Your headquarters for another exciting NFL season in FalconsLocker.com, where you can get up-to-date information about the team that is going to sweep its way back to the NFC playoffs - the Atlanta Falcons. Stay with us as we follow Falcon stars like Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, as well as out new addition, Tony Gonzalez. This is the place to be!
Guard Tyson Clabo will start in Matt Lehr’s spot (Lehr has been suspended by the NFL for four games). Clabo was an undrafted free-agent that spent all of last season on the practice squad. This could definately hurt the run-blocking against the Steelers this week.
When the Steelers have the ball look for them to try to run the ball at the Falcons, who were not effective in dealing with Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs a week ago. Willie Parker will get most of the carries (434 yards rushing), but also look for Najeh Davenport to get some carries. Look for the Falcons to blitz alot and force Ben Roethlisberger into bad decisions (2 TDs, 7 INT) against a defense that picks off alot of passes (8 INT). Teams don’t usually pass too well against the Falcons who only allow opponents a 59.6 QB rating. The Steelers need one of their receivers to step up and make some plays as Hines Ward is the team leader in catches (18) and yards (207). Those numbers are pathetic for a team leader in the NFL after 5 games.
The Falcons are having a year for the ages running the football and will try to push the Steelers physical defense around and run the ball on them. The Falcons are averaging 232.0 yards rushing per game and 6.4 yards per carry. Those numbers are absurd. Look for Warrick Dunn (511 yards rushing) to get most of the carries, but rookie Jerious Norwood (226 yards, 7.5 ypc) good give him a break at some point. The Steelers must be aware of Michael Vick at all times. Vick has 401 yards rushing and he’s averaging 8.7 yards per carry! The Steelers defense has been stout against the run allowing only 78.4 yards rushing per game and 3.2 yards per carry. When the Falcons have the football this game will resemble a boxing match, as the Falcons will try to wear down the Steelers defense. The Falcons passing game is pretty much non-existant. The Falcons only average 114.0 yards passing per game and only complete 50% of their passes.
This should be a great football game. If the Steelers can stop the Falcons running game or get an early lead on them, they will win the game. If the Steelers turn the ball over and the Falcons run the ball well, they will win the game. So you’ll just have to tune in and see what happens.
Â
Falcons starting left guard Matt Lehr has been suspended by the NFL for four games after failing the leagues steroid policy. This came at the worst time possible with the Pittsburgh Steelers vaunted defense coming to town!
OLB Demorrio Williams has been a force this season. Williams already has 41 tackles and an interception this season. MLB Keith Brooking has been solid, as usual with 35 tackles this season.
The message that was sent to the Falcons by the Giants is…..you have to be able to throw the ball in the NFL! The Falcons had a 14-3 lead in this football game and still lost by 13 points! Michael Vick completed 14 of 27 passes for 154 yards and an INT. Vick ran the ball well, carrying the ball 8 times for 68 yards (8.5 ypc) and a TD. Warrick Dunn had a great game, carrying the ball 14 times for 146 yards (10.4 ypc) and a TD. Jerious Norwood only had 4 carries for 9 yards. TE Alge Crumpler caught 5 passes for 66 yards.
The defense played lousy today. LB Demorrio Williams had 11 tackles and S Lawyer Milloy also had 11 tackles. The Giants really pushed the Falcons around in the running game, carrying the ball 38 times for 259 yards (6.8 ypc)! The Giants completed 17 of 30 passes for 165 net yards thru the air.
The big difference between these teams is that the Giants can throw the ball and come back when they fall behind. When the Falcons fall behind….they’re done!