There were so many fails in the Falcons-Jets game yesterday that I had to put them all into one collective post. So here it is!
– After Matt Ryan found Tony Gonzalez in the end zone with just under two minutes remaining to give the Falcons a 9-7 lead, play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton immediately uttered, “And Atlanta comes within a point of tying the score with 1:38 in regulation.” Uh Dick, the Falcons are the ones that are up.
– The best part is, Stockton’s partner Charles Davis never corrected him. Instead, he broke down the replay of the Gonzalez’s touchdown and never went back to Stockton’s gaff.
– As kicker Matt Bryant lined up for the extra point, Stockton then said, “And this is a very important point after by Matt Ryan.” I know the Falcons have had kicking issues this season, but I didn’t realize things were so bad that they had Matt Ryan attempting extra points.
– After Bryant’s successful kick, Stockton says: “We’re tied at 10.” Damn it Dick, get your head in the game – it’s still 10-7 Falcons.
– And Charles Davis? Nothing. He once again broke down the replay of Gonzalez’s touchdown.
– A full minute later, Stockton finally says the correct score. Granted, he probably just thought that the Jets had made one of their three failed field goal attempts from earlier in the game, so maybe I should give the guy a break.
– Speaking of which, the Jets missed not one, not two, but three field goal attempts in yesterday’s game.
– On the first attempt, holder Kellen Clemens dropped the snap and was immediately tackled by Brent Grimes. Instead of taking a 10-3 lead, the score remained 7-3 Jets early in the first half.
– On the second failed attempt, kicker Jay Feely hooked the ball around the right upright instead of through it. Instead of taking a 10-3 lead into halftime, Feely’s miss allowed the score to remain 7-3.
– On the third and final failed attempt, Falcons’ defensive end Chauncey Davis blocked Feely’s kick after the snap went high. Instead of making the score 10-3 late in the fourth, the Jets had to rely on their defense to come up with one final stop.
– Of course, they couldn’t. New York’s D was Fort Knox all afternoon, but Ryan was able to lead the Falcons inside the red zone with under two minutes to play. Facing a 4th and goal at the 6-yard line, Ryan found Gonzalez for an easy pitch and catch. Rex Ryan’s defense had blanketed Gonzalez for most of the afternoon, yet decided that giving him a free release off the line of scrimmage around the goal line was the best way to cover him.
– Speaking of Ryan, he apparently didn’t double-check with anyone before he blurted this out in his post-game presser: “This is tough, because we’re obviously out of the playoffs. And that’s unfortunate.”
Uh Rex, you’re not out of the playoffs. But just like Dick Stockton, Charles Davis and the rest of your team, you had yourself one hell of a Sunday afternoon.
Photo from fOTOGLIF
