Oct 14, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons kicker Matt Bryant (3) kicks a field goal during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Raiders 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Each week for my post game analysis, I will give one offensive and defensive Falcon player a little “sugar” for his “sweet” playing on the field. I will also give one player on the Falcons a little ”salt” for his salty, lackluster play for the week. Please feel free to leave comments and provide your own “Sugar and Salt” for the week. You can also tweet me at @ianborders7 or all of us at @bloggingdirty to provide input for your picks each week.

Sugar (offense)- Matt Bryant- Ok, so it wasn’t looking very promising at the beginning of the game for Matt Bryant and his chances of winning the sweet sugar of the week, but after a second game winning kick with little to no time left on the clock, it is hard to look elsewhere (especially in a game where Matt Ryan threw three picks). Bryant came through with two field goals in the 3rd quarter to tie that game going into the 4th. Those clutch kicks would find a way to be much needed due to the fact the offense only scored one touchdown for the entire game (the lowest of the season by far). As soon as the Raiders scored late in the game, and I saw they left Matt Ryan (possibly the best 2 minute drill quarterback of the past three years) 40 seconds to work with, I knew the game was over, especially since we only needed a field goal for the win. Props to Matt Bryant and his ability to bounce back after shanking his first attempt. The ”lonesome kicker” went from zero to hero rather quickly.

Sugar (defense)-  John Abraham- This guy has been on an absolute mission this season. Abraham single handily pressured Carson Palmer throughout this game. Even when he didn’t get the sack, he was close enough to the quarterback to provide a solid “you better get the ball out” hit that led to an interception late in the game that Asante Samuel (aka pick 6) took to the house. Oh, and by the way, he did record three sacks and a forced fumble that left our offense in the redzone. Like I said a couple weeks ago when I honored him with the sugar of the week, if he can do this in the playoffs, the Falcons will make a strong, long push.

Salt- The Running Game- Throughout the game, the Falcons were trying to pound the rock to get the play-action rolling and get the offense flowing. Other than one possession (which ended with a Roddy White TD), the running game just couldn’t get on track. This caused our defense to constantly have to step up and stay on the field. It is not often you dominate the possession battle and lose the game, and that is exactly what happened to the Raiders. Thanks to some timely defensive plays, and some solid kicking in the second half, the Falcons were able to overcome being out possessed by 13 minutes. I think maybe they should look to use Snelling more than just one carry on goal line plays. Let him catch a couple screens with he and Rodgers in the game together. This will help open up Rodgers for some screens and delays as well as it will keep the defense guessing. It could also open up the big play for our studs outside. That said, 6-0 for the first time in Falcons history….. We are winning the close games …… So going into the bye week, I couldn’t be happier. Rise up!

October 14, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons defensive end John Abraham (55) sacks Oakland Raiders quarterback Carson Palmer (3) and forces a fumble in the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons beat the Raiders 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Dec, 12, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in first quarter with quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and wide receiver Roddy White (84) at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Each week for my post game analysis, I will give one offensive and defensive Falcon player a little “sugar” for his “sweet” playing on the field. I will also give one player on the Falcons a little ”salt” for his salty, lackluster play for the week. Please feel free to leave comments and provide your own “Sugar and Salt” for the week. You can also tweet me at @ianborders7 or all of us at @bloggingdirty to provide input for your picks each week.

Sugar (offense)-  The “New Triplets”- Matt Ryan, Roddy White and Michael Turner- These three skill players were the entire offense for the Falcons in this the first divisional game of the season (well…for the most part). It seems to me every dynasty team of late has had at least three hall of fame players at the skill positions on offense (just look at the 90s Cowboys with Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmitt Smith). I’m not saying these three guys are hall of famers (yet), but with the performances that they put on this week, they are well on their way to earning the golden head statues. Its not just catching balls or pounding the rock either. It is about doing their role to the best of their ability. One play summed everything up for me, and it was the screen pass that Turner busted out for a touchdown. Ryan had a very tight window to fling the ball to Turner, and he nailed it. Turner followed his blocks, and if you look toward the end of the play, Roddy White is flying down the field providing the final block needed for the fire hydrant to squirt the rest of the way to the end zone. It has been a long time since I’ve seen Turner bust one for longer than 50 yards, and that block opened up the way for just that. Ryan ended the day with 369 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception, while White finished with 8 catches for 169 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a crucial catch of the bomb to keep the Falcons alive and well. Turner finished with 103 yards rushing on just 13 carries, then added the three receptions for 68 yards. Can you imagine when teams stop double and triple covering Julio Jones? Yikes… 

Sugar (defense)- John Abraham - Even with the black cloud that was hanging over his head due to the arrest earlier in the week, John Abraham played like a youngster with a chip on his shoulder rather than the old veteran with nothing to prove. Abraham seems to always get up for these divisional games, and with the young Killa Cam coming to town, you have to love that as a fan. It drives me insane every time I see Newton peel away his jersey to show his fake “superman” logo, and Abraham shut him up by not only sacking him, but forcing a fumble in the process. If Abraham can provide pressure like that (especially late in games), it will change the dynamic of the defense, because not only will the other line members like Ray Edwards benefit, the linebackers will have free lanes to unload havoc on quarterbacks. The first quarter of the season is in the books, so we will see if our defense (specifically the line) can keep it up through the season and hopefully the play-offs.

Salt- Red Zone Efficiency/3rd down Efficiency- Throughout the game, the Falcons were struggling to convert the crucial third down plays that are needed to extend long drives. That is not to say the Falcons didn’t have nice long drives, but most of which were extended either on 1st or 2nd down. The third down conversions are must haves, and it puts extra pressure on a team knowing that they must move the chains to keep the ball rolling. Atlanta was 5/13 (38%) on third downs against the Panthers, a number that must improve when we play them again at their home. The other part of that were the points left in the open with our Red Zone efficiency. The Dirty Birds were only 1/4 (25%) on Red Zone efficiency, with one of the mishaps being an interception just outside the goal line. This game wouldn’t have been close had the Falcons finished their four chances. In close games (esp. playoff games), the Red Zone becomes a pivotal part of the field that points must be converted on to keep progressing to the ultimate game (Super Bowl baby!!!). Look for the Falcons to really focus on that in the coming weeks, and I look for that percentage to increase significantly.

Sep 30, 2011; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Stephen Nicholas (54) and defensive end John Abraham (55) tackle Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert (35) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-US PRESSWIRE