FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- A single third down rarely decides a football game. Mistakes can be corrected. Second chances can be had. But consistent problems often lead to defeat, especially on the road and in the red zone.
Last week the Falcons converted just 2-of-13 third downs. They kicked three field goals -- two in the red zone -- and dropped three passes that would have gone for key first downs.
This week the team is making third a first priority.
"We have to concentrate on first and second down, really first down, getting manageable yards for second and third down," starting center Todd McClure said.
Through four games the Falcons rank 25th in the league in third-down conversions (33 percent). The offense has dominated in the Georgia Dome but games on the road ended with a total of six Jason Elam field goals.Finding the formula to recreate home success on the road dominates discussions around The Branch these days and the team is thankful for another shot at a victory away from Atlanta.
It starts on third down.
"We've got to score touchdowns," veteran wide receiver Brian Finneran said. "That's where we're struggling right now. We just have to play better on the road overall. If we can do that I think we'll be all right.
"We know we can improve; we know we can play better at different times. We won great at home and we've done great on first down at home and we need to figure out why we're not doing it on the road."
HISTORIC VENUE: It's nearly impossible to ponder the history of the NFL without spending some time on Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers.
Many younger Falcons will be visiting the stadium for the first time Sunday afternoon and are preparing now for the inevitable awe of playing in such a historic venue.
"It's kind of similar to some of the places we played in college that have so much tradition," rookie quarterback Matt Ryan said. "But when you get out on the field and start to play it's no difference in playing at Boston College or Notre Dame."
Opened in 1957, Lambeau Field is in its 52nd year of hosting professional football games. Over the years it's undergone renovations and cosmetic changes, including a massive project completed in 2003 that raised capacity to close to 73,000 and developed a retail and entertainment space to greet Packers fans year round.
"I still remember my first time up in Lambeau," Finneran said. "I think it was the first day of the season. But, whether it's 90 degrees or 5 degrees up there it's a special place to play."
That would make a win all the more special for the Falcons.
"Lambeau is a great place to play," McClure said. "They have diehard fans there that wait in line for season tickets. It's going to be loud there. The only way you get the crowd out of the game there is have success."
RETURN TO LAMBEAU: Grady Jackson will return to Lambeau for the first time since his days as a Packer, which ended after the 2005 season. Jackson spent two full seasons in Green Bay totaling 100 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
He's looking forward to seeing some of his old teammates but, like many players in the NFL who travel between teams, he wants to provide his best service to his current employer. He also knows what it will take to remove the Packers' legendary fans from the game.
"It's something different," he said when asked about Lambeau. "If we jump on them early we can get the crowd quiet and might get a couple of boos. We just have to go out there, be physical and try to outplay them."
INJURY REPORT: Injured left tackle Sam Baker worked on an adjacent practice field away from his teammates on Wednesday -- another step in his return to the game after a concussion and illness.
"Sam worked on the side with trainers and we'll know a whole lot more tomorrow morning when he gets into the training room to see if there are any ill effects from him working out," Head Coach Mike Smith said after Wednesday's practice.
Lawyer Milloy left Sunday's game at Carolina with bruised ribs. He sat out Wednesday's workout to let the pain ease.
"Lawyer is feeling a lot better today than he was yesterday," Smith said. "He ran a little bit; we kept him out of contact."
Smith said wide receiver Laurent Robinson (knee) also did some light work and defensive tackle Jason Jefferson (ankle) has some work before returning to the field. Jefferson, who was picked up just before the start of the season, started Week 2 in place of Jackson.
Click here for the complete Saint Joseph's Injury Report.
PRESSURE COOKER: For the first time in 2008 the Falcons left the field last week without recording a sack.
That didn't make anyone happy.
"We just have to go out and redeem ourselves (up front)," Jackson said. "Get after the quarterback by being physical."
The veteran defensive tackle said the Panthers neutralized the Falcons pass rush last week with a mix of quick passes and maximum protection along the offensive line. Finding an answer to those schemes will be priority No. 1 this week.
"The front seven work with the front four," Smith said earlier this week. "The quarterbacks in this league are very efficient throwers. When there's not a lot of pressure in their face they're going to complete the football.
"We've got to come up with ways to effect the quarterback. That's not just players, that's coaches as well."
RELATED LINKS:
- NOTEBOOK: Falcons want 'third' time to be charm on the road
- J. MIKE'S MISSIVES: Birdseed | Injured Birds Almost Ready to Fly
- VIDEO: Head Coach Mike Smith
- FOE AUDIO: Mike McCarthy | Aaron Rodgers
- INJURY REPORT: More on this week's injuries in the Saint Joseph's Health and Wellness Center
- VIDEO: From the Training Room | From the Strength Training Room
- LOCKER ROOM: Jackson | Mughelli | Ryan | McClure | Finneran
