Falcons learn how to toughen up

Falcons running back T.J. Duckett breaks into the open on a 21-yard touchdown run against the Broncos during the second quarter in Denver, on Oct. 31. PHOTO: AP

With his team down by 35-3 at halftime to the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 24, Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora turned stubborn. In the locker room, he told his team, "We're not punting in the second half, and we're not kicking field goals, no matter what."

True his word, Mora passed up two chances at field goals only to watch both of the Falcons' fourth-down plays fail. They eventually lost the game, 56-10.

Mora the team the next day that he could have managed the score better and made the loss respectable. But he also said that the Falcons needed to develop a culture that did not accept losing without an all-out fight.

It is that direct, unswerving approach that has helped Mora, in his first season, lead the Falcons to the second-best record in the National Football Conference, behind only the Philadelphia Eagles. The Falcons (7-2) play the Giants (5-4) on Sunday at the Meadowlands.

"I just do what I do, it's who I am, and I detest phonies," said Mora, who replaced Dan Reeves as coach on Jan. 9. "People ask me what my philosophy is and I say, `I don't know.' Football is what I've done all my life, I just go with it."

Mora, who turned 43 this week, goes with it at a downhill pace. Even before the first practice at training camp, players knew Mora's mantra.

"Create a tempo other teams are unwilling or unable to match," defensive end Brady Smith said.

It is a brisk tempo set by Mora, a coach who is an admitted taskmaster. Yet Mora also has an exuberant and playful side.

After a season-opening victory in San Francisco, Mora walked to the back of the plane and asked defensive end Patrick Kerney not for an assessment of the game, but for an assessment of what was on Kerney's iPod.

"Sinatra to Tupac," Kerney said.

"Me, too," Mora said.

Place-kicker Jay Feely said that during training camp he fiddled with the throttle on one of the golf carts used by the players to make his drive faster. Mora saw Feely scooting down the street and confronted him.

"He asked me if I wanted to race," Feely said.

And Mora admitted that two days before the Falcons were to play Tampa Bay in the Georgia Dome, on Nov. 14, he put a playlist together -- a pregame music playlist.

"Mike Vick came to me and said we needed better music before the game," Mora said with a grin. "I agreed and was helping a little with my own list."

Feely said the Falcons have rallied around Mora.

"When you get labeled as a players' coach, people sometimes think there is no discipline," Mora said. "But they know who is in charge and they don't test it.

New England Patriots (8-1) at

Kansas City Chiefs (3-6)

This is a matchup of two potent offenses, one headed for playoff glory and one that should be but isn't.

As always, the Patriots are a team with answers, often before anyone has asked a question. Other teams suffer big injuries and are wiped out. The Patriots suffer injuries -- at the moment their three best cornerbacks are down -- and coach Bill Belichick comes up with scary answers. How else do you explain wideout Troy Brown, doubling as an emergency cornerback, making a crucial interception against Buffalo last week?

The Patriots' offense, like the defense, finds ways to escape problems. Corey Dillon's rushing (151 yards) and Tom Brady's passing did in Buffalo's good defense last Sunday.

The Chiefs can be frightening on offense. They lead the NFL in total offense (422.1 yards a game) and rushing (164.2). With Priest Holmes sidelined last week, his backup, Derrick Blaylock, rushed for 186 yards, the Chiefs gained 497 yards in all and they still lost to New Orleans.

Holmes sidelined by a sprained right knee. Coach Dick Vermeil said, "I think he's made a little progress, but he's got a long way to go."

So do the Chiefs, although they can be dangerous here.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-1) at

Cincinnati Bengals (4-5)

Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers' wunderkind quarterback, is 7-0 as a starter. He is willing to run when necessary and knows how. Steelers coach Bill Cowher is trying to guard against complacency: "We haven't done anything yet." Yes they have. They lead the league in total defense, allowing only 257.9 yards a game. Meanwhile, the Bengals can't stop the run, although coach Marvin Lewis says of his defense, "We're coming out of it a little bit."

Atlanta Falcons (7-2) at

New York Giants (5-4)

Maybe moment to remember in Giants' history because Eli Manning, the heralded rookie quarterback, makes his first start, replacing the ill-fated Kurt Warner. Coach Tom Coughlin said of Manning, "He is the future of the Giants. It just starts now."

The Giants have lost three of their last four games, their offensive line is a disaster and they can't hold a lead.

Detroit Lions (4-5) at

Minnesota Vikings (5-4)

The Lions and Vikings have each lost three in a row. Randy Moss, the Vikings' game-breaking receiver, has missed two games already with a strained right hamstring, and he is badly missed. Coach Mike Tice says Moss won't play until he gets a full week of practice.

The Lions can't run and can't stop the run.

Denver Broncos (6-3) at

New Orleans Saints (4-5)

After the Saints upset Kansas City last week, wide receiver Joe Horn, said, "Everybody that said goodbye to us, we ain't gone yet." Wait until the Bronco runners see that generous defense.

Indianapolis Colts (6-3) at

Chicago Bears (4-5)

In the last two weeks, the Bears' defense has come up with 16 sacks and eight turnovers. Now its best player, middle linebacker Brian Urlacher, is out four to six weeks and Peyton Manning looms.

New York Jets (6-3) at

Cleveland Browns (3-6)

The Browns have lost three straight and the Jets two in a row. Quarterback Jeff Garcia says his Browns' offense is undisciplined and unimaginative. Quincy Carter has played insecurely as the Jets' fill-in quarterback.

Washington Redskins (3-6) at

Philadelphia Eagles (8-1)

The Redskins have benched their ineffective quarterback, Mark Brunell, in favor of Patrick Ramsey. It won't help.

Green Bay Packers (5-4) at

Houston Texans (4-5)

The Packers have won their last four games, Ahman Green is running well and Brett Favre is Brett Favre.