The Atlanta Falcons had a day to forget yesterday.  They scored only on a Eli Manning safety when he grounded the ball in the end zone.  The offense did next to nothing against the Giants’ D.  Matt Ryan completed 24 of 41 passes for 199 yards without a TD pass or INT.  Michael Turner led the way for the Falcons in the running game with 41 yards on 15 carries (2.7 ypc).  WR Julio Jones (7 rec, 64 yards), WR Roddy White (5 rec, 52 yards) and TE Tony Gonzalez (4 rec, 44 yards) led the way for the Falcons in the passing game.  The Falcons finished up with 64 yards rushing on 21 carries (3.0 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 41 passes (58.5%) for 183 yards as they had possession of the ball for 25:26.

The defense was pretty awful as the Giants’ offense abused them yesterday.  LBs Curtis Lofton (12 tackles) and Sean Weatherspoon (12 tackles and 2 QB hits) led the way for the Falcons on D in this game.  Safety Thomas DeCoud pitched in with 9 tackles and 2 tackles for a loss in this game.  The Giants finished up with 172 yards rushing on 31 carries (5.5 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 32 passes (71.9%) for 270 yards.  The Falcons had another good regular season that ended in utter disappointment in the playoffs.

The Falcons knew that if they won this game, that they would win the #5 seed in the playoffs and avoid a third matchup with the Saints in the first round of the playoffs.  With that in mind, it was all systems go last Sunday against the woeful Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  The Falcons rolled up a 42-0 lead with 6:49 left in the first half of the game, before essentially calling off the dogs.  Matt Ryan started this game at QB and he was excellent.  He completed 6 of 9 passes for 106 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Chris Redman didn’t fare as well as he completed 7 of 12 passes for 71 yards with 0 TD passes and 1 INT (his interception was returned 40 yards for a TD by CB Elbert Mack of the Bucs).  Michael Turner led the way on the ground for the Falcons in this game with 17 carries for an utterly amazing 172 yards (10.1 ypc) with 2 TD runs.  Jason Snelling (9 carries for 50 yards) and Jacquizz Rodgers (8 carries for 24 yards with 1 TD run) also pitched in for the Falcons in the running game.  WRs Julio Jones (4 rec, 76 yards, 2 TD grabs) and Roddy White (4 rec, 69 yards) led the way for the Falcons in the passing game.  The Falcons finished up with 251 yards rushing on 38 carries (6.6 ypc) and they also completed 13 of 21 passes (61.9%) for 177 yards as they had possession of the football for 30:08.

The Falcons turned in a great effort on D in this game.  LB Curtis Lofton led the way for the Falcons in this game with 14 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 pass defensed and a interception that he returned 26 yards for a TD.  Safety Thomas DeCoud (8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 pass defensed) and CB Dominique Franks (5 tackles, 1 pass defensed and 1 interception) also had solid games for the Falcons.  DE John Abraham (1 sack) and CB Darrin Walls (interception) also pitched in for the Falcons on D in this game.  The Buccaneers finished with 35 yards rushing on 14 carries (2.5 ypc) and they also completed 31 of 45 passes (68.9%) for 259 yards.  The Falcons finished the 2011 season with a 10-6 record and they will play on the road against the New York Giants next weekend.

The Falcons ran into a buzzsaw last night as the Saints beat the piss out of them.  Matt Ryan put up solid numbers as he completed 34 of 52 passes for 373 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 INTs.  Chris Redman finished up the game by completing 6 of 9 passes for 61 yards without a TD pass or INT.  Michael Turner didn’t get the ball too much in this game with the Falcons playing catch up ball.  Turner carried the ball 11 times for 39 yards (3.5 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 36 yards (9.0 avg).  Julio Jones caught 8 passes for 128 yards (16.0 avg) with 1 TD grab, but he also lost a fumble that was returned 30 yards by Saints’ safety Malcolm Jenkins for a TD.  WR Roddy White (11 catches for 127 yards) and TE Tony Gonzalez (5 rec, 41 yards) also had solid games for the Falcons last night.  The Falcons finished up with 35 yards rushing on 14 carries (2.5 ypc) and they also completed 40 of 61 passes (65.6%) for 434 yards as they had possession of the ball for 33:19.

The defense was pretty awful for the Falcons last night.  Safety Thomas DeCoud (10 tackles, 1 pass defensed), LB Curtis Lofton (9 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss) and CB Brent Grimes (7 tackles and 2 passes defensed) led the way for the Falcons on D in this game.  Safety William Moore (6 tackles and 4 passes defensed), CB Dunta Robinson (interception) and CB Dominique Franks (interception) also made big plays for the Falcons in this game.  The Saints finished up with 164 yards rushing on 23 carries (7.1 ypc) and they also completed 23 of 39 passes (59%) for 299 yards.  The Falcons are now 9-6 on the year.

This could be an outstanding game on Monday Night Football.  The Falcons have won two games in a row in which they have scored a combined 72 points.  They are in the NFC Playoffs, and they are now battling the Detroit Lions for seeding.  The Saints have won six games in a row including a 26-23 O.T. win over the Falcons in Atlanta.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Falcons have the ball:  The Falcons are going to have to remain balanced in this game.  The Saints are giving up 109.9 yards rushing per game and 4.9 yards per carry so far this year, so Michael Turner should have room to run the ball.  The Saints like to blitz, but if Matt Ryan has time to throw the ball, the Falcons are going to make some plays down the field through the air.  WRs Roddy White, Julio Jones and TE Tony Gonzalez give the Falcons three outstanding targets for Matt Ryan.  WR Harry Douglas could be the secret weapon for the Falcons in this game.

When the Saints have the ball:  The Saints are going to come out passing the ball in this game.  The Falcons are going to have to get after Drew Brees, or they are going to be in a lot of trouble in this game.  Brees has weapons all over the field as he has 7 players on the roster with at least 27 catches so far this year.  If the Falcons overplay the pass, Brees will hand off the Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory tonight.

PREDICTION:  SAINTS 33, FALCONS 30

The Falcons rushed out to a 41-0 lead in this game before calling off the dogs.  Matt Ryan was very efficient as he completed 19 of 26 passes for 224 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Chris Redman finished up this game by completing 5 of 6 passes for 56 yards without a TD or INT.  Michael Turner led the way on the ground in this game for the Falcons with 19 carries for 61 yards (3.2 ypc) with 1 TD run.  Jason Snelling pitched in with 22 yards rushing on 5 carries (4.4 ypc) and he also caught 4 passes for 26 yards (6.5 avg).  WRs Roddy White (10 rec, 135 yards, 2 TD grabs) and Julio Jones (5 rec, 85 yards, TD) led the way for the Falcons in the passing game last night.  The Falcons finished up with 97 yards rushing on 35 carries (2.8 ypc) and they also completed 24 of 32 passes (75%) for 276 yards as they had possession of the ball for 38:31.

The defense was outstanding for the Falcons last night.  LB Curtis Lofton (8 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 fumble recovery), safety William Moore (7 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss) and DE John Abraham (5 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 tackle for a loss and 3 QB hits) led the way for the Falcons on D last night.  LB Sean Weatherspoon (fumble recovery), DT Corey Peters (fumble recovery that he returned 13 yards for a TD) and safety Thomas DeCoud (interception) also made big plays on D last night for the Falcons.  The Jaguars finished up with 116 yards rushing on 19 carries (6.1 ypc) and they also completed 12 of 22 passes (54.5%) for 91 yards in this game.  The Falcons are now 9-5 on the year.

The Atlanta Falcons scored 24 unanswered points in the second half to prevail over the Panthers yesterday.  Ryan completed 22 of 38 passes for 320 yards with 4 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Michael Turner provided some ground support yesterday with 76 yards rushing on 21 carries (3.6 ypc).  Rookie RB Jacquizz Rodgers pitched in with 4 yards on 1 carry and he also caught 2 passes for 39 yards (19.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.  WR Julio Jones led the way for the Falcons in the passing game yesterday with 3 catches for 104 yards (34.7 avg) with 2 TD grabs…both came in the 4th quarter.  WR Roddy White (7 rec, 84 yards, TD) and TE Tony Gonzalez (7 rec, 82 yards) also had solid games for the Falcons yesterday.  The Falcons finished up with 86 yards rushing on 28 carries (3.1 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 38 passes (57.9%) for 308 yards as they had possession of the ball for 30:43.

The Falcons didn’t play too well on defense in this game, despite shutting out the Panthers in the second half.  LBs Sean Weatherspoon (9 tackles, 1 sack, 2 tackles for a loss, 1 pass defensed and 1 QB hit) and Curtis Lofton (5 tackles) led the way for the Falcons on D in this game.  Safety William Moore and LB Mike Peterson pitched in with 1 interception apiece yesterday.  The Panthers finished up with 157 yards rushing on 23 carries (6.8 ypc) and they also completed 19 of 39 passes (48.7%) for 259 yards.  The Falcons are now 8-5 on the season.

The Falcons laid an egg yesterday in Houston.  Matt Ryan was awful yesterday as he completed 20 of 46 passes for 267 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs.  He also carried the ball 1 time for 10 yards.  Michael Turner had a hard time getting going yesterday as he carried the ball 14 times for 44 yards (3.1 ypc).  Jason Snelling pitched in with 2 carries for 16 yards (8.0 ypc) for the Falcons in this game.  TE Tony Gonzalez led the way in the passing game yesterday with 7 grabs for 100 yards (14.3 avg).  WRs Julio Jones (4 rec, 68 yards), Roddy White (4 rec, 51 yards) and Harry Douglas (4 rec, 43 yards) also pitched in for the Falcons in the passing game.  The Falcons finished up with 70 yards rushing on 18 carries (3.9 ypc) and they also completed 20 of 46 passes (43.5%) for 267 yards as they had possession of the ball for 24:56.

The defense was solid against the pass yesterday, but not so good against the run.  LB Curtis Lofton (11 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit) led the way for the Falcons yesterday.  Safety James Sanders (10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), LB Mike Peterson (10 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and 1 pass defensed) and safety Thomas DeCoud (10 tackles) also pitched in for the Falcons on D.  The Texans finished up with 162 yards rushing on 44 carries (3.7 ypc) and they also completed 12 of 25 passes (48%) for 175 yards in this game.  The Falcons are now 7-5 on the year.

The Falcons pushed the Vikings around today at the Georgia Dome.  Matt Ryan had his best game of the year as he completed 27 of 34 passes for 262 yards with 3 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Michael Turner led the way on the ground for the Falcons in this game with 60 yards rushing on 19 carries (3.2 ypc).  WR Roddy White led the way in the passing game for the Falcons today with 120 yards on 10 grabs (12.0 avg) with 1 TD grab.  TE Tony Gonzalez (9 rec, 69 yards), WR Harry Douglas (2 rec, 45 yards, TD) and TE Michael Palmer (2 rec, 8 yards, TD) also pitched in for the Falcons in the passing game today.  The Falcons finished up with 89 yards rushing on 29 carries (3.1 ypc) and they also completed 27 of 34 passes (79.4%) for 246 yards as they had possession of the ball for 34:39.

The defense was excellent for the Falcons today.  LB Sean Weatherspoon (10 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit), LB Curtis Lofton (9 tackles and 1 pass defensed) and safety James Sanders (8 tackles) led the way for the Falcons on D in this game. DE Lawrence Sidbury also had a solid game with 2 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 tackle for a loss and 2 QB hits.  The Vikings finished up with 64 yards rushing on 24 carries (2.7 ypc) and they also completed 17 of 25 passes (68%) for 162 yards.  The Falcons are now 7-4 on the season.

The Atlanta Falcons played a complete game yesterday and the result was a nice home win over the Titans.  Matt Ryan was very solid for the Falcons yesterday as he completed 22 of 32 passes for 316 yards with 1 TD pass and 0 INTs.  Michael Turner was also very effective with 21 carries for 100 yards (4.8 ypc) with 1 TD run in this game.  WR Roddy White (7 rec, 147 yards), TE Tony Gonzalez (5 rec, 74 yards, TD) and WR Harry Douglas (4 rec, 51 yards) led the way for the Falcons in the passing game.  The Falcons finished up with 116 yards rushing on 36 carries (3.2 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 32 passes (68.8%) for 316 yards as they had possession of the ball for 36:59.

The Falcons were awesome against the run and pretty good against the pass until the end of the game.  CB Chris Owens (7 tackles), LB Curtis Lofton (6 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss and 1 pass defensed) and CB Dunta Robinson (3 tackles, 3 passes defensed and 1 interception) led the way for the Falcons on D yesterday.  The Titans finished up with 41 yards rushing on 14 carries (2.9 ypc) and they also completed 22 of 44 passes (50%) for 257 yards.  The Falcons are now 6-4 on the year.

This is a pretty big game for both teams coming up this Sunday.  The Falcons are coming off a loss that really hurt, 26-23 at home in O.T. last weekend.  The Titans are coming off a huge road win, 30-3 over the Panthers last weekend.  The Falcons are 2-2 at home this year and the Titans are 2-2 on the road.  Here is a look at the matchups in this game:

When the Falcons have the ball:  The Falcons are going to try to remain balanced in this game.  Michael Turner is likely going to have a heavy workload against a Titans’ D that is allowing 125.2 yards rushing per game and 4.4 yards per carry.  But, the Titans are also giving up 224.2 yards passing per game this year and they don’t have an imposing pass rush.  Matt Ryan should have time to throw the ball, so he should have success spreading the ball around to Tony Gonzalez, Roddy White, Harry Douglas and Julio Jones (if he plays).

When the Titans have the ball:  The Titans are going to try to run the ball with Chris Johnson, who finally broke out for them last weekend.  The Falcons have been strong defending the run this year as they are only giving up 90.3 yards rushing per game and 3.9 yards per carry so far this year.  The Falcons might have problems stopping the Titans’ passing game as Matt Hasselbeck has been rock solid this year.  WRs Damian Williams and Lavelle Hawkins have really stepped up lately for the Titans, giving them a couple of more weapons in the passing game to go with WR Nate Washington and TE Jared Cook.

PREDICTION:  FALCONS 26, TITANS 23