't almost throw an int.,however it was a decent play by the LB and if he would have missed it ,the ball would have been caught by Norwood in stride. He was wide open with ahead of steam, so I like the call in some respects just not the execution.

[putnam6]

I was really scared at halftime that the same old Falcons were going to come out and give up the lead and the game. Thank God for Smitty and crew. They made neccesary adjustments and put their foot on the Lions throat when it counted. That is something we haven't seen out of this team in YEARS.

Absolutely this coaching staff knew how to weather the run that was coming and call the right plays to answer whatever the Lions threw at the Falcons.Since maybe Dan Reeves and even his staff let some lead slip away. I know it's one game but this staff looks better at adjusting on the fly than the last 2 coaching staffs.-

[R.U.N.n.G.U.N.]

I THINK MY SIG SAID IT BEST ....."SHOCKED IN AWE"..THAT'S HOW WE LEFT THE DETROIT KITTENS

[Flyin' In DC]

It was close to a perfect game. I told somebody that the Falcons beat them in EVERY phase of the game. This year for the first time in a long time I feel that were are fundamentally sound in all respects. We probably won't go to the playoffs but we don't have any glaring weaknesses.

I think you hit it on the head. FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND. You can tell when you have good coaching because each guy is where he is supposed to be at the right time.

[BGfalconVEGAS]

I didnt see the game, other than the highlights, but about the end of first half drive....i think..the coaching staff saw how are defense was handling the game and the fact that detroit could not stop our run game they decided to get ryan some two min offense work in. not a perfect idea but an idea nontheless

[FalconFanForLife]

Well besides all the obvious great play, I was really impressed with the tackling. To me that is a true sign of great coaching, and the tackling was very good.

The only bad part of the game was the IDIOTIC attempt to score again before the half with a HUGE lead and only 1:45 on the clock with poor field position. I came close to getting kicked out of the Dome, and I definitely violated the new Code of Conduct policy. That was one of the most incredibly stupid things I have ever seen a coach do in any NFL game. I still can't get over that. We are VERY lucky we did not lose the game because of that. It had to be Mularkey's call since he is the offensive coordinator. Maybe the euphoria of the first quarter just clouded his judgment.

But I think they did learn from it, because Mike Smith made mention of "coaching errors" in his post game comments.

Don't ever do that again please.

[rugger8]

yup...but i still cant put out of my mind how foolish it was that we didnt just go into halftime up 21-7... we were so far in Lion territory, it could not have ended well by passing the ball

I hear ya, and happen to agree, but you've gotta respect the staff for having the balls to try and put the game away before the half. They saw an opportunity to make the game 28-7 at the half, and give Ryan a chance to run the 2 minute offense, and they took it. It took balls that the Falcons have never had, and I like that. It just didn't work out how they hoped.

It seemed to me our only weakness was our secondary. They did not play bad at all but, that is almost the only way they were able to move the ball on us. If we would have shut down their passing game we would have had a chance to shut them out.

Dude, their receivers are Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson. Any secondary in the NFL would have fits with them, and we did remarkably well. Maybe it is a weakness, relatively speaking, but don't take anything away from the Detroit. Their passing game will make them a potent offense this year.

[Izo#2883]

I was going sit on it too.and **** if Ryan didn't almost throw an int.,however it was a decent play by the LB and if he would have missed it ,the ball would have been caught by Norwood in stride. He was wide open with ahead of steam, so I like the call in some respects just not the execution.

Regarding that play, I hope Matt works on his ability to screen of ballhawks of the opposition. His eyes never glanced anywhere else but Norwood and it nearly cost a touchdown. On that same play, on the right side of the field, H. Douglas was wide open.. and I mean wide.