The Atlanta Falcons are eager to break free of their mostly inglorious past, show they can be a team that consistently puts up winning records and contends for the playoffs. Time to end that losing streak. For the first time in Mike Smith's two years as coach, the Falcons have lost consecutive games.
Jake Delhomme has several reasons to love the Saints. They were the team of his south Louisiana childhood, the first NFL team to put him on a roster, and ever since he left, he's been able to beat them with regularity. The quarterback is 8-2 against New Orleans since joining the Panthers in 2003. When asked about the last time he'd lost a game in the Superdome, Delhomme responded, "I…
Before Monday’s loss to New Orleans, the Falcons had never dropped two games in a row under coach Mike Smith.
With the 2-5 Washington Redskins coming to town, the Falcons are staring at one of those proverbial “trap” games.
The Redskins have a solid defense but have been a ball of confusion on offense.
They have been sitting round during their bye week trying to work out their offensive issues. Newly hired Sherman Lewis has had time to synthesize the team’s playbook and communicate his West Coast vision to quarterback Jason Campbell.
But the Falcons are 10-1 in the Georgia Dome under Smith. He and his staff have to be given major credit for having the team ready to play each week.
Carolina’s defense seems to have its swagger back.
Now, can it keep it?
As well as Carolina’s defense played last week against the Arizona Cardinals in recording six turnovers, it can’t afford a letdown this week against the league’s top-ranked offense in the New Orleans Saints.
The Saints are putting up video game numbers, averaging 428.7 yards and 39 points per game. Quarterback Drew Brees is having an MVP-type season with his 16 touchdown passes, tied for most in the league. He’s already eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark in passing.
And he has help. As impressive as the Saints have been throwing the ball, they’re also fourth in the league in rushing.
But the Saints strength is their passing game, which means something will have to give Sunday when they…
The Saints may be perfect so far this season in the standings, but they have been far from perfect in the giveaway column in their last two games.
Eight turnovers—four in each of their last two outings—are a big concern for the Saints (7-0) heading into Sunday’s game with the Carolina Panthers (3-4) in the Superdome.
The turnovers have been divided equally by interceptions and fumbles, which is hardly any consolation to the high-flying Saints. While that’s the bad thing, the good thing is they haven’t cost them any games—yet.
“Yes, we’re 7-0 and we’re happy to be 7-0,” quarterback Drew Brees said after Monday night’s 35-27 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Rookie quarterback Josh Freeman said he is ready to “let it rip,” in his first NFL start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.
“I feel really comfortable with the offense right now. I’ve been working really hard with (offensive coordinator Greg) Olson and I feel comfortable with a lot of the guys I’m throwing to. I just want to go out there and let it rip.”
At 21, Freeman will become the youngest quarterback to start for the Bucs when he makes his long-awaited debut Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay will be wearing their throwback orange jerseys for the first time since 1996, and Lee Roy Selmon will be the first inductee into the team’s Ring of Honor.
Freeman, the 17th overall draft pick, played two series in a 35-7 loss to the New England Patriots on Oct.
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Psst, did you hear the news? This one's a stunner, so brace yourself.
Psst, did you hear the news? This one's a stunner, so brace yourself. Matt Ryan is NOT perfect. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback has shown his human side over the last three weeks, throwing seven interceptions after being picked off just 13 times in his first 20 regular-season games. Not all were his fault, of course.
Tom Brady and Jerod Mayo may be off limits, but almost everyone is available, says Pats coach Bill Belichick.
Michael Turner did some self-scouting last week to find out why he wasn't breaking off big runs for the Atlanta Falcons. What was wrong with the Pro Bowl running back? "I just had to run with the same determination I had last year," Turner said Thursday. "Run with kind of a chip on my shoulder." After rushing 20 times for 151 yards and one touchdown in a Week 8 loss at New…