Giants arriving at big moment in Falcons’ season
By MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM
FLOWERY BRANCH — All of a sudden payback is far down the list of motives for the Falcons when they play the Giants on Sunday at the Georgia Dome.
After NFC also-ran Carolina smacked them last Sunday, the Falcons are just trying to regroup. Now their 24-2 playoff defeat at New York in January seems almost incidental even though the residual negatives from that game have loomed over Atlanta’s strong regular season.
“I don’t have this, like, deep desire to get them back,” Falcons tackle Tyson Clabo said. “I just want to play well and defend the Dome and get a win.”
Revenge aside, there are lots of reasons for the Falcons (11-2) to be keen on defeating the Giants (8-5). It starts with the chance they could end up facing New York again in the playoffs.
Also, though the Falcons have already won the NFC South title, they have yet to earn a bye or a playoff home game. They can still secure the NFC’s top playoff seed and thus the chance to reach the Super Bowl with two home playoff victories.
Unless they collapse over the final three games, the Falcons should at least earn a bye and one home playoff game. Better to put those issues to rest as soon as possible rather than rely on defeats by other teams.
Atlanta Falcons' Julio Jones (11) leaps into the end zone past Carolina Panthers' Haruki Nakamura (43) for a touchdown as Falcons' Harry Douglas (83) watches during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Plus, the Falcons want to surge into the postseason with a strong finish rather than slip in with so many question marks.
“We said last week leading into it that was our goal to come out in the fourth quarter [of the season] and play our best football of the year,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Obviously, through the first game of the fourth quarter we did not do that.”
The past two Super Bowl champions got on a roll in December and carried it into January.
In 2010, the Packers had to win their last two regular-season games to secure the final NFC Wild Card berth. They won three road games in the NFC playoffs, including a second-round victory at Atlanta, before defeating the Steelers in the Super Bowl.
Similarly, the Giants were in danger of missing the playoffs after losing five of six games in 2011. They made the playoffs by winning their final two regular-season games, then started their championship run with a 24-2 victory over the Falcons.
The postseason flops against Green Bay and New York are major reasons why so many remained skeptical of the Falcons even after they started 8-0. The listless performance at Carolina amplified those doubts.
Defeating the Giants could start a surge to the playoffs for the Falcons. At the very least an Atlanta victory could provide evidence that its poor effort in the 30-20 loss at Carolina was an aberration rather than a sign of real trouble.
“We have a standard here and obviously [last Sunday] did not live up to that standard,” Clabo said. “We are disappointed we performed the way we did. On the flip side of that, we are excited we have the world champs coming in and we can respond and put on a performance that lives up to that standard that we’ve set for ourselves.”
The Giants will have plenty of motivation. They haven’t yet earned a playoff spot and lead the Redskins and Cowboys by just one game in the NFC East.
The Giants thrashed the Saints 52-27 last Sunday. They still have most of the key players from their championship team.
“They are obviously a very good team,” Falcons guard Justin Blalock said. “They don’t give out Super Bowl trophies for nothing. They always seem to be playing good ball when the winter comes around. We know that we’ve got a tough one ahead of us and we’re going to prepare accordingly.”
Atlanta didn’t appear ready for Carolina, the last-place team in the NFC South.
The Panthers made no secret that they were fired up for the game. They trash-talked the Falcons through the media in the days before the game and kept talking as they beat them on the field. The Falcons had no response.
Perhaps that humbling defeat and a visit from the Giants will get Atlanta’s attention.
“It’s not going to take much for us to get up for this game,” Falcons defensive end John Abraham said.
LATEST NEWS
Panthers hold on to defeat Falcons 30-20
Report card: Falcons grades for loss to Panthers
Falcons quoteboard after the 30-20 loss to the Panthers
Run defense goes back to the drawing board
NBC’s Rodney Harrison is not a big fan of the Falcons
OTHER RECENT NEWS
Cornerback Asante Samuel, safety William Moore are questionable for Panthers
Falcons at Panthers: 3 key matchups
Q&A with Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, who’s closing in on his first 1,000-yard season
Falcons amused by tough talk from Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy
Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter not worried about dip in Matt Ryan’s numbers
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
93 comments Add your comment
Jimmy
December 12th, 2012
5:50 am
Falcons will bring the intensity and win Sunday versus the Giants, thus shutting up all the ‘haters’ out there.
They then win at Detroit and home to the Bucs to finish the season 14-2, gaining home field throughout the NFC playoffs. They dominate Washington in the divisional round then win a close game versus Green Bay in the NFC Championship, and head to the Super Bowl versus my Texans (I grew up in Houston).
The Texans win a close one, 28-23 and the ‘haters’ come out again.
Book it!
Jimmy
December 12th, 2012
5:54 am
My second comment wasn’t allowed???
All I said that no matter what Tagliabue does (rescinding the ‘Bounty Gate’ suspensions), the asterisk will forever remain attached to the ‘Aints SB victory a few years ago.
RNew
December 12th, 2012
6:13 am
This game should be an indicator for what’s to come for the Falcons. Let’s get get get it! #Falcons #RiseUP
Elderly
December 12th, 2012
6:17 am
The Carolina game showed us much more than the numbers 11 and 2 do. I hope you’re right, Jimmy, but I have real doubts we will beat the Giants.
JJ
December 12th, 2012
6:34 am
Lets go Giants!
Falcon Fan since 1966
December 12th, 2012
6:42 am
Abberation, Yep that’s what it was. I look for a completely different team this week in the Dome against the Giants. Smitty needs to be wearing a hat Sunday with a rabbit inside.
jimb
December 12th, 2012
6:46 am
Falcons 8-0 for the first half of the season. Should they lose to the Giants, they will be playing .500 football for the second half so far. If they don’t bring it together against the Giants, this team could be in real trouble.
The Real Falcon
December 12th, 2012
6:57 am
Will be at the tailgate early Sunday morning and early in the building. Fans better be ready for the NY crowd and send them home crying! RISE UP!!
Jim
December 12th, 2012
7:10 am
If this ship isn`t turned around quick it is going to be ugly Sunday in the Dome!
Blue Fender
December 12th, 2012
7:31 am
Maybe the loss to Carolina was a good thing. It got the bad taste of defeat in the Falcons’ mouths. They do not want to lose that way again. We need to go balls-out all the way to the Super Bowl.
Season Ticket Holder
December 12th, 2012
7:33 am
This is a big game more so for the Falcons than the Giants. This Falcons has to prove that they are not pretenders and that they are a good football team. Coach Smith, its time to open the play book beyond page 10 so that the Falcons can repay the Giants for beating them last year in the playoffs.
just win.
December 12th, 2012
7:40 am
“Also, though the Falcons have already won the NFC South title, they have yet to earn a bye or a playoff home game… Unless they collapse over the final three games, the Falcons should at least earn a bye and one home playoff game.”
DOL, why is this so hard for you to understand????? By winning the NFC South, the Falcons are GUARANTEED to host at least 1 playoff game. School children know these rules, and they’re not paid a handsome salary to cover a game for a living. Step it up.
Pamela
December 12th, 2012
8:14 am
Get them back? REALLY…to get someone back you actually have to PLAY in the game. The ONLY thing the Falcants’ did was run around the field looking lost…as usual. The NY Giants will once again STOMP you all in the ground. The Falcants’ are NOT a good team. They won 9 out of 12 games by 3 points or less. THAT is NOT a good win. They will lose and will not have homefield advantage when they play their one and only playoff game of the season. They will lose their first game. The Falcants are NOT a Championship team period.
Falcants – a football team that CAN’T play REAL football. They are losers.
Pamela
December 12th, 2012
8:17 am
Yeah the Falcants’ will go to the superbowl and watch the two other teams play. They are NOT Superbowl material. That’s so obvious. It really doesn’t matter where their 1 game will be for the playoffs. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the Georgia Dome or somewhere else. They will lose their first game..as usual.
BillA
December 12th, 2012
8:19 am
I’m a Giants fan now living in ATL metro and I feel this is the type of game that can define a team. There is no way the Falcons can lose this game…this is a “must-win” type of game. Having said that, I think the Giants win this one 27 – 14.
Ramblin Black Jacket
December 12th, 2012
8:28 am
The Falcons need to get that killer instinct like the N.Y.s, Green Bays, New Englands, etc…… This good guy image the entire organization has isn’t going to get us far. Oh yeah Matty bubblegum arm is not the answer.
Jake
December 12th, 2012
8:28 am
Pamela….your name is gay
Bill
December 12th, 2012
8:29 am
After the season, they may look back on the Carolina loss as the best thing that could have happened to them.
Statick
December 12th, 2012
8:34 am
It’s not going to take much for us to get up for this game,” Falcons defensive end John Abraham said.
I believe that’s true for YOU, John. I just don’t believe it’s the same for all of your teammates. Put a foot into someone’s ### and make them accountable for the rest of the season.
Pamela
December 12th, 2012
8:34 am
Jake…I am a female…O.K. then..hahahahahahaha!
Pamela
December 12th, 2012
8:35 am
Jake..is that all you got. Saying a females’ name is gay? Wow… too funny!
Samuel
December 12th, 2012
8:44 am
I want to see against the Giants is a team with killer instinct, poised, mistake free and be able to win a game that most this Sunday, don’t think you can.
Mason
December 12th, 2012
8:47 am
Good article Orlando, would like to point one thing though. You said the Falcons have won the division but not secured a home playoff game” That’s obviously incorrect as all division champs play @ least one home playoff game.. just sayin’.
correction
December 12th, 2012
8:48 am
i think someone already mentioned it but oceans may rise and countries may fall, but no matter what the falcons will have a home playoff game.
Mason
December 12th, 2012
8:48 am
POINT OUT THAT WAS.
Mason
December 12th, 2012
8:52 am
Ah yes correction I just saw that, just thought I’d point it out is all.
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
8:58 am
Not to be invidious, but we will find out this weekend, the miserable truth, that we use to be:
THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY FALCONS!
BUT NOT ANYMORE! Our streak of luck has been exhausted.
Home field advantage for the playoffs means virtually nothing to the Falcons, as has been clearly evident in the last few years.
Whadda Ya Know?
December 12th, 2012
9:00 am
Once again, repeat after me, this team is NOT built to win against the better teams. OL and DL have been an issue since TD and Smitty’s arrival and has not been fixed yet. We have a statue QB that cannot function behind our porous line. We have a DL that gets zero pass rush with just the front four. That’s why sCam sat back there and did what he wanted to all day long.
It’s not rocket science. How hard is it to get some big uglies on both sides of the ball? Solidify the trenches and watch how this team really excels.
Whadda Ya Know?
December 12th, 2012
9:05 am
Pamela where is your team ranked in the playoffs? That’s what I thought hater. None of us know what’s going to happen in the playoffs. If you are sure you do, send me the winning PowerBall numbers for tonight.
JJ
December 12th, 2012
9:05 am
Dont know the above imposter, but its not me! Go Falcons!
D3’s Falcons Fan blog:
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-fans/2012/12/09/atlanta-falcons-birds-embarrassed-by-panthers/?cp=11
Bobby
December 12th, 2012
9:11 am
Jake: You’re Ledbetter’s boy toy. New Orleans won their SB fair and square and will still have a SB ring after this year while the Falcants sit at home and talk about next year.
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
9:12 am
Giants 28
Falcons 18
At least this time, we score a bunch of field goals.
WE USED TO BE THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
Falcons82
December 12th, 2012
9:19 am
I am so over these Falcons haters……If you don’t like the Falcons then go on your teams page and make comments but leave the Falcons alone. Seems like most of you live to hate on the Falcons…GET A LIFE!!!!
Whadda Ya Know?
December 12th, 2012
9:22 am
Come on now Bobby, you know NOs SB rings have a special Katrina storm insignia on it showing you got the storm award that year. That’s why NO is the only team that still talks about that one SB ring–when many others have 3-5 and never mention theres. Even TB doesn’t bring up their SB win like you NO fans. Enjoy that award from the NFL.
Whadda Ya Know?
December 12th, 2012
9:23 am
“theirs” as in their RINGS Bobby.
d
December 12th, 2012
9:24 am
Don’t worry JJ and Esquire, the imposters and are, of course, the poor,aints fans yelling like drunken bums from the gutter at 5-8.
True Falcon Fan
December 12th, 2012
9:25 am
WOW is that really you saying this crap —- please tell me this ain’t you???
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
9:12 am
The Carolina game meant that much, are you kidding me?
ComON- Man — shake it off — G-men comin to town — statement game this Sunday
Go Falcons — G-men next
Jeffrey
December 12th, 2012
9:25 am
We gotta stop David Wilson. Then we need to run on the first 12 plays. Run run run. Then we’ll air it out. Even if we don’t get any yards on those first 12 plays I believe it will be enough to open up the passing game. Go falcons.
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
9:27 am
Falcons82
December 12th, 2012
9:19 am
I am so over these Falcons haters……If you don’t like the Falcons then go on your teams page and make comments but leave the Falcons alone. Seems like most of you live to hate on the Falcons…GET A LIFE!!!!
******************************************************************
@Falcons82: You do realize though, that this write up by DLed is about the Giants, you do realize that, don’t you? Or are you like most of the Falcon fans and are too dense to realize that it’s just a sport, that we have been lucky for most of the season, and that we’ll probably be one and done? It’s just business as usual man. Chill out.
George
December 12th, 2012
9:31 am
Falcons Please Falcons will lose and they will lose Ryan for the season.POOR BIRDS
North by southeast
December 12th, 2012
9:34 am
We all know who you are “Pamela.” It’s understandable that you want to be female, you haven’t exactly been setting the world on fire as a man
DR. FALCON
December 12th, 2012
9:35 am
PAYBACJ, IS A “BITCH”! “RISE UP”! GO FALCONS!
d
December 12th, 2012
9:37 am
“It’s just business as usual man” this is true. Being an imposter, posting anonymously, is the online equivalent of wearing a paper sack over your head. Sound familiar?
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
9:37 am
Jeffrey
December 12th, 2012
9:25 am
We gotta stop David Wilson. Then we need to run on the first 12 plays. Run run run. Then we’ll air it out. Even if we don’t get any yards on those first 12 plays I believe it will be enough to open up the passing game. Go falcons.
**********************************************************************
So, basically you think that we should concede the our first four offensive series before we think about throwing the ball? Wow! I don’t think that is a good game plan. Four straight 3 and outs. The game will be deep into the second quarter before Matty Ice tries to throw? Now, who’s with me in seeing that that plan, makes no sense?!
WE USED TO BE THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY FALCONS!
North by southeast
December 12th, 2012
9:39 am
Hey Bobby, when do those N.O. playoff tickets go on sale?
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
9:48 am
d
December 12th, 2012
9:37 am
“It’s just business as usual man” this is true. Being an imposter, posting anonymously, is the online equivalent of wearing a paper sack over your head. Sound familiar?
********************************************************************
So, you’re not posting anonymously? Is “d” what is actually on your birth cirtificate or on your driver’s license? Maybe you used a plastic bag before, and this is the result. Imposter?! Pshaw! Stop being a peeshwank!
BIGDAWGFAN
December 12th, 2012
9:52 am
I want to see the defense that played the broncos they
jumping around confusing manning and everyone else
Falcon James
December 12th, 2012
9:53 am
Let’s get us a W on Sunday and then worry about what happens next.
DOL– Please back away from the cliff.
d
December 12th, 2012
9:57 am
Uh oh, hit a nerve there hiram. Your aints are pathetic, bud
BillyBob
December 12th, 2012
10:02 am
Book It! means I don’t know crap about football.
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
10:06 am
d
December 12th, 2012
9:57 am
Uh oh, hit a nerve there hiram. Your aints are pathetic, bud
*****************************************************************
Hit a nerve? hiram? Ah! I see you’re simplistic rationalization! A former ardent Falcon fan that concedes that our team is a fraud, must be an imposter! The typical, low brow, pugilistic response from our fan base. What a pud.
Flo-Ri-Duh
December 12th, 2012
10:13 am
Ledbetter needs to get the lead out – sorry – couldn’t help it. Falcons need to win Sunday to clinch a bye. Last week they had there best CB and a starting Safety out. Will they be back this week? Gt the lead out and give us some info on this Ledbetter.
D man
December 12th, 2012
10:23 am
The loss to the Giants in the playoffs is the reason we fired the Offense and Defensive coordinators and hired new ones with new schemes. It time to see if it worked…
Mikey
December 12th, 2012
10:25 am
Hoping to see some real football from our Falcons againt the Giants. Getting some success against the high flying Giants would do a lot to encourage them for the post season. I have no doubt that they are working diligently toward that goa… GO FALCONS! YOU ARE RISING UP!
WDE
December 12th, 2012
10:31 am
Funny how someone would think there is such a thing as a BAD WIN? But what do you expect from a girl…The giants are a tough team we have to prove we can beat them on the field, and I think we will.
coleski
December 12th, 2012
10:46 am
BUTT KICKING COMING SUNDAY. There must be a curse on the Falcons. No matter who the players are or the coaches
Mike is Back
December 12th, 2012
10:50 am
Dled, this is a statement game…TIME FOR THE BIRDS TO STEP TF UP.
coleski
December 12th, 2012
10:50 am
Well KISS MY GRITS
Righteous
December 12th, 2012
10:59 am
There is some incorrect info in the article, The Falcons have at least one home playoff game because they won their division. If you remember last year we had to go play the Giants in New York because they had won their division but we had a better record. All Division winners get a playoff home game.
Esquire
December 12th, 2012
11:22 am
You guys being a Pud I really don’t know what I’m talking about……. I know I know all you guys hear is blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
Pamela
December 12th, 2012
11:24 am
The second you guys found out I was girl all you heard was BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLA BLAH BLAH
DaculaJones
December 12th, 2012
11:31 am
Are you sure you want to throw the whole playbook for both offense & defense to get a “Statement Win” against a team you may see again in Jan? I want to believe we haven’t seen everything from the Falcons yet this season. Our best games this season are still ahead. This has been the teams plan from last March.
falconfanriseup
December 12th, 2012
11:37 am
No Worries Falcons fans the Falcons had nothing to play for vs the Pathers they will turn it on vs Giants. Falcons win big 30-14
Not the end
December 12th, 2012
11:50 am
Look nobody will believe in the Falcons until they win in the playoffs. They have had some bad games and some good games. The Giants have lost 5 games!! The key for the falcons is to play solid defense. Offense is going to be sketchy – maybe it shows, maybe it doesn’t. D will play well if William Moore is available. I would also replace Dunta with Christopher Owens.
d
December 12th, 2012
12:26 pm
I think you are right, not the end. I would add that Newton doesn’t get past Moore on that 72 yrd run from scrimmage, but hey, just speculating there. Interesting that NO gave up almost 300 yards on kickoff returns so I hope we don’t give up that kind of field position.
Elvis is Alive
December 12th, 2012
12:57 pm
“We need better production on first and second down so that third down is manageable,” running back Michael Turner said. “So guys won’t have the ears pinned back, going after Matt (Ryan) and teeing off on him. We just have to get the ball rolling and keep it moving.”
Mirror , Mirror on the wall…Is this what MT33 says to himself while looking in the mirror?
Well…….DUH
Play the second string so the obvious won’t be so painful.
Whoops! We are already playing the second string.
If McCarthy, Cauthern,Harbaugh,Belechek,even Andy Reid were coaching this team, I believe our trepidation about the chances of winning this weeks game and those following would be nonexistent.
Calling run-run-pass is too easy to defense when it is on film week after week.
Playing catch up ball may be thrilling, but inconsistency, hesitancy, and mental lapses will beat any team.
I believe MS is an excellent coach, but maybe NOT a head coach.
Tough minded is not a process. A “Killer Instinct” is not a process.
Smashmouth football on both sides of the ball is not a process.
You either have to desire to beat the snot out of an opponent or not.
4 days off after a loss is a process. Execution of the play is a process.
No days off after a loss with a walk through of every play offensively and on defense is tough minded. 4 days in a row!
Keeping the foot on the gas and running up the score till the last whistle is a “Killer Instinct”.
Being a good sport is OK for the YMCA but not the NFL.
Does our team honestly think the other teams care about our success and sportsmanship?
I’d rather see more bloody noses than half-assed quotes about what should have been.
If we see that you played tough, you wouldn’t see so many doubting your ability as a team and coaching staff.
Excuses work for term papers, missed appointments and children who don’t know any better.
No excuses in Professional Football. No excuses.
I fear we may have gotten off track.
ANGRY BIRDS 17– G-MEN 40.
Flying High!
December 12th, 2012
1:03 pm
Jimmy
December 12th, 2012
5:50 am
Falcons will bring the intensity and win Sunday versus the Giants, thus shutting up all the ‘haters’ out there.
———————-
Unfortunately this won’t be true. If the Falcon’s win there will be 100 reasons why the Giants lost and 0 reasons on why the Falcons won. The score can be 82-0 Falcons, it’ll still be “how’d the Giants fail to win?”, not “look how the Falcon’s played to win”. Even a SB win probably won’t shut them up.
Honestly the Falcon’s NEED to have revenge right up there for motivation. That along with the fact everyone outside Atlanta (and some in) feel they’re nothing but lucky, the fact this will be (I believe) the 1st game they play against someone with a winning record when they play, and that the Giants are a playoff caliber team. They should be using EVERY possible reason to pump themselves up, prepare like never before and go out there to WIN and WIN BIG. Smith needs to drive the ball and try to score every play. I don’t care if they’re up by 4 scores, pedal to the metal and keep scoring. You say play a full 60 minutes, that’s a FULL 60 minutes. Not just until you have a comfortable lead.
This game scares me, but I think the Falcon’s win. They better, or they could be in some real trouble going into the playoffs.
They can clinch the #1 seed Sunday (they win, SF & GB lose which given their opponents is not unlikely). They need to take the bull by the horns and get it done.
namssip
December 12th, 2012
1:15 pm
Falcons win on Sunday 38 to 35, it will be close and the birds will come from behind in a dramatic fashion to win. The Falcons now have the momentum going into the last quarter of the season and should go deep into the playoffs, maybe he SB. Everyone will be healthy and playing in the Dome will be a distinct advantage to the Falons vs. playing in NJ.
Not the end
December 12th, 2012
2:09 pm
Thanks d. Moore makes a huge difference for us.
People, you may not have noticed but we are designed to beat teams like the Giants – i.e teams that pass on offense and can’t stop the pass. They have no secondary. We are specifically not designed to stop teams like Carolina because ultimately it doesn’t matter. Carolina will never win big in the NFL with Cam Newton on QB. He just can’t execute in the crunch – i.e. Panthers have only had one scoring drive in the last two minutes of the half or game. AMAZING. Most NFL games are close. I trust Matt Ryan to execute in a two minute drill in a close game. If our D plays the way it can, I think our offense will make enough plays to win any game. For our D to play the way it can we need Moore, Samuels and I would vote to replace Dunta with Owens. He has proven he can play the corner (not the slot). I think this game is huge for us, but if we lose its not the end of the world by any stretch.
Kane337
December 12th, 2012
3:07 pm
“Also, though the Falcons have already won the NFC South title, they have yet to earn a bye or a playoff home game.”
When you win your division you are guaranteed a home playoff game. The Falcons will get a playoff game at home. The BYE week is still up for grabs.
drj0684
December 12th, 2012
3:17 pm
Revenge game for last year’s playoff thumping. See how it went for the 49ers and Packers … 20-3 and 38-10 respectively. As in the movie Taken … “gud luck”
PMC
December 12th, 2012
4:44 pm
Everyone realizes that they only lost to Carolina by 10 right, and they played about as poorly as football teams can play, while that merry band of sad sack idiots with 4 wins went screaming off the field like they had won the super bowl and every idiot with a keyboard or a pen wrote… see I told you so columns this week.
If they beat the Giants, It’s no big deal. Let’s not celebrate like it is. If they lose to the Giants, the same morons will go on an on about how the Falcons aren’t tough and can’t compete. That doesn’t mean ANYTHING either. It’s just people filling vacant space, sort of like I am now.
This is not a huge game, it’s not even a big game, it’s just a game. I really just want to see the Falcons play as well as I know they can play whether they win or lose it doesn’t really matter this week.
PMC
December 12th, 2012
4:48 pm
They can’t shut anyone up in the regular season. They OWN the regular season.
The negativty they suffer is because of how well they play in the regular season, people are litterally butt hurt to admit that they were wrong about thier predictions of what this team could be.
If this team manages to win a playoff game, they’ll discredit that too. If they win the Super Bowl, it will be the worst Super Bowl of a all time.
Is what it is.
PMC
December 12th, 2012
4:51 pm
Today’s media cannot simply live with the is, they have to speculate and dream and pontificate on what should be.
This Falcons team blows up the paradigm. Clearly they aren’t as good as their record, they can’t run, they can’t defend the run…. they are lucky….
Ok, then why have they had winning seasons the last 5 years if they are lucky?
If New England is so awesome and Tom Brady is to be worshipped as a God, why haven’t the Patriots won a Super Bowl in almost a decade (since Spygate)?
PMC
December 12th, 2012
4:53 pm
Every other good team, can have bad matchups.
This Falcons team, it’s only “telling” when they lose a game. The only articles written including this team are when they lose.
Mike Franklin
December 12th, 2012
5:00 pm
No revenge. The Giants whipped our butts and there’s nothing to be mad at them about.
Avid Fan
December 12th, 2012
5:06 pm
Ain’t gonna lie…been watch the Falcons since the 70’s……..and from a historical perspective……I know whats coming, it has all the classic markings of a typical (historically speaking) important game………..but please, prove me wrong and I’ll be happy
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:37 pm
FALCONS ARE REJECTS , FANS WANT REFUNDS BACK OFF SEASONAL TICKETS .
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:39 pm
LOSERSVILLE FALCONS OF GEORGIA
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:42 pm
LOSERS AND QUITTERS IS WHAT ALL OF YOU ARE (ATLANTA FALCONS)
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:43 pm
NO HEART.
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:46 pm
REFUND,REFUND,REFUND,REFUND,REFUND,REFUND,REFUND, MINE MONEY NOW !!!!!!
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:51 pm
55!!!! IS SACKING QUARTER BACKS LIKE AM SACKING GROCIES.AND AM NOT SACKING GROCIES
techduck
December 12th, 2012
5:54 pm
HEY ,WHY YA NOT LET ABRAHAM AND RED EYE LINE UP ON THE SAME SIDE NEXT TO EACH OTHER ?
techduck
December 12th, 2012
6:05 pm
HIRE ME.I HAVEN”T GOT A JOB.i BET YOU HALF OF MY SALARY I COULD OUT PLAY %98 OF PLAYERS THAT ON THE ROSTER TODAY.PAY ME AT LEAST ENOUGH TO PAY FOR MY CHURCH TIHI AND FOOD ,HEALTH INS.AND TRANSPORTATION AND A USED 4 BED ROOM 2 BATH 50 YEAR OLD WOODEN HOME.
Kim
December 12th, 2012
7:33 pm
The best thing the Falcons have going for them in the Revenge thing is They didnt talk smack after getting beat by giants in Playoffs.. that seems to be the wrong route to take with the Giants LOL. NE, GB, and SF ALL talked up a storm after losing to NY in B and Playoffs.. about How th eginats got Lucky and We Lost, they didnt win… the Next time the ginats saw all three of those teams, they But the Bang thing on all three of them. Atlanta took their loss and moved on.. No Bulletin board material for the Giants to look at.. it should be a fun game.
SG
December 12th, 2012
8:49 pm
Elvis – Nicely done, (except I hope you’re off-track on your score predict).
Realist
December 12th, 2012
9:40 pm
I want the birds to win, but come on!
The Giants are better than us at QB, OL, DL and coaching!!!
We are gonna get STEAMROLLED……….. 38 to 13.
JJ Fad
December 12th, 2012
10:30 pm
Come on Giants. I’ll be rooting for you in the dome!
Gritsfalcon
December 12th, 2012
11:50 pm
Big game and I am confident the Falcons will prevail Maybe Mike Smith can get them motivated….though a good coach Mike Smith is not a motivational speaker by any stretch of the imagination!
Realist
December 13th, 2012
5:42 am
Eli Manning won 2 superbowl BUT as a INDIVIDUAL QUARTERBACK Matt Ryan is alot better. But Matt Ryan behind the Giants OL and he WILL pick apart any defense
Choke On My Grits
December 13th, 2012
7:00 am
We will see won’t we ?
I usually just read but...
December 13th, 2012
8:43 am
“I don’t have this, like, deep desire to get them back,”
Well said Clabo, you described the entire teams “true grit”. Glad to see you guys developed that “killer instinct” after last Sun.
Are you trying to avoid giving the Giants bulletin board material?. Of course we don’t want to get anyone hurt going into the playoffs, BUT, if the Giants win out, including beating us this weekend and Bal and Phi the last 2 games, head to head tiebreaker gives THEM the home field thru playoffs, I think. I feel the Giants can beat Bal and Phi, so if you want home field you really need to win this one!