The primary takeaway from the Falcons post-game quotes, following Sunday's Week 5 matchup with the New York Giants, centered on the word "finish," to complete and perfect in detail. What ultimately started in the first half, mostly-sound execution, big plays and a halftime lead, didn't quite carry over into a completed Falcons performance, falling short of the team's third win in 2014.
After falling behind 7-0, Falcons QB Matt Ryan and the offense responded in fashion with a nine-play drive, covering 80 yards in 4:43, resulting with a 10-yard TD run by Steven Jackson, made possible by a textbook block by Falcons TE Levine Toilolo. Just like that, with the game tied and the MetLife Stadium crowd silenced, the Falcons had momentum, looking for a much-awaited road win.
Despite the early Giants touchdown and a second-quarter field goal by K Josh Brown, the Falcons defense had momentum of its own, allowing 45 total rushing yards, along with 103 passing yards in the first half.
Keeping the ball out of Giants QB Eli Manning's hands allowed Ryan and company to continue moving the ball, totaling 219 yards of offense in two quarters (166 passing yards, 53 rushing yards), thanks a large part to WR Julio Jones, who grabbed virtually everything that was thrown his way, totaling 8 receptions for 88 yards in the first half.
Between the 20-yard lines, the Falcons were moving the ball, but were just 1-for-3 (33 percent) in the red zone, having to rely on two 20-yard FGs by K Matt Bryant, giving the team a 13-10 lead at halftime. Ryan entered the locker room with solid numbers, including completing 17-of-23 throws for 166 yards (93.8 rating).
Coming out for the second half, things appeared to be moving in the right direction as Atlanta added to its lead, thanks again to the playmaking machine, Falcons RB Atone Smith, who took a short pass from Ryan, evaded a would-be tackler and covered 70-plus yards in a blink of an eye for the score, increasing the margin to 20-13; the highlight play would be the last time the Falcons reached the end zone. The Giants ultimately won the game because of their second-half performance that included 13 first downs, converting 60 percent of their third-down situations and scoring twice in three trips inside the red zone (75 percent).
The Falcons are on the road again for a conference match up against the New York Giants. Take a look at these pictures of gameday.
RB Steven Jackson
WR Devin Hester runs the ball during a return.
WR Julio Jones
LB Nate Stupar celebrates a recovered fumble on special teams.
RB Devonta Freeman takes a handoff from QB Matt Ryan.
QB Matt Ryan on the field before the game.
LB Prince Shembo off the line during a play.
WR Julio Jones
RB Jacquizz Rodgers runs the ball.
WR Roddy White signs an autograph for a fan.
DE Osi Umenyiora celebrates a sack on Giants QB Eli Manning.
T Jake Matthews
TE Levin Toilolo and RB Steven Jackson
P Matt Bosher
RB Steven Jackson
QB Matt Ryan on the field before the game.
WR Roddy White before the game.
WR Julio Jones
RB Steven Jackson
WR Harry Douglas warming up with the team. Douglas is inactive for today's game.
S William Moore provides leadership even out of uniform
QB Matt Ryan signals behind the line.
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
WR Julio Jones attempts to run through a tackle.
WR Roddy White warms up before the game.
WR Harry Douglas warming up prior to the game.
DE Malliciah Goodman on the line.
Head Coach Mike Smith
P Matt Bosher and K Matt Bryant get ready for warm-ups
DE Tyson Jackson
LB Prince Shembo
RB Steven Jackson
QB Matt Ryan
RB Steven Jackson
FB Patrick DiMarco
RB Devonta Freeman
WR Eric Weems recovers a fumble during a special teams play.
K Matt Bryant kicks a field goal.
T Jake Matthews on the bench.
DE Kroy Biermann
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
RB Devonta Freeman dodges a tackle by a Giants defensive player.
WR Harry Douglas and WR Roddy White
RB Steven Jackson runs the ball.
CB Josh Wilson and S Kemal Ishmael combine for a tackle on Giants WR Victor Cruz.
Offensive line coach, Mike Tice, and WR Roddy White
WR Julio Jones
RB Devonta Freeman
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
QB Matt Ryan
Head coach, Mike Smith
T Ryan Schraeder
WR Julio Jones
LB Prince Shembo assists in a tackle.
DE Kroy Biermann looks over the line.
DT Paul Soliai runs off the line.
The Atlanta Falcons special teams recover a fumble.
DE Osi Umenyiora celebrates a sack on Giants QB Eli Manning.
WR Devin Hester runs after receiving a kick.
Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank
Head Coach Mike Smith
WR Julio Jones
RB Antone Smith
K Matt Bryant
RB Steven Jackson
WR Julio Jones
RB Antone Smith smiles after scoring a touchdown
CB Desmond Trufant ans S Dezmen Southward tackle Giants WR Reuben Randle and force a fumble
RB Antone Smith
RB Antone Smith
Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice
WR Devin Hester returns a ball out of the endzone.
RB Antone Smith runs into the endzone for a touchdown.
RB Antone Smith celebrates scoring a touchdown.
RB Devonta Freeman shakes off tackles during a run.
QB Matt Ryan drops back for a pass.
QB Matt Ryan looks to pass the ball down the field.
G Harland Gunn waits for the play.
Welcome to the ebb-and-flow business that is the National Football League, each week offering positive schemes and plays to build upon, while correcting and learning from those that didn't go as planned, each focused on finishing the next contest in victorious fashion. During his weekly Monday press conference, Falcons head coach Mike Smith identified such lessons, including improving third-down conversions and defensive run fits. The team's coaches and players will collaborate this week to fix such areas by Sunday's home game against Chicago, maintaining proper perspective.
"We're disappointed in the outcome of the game yesterday," Smith said. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear, and if it's the only thing you take from this press conference, we've played 5 football games (and) we've been inconsistent; we're 2-3. Do we like where we are at? No; but, there's a lot of football left to be played and our number one goal is to win the NFC South, because that's the cleanest way into the second season."
