According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Falcons are favored at home, as they are getting odds of -5 points against the Colts today. [Quarterback] Matt [Hasselbeck] was excellent.
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In Sunday’s loss, Matty Ice threw a crucial interception from his end zone that was returned 6 yards for a tying touchdown by linebacker D’Qwell Jackson.
The Indianapolis Colts are not that great professional American football organization. “No judgment, it’s a process play, 60 minutes with all you got and keep throwing haymakers”.
Colts HC Chuck Pagano feels comfortable with Hasselbeck in the pocket, “We’ve won with Matt, we’ll win again with Matt”, he said. “We’ve got a few options”.
“We left it all out on the field”. However, they needed one more drive. The coaches did a phenomenal job. They don’t look at a scoreboard. “And when you do that, good things will happen to you”.
Winning the division is unlikely with Carolina on top at 10-0.
With injured Andrew Luck helping out on the sideline, Hasselbeck overcame a couple of interceptions and calmly led the winning drive, covering 56 yards in nine plays.
“I think he’s going to be there”, Jones said.
Key play: Coming into this series, the Colts first four drives on Sunday started with two turnovers and a pair of failed third-and-ones (one via run, one via pass). Hasselbeck was also sacked twice. During their current five game ATS losing streak, they haven’t scored more than 21 points in regulation. Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson reacted to the run look but quickly retreated back into shallow coverage, playing Atlanta’s tendencies to run slant routes off of play-action. Tight end Coby Fleener chipped in with three catches for 45 yards. He also has 11 total touchdowns. Freeman, the NFL’s third-leading rusher entering Sunday, left after three carries and did not return. They turned unheralded fullback Patrick DiMarco into a star for the day as he pulled in two touchdown passes.
The Atlanta offense couldn’t do anything after Leonard Hankerson hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass on the first possession of the second half, managing only 67 yards the rest of way with as many turnovers as first downs (three each). Julio Jones had nine catches for 160 yards. Atlanta is averaging 25.4 points and 402.2 yards per game on offense, while the defense is allowing 21.1 points and 342.3 yards per contest.
Even Hasselbeck would admit that he’d prefer for Luck to be under center because it gives the Colts a better chance to win.
Vinatieri made a 55-yard field goal to beat the Broncos in their previous game and was clearly in his range after the Moncrief play.
Vinatieri warmed up before the game by nailing 60-yard kicks. Hasselbeck threw two picks and the Falcons should have capitalized on those turnovers.
-RB Frank Gore suffered a quad contusion in the first quarter, but was able to return.
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The Colts are already without quarterback Andrew Luck, who is out two to six weeks while he recovers from a lacerated kidney and a partially torn abdominal muscle.
