J. Mike's Missives

How Sweet It Is

Think professional athletes can keep the same demeanor win or lose? Think again.

The Falcons picked up their first win of the season tonight -- a 26-16 storm-weathering victory over the Texans -- and the excitement level between last week's defeat and today's win was as different as night and day.

There was laughter. Smiles. There were bright eyes and an oozing enthusiasm.

Tonight is about celebrating. Tomorrow is about work.

And how sweet it is to go to Flowery Branch on a "Victory Monday."

Sunday, Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

Fourth Quarter Notes

14:55 --Lawyer Milloy harassed Schaub on third-and-goal from the 1, nearly getting a sack of a safety blitz. Instead he forced a throw-away, which forced a field goal. 23-16 Falcons.

10:31 --You get the sense that the Falcons are trying to put it away here as a steady mix of short passes and runs have started to turn some clock. We're currently looking at a play under review, however, as running back Warrick Dunn came up just short of the first down at the Texans 32. The spot was reviewed and the Falcons were awarded a first down.

8:40 -- The Falcons didn't pick up another first down, bringing in Andersen for a 46-yarder. The 25-year veteran inches the kick through for a 26-16 Falcons lead. That's it for me for now as I get the site ready for postgame. Enjoy the rest of the game.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 3:34 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

Third Quarter Notes

11:23 --The Texans are driving to open this second half, working their way all the way to the Falcons 23 thanks, in part, to two big receptions by tight end Owen Daniels.

10:41 --It seems ironic that, in a state that is suffering from one of the worst droughts in history, the Falcons had to weather a storm. But, they did to open the second half. The defense kept the Texans out of the end zone despite an arial attack to the team's tight ends. The Texans did get a field goal, though, closing the gap to one score. 20-13.

8:22 --The Falcons are sticking to what's working -- throwing the football. Harrington found Jenkins with a big first-down strike a moment ago, standing tall despite a third-down blitz and hitting the receiver, who is having a career day, over the middle.

6:59 -- The last play is under review, but if it stands, Roddy White will have a sideline-skirting 22-yard catch down to the Texans 30. Update... the play stands.

5:00 -- A chop block (personal foul) called on Warrick Dunn backed the Falcons up out of the red zone, but Harrington did his best to get the team back into scoring range. A third-down pass to Robinson got the team back down to the 18 (within Andersen's range) and a field goal gave the team a 23-13 lead.

3:30 -- Trailing by 10 again, the Texans are driving thanks mostly to a 45-yard completion from Schaub to Andre Davis. Davis beat cornerback Lewis Sanders on the play, the second of the team's drive following a Falcons field goal.

0:00 -- The quarter ends with the Texans getting ready for third-and-goal at the 1.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 3:16 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

Second Quarter Notes

14:46 -- Already a big defensive stop. Right after a score the Falcons defense forces a three-and-out. After a punt, Jennings (juggles) the fair catch and sets the Falcons up first-and-10 at the 11.

13:07 -- Stats from the first quarter are in... Joey Harrington went 6-of-9 in the opening quarter for 89 yards and a touchdown. Jerious Norwood and Warrick Dunn had 15 and 11 rushing yards a piece. No big defensive numbers -- Keith Brooking has two early tackles.

11:32 -- Well, it won't be two scores in a row for the Falcons, who will be forced to punt after a sack. The Texans rookie, Amobi Okoye got to Harrington on third down.

10:13 -- The offense may have slowed slightly, but the defense just came up big. Texans fullback Vonta Leach caught a ball out of the backfield but fumbled (forced by Michael Boley). The ball was recovered by Stephen Nicholas at the Houston 28.

9:32 -- Warrick Dunn may not be the biggest running back in the league, but he definitely has the most heart. The runner just stepped out of two tackles on his way down to the Texans 7.

8:22 -- Touchdown Falcons! Harrington found Jenkins again, this time on the right side. The receiver did the rest, cutting up field and scooting down the sideline. 17-7 Falcons. This is now, officially, the first multi-score game of Jenkins career.

6:17 -- Brooking and the defense did the job again, dropping Dayne for a loss of 1 on third down at the Falcons 37. The Texans are gearing up to go for it on fourth down though, stay tuned... Well, Schaub back to pass. Finds Leach in the flat. Big hit by Boley short of the first down marker. Falcons take over first-and-10 at their own 38.

3:00 -- Harrington's deep ball for Laurent Robinson may have fallen incomplete, but pass interference on Faggins -- in the end zone no less -- gives the Falcons first-and-goal at the 1.

1:55 -- The Falcons were held out of the end zone on this one, but the team didn't go without points on this drive. Andersen's kick on fourth down is good. 20-7 Falcons.

0:05 -- Kris Brown connects on a 42-yard field goal, sending the Texans into the locker room with the last score of the half. They still trail 20-10.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 2:33 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

First Quarter Notes

13:54 -- The Falcons opened up with five wide receivers, including rookie Laurent Robinson. Harrington took the snap out of the shotgun and found veteran wide receiver Joe Horn for a 5-yard gain.

12:11 -- With two of his top three receivers out, Matt Schaub handed the ball off three straight times. Three plays later, Adam Jennings hit the field for the Falcons to return a punt. Jennings cut twice and got up to the Falcons 38 before getting brought down on a shoe-string tackle. A holding penalty on the Texans moved the Falcons up to their own 48.

9:52 -- Joey Harrington just found Michael Jenkins over the middle for a 29-yard gain all the way down to the Texans 16. It was the second-straight crossing route and catch for Jenkins, who set up his own big play with a catch over the middle.

8:18 -- It's looking like another field goal for the Falcons offense as two passes for Alge Crumpler came up incomplete (the second included a big hit on Crumpler from Texans linebacker Danny Clark). But, the sure foot of Morten Andersen got the team on the board. 3-0 Falcons.

6:22 -- Houston is officially pounding the ball in the running game -- almost exclusively with former Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne. The journeyman running back just finished a 25-yard run giving his team first-and-10 at the Falcons 35. Dayne is the main back today as Ahman Green is inactive.

5:34 -- Touchdown Texans. Schaub hit Andre Davis with a 35-yard pass, but the receiver did most of the work. Davis went up against rookie defensive back Chris Houston on the play and both players went airborne in a "jump ball" situation. Davis, however, came down with the catch and a pass-interference call on the Falcons was declined. 7-3 Houston.

4:01 -- The Falcons have a little power running game of their own. Artose Pinner just pushed ahead over right tackle on third-and-1 to give the Falcons a key first down after a Texans score.

3:26 -- Roddy White continues to amaze. Harrington found the fleet-footed receiver 34-yards down field a moment ago as White fought off Demarcus Faggins and made a diving grab deep in Texans territory.

1:13 -- Touchdown Falcons! Joey Harrington finds Michael Jenkins with a 5-yard touchdown pass. 10-7 Falcons.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 1:41 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

Pregame Notes

The Falcons offense came out as a team today, waiting for each player to be introduced over the public address system before the entire unit jogged on the field amidst cheers and flanked by pillars of fire... For some more technical thoughts, check out today's pregame Falconcast.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 12:59 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

Staying the Course

Early word in the press box is that the Texans will be without another weapon on offense -- running back Ahman Green. The team is already missing Pro Bowl wide receiver Andre Johnson and rookie contributor Jacoby Jones (more details in an upcoming Falconcast).

But don't look for the Falcons defense to lick their collective chops too much.

In the NFL, every player comes to play -- young and old.

Speaking of young, the Falcons are going against a defense that has some of the youngest players (and leaders) in the NFL. Linebacker DeMeco Ryans, second year. Defensive end Mario Williams, second year. Cornerback Dunta Robinson, fourth year. Together they form a core of players head coach Gary Kubiak couldn't stop talking about in his Wednesday conference call.

Sure, the Texans have been the perineal bottom feeder in the AFC South since their inception but, at 2-1, they have enough new blood and momentum to put that past behind them.

So that's what the Falcons are looking at here in the Georgia Dome.

More on the Falcons inactives... Jonathan Babineaux will indeed miss today's game. Trey Lewis, who was inactive last week, will suit up and is expected to get some time at defensive tackle in Babineaux's place.

Sunday, Sept. 30, 12:12 p.m.
J. Michael Moore

Big Game Ahead

The way Head Coach Bobby Petrino's voice boomed over a gathering of Atlanta media Wednesday you'd think he was making a declaration at some colonial congress.

He was firm... and confident. Fair... and inspiring.

"It's going to happen," the coach said when asked about the team's effort to pick up the first victory of 2007. "There’s no question it’s going to happen because our players continue to practice; they continue to prepare. Their attitude has stayed very positive. They’re a good group to coach and our hard work will definitely pay off. We just need it sooner rather than later."

Sooner could be tomorrow as the Houston Texans roll into town with former Falcon Matt Schaub at quarterback. But it's a big game despite that story line. The 0-3 Falcons are hungry while the 2-1 Texans are struggling with injuries and fighting to stay tied in what could be the best division in football (three teams are tied at 2-1).

Every week in the NFL is big, but this one has a little extra spice. You can tell by Petrino's tone and that of the players in the locker room.

Saturday, Sept. 29, 7:22 p.m.
J. Michael Moore