Falcon Keys to Victory

This is what I need to see on Sunday.

I’ve been really busy lately so haven’t had a chance to put anything together for the blog. Well, that and the fact that the Falcons had a bye last week. I really don’t like having the bye this early in the year. The only guys that were really banged up were Jerious Norwood and William Moore (2nd round pick that hasn’t played yet this year). The two key injuries for us (Harry Douglas and Peria Jerry) are out for the year and don’t need the rest to get better.

The Falcons are coming off a bye week but the advantage of a bye week is a little bit of a myth. The Falcons are actually on 10-10 in their franchise history coming off a bye week (at least that’s what google told me). So I wouldn’t put too much stock into that.

Keys to Victory:

Roddy White and Jerious Norwood- Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez are the guys that other teams are going to scheme to stop but White and Norwood are the Falcons home run hitters and neither guy has gotten off this year. From listening to interviews with the 49ers defense it seems like they aren’t paying much attention to White (not really disrespect towards him but more respect towards Turner/Gonzales). The Falcons need to get the ball in the hands of these two guys as they can bust big plays. Norwood only has 3 rushes and 5 receptions on the year as he’s been limited by injuries.

Consistent Offensive Drives- While we do need big plays we also need to control the football and keep our inconsistent defense off of the field. The loss of Peria Jerry really hurt our DL and our secondary is very questionable at both the corner position (Brian Williams has been a solid addition but Chris Houston and Brent Grimes are inconsistent) and at Free Safety (first year starter Thomas DeCoud). Matt Ryan and the Falcon offense needs to control the football and keep the 49ers defense on the field and wear them down.

Secondary Makes Plays- Brian Williams has been a solid addition to the secondary and Erik Coleman is a good Strong Safety. Besides those two guys there are still a bunch of question mark in the secondary among the rest of the starters (Chris Houston, Brent Grimes, Thomas DeCoud). Two guys who could step up tomorrow are William Moore (2nd round pick/safety out of Missouri who is ready to take part in his first game of the year) and Tye Hill (former first round pick of the Rams). Neither Moore or Hill has seen game action but one or both could see action this week. Last year GM Thomas Dimetroff made an early season move and picked up CB Dominique Foxworth and he played very well. A lot of Falcons fans are hoping that Hill is this year’s version of Foxworth. I don’t know who it will be but somebody in the secondary needs to step up and make a play when needed.

Kicking- with Frank Gore listed as “out” on everything that I’ve seen this shifts the advantage to the Falcons but the Falcons kicker Jason Elam is listed as “probable”. This might be something to watch. Supposedly he’s OK but anytime your kicker is not 100% anything can happen. Elam is only 3 of 5 on the year on FGs.

Vernon Davis vs. Mike Peterson/Curtis Lofton- Vernon Davis has emerged this year as a weapon for the 49ers but the Falcons Linebacker crew has been much better than expected. It will be interesting to see how BVG defenses Davis and his success will be a key to victory for both teams.