Thriller at the Dome
By Don Stone - Football Atlanta
The Dome was rocking Thursday night. It was the NFL
Network's season premiere of their weeknight games and it drew record
numbers.
And why not? You had a very compelling matchup. Two
division winners, the NFC South leading Atlanta Falcons and the AFC North
leading Baltimore Ravens, both at 6-2.
The Falcons took control early. The used ball
control to keep the Ravens' offense off the field, holding it for a 2 to 1
advantage in the first half and 35 minutes to 24 minutes by game's end. They
lead 7-0 at the end of the first quarter and 10-0 at the half. So effective
was the Atlanta defense that Baltimore never moved past their own 46 yard
line the entire first half.
As the last quarter began, Atlanta lead 20-7.
Then, Joe Flacco
and the Ravens woke up and moved the ball 75 yards on 11 plays to make it
20-14.
Ticking time joined the game making its
presence known on every remaining play. The drama went into high gear as
Baltimore began on their own 28 yard line with just 2:57 to go. Faces in the
crowd began to show a bit of consternation as a pass to Derreck Mason
moved the ball to mid-field with 2:43 still on the clock. Then, the two
minute warning.
As the final countdown began, Anquan
Boldin hauled one in to put the Ravens on the
Atlanta 35. 1.55 left. Flacco to Ray Rice
for 24 more, 11 yards short of the lead and 1:18 ticking seconds left. Fans
were standing with their hands helplessly on their heads. Someone said, "the
Falcons have played so well. They can't lose it all now!"
But Baltimore had a differing opinion. Rice
crossed the goal line with 1:10 left and their first lead of the night,
22-21.
Matt Ryan's
turn. He and Flacco had been drafted the same year and comparisons had
remained ever since. Now, each in their third year were ready to take off.
Joe did his job. Could Matt resurrect this one?
The Falcons started on their 20. Two incomplete
passes caused more hand wringing in the stands. A breath of life was next
when Ryan hit Michael Jenkins for 24
yards. Jenkins did the ballet act holding on the ball by the fingertips as
he dragged his feet before going out of bounds on the 44.
Another 15 yards closer after Roddy White
took a pass to the Ravens' 41. Everyone started thinking about a field goal.
Where was the magic spot that would be reachable? Most were thinking Atlanta
needed another 5-10 yards to be realistic. With 35 seconds left, Ryan spiked
the ball to stop the ticking.
Two more incompletions. But the second one to
Tony Gonzalez drew a crucial pass
interference penalty. Clock stopped, and, more importantly, the ball was now
15 yards closer at the 26, well within range.
But, the field goal never happened. From
the 33, Ryan hit White in the open, then into the end zone. The amazing
resurrection was accomplished. The Falcons went up 26-21 and with only 20
seconds left, the clock was again their friend.
The game was capped off with a halftime
ceremony inducting former Falcon Deion Sanders
into the Ring of Honor.
Now, at 7-3, Atlanta sits a game ahead of
idle New Orleans and has their sites set on a few home games in January.
And, in the Dome, they're dangerous. 5-0 so far this season. Ryan is now
18-1 in games started in Atlanta.
Their remaining schedule has its pros and
cons. They travel to St. Louis on Nov. 21 where the Rams have played well.
With
Sam Bradford
at quarterback, this is a much improved team. That's followed by a big
Thanksgiving weekend home game against Green Bay, who are one of the NFC's
best.
They begin December with three straight
road games - at Tampa Bay, Carolina and Seattle. The regular season ends at
the Dome against division rivals New Orleans and Carolina.
Two with Carolina and one with
Seattle look like no problems. The Bucs, Saints and Packers could be tough.
And, as good as Atlanta has been at home, they haven't been on the road
where they are 2-2.
But, the way they've been playing, a
deep trip into the postseason is looking more believable. From here, the
Saints look like the real obstacle, playing much better than earlier with a
home win last week against Pittsburgh. For now, Atlanta has a game lead with
a tie breaking win in New Orleans. The Christmas week game with the Who Dats
at the Dome looms very large.
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