No one in the Georgia Dome for the Falcons’ 16-9 loss to the Indianapolis Colts thought running back Michael Turner’s night would end so abruptly … or successfully. Turner trotted for 113 yards in the first quarter, which brought praise for the feature back and his offensive line from head coach Mike Smith. After breaking two of his four carries for 50-plus yards, Smith was convinced.
“We felt like we had seen enough,” Smith said of the decision to pull Turner early. “The offensive line opened up very nice holes. He [Turner] was able to get into the secondary and you can see that Michael has very nice speed. That’s the kind of running back he is: he showed great awareness in his cutback ability.”
While the rest of the Falcons’ runners mustered only 53 yards, it marked the second consecutive week with over 100 yards rushing for the team, something that Smith highlighted for an offense that has had little to brag about in two preseason games, with a third-down efficiency of 32 percent (8-for-25).
“The thing with [Mike] on those four carries that he had, we were in two third-and-1 situations down in the red zone and weren’t able to convert,” Smith said after the game. “On both sides of the football, we’ve got to improve on our third-down efficiency”
PLUSES AND MINUSES
The Colts showcased an uncharacteristically undisciplined brand of football that saw them charged with 13 penalties to the Falcons’ five. Several of those penalties came on offsides or encroachment calls, some of which were enticed by hard counts used by the Falcons’ quarterbacks. Matt Ryan caught the Indy defense on consecutive defensive-line infractions in the second quarter.
“Using different cadences is a good weapon to have,” Smith says. “I know from playing these guys twice a year [from Jacksonville] that they have some hair-trigger guys on the defensive line.”
Staying on the plus side was the performance of the defense. The team did not give up a touchdown, despite being tested in the red zone several times due to some missteps and poor tackling in the secondary. The corners were active, with Blue Adams (10 tackles) playing his best game as a pro and Brent Grimes almost coming up with an interception on an underthrown Quinn Gray pass into the back corner of the end zone.
For a stretch in the third quarter, the secondary was a bit suspect. Colts tight end Jacob Tamme caught a 47-yarder, with most of it coming after the catch thanks to a Thomas DeCoud misstep in coverage. Consecutive short slants in the red zone by the Colts led to big gains after missed tackles, but the defense remained composed, highlighted by a relentless defensive line (standouts included Kroy Biermann and Willie Evans) and some amped-up secondary play around the goal line. When urgency called, the defense responded, and Smith lauded a unit that has only given up two touchdowns in eight quarters of play.
“I think our mental errors were down today, and I think what you’ll see when you look at the tape is a lot of red jerseys getting around the football,” he said. “That’s the thing I’ve been most impressed with: the way they’re running to the football.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Matt [Ryan] did not play as well as he played last week, obviously. Am I surprised by it? Not really. I think the thing that’s positive is that when things went bad, Matt kept his head up and was into the game.” - Head coach Mike Smith
OFF THE FIELD
Not only has the NFL enforced a new code of conduct this season, but the Falcons have brought their own set of rules to the Georgia Dome. The Falcons announced a Fan Code of Conduct, which will apply to all season-ticket holders, guests and fans attending games. The code will work side by side with the new fan conduct code implemented by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. Violators of the code will be subject to removal from the stadium and potential loss of season-ticket privileges.
The conduct code will prohibit unruly behavior, fighting, intoxication (alcoholic impairment), foul language, interference with the progress of the game, failing to obey stadium personnel instructions and verbal or physical abuse of opposing fans or team members. Prior to entering the Falcons locker room there is a personal message from Goodell reminding the media and the staff that conduct doesn’t just apply to the fans. “We’re committed to providing the best possible game-day experience,” said Atlanta Falcons President Rich McKay. “It’s imperative that we create an environment that is safe and enjoyable for all Falcons fans.”
Chris Houston (shoulder) participated in practice prior to Saturday’s game, but was held out as a staff decision, according to head coach Mike Smith. In-game injuries included Michael Boley (back), and Quinn Ojinnaka (leg), while Joe Horn was held out due to a hamstring injury.
Horne can be reached at ehorne@scoreatl.com.
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