The opening defensive drive vs the Falcons

[panther4life]

The Falcons are the fastest-starting team in the NFL, which is a large part of the reason they’re off to a 3-0 start.

Atlanta leads the league with 20 points scored on their first possessions this year, which sets the stage for the fact they haven’t trailed.

“It’s something we’ve done the entire time I’ve been here and we take a lot of pride in it,’’ Falcons coach Mike Smith said, via Pat Yasinskas of ESPN.com. “We put a lot of emphasis on first impressions and a fast start is the best impression. First impressions set the tone. You don’t want to ease into it.’’

It’s not a one-year trend, either, as the Falcons lead the league since 2008 with 193 points on their first possession. The Saints (185) are second.

Of course, there’s no indication that’s going to change either. This week’s opponent, the Panthers, have given up an 80-yard touchdown drive to opponents to open the game in all three this year, rolling out the red carpet to a team that doesn’t need an invitation.

http://profootballta...n-early-points/

Fans settling in for the Atlanta-Carolina game Sunday might want to be situated by the time the Falcons get the ball for their first possession, particularly Falcons’ fans.

If recent history holds, it will be a case of an irresistible force meeting a movable object.

The division-leading Falcons are the only NFL team that has scored touchdowns on their opening drive in every game this season. Meanwhile, the Panthers are the only team to give up touchdowns on each of their three opponents’ opening series.

The Panthers (1-2) allowed Tampa Bay, New Orleans and the New York Giants to drive 80 yards and jump out to 7-0 leads. An Observer analysis – using the coaches’ tape and broadcast replays on the NFL.com’s Game Rewind feature – revealed the opening drives were a microcosm of the performances of the Panthers’ defense and Falcons’ offense through three games.

The Panthers did not record a sack on any of their first defensive series, and had matchup problems trying to cover tight ends and running backs. The Falcons (3-0) showed off a good balance of run and pass, and benefited from a short field after the first of three first-quarter interceptions of Peyton Manning in a Monday night game in Week 2 at the Georgia Dome.

http://www.charlotte...ve-opening.html

The observer goes on to give a good break down of our opening drives on D and Atlanta's on offense.

[rayzor]

the panthers defense HAS to stop acting like a funnel to the end zone on the opening drive.

the only chance they have is by stopping them early. that has done nothing but set the tone for the whole game. you can't keep starting out in a hole.

the offense has to put points on the board with their first drive as well...even if it's a FG. just put points on the board. every possession.

[Doughboy88]

Time to set the tone. I am so tired of everyone throwing in the towel. Ryan Kalil did not write the Superbowl article for no reason! We have the talent to compete. We have to be more disciplined and come in with a competent game plan. I lay this one on the coaches to chalk up. I think we come in very hungry to win. This is our turning point, our game to show up. McDermott said we play better when we are aggressive. Let's show the F' up defensively so we are not one dimensional. Come out firing hot boys! I hope this is Keek's coming out game. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on Gonzalez quite a bit. Go CATS!

[panther4life]

I also heard a crazy stat on Sunday..Can't remember the exact numbers, maybe somebody on here can figure it out.

Anyway the stat was something like the Falcons being 24-0 or 24-1 when leading after the third quarter under Mike Smith as head coach.

One more random thought; One thing neither article mentioned is the fact that we have only given up passing TD's on the opening drive. The rest of the points scored on us this season were 1 yard TD runs or field goals.

[hepcat]

So expect the Panthers to be down 7-0 before Cam steps on the field. Got it. Thanks for the update.

[carolina-chuck]

I'm sure we're goin to be score on like every game in the past on the opening drive.

[Doughboy88]

what

[KBRed]

Let's win the coin toss and hope for the best.

[theDIRTYcode]

I also heard a crazy stat on Sunday..Can't remember the exact numbers, maybe somebody on here can figure it out.

Anyway the stat was something like the Falcons being 24-0 or 24-1 when leading after the third quarter under Mike Smith as head coach.

One more random thought; One thing neither article mentioned is the fact that we have only given up passing TD's on the opening drive. The rest of the points scored on us this season were 1 yard TD runs or field goals.

33-1 when leading going into the 4th, and the 1 was Smith going for it on 4th down on our own 35 against the swamp people. 36-2 when leading at the half. Matt Ryan is undefeated when his QB rating is above 100 as well.

[bigdog10]

33-1 when leading going into the 4th, and the 1 was Smith going for it on 4th down on our own 35 against the swamp people. 36-2 when leading at the half. Matt Ryan is undefeated when his QB rating is above 100 as well.

What's his record when he scores 2 points in the playoffs?

couldn't resist

[theDIRTYcode]

What's his record when he scores 2 points in the playoffs?

couldn't resist

His playoff record equates to 'shat the bed', no matter the points. I'm just hoping he follows the Manning path to playoff success, or hell I would take a get lucky as hell Dilfer moment.

[Kettle]

Whoa!! CRAZY CRAZY!!!

[panther4life]

In the first article it states they have scored 20 points on their opening drives...anyone know if the reason its not 21 because of a blocked kick or failed 2 point conversion

[Doughboy88]

I think Bryant missed an extra point last week.