FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- They weren't the prettiest of victories, but the Falcons back-to-back wins over San Francisco and Carolina have something in common that has heads nodding in approval in the locker room, in the coaches offices and in front of fan televisions and computer screens.
Two weeks... Two victories secured by solid, fourth-quarter play.
The most recent came just less than 24 hours ago in a city less than four hours' drive up I-85 North. Quarterback Joey Harrington found tight end Alge Crumpler with just 20 seconds left for a game-winning touchdown.
"I think the thing that stands out the most to me was it was really a good team win," Head Coach Bobby Petrino said Monday afternoon. "Defense kept us in there playing strong. Offensively we came out on the opening drive and took it down and scored. Special teams were solid most of the day and really good in the fourth quarter when it counted the most.
"It was a good way to win a game. I was happy with the way we won the game... It's good to battle and come down to the last series and make the play when the game was on the line."
Equally encouraging is how the team has responded to pressure with a field discipline. The Falcons are among the leagues best in avoiding penalties and have made consistent plays on offense and defense over the past two weeks. Everything was new at the beginning of the season -- from coaching staff to offensive and defensive schemes -- but Petrino said familiarity is on the rise.
"I don't think there's any question we know a lot more about everybody on the team," he said. "We've been able to stay healthy on defense and it's at a point now where they all understand the calls; they don't hesitate and think about what's going on, therefore we're playing much faster. We're playing at a higher tempo and that gives you an opportunity to make more plays."
It just seems most of those plays have been in the final moments.
"The past two weeks have been this way," linebacker Keith Brooking said Sunday. "We had some close ones at the beginning of the year and we could not close them out. We finally made the plays to get a victory. It feels good and we are excited right now. We are going to enjoy this for the next couple of days and get back to work on Wednesday."
ROOKIE REWARDS: Rookie wide receiver Laurent Robinson and first-year cornerback Chris Houston saw extensive action in Sunday's game at Carolina and performed well.
Houston was credited with a team-high eight tackles while Robinson, who started in place of an injured Joe Horn, brought in five passes for 32 yards. Petrino was pleased with both players following the game, especially with Robinson's ability to bounce back after a second-quarter fumble that was returned for the Panthers' only touchdown.
"He competed very hard did a nice job blocking," Petrino said. "He ran his routes well. When he was given the opportunity he made the catch."
Houston started the game opposite DeAngelo Hall and got plenty of passes launched in his direction. He broke most of them up, including one at the goal line that may have led to a Panthers touchdown.
"He definitely grew up today," Hall said of the rookie. "I told him if I have to take less money just to play along side him I’ll do it. That kid definitely grew up today. He’s a force to be reckoned with."
"His technique was very good," added Petrino. "He made a lot of plays on the ball in the air. He just kept coming, just kept competing and covering. They kept going after him and it was great to see the plays that he made and it certainly helps us in our overall defensive scheme."
MILESTONE COMING?: With 58 more rushing yards, Warrick Dunn will get to 10,000 for his career and move closer to the top-20 on the NFL's all-time rushing list (Otis Anderson is at No. 20 with 10, 273 yards).
The occasion could come this weekend against the Buccaneers, Dunn's former team.
"When you sit and think about it, you really understand how great his career has been and how much legacy he leaves in the National Football League," Petrino said when asked about Dunn. "We'd certainly like to see him get it done on Sunday."
Dunn got his third touchdown run of the season Sunday at Carolina and also made noise in the passing game. his 35-yard reception was the longest of the season and he finished the afternoon with three catches for 51 yards.
INJURY REPORT: Petrino didn't have details at his Monday press conference regarding the condition of rookie tight end Martez Milner or updates on quarterback Byron Leftwich's recovery from ankle surgery.
He did say doctors initially described Milner's second-quarter injury as high ankle sprain. Milner fell to the ground awkwardly after a reception and took a hit on the ankle as he slid to the turf.
Leftwich underwent surgery to repair the high ankle sprain he suffered at New Orleans Oct. 21. He's been throwing some during practice, but has been limited in participation with the team. Petrino said the quarterback's health would be evaluated this week before making a decision on practice time or if he will move back into the No. 1 quarterback spot.
MORE FROM THE FALCONS-PANTHERS GAME:
- GAMEDAY: All the coverage from the Panthers-Falcons game
- STATS AND PLAY-BY-PLAY: NFL.com Game Center
- GAME NOTES: Updates and injury news from the Bank of America Stadium press box
- INACTIVES AND STARTERS: Inactives and starters from Week 10
- QUOTABLE: Thoughts on the game from Falcons players and coaches
- VIDEO: Head Coach Bobby Petrino
- VIDEO: Quarterback Joey Harrington
- VIDEO: Falcons-Panthers Highlights
