SB Nation Atlanta - Roddy White Catches 26-21 Gamewinner In Thursday Night Classic

Ravens Vs. Falcons Video: Did Roddy White Push Off On Game-Winning Touchdown?

2010-11-12T13:35:32Z

As Atlanta Falcons WR Roddy White walked in the go-ahead touchdown last night against the Baltimore Ravens, CB Josh Wilson was already pleading for a flag. White was wide open in the first place because as soon as he hit his out route cut, Wilson hit the deck. There’s definitely some contact between the two, but see for yourself:

I’m trying to look at this with an open mind and objective eye, but I don’t see a pushoff meriting a penalty. It looks like Wilson’s rookie footwork betrayed him, as he was essentially planted in White’s path. If anything, their feet bumped against each other and caused the trip, but White doesn’t appear to lose a step, so it’s hard to tell.

I’ve gone through this frame by frame, and I don’t see anything White does with his upper body that unquestionably forces Wilson to fall over. If that slight bump sent Wilson reeling, then either White’s strength is much better or Wilson’s footwork is worse than we thought. Maybe that’s homer talk, but this looks more like incidental contact with a dramatic result than it does even acceptable physical play, let alone unacceptable.

Even if we say this should’ve been a penalty, the Falcons would’ve had the ball at the 43 with a time out and time for two passes to get back into field goal range. Plus a kicker who's missed only once in a dome since 2008. The Falcons still would have had a very good chance at winning.

Ravens Vs. Falcons Final Score: 26-21, Roddy White Wins Game In Dramatic Fashion

2010-11-12T04:55:25Z

Amazing.

Just one word needed really, but good god I have to go to my doctor because that was insane. With the Falcons down by 1 needing a field goal Matt Ryan pulled out all the throws to lead his team to victory. If you didn't think Matty was known as "Ice" then you should now.

On a day that had the Falcons dominating most facets of the game the Ravens would just never go away. But this was the Falcons best win since...well, ever.

You have to give it to the Ravens they played one hell of a game, but this is Matt Ryan's house, he's a winner in there.

No one cares that Roddy White dropped a view passes here or there, he won the game. Some will debate whether it was offensive pass interference, but you could also make the argument that Josh Wilson just fell down on the play because he wasn't strong enough to contain White.

Enjoy this game Falcons fans, you are 7-2 and that is all that matters.

Some highlights from the game:

John Abraham was beastly tonight getting 2 sacks and constantly pressuring Flacco.
Matt Ryan played a fantastic, gun-slinging game going 32/50 for 316 yards and 3 Touchdowns
Roddy White has to be considered an MVP now, 12 Receptions for 138 yards and 2 Touchdowns
Brent Grimes was amazing in coverage. Okay sure he gave up some touchdowns, but he was targeted pretty much every time Flacco threw the ball.

Ravens Vs. Falcons Score Update: Falcons Cannot Put Ravens Away As Todd Heap Catches Touchdown

2010-11-12T04:26:27Z

The Atlanta Falcons several times this season have kept teams in the game. On those occasions they’ve been able to close out to secure the win, this time they did not. Against one of the best teams in the league Atlanta kept Baltimore in the game and it has bitten them on the ass.

A 13 point lead, gone. All the stats, meaningless. The Falcons wanted the Ravens to stay in this game and they did just that.

Roddy White had a chance to catch the ball on 3rd down, he did not. It seems to me that Atlanta doesn’t possess the mental state of mind to put the sword to the throat early.

Sure the Falcons have looked decent for the most part but if you can’t put teams away early then your chances of winning the game are nil.

There’s still some time left in the game for a field goal. But it seems like there just isn’t enough time for Atlanta to escape this one.

Ravens Vs. Falcons Score Update: Derrick Mason Works Hard For Touchdown To Keep Ravens Alive

2010-11-12T04:11:17Z

The Baltimore Ravens are still in it. All of the statistics may be in the Falcons favor, however the Ravens are staying in it. Joe Flacco manufactured a quick scoring drive to keep them in the game putting the game back into the great Baltimore defense led by Ray Lewis.

While Flacco hasn’t had the “best” game by any definition he’s still fighting and displaying his great leadership skills by going about his business.

The Falcons defense however didn’t do the offense any favors by letting Baltimore come back. Roddy White also didn’t help proceedings by dropping a pass on 3rd down again giving Joe a chance to win the game. It comes down to this, let’s see if the Falcons can hold on, I have my suspiciousness they will not.

Joe Flacco: 15/25 for 121 yards and 2 Touchdowns
Ray Rice: 11 Carries for 57 Yards
Anquan Boldin: 4 Receptions for 41 Yards and 1 Touchdown
Todd Heap: 2 Receptions for 30 Yards

Ravens Vs. Falcons Score Update: Roddy White Touchdown On Third Down Extends Falcons Lead

2010-11-12T04:01:29Z

On a third and one the Ravens stacked the line expecting run, they weren’t expecting Roddy White to turn up. As silly as that sounds White has been dominant tearing the Ravens up. On a 77 yard drive the Falcons needed the touchdown to protect their lead.

Matt Ryan has been efficient and effective making clutch 3rd down throws and the last play was an extension of that.

The Ravens are driving now looking to reply to the Falcons touchdown. Atlanta’s defense has done a nice job for the most part. However that means little if they can’t hold the Ravens to secure this game.

Here are some of the offensive statistics:

Matt Ryan: 28/40 for 228 yards and 2 Touchdowns
Roddy White: 9 Receptions for 74 Yards and 1 Touchdown
Michael Turner: 16 Carries for 36 Yards
Jason Snelling: 6 Receptions for 56 Yards and 1 Touchdown Reception
Tony Gonzalez: 4 Receptions for 38 Yards
Michael Jenkins: 4 Receptions for 24 Yards

Ravens Vs. Falcons, Thursday Night Fantasy Football Update: WR Roddy White Has Another Big Game

2010-11-12T03:59:54Z

For many fantasy owners, the status of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White was of paramount importance. He suffered a knee injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and didn’t practice save for some limited participation on Wednesday. He was officially listed as questionable against the Ravens but when it was announced he was going to play, you just knew he had to be in your lineup.

White continues his insane season with nine catches for 74 yards and one touchdown. He has been able to do just about anything he wants against the Ravens secondary. Obviously, when healthy, White is a must-start but this performance is a very encouraging sign that the knee is now an afterthought.

The Falcons have had only consistent weapon all season and the Ravens still can’t stop him. With half the fourth quarter still to play, White could be in for another 100-yard game against a Ravens’ defense that has struggled mightily in this one.

[VIDEO] Ravens Vs. Falcons, Thursday Night Football: Falcons Lead 13-7 After Three Quarters Of Play

2010-11-12T03:49:32Z

The first Thursday Night Football game of the year between the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens just got a lot more interesting. The Falcons, after dominating every facet of the game in the first half, have allowed the Ravens to make this contest a lot closer than the statistics would lead you to believe.

Matt Ryan continues to throw a tremendous amount of passes for surprisingly a small amount of yards. Running the ball in this game is not something either team has been fond of and the Falcons lead the Ravens, 13-7 in the fourth quarter.

Before we settle in for the fourth quarter, let’s take a peek at some highlights of how we got to where we are.

The Falcons have struggled on special teams but this time it’s them who recover a fumble.

The short guy aka Brent Grimes grabs another interception

Anquan Boldin makes it a game in the fourth quarter with his 50th TD catch

Ravens Vs. Falcons PIC: NFL Network Shows 'Ravens-Ravens' Thursday Night Football Score

2010-11-12T03:30:20Z

When the Atlanta Falcons took a 10-0 lead shortly before the half, Baltimore Ravens fans were probably saying things like, "We're beating ourselves out there!" because that's the kind of thing sports fans always say. Because no team has ever been beaten by its opponent without assistance. You know what, Ravens fans? NFL Network agrees:

Via.

We get the confusion. Same record, pretty much the same mascot and quarterback, The Wire and The Walking Dead being equally great (COUGHNOCOUGH) -- these teams are easy to mix up.

And with this being the network's first live game broadcast of the year, you'd expect a few hiccups. You'd also expect Joe Theismann and company to know the names of NFL players -- so far they've messed up Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco, Vance Walker, and Brent Grimes at one point or another. We'll knock the rust off in time for next week's Miami Dolphins-Chicago Bears Super Bowl preview, y'all!