NFC playoff picture: Falcons are in the driver’s seat
The Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders perform between the 1st and 2nd quarter at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
FLOWERY BRANCH – For the 9-2 Falcons, the playoff picture is pretty clear: win-out and earn the No.1 seed in the NFC.
The Falcons, who are about to set out on a three-game road swing, have the best record in the NFC and hold a one game lead in the NFC South over the New Orleans Saints with five games to play.
A Green Bay Packers fan isn't happy with the 20-17 Falcons victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
“It’s great to get winning season,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “But our expectations and our goals are a lot higher than that. We want to keep them internally, but we are progressing on our journey to where we want to be as a football team.
“In December that’s when the games become very important.”
If the playoffs started today, the Chicago Bears (8-3) would represent the NFC North. The Philadelphia Eagles (7-4) would win the NFC East and the St. Louis Rams (5-6) would win the meek NFC West.
New Orleands (8-3) and the New York Giants (7-4) would wrap up the wildcard spots. Tampa Bay (7-4) and Green Bay (7-4) would be on the outside looking in.
NFC PLAYOFF RACE
Conference seedings
1. Falcons 9-2
A Green Bay Packers fan isn't happy with the 20-17 Falcons victory at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
2. Bears 8-3
3. Eagles 7-4
4. Rams 5-6
5. Saints 8-3
6. Giants 7-4
7. Bucs 7-4
8. Packers 7-4
Remaining schedules
FALCONS
At Bucs (7-4)
At Panthers (1-10)
At Seahawks (5-6)
Saints (8-3)
Panthers (1-10)
Opponents’ record: 22-33
SAINTS
At Bengals (2-9)
Rams (5-6)
At Ravens (8-3)
At Falcons (9-2)
Bucs (7-4)
Opponents’ record: 31-24
101128 Atlanta - Atlanta Falcons cornerback Brent Grimes levels Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings as he catches a pass from Aaron Rodgers during 2nd half action at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
BUCS
Falcons (9-2)
At Redskins (5-6)
Lions (2-9)
Seahawks (5-6)
At Saints (8-3)
Opponents’ record: 29-26
BEARS
At Lions (2-9)
Patriots (9-2)
At Vikings (4-7)
Jets (9-2)
At Packers (7-4)
Opponents’ record: 31-24
PACKERS
49ers (3-7)
At Lions (2-9)
At Patriots (9-2)
Giants (7-4)
Bears (8-3)
Opponents’ record: 29-25
EAGLES
Texans (5-6
At Cowboys (3-8)
At Giants (7-4)
101128 Atlanta - Santa Claus Michael Castellana, Covington, celebrates a 20-17 Falcons victory over the Packers as Matt Ryan is now 19-1 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. Curtis Compton ccompton@ajc.com
Vikings (4-7)
Cowboys (3-8)
Opponents’ record: 22-33
GIANTS
Redskins (5-6)
At Vikings (4-7)
Eagles (7-4)
At Packers (7-4)
At Redskins (5-6)
Opponents’ record: 28-27
RAMS
At Cardinals (3-7)
At Saints (8-3)
Chiefs (7-4)
49ers (3-7)
at Seahawks (5-6)
Opponents’ record: 26-27
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132 comments Add your comment
It never rains in S. Cal
November 30th, 2010
3:45 pm
Thanks @True—Semper Fi ! Do or Die ! OORAH ! GO FALCONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eat this Aints
November 30th, 2010
3:51 pm
The two Falcons losses were against the Steelers in Pitt…..and the Eagles in Philly….Now the Aints lost to Us at NO…Now you expect to win against a 19-1 QB in Atl?!? Whatever y’all are smokin in Nawlins please share the wealth cause it’s gotta be good if you believe that isht!!! I’m not even gonna talk about the lost to Cleveland…CLEVELAND!!!!!! The Aints will not beat the Ravens in Balt. nor will they touch Atl at home…in fact I think they might even lose to Cincinatti and Tampa Bay…..thus not making the playoffs!!!! Laissez les bon temps rouler!!! And the Aints tears flow!!!
FALCONS RISE UP!!!! A-TOWN!!!!
G
November 30th, 2010
4:22 pm
Don’t forget the Aints also barely beat the niners and vikings.
G
November 30th, 2010
4:23 pm
And Carolina
F Troop
November 30th, 2010
4:40 pm
Some thoughts:
My take is that a fire burns within when your rival takes home the prize you JUST KNOW you could’ve just as easily have won. That’s why I like this team. They seem so hungry it doesn’t matter who gets the credit. Seems like the Most Valuable Player on this team IS the team.
The pundits are stumped for reasons why Atlanta is playing so well. The best they can come up with is “balanced”. Ha-ha. In this era of rampant individualism, sexy superstars, and high profile players, the Falcons seem so pedestrian by comparison to the loftier teams like NE, IND, GB, NYJ and the perennially anointed NYG and Philly. They told us we were still two years away. Now, they’re paying attention.
I still chuckle at the critics who didn’t see Matt Ryan coming even though he was right in their faces. They overlooked another stud in Roddy White. And even Michael Turner wasn’t on anybody’s “elite” RB list.
The O-line is getting it done. No sacks. The D just held a gunslinging, high scoring GB to 17 points. Are you kidding me? How does that happen unless you gotta serious defense? The LBs not only hammer you down, they seem as fast as real live falcons sometimes. The D-line and secondary have still not played their best games yet. But this record shows what can happen if real good players play hard, play together, and stand their ground.
People talking about Dimitroff, shoot, I’d LOVE tol inherit the SB winning mantle from NE. Wouldn’t mind it at all. And not overlooking NO either. Playing the Saints twice is actually a good thing. They’re still the champs, gotta respect that. But they swept us in two close ones last year. Would LOVE to return the favor. We’ll definitely know then what we’ve got. Don’t wanna jinx it by claiming and sizing up SB rings, but we can certainly look in the store window now.
manboobsjohnson
November 30th, 2010
4:55 pm
As a 51 year old native Atlantan who has seen this movie before, The Falcons will screw it up like they have done every year except for 1998 and what 2004 or 05. They will break our hearts, lose the next 3 games and not even sniff the playoffs. Another miserable Falcons year! If you disagree, come with some facts!!!!!
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
5:15 pm
Yall do realize that the New Orleans game doesnt mean anything if you win the other 4…
Think about this: 13-3, tied with New Orleans….gives the Falcons the NFC South.
“Even if the Saints win the rest of their games and beat the Falcons in Week 16, they would still need Atlanta to lose one more game. If both teams finish 12-4 or 11-5, with the Saints beating the Falcons, the Saints would need to finish with a better division record to finish ahead. If both teams finish with the same overall record and the same division record, Atlanta will win a common opponent tiebreaker.
It’s entirely possible that the Saints will win 12 or 13 games and still have to hit the road in the first round of the playoffs against an NFC West champion with a losing record.”
So even if the Aints win on MNF….(good luck)… we just need to TCB with Tampa, 2 with Carolina, and Seattle.
Now, seriously, @manboobs…..you think we are going to lose to Carolina….TWICE? We are going to lose to a pathetic Seattle team, even in Seattle where we historically do poorly, i think not.
Just come into that game with New Orleans @ 12-2 and everything will be alright.
"Ride, Sally Ride"
November 30th, 2010
5:19 pm
Where’s all the Packerheads this week? Too many of you said the Packers would whip us. Bleeds Green, where are you? You said the power polls change every week. I told you the Falcons would hold the #1 position for the 3rd week in a row, and they have, hmm, what say you now? Kinda hiding? Peckerheads!
Falcon Jim
November 30th, 2010
6:03 pm
This TELEGRAM just in. The Atlanta Optimist Club has just rescinded “manboobjohnson’s” membership. They stated the reason was for his extreme pessimism (and that his name was stupid.) They said this expulsion would be in-perpetuity. Further, they approached the mayor to “band” him from all things Falcons.
Falcon Jim
November 30th, 2010
6:05 pm
……………..(ignore)……………………….
True Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2010
6:13 pm
Surely i didn’t start this crap, where did this goof-ball come in from
True Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2010
6:15 pm
Somewhere between Pluto & Saturn
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
6:18 pm
playoff odds….98.9%
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NFL/NFC/South/Falcons.html
note: 5-0, 4-1 = 100% chance of 1st seed.
excellent “coach speak” with Mike Smith (1st segment) and then in another segment Sean Peyton (hey, who cuts your hair?).
http://msn.foxsports.com/video/shows/coach-speak?vid=f03d7767-4f81-414a-84be-8026eec991a2&from=foxsports/home/home_gallery
True Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2010
6:21 pm
B4 – are you out there?
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
6:21 pm
wait….why is *my* comment awaiting moderation…..
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
6:22 pm
Is it this part:
playoff odds….98.9%
http://www.sportsclubstats.com/NFL/NFC/South/Falcons.html
note: 5-0, 4-1 = 100% chance of 1st seed.
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
6:22 pm
or this part:
excellent “coach speak” with Mike Smith (1st segment) and then in another segment Sean Peyton (hey, who cuts your hair?).
http://msn.foxsports.com/video/shows/coach-speak?vid=f03d7767-4f81-414a-84be-8026eec991a2&from=foxsports/home/home_gallery
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
6:23 pm
Hmmmm, post together = flagged for moderator…
post separately = no problem.
“That’s whacky, wild stuff”
True Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2010
6:24 pm
Hey B4 that dog won’t hunt “son” – show some guts
Ueeediot
November 30th, 2010
6:27 pm
True Falcon Fan….
Dont call me Shirley.
True Falcon Fan
November 30th, 2010
6:51 pm
hELLO B4
D. Orlando Ledbetter
November 30th, 2010
8:29 pm
I deleted almost 70 comments. Folks were being real nasty and acting crazy. I had to ban 7 folks. Trying to keep the trash out of blog. Want to stay CLASSY not trashy.
ATL Observer
November 30th, 2010
8:39 pm
>>>>Admit it, losing to the Saints on MNF which will result in Falcons losing division
No it won’t. As pointed out above, more than that will be necessary given that if both teams won out the rest of the games, the Falcons would still hold the tiebreaker regardless.
>>>>Falcons won’t have the luxury of a missed 29 yard field goal
Who’s to say we won’t? Saints still have the same kicker!
>>>>a facemask on a kick off,
Great! Without that facemask, Weems goes all the way to the end zone for a TD. I look forward to it.
>>>>R. White shoving a D Back to the ground,
Who in the Saints secondary will he need to shove, exactly?
>>>>stopping Saints on 4th and 1 inside the five
Hilarious that you speak of this instance as though it speaks to a Falcons’ weakness when it clearly speaks to their strengths. “hahahahah, you Falcons and your strong redzone defense! Strong redzone defense is for chumps!” Ummm…..OK….whatever.
>>>>or having a defensive player fumble an interception that would have iced the game.
Umm….correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t the Saints just benefit from a WR fumbling after a reception that would have led to a field goal (at least) that would have ICED THE GAME for the Cowboys? Oh right, it’s only a fluke when it happens to the other guys.
>>>>Falcons are a mirage and the house of cards are about to crumble down!
Says the man believing in the team that got WAXED by the Cleveland Browns (I mean, the Browns are tougher than usual but it’s one thing to lose to them, another to get COMPLETELY DOMINATED by them).
In all seriousness, I don’t take the Saints lightly, but the Falcons are for real right now. Take two out of the next three on the road and it’s going to be tough to usurp them as the top seed.
Blake
December 1st, 2010
1:27 am
Thanks DLED…I saw all those crazy comments on here and hoped that you would push your delete and ban button…Go Falcons…Rise Up!
SawThat1nce
December 1st, 2010
1:28 am
thanks
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
9:52 am
Thanks Blake! Most know the rules: We talk Falcons football here. If you’re off topic, you will get deleted. If you’re being a jerk, y’all get banned.
GregKennesaw
December 1st, 2010
10:20 am
MV8, they beat the saints on the road….. there is no fluke column, just one for W’s and one for L’s and right now the W’s are 9 and the L’s are 2 and you can’t stand it! best record in the NFC, and that’s no fluke……………..
D. Orlando Ledbetter
December 1st, 2010
10:49 am
GregKennesaw — Good point about the “fluke” column.
The Dogkiller Returns
December 1st, 2010
3:06 pm
Sunday’s game, especially since it’s in the 4pm slot, could make or break the team’s image in the national media. I’m sure some people still won’t be convinced, even when we beat the Sucs in their place, but I’ll take 10-2 anytime (especially coupled with an Aints loss).
I’m worried about the ‘Hawks (our Hawks too, for that matter), but their match-up with Carolina could shine some light on how bad Seattle really is. Still not looking forward to playing them at their miserably cold and wet house.
The Saints won’t win in our house, and they sure as hell won’t win at Baltimore.
RISE UP
Grace
December 1st, 2010
6:14 pm
You all really should not down the Packers with their legacy. Just try to get your 1st superbowl before you put down fans that were voted #1 among any sport. It was embarrassing how the cheeseheads damn near took over the dome. Every time they scored by the sound of my tv you would have thought it was the Falcons that scored. THAT WOULD NEVER HAPPEN IN GREEN BAY. Win or lose Packer fans are there in their house. How did Packer fans get all those seats in the dome??? Georgia Tech & Bull dogs have better fans.
Saints1Fan
December 2nd, 2010
3:50 pm
Who Dat Say:
The Saints will need Atlanta to lose one more game, besides the one they will lose to us on Monday night. Without that, they beat us out on the tie-breaker for home-field advantage because of “common games”. We lost to Cleveland and Arizona. The Falcons beat them. We beat Pittsburgh, the Falcons lost to them. They need another loss. If not this weekend, it will happen in Seattle. Maybe even both.
Saints1Fan
December 2nd, 2010
3:58 pm
Ueeeediot:
Why would you think that your team can’t lose to the Panthers? They play the same style of football. Ball control, field position, few mistakes. 3 weeks ago, their defense was a leader in sacks and number 4 overall in points allowed wth 14. Don’t forget they played games without their starting two running backs and without Steve Smith. Its not like Atlanta will just put their foot on the gas and score at will. That’s not Mike Smith ball.
The Seattle game will also be a concern with a 4 hour flight, game starting at 4:00 Atlanta time, but 1:00 in Seattle, outdoor stadium which can rain at anytime and possibly have snow. That also won’t be a cake walk.
The Tampa Bay game this week is probably the second best chance at a loss behind Seattle before you lose to the Saints on Monday Night.