J. Mike's Missives

Another for the Win Column

Wow. This game was big.

You're probably watching the Colts-Patriots game right now, but if you can take a break I would encourage you to reflect on how this win feels and how happy it made your Atlanta Falcons. Wins always brighten up the mood, but this one had a little something special.

Because the difference between 1-7 and 2-6 is pretty big.

I won't go on about how this game made people feel as much as I'll offer some comments on individual play.

First, how about Lawyer Milloy?

The veteran safety played like he was 23-years-old again, hurrying the quarterback, picking off a pass and taking down Michael Robinson for a 3-yard loss at the goal line that proved the difference in the game.

I don't have the power to award game balls but if I did...

Fans should also be proud of Quinn Ojinnaka and the offensive line. Ojinnaka, the third left tackle to suit up for the Falcons this year, had a couple key blocks and the offensive line gave up just one sack in the game.

They also cleared the way for a revived rushing attack (156 total yards).

It will be a good day at Flowery Branch tomorrow.

A good day, indeed.

Sunday, Nov 4., 5:22 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Fourth Quarter Notes

14:12 -- The Falcons get a 33-yard field goal by Morten Andersen and take a 17-13 lead.

10:54 -- The 49ers are moving to the west end zone and just moved deeper into Falcons territory with an inside run by Maurice Hicks. I'm going leave you now to get some of this coverage together to what, we hope, will be a Falcons victory. See you postgame.

Sunday, Nov 4., 3:22 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Third Quarter Notes

12:43 -- Third-and-short and the 49ers rushed to the line to get an advantage. The Falcons countered with a blitz and safety Lawyer Milloy shot through the gap and dropped Maurice Hicks for a loss. That brought in Joe Nedney for a 49-yard field goal attempt. He nailed it. 14-10 Falcons.

10:15 -- The 49ers now have the ball again as Joey Harrington just threw his fifth interception of the year. Harrington was looking for Laurent Robinson, but Michael Lewis had different plans. The ball hit Robinson, but bounced into the air where the 49ers safety gathered it up and sprinted down the sideline 18 yards to the Falcons 33.

7:54 -- Another storm partially weathered. The Falcons forced another Nedney field goal. 14-13 Falcons.

5:37 -- A penalty on the kick return put the Falcons inside their 10 for the third time on the afternoon, but the run game came back to give the offensive some breathing room. On the first play of the drive, Dunn ran behind Quinn Ojinnaka for 21 yards to the 30. The drive would go three-and-out from there, however, bringing in Michael Koenen and the punt team.

4:07 -- The Falcons defense had some room to work with on this series and, with the breathing room, Milloy got a chance to play center field and picked off Smith off a tipped ball and returned it to the 49ers 40.

2:38 -- Looking to answer with some clock-chewing and a score, the offense turned to Jerious Norwood on third down. The runner hit the outside and fell short of the first down and was slow to get up for the second time in the game. Needing less than a yard, the team went for the quarterback sneak, which came up short.

1:28 -- Just announced: Norwood re-aggravated an ankle injury from earlier in the game. His return is questionable. At the same time, the Falcons defense sends everything it's got at Smith, gets an Abraham sack, forced fumble and a recovery by Montavious Stanley.

0:00 -- As they say, life is about second chances. Abraham's play gave the Falcons new life in San Francisco territory. On the first snap, Harrington avoided a sack and darted up the middle for 13 yards to the 23-yard line.

Sunday, Nov 4., 3:22 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Second Quarter Notes

13:19 -- After leaving with an injury in the first quarter, Jerious Norwood is back in the game. He just ran for 13 yards and a first down with help from a block by Quinn Ojinnaka.

11:29 -- The Falcons didn't pick up another first down on their first possesion of the second quarter and punted. The 49ers don't have much to work with, though, as rookie David Irons dropped return man Michael Lewis at the San Francisco 12.

10:36 -- Who says defensive linemen have to stay close to the line? John Abraham just dropped Michael Robinson for a 2-yard loss out in the flat. The Falcons ran a zone blitz and the Pro Bowler was in perfect position.

9:56 -- Three-and-out for the 49ers. Andy Lee's punt is fielded by Adam Jennings at his own 35 and returned to the San Francisco 42.

8:25 -- Fourth-and-3 at the 49ers 36 and the Falcons are going for it... Shotgun set, snap, set, Harrington finds Joe Horn for a 6-yard gain and a first down.

7:30 -- The Falcons lose the yards gained on fourth down and more when Harrington is sacked. That brings up second-and-13 at the 37.

6:20 -- Clutch protection along the offensive line on third-and-19 lead to a big completion to Roddy White over the middle for 20 yards and a first down just in the red zone.

3:48 -- Touchdown Falcons! Norwood got the team inside the 5 with a nice run to the outside that set up a chance for fullback Ovie Mughelli to leap into the end zone from just outside the 1. It's his first career touchdown. 14-7 Falcons.

2:00 -- We're at the 2-minute warning and the 49ers are driving. When we come back, first-and-10 at the Falcons 43.

1:16 -- Pressure on Smith and some great coverage by the secondary force a 49ers punt from the Falcons 45.

1:00 -- The Falcons take over deep in their own territory and run the ball up the middle to run out the clock.

Sunday, Nov 4., 2:31 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

First Quarter Notes

15:00 -- Here we are, moments before game time. Still plenty of open spots in the seating area, but that didn't stop a loud chorus of boos as the 49ers took the field.

15:00 -- The Falcons offense was introduced over the public address system, but the group opted to leave the tunnel as a team, led by Todd McClure and Joey Harrington.

15:00 -- Atlanta won the toss and elected to receive.

14:10 -- The Falcons went three-and-out on their first series -- all passes. The set included two shotgun formations and a five-wide set with tight ends Martrez Milner and Dwayne Blakley jumping off the line and out to the numbers. Harrington was 1-of-3 on the opening series, his one completion a short out to Joe Horn.

13:48 -- With Frank Gore out, the 49ers turn today to the dual threat of Maurice Hicks and former Penn State quarterback Michael Robinson, who gashed the Falcons for 9 yards on San Francisco's first offensive play.

12:22 --OK, this one's new. Backup quarterback Trent Dilfer, No. 12, got called for a penalty when he darted out on the field (no helmet) to communicate the play to Alex Smith. A penalty flag flew right after the snap, but the Falcons declined, opting for third down. UPDATE: It seems there's a problem with the 49ers helmet radio. Smith can be seen running to the sideline between plays to get the next call (10:55).

11:54 -- San Francisco picks up a first down at the Falcons 32 with a Smith to Arnaz Battle hook up.

10:36 -- The 49ers drive into the red zone got a scare when Robinson fumbled at the 20. It was recovered by tight end Vernon Davis, however as multiple Falcons dove for the turf.

9:10 -- The fumble is now in the past as Maurice Hicks darts ahead for a 9-yard touchdown -- his first of the year. Extra point. 7-0 San Francisco.

Just heard on DAVE FM's Nicole Watson that DeAngelo Hall hurt his back on the series. His return is questionable.

8:50 -- The Falcons just ran their first running play -- a 9-yard Warrick Dunn scamper.

6:58 -- Big, 23-yard gain on third down as Harrington finds wide receiver Michael Jenkins on an out pattern. Cornerback Donald Strickland fell down on the play, giving Jenkins some room down the sideline.

5:04 -- Third-and-1 at the 49ers 9. Dunn got stood up at the line, but spun out to his left and cruised into the end zone. Extra point by Morten Andersen. 7-7.

4:42 -- Hall is back on the field for the Falcons defense.

3:05 -- Smith barely got the ball out of his hands as he was pressured by defensive end John Abraham. The ball didn't go past the line of scrimmage (in fact, it bounced into the hands of defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux). About a minute later officials threw a flag for intentional grounding -- loss of down, third down at the spot of the pass, which is the 49ers 9. That brings up third-and-22.

2:48 -- Adam Jennings was called for an invalid fair catch signal on the ensuing 49ers punt. He stuck his arm out, but didn't get it above his head to waive. He made the catch, was leveled by 49ers safety Dashon Goldson and -- with the penalty -- backed the Falcons up to their own 9.

2:18 -- Jerious Norwood tried to make his way back to the sideline but he was obviously hurting after his first carry of the day. Trainers walked with him back to the bench area. No word on his condition, yet.

0:58 -- Word from the sideline on Norwood. Right ankle injury, questionable return.

0:13 -- We should be getting used to this... GREAT catch by Laurent Robinson along the Falcons sideline. The rookie ran a comeback on third-and-long and elevated above Shawntae Spencer for a beautiful leaping catch. He's just short of the first down though and the Falcons set up to punt from their own 36-and-one half yard line.

Petrino throws the flag to challenge the spot, however (cue the Jeopardy music).

Referee Bill Carollo kept the call on the field. Falcons punt.

Sunday, Nov 4., 1:51 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

No Crumpler, Gore

The hits keep comming, but the 49ers are ahead in this unfortunate injury parade. Falcons tight end Alge Crumpler will miss today's game with ankle and knee injuries as will 49ers Pro Bowl running back Frank Gore. San Francisco will also be without starting left tackle Jonas Jennings and starting cornerback Walt Harris.

This news kind of makes the pregame Falconcast with Matt Moore a little obsolete. But, who cares. This game is bound to create plenty more stories before the afternoon is up.

Sunday, Nov 4., 12:04 p.m. EST
J. Michael Moore

Home Again

The 49ers weren't necessarily kind to the Falcons when the two played as division foes, so don't look for a particular warm welcome when San Francisco hits the Georgia Dome field tomorrow. Of course, the importance of this game doesn't rest on old frustrations alone. Both teams aren't thrilled with the way 2007 has begun and a win on Sunday will certainly be a great start for the Falcons post-bye week slate.

That's the big story line... Will it be the Falcons that move to 2-6 or the 49ers that stop a five-game losing streak and improve to 3-5?

But there are plenty of other stories, most with injuries.

Quinn Ojinnaka starts his first game at left tackle for the Falcons, who have lost two players at that position to knee injuries. He's going against an aggressive 49ers defense, but had an extra week to watch film.

And he did.

The 49ers may be without starting left tackle Jonas Jennings, who is doubtful for the game. That's a big hit to an offensive line that has surrendered more than 20 sacks and protects a quarterback with an ailing throwing shoulder.

On defense, the Falcons will keep an eye on Frank Gore -- a solid football player that is carrying the 49ers running game. He, too, is a game-time decision due to injury.

I'll be back before game time with more news and notes from game day. Until then, enjoy some college football. I know I am.

Saturday, Nov 3., 5:39 p.m. EDT
J. Michael Moore