FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Falcons expect to see opponents throwing the ball when playing from behind, as was the case last week in Green Bay.
But some of the 304 passing yards surrendered to Aaron Rodgers and Packers wide receivers left a sour taste in the mouths of Atlanta defensive backs. Too many big plays, including touchdown passes of 44 and 25 yards.
“That is a concern in terms of passing yards," Head Coach Mike Smith said earlier this week. "This is something that we have to address as a staff. The big thing is the explosive passes. Teams are going to move the football, but you can’t allow them to have the passes in big chunks... We are there and we have got to make those plays. This is something that we have to address."
The Falcons define "explosive" plays as runs of more than 10 yards or passes of more than 15 yards. The Birds played solid coverage on both long touchdowns a week ago but know they are in control of their own improvement.
"I think we've done a great job of being on the same page," starting free safety Erik Coleman said. "We have to be disciplined with where we are (on the field)."
Atlanta ranks 22nd in the NFL in opponent passing yards (221.6 per game). The Bears are in the middle of the league in passing offense but are coming off a high-flying game against the Lions that featured a career-high 334 passing yards from quarterback Kyle Orton.
The Falcons start two cornerbacks with two years experience (Chris Houston and Brent Grimes) but both got their first career interceptions the last time the Falcons played at home. A home crowd, and a little extra film study, should help the Falcons' cause.
"Guys just have to stay disciplined and play out their coverage (and) rules," Coleman said.
CREATING A BUZZ: It's not on the same lines as the 2004 run to the NFC Championship or a trip to the Super Bowl but the city of Atlanta has started to talk about the Falcons more in recent weeks. Some experts had the Birds finishing with just one victory. But five weeks into the season the team is just one win removed from it's 2007 mark (four).
"There's a buzz in Atlanta right now about the Falcons," linebacker Keith Brooking said.
Brooking went to the Super Bowl after the 1998 season and made the trip to the conference championship just four seasons ago. He knows a big game when he sees it. And Sunday's matchup against the 3-2 Bears is a big game.
A win and the city could find itself in the midst of Falcons fever with the team heading to the bye week.
"When you're playing at home, when that Dome is packed and the fans are standing are screaming, that atmosphere is electrifying and guys feed off that," Brooking said. "We hear that stuff. It gets us juiced up and ready to go. I think it plays to our advantage in a lot of different ways."
"It's a huge game," added veteran center Todd McClure. "If we can get that Dome rockin' like it's been in the past when we went to the NFC Championship Game... If we can get the crowd into it it's only going to make us that much better of a football team at home."
SIMLIAR FOE: Ironically, the Falcons and Bears have lost to the same teams this season -- Tampa Bay and Carolina. But that's not the only thing the teams have in common.
Both have powerful running backs that figure into the offense (rookie Matt Forte has 129 touches this season) and both like to dominate the line of scrimmage on defense to give the secondary a chance at interceptions.
"It's going to be a war," Falcons safety Lawyer Milloy said. "We've got two teams going with the same record. We both have losses to the same team. There are a lot of ironies and similarities in this matchup."
Smith expects a game built on brute strength.
"This is going to be one of those very physical football games," he said. "We like to say we're a physical football team and they're one as well. There will be a lot of one-on-one battles and I think it will be a good 15-rounder."
INJURY REPORT: The Falcons listed eight players on the Saint Joseph's Injury Report Wednesday afternoon. Four missed practice with an injury.
Smith said wide receiver Laurent Robinson (knee) and defensive tackle Jason Jefferson (ankle) are progressing through rehabilitation. Both missed last week's game and did not practice on Wednesday.
Coaches also held McClure (calf) out of practice. The veteran, who has started 101 straight games, left Sunday's game briefly. He was replaced by Ben Wilkerson.
SPECIAL DELIVERY: Defensive end John Abraham was excused from Wednesday practice for family reasons. According to Smith, the NFL sack leader's second daughter is expected to arrive soon.
In other Abraham news, the first 10,000 Falcons fans to go through the Georgia Dome gates this weekend will receive a limited edition action figure of the Pro Bowl defensive end.
For a photo and more info, visit the blog.
RELATED LINKS:
- NOTEBOOK: Falcons look to shore up pass defense
- TRANSCRIPT: Head Coach Mike Smith
- AWARDS: Smith, Ryan up for weekly awards on NFL.com
- VIDEO: Mike Smith | Ryan | Abraham | Milloy | Turner
- INJURY REPORT: Injury news from Saint Joseph's Hospital
- FROM THE TRAINING ROOM: Team doctor discusses "stingers"
- HOMETOWN HUDDLE: Falcons thank fans, visit students
