National Football League

Falcons usually take the fourth;Under Smith, team has won 20 of 21 entering final quarter with lead.

Published Oct. 12, 2010 10:10 a.m. ET

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FLOWERY BRANCH --- When the clock hit 0:00 at the end of the third quarter against Cleveland, the Falcons knew they were in pretty good shape.

For the 21st time under third-year coach Mike Smith, they were taking a lead into the fourth quarter. This time it was a modest 13-10 lead.

For the 20th time, they came out victorious. The only time they lost after leading at the start of the fourth quarter under Smith was against Denver in Week 11 of the 2008 season.

"We make somebody tap out every week," linebacker Mike Peterson was yelling as he made his way to the locker room after the 20-10 victory over Cleveland.

For good measure in the fourth quarter, the Falcons received the incredible tipped interception by Kroy Biermann that he returned for a touchdown and an interception by Stephen Nicholas to seal the deal.

Then they handed the game over to their closer, the offensive line and running game.

Such an impressive fourth quarter close-out mark is attributed to several factors by the Falcons.

"You've got to play every play," Smith said. "Usually it's going to be five or six plays in the National Football League that's going to make the difference."

The Falcons got the lead on Roddy White's 45-yard touchdown pass with 7:57 left in the third quarter.

Biermann's touchdown came with 4:01 left in the game and was really just some icing on the cake.

"I think it speaks to the character of this team that we are going to keep fighting until the end," Biermann said. "Whether if we are down or ahead, we want to keep going and we're going to continue to fight."

Defensive end John Abraham terrorized Cleveland tackle Joe Thomas and made things uncomfortable for the Browns quarterbacks. He had two sacks and his fourth quarter pressure of Jake Delhomme led to Nicholas' interception.

"We've been consistent," Abraham said. "Once we get a lead in the fourth quarter, we feel like we are going to win every game."

Defensive end Jamaal Anderson credits the team's conditioning with helping them focus on their fundamentals late in games.

"We do a great job at closing games out," Anderson said.

The Falcons like to take pride in their running game down the stretch. They call it their four-minute offense, when they are trying to run and burn off some clock.

"Our offensive line is in great shape," wide receiver Roddy White said. "They are pushing those guys off the ball."

Against the Browns, Michael Turner had runs of 22, 8 and 7 yards, to stack up two first downs and help run out the clock.

"We are finishing," Turner said. "We have to keep that mind-set. . . . When we have the lead in the fourth quarter, you only have one more to go. We have to play hard and finish the game off."

After playing San Francisco (0-5) and Cleveland (1-4), the Falcons take a step up on competition against Philadelphia (3-2) and the defending NFC North champ Cincinnati (2-3) before entering their bye week.

The ability to protect fourth-quarter leads may come in handy against stiffer competition.

"When we get in those tough battles, we have to finish in the fourth quarter," White said. "This year we are doing an excellent job of finishing."

Next for Falcons

Who: at Eagles

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

TV; radio: Fox; 92.9

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