So where does this game leave the Falcons? Well the much talented DT Peria Jerry is still out, and the schedule doesn’t get much easier until the Redskins game comes around (the Bears @ home, then the Cowboys and Saints on the road await the Falc’s).  The games that really worry me are the away games, especially the trip to the Super Dome, but I have faith in Peterson and his linebacker core to stop the short pass and maybe put some pressure on Brees.

Needless to say, Atlanta is still number two in the NFC South and the Bucs are still somewhere in the sewers of the NFC. As long as ATL keeps Carolina in the bottom half of the conference and they give NO a run for their money, then I think a playoff bid looks good for ATL, even though its still early in the season. But as far as this point in the season, all I can say is – Damn, it feels good to be a Falcon.

In other news, atleast the Falcons are staying in the upper half of the NFC South rankings. The much hated Bucs are stinking up that which is Tampa Bay, and Carolina… well we’ve already proved our point to the Panthers. But the… the… (gasp) Saints. Shit. Shit. Shit. If I hear Drew Brees’ name one more time I’m going to fly a small plane into the ESPN headquarters (only kidding). He IS an admirable QB with a talented RB to open up the play-action. But like I said before, if Ryan’s O-Line can put together some better run blocking then maybe… hopefully… the NFC South can have TWO dual-threat teams in the League and everyone else will cower as we take over the NFL. Maybe its a reach, but hey, if Vick can bounce back so can the Falcs.

Gonzalez (Ryan’s new buddy in the passing game) was full of spectacular catches in Week 2, and a lot of them ended up in the highligh reel. But Ryan isn’t one to pick favorites, as his other 2 TDs were hauled in by Roddy White and Jason Snelling. Even though he threw his first interception of the season (including pre), he also was 21 of 27 with 13 of ‘em consecutive. He also wasn’t the only QB who showed up today: Jake Delhomme did pretty good on the Panthers’ side of the ball – until he blew it in the 4th quarter with one of his oh-so-famous INTs (courtesy of Chris Houston).

However, not all is well in Mike Smith’s household - his very important defensive tackle, Peria Jerry, was carted off the field in the 4th quarter. It appears he is injured indeffinitely thus putting the playmaking ability of ATL’s defensive line on the shoulders of John Abraham.

Well, to leave on a good note, I must say (unbiasedly) that the Falcons have one of the snazziest throwback jerseys in the league. Maybe it will become more feared than the blackout jersey? Hopefully this 2-0 start will set the tone for the rest of the Falcons’ season (especially in conference games), and Ryan & Company will continue the aerial assault as Abraham and Peterson keep the Falcons’ defense something to be feared.

The first quarter started off rocky. Matt Ryan was missing wide open receivers and Michael Turner was getting shut down (no way?). Then came the 7 1/2 minute drive at the end of the first quarter/beginning of second that swayed the momentum into the Falcons’ gloves. After a TD pass by Ryan it was a downhill battle for Atlanta. Ryan (two TDs and 229 yds) hit a handful of different receivers including Michael Jenkins, Roddy White, Ovie Mughelli and 10-time probowler Tony Gonzalez. Speaking of – Gonzalez felt like he had something to prove to the Falcons (huh?) when he was traded to them and became starting tight end this year. And he did so – complete with diving catches and spiced with a little YAC. If anyone put on for Smith’s offense it was Gonzalez.

Back to the point - none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for Peterson (7 TAKs, 1 INT, 1 FF) and his helmet-pounding, mouthguard-grinding defense. With 9 out of 19 points off of turnovers,I think its safe to say that this game belonged to the “Dirty D”.

The 2008 season was huge for rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. The Boston College alumni made the air over the opponent’s turf his own personal highway and the Georgia Dome became a hangar for Ryan’s long range bombs and his lightning-fast missiles. Precision and power was the key to the Falcons’ surprising performance in ’08, and Ryan was the locksmith. He might have had a few rocky moments to overcome, but he showed the whole League he was one of those rare rookies that are not to be underestimated. Coupled with Michael Turner’s break-loose, helmet-pounding running style, the Falcons’ had finally established what they had been looking for – menacing attacks from both ground and air (I’m sure if there had been a sea, head coach, Mike Smith, would have found a way to let lose a furious Falcon navy). Ryan brought to the team a new leadership – and a huge cannon with an accurate gunner.

In present time, preseason has drawn to an end and Matt Ryan is looking even deadlier than last year. Things even out, however, as he is also looking somewhat more cautious with only two touchdowns and zero interceptions in preseason stats. In week four of playoffs, Ryan’s health was preserved by head coach, Smith, and John Parker Wilson, the infamous rookie from Alabama, took over with thirteen completions for a mere 80 yards. It is self-evident that Ryan will be starting in the season opener against the Dolphins on September 13^th. With the new title of Offensive Captain (voted on by his own teammates last year), Ryan has a new burden to carry upon his shoulders as well as a reputation to uphold. With the season opener only a few days away, the question remains: Can he take the Falcons even farther than last year? If so, then can Matt Ryan take the Falcons all the way?