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
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268 comments Add your comment
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
10:12 am
Larry was once banned from blogging. So he’s reformed blogger now…Happy New Year!!!
Monday night
December 26th, 2011
10:20 am
D Man, do u really think the Falcons will blow out the Saints? I am asking u seriously. I want to see the Falcons win but the Saints are a great team and the Falcons rarely blow out any team.
wcj
December 26th, 2011
10:31 am
I think the pressure is off the falcons; They are in the playoffs,and will be more relax tonight. The falcons will play hard and win this game. I not sold on the saints being that good. The falcons will win late.
Bobby Cox...
December 26th, 2011
10:36 am
Enter your comments here
DBell
December 26th, 2011
10:45 am
The Falcons clinch a spot on the same day the Eagles are officially knocked out … It is Christmas!
Lemon B
December 26th, 2011
10:57 am
Will lose tonight and lose in first round again. This boring brand of football without a killer instinct and one of the worst OCs in NFL history is a train wreck….unless they’re playing a scrub team like the Jags.
Ryan is trash on the road. He will be good for at least two picks tonight. I bet the happy feet are already tapping…
FalconRed
December 26th, 2011
10:58 am
Man…I don’t like many Saints fans, but that Joe Tess is one funny mudda. Geaux Falcons!!
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:02 am
Has anybody seen CHOKE and HiRam Taint today? I guess they are still all snugged up together in their waterbed in the double wide with the luxury garden tub bathroom.
Joe Tess Fish House
December 26th, 2011
11:05 am
Uhhh Ive ben a Flacons fan since 2001. I just expres my frustartation wiht the way the team is being run and 2 many first round draft busts and STOOPID free agent sighings and other dum things that make me mad. Thats why I say this things cuz Im a fan.
SawThat1nce
December 26th, 2011
11:07 am
being stupid is funny?
Not a Falcon fan
December 26th, 2011
11:08 am
Falcons fans don’t get your hopes up. ONE AND DONE !!!!!!!!!
Blake
December 26th, 2011
11:11 am
I see hiramsaint Is really talking the smack….I just have a strong feeling he’s gonna have to eat them words…D line Is going to harass Drew tonight…I feel It coming on….
wcj
December 26th, 2011
11:12 am
All these falcons haters!!! Matt Ryan is the best QB Atlanta has had in years. To you think that Drew Brees, Aaron Rogers, Steve Young, to name a few, became great over night? Matt Ryan is close to doing what the others I have named done: WIN A SUPER BOWEL!!!!
Blake
December 26th, 2011
11:15 am
@ Not a Falcon fan….If we get the 3rd or 5th seed…we wont have to worry about one and done brother..BTW thanks for your piece of Inspiration…I guess you had nothing better to do than to bring your negativity on a Falcon Blog since your not a Falcon fan!
Blake
December 26th, 2011
11:17 am
Backin’ up the Birds baby….RISE UP! Pulling for our team Baby!
Vesaversa
December 26th, 2011
11:18 am
The Falcons shouldn’t settle for getting a playoff berth handed to them . They need to play like they never have before . The Falcons goal should be the NFC South Championship even if it’s a long shot . And to get there they have to go into the Saints back yard and beat one of the best team in the NFL . What the Falcons is lacking this season is a signature win against a very good team on the road.
Blake
December 26th, 2011
11:23 am
I hope Van Gorder sends safety and corner blitzes to confuse that clown Breez. I want Sean Payton to be frowning all night baby…..Throw the kitchen sink at em’…RISE UP DIRTY BIRDS…..
Blake
December 26th, 2011
11:27 am
I want that fist pumping coach of theirs to sit on the ground and cry……
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
11:41 am
saints by 17 on mnf ! really by 24 but after w pull our starters , the failclowns get 1 desperation td and close to within 17 as time expires-check my earlier post 5150 and get back to me
Bobby Cox...
December 26th, 2011
11:50 am
Who does Mr Blank fire 1st?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:51 am
HiRam Taint put your money where your mouth is. You’ve been saying the same crap for 4 days and it don’t meaning nothing without backing it up.
make out my money order for $100 to 5150 POAD.
once recent reader
December 26th, 2011
11:56 am
Well when you put yourself ahead of the other Wildcard Teams by winning 9 games with two to go, and then the other teams cannot make up that difference with one game to go (for them), then it’s called getting a solid lead and keeping it, not backing in.
Rollo Lawson
December 26th, 2011
11:58 am
Why are you guys responding to this Joe Tess fellow? Put all the b.s. talk to the side. Time for fans to focus and realize what this game means? If we win tonight, the Saints WILL lose to Cam and the Panthers next week. Then the division will be ours.
Buzzman
December 26th, 2011
11:59 am
Let’s get by New Orleans first, then we will talk about Tampa Bay, then the playoffs. Take one game at a time…….
Larry
December 26th, 2011
12:12 pm
Buzzman,
Agreed, but surely you must know Saints fans can’t count or comprehend past the number one. Second only to the state of Mississippi, Louisiana natives are the dumbest lot in the nation.
I do not hate them; I pity them, as the Saints are the only thing they have to do when not drinking, swallowing, smoking, injecting or practicing reptile and crustacean poop gluttony.
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
12:51 pm
I see the ” Aint Turd Imposters ” have been at it again while the old man here gets his rest and does his other things besides rag out the ” Aint Turds ” ! Come on Boys, can’t you be fair and fight dirty straight up with me rather than type my name in on your log post and take “cheap shots” such as you do.
Typical Desperation tactics on behalf of Aint Turds that know no other way but this because they know in their hearts that the Saints are not the team they think they are as we shall soon see in a few more hours on MNF.
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
12:53 pm
5150 UOAD………………hiramsaint “aint ” got no money, hes having to wait on the next FEMA bailout fund to be mailed out his way…………..just another lazy ” Aint Turd ” !
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
12:56 pm
He has to wait on seenthisB4 to bring the bowl over for the Gumbo which consist of Spaghetti O’s and Oodle Noodles with kool-aid to wash it down with!
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
12:57 pm
Alright I am off here again , got things to do here ….so, if you see a post with my name on it its an imposter ” Aint Turd ” !
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
1:02 pm
both mikey and 5150 together make 1/2 a woman. c’mon man -you can better can’t ya ? whats up when we win tonight? crickets ? probably so cause thats the way it’s been all year except for the fire mularkey nerds that are always here. at least they are faithful…and correct. win something first failclown tards. respect is not given -it is earned and y’all have earned 0-2 with matty smitty and the girls so far.
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
When we lose tonight Hiram ain’t , both me and my new bestest buddy will come wax your car . Later taters
Not a Falcon fan
December 26th, 2011
1:19 pm
@ Blake. It is so funny reading how falCANT fans think the birds are so great. All the falCANTS have done in their history is lose. Never won a Super Bowl and never will. After losing in the playoffs, change “rise up” to “one and done” !!!!!!!
OldTimer
December 26th, 2011
1:21 pm
I say we sit Grimes. Let him heal up for two more weaks. Save him for the big show.
Any thoughts?
wcj
December 26th, 2011
1:31 pm
Once again to all you falcons haters, saints were once the aints. Last year, lost to the 7-9 seahawks in the playoffs. I would not talking about the falcons if I were you. If the saints win another super bowl, talk all you want. However to me, the saints will always be the AINTS!!!
Today’s Links | 72ent
December 26th, 2011
1:38 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
2:04 pm
How MANY Super Bowls have the Saints Played in? How many have the Falcons played in?
1-0…………………………………………………………………………0-1
Heath
December 26th, 2011
2:15 pm
Trivia Question: Who is the only team to ever lose a playoff game to a team with a losing record?
Noneya
December 26th, 2011
2:47 pm
Days In The Lives Of Falcons Fans
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QKLJ4wY_yQ
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
2:49 pm
Sorry guys, I lash out because I’m a very small man. The Saints are all I have to live for so it makes me feel good to make fun of you failcant fans because you have so much more to live for than just football. GEAUX SAINTS !!!
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
2:50 pm
I didn’t write that. I’m not a small man.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
2:55 pm
HiRam Taint has nothing that resembles being a man.
CDOG
December 26th, 2011
2:59 pm
now lets get the south division and a home playoff game.the saints help from the league and officials, comes to an end tonight the falcons will win by 3 touchdowns.different ballgame tonight than the one in atlanta.they will play 4 quarters tonight instead of 2. GO FALCONS, DRILL THOSE SAINTS!
Ben
December 26th, 2011
2:59 pm
HiramSaint, I came all over your wife last night bro.
Ben
December 26th, 2011
3:00 pm
Old Timer, your crazy if you think we should sit arguably our best defensive player. Grimes is going to play. No doubt about it. He OWNS Brees.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:07 pm
Ben I don’t believe I’d told that. Did that Pit Bull try to bite you when you spunked her her?
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
3:07 pm
i was just wondering- what will all you sniveling failclown fans be doing tommorow when you to afraid to post on here? i know you’ll be reading and it’s gonna pain you not to respond isn’t it? just like a few weeks ago when none of you were around after all that guff and then look what happened. ben-again the jokes on you !
James
December 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
I like all of the postseason possibilities. I do expect the Falcons to lose, but that probably means they would have to come back to the SuperDome for a playoff game. I just don’t believe the Saints could beat the Falcons three straight, so under this scenario, we will have an outcome like 1991. If the Falcons get the 3rd seed, Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson come back home. This scenario would be the most difficult for Atlanta in my mind, but I feel we could pull off a close one. The 3rd scenario is a trip to New York most likely. Again I think we can handle this one.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
y’all are weak boys. does it bother you that bad that the saints own the failclowns . can’t you come up with anything about the teams ? are you really that jealous of my wife ? i would think y’all would be jealous if i had a boyfriend.
Ben
December 26th, 2011
3:13 pm
@ Hiramsaint, but the nut is on your wife
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:15 pm
Besides waxing your car , I’m gonna polish your seat too Hiram ain’t