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
5:54 pm
If I can stay off of the drugs, I could probably make a legitimate argument about my team. The Meth is a killer, Ill tell ya
Ben
December 26th, 2011
5:54 pm
Saints have all the pressure of trying to beat an arch rival twice, trying to clinch the division in front of the home crowd, etc. Falcons really don’t have anything to lose here. Also, you know Brees would love to break the record vs. the Falcons and knowing Brees he probably will, but that doesn’t mean they’ll win. I think Brees will throw a pick or two, and the Falcons will turn those into 7 points a piece. Ryan will have a good night, but I expect Turner to rush for over 100 yards himself.
Falcons have the right to just play loose, and have fun out there. GET REVENGE!
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
5:57 pm
48 DUKE yes. UNC’s D is not playing well at all. Huge 3rd and longs and Mizzou is making the play.
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:02 pm
That was a nice hit!
MarkATL
December 26th, 2011
6:03 pm
I’m sure lots of 49ers fans will be cheering on the Falcons tonight. They want that 2nd seed! LOL!!
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
6:10 pm
DUKE this one is OVR. I hope the new coach can get them fired up because they just look FLATLINE like as in DEAD.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
5150- i really don’t have time to create alt.e-mail addresses to accomodate you plus the fact you’re not worth the trouble . i also don’t have time to create multiple user names like some others on here . just tell me where and when and you can settle your debt with me in person . i know your afraid but thats the only way were gonna settle up. posting an e-mail on here is so stupid but apparently your far to ignorant to know that.
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:15 pm
Yea ,it’s not looking good.
But didn’t Carolina have a comeback last year vs Tennessee?
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:18 pm
Wow, what a run. How could Carolina let him do that on 3rd and long?
And the penalty!
jlperry
December 26th, 2011
6:19 pm
IT time for Matt Ryan to get that monkey off his back and win a playoff game time for mm to let him go and do his on play calling …
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:21 pm
Mizzou will put up 50 on N.C. tonight.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
6:21 pm
Duke now do you still see any possible COMEBACK? UNC would have to be Lazarus or Jesus because they are that DEAD to make a comeback now.
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:23 pm
5150
Check this sight out.
http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2011/college-football-11_rank.html
What team is the biggest shocker to you?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
6:24 pm
HiRam shut up and go to a Saints blog. You are a joke. You know you don’t have the money to pay. It isn’t hard to make an email address. I know for sure you are really dumb.
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:27 pm
5150
When you have to go to the local county library like Hiram does, they want let you create but one email address.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:27 pm
5150- a serious question for you . why can’t you accept the fact that i believe my team is gonna win just as much as you think your team is gonna win. why can’t the discussion be on that instead of our families who have nothing to do with this . i mean really man, is that all you have?
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:28 pm
Falcons 31——-> Saints ——–darn, what happen to them !
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:28 pm
they WANT let you create. and your doggin’ me ?
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:29 pm
they scored 48 . like i said -saints by 17
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:30 pm
we will see who is the best Team tonight in about 3 hours or so boys.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
6:31 pm
DUKE i would Penn State & Iowa with the VALUE they assigned. Is SEC fans valued education as much as football we would be the smartest region in the country. HAHAHA. Think what teh SEC schools could do with that kind of money if it were put into the Academic side.
Christmas with tha DUKE
December 26th, 2011
6:34 pm
5150
I was shocked to see Arkansas in the top 10, and Penn st in front of Ohio st.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:36 pm
for once you are right michael m . the saints should have a comfortable lead by about 9:30
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:39 pm
You know the way I look at this game is if our Team gets beat we still in the playoffs cause the Panthers will come for you next week and be playing more like a playoff contender their selves.
Typical Saints team can’t beat a sub.500 team and everyone knows it so there it is.
Think the Falcons may play tough and get the upset in your house tonight though, as said a week back………………..it may be better to lose this one if we only have two more shots at it against the Saints. Heck, we can’t say for sure if we even have to play the Saints again period so lets see what happens out on the football field………….I am ready are you Aint Turds ready ?
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:41 pm
if you lose hiram are you coming online to let us have a go at ya ?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
6:44 pm
Duke..Kincade on 680 just said this will be the most boring and predictable NFL playoffs he will ever see.
Arkansas? What else does that state have? It is in the SEC too. They have hunting and college football that is all just like Alabama.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
6:46 pm
Well SCHULTZ is now LIVE with his game blog.
Prima Donna
December 26th, 2011
6:49 pm
what an amazing feat!!! two consecutive years in a row in the playoffs!!!
falcons may as well lay down now and wave the white flag, it is going to be another heartbreaking event and time for excuses for them and when they get humiliated in the post season again by some real men.
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:53 pm
michael m. i’m always here . just glad that you and a few others aren’t as thin skinned as 5150. maybe more hugs in his youth would have helped or maybe it was to much huggin’ if ya know what i mean !
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:54 pm
Once it starts I wont be on here posting will be watching the game and watching the Falcons put a smackdown on the Aint Turd team !
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:55 pm
The wife is mad at me tonight……..go figure ! lol
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
6:55 pm
No, I will not come on line and let you make fun of me when te Falcons win. Not going to happen. Geaux Saints!
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:57 pm
You serious ?
charlie
December 26th, 2011
6:58 pm
The last 3 super bowl champs have come from wild cards
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
6:59 pm
Saints are the Gumbo Champions !
hiramsaint
December 26th, 2011
7:01 pm
Just hush 5150. You act like a whinny little girl. Bye
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
7:01 pm
Biggest game of the week coming up everyone , I am outta here for awhile !
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
7:03 pm
man Jeff Schultz should a good meal in NoLa he and DOL had today at Mother’s. Now i want a shrimp po boy.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
7:03 pm
sorry SHOWED
Greg Mendel
December 26th, 2011
7:15 pm
Who cares who wins tonight. NO and ATL are in the playoffs. ATL lost to Green Bay last year. New Orleans beat the Seahawks to go on to play Green Bay in the Super Bowl.
Oh, wait! Different year. Different team for NO to lose to.
I never make predictions, but I’m predicting NO or ATL will win or lose by 10 points tonight.
Ben
December 26th, 2011
7:19 pm
X-factor tonight will be William Moore and how he plays. He’ll be on Jimmy Graham most of the night, if not all night and I think Graham is Brees’ biggest and most reliable target. If William Moore has a great night, and brings the pain, we’ll win.
Hank Scorpio
December 26th, 2011
8:01 pm
You want sugar?
TB falcon fan i think
December 26th, 2011
8:37 pm
Enter your comments here
Jimbo
December 26th, 2011
9:54 pm
Did the Falcon’s defense miss the plane?
are you serious?
December 26th, 2011
10:14 pm
Another example of the NFL, National Female League, screwing up a great sport. Lofton makes a tackle face to face and gets flagged. Kelly gets hit from behind and gets a sore back. Where is the consistency in officiating. Why do they keep giving flags to the pretty boy teams. This is getting stupid!
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
10:36 pm
Its a fixed contest , just remember , ” thats off the record “
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
10:49 pm
You saw Breezy get up after that sack looking at the ref for his flag ?
Michael M.
December 26th, 2011
10:53 pm
Saints off sides ….no flag……say what?
Jimbo
December 26th, 2011
11:01 pm
Face it fellow Falcon fans, this team is just not an elite team and it doesn’t look like they ever will be.
Jimbo
December 26th, 2011
11:05 pm
Kicking a field goal? what a joke!