Falcons earn second straight NFL playoff berth
The Vince Lombardi Trophy on display at the Super Bowl. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/AJC)
With Green Bay’s 35-21 victory over Chicago, the Falcons clinched a playoff berth for the third time over the past four seasons on Sunday night.
The Falcons (9-5) play the New Orleans Saints (11-5) at 8:30 p.m. Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.
The playoff berth marks the first time in franchise history that the team has made the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
In addition to Chicago’s loss, the Falcons needed losses from Dallas and Arizona. Philadelphia beat Dallas and Cincinnati beat Arizona on Saturday.
The Falcons can win the NFC South title and earn the No. 3 seed with victories over New Orleans and Tampa Bay coupled with a loss by the Saints to Carolina.
The Falcons would host a home game if they can land the No. 3 seed.
“This is exactly where we wanted to be, in the mix in December with everything we want still in front of us with two games to play,” said quarterback Matt Ryan when asked about the playoffs on Thursday.
In 2008, the Falcons were eliminated by the Arizona Cardinals in the wild-card round. Last season, the Falcons were the No. 1 seed but were upset at home by Green Bay in the divisional round. Arizona and Green Bay went on to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
The Falcons are one of the league’s hottest teams. They have won seven of their last night games and could go into the playoffs with a lot of momentum if they can defeat New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
“You want to be playing your best ball in December,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said recently. “One of the things that we talk about as an organization and a football team, we want to be relevant in December. To be relevant, you have to be playing good football. . . It becomes very important that you win games going down the stretch.”
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
Get instant updates on Twitter at AJCFalcons and you can join the Facebook Fan page at AJC Falcons.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
268 comments Add your comment
Falcons > Everyone
December 26th, 2011
2:22 am
Two weeks from now, hopefully we’ll be talking about our who our divisional round opponent will be. I just hope the Falcons don’t become complacent with just having a playoff spot and realize how big Dome-field advantage can be. Yes, despite last year.
trademark
December 26th, 2011
4:57 am
Typical ESPN, STILL haven’t put that nice little “z” by Atlanta’s name yet in their playoff standings….must be killin’ ‘em.
Paddy
December 26th, 2011
6:27 am
Joe Tess…….you are a liar!!!! When the Falcons did not sign TO, you said you would never watch or talk about the Falcons again. Don’t care for any man that won’t keep his word. What a maroon!!!!
Samuel
December 26th, 2011
6:46 am
Lamar we get your point, being said that, who can you replace him with? And if you could- you would still need him as a backup. Anybody that knows about football, realizes he won’t get another contract with the Falcons. It has more to do with his ability than anything else. So you don’t sound smart when you wish him a broken leg or whatever. The draft or free agency will take care of Mr Robinson…….
Packers little sister
December 26th, 2011
6:47 am
Congrats little birds. Just like last year , we decide when you get in the playoff and when you exit them. We are giving you this playoff berth as a consulation for the embarassement we put you through last year. The bad thing is , you’ll go down in flames , as usual , in your 1st game and deprive us another chance of letting you know who’s little sister you are. This time it will be more appropriate for your games to be away so that when all you fans change the channel to watch ” the view ” instead of the 3rd qtr , the nation won’t be able to see that disgusting fan base on national t.v. walking out on their home team. I don’t think the Jaguars have even stooped that low. Try not to get to beat up against the Saints. We all can read and know how you’ve faired against winning teams thus far. Thats another reason you have failed and will fail in the postseason . Sorry but facts are facts !
Samuel
December 26th, 2011
6:51 am
I said all week long, you have to come out of this game saying- did you see the performance that Matt Ryan displayed tonight?
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
7:35 am
Congratulations, f a l c a n’ts fans! You finally have something to write home about. Watching the game last night, reminded me how Green Bay blew your team out in the playoffs last year, and this year. The only differences were that last night your team was playing in Bear uniforms and Green Bay was playing at home, everything else was the same. G E A U X S A I N T S! ! ! !
Third down efficiency is overrated
December 26th, 2011
7:45 am
Gosh I sure hope the Falcons convert more 3rd downs than the Saints! That’s the best stat ever-the most accurate predictor of in-game success! Why, I bet the Packers are first in the league in 3rd down efficiency and the Colts are last! Wha-what? They’re not? But how can that be?
Oh and I love the AJC post about New Orleans being a dirty team. What biased, lazy reporting. For starters, if you read the post, the Falcon players do NOT call NO a dirty team. So that should’ve been the headline. Second, the Falcons have REPEATEDY been accused of playing through the whistle all season and that is dismissed by D-Led. I love ATL but wish they weren’t covered by this rag.
Packers little sister
December 26th, 2011
7:59 am
Falcons didn’t earn squat. It was given to them by the Packers much like it was given to them by the refs last year.
ijonathan
December 26th, 2011
8:06 am
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
7:35 am
Congratulations, f a l c a n’ts fans! You finally have something to write home about. Watching the game last night, reminded me how Green Bay blew your team out in the playoffs last year, and this year. The only differences were that last night your team was playing in Bear uniforms and Green Bay was playing at home, everything else was the same. G E A U X S A I N T S! ! ! !
=====
So, did someone forget to change a user name when trying to impersonate someone else?
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
8:12 am
the beatdown on matty and the girls is growing ever closer. fun part is we may get to smak you down again in a couple of weeks . now thats a crhistmas present !
robertussen
December 26th, 2011
8:12 am
so who gave the packer a playoff birth last year. oh wait. youre not even a packer fan are you? no youre a troll. the past is the past and we were 13-3 and 1st place in the nfc and earned every thing. now what happens next is yet to be written, and i wouldnt want to face the falcons in the playoffs
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
8:14 am
i’d say that was mikey m himself trying to make it look that way. he impersonates us with vulgar comments and now that he has been caught doing it , he is trying to make it look as if we’re doing it to him. so sad to be a failclown fan!
robertussen
December 26th, 2011
8:15 am
all trash talking aside, good luck tonight hiramsaint. youre gonna need it. so will we though these games always come down to a couple of plays.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
8:16 am
the way we all see it is that only 1 team will get to toy with the failclowns in a playoff game then it;s 0-3 for y’all and sort of a scrimmage or warm-up game for the other team
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
8:17 am
not tonight- i really believe we win by at least 17
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
8:19 am
it would be more but we pull our starters in the 4th and matty and the girls score a desperation td to bring them within 17
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
8:23 am
I see someone has been trying to impersonate me. LMAO! Fail! I admit the Falcons got into the playoffs when Aaron Rodgers opened the back door, but the important thing is, we’re in. The Falcons don’t have that added pressure in the mix when they take on the ain’ts tonight, and they can afford to lose this one. In fact, I think we will lose it, not because the Falcons can’t beat the ain’ts but because now we can hold our cards close to the vest and not show them what we have in store for them for the playoffs. I don’t think we get the 5th, I don’t want to play the Giants at their place anyway, we are a indoor team and they would blow us out up there, in the cold. I would rather take on the ain’ts inside their superdome, than be out in the weather where we just can’t compete.
robertussen
December 26th, 2011
8:25 am
does it really make you feel that good to talk trash about the falcons. or does it only work when you actually get under someones skin. your opinion does not matter. it is just that, an opinion. and if you thought the falcons were that bad you wouldnt waste your time on our blog site. the fact is you know we are a real threat and you revert to child-like name calling. but if this is what makes you happy, then have a ball my friend, but no one knows the future.
robertussen
December 26th, 2011
8:28 am
falcons can play any where any day! remember when jets fans were throwing snowballs at ryan when he scored the game winning td.
Larry
December 26th, 2011
8:40 am
Mr. Ledbetter,
Merry Christmas!
And thanks for being the only person at the AJC to mention the Falcons making the playoffs. I know it is a holiday, but when I opened up AJC.com and there’s not a single mention of this I couldn’t believe it! In the past this would have been the lead story…as it should be!
Even clicking on the “Sports” section I had to scroll down to your blog headline just to confirm this.
Unbelievable!
soon to be 0-3 in the playoffs
December 26th, 2011
8:46 am
The Falcons don’t beat SB contenders on the road. Tonight won’t be any different.
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
8:49 am
Another Monday morning in The Big Easy, and as I survey the NFL landscape, I see that the New Orleans Saints are still at their rightful place atop of the NFC South, in complete dominion of all it’s dvisional rivals. You’re up again ATL, you’ll be victim 7 in the Mercedes Benz Superdome!
I wonder if they stop the game when Brees breaks Marino’s record? Probably late in the 2nd qtr.
G E A U X S A I N T S ! ! !
soon to be 0-3 in the playoffs
December 26th, 2011
8:50 am
Matt Ryan won’t do anything for 3 qtrs. After the game is out of reach he’ll get a lot of mop up yards and Ryan worshipers will blame everyone else but him.
History Channel
December 26th, 2011
8:59 am
0-3……………………….History tends to repeats itself..
6.5point underdog tonight? No respect for Ice?
Whopper Dawg
December 26th, 2011
8:59 am
Another first for Smith and TD. Well done. Unfortunately, another first is coming, first round exits from the playoffs in two straight years and it doesn’t matter who they play, Giants, Pokes or Saints, color them one and done.
Dawglasville
December 26th, 2011
9:03 am
D. – You are the James Brown of the AJC. The hardest working man in the media biz. While everyone else is sleeping off egg nog you’re banging keys. Go Birds!
soon to be 0-3 in the playoffs
December 26th, 2011
9:04 am
Matt “dink & dunk” Ryan doesn’t make plays against good teams.
Keeping it Real
December 26th, 2011
9:07 am
DOL: So sad that this blog cannot be monitored. All year it has been ruined by the Saints trolls and now idiots posting as the trolls and as Michael M. The trolls have done a great job of accomplishing their purpose of annoying the Falcons fans and making this blog unreadable..
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
9:08 am
Hey Michael M. thought you might like this? Former Miss Universe from the Dominican Republic! She needs to sign up for House Wife’s of Atlanta!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4GTOO6wvVE
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
9:12 am
Sorry Michael M. Here’s the the right link:
http://www.videobash.com/photo_show/amelia-vega-6163
Larry
December 26th, 2011
9:15 am
The intelligent mind:
This will be a close, hard fought game between two long standing division rivals whom are both well coached, very talented and have now established themselves as respected NFL franchises expected and perennial playoffs contenders. My the best team win tonight, but knowing there is a very distinct possibility they will meet again in a couple weeks right back on the same field.
The unintelligent mind:
Anything written above or below by “soon to be 0-3 in the playoffs,” “Michael M,” “hiramsaint,” “Packers little sister,” “CHOKE,” etc, etc, etc.. I’d bet the mortgage these little boys and girls never got picked or were always the last picked, never had the courage or fortitude to initiate anything in their lives, and are the very definition of followers, laggards, or even the dregs of society.
Mr. Ledbetter,
You could do us all a great service by just banning all these annoying mosquitoes and only permitting emotionally mature bloggers on here…regardless of their favorite team.
We all enjoy an adult-like, spirited, and intellectual argument over whom is the better team but these nuts should be “blacked out” of your blog! They remind me of a group of spoiled little brats screaming at the top of their lungs and tossing food all over the table and floor in a nice restaurant while the adults are trying to have a nice conversation and simply enjoy their meal.
Keeping it Real
December 26th, 2011
9:22 am
Right on target, Larry!
Nativebird
December 26th, 2011
9:24 am
It would be nice to actually win a playoff game. It won’t happen with a HC thats intimidated by the opposong qb. cmon smitty!
Poor Larry
December 26th, 2011
9:29 am
Larry must not realize that his opinion doesn’t matter anymore than anyone else’s. Poor guy.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 26th, 2011
9:29 am
Flacons backed in 2 the playofs due 2 the fact they had 2 wait on the Bears 2 loose.
MONK ATL
December 26th, 2011
9:30 am
joe fish, just quit —
babbling and get ready for some FALCONS Playoff Football !!!
Remember , The Playoffs are a NEW SEASON. (check with G. BAY, Last Years SB CHAMPS . GO FALCONS!!
Monday night
December 26th, 2011
9:36 am
I know people want to compare the Falcons to last years Packers but guys lets be honest, we have Matt Ryan and they had Aaron Rodgers. Its not even close.
Keith
December 26th, 2011
9:38 am
Yes, that’s funny, BooBoo.
DOL needs to edit the Saints record.
GO FALCONS!
Super Bowl Champs - Once Removed
December 26th, 2011
9:39 am
Totally agree Larry!
The Boss
December 26th, 2011
9:40 am
Larry-
Well said. Thank you!
Joja boi
December 26th, 2011
9:44 am
Joe tissh fish, y is it dat u onli spell the cocasion playas names write”? U is a bastad chile
Joe Tess Fish House
December 26th, 2011
9:44 am
@ larry
Falcons well caoched? LOLOLOLOLO!!!! They wnet 4 it deep in there end of the feild and failed. How is that good coaching? More idea like that will cause them anoter win.
MONK ATL
December 26th, 2011
9:44 am
Not Comparing, just saying, Playoff Football is a New Season, ANYTHING Can Happen Once ur IN !
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
9:56 am
hi , my name is larry and the other guys won’t play the way i want them to so i’m gonna tell my momma to make them all go home. were you a crybaby from birth larry or did you just work at it real hard from childhood ? typical whining failclown fan. saints by 17 on mnf !
MtnFalcon
December 26th, 2011
10:01 am
I think the best way to handle these ain’ts loony turds is to simply ignore them. They will go away.
Bojack
December 26th, 2011
10:02 am
Now its time to RISE UP!
Mikey
December 26th, 2011
10:02 am
Nobody backs into the playoffs in the NFL. This is a tremendous accomplishment and I am so happy for the coaches and players on our team. This represents a lot of hard work and a lot of brain power. The Falcons culture has changed in Atlanta and we are proud to have this team representing us. We have two weeks to refine all phases of this team and I have no doubt that they are even better now than they were last year at this point in the season. There is still work to do but they continue to improve each and every week. I can’t wait for the playoffs this season…. GO FALCONS! Rise UP! You are good enough to win against one of the premier teams in the league this week… SHOW US HOW IT IS DONE!
Monday night
December 26th, 2011
10:06 am
Grow up, Larry. This isn’t a communist country and you are not a dictator. No one respects the Falcons. Until they prove they can compete with good teams the criticism will continue.
D man
December 26th, 2011
10:11 am
You will see a lot of red tonight. Especially in the second half when the Falcons have a big lead and the saint fans are on their way home. Falcons win 31 – 13….