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Atlanta Falcons: 4 Observations From Win Over Titans

By John Buhler

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Oct 25, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Dan Quinn removes his hat to toss it into the stands as he walks off the field after defeating the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Atlanta won 10-7. Mandatory Credit:

Jim Brown

-USA TODAY Sports

Dan Quinn Must Give the Best Halftime Speeches

In the last two regimes of the Atlanta Falcons franchise, we’ve seen what a first-half team looks like and what a second-half team looks like. After seeing Mike Smith‘s 2012 team blow a 17-0 lead at halftime in the NFC Championship, I’m so glad Dan Quinn is a fantastic second-half coach.

I don’t know how he’s doing it, but the guy can get his players to play their best football when the game is on the line. It’s the attitude of a champion to crave those moments, to know that no moment is too big for a well-prepared team to handle.

The pass rush still isn’t getting it done often enough, but the front seven really amped up the intensity in the second half. Since the offense wasn’t coherent in this game, it was thankfully the defense of the Atlanta Falcons that saved the game yesterday. After Mettenberger’s red zone pick to Worrilow near halftime, the Falcons almost completely shut down the Titans offense in the second half.

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Sure, people will look at the stats and see Schofield’s sack and Therezie’s pick and believe those two plays were the reasons for Atlanta’s 10-7 road victory over Tennessee. I would argue that it was the attitude of the entire defense that changed the game. The offense wasn’t getting it done, so the defense had no choice but to step it up.

Halftime isn’t as long as we tend to think it is. Players are mostly either getting re-taped or rehydrating and the coaches/coordinators may make a few adjustments. However, it seems that this team is in tune with what Quinn articulates in those precious moments between halves. It surely isn’t Hollywood, but Dan Quinn is the ultimate motivator and therefore, the coach the team needs.

Next: Atlanta Falcons Survive in the Music City, 10-7

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