UNDEFEATED: Can the Falcons pull it off?
Cover of Mike Freeman's book "Undefeated: Inside the 1972 Miami Dolphins' Perfect Season."
FLOWERY BRANCH — Just got to the Branch today, waiting for the open locker room session at 11:40 a.m.
After the game on Sunday in Philadelphia, the lovely Ashley Fox of ESPN.com asked me when the”Undefeated” talk would start.
I told her to wait until the Falcons get to 10-0, which would be a new franchise mark for most wins in a row. They’ve won nine in a row twice, in 1980 and 1998.
Then, I was working on the laptop on Monday and the wife (Queen Led) brought Mike Freeman’s book in from a stack I had in the garage.
I’m going to wait awhile before I track down Mercury Morrris, Don Shula and the rest of the South Florida crew.
In the meantime, I’ll enjoy Freeman’s book.
But, the schedule doesn’t look too daunting. Both of the Saints games — Nov. 11 and Thursday, Nov. 29– will be tough. Then there’s the matter of facing the defending Super Bowl champs on Dec. 16 and more than a safety will be required.
When should the “Undefeated” chatter start?
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140 comments Add your comment
Bob Martin
October 31st, 2012
2:04 pm
Will never be another great team like the 72 Dolphins, they had a lot of things go right.I think the 73 team was better, I was in the OB for every game. Also was there for the Canes 56 in a row at home. Just like Joe’s hitting streak and Ted’s 400 BA. Some things last. Hope the Falcon just win the Super Bowl. But you never know. But i’m happy I was there for these events. No, I wasn’t thers for Joe & Ted
BobDawg
October 31st, 2012
2:09 pm
We will get everyone’s best shot from here on out… Vegas has the “Boys” game at 4 points so they know we will get Dallas’s best shot….. Plus, I want to see how our O-line and D-Line handle Dallas’s lines… This may give us a handle as to how we handle the Giant’s lines later this year.
FALCONCHRIS
October 31st, 2012
2:13 pm
The falcon had no real blow outs for them to think they can’t be beat ,meaning they are not going to overlook any team left to play .So its very possible for them to go 16 -0
kimmer
October 31st, 2012
2:23 pm
Undefeated. Aint gonna happen. They will lose at least two games this regular season by either of two scenario’s
1) Lose a couple straight up
2) Remain undefeated and lose a couple after locking up HFA.
The third option is to continue to play starters even if HFA is obtained and smith risk getting run out on a rail if a key player is injured.
Greg
October 31st, 2012
2:27 pm
I’m with Dave Puddy. Let’s be real: we haven’t yet beaten a team with a winning record. No one knows how good we are until we get tested.
Whisky Breath
October 31st, 2012
2:34 pm
Never, because they aren’t going to go undefeated. Not even the ‘85 Bears, one of the best teams ever went undefeated. The NFL is just too strong, and even a winless team can rise up in the league and beat an undefeated team.
SA
October 31st, 2012
2:35 pm
All I care about is going undefeated in the playoffs.
shesoleo
October 31st, 2012
2:36 pm
Anyone in their right mind would love for the Falcons to go 16&0 due to all the franchise has been through but, me myself personally would rather if they are to lose a game or two that it be in the regular season and NOT the playoffs. Going undefeated would be very special but, I feel it would put too much pressure on them. They need to take it one game at a time,stay focused,and if it’s meant to be then it will happen.
JC in Columbus
October 31st, 2012
2:39 pm
I agree with chuck @ 12:35 pm
We are so lucky Arthur Blank bought the Falcons and not another Liberty Media!
Braveheart7
October 31st, 2012
2:40 pm
I AGREE WITH @ SA ^^^^^
4dabird
October 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
I would expect Smitty to start sittings guys if we get to 14-0, because that will mean we have the NFC locked up and home field throughout the playoffs. The Falcons are very good on the road this year, so going on the road in the playoffs might not be bad either.
GOOOOOOOOO FALCONS!!!!!!!!
Bonnie Franklin
October 31st, 2012
2:51 pm
One game at a time, sweet Jesus!
That’s all I’m asking from you…
Redcoat
October 31st, 2012
2:55 pm
Doing it would be the ultimate,and yes it’s always possible, but for me just take them one at a time and win the one just in front of you. Go Falcons!
LawDawg
October 31st, 2012
2:59 pm
No.
The Biggest Fan
October 31st, 2012
3:01 pm
I just want to see them win when it counts. I actually don’t want them to undefeated. I would prefer to see a bad call cost them a game to light a fire that takes them through the playoffs!
Ralph Kramden
October 31st, 2012
3:04 pm
Not a chance…. Gonna lose at least 3 maybe 4 (or more)
Ramblin Black Jacket
October 31st, 2012
3:06 pm
Let’s keep focused one game at a time Atlanta fans. We seem to do this all the time. Alwaysgetting ahead of ourselves only to get let down at the end. ONE GAME AT A TIME!!!!
Ted M
October 31st, 2012
3:11 pm
The Falcons have an easy remaining schedule. The Giants are the only tough team…beat them and they have a shot.
Falcon Flap
October 31st, 2012
3:15 pm
Look, I’ll take 13-3 as I predicted before the beginning of the season. The only thing I want to go undefeated at is in the playoffs.
Nativebird
October 31st, 2012
3:16 pm
I loved the Shula era Dolphins and the run. but enuff of the perfect season crap. 14 game sched. Patriots IMO outdid them by going 18-0 even losing the superbowl. Mercury Morris would have his a$$ handed to him in today’s NFL.
Ted M
October 31st, 2012
3:16 pm
Smith better not start sitting player after 14 games or they’ll lose the edge and go out in the first round of the PO’s
Ed
October 31st, 2012
3:18 pm
Don’t get me wrong 16-0 would be marvelous but really I just want to have a good enough record to get home field advantage in the playoffs and align ourselves for a shot at Lombardi. Mike Smith does a great job at keeping this team level headed and thinking about 1 game at a time.
Tommy
October 31st, 2012
3:18 pm
Going undefeated is not likely, and it could be harmful. They can win the division and get the #1 seed at 13-3 (assuming they beat the Giants), so the last game or two could be unnecessary. . . do we want Ryan or Julio getting hurt chasing 16-0 or healthy for the postseason?
Also, 16-0 would create a huge amount of pressure for a team that hasn’t had playoff success in recent years. The Patriots couldn’t pull it off in the postseason, and they already had three championships
FalconsFan
October 31st, 2012
3:23 pm
As long as we win our final playoff game – I don’t care what the regular season schedule is……
Just Sayin.....
October 31st, 2012
3:26 pm
2010 they were 13-3 & in the Dome they suffered their worst defeat in playoff history 48-21 and with the very same offense they were shutout vs the Giants.
Just Sayin…..
Loyal Falcon
October 31st, 2012
3:26 pm
ONE GAME AT A TIME! Let’s hold off on the undefeated talk.
Just Sayin.....
October 31st, 2012
3:28 pm
Question: What would be worse? Finishing 10-6 and losing in the 1st round or going 16-0 and losing in the 1st round?
Just Sayin.....
October 31st, 2012
3:30 pm
The Falcons whole world could crumble in a second if Abe, Roddy or Julio goes down.
Just Sayin…..
Needabailout,too!
October 31st, 2012
3:31 pm
It’s not that the Falcons are all that good, it’s that everyone else, including the perennial powerhouses, are just so—-awful this year. Yes, their injuries are minimal and they’re finally playing smart, as in very few penalties, something they’ve always had problems with in the past, and the knuckleheads have been kicked off (imagine if we still had D. Hall!) I like our chances.
Just Sayin.....
October 31st, 2012
3:37 pm
Dallas has some big receivers.
Just Sayin…..
Just Sayin.....
October 31st, 2012
3:38 pm
Even as physical as Derelle Revis is, he couldn’t shutdown Dez Bryant.
Just Sayin…..
Esquire
October 31st, 2012
3:42 pm
“D. Orlando Ledbetter believes it’s too early for undefeated chatter to start, especially with tough remaining schedule.”
If it’s too early why bring it up in the first place………..you don’t go undefeated if you’re looking ahead. The only game we got right now is Sunday night vs Cowboys, that’s all we need to focus on.
DIRTYBIRDFORLIFE
October 31st, 2012
3:45 pm
DONT WONT TO PESSURE MY FALCONS ABOUT BEING UNDEFEATED. IF WE STAY FOCUS ONE GAME AT A TIME I BELIEVE THE END WILL RESULT WILL BE FAVORABLE.
Rod from College Park
October 31st, 2012
3:46 pm
Could care less if we go undefeated. Just win all the games in the playoffs.
Keeping it real
October 31st, 2012
3:56 pm
Do you realize the falcons are 7-0 not 8-0, that means they could lose the rest of thier games,and end up 7-8,and out of the playoffs,so were is all this undefeted stuff coming from?play the games one at a time,and keep Dallas in focus,are it could end this sunday night!
Esquire
October 31st, 2012
3:57 pm
Just Sayin…..
October 31st, 2012
3:37 pm
Dallas has some big receivers.
*********************************************
Not sure why you say that unless you just wanted to make a dunce hat remark…..and you succeeded. Dallas doesn’t really have any big receivers except for the TE Witten. Kyle Orton is bigger than all of their receivers except Witten. It’s common knowledge that Dez Bryant doesn’t exactly have the MENSA group beating on his door. See if you can find something else to say “Just sayin’” to cause that was one of your weakest troll endeavors………….ever.
nofreecheese
October 31st, 2012
3:57 pm
If they do go undefeated, they will simply lose in the first round of the playoffs. They should strategically rest some players to make certain their at full-strength for the postseason.
nofreecheese
October 31st, 2012
4:09 pm
@ Just Sayin….. : There was a glaring omission when you listed “Abe, Roddy or Julio…” as players crucial to Falcons success; are you a Matt Ryan hater? Hmmm?
Chuck
October 31st, 2012
4:11 pm
Tom E. Gunn, that is impeccable logic – they aren’t good because they lost to the Super Bowl champs two years ago.
Brilliant with a capital B – any more gems or are you tapped?
Bennett
October 31st, 2012
4:13 pm
3 words. “ENJOY THE RIDE”. Guys, we are 7-0, undefeated with the wind at our backs and a great team, with players you should feel good about supporting. Enjoy it!!! If you wait till we secure homefield, win a playoff game, go undefeated, win the superbowl, you have missed the point. If we lose next week so be it. I am going to enjoy every moment between now and then knowing that we are the best team in the league. If we win next week, I will do it again. I spent a good half hour reviewing the remainder of the schedule with a co-worker and you know what, the “undefeated” conversation was the most satisfying sports discussion I have had in years. Between the Hawks, Braves, Dogs and Jackets, we have not had many momments like this where you can honestly beleive we have a chance at greatest. This is one of those times.
Dirt Nap
October 31st, 2012
4:16 pm
Aint it fun to talk about,past years we would have 2 losses by now.
We’re finding ways to win this year and thats a sign of a great team.
Cowboys have nothing for us,no running game,Romo will get rattled.
Giants got to come here,thats the one to see if we’re ready for
the playoffs or not.
Answer This
October 31st, 2012
4:18 pm
or seeing Just Saying to continue to get on a teams blog and pipe off!
That would be worse……….
Wait its already happening……..just saying!
Esquire
October 31st, 2012
4:21 pm
Ted M
October 31st, 2012
3:11 pm
The Falcons have an easy remaining schedule. The Giants are the only tough team…beat them and they have a shot.
******************************************
Easy?
TommyNobisfan60
October 31st, 2012
4:21 pm
I just want to put the beat down on Dallas. To many Dallas fans around here and I want to rub it in their face because I hate the Cowboys about as much as I hate the Yanks in baseball. To hard to go undefeated because Ryan will see less playing time once everything is locked up.
Esquire
October 31st, 2012
4:22 pm
Can we focus on the team goal here? It’s not an undefeated season.
gizmoluck
October 31st, 2012
4:24 pm
not before 12/16 giants game
Drew Brees
October 31st, 2012
4:24 pm
Whats the point of going 16-0 if you can’t win a playoff game…….
Clydesdale
October 31st, 2012
4:25 pm
Week 16
gizmoluck
October 31st, 2012
4:26 pm
who cares about undefeated. Atl needs a ring
Getaway
October 31st, 2012
4:30 pm
I can guarantee you that if we are 15-0 heading into the Tampa game, you will not see Ryan, Jones, White, Abe, Weatherspoon unless there is some really special record they’re trying to get. I just don’t see them risking it. Those TB games are always physical.