Atlanta Falcons Week 9 Report Card

Nov 5, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) tries to hold off Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) during the second half at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Cowboys 19-13. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-US PRESSWIRE

Isn’t it amazing how two simple numbers mean so much for every sport. It could mean you are the team to fear. It could mean you are looking forward to the #1 pick. It could mean you are competing for a divisional championship. It could mean your season is made in one night. It could mean you are about to make history, in a good or bad way. For the Falcons, they are breaking history as they sit at 8-0.

The Falcons are fresh off a win against the turnover-happy Dallas Cowboys. While it wasn’t pretty, the Falcons remained the only perfect team in the league. I am going to run through some pros and cons, and grade the Falcons.

Matt Bryant: C+

The last time I did a report card was in week 6, where Bryant was the only one to receive an A. But after week 9, I am sad to say he doesn’t get two A’s in a row from me. He missed two fields goals early in the game. I felt this set the mood for the rest of the game. This gave the Cowboys a feeling that they aren’t going to ever be out of it. He did come up with some late field goals, which ultimately matter more. If he did make those two field goals, I feel the game would’ve been completely different.

Roddy White: B+

I loved how Roddy played in the game. He did his job, which for me, will always get you a B. It was a huge game for Roddy because he surpassed Terrance Mathis for the Falcon’s all time receiving mark. You can read more about this here. He has truly earned the title the greatest wide receiver in Falcon’s history. He came up with an overall good game.

Clutch-ness: A

Basically this means what LeBron James isn’t. They can actually score in the 4th quarter. The Falcons dropped 13 points in the 4th. The entire game both offenses were struggling, and neither really got going the entire game. But it seemed they pulled out all they could, and it worked. Actually, this entire season the Falcons have been clutch in the 4th. If you take away the 4th quarter, the Falcons would be 4-4.

Michael Turner: A

I never liked Turner. I still don’t think he had the most impressive game out of all the RBs on the Falcons. However, he had the most carries, and put up good enough numbers. Like I said in my preview game, the running game was one of the keys to winning the game. I was right. The Falcons won the rushing battle, and look at the outcome. In fact, Turner’s clutch-ness was the best of anyone on the entire team. He came up with that momentum-shifting 43 yard  run, that later in that drive set up the only TD of the game.

Jacquizz Rodgers: A+

I love Rogers. I think he should be the leading tailback now. He has such a wide range of ability. He is faster than Turner, has better hands, and he can block better. He is smaller and less powerful, but overall, I think he does the Falcons better. But the fact that he made the defenders of the Cowboys look amateur. The 31 yard gain, he broke those defenders ankles. Here is a link to a picture that displays that very well.  That isn’t why he is getting an A+. He came up with a clutch run that saved the game for the Falcons on a third down. He played great in this game.

Want to see more? Make sure you follow me on twitter @cam_sports, and BD on twitter also. If you have any thoughts you would like to add, email me! ceadamczyk@yahoo.com