Quinn: Falcons are eager to fly out of the blocks
ATLANTA are ready to fire on all cylinders once again as they look for a crucial win over Tampa tonight.
Last season the Falcons let a 28-3 lead in the Super Bowl slip against Tom Brady’s New England Patriots.
But while many teams suffer a post-Super Bowl defeat slump, the Falcons have rallied quickly despite an up-and-down start to the campaign.
A win over Dallas and victory against Seattle last week has got them back into contention in the NFC South, even though they are third in the division at 6-4.
New Orleans and Carolina – 8-2 and 7-3 respectively – lead the way, while Tampa sit bottom at 4-6.
But with the Saints and Panthers both playing away from home today, the Falcons are ready to fire their bid for a play-off spot by utilising their ferocious speed, especially on defence.
Coach Dan Quinn said: “I can sense that things have been ticking in the right direction.
“We want our guys to play at max speed. That’s why we rotated them so much against Seattle.
“But we are pumped to get back in front of our own fans and get things rolling again.”
Running back Devonta Freeman returned to practice last week after suffering a concussion.
He missed the win over Seattle and has failed to recover in time to take part against the Buccaneers today.
Freeman will be a big miss and Quinn added: “You can feel Devonta’s enthusiasm just standing next to him. He’s anxious to get going but it’s all in the doctors’ hands.”
Elsewhere today, Pittsburgh host Green Bay in a rematch of the 2011 Super Bowl – which was won by the Packers – looking for a sixth win in a row.
Pittsburgh are joint leaders in the AFC at 8-2 along with New England, who host Miami.
Philadelphia – the NFC leaders – are at home to Chicago.
Eagles running back LeGarrette Blount has praised his team-mates’ recent form. He said: “Everybody has their role. We’re not selfish.
“We know everybody’s going to come out and compete and do their job.”
ALEX MILLER