1 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:32,440 Speaker 1: Happy holidays Falcons fans. I am Will McFadden joined by 2 00:00:32,520 --> 00:00:36,320 Speaker 1: my fellow writer, Kelsey Conway. Matt Tebique, your normal host 3 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:38,520 Speaker 1: for the End Round podcast, could not be with us today. 4 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:40,919 Speaker 1: See is a little bit under the weather, but we 5 00:00:40,960 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: are here to talk about a really fun, an exciting 6 00:00:43,760 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: twenty four to twelve victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, which 7 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:50,560 Speaker 1: now makes five wins in the falcons last seven games 8 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: since the bye week. So, you know, Kelsey, looking at 9 00:00:52,800 --> 00:00:57,000 Speaker 1: this game, what are your just general takeaways from today's win. Well, 10 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:00,360 Speaker 1: I think you have to start with Julio Jones and 11 00:01:00,440 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan, right, I mean, they were just the stars 12 00:01:03,120 --> 00:01:06,360 Speaker 1: of the day. But I think the biggest thing was 13 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:09,600 Speaker 1: from the beginning of this game to the end, the 14 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:12,920 Speaker 1: Falcons came out with a purpose and they had um, 15 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:15,640 Speaker 1: you know, one of their I guess you could probably 16 00:01:15,640 --> 00:01:18,880 Speaker 1: say their best performance at home, you know, of the year. Yeah, 17 00:01:18,920 --> 00:01:21,199 Speaker 1: it was definitely definitely one of them. And I think, 18 00:01:21,319 --> 00:01:22,880 Speaker 1: you know, before the game, I tweeted out and it 19 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,839 Speaker 1: was kind of my sense coming into today was last 20 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:29,400 Speaker 1: week was an incredible win against San Francisco on the road. 21 00:01:29,760 --> 00:01:33,320 Speaker 1: But we've seen we've seen the Falcons, you know, in 22 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 1: recent years, play that type of game against teams that 23 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:39,080 Speaker 1: you know, they may be an underdog against her, it 24 00:01:39,200 --> 00:01:42,199 Speaker 1: might be against one of the better teams in the division. 25 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,119 Speaker 1: They've got the talent to do that, and they usually 26 00:01:44,160 --> 00:01:46,720 Speaker 1: play their best games, you know, against a team in 27 00:01:46,959 --> 00:01:49,720 Speaker 1: a big stage, against San Francisco, against you know, the 28 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,480 Speaker 1: Eagles on Sunday Night football, against the Cowboys when they 29 00:01:52,480 --> 00:01:55,200 Speaker 1: came in in twenty seventeen, like those, those types of 30 00:01:55,240 --> 00:01:57,600 Speaker 1: games haven't been the issue. What's been the issue has been, 31 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: you know, when Miami comes in twenty seventeen, Buffalo comes 32 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:03,680 Speaker 1: in twenty seventeen, Tennessee this year exactly the games that 33 00:02:03,720 --> 00:02:07,080 Speaker 1: you're supposed to win. The Falcons have tended to play 34 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:09,079 Speaker 1: down to the level of their opponent and maybe come 35 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:10,799 Speaker 1: out a little lacks to day school. But that wasn't 36 00:02:10,800 --> 00:02:13,120 Speaker 1: the case at all today. They got off right off 37 00:02:13,120 --> 00:02:15,880 Speaker 1: the bat, two quick touchdowns to really put their foot 38 00:02:15,919 --> 00:02:18,080 Speaker 1: on the gas early. I mean, how impressed were you 39 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:21,360 Speaker 1: with this the start? I was super impressed. I thought 40 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:24,480 Speaker 1: that that was the best first half the Falcons had 41 00:02:24,520 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 1: played offensively and defensively in terms of complimentary football. I mean, 42 00:02:29,440 --> 00:02:32,760 Speaker 1: there wasn't a drive where you just, you know, the 43 00:02:32,760 --> 00:02:34,760 Speaker 1: defense made a play and then the offense was 'table 44 00:02:34,800 --> 00:02:38,840 Speaker 1: to execute. I felt like the execution in the first 45 00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,320 Speaker 1: half from a game plan standpoint, everybody doing what they're 46 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:46,359 Speaker 1: supposed to do was almost flawless in the first half. Yeah, 47 00:02:46,400 --> 00:02:49,160 Speaker 1: I mean, you mentioned the defense. The Jacksonville only had 48 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:52,480 Speaker 1: eighty three total yards in the first half. Meanwhile, the 49 00:02:52,480 --> 00:02:55,520 Speaker 1: Falcons had two hundred ninety one. So I mean, when 50 00:02:55,600 --> 00:02:58,799 Speaker 1: that's the yardage output for both teams, things are going 51 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:01,120 Speaker 1: right for the home team. And you know, we briefly 52 00:03:01,160 --> 00:03:03,359 Speaker 1: touched upon Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, and I want 53 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:05,840 Speaker 1: to definitely talk about them a little bit more. They 54 00:03:05,880 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 1: had two big record breaking performances today. Julio Jones became 55 00:03:09,960 --> 00:03:13,000 Speaker 1: the fastest receiver in NFL history to reach twelve thousand 56 00:03:13,080 --> 00:03:16,919 Speaker 1: yards in his career. He broke Jerry Rice's previous record 57 00:03:16,960 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 1: by seventeen games. That's over a full season. That's insane, 58 00:03:21,720 --> 00:03:25,639 Speaker 1: it's wild, and it's a second week in a row. 59 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:30,560 Speaker 1: Julio's broke in Jerry Rice's record. Last week, he broke 60 00:03:30,680 --> 00:03:34,200 Speaker 1: Jerry Rice's record for most receiving yards through nine seasons 61 00:03:34,320 --> 00:03:36,640 Speaker 1: and then he's like, sure, I'm gonna break another one 62 00:03:36,640 --> 00:03:39,760 Speaker 1: of Jerry Rice's records. And the best part about it 63 00:03:39,880 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 1: is Julio Jones. You know, people talk about it all 64 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:44,040 Speaker 1: the time, but for those you know who don't really 65 00:03:44,080 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 1: know this about Julio Jones, he is the most humble superstar. 66 00:03:50,040 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 1: I'm not going to say in the league, because I 67 00:03:51,440 --> 00:03:53,200 Speaker 1: don't know everybody in the league, but one of the 68 00:03:53,280 --> 00:03:56,840 Speaker 1: most humble superstars and at a position where you know, 69 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,280 Speaker 1: you so often see people dub them as deep us 70 00:04:00,520 --> 00:04:04,720 Speaker 1: or you know, players that could because it makes so 71 00:04:04,840 --> 00:04:06,560 Speaker 1: much money and they play that kind of you know, 72 00:04:06,680 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 1: high profile position. Yeah. Yeah, Julio Jones is the most selfless, 73 00:04:12,200 --> 00:04:14,880 Speaker 1: humble superstar and if you ask any player in the 74 00:04:14,880 --> 00:04:17,960 Speaker 1: Falcon's locker room, they have the utmost respect for him. 75 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:21,920 Speaker 1: And I think nothing proves that more than when today 76 00:04:22,760 --> 00:04:24,840 Speaker 1: after the game, you can check out this interview on 77 00:04:24,880 --> 00:04:28,320 Speaker 1: Atlanta falcons dot com and on our social channels. I 78 00:04:28,360 --> 00:04:31,800 Speaker 1: asked Julio what it meant to him to break Jerry 79 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:35,039 Speaker 1: Rice's record, and rather than say you know it, you 80 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:37,560 Speaker 1: know it means a lot to me, he said, all 81 00:04:37,600 --> 00:04:40,440 Speaker 1: of my accomplishments are because of my teammates. He then 82 00:04:40,480 --> 00:04:43,159 Speaker 1: went on to think Dirt Cutter for putting him in 83 00:04:43,200 --> 00:04:46,440 Speaker 1: the right positions this season to be successful, then to 84 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:48,960 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan for throwing him great passes, then to the 85 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:52,080 Speaker 1: offensive line for blocking for Matt to be able to 86 00:04:52,120 --> 00:04:54,720 Speaker 1: throw those passes, and then he even decided to include 87 00:04:54,760 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 1: the running backs in pass protection. He went through the 88 00:04:57,839 --> 00:05:01,359 Speaker 1: entire list before he even got to Hey, this was 89 00:05:01,400 --> 00:05:03,120 Speaker 1: really cool that I did that. And I just think 90 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:06,120 Speaker 1: that speaks volumes of who he is as a person 91 00:05:06,360 --> 00:05:09,640 Speaker 1: and a player. And I think even more so than 92 00:05:09,680 --> 00:05:12,240 Speaker 1: what Julio said, is when I went in the locker 93 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:15,120 Speaker 1: room and asked a bunch of the Falcons players what 94 00:05:15,320 --> 00:05:17,680 Speaker 1: Julio Jones means to them, and just you know how 95 00:05:17,720 --> 00:05:20,400 Speaker 1: impressed they were that Julio was able to reach the smilestone. 96 00:05:20,760 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 1: Grady Jarrett said, And you know, Grand Jarret's Pro Bowl 97 00:05:23,720 --> 00:05:28,000 Speaker 1: player now, right, He said, officially, I couldn't have a 98 00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:31,920 Speaker 1: better role model in terms of how you act when 99 00:05:31,920 --> 00:05:34,800 Speaker 1: you start getting praise. And I think that is just 100 00:05:34,920 --> 00:05:38,200 Speaker 1: that speaks volumes of who Julio is in the impact 101 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,279 Speaker 1: he has in this locker room. And I tweeted it today, 102 00:05:41,320 --> 00:05:45,320 Speaker 1: but Falcons fans need to appreciate what they're seeing from 103 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:48,320 Speaker 1: Julio and Matt Ryan because it's not that often. It's 104 00:05:48,360 --> 00:05:51,120 Speaker 1: pretty rare to have the type of quarterback and receiver 105 00:05:51,240 --> 00:05:53,440 Speaker 1: play that we're seeing from these two guys. Yeah, without 106 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:55,200 Speaker 1: a doubt. And I mean we're we're around him. We're 107 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,119 Speaker 1: privileged enough to be around these guys. But your spot 108 00:05:58,160 --> 00:05:59,520 Speaker 1: on and you know, I don't know if you know this, 109 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:01,560 Speaker 1: but Jerry he was a pretty good receiver back in 110 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:03,559 Speaker 1: his day. So ye, didn't they call Jesus and plot? 111 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:06,560 Speaker 1: So what are they going to then? Well, I don't know. 112 00:06:06,640 --> 00:06:10,159 Speaker 1: He might be the Almighty Father. But Matt Ryan on 113 00:06:10,200 --> 00:06:13,599 Speaker 1: the other side, he also he went over four thousand 114 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 1: passing yards for the ninth straight season, which is the 115 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:20,280 Speaker 1: second longest streak in NFL history. It's the longest active streak. 116 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:23,480 Speaker 1: He was previously tied with Peyton Manning, another pretty good 117 00:06:23,480 --> 00:06:26,400 Speaker 1: player in his day, for eight strade seasons. He's now 118 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:30,040 Speaker 1: behind Drew Brees, who had twelve straight seasons but probably 119 00:06:30,080 --> 00:06:32,560 Speaker 1: won't get to four thousand yards this year and did 120 00:06:32,640 --> 00:06:34,960 Speaker 1: not have four thousand yards last year. So I mean, 121 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,480 Speaker 1: Matt's playing as well as anybody in the NFL right now, 122 00:06:37,480 --> 00:06:39,880 Speaker 1: and I mean he continued to play at a very 123 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:42,920 Speaker 1: high level today, and it's really incredible to consider that 124 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:45,240 Speaker 1: these two were able to, you know, continue to put 125 00:06:45,320 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: up such high numbers when you consider the lack of 126 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:51,960 Speaker 1: other options in the Falcons passing game, you know, and 127 00:06:52,040 --> 00:06:54,320 Speaker 1: that's not a slight in any way, shape or form 128 00:06:54,360 --> 00:06:57,120 Speaker 1: to players like Russell Gage or Christian Blake or a 129 00:06:57,240 --> 00:07:00,400 Speaker 1: Lama days the keyest. But you know, they lost Mohammed 130 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:02,480 Speaker 1: Sanu to a trade through in the middle of the year, 131 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:04,920 Speaker 1: and then Calvin Ridley has recently gone on IR so 132 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,360 Speaker 1: for as much coverage as like Julio demands. When the 133 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,000 Speaker 1: Falcons have all of the weapons that they're used to, 134 00:07:12,760 --> 00:07:16,480 Speaker 1: when it's really just him out there, they can defenses 135 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:19,400 Speaker 1: can really just commit to slow him down. And every 136 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:21,040 Speaker 1: time he went out and kind of caught a pass 137 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:23,680 Speaker 1: that you beside me just came alive because it is 138 00:07:23,720 --> 00:07:26,120 Speaker 1: so much fun to see him, you know, compete and 139 00:07:26,120 --> 00:07:28,520 Speaker 1: win one on one balls. But you know, Matt was 140 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:30,760 Speaker 1: really really putting it on point to make it easy, 141 00:07:30,760 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: and he had a great game as well. Today. I know, 142 00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:36,000 Speaker 1: he threw two interceptions and both of the first one, 143 00:07:36,160 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 1: a deep shot to Julio just seemed like he was 144 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 1: trying to maybe take a chance, make something happen. Safety 145 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: played really good coverage and made a good play on it. 146 00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:44,600 Speaker 1: The second one was a little bit more on Matt 147 00:07:44,640 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 1: and the safety did make another good play, but it's 148 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,840 Speaker 1: probably not the right read. But yeah, it's crazy to 149 00:07:49,920 --> 00:07:52,320 Speaker 1: just think how consistent Matt has been. And we talked 150 00:07:52,320 --> 00:07:55,480 Speaker 1: about Julio selflessness. I mean, I don't know if Matt 151 00:07:55,520 --> 00:07:58,600 Speaker 1: even talked about himself when asked about that accomplishment. He 152 00:07:58,680 --> 00:08:01,120 Speaker 1: basically just went on to pray is everybody else just 153 00:08:01,160 --> 00:08:02,920 Speaker 1: like Julio did. So, I mean, what do you see 154 00:08:02,960 --> 00:08:05,280 Speaker 1: from Matt Ryan out there today? I think we'd be 155 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 1: remiss if we didn't mention Matt right along with Julio Jones. 156 00:08:10,160 --> 00:08:13,280 Speaker 1: And you know, I thought something was really interesting when 157 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:17,520 Speaker 1: you talk about the consistency with Matt. This week, we 158 00:08:17,640 --> 00:08:20,120 Speaker 1: got to talk to a few assistant coaches, and I 159 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 1: thought something that Raheem Moore said about Matt was really interesting. 160 00:08:24,280 --> 00:08:27,200 Speaker 1: He said, they don't call him, you know, ice for 161 00:08:27,280 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 1: nothing when asked about, you know, seeing his comeback, but 162 00:08:29,960 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: he said, I don't think I've ever been around a 163 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:40,079 Speaker 1: player who prepares and goes about his business weekend and 164 00:08:40,120 --> 00:08:43,040 Speaker 1: week out as consistently as Matt Ryan does. And he 165 00:08:43,120 --> 00:08:46,520 Speaker 1: said that's why Matt Ryan. Not that Matt Ryan's ever 166 00:08:46,600 --> 00:08:49,760 Speaker 1: okay with wins or losses, but Matt Ryan's never going 167 00:08:49,800 --> 00:08:51,959 Speaker 1: to go into a game or leave a game knowing 168 00:08:52,000 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: he left anything from the week on the table. And 169 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 1: I think in order to be as consistent as he is, 170 00:08:56,840 --> 00:08:59,640 Speaker 1: there has to be a superb level of preparation, and 171 00:08:59,679 --> 00:09:04,080 Speaker 1: I think that Matt embodies that every single day in 172 00:09:04,160 --> 00:09:08,040 Speaker 1: the Falcon's facility, and it's just it's it's so impressive 173 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,120 Speaker 1: to watch the way, you know, he goes out there. 174 00:09:10,160 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 1: And I mean, just some of those passes today to 175 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:15,640 Speaker 1: Julio Trends, you couldn't help just you know, being like, oh, 176 00:09:15,679 --> 00:09:17,960 Speaker 1: I mean they were spot on. And it's just a 177 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 1: great day for Matt Ryan. And you know, the past 178 00:09:20,880 --> 00:09:24,439 Speaker 1: protection that Jacksonville Front was a good front and they 179 00:09:24,480 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: gave Matt time. Yeah, for sure. I mean, and another 180 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:29,960 Speaker 1: really underrated part of Matt's game, I think is his 181 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:32,240 Speaker 1: ability to buy time in the pocket. You know, he's 182 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 1: everybody kind of would can see when he gets into 183 00:09:35,240 --> 00:09:37,160 Speaker 1: space and starts running, and you know, he's not the 184 00:09:37,160 --> 00:09:40,560 Speaker 1: most agile or mobile guy in the world, but it's 185 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:42,920 Speaker 1: the small things that he does inside of the pocket 186 00:09:42,960 --> 00:09:45,280 Speaker 1: to buy himself time. And actually I asked, you know, 187 00:09:45,280 --> 00:09:48,800 Speaker 1: their cutter about that the last week after Jake Matthews 188 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:52,760 Speaker 1: one on one block when Matt drew the PI penalty, 189 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: you know, on a deep past to Julio Jones. But 190 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: what Dirk said was, you know, matt deserves a lot 191 00:09:57,520 --> 00:09:59,800 Speaker 1: of credit for that play. And I was originally asking 192 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:03,000 Speaker 1: Jake Matthews block, but he said that Matt was able 193 00:10:03,040 --> 00:10:06,480 Speaker 1: to kind of keep Jake between himself and Nick Bosa 194 00:10:06,520 --> 00:10:09,720 Speaker 1: by the way that he manipulated where Jake and Nick 195 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 1: were in relation to him with his feet, and so 196 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:15,480 Speaker 1: it's not all just with his arm. But Matt is 197 00:10:15,520 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 1: as complete a quarterback as you will find in the NFL, 198 00:10:18,520 --> 00:10:20,400 Speaker 1: and a lot of that does come down to his preparation. 199 00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,080 Speaker 1: I mean, one of my favorite things to do before 200 00:10:22,120 --> 00:10:23,880 Speaker 1: games is go stand in the back of the end 201 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:26,240 Speaker 1: zone and watch both he and Matt shob warm up 202 00:10:26,280 --> 00:10:28,760 Speaker 1: about fifteen twenty minutes before the rest of the team 203 00:10:28,800 --> 00:10:31,960 Speaker 1: comes out. And you could just pick any of those 204 00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,040 Speaker 1: warm ups out throughout the season and it will look 205 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:36,400 Speaker 1: identical to every other one. I mean, that is how 206 00:10:36,440 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 1: consistent and routine driven he is as a quarterback. So, 207 00:10:40,520 --> 00:10:42,200 Speaker 1: you know, we've talked a little bit about the offense, 208 00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: but let's flip over to the other side of the ball, 209 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:46,400 Speaker 1: because I thought the defense played really, really well for 210 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:49,640 Speaker 1: you know, three quarters. I know, the fourth quarter things 211 00:10:49,679 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 1: tend to open up a little bit for opposing offenses, 212 00:10:52,440 --> 00:10:56,080 Speaker 1: especially when you've got an eighteen point lead like they did. 213 00:10:56,320 --> 00:10:58,559 Speaker 1: You know, it's just that's how that's the nature of 214 00:10:58,559 --> 00:11:00,880 Speaker 1: the NFL. Teams are going to get some yardage when 215 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:04,959 Speaker 1: they're trying to protect a lead. So, you know, Vic Beasley, 216 00:11:05,040 --> 00:11:07,000 Speaker 1: let's start with him because he now has a sack 217 00:11:07,040 --> 00:11:08,840 Speaker 1: in three straight games. Where where the heck did this 218 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:11,960 Speaker 1: come from? Yeah, I feel like we owe Vic some credit. 219 00:11:12,280 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 1: You know, Vic took took a little bit of a 220 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:18,760 Speaker 1: beating from some people at the beginning of the season, 221 00:11:19,440 --> 00:11:22,600 Speaker 1: and we are seeing the Vic Beasley that we saw 222 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:25,000 Speaker 1: in twenty sixteen when the Falcons, you know, went to 223 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:29,040 Speaker 1: the Super Bowl. You know, when Vic Beasley can get 224 00:11:29,080 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 1: to the quarterback, it makes a difference for this defense. 225 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:35,160 Speaker 1: And I think that without Tach McKinley. These guys didn't 226 00:11:35,160 --> 00:11:37,800 Speaker 1: miss a beat um in terms of the you know, 227 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: they didn't you know, get a whole lot of sacks 228 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:42,400 Speaker 1: on Gardner minshoot, but they just felt like they were 229 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 1: bothering him all day and there wasn't that many you know, 230 00:11:46,400 --> 00:11:50,000 Speaker 1: blown assignments or you know, he scrambled a couple times 231 00:11:50,000 --> 00:11:51,960 Speaker 1: out of the pocket, but that's kind of what he does. 232 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,760 Speaker 1: But like the way they played in terms of their 233 00:11:54,840 --> 00:11:57,600 Speaker 1: run fits against Leonard Fournett. I just like I go 234 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:00,440 Speaker 1: back to they executed in the first half fin like 235 00:12:00,600 --> 00:12:03,000 Speaker 1: three quarters pretty much what you said. Yeah, and we 236 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:06,120 Speaker 1: I mean we talked about preparation. On Matt Ryan's point, 237 00:12:06,120 --> 00:12:08,439 Speaker 1: I thought the defense looked really really prepared out there. 238 00:12:08,520 --> 00:12:11,760 Speaker 1: I mean through halfway through the third quarter, I looked 239 00:12:11,760 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: down they had Jacksonville had fifty two passing yards total 240 00:12:14,559 --> 00:12:16,880 Speaker 1: and seven of those came on that fake punt. So 241 00:12:17,880 --> 00:12:20,560 Speaker 1: that's crazy. Again, this is the NFL. Everybody's good. They 242 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,000 Speaker 1: still have DJ Chark out there at receiver, They've got 243 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:26,319 Speaker 1: Leonard Fournette running down. I mean, there's still good players 244 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,000 Speaker 1: on this Jacksonville offense. And you're exactly right, they really 245 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,160 Speaker 1: did pressure Gardner Minshew. I mean, there were a number 246 00:12:32,200 --> 00:12:34,920 Speaker 1: of guys where the receivers maybe had a step on 247 00:12:34,960 --> 00:12:37,319 Speaker 1: the corner, but the pass was not where it needed 248 00:12:37,320 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 1: to be because there was a rusher right in his face. 249 00:12:39,679 --> 00:12:42,080 Speaker 1: And that's exactly what we talked about kind of earlier 250 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:44,040 Speaker 1: on in the season when things weren't going so well 251 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:48,000 Speaker 1: for the defense. It was defenses that play really well 252 00:12:48,600 --> 00:12:52,280 Speaker 1: marry pass rush with coverage, because on every play you're 253 00:12:52,280 --> 00:12:54,480 Speaker 1: not always going to get perfect pass rush. You're not 254 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:57,400 Speaker 1: always gonna have perfect coverage. But if you can do 255 00:12:57,960 --> 00:13:01,840 Speaker 1: both of those things well, you know enough times you're 256 00:13:01,920 --> 00:13:04,280 Speaker 1: usually going to get bailed out if you don't have 257 00:13:04,360 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 1: great coverage because your pass rush is getting there to 258 00:13:06,640 --> 00:13:09,439 Speaker 1: affect the quarterback or vice versa. So you know, is 259 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:12,360 Speaker 1: there anybody else kind of on the defense that you felt, 260 00:13:12,400 --> 00:13:15,720 Speaker 1: you know, definitely deserves some recognition for their performance today. Well, 261 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: I think we have to start with Isaiah Oliver and 262 00:13:19,080 --> 00:13:23,079 Speaker 1: Bleedy Ray Wilson. You know, when the Falcons lost Esmond 263 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,280 Speaker 1: trufon a couple of weeks ago, you could have easily said, 264 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,200 Speaker 1: I'm not sure what to think of the secondary. You know, 265 00:13:29,240 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 1: Isaiah Oliver's had his struggles at time, but you know, 266 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:34,839 Speaker 1: actually put out a story this week about Isaiah Oliver. 267 00:13:36,760 --> 00:13:40,199 Speaker 1: He not only has cut down on his penalties, but 268 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: the quarterback rating when you know targeting Isaiah Oliver is 269 00:13:44,520 --> 00:13:46,840 Speaker 1: way down from you know, the bye week, and his 270 00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:50,800 Speaker 1: development is definitely a positive to take into what we 271 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,840 Speaker 1: call a last season for this Falcons. But um Bleedy 272 00:13:53,920 --> 00:13:56,760 Speaker 1: Ray Wilson also, you know, stepping in for Desmond Trufont. 273 00:13:57,000 --> 00:14:00,319 Speaker 1: Like you were talking about Gardner Minshew, it just felt 274 00:14:00,360 --> 00:14:04,000 Speaker 1: like there were no receivers ever open. And if you 275 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:05,960 Speaker 1: look to the first part of the season, and I 276 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:08,200 Speaker 1: know it never should have looked how it did at 277 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:10,440 Speaker 1: the beginning of the season, but you know, didn't it 278 00:14:10,480 --> 00:14:12,920 Speaker 1: just always feel like there was a receiver wide open. 279 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,679 Speaker 1: You know, it just kind of felt like, what are 280 00:14:15,679 --> 00:14:18,600 Speaker 1: they doing in coverage? And now it just feels like 281 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:21,000 Speaker 1: they're right there and if they're not right there, you know, 282 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:24,280 Speaker 1: it's not a big play game. And I just think 283 00:14:24,360 --> 00:14:27,400 Speaker 1: the way that they're playing in the secondary, like you're saying, 284 00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 1: isn't marrying what they're doing upfront. And it's just cohesively 285 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: all being put together right now. And I think this 286 00:14:33,360 --> 00:14:36,160 Speaker 1: is exactly what we expected to see from the Falcons 287 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:38,360 Speaker 1: at the beginning of the season. Yeah, even the one 288 00:14:38,440 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 1: touchdown pass that you know, they threw down that right 289 00:14:41,040 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 1: sideline against Bleedy, it was really weird. It was because 290 00:14:44,080 --> 00:14:46,640 Speaker 1: Bleedy did kind of what he was supposed to do 291 00:14:46,720 --> 00:14:49,560 Speaker 1: for about three fourths of the play. He was right there, 292 00:14:49,600 --> 00:14:52,640 Speaker 1: step for step, had inside leverage, it was exactly on 293 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:54,560 Speaker 1: top of the receiver, which you're supposed to play it 294 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:57,320 Speaker 1: that way on a go route, and then I don't 295 00:14:57,320 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 1: know if the receiver just kind of outran him, was 296 00:15:01,040 --> 00:15:04,000 Speaker 1: faster than him, or Bleedy thought the ball was going 297 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 1: to be overthrown, because it was. It was a great catch, 298 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:08,400 Speaker 1: but it was. It was just kind of weird play. 299 00:15:08,440 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 1: But you're right, the secondary seems to be playing with 300 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:12,800 Speaker 1: a confidence that we really did not see for the 301 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:15,000 Speaker 1: first half of the season, you know, and it's it's 302 00:15:15,040 --> 00:15:17,400 Speaker 1: really a testament to the defensive coaches. There was one 303 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:21,760 Speaker 1: play where Dion Jones, who looks faster this season than 304 00:15:21,840 --> 00:15:24,080 Speaker 1: I think I've ever seen him, which is insane because 305 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: he was already incredibly fast, but he diagnosed a screenplay 306 00:15:27,840 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 1: at DJ Chark where as soon as the ball was snapped, 307 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:33,160 Speaker 1: he turned like he knew where that play was going 308 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:36,440 Speaker 1: before it even started, sprinted and made a tackle behind 309 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:38,760 Speaker 1: a line of scrimmage for a loss. I mean it 310 00:15:38,800 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: was perfect defense. Yeah, I feel like I forgot to 311 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:45,480 Speaker 1: mention in coverage, Dion Jones and dev Andre Campbell are 312 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:48,760 Speaker 1: playing as good as they have ever played in terms 313 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 1: of coverage and dev Andres you know, getting after the quarterback. 314 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:54,920 Speaker 1: I mean there were a couple plays where you know, 315 00:15:55,040 --> 00:15:58,960 Speaker 1: he almost had Gardner Minshew down. But they're a big 316 00:15:59,000 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 1: part of the coverage because you know, we're talking about 317 00:16:01,840 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 1: the second level, but they're shutting down everything in front 318 00:16:04,640 --> 00:16:07,040 Speaker 1: of them. And you talked about Diane Jones, but Devandre 319 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: Campbell's also having an excellent second half of his season. 320 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:11,720 Speaker 1: That's a great point. I'm glad you mentioned him. And 321 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,840 Speaker 1: one person that I want to mention and we want 322 00:16:13,880 --> 00:16:16,320 Speaker 1: to talk about this for too long, but Ryan allen 323 00:16:16,520 --> 00:16:19,720 Speaker 1: Coming in stepping in in place of Matt Bosher, had 324 00:16:19,760 --> 00:16:22,720 Speaker 1: another really good game today. Pinned them deep twice with 325 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,040 Speaker 1: two punts. I think they landed inside of the two 326 00:16:25,120 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: yard line. And in a game like this where ye 327 00:16:27,720 --> 00:16:31,240 Speaker 1: at times it felt like okay, wait if Jacksonville scores here. 328 00:16:31,280 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 1: For as much as Atlanta has controlled this game, if 329 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:36,520 Speaker 1: if Jacksonville scores, it becomes a one score game, and 330 00:16:36,560 --> 00:16:38,960 Speaker 1: it's like, oh man, all of a sudden, you're get 331 00:16:39,040 --> 00:16:42,520 Speaker 1: a little tight again. For as crazy as it seemed 332 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:45,280 Speaker 1: that Jacksonville could kind of make this a game again, 333 00:16:45,360 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 1: there were times when that happened. And Allan's consistency to 334 00:16:49,360 --> 00:16:52,120 Speaker 1: really flip the field at crucial times and never let 335 00:16:52,480 --> 00:16:56,480 Speaker 1: Jacksonville's offense establish a rhythm I thought was pretty big today. 336 00:16:56,560 --> 00:17:01,160 Speaker 1: So absolutely, and before we move on speaking of standouts 337 00:17:01,160 --> 00:17:03,880 Speaker 1: on the defensive side of all, we can't gloss over 338 00:17:03,920 --> 00:17:06,680 Speaker 1: the play off Grady Jarrett once again today, and I 339 00:17:06,720 --> 00:17:09,280 Speaker 1: would just like to thank all of the Falcons fans 340 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:13,240 Speaker 1: who helps get Grady Jarrett to his well deserved first 341 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:16,120 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl because y'all know I've been he is more 342 00:17:16,160 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 1: than earned that on that and he earned it. And 343 00:17:19,359 --> 00:17:21,960 Speaker 1: today he just showed once again why here he said 344 00:17:21,960 --> 00:17:24,640 Speaker 1: a career high in sacks. He got another sax today, 345 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:26,440 Speaker 1: has now has six and a half on the season. 346 00:17:26,480 --> 00:17:29,680 Speaker 1: So congratulations Grady. I have no idea if you listen 347 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 1: to this podcast, but if you do, Kelsey and I 348 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:35,160 Speaker 1: are very happy for you, So let's you know, start 349 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:38,920 Speaker 1: to wrap things up and turn towards next week. Honestly, 350 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:42,320 Speaker 1: I know Tampa Bay lost, but they looked good. I 351 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:45,000 Speaker 1: think this team, if you take the version that we're 352 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:48,480 Speaker 1: seeing of Tampa Bay right now and start this season over, 353 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:51,640 Speaker 1: they look like a playoff team to me. They are 354 00:17:51,680 --> 00:17:54,920 Speaker 1: playing that well. I know that. You know, Jamis has 355 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:59,200 Speaker 1: become a living meme and his quest for thirty touchdowns 356 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,520 Speaker 1: and thirty in or seids is like really fun to watch. 357 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:08,960 Speaker 1: And you know buildings. Bill Simmons, who you know runs 358 00:18:08,960 --> 00:18:12,080 Speaker 1: the Ringer, has this running gag now where he basically 359 00:18:12,119 --> 00:18:14,879 Speaker 1: believes in the first five minutes of any one pm 360 00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:18,640 Speaker 1: kickoff game there will be a Jamis Winston interception. At 361 00:18:18,720 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 1: one o two on Saturday, he threw a pick six, 362 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:24,520 Speaker 1: So it's kind of just musty TV. Luckily Falcons fans, 363 00:18:24,520 --> 00:18:26,280 Speaker 1: we'll get a front row seat to it next week. 364 00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:29,320 Speaker 1: But outside of Jamis, Tampa Bay is playing some really, 365 00:18:29,359 --> 00:18:31,600 Speaker 1: really good football. That they were even in that game 366 00:18:31,640 --> 00:18:34,600 Speaker 1: without Chris Godwin and Mike Evans speaks to how well 367 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:36,879 Speaker 1: the other pieces are playing around there, especially on the 368 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,840 Speaker 1: defensive side of the ball. So it's gonna be. I 369 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:41,920 Speaker 1: know fans are kind of like, all right, this season, 370 00:18:42,080 --> 00:18:43,720 Speaker 1: as you called it a lost season and all that, 371 00:18:43,880 --> 00:18:47,880 Speaker 1: But the way Atlanta has played recently since the bye week, 372 00:18:47,920 --> 00:18:50,719 Speaker 1: winning five of seven, I think next week is the 373 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,480 Speaker 1: perfect litmus test for Okay, where are these Falcons really at? 374 00:18:54,560 --> 00:18:56,520 Speaker 1: Because in a lot of ways, Tampa Bay is doing 375 00:18:56,560 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 1: the same thing. They look like they've turned the corner, 376 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,560 Speaker 1: you know, over the second half of the season, and 377 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,680 Speaker 1: you're seeing two teams that are playing their best football 378 00:19:04,680 --> 00:19:07,000 Speaker 1: of the season heading into the finale. It's going to 379 00:19:07,080 --> 00:19:09,440 Speaker 1: be a lot of fun to see which team comes 380 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:11,399 Speaker 1: out on top next week. Well, I think you totally 381 00:19:11,400 --> 00:19:14,400 Speaker 1: a nailed it. They're in very similar situations. But I mean, 382 00:19:14,440 --> 00:19:17,080 Speaker 1: Todd Bowles has done an incredible job with Tampa's defense. 383 00:19:17,119 --> 00:19:19,600 Speaker 1: If you look, you know, in the past, it's never 384 00:19:19,640 --> 00:19:22,119 Speaker 1: been a question of Tampa's offense. You know, we always 385 00:19:22,160 --> 00:19:26,719 Speaker 1: knew with Mike Evans and Godwin and Howard, you know, 386 00:19:26,760 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: they were always going to be an issue to deal 387 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:32,040 Speaker 1: with on offense. But now they've paired it with a 388 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:36,560 Speaker 1: strong defense, and Todd Bowles is getting everything and more 389 00:19:36,600 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 1: out of those guys, especially in the way that he's 390 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:43,320 Speaker 1: dialing up those pressure packages. It's been so impressive. I 391 00:19:43,359 --> 00:19:46,360 Speaker 1: watched that whole game and I was what Bruce Arians 392 00:19:46,440 --> 00:19:48,640 Speaker 1: and Todd Bowls have done with that Bucks team. If 393 00:19:48,680 --> 00:19:51,400 Speaker 1: I was a Bucks fan, you know, outside of Jamis, 394 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:54,640 Speaker 1: I would feel, you know, optimistic about my future. But 395 00:19:54,760 --> 00:19:57,919 Speaker 1: I think I completely agree with you if I'm the 396 00:19:57,960 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 1: Falcons players, I really a bad taste after that game 397 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:06,120 Speaker 1: against stamp at home. You know, Matt Ryan got absolutely obliterated. 398 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 1: It just kind of was one of the really bad 399 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,360 Speaker 1: losses for the Falcons this year. And I feel like 400 00:20:12,720 --> 00:20:15,720 Speaker 1: the Falcons players, you know, I know they take it 401 00:20:15,880 --> 00:20:18,480 Speaker 1: game by game. They don't really look backwards. But I mean, 402 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:21,440 Speaker 1: we're all humans. You can't tell me that they're not. Like, yeah, 403 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:23,720 Speaker 1: I kind of really want to get revenge. And what 404 00:20:23,880 --> 00:20:27,880 Speaker 1: better way to end this loss season with a win? 405 00:20:28,640 --> 00:20:31,600 Speaker 1: Three straight wins against you know, an NFC South team 406 00:20:31,880 --> 00:20:34,600 Speaker 1: and uh, you know, take care of business. But like 407 00:20:34,640 --> 00:20:37,440 Speaker 1: you said, I think it's the perfect litmus test to see, 408 00:20:37,480 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: you know, who these guys really are well, And what 409 00:20:40,080 --> 00:20:43,119 Speaker 1: better way to end this podcast than on that note. Guys, 410 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:46,199 Speaker 1: thank you so much for listening. We really do appreciate it. Um, 411 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:48,840 Speaker 1: you know, happy holidays to everybody. Hope you can spend 412 00:20:48,880 --> 00:20:51,720 Speaker 1: some time with your family, with your loved ones and 413 00:20:52,560 --> 00:20:55,879 Speaker 1: given Christmas presents to people this week. This win today, 414 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,680 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, there you go. This is the team's present 415 00:20:58,760 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 1: to you all and hopefully they can bookend that next 416 00:21:01,480 --> 00:21:05,000 Speaker 1: week against the Buccaneers. I said on the radio before 417 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,679 Speaker 1: the game. I saw Dan Quinn walking out of the 418 00:21:07,800 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: facility on Friday and I said, uh, you know, good 419 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:13,800 Speaker 1: luck this weekend, coach, I said, I hope Sannah brings you, 420 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: you know, a win this weekend for Christmas and egos. 421 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:17,879 Speaker 1: Let me tell you it's the only thing on my 422 00:21:18,000 --> 00:21:23,160 Speaker 1: Christmas list, so well, good boy this year. Um, all right, 423 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:25,119 Speaker 1: thank you guys so much. As always, you know, rate 424 00:21:25,119 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 1: and review us to let us know what you think 425 00:21:26,680 --> 00:22:00,320 Speaker 1: and uh we'll see you a rund next time. Please 426 00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:00,760 Speaker 1: let me