Davis will be too much for Falcons
Posted: Sunday January 24, 1999 01:23 PM
The Atlanta Falcons' defense held Minnesota's record setting offense to just seven points in the second half and overtime of the NFC Championship Game. But now the Falcons are facing the best player in the NFL.
Terrell Davis has rushed for 366 yards and three touchdowns in the Broncos' two playoff games. As one Dolphins' player told me, when you try to tackle him high, he breaks the tackle. When you try to tackle him low and leave your feet, he's gone.
Denver will try and establish the run the same way it did in the AFC Championship Game. When Davis carried the ball eight of the first 12 plays for 46 yards. Atlanta has good team speed on defense and all pro Jessie Tuggle who had 11 tackles against the Vikings, will make his share of stops on Davis.
Although used sparingly, Atlanta cannot lose sight of fullback Howard Griffith. Griffith seems to get one or two big plays a game and Atlanta's outside linebacker Henri Crockett needs to be alert and tackle like this when he gets his chance.
When Denver goes to its passing game, John Elway will look for cornerback Michael Booker and go after him deep with Rod Smith. Atlanta likes to blitz Randy Fuller. If Elway reads the blitz, he knows tight end Shannon Sharpe is covered by a linebacker and Elway will go to Sharpe right away.
Elway will look for his favorite target, Ed McCaffery, on critical third downs. If All-Pro cornerback Ray Buchanan plays him tight, McCaffrey has enough speed to go by him.
Also remember, this is the Super Bowl, and John Elway is more likely to run for a first down or a TD than during the season. When he gets into the Red Zone, Atlanta better have someone assigned to him like the Jets did or he's going to score.
Atlanta finished second in the NFL against the run, but the Falcons haven't had to stop Terrell Davis. And I can't imagine John Elway playing poorly in his last game. Denver will score early and often.
| 
