Forget about it, says coach Jim Mora.
Mora's message was the same to his players, reporters and even his wife: ``It's a huge mistake to look back and not look forward.''
``My wife asked me basically the same question when I got home: Doesn't it feel great to be 4-0?'' Mora said Monday. ``I said 'Only if we get to 5-0.' ``
The Falcons already have a two-game lead in the NFC South and are only one win away from matching their 2003 total. If that's not enough reason for excitement, consider this: Including Sunday's 27-10 win at Carolina, the Falcons have not trailed in a game.
``I didn't know that,'' Mora said Monday before dismissing the information.
``I don't think of it like that. You have to put the blinders on.''
And so Mora fitted his team for blinders as well.
``We've had a little bit of success at 4-0, but in the grand scheme of things, 4-0 could lead to 4-12,'' said strong safety Bryan Scott. ``It's a great start but it's a long season.''
``The 4-0 start is thrown out now,'' added defensive end Patrick Kerney.
Scott said Mora and his staff will keep players from spending too much time enjoying the latest wins.
``I don't think it's difficult to maintain focus,'' Scott said. ``I take my hat off to the coaching staff for keeping us focused. They know how to handle success.''
The Falcons, who play host to Detroit Sunday, have never been 5-0.
The early success was not expected as quarterback Michael Vick adjusted to the West Coast offense and the defense, which ranked last in the league in 2003, returned to a 4-3 scheme.
The Falcons have won when Vick was the dominant player on the field, but the last two weeks they have won without relying solely on Vick.
``There is so much emphasis on Mike Vick, not only on this team but in the league, it's good for his psyche to see other guys on this team making plays,'' Mora said.
Tight end Alge Crumpler caught five passes for 85 yards and Warrick Dunn and T.J. Duckett combined for 139 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Vick passed for 148 yards and rushed for 35 yards while protecting the ball. The Falcons had no turnovers.
``It feels good,'' said Vick of the increased balance on offense. ``That's why you have to have a total team effort. We get that type of effort and it takes a lot off my shoulders and the coach's shoulders. Things just run smoothly.''
Still, Vick has been the player who sets the tone early in games.
Vick has led the Falcons to at least one first-quarter score in every game. In the first halves of the four games, he has completed 68.9 percent of his passes for 438 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The win over the defending NFC champion Panthers provided the most convincing evidence thus far that the strong start by Atlanta is no fluke.
Leading only 13-10 after three quarters, the Falcons outscored the Panthers 14-0 in the fourth quarter. The Falcons have outscored opponents 27-7 in the first quarter and 38-16 in the final quarter.
Kevin Mathis gave the Falcons a 20-10 lead by returning an interception for a touchdown, and Duckett wrapped up the win with a 4-yard scoring run. Duckett celebrated in the end zone by kneeling and pounding the imaginary final nails in Carolina's coffin.
``It's been pretty typical of the way we've played in the fourth quarter all year,'' said Kerney, who had two quarterback sacks his third straight game with two or more sacks. Kerney leads the NFL with seven sacks.
``The way we play all game, eventually they're going to break,'' Kerney said.
The Falcons rank second in the NFC in scoring and second in scoring defense with 49 points allowed, their lowest total through four games since 1977.
Before returning to work at the Falcons practice facility Monday, Mora said he ``got to hang out with my son, Trey, for two hours on his second birthday.''
``That was much more fun than the win,'' Mora said.
Even so, Mora couldn't fully remove himself from his 4-0 start. Asked what present he gave his son, Mora said, ``I got him a win.''
NOTES: Dunn left Sunday's game with a cramped hamstring but said Monday he does not expect to miss any practice time this week. ... Mora said cornerback Jason Webster ``tweaked his knee a little bit'' late in the game and was having an MRI Monday as a precaution. ``He feels fine,'' Mora said.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/150702