November 25, 2012; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Every week, I give credit to the five Falcons who had the biggest impact on the game, and really turned the tide in the Falcons favor, or played the very best. Here are my Week 12 Falcons who earned their wings:

Quarterback Matt Ryan: Ryan threw another interception, much to the chagrin of Falcons fans, but aside from that throw, he was lights out. Ryan was 26 of 23 for 353 yards and a touchdown, good for a passer rating of 110. But the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet were even more important. He consistently put the ball in spots where only his receiver could catch the pass, moved the chains exactly when he needed to, and in general did a fantastic job of playing the quarterback position. Without his fantastic play, things would have been much more difficult for the Falcons.

Cornerback Robert McClain: It seemed like McClain constantly was making solid plays exactly when he needed to. Two plays really stick in my mind. The first was on the Buccaneers side of the field, and third down. The receiver broke to the sideline and brought in the pass. McClain did a great job of making contact on the receiver immediately, and holding him short of a first down. It was huge, because the Bucs then were forced to punt. On the second play, slot receiver Tiquan Underwood faked a corner, and broke back to the inside on a post. McClain wasn’t fooled, and continued to play the hip of Underwood. He perfectly undercut the throw, and was able to get a hand in, and break up the pass. He prevented that big play, and earned his wings in the process.

Runningback Jacquizz Rodgers: We know that Rodgers isn’t a super physical runner, but he is outstanding at making one cut, and hitting the hole, or making men miss. The Falcons put the ball in his hands, and he made some magic happen on the perimeter in the run game. Without his running, the Falcons would have had next to zero rushing attack. When you add in the great job he did catching the football as well as returning kickoffs (one of which he returned for a significant gain), there’s not questioning his value to this Atlanta Falcons team.

Wide Receiver Julio Jones: Roddy White and Matt Ryan have been on the same page for years, so much so that they can make things happen both to simply move the chains, and to hit on big passing plays. It may have taken up to this point, but I believe Ryan and Jones are on that same page right now. Ryan consistently turned to Jones when he needed a first down, and he also hit on the biggest play of the game (and season) for an 80-yard touchdown. Jones 6 catches and career high 147 receiving yards exemplify his playmaking ability.

Cornerback Dunta Robinson: Yeah, Nicholas and Weatherspoon had big days playing the run, and that was the most important thing for the Falcons to do on the day. But I think Robinson had the biggest impact as far as plays he made, rather than plays he prevented. He was effective neutralizing the pass, but he also had 6 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a critical sack of Josh Freeman early in the game. Yes, the scheme made it possible and necessary that Robinson be the player to make that play, but he still executed it very well. He also made a crushing tackle for loss on Doug Martin in the third quarter. Really big day for a player who hasn’t had enough of those afternoons in an Atlanta uniform.

November 11, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) is pressured by New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Curtis Lofton (50) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-27. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

This is the first time I’ve handed out ‘Wings’ to Falcons players after a loss. As an even bigger first time, this is the first time as editor of Blogging Dirty I will hand out ‘Wings’ to Falcons after a loss. There’s a first for everything. This week I’m looking at the players who played the best despite the loss, or despite the supporting cast they may have had around them.

Quarterback Matt Ryan- Ryan was very good, and could have been so much better had he had some sort of run game helping him out. Ryan didn’t have any play-action game to speak of and still went 34-of-52, for 411 yards, 3 touchdowns and only 1 interception. To say he carried this team offensively would be an understatement, but I don’t know of any other way to say it. Ryan carried this team offensively. It wan’t even his best day, but he had a passer rating of 100.7, and carried this team. The Falcons found a way to lose despite his very good play.

Tight End Tony Gonzalez- Gonzalez was spectacular against the Saints. He caught 11 passes for 122 yards. He simply reeled in everything that was physically possible for him to catch. On top of that, Gonzalez had two touchdown catches. The first of those was his 100th career touchdown catch. He is the first tight end in NFL history to catch 100 touchdown passes. And now he has 101. He definitely earned his wings today.

Linebacker Stephen Nicholas- Nicholas was one the few defenders who had a good day against the Saints. Nicholas had 5 solo tackles in addition to 2 combo tackles, got the only sack of Drew Brees, and one of those tackles went for a loss. In a day where the Falcons didn’t do a particularly good job of blitzing Brees or tackling in the run game, Nicholas was the lone bright spot. He did a very good job filling in for the injured Sean Weatherspoon.

Cornerback Asante Samuel- It would be very easy to say that he could have done more, especially when he got hit with a 15-yard excessive celebration penalty after his interception. He also didn’t keep contain on the Chris Ivory touchdown run. But the fact of the matter is that he also had three other passes defended and played a small part in containing the Saints pass attack to the degree that they did. You can tell I’m not really sold on giving him the Wings this week, but he deserves it more than most other players this week.

Nov 4, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) makes a catch while being tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Morris Claiborne (24) during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Every week I name the five Falcons that had the biggest impact in the game. Here are my Week 9 Falcons who really earned their wings:

Offensive Coordinator Dirk Koetter: No, he was unable to dial up a play that gave Matt Ryan a touchdown pass, something I was really looking for. And he only called one play that resulted in a touchdown play, perhaps the most important thing for a football team. The reason I’d say Koetter earned his wings is because of his commitment to the run against a Dallas team missing their MLB Sean Lee. In the first half Michael Turner had eight carries for 18 yards, a really poor display. But he burst off for a 43-yarder late in the third, and eventually scored Atlanta’s only touchdown. It’s a testament to the fact that good things happen when you stick with running the ball, and Koetter’s commitment paid off.

Defensive Tackle Jonathan Babineaux: Babineaux not only had a big statistical day, but he was a constant presence for the Falcons defensive line. 5 solo tackles, 2 combo tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle went for a loss, a pass defended, and a quarterback hit. Talk about a productive day. When he wasn’t making tackles, he was forcing the ball carrier to the outside and allowing teammates to make the play. Babineaux did an absolutely fantastic job getting initial pressure in the Cowboys backfield, and definitely earned his wings.

Wide Receiver Julio Jones: Jones is certainly a more complete receiver than he was last season. Chalk it up to a full offseason including OTAs, continued time working with Roddy White and Matt Ryan. Whatever it may be, he’s really finding the void in the zone defense, as well as dominating when teams decide to use man coverage against him. The best example was early in the game when Jones caught a 38-yard shot down the field along the left sideline. Jones ran by Dallas’ Morris Claiborne, one of the better cover corners in the NFL. Jones is fantastic, and without his ability to get open and convert long third down situations, the Falcons may have come up short against the Cowboys.

Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers: Rodgers has had a bunch of potential to be a good outlet for Matt Ryan when everything down the field is covered up, or on draw plays, but was woefully underutilized last season. He is being increasingly used this year, and he did an outstanding job against Dallas. He had three carries for no total gain, but his true value came as Ryan’s checkdown. In that role he had 4 catches for 53 yards, including a huge 31-yard gain, and another third down conversion where he shook the Cowboys safety out of his boots. Rodgers is clearly an improved and improving player, and the Falcons can look to him to make plays with the ball in his hands.

Cornerback Robert McClain: McClain was the last player to make the Falcons roster. It was a question of whether to keep him or perhaps carry an additional special teamer on gamedays. Well, the Falcons decision to include McClain on the roster paid off. He’s been very good in past weeks, including an interception against the Broncos, but he was even better yesterday. McClain made a tackle on a Dallas running back that prevented a big gain. While he got no statistical credit for passes defended, he was clearly a part in a couple pass breakups, provided very good coverage down the field, and was good in run support. Don’t forget that McClain was also in on 6 tackles. Very good day for the young corner.