falcons post game

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

First how were we completely outplayed when we took the game to over time?? Had we gone into the 4th down by 20 or more, then yes you could say we were completely outplayed.

But we WERE outplayed all game, the numbers show that clearly. As I said Ryan having an off day and for the second week in a row the other kicker kept us in a game we had all of 7 pts on the scoreboard into the third quarter.

Here are the stats that favored Atlanta, pretty much every meaningful stat there is:

1st downs: 29-18
Rushing Yards: 176 (5.5 YPC) vs 51 (2.1 YPC)
Passing Yards: 242-219
Total Yards: 418-217
TOP: 34:56 to 27:49
Total Plays: 77-57
3rd down efficiency: 6-15 vs 4-12
Yards per play: 5.4 vs 4.7

 

[Sharkinva]

But we WERE outplayed all game, the numbers show that clearly. As I said Ryan having an off day and for the second week in a row the other kicker kept us in a game we had all of 7 pts on the scoreboard into the third quarter.

Here are the stats that favored Atlanta, pretty much every meaningful stat there is:

1st downs: 29-18
Rushing Yards: 176 (5.5 YPC) vs 51 (2.1 YPC)
Passing Yards: 242-219
Total Yards: 418-217
TOP: 34:56 to 27:49
Total Plays: 77-57
3rd down efficiency: 6-15 vs 4-12
Yards per play: 5.4 vs 4.7

Would any of this mean jack if we had won??? We basically Dominated the Dolphins in all these stats and LOST. We out played them in most phases of the game, but lost due to a few key plays.

Despite all this we still had a chance to win this game.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

A complete explanation for those interested

 

[skinsdad62]

again dean we did not lose the game because we went for the FG . the falcons scored the TD anyway !!!! what dont you get about that ? geez we lost because we lost the LOS battle

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Would any of this mean jack if we had won??? We basically Dominated the Dolphins in all these stats and LOST. We out played them in most phases of the game, but lost due to a few key plays.

Despite all this we still had a chance to win this game.

Agree on both parts. So what are we arguing about? As I said we got outplayed and the stats backed up that claim. Nothing more nothing less.

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

again dean we did not lose the game because we went for the FG . the falcons scored the TD anyway !!!! what dont you get about that ? geez we lost because we lost the LOS battle

There is no doubt they controlled the LOS. But go back to the series Dean is talking about. You have a chance to go up 8. So they ran inside twice for nothing, big surprise seeing as they have been stuffed all game, then threw a chicken shit WR screen. They appeared to be settling for milking the clock and being OK with a FG and a 4 point lead with those play calls. Dean and I would have liked to see them be aggressive, go for the TD starting with first down regardless of the clock, and have a better shot of playing the final 3 minutes with an 8 point lead rather than a 4 point lead.

 

[deanpet21]

exactly dgfan. some people on here don't understand situational football. I still believe going for 2 was wrong in that situation b/c of 8 minutes left. If there was 3 or 4 minutes left I would say yes b/c you might not get the ball back. But 8 minutes we are getting the ball back. That is a huge difference.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

ATLANTA -- Five observations on the Washington Redskins' defense after the 25-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons:

1. The run defense was troubling, but I will say the Falcons did a good job scheming for this one, heavy on the outside zone and stretch zone. So they took away the Redskins' ability to clog the middle. And the stretch zones enabled Atlanta to get off double-team blocks quickly and head to the linebackers. Nose tackle Terrance Knighton can play laterally, but not to that extent. Atlanta didn’t worry about double teams on him, or the other linemen because they weren’t as much a factor. Consider this: Of Devonta Freeman’s 153 yards rushing, 94 came on runs outside either tackle.
   
   
2. The Falcons also did a good job of manipulating the box to get favorable numbers. Freeman gained 79 yards on 11 runs with six or fewer defenders in the box. That appeared to be a halftime adjustment because eight of those carries (for 58 yards) occurred in the second half. It worked. “Whether base or nickel, they were running the ball outside,” Knighton said. “They were running outside and it’s something we have to make an adjustment, too.” As Ryan Kerrigan said, “They ran the ball too well against us. That’s one thing their offense does: You can be in your gap but that gap can be 2 to 3 yards wide so the running back has a lot of room to run.”
   
   
3. While you can say the Redskins’ defense played well for the most part, it’s tough to say it played great simply because of what Freeman did on the ground. I think there’s some surprise that the Redskins played so well for a large stretch considering they did not have their starting corners (Chris Culliver and DeAngelo Hall both missed for injury). Still, the defense forced two turnovers and held what had been an explosive offense to 19 points. The pass defense was fantastic as Matt Ryan completed just 24 of 42 passes with two interceptions; he was sacked three times and chased from the pocket on countless others. The defense did enough to win the game, but it could not stop Freeman (whom I loved watching in previous games; he’s an excellent running back).
   
   
4. Kerrigan had a strong game and end Chris Baker continues to make plays. The first sack occurred because they tried to use a fullback to block him. He’ll always win that battle. But I liked how Kerrigan was able to turn the corner against him. Ryan ran a deep play-action drop, which put him about 10 yards behind the line. But he could not step up into an open area because of how Kerrigan contorted his body to grab him. Kerrigan’s second sack resulted from him bull rushing the right tackle, but also from Ricky Jean Francois, Baker and Trent Murphy pinching the pocket. It worked as it should. As for Baker, he forced two fumbles. I wonder if signing Stephen Paea in the offseason spurred something in Baker. Competition, folks; it matters.
   
   
5. I saw Julio Jones limp on the sideline a few times during the game, likely bothered by his hamstring injury. But he still played 70 snaps so it’s not as if he was incapable. That’s why the secondary deserves major applause for how it defended him throughout the day. It helped, too, that Ryan had a bad day, but the Redskins played Jones well. The corners knew where their help was with him and stayed disciplined with their leverage. They bracketed him at times and it worked. Here’s an example: In the second quarter, corner Will Blackmon played Jones in press coverage and jammed him off the line. Because Blackmon trusted his safety help, as Jones cut inside, the corner cut inside him and deflected the pass. Excellent technique. Jones’ presence opens other throws, especially to tight end Jacob Tamme. They would hit him on the side away from Jones or on occasion run him underneath Jones for a catch. Jones had his worst target-to-catch ratio of the season (10 to 5). Again, if Ryan is on target, maybe it's a lot different but it took until the first play of the third quarter for Jones to catch a ball. Props to the secondary and to the rush for forcing Ryan to scramble.
   

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Good read. It also addresses the conservative play calling on the TD vs FG series Dean and DGF have mentioned.

I actually agree about the fact that the play calling there was conservative and a bit perplexing.

What I don't agree with is that the series is what lost the game for us. It was one of a few things that went poorly.


Excerpt

2. Head-scratcher decisions: The game truthfully should have never come down to overtime. The Redskins had the chance to put the contest out of reach with a touchdown following Bashaud Breeland’s fourth-quarter interception and return to the 21-yard line. But Washington’s play-callers became too conservative after getting inside the 10-yard line.

The Matt Jones run from the 10 to the 6 was fine, but going back to Jones on the same play call the very next play seemed curious and predictable. A shot to the end zone on second and goal would’ve either produced a touchdown, but even if incomplete, Washington still would have another chance.

Then the third-and-goal bubble screen to Jamison Crowder proved too predictable as well. As soon as the slot receiver motioned to that side, where Pierre Garcon and Ryan Grant were already lined up, the linebackers and defensive backs began cheating to that side. They swarmed Crowder instantly, dropping him for a four-yard loss. Washington had to settle for the field goal that made the lead 16-12 rather than a touchdown that could’ve resulted in a 20-12 lead. Had everything else played out the similarly, Atlanta would have had to attempt a two-point conversion with 24 seconds left just to tie and send it to overtime.

 

[ehb5]

exactly dgfan. some people on here don't understand situational football. I still believe going for 2 was wrong in that situation b/c of 8 minutes left. If there was 3 or 4 minutes left I would say yes b/c you might not get the ball back. But 8 minutes we are getting the ball back. That is a huge difference.

I wasn't able to watch the game so I'm actually not sure of the situation exactly but I'm pretty sure the time left shouldn't really make a difference when going for 2. Could be wrong on this situation though.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

He's a proper Mighty Mouse alright

 

[ehb5]

I've seen it many times with Alf in the past. Gets better as the game gets going. Grinds out the yards, tires out the D as time goes on. Can't happen if he doesn't get more than a series before being pulled. Same is true for most power backs.

That might be true but isn't that more just (as you said) the defense being worn down than morris being in a "rhythm".

 

[Caliskinsfan]

Hope Jones doesn't have turf toe variety. That can take much longer (4-6 weeks for some) than the day to day we are hearing now

 

[ehb5]

It can be. It's not uncommon for a RB to actually get better later in the game. Especially power backs. But I don't think the anemic running attack over the last few weeks has anything to do with playing time. The real culprit is the defensive schemes we face. 7-8 players lined up in the box just to stop the run. That's hard to Beat no matter which RB we use.

But if that happens doesn't it make more sense to attribute it to the defense being worn down. I just don't get what "rhythm" would even be.

 

[SoCalWizFan]

Went to the game yesterday. A tough one to take but a good showing by the Redskins. That place was loud which is kind of strange since there were still quite a few empty seats (the indoor setting makes it that much louder). I still truly believe that Atlanta sucks as a sports town & a lot of these folks will be jumping off the bandwagon if that team falters. Leaving the place with tons of Falcons wearing folks yelling "A T L" was very annoying, but I got over it. I don't recall going through so many emotions in an NFL game.

I will stay out of the Cousins debate for now. A few other observations - 1. Freemon is by far the best RB that the Redskins will face for the remainder of the year. Sure - their defense made some mistakes, but you have to give credit to the Falcons on this one. I truly don't understand why they covered Freemon w/ a LB in a crucial situation - big mistake. 2. Morris may be playing his way out of a big extension. Sure - he might make some big carries if he has lots of carries (e.g. Eagles game). However - for the most part he looks very average & certainly not worthy of a contract for more than a few million per season. Being sentimental about players will be a thing of the past for the current FO so he may be in trouble.

Oh well - this is all part of the roller coaster ride that will likely be the 2015 season for the Washington Redskins. HTTR

 

[Caliskinsfan]

That might be true but isn't that more just (as you said) the defense being worn down than morris being in a "rhythm".

It's not really mutually exclusive. You have to have a back that can grind it out over the long haul. Alf has proven he is that type of back.

Now if they don't want to play the run game that way, that's a different conversation. I'm just pointing out that using Alf the way we have is not doing him any favors.

Also it's not all about Alf in a bubble. Trenches have to win too. Lauvao out, when we've been having most success running left till he was injured could be impacting things more than we know, so too a young right side of the line, as well as not having a deep threat to help stretch the field.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

But if that happens doesn't it make more sense to attribute it to the defense being worn down. I just don't get what "rhythm" would even be.

How does a Defense get worn down without a tireless running game and grinder back?