Roddy White: We’re all in a funk, not just Matt Ryan

Defensive coordinator Greg Manusky and head coach Chuck Pagano deserve a lot of credit for that.

In particular, it was redemption for Hasselbeck, who really didn’t play well for most of the game. However, their play hasn’t been enough to muster enough wins as of late. That mantra stuck with the players.

Coach Dan Quinn didn’t single out Ryan when discussing his frustrations with the offense as a whole and wide receiver Roddy White was on a similar path when he said it was on everyone to pull the Falcons out of their skid. After the Falcons scored on the first drive to open the second half, they went scoreless. Hasselbeck completed 23 of 32 passes for 213 yards with a pair of touchdown completions to running back Ahmad Bradshaw.

Luck made the trip to Atlanta and watched from the sideline as Hasselbeck lived on underneath routes and dumped the ball off to his running backs. In the receiving end, Kyle Rudolph had 106 yards and one touchdown in six receptions while Stefon Diggs added 66 yards in six catches. “It’s hard. It’s not how we envisioned this year going, but he is doing a great job”.

“Once they got into field goal range, I thought we wanted to make sure we gave us a chance to go back and have a chance to go kick the field goal”. “I don’t think there was a bigger play”, Vinatieri said. It didn’t necessarily change the game plan. Some complained about paying so much for a quality backup, but when you have a young QB who doesn’t know how to protect himself and is behind a mediocre offensive line, it is a good investment.

But with only 2.8 yards per carry and a fumble deep in Atlanta territory, Coleman didn’t do himself any favors against the Colts. Look for him to play to Hasselbeck’s strengths, which include short drops and quick throws.

It’ll mean the defense has to continue to play well, forcing three turnovers on Sunday and keeping Atlanta from getting any kind of rhythm all day. Look for Freeman to get back on track in this one. We can’t dig ourselves a hole like we did today, but the defense bailed us out. White can still make plays when called upon; Leonard Hankerson, Jacob Tamme and Justin Hardy are solid options, too. Huge game for D’Qwell Jackson, who not only had the pick-six but was the second highest rated inside linebacker this week and got the highest rating of his career, all according to PFF.

Pat McAfee was brilliant once again.

Trailing 14-0 midway through the second quarter, Hasselbeck led the Colts’ best drive of the first half. Atlanta was winning games in the fourth quarter, taking care of the football, and were moving the football methodically through the air and convincingly on the ground. The Bills are also 5-5, so the victor of that game could very well take over the final wild card spot in the AFC.

“I totally realize the storyline there that you’re trying, but I want to let you know that we love the guy and I know everybody’s trying and how of this and that”. Before every kick I ask him if he’s ready. Gore left the game early with what was described as a quad contusion that rendered him questionable to return, but he was back nearly immediately, although he finished the game with a slight limp. Kicker Matt Bryant missed another field goal and the coverage units were shaky. He also averaged 35 yards on two kickoff returns, that included a 36-yarder. The Texans are tied with the Colts while the Jaguars are just one game behind.