Coach Mike Smith looks for redemptions as Falcons take on Titans – NFL Preview
Coach Mike Smith will be looking for redemption this Sunday as his Atlanta Falcons face off against the Tennessee Titans at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta in game week 11 of the National Football League.
The Falcons were narrowly beaten at the end of last week when their team lost 26-23 in overtime to rivals New Orleans Saints. The Falcons came from behind when down 23-13 in the fourth quarter with seven minutes to go, to tie the
game and force overtime with Tony Gonzalez scoring a touchdown at 4:13 and Matt Bryant stepping up with a 27 yard field goal right at the death.
Overtime saw the Smith taking an odd decision that was slammed across the NFL as highly risky and controversial. The Falcons were on the fourth down when Smith called time out. The Coach had the chance to send on his punting team
as they were 29 yards inside their own half yet inexplicably he decided to continue the play and rush towards the Saints end zone.
The decision backfired and this was the reason the Falcons lost the game. As the play continued Matt Ryan handed the ball to Michael Turner who was immediately surrounded by Saints players and stuffed as the Saints regained possession
just 26 yards from the Falcons goal and John Kasay made no mistake scoring a 26 yard field goal that would haunt the Falcons Coach for the rest of the season or for the rest of his managerial tenure.
"I know (the decision) will be scrutinized all week long," said Smith "I want everybody to understand I take full responsibility."
The Falcons will look to avoid defeat in two consecutive games for the first time this season as they face a Tennessee Titans side that comprehensively destroyed the Carolina Panthers 30-3 last week. The Titans have won 18 of their
20 encounters against National Football Conference sides and will look to build on that statistic
"It's hard to figure out why that is, but I hope the pattern stays the same," Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak said. "... Going to Atlanta's going to be a great challenge."
The Falcons look the better team in both offense and defence however being 12th overall in the NFL with 240.9 passing yards and 4th in opposition rushing yards compared to the Titans 14th rank in
offensive passing yards and 22nd in the opposition rushing yards. Playing at home the Falcons are a tough prospect to any side with the team winning four of their home encounters against sides from the American Football Conference.
Both the Titans and the Falcons are second in their respective divisions with a 5-4 record each. This will be a tough game to call as both sides are closely matched on paper and the team with greater drive and determination will
turn the outcome of the encounter in their favour.
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