When Mike Smith took over as coach of the Atlanta Falcons in
January, he inherited a team still smarting from Bobby Petrino’s defection and
sickened by Michael Vick’s incarceration.
Less than an hour after watching his team clinch a most unlikely playoff berth,
things are coming together much faster than even the white-haired optimist ever
could imagine.
Matt Ryan threw for a touchdown and made no big mistakes, Justin Blalock
recovered a fumble in the end zone for another score and the Minnesota Vikings
committed four turnovers in 24-17 loss on Sunday that clinched a postseason
berth for the Falcons.
“We set milestones and we’ve reached those milestones at a much quicker pace
than we had anticipated,” Smith said.
Michael Turner rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons (10-5), who
were 4-12 a year ago and ended the season without a head coach or a franchise
quarterback.
With Smith calling the shots and Ryan’s steady hand, the Falcons have that and
so much more now...
Michael Turner rushed up the middle for 1 yard gain
(Jason Elam made PAT)
7 - 0
2:00
MIN
TD
Tarvaris Jackson passed to Visanthe Shiancoe to the
right for 21 yard gain (Ryan Longwell made PAT)
7 - 7
2nd Quarter
14:06
ATL
TD
Matt Ryan passed to Jerious Norwood down the middle for
8 yard gain (Jason Elam made PAT)
14 - 7
0:03
ATL
FG
Jason Elam kicked a 22-yard field goal
17 - 7
3rd Quarter
2:38
ATL
TD
Matt Ryan rushed up the middle for 4 yard gain. Matt
Ryan fumbled. Justin Blalock recovered fumble (Jason Elam made PAT)
24 - 7
4th Quarter
11:32
MIN
FG
Ryan Longwell kicked a 29-yard field goal
24 - 10
2:44
MIN
TD
Tarvaris Jackson passed to Visanthe Shiancoe down the
middle for 17 yard gain (Ryan Longwell made PAT)
24 - 17
Team Statistics
ATL
MIN
First Downs
17
24
Passing
7
11
Rushing
8
11
Penalty
2
2
Third Down Efficiency
5-12
7-14
Fourth Down Efficiency
0-0
2-4
TOTAL NET YARDS
222
350
Total Plays
58
70
Average Gain Per Play
3.8
5.0
NET YARDS RUSHING
98
155
Rushes
32
31
Average Per Rush
3.1
5.0
NET YARDS PASSING
124
195
Completions-Attempts
13-24
22-36
Yards Per Pass Play
4.8
5.0
Times Sacked
2
3
Yards Lost to Sacks
10
38
Had Intercepted
0
0
PUNTS
6
1
Average Punt
42.2
44.0
PENALTIES
6
3
Penalty Yards
70
15
FUMBLES
1
7
Fumbles Lost
0
4
TIME OF POSSESSION
27:05
32:55
Pregame Previews, Storylines,
and News
Preview:
After a 1-3 start, the
Minnesota Vikings are now one
win away from clinching their
first division title since 2000.
Standing in their way will be an
upstart Atlanta Falcons team
that has just as much motivation
this weekend. The Vikings host
the Falcons on Sunday, looking
to wrap up the NFC North with
their fifth straight victory.
Minnesota (9-5) has overcame a
slow start in which the offense
averaged just 17.8 points in the
first four games to take a
one-game lead over Chicago in
the division...Preview
Prediction: The
Falcons make the post-season if they win their final two games. Michael Turner
might get them headed in the right direction running into a line minus
run-stuffer Pat Williams (shoulder fracture). The Vikings are 22nd against the
pass as well, so overall it should be a fun high scoring affair in the dome Falcons 33 - Vikings 30
Video Preview: The Vikings
host the Falcons on Sunday, looking to wrap up the NFC North with their fifth
straight victory. Join Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly for an in depth
preview of this game
8.5
17.1