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
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
3:16 pm
ben -you still don’t get it . i’ll leave it alone and let everyone else laugh at you.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:17 pm
HiRam Taint some of us will be working tomorrow most of the day. We know you are still on the Govt. Cheese sitting in your trailer pimping your sister wife.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
3:18 pm
you sound like a girl of experience. perhaps we should meet tommorow and settle your debt …if your man enough which i doubt
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:19 pm
No way man. I don’t want to take a whoopin’ like my team is about to get.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
3:20 pm
i figured as much loser
James
December 26th, 2011
3:20 pm
DOL, how in the hell are these messages getting through and getting posted? Isn’t anyone monitoring the traffic for content? What, did the “monitorer” decide to extend his Christmas holiday? Very bad judgment if someone is willfully allowing these to get through.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:22 pm
HiRam Taint you will be paying me $100. You made the bet & you are the one talking man enough? I know you will not pay. I told you to forget it. If you want to continue then send an email address to prove you are a man of your word.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
3:23 pm
@Ben -why don’t you come over and I’ll video you and my wife. Maybe you could teach us something about overcoming the small things.
Seen This B4
December 26th, 2011
3:26 pm
This Blog Bleauxs, AJC.com: Get a better blog format, cause this one is the absolute worst format I have seen across the entire country.
Ueeediot
December 26th, 2011
3:29 pm
This blog is almost as bad as having to watch cajuns try to spell 2 letter words.
Do they teach mushmouth in the FEMA camps in New Orleans?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:30 pm
SeenThisB4 the NoLa one isn’t much better. This is better to straight scroll than the reply to a person under their post then go down to read New posts. Saints will win by -6
Falcons 27
Saints 21
cheers(0) | reply(4) | flag
SeenThisB4 | Veteran | 53 minutes ago
The Saints have been above the falcan’ts all year.
Even if the Saints lose tonight, they will still be above the falcan’ts in the divisional race. You know what that means right?
12 men in the huddle
December 26th, 2011
3:30 pm
…so now the question becomes would we rather play the Giants or Dallas on the road…..or go back to NO and play them again in the first round? The Giants are certainly flawed as flawed can be…same with the Cowboys. But we would be playing inside and against a familiar opponent even if we had to go back and play the Saints in the first round. Frankly, we could be any of the 3, even though it would have to be on the road…..IF we played up to our capabilities, right? Actually, it looks more and more like we will be playing the Saints again, since the Lions will probably beat the Packers next week to secure that 5th spot in the playoffs.
Ben
December 26th, 2011
3:32 pm
HiramSaint, I’ll just laugh at that. I know what I’m working with, and so does she. Ask her.
Don’t get your feelings hurt now.
Ben
December 26th, 2011
3:35 pm
I would RELISH the opportunity to go back to New Orleans in 2 weeks and knock their ass outta the playoffs in their own building. They can be beat, it’s not like they’re a machine. The Falcons are hitting their stride at the ride time. Green Bay seems to have already peaked, even at 14-1, they won’t win the Super Bowl, I don’t even think they’ll make it. They can’t stop the run, and their pass defense is a piece of work too.
But if we beat the Aints tonight, we’ll get the 5th seed, because we ain’t losing to the Bucs next week. No way. So beat the Aints tonight, and we’ll be going to either NYG, or Dallas. Preferably Dallas because they play in a dome and we’re better inside than outside IMO. Especially in cold weather.
Monday Morning QB
December 26th, 2011
3:41 pm
@ Seen This
If this blog is so bad maybe you should consider not posting here. You will not be missed.
Seen This B4
December 26th, 2011
3:44 pm
@UAOD: You never did answer the question.
Monday Morning QB
December 26th, 2011
3:45 pm
Here is a Falcon take on the old song “City of New Orleans”
Good morning losers how are you
Don’t you know me, I’m a Falcon fan
The birds will roll those punks from New Orleans
By halftime the game will be well in hand
When Brees drops back to pass
The birds will put him on his ass
Every Saint fan will moan right on queue
His heart will start to race
Sure as that roadmap on his face
He’s always good for a pick or two
Then Ryan will come marching in
With Julio, and all his friends
The Saints “D” will melt you know it’s true
Seeing flashbacks of Marshawn Lynch
When Turner runs their Sphincters clinch
The Falcons take first place when the game is through
Yeah, good night losers how are you
Don’t you know me, I’m a Falcon fan
You hail from a hell hole called New Orleans
Pass out bags to each and every man
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:49 pm
Monday Morning QB SeenThisB4 is on the NoLa.com blog and he likes the ability to comment directly to a persons post. If say you don’t like what that person posts then you don’t have to read their conversation. you just read new posts of people you like.
SeenThisB4………… tell “Falcons4eva” he has to go to the top of the Home Sports page In the top left corner is where he can edit his profile and add his photo.
SeenThis B4
December 26th, 2011
3:52 pm
@MMQB, after the season is over, I don’t plan on. But the way the post season is shaping up, the Saints are going to have to beat your team 3 times this year. Which is good, since I definitely believe in staying with what brings you. The Payton, Brees and the Saints know how to beat the fal can’ts better than any other team they play.
SeenThis B4
December 26th, 2011
3:55 pm
UOAD: And what does UOAD stand for here on this blog. Well, I knoow what the UOA stands for, what’s the D? Is it Dawg?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
3:58 pm
SeenB4 yes DAWG.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
4:00 pm
Seen B4 are you going to be on the AJC blog or the NoLa blog tonight? Right now the top story on NoLa.com only has 43 comments. You know somebody will do the live game blog here. I hope it isn’t Bradley he has me banned.
bigdawg1
December 26th, 2011
4:01 pm
I don’t care about the NFC South. Does anyone think N.O. is going to lose two straight at home? Tonight is the night the Falcons arrive! I want the entire NFL talking about the Falcons tomorrow. Just keep “Big MO” moving forward!
SeenThis B4
December 26th, 2011
4:07 pm
I’ll be at the game. I could text on the cell, but probably will wait till I get back.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
4:08 pm
OK so you are in NoLa. Why or how did you get to the AJC posts?
SeenThis B4
December 26th, 2011
4:11 pm
UOAD: Another difference between NOLA and AJC: NOLA has about 12 stories on the game so far today, AJC has what 2? Ledbetter posted the one we’re on at midnight last night. I guess there will be more posts on it.
SeenThis B4
December 26th, 2011
4:12 pm
I first got on AJC a couple of years ago when Tripplett, one of the Saints beat writers posted a link to a story on one of the Saints/falcon games.
Angelo
December 26th, 2011
4:14 pm
I sure hope the Atlanta Falcons are hungry tonight for some cajun delight.
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
4:16 pm
“CHOKE can only realize that dream if he plays MADDEN”
Classic chit! lmao
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
4:18 pm
Bradley’s not worth the time of day nor his blog…..Enough said….
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
4:19 pm
The AJC has more out of town posters on the college blogs I think. Most of the NFL blogs are fans of other teams that live here. Have fun at the game. are you Tailgating as one NoLa article asked?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
4:21 pm
CGD..I agree. Bradley and I got in to it early this year and he banned me. I haven’t missed anything. I like Schultz better on the general sports anyway.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
4:23 pm
30 minutes until KICKOFF. UNC v Mizzou bowl game.
Monday Morning QB
December 26th, 2011
4:31 pm
boo
Monday Morning QB
December 26th, 2011
4:32 pm
@ CGD
When does the Eagle playoff game start this season?
Monday Morning QB
December 26th, 2011
4:41 pm
@ CGB
You are a clear supporter of a Player that is no longer a Falcon because of his own stupidity and lack of commitment to the team. Have you considered following the team that was dumb enough to sign him and stop critiquing the players that have taken this team on its best run in Falcon history..
Samuel L.
December 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
The path of the righteous fan is beset on all sides by the tyranny of negative bloggers. Blessed is he who shepherds the weak through the valley of darkeness, for he is truly his ticket holder’s keeper, and the winner of lost games. And I will strike down with great vengence and furious anger those who seek to poison and destroy my brothers, and you will know my name is The Burner when I lay my big thighs upon you! What do Falcons do? RISE UP!!!
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
5:06 pm
why would anyone ban you 5150 ? perhaps you can’t stay on topic ? maybe if whatever team you supported was worth talking about , you could talk about that instead of what garbage you usually post. doesn’t matter much anyway as i’m sure dol will be banning you from here as well. again -maybe we should meet in person to settle your debt . let me know
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
5:07 pm
actually sammy-they choke in the big games
Samuel L.
December 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
Who dat? We dat!
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
5:09 pm
HiRam Taint sure you send me an email address and i will contact you where to meet for you to pay me after the Aints don’t win and for sure not by 17. I know you are afraid to use an email address. I guess you are too dumb to know how to create a TEMPORARY Email account.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
5:12 pm
UNC with a TD with less than 3 min. into the game. Mizzou will not like the SEC for a few years. The Mutts get another pushover on the schedule.
mark
December 26th, 2011
5:19 pm
its looking tough man last game the falcons won on monday night as an away team was in 1979 vs phily i hope we can pulled out this time
mark
December 26th, 2011
5:19 pm
Who Dat? WHo gives a F uck!!!!! lets go birds!
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
5:20 pm
Mizzou TD with about 2 min off the clock.
Hiram Taint why don’t I see you on NoLa.com talking with all the AINTS fans?
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
5:38 pm
Because they’re losers worst than you are.
Rodney Ramsey
December 26th, 2011
5:42 pm
Falcons will be blown out by Saints on Monday night; score: 38 -10.
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
5:47 pm
5150
Are you watching the bowl game?
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
I’m glad I did not put money on the North Carolina Missouri game.
Ben
December 26th, 2011
5:52 pm
Falcons mop the Aints tonight. The pressure is on the Saints. Not the Falcons. Falcons will win. 28-21