A Little Luck Helps Falcons to 6-0

The Atlanta Falcons were able to pull off another fourth quarter comeback on Sunday, this time against the Oakland Raiders. In what should have been an easy win for the Falcons, another Matt Bryant field goal proved to be the difference in the 23-20 victory.
The Raiders showed they were not going to roll over and die, they put up a good fight. Along with Matt Ryan throwing three interceptions, he had thrown three in the first five games alone, the Raiders almost gave the Falcons their first loss. The biggest play of the game for the Falcons, other than Bryant's kick, was Asante Samuel's interception that he returned for a touchdown.
The Raiders were driving down the field in the fourth quarter when Samuel stepped in front of the pass from Raiders' quarterback Carson Palmer and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. The Raiders were able to score quickly, which then meant the Falcons had to score again with only 40 seconds left in the game. Ryan threw four quick passes and then Bryant's 55-yard field goal sealed the win.
In a sloppy first half, the Falcons only scored once before overtime, when Ryan completed a four yard pass to Roddy White for a touchdown. Ryan's three interceptions before half time tied for the most he has ever thrown in a game, which he did back in 2009 against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons trailed 13-7 at the half, but with Bryant's three field goals and Samuel's interception return, they were able to overcome the deficit in the second half and extend their winning streak.
Ryan had a mediocre game, passing for 249 yards and a touchdown. His quarterback rating, which is usually over a hundred, was only 59.4. Michael Turner had another horrible day, rushing for only 33 yards. White had six catches for 72 yards and his touchdown to lead the offense. On defense, John Abraham had a huge day, recording three sacks. Line backer Sean Weatherspoon had nine tackles and corner back Dunta Robinson had eight.
Overall though, this was one of the Falcons worst games this year. The offense could never seem to get things going. Even when defensive end Ray Edwards recovered a fumble and returned it to the Raiders one yard line, the Falcons couldn't score on four plays and had to kick a field goal. The defense was sloppy too, constantly missing tackles and letting the Raiders run all over the field. If the Falcons wish to keep this perfect season going, their play will have to improve dramatically from today to do so.

Asante Samuel (22) returns his interception for a touchdown to help the Falcons beat the Raiders, 23-20.
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