Showing posts with label Matt Ryan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matt Ryan. Show all posts

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Falcons Win a Playoff Game and Pats Destroy Texans... Again

Today were two more playoff games with conference championship appearances at stake.

First one had the Seattle Seahawks seeing if they could remain hot against the #1 seed Atlanta Falcons. It was the Falcons, however, that played well starting off the game leading 20-0 heading into halftime. The Seahawks then managed to make a great comeback in the 2nd half. Still being down by 20 heading into the 4th quarter, Seattle managed to score 3 touchdowns to take a one point lead with just 31 seconds left.

Seemingly down for the count, the Falcons didn't give up. Thanks to a good kickoff return from Jacquizz Rodgers and a couple of nice passes from Matt Ryan, they had a chance to grab the lead back with a field goal. After Pete Carroll attempted to ice the kicker with a timeout, Matt Bryant made a 49 yard field goal to take the lead back. Seattle got it back with just 8 seconds left and failed to make a Hail Pass that picked off by Julio Jones in the end zone. Falcons win it 30-28 and advance to the NFC Championship game. It was the first playoff win for Matt Ryan and tight end Tony Gonzalez.

The 2nd game featured the Houston Texans traveling to New England once more to take on the Patriots. The Texans got blown out in Gillette Stadium in week 14. The outcome wasn't too different. The Patriots managed to humiliate the Texans once more leading by as much as 25 early in the 4th quarter after Shane Vereen scored his third touchdown of the game. Houston came back a bit but still fell way short. Patriots win it 41-28 and head back to the AFC Championship game. This win for Tom Brady gives him more playoff wins (17) than any other quarterback in history.

Th conference title games are set. In the NFC, the San Francisco 49ers will face the Atlanta Falcons. It will be the first time that Atlanta is hosting the NFC title game. The AFC has a rematch from last year with the Ravens facing the Patriots again in Foxboro. New England won last year's AFC title game vs. Baltimore but the Ravens did beat the Pats back in September with a last second field goal by Justin Tucker. Looks like a couple of great match ups.

Monday, October 15, 2012

Falcons Still Undefeated, Texans Are Not, Pats Upset by Another NFC West Team and More

Week 6 was a wake up call for a few teams.

One of those teams was the Houston Texans. The Packers came to Houston to take on the Texans and told them and the rest of the league that they can still destroy another team. Aaron Rodgers unloaded on the Texans with 6 TD passes and 338 passing yards. Rodgers and the Packers jumped to an early lead and never let the Texans catch up. Matt Schaub did poorly throwing 2 picks and no TDs. The Texans just didn't play up to par before their fans or the country. Packers win 42-24. Texans are now 5-1 and no longer undefeated.

There is only one undefeated team left in the NFL and even they had a scare in week 6. The Atlanta Falcons hosted the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders should be an easy opponent to get by but they made it a bit difficult. Matt Ryan got picked off three times in this game and threw one TD in this game to Roddy White in the 2nd quarter. Meanwhile, the Raiders had 474 total yards on offense while the Falcons only had 286. The Falcons still were able to win it in the end with the Falcons making a quick drive down the field to score a 55 yard FG by Matt Bryant with one second remaining. Falcons win barely 23-20 and stay undefeated.

The rest of the NFL had some interesting games. The Patriots got upset again by another NFC West Team as the Seahawks win it 24-23 with a late 46 yard TD pass from Russell Wilson to Sidney Rice being the decider. Seahawks are now 4-2 and tied with the 49ers and the Cardinals in NFC West. The Cowboys lose to the Ravens 31-29 as Dan Bailey misses a 52 yarder to win it for Dallas. The Cowboys might've been able to get one more play off before kicking a FG but they all had to hustle to find out. The Lions beat the Eagles in OT 26-23 with Jason Hanson making the 45 yard FG to win it. Michael Vick threw two interceptions as the Eagles are lost. Last game I'll mention involves the Jets beating the Colts 35-9. Shonn Greene ran for 161 yards and 3 TDs on the ground just carrying the Jets to a win and stopping the Tebow talk for now.

Thank goodness this day is over. Week 6 ends tonight with the Broncos taking on the Chargers on Monday Night.

P.S. To read my take on what went wrong for the 49ers in week 6, click here. Check out the 49ers section at Prosportsblogging.com for my scoop on the team before and after the game.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

2012 NFC South Preview: Falcons Clear for Takeoff

The NFC South should be very fun to watch unfold this year considering that each team is very intriguing for different reasons.

One thing that everyone couldn't stop talking about was Cam Newton and his rookie season as QB for the Panthers. He was phenomenal and could do even better this season. But I'm not sure he has the pieces around him to get it done and that defense needs improving . Hopefully rookie linebacker and the Panthers first draft pick in 2012, Luke Kuechly, can help give their defense a much needed boost.

What makes this division remarkable, however, is the fact that I honestly think each team has a shot at the playoffs (maybe more than some). Even though the Buccaneers had a bad season last year and have a new coach, there is still some hope for them. Josh Freeman may have slumped but partly due to a unbalanced offense. They will need help from the rushing attack a bit more and hopefully LeGarrette Blount does better along with new RB's Doug Martin and Michael Smith.

Even the Saints have a chance despite the fact that a couple of players are suspended along with the head coach and even the interim head coach for a while. They have a shot because of Drew Brees as their QB (which they risked jeopardizing a bit). But they are not my team in this division.

The Falcons are my choice for the NFC South. They might not be the sexiest pick but they are stable unlike most of the teams around them and they have a good QB in Matt Ryan looking to be called a great QB.