The Atlanta Falcons are an unlikely 1-3 team to start the 2013 NFL season and schedule after a tremendous 13-3 season played only a year ago. Then again, the New York Jets aren’t supposed to have rookie Geno Smith starting at quarterback, yet they have the better record at 2-2 thanks to some close wins in the early going. These two teams will meet tonight on Monday Night Football (MNF) in Atlanta, Georgia on TV on ESPN with the loser falling even deeper into trouble than they already are. Watch ESPN Monday Night Football Free Live Online Streaming: Jets at Falcons instructions can be found below.
Last season the Falcons began the year a perfect 8-0, though many of those wins – 7 to be precise – were obtained by a final margin of a touchdown or less. This season the exact opposite has happened. Each of their first four games has been decided by an average of six points each, and they have won only one of them. A 1-3 start can be overcome with a couple quick wins to get to .500. Another loss and a 1-4 record will seem like light years away from the league leaders.
Fortunately for the Falcons they get to play the New York Jets next and go up against a rookie quarterback in Geno Smith who was thrown into the starting position due to an injury to Mark Sanchez. Smith has shown glimpses of promise in the starting role, but as with many rookie quarterbacks, he has struggled with poor decisions and turnovers that have led to two road losses so far this season. A loss tonight as many online stream MNF would make for a third.
Matt Ryan, meanwhile, played a great game against the New England Patriots a week ago with a career high 421 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns. Unfortunately what would have been a game-tying drive was cut short by the final whistle at the 10-yard line, otherwise the game was likely headed into overtime. Still, Ryan played great and that’s bad news for the Jets tonight if that trend continues. We will find out when we watch ESPN Monday Night Football free live online streaming: Jets at Falcons tonight.
Part of Ryan’s success has come from the two big targets he has to throw to. Julio Jones tops the league in receiving yards with 481 and is causing nightmares for every secondary tasked with covering him. Tony Gonzalez was on fire last week against the Patriots and caught two touchdown passes and 149 total yards through the air. Atlanta will need that kind of offensive attack through the air tonight on MNF with Stephen Jackson, their free agent acquisition at running back, continuing to sit out due to injury.
The Falcons are much better than their 1-3 record indicates and should have no problem disposing of the Jets at home assuming they have convert in the red zone, an issue that has been prevalent for Matt Ryan and his offense this season. If the Falcons defense can pressure Smith into mistakes then this game could be over by halftime.
Tonight’s NFL Monday Night Football game between the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons on ESPN will kick off at a start time of 8:40pm EST / 5:40pm PST. Cable and satellite subscribers that have ESPN in HD as a packaged channel will be able to watch a free live online streaming version here on ESPN 3 on mobile devices such as cell phones, computers and more.
