Atlanta Falcons: ‘Different team’ vows to end playoff flops
The Falcons say this season won’t end like the one in 2008 . . . or 2010 . . . or 2011.
That’s three playoff busts in three tries for the Falcons with general manager Thomas Dimitroff, coach Mike Smith and quarterback Matt Ryan. That’s a lot of baggage for the Falcons to carry when they open the playoffs on Jan. 12 or 13 as the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Rather than pretend the weight isn’t there, the Falcons say they are ready to carry it.
“This is a very different team from last year, two years ago, three years ago,” Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said. “Our players are much more mature. I think we are ready to go. We feel like we’ve got a lot to prove in the playoffs because we haven’t won a game and we want to win one so bad.
“I don’t think anybody is pressing. We just want to go win.”
The Falcons (13-2) have done all they can to set themselves up with the easiest possible path to the Super Bowl in New Orleans.
They secured the top seed with 31-18 victory at Detroit late Saturday. Atlanta earned a first-round bye, home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and will play the lowest-seeded wild card team to advance to the divisional round. The result of Sunday’s regular-season finale against Tampa Bay at the Georgia Dome won’t affect any of that.
It’s only the third time in franchise history the Falcons earned the No. 1 playoff seed. They don’t need to be reminded of what happened last time they finished with the NFC’s best record.
The 48-21 loss to the Packers in the 2010 playoffs was deflating for the Falcons because they were the top seed playing at home. They lost 30-24 at Arizona in the 2008 wild-card round and 24-2 at the Giants in the first round of the 2011 playoffs.
The Falcons are 7-0 at the Georgia Dome this season but, like everything else with this team, it won’t mean much if they can’t keep it up in the playoffs.
“I like our chances way better at home with the dome rocking and how comfortable we are at home and how we’ve played (there),” Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez said. “But we still have to go out there and play. (The top seed) doesn’t mean we’ve arrived; it doesn’t guarantee anything.”
Gonzalez is among the key skill players remaining from the 2010 team along with Ryan, wide receiver Roddy White and running back Michael Turner. Key additions since then include wide receiver Julio Jones, cornerback Asante Samuel and running back Jacquizz Rodgers.
Atlanta’s depth chart may look much the same but quarterback Matt Ryan said the intangibles are different.
“I think our chemistry is as good as I’ve ever been around,” Ryan said. “We’ve got guys in that locker room, both players and coaches, that are committed to doing everything the right way. And we have fun doing it. When you have a combination of guys who enjoy what they do and put in the time and put in the work, it’s enjoyable to be around.”
At the very least, Smith knows what not to do during the team’s bye week this time after the Falcons fell flat against the Packers.
Smith said the lessons learned from that experience prompted him to come up with a different practice plan if the Falcons earned the bye again.
“We’ll handle it differently in terms our workload and the days that we are going to work during our bye week and what our schedule will be,” he said. “We are not going to do anything like we did last time.”
During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams since they could end up facing any of them except the No. 3 seed in the divisional round.
Atlanta’s opponent will have to contend with an offense that’s clicking, especially in the passing game, and a defense with a knack for creating turnovers at key times. The Falcons recovered from a lackluster effort in a loss at Carolina and turned in strong efforts to beat the Giants and Lions.
The Falcons say their roll will continue in the playoffs this time.
“We are right where we wanted to be,” Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson said. “When we started talking about it in training camp, we wanted to be a good team by the end of the year and control our own destiny. So far things are working out. We have to just go out and finish the deal.”
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161 comments Add your comment
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
9:26 am
first
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
9:32 am
Go Falcons. I have supported you for 40 years. I will continue to support you no matter the outcome in the playoffs. Thanks for the memories.
DirtyBirdsFan02
December 24th, 2012
9:37 am
I really hope that these Falcons can prove all the haters wrong and win the Super Bowl. I would love to hear those ESPN “experts” have to announce the Falcons as the Super Bowl Champions.
RISE UP!!!
HATinGA
December 24th, 2012
9:48 am
Play action on 1st down, don’t try and prove Turner is not old, Defence aggressive, no soft zones, Teams that win in Jan “take” they don’t “wait” are the keys to getting by that first game, once the monkys been removed lookout!
kd
December 24th, 2012
9:49 am
come on falcons, the city deserves a championship, lets make it happen. The real falcons fans have your back
Go Falcons..!!
December 24th, 2012
9:50 am
To Rest or Not to Rest…..that is the question.
Not convinced
December 24th, 2012
9:50 am
ATL Falcons defense is really weak. They will flop in the first playoff game like they ALWAYS do. It doesn’t matter where they play their first and only playoff game. They will lose as usual. No suprises there.
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
9:57 am
@Not convinced.
You will never convince a real FALCON fan to give up on this season. Thanks for the non support.
Get Back Jojo
December 24th, 2012
9:58 am
@DBF02….Right on!! I’m so tired of all the naysayers saying we aren’t anything, or not saying anything when we do shine.
Stay focused, and keep your eyes on the Lombardi Trophy. And to win it in N.O. Priceless!!
GO FALCONS!!!
ShaneOmac
December 24th, 2012
10:00 am
I feel it this year I really do. This is our time now
kd
December 24th, 2012
10:01 am
@not convinced- who is your team? have we played them??
Get Back Jojo
December 24th, 2012
10:01 am
@Not convinced…..How does it feel to always drink from a cup half empty?
Atlanta Native
December 24th, 2012
10:03 am
@ HATinGA……agreed
We have some weaknesses – every team does. However, we have been able to come up with the plays that we need and when we need them. I’ve been a fan for a long time and won’t stop now. Sometimes us fans forget that this is a different team, coaching staff and front office than when the previous owner was more concerned with having a place for his family to work than on winning.
Go Falcons.
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
10:04 am
@Not Convinced
Ask the Manning brothers and Brees about that defense. 13 ints……
GregKennesaw
December 24th, 2012
10:05 am
haters gonna hate.still sore about 2008
aaron ashmore
December 24th, 2012
10:07 am
Falcons will disapoint as usual.
PaulWinchester
December 24th, 2012
10:08 am
I know everyone keeps saying its a different team and I am convinced it is a better team than the 2010 team that lost to Green Bay in the playoffs. For most years I would think that the Falcons would advance all the way to the superbowl, just like the 1998 team did with Dan Reeves as head coach. The only problem this time is that this edition of the Falcons have FLAWS that they have not addressed and have not fixed yet which surfaced in the Detroit game. Maybe I am the only one who is seeing these flaws, but what I am seeing from the Falcons is a LACK OF FOCUS FOR 60 MINUTES OF A FOOTBALL GAME. The Falcons went up on Detroit and led 21-3; but in the closing minutes before the half I saw a very UNINSPIRED FALCON TEAM that allowed Detroit to march down the field and score a field goal and move to within 21-6 at halftime. That last drive before halftime, I SAW MISSED TACKLES and A LISTLESS EFFORT GOING INTO THE HALF, and Detroit capitalized by getting a field goal before the half. These little lapses in the games where the effort is not there is something I have been seeing repeatedly throughout all the games. It continued on the second half as the Lions pulled to within 21-16 where the Lions were in striking distance of taking the game away from the Falcons. The same thing happened in just about all the games with the exception of the Giants game where the Giants could never get into an offensive rhythm. What I see from the Falcons is that they come out of the gates strong, build a lead (regardless of how tenuous that lead might be), then they tend to relax, take their foot off the accelerator and try to coast to a win WITHOUT GIVING THEIR MAXIMUM EFFORT. This is what I am seeing repeatedly from this team, and with that attitude which is a reflection of their coach (mike smith), the Falcons will never win anything unless they change their attitude of putting their foot on the accelerator and leaving it there for 60 minutes. Yesterday, Green Bay stompted their opponent 55-7 and wouldnt let up off the throats of their opponent. The Seattle Seahawks have scored 150 points in their last 3 games, which is an average of 50 points over that 3 game period. Either of those two teams if the Falcons faced them, unless the Falcons kept pouring on the offense for 60 minutes, they would have no chance of beating either of those teams. The Falcons need to look themselves in the mirror and decide that they want to win a superbowl, and decide that they will play 60 minutes of relentless football, without letting up until the final gun and whistle is blown. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY I SEE THE FALCONS BECOMING SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS THIS YEAR. THE TALENT IS THERE, THE FALCONS MUST DECIDE THEY WILL PLAY WITH RECKLESS ABANDON NEVER LETTING UP OFF THE THROTTLE.
Ghost of Norm van Brocklin
December 24th, 2012
10:13 am
Go Birds, we will not flop but fly like a true Falcon, devastating its prey.
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
10:13 am
@aaron ashmore
If 13-2 is a disappointment in the NFL. May the Falcons continue to be blessed with disappointment.
Mario
December 24th, 2012
10:26 am
The league still isn’t on notice about the Falcons. We have the best record IN THE LEAGUE yet it’s like we don’t exist. It’s maddening but I understand why. We have to win in the playoffs. That’s the bottom line. If we don’t at least make it to the NFC title game or even the Super Bowl, we’ll become a joke and will never be taken seriously again.
Falcon fan 24-7
December 24th, 2012
10:35 am
It must be said that the three teams that beat us in the playoffs , went to the Super Bowl . Green Bay and New York won and Arizona lost in a nail bitter to the Steelers. Hopefully, we can close the deal this time.
Falcon fan 24-7
December 24th, 2012
10:37 am
The Falcons will play the Broncos in the Super Bowl again! Write it down .
Falcon fan 24-7
December 24th, 2012
10:40 am
There are 20 teams out there, that will not be in the playoffs. Out of 32 teams, we have the best record. Go figure, haters.
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
10:41 am
@Mario
40 years as Falcon fan. We have always been considered a joke and never taken seriously. But with the second best regular season record over the last 5 years… if the worst thing you can say me is win a playoff game… I say THANK YOU. At least we have been afforded the opportunity to lose.
Falcon fan 24-7
December 24th, 2012
10:41 am
You haters, must have a miserable life.
Not convinced
December 24th, 2012
10:43 am
To all of you falcons fans, don’t get your hopes up. It has been proven time and time again how sorry your team really is. Let the record show I warned you all regarding your team not winning the first and only playoff game they will ever play this season. Your team is not championship material. You all know this to be true. Time will tell and when it is revealed yet again how sorry your team really is then lets’ talk. I will return to this board after your sorry team lose their first and only playoff game just to say I TOLD YOU SO.
GatorMark
December 24th, 2012
10:44 am
Practice everyone hard this week and play EVERYONE the last game of the season…the entire game if necessary for a win (don’t be concerned with injuries). Then, rest them the bye week and get back to work HARD the week of the game. They can’t have TWO weeks off.
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
10:48 am
@ Not Convinced
If the worst thing you can say to me about the FALCONS is “I TOLD YOU SO” after a playoff game… I say THANK YOU. At least we EARNED the opportunity to play in it. How about your team?
ramguy68
December 24th, 2012
10:59 am
@Answered All Questions If the worst thing you can say to me about the FALCONS is “I TOLD YOU SO” after a playoff game… I say THANK YOU. At least we EARNED the opportunity to play in it. How about your team?
Oh don’t be too hard on all the Skip Bayless wannabes on the AJC Blogs…..They’ve only been able to say I told you so 2 times out of 15 games this year. If they are ever right about their predictions they like to crow about how smart they are and forget about all the times they wee wrong. They probably watch old WWII movies and pull for the Japanese when they attached Pearl Harbor. .
True American Hero
December 24th, 2012
11:01 am
I don’t know what some of you saw Sat night, but I saw two really good teams playing each other. One team (us) trying to get our home field advantage and the other (with a record that doesn’t reflect their game play) trying to stop us. Detroit has lost the LARGE majority of their games by less than three points. We have won the Large majority of ours by less than three points. So, if you were expecting the Giants game again, sorry. The Falcons won as expect, but I never thought it would be a roll over game. From here out (with exception of Tampa Game that doesn’t matter) every game is going to be a fight so, expect them to be close. I just pray the lack of running game isn’t going to hurt us in the playoffs.If it does Ill still be proud of what they accomplished this year and hope they replace a few linemen and running backs next.
FalconPride70
December 24th, 2012
11:06 am
There was a time where getting to the playoffs ment somthing.
hbcuclassics
December 24th, 2012
11:09 am
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 All-Americans
Defense LBs
LB Keith Pough, Howard
LB Lynden Trail, Norfolk St
LB Leron Furr, FVSU
LB Jarkevis Fields, Bethune
LB Bill Ross, UAPB
LB Keven Woods, MSVS
LB Carlos Fields, WSSU
LB Brandon Hepburn, FAMU
LB Brandon Houston, Morehouse
LB Corey Jones, Lane
LB Ernest Adjei, Delaware St
http://www.hbcuclassics.com
violet123
December 24th, 2012
11:12 am
We love you FALCONS!!!. Keep up the good work.
violet123
December 24th, 2012
11:14 am
I asked Santa Claus for Falcons to win the Super Bowl.
Dwayne
December 24th, 2012
11:17 am
HBCU…no one cares
ramguy68
December 24th, 2012
11:21 am
lol….Just heard Skip Bayless on 1st Take that he wouldn’t have picked SF if…………lol
WD
December 24th, 2012
11:28 am
I love the birds and been a fan all my life. But I;m scared to death we’re gonna be one and done again. Seattle will most likely win the wild card and adavnce which means we will probably draw them. Seems like we draw the hottest team in the league every year. Lets hope we can get past the first round but I;m not sure we can stop Seattle.
FalconPride70
December 24th, 2012
11:32 am
San Fran beat the Patriots then last night they look like a one and done football team. We shut out the Super Bowl champs and the lead story wasnt the Falcons convinced me(Sports Commentators) But how the NFC East was shook up..
I havent figured what it is about this team that(Sports Commentators) have issues with giving them their due this season.
It is what it is That alone should keep them motivated and push through to the Super Bowl!
not convinced about not convinced
December 24th, 2012
11:34 am
@not convinced: I’m not convinced that you’re not a D-bag. In fact I’m convinced that I’m leaning that way.
flatsdawg1
December 24th, 2012
11:36 am
The Falcons offense is among the best, if not the best ,despite a very spotty running game,porous defense but they don’t care about numbers, they just keep opponents out of the end zone enough and Ryan and company do their thing. Great team chemistry.The thing about them is they are very mature, and have learned how to win as a team, which is huge. They can do the impossible, hell they have already advanced and they didn’t even have to play! Matt Ryan and company are who you want with the game on the line.Let’s do this Dirty Birds! Do it for Tony and do it for your fanbase, yourselves, and the idiots who say we can’t!
Falcons 73
December 24th, 2012
11:39 am
This will be my new stupid argument for all the idiots that post “until the Falcons win in the playoffs they will not earn any respect”.
The Falcons went to the Super Bowl with a 14-2 in 1998 and will do so again this year. Pretty stupid, but if you want to use “previous history argument” then here’s mine.
TUG MAN
December 24th, 2012
11:50 am
i just like to wish my falcons fans a very merry xmas keep the faith.falcons for life!!!!!!!!! you know!!!!!!! yeah!!!!! peace&love to all falcons fans A T L baby!!!!
Pete
December 24th, 2012
11:51 am
“Atlanta earned a first-round bye, home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and will play the lowest-seeded wild card team to advance to the divisional round. ”
Huh? Both wild card teams could lose; they do not play each other like in baseball.
“During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams ”
Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?
True Falcon Fan
December 24th, 2012
12:00 pm
Check the record, out of the last 16 SuperBowls – the records of the winning teams won their 16th and final games of the season vs losers – the record is 13 & 3 — the moral of the story/record is “The Falcons need to Win the sixteenth game” re: next Sunday the Tampa Bay Bucs —- Folks we need this next game!
Go Falcons — Bucs next
flatsdawg1
December 24th, 2012
12:00 pm
In the NFL, you have to be the best team in the playoffs, which is what we ran into the last couple of times, in fact the last three teams we faced went on to the Super Bowl and two of them won it. We are that team this year. We are ready.Yea Seattle looked like that team last night but we can beat them,and anybody else. Those that say Atlanta doesn’t scare anybody, maybe that’s a psychological advantage for us, if you’re not scared of a team that has won 13 or 14 games then that’s your problem! To ” Not convinced” like Tommy told Cole on the Martin Lawrence show, Cole, you stoopid! it’s like saying the president is not presidential material, whether you like his politics or not , he’s the president!
Answered All Questions
December 24th, 2012
12:02 pm
@ TUG MAN
Thank you… Happy holidays to you also…..No Place like Atlanta. That’s why the transplant keep coming….For those who say it’s because of a job transfer, I say we have a good economy. So keep enjoying the southern hospitality and have a happy holiday….Go FALCONS…..RISE UP….
FalconPride70
December 24th, 2012
12:03 pm
We need more Ahole attitudes on defense and Swagger to win it All… Rise up!
KC Falcon
December 24th, 2012
12:06 pm
DLed, Please convince me Not Convinced is not Choke. I thought we were gonna work on these Double URL handles. The lives of these people are really complete with they crap in the punchbowl.
C from Marietta
December 24th, 2012
12:08 pm
@ Pete
The first round of the playoffs are called the ‘Wild Card Round”
okeetee
December 24th, 2012
12:10 pm
“ATL Falcons defense is really weak.”
….I guess you haven’t seen our secondary all year long! As strong as it’s EVER been! Our defensive line could stand to put a tad bit more pressure on the quarterback, but other than that, are defense is tough! They’ve come through all year when our offense was having an off day……and now our offense is clicking like a well oiled machine!
Pete
December 24th, 2012
12:16 pm
C, thanks I know that but still those statements are incorrect, or highly misleading at best. Ive never heard a 3 and 4 seed team called a “Wild Card” team, or seeing “4 Wild Card teams” (within one Conference) anywhere else, but maybe I missed it somewhere.
goFalcons
December 24th, 2012
12:19 pm
Falcons are the best of all the rest! 3 weeks to get ready for the playoffs, Nobody is taking this week to study the Bucs, Then the final week to study for the team the Falcons will play but the Falcons will have a good head start over the other team! What a Magical Season the Falcons are giving us! GO Falcons!
dean
December 24th, 2012
12:22 pm
Thanks DLed. Hope the leg gets better soon. Merry Christmas and hope you have a great ‘13!
Go Falcons!
Larry the Falcon
December 24th, 2012
12:38 pm
Talk is cheap….shut up and PROVE IT!
wisconsinfalcons fan
December 24th, 2012
12:59 pm
stay focus, we get a lead go for the kill take them out of the game, why do we let teams back in the game, we have to keep pressure on who we play it is play-off now no more mr. nice guy b.s. whoever we play it will be their end of the season not ours, JUST WIN BABY
Nativebird
December 24th, 2012
1:07 pm
Falcons PLAYERS have brought it this year and deserve ALL the credit for where they are and the opportinity that have. The performance of the HEAD COACH and coaching staff will determine if they have what it takes to not LET THIS TEAM DOWN in THe playoffs. Bottom line: will Mike Smith continue his trend of being the MARV LEVY of the 21st century NFL. Because so far, thats EXACTLY what he is becoming.
Go Falcons..!!
December 24th, 2012
1:35 pm
@nativebird
I agree NB. What happens in the playoffs will be more of a reflection on Coaching than anything else. Come Coach. You can do it.
Go Falcons..!!
Big Al
December 24th, 2012
1:36 pm
Keep on talking Falcons. Sure hope Green Bay comes back to town.
Discount DoubleDawg
December 24th, 2012
1:40 pm
Mike Smith is the 2nd most winningest coach in the history of the NFL through 5 seasons. I feel really good about Coach Smith during the regular season. Everyone knows the playoffs are a different beast and this is the year he has to show that he and his staff have learned something about how to approach playing fooball in January.
I think this is the year he shows he has what it takes. I am a believer in Coach Smith and Matt Ryan. I see us at least going as far as the NFC Chamionship game, if not to the big game.
Go Falcons!
Merry Christmas!
1stn10
December 24th, 2012
1:43 pm
@Not Convinced
I’m not convinced you have the balls to say that to Weathersppon.
D man
December 24th, 2012
1:48 pm
This is our year
D man
December 24th, 2012
1:53 pm
Face it world, the Falcons are the best team this year. We beat the beloved Broncos. We beat the beloved Giants who beat up the beloved Niners and Packers. We beat the Cowboys, Redskins, and Eagles who all beat playoff teams this year. We have the best scoring Offense and Defense combination in the NFL. We have the best wide receiving corp in the league. You can spin any other team any way you want but the fact is, we have the best record in the NFL this year for a reason, we are the best…
colorado falcons fan
December 24th, 2012
1:56 pm
The big difference between this team and the teams of the last two seasons is Dirk Koetter, Mike Nolan, Asante Samuel & Robert McClain in the nickel. (Nolan’s schemes make guys like Spoon, Moore and Decoud dangerous.) That’s a huge improvement in all areas! Throw in Julio too since Jenkins was our #2 WR when we played the Pack.
The one area where we are worse is Turner. We are toast in 3rd or 4th and one unless we throw it.
NFC South Champs
December 24th, 2012
2:00 pm
… seriously the best.
aint hater
December 24th, 2012
2:05 pm
Pete they have to scout the 4,5, and 6th seed because we could play any of those 3 depending on who wins. We cannot play the 3rd seed. So the article is correct.
atlantaALLDAY
December 24th, 2012
2:08 pm
TO ALL THE FAKE a$$$$$ FALCON FANS FIRST THEY SAY THEY REAL FANS THEN SAY THEY FEAR US BEING 1 AND DONE HOW DO THAT SOUND IM WILLING TO BET MY RENT ON THIS YEARS TEAM ASANTE IS WHAT WE BEEN LACKING HE GOT HIS SWAGG RUNING THROUGH THE WHOLE DEF AND OUR DEF CORD. IS A GENIUS EVERY 1 ON THE FIELD IS PLAYING GROWN MAN FOOT BALL ANY TEAM WE PLAY IN FIRST ROUND WILL GET SHOWED THE EXIT
Atlanta Falcons: Joe Hawley added to active roster | Atlanta Falcons
December 24th, 2012
2:12 pm
[...] ‘Different team’ vows to end playoff flops [...]
GA Dome
December 24th, 2012
2:22 pm
This team doesn’t care what the experts or warm weather fans think. They are on a mission, respect will be earned when the first play off game is won. Used to be any team entering the play offs was judged by their play off experience, yeah that is no longer the case. Now a days we have talking heads who have the all information relating to who the bets teams are and the Falcons are minimally mentioned. Let them talk their game while the Falcons will be playing the game to win.
GA Dome
December 24th, 2012
2:25 pm
Footnote: Falcons have playoff experience, now they know what needs to be done next.
DawgNole
December 24th, 2012
2:50 pm
True Falcon Fan
December 24th, 2012
12:00 pm
Check the record, out of the last 16 SuperBowls – the records of the winning teams won their 16th and final games of the season vs losers – the record is 13 & 3 — the moral of the story/record is “The Falcons need to Win the sixteenth game” re: next Sunday the Tampa Bay Bucs —- Folks we need this next game!
Go Falcons — Bucs next
____________________
Excellent point! Anyone who doesn’t believe it need only look at the 1980 Falcons, who lost their last (supposedly “meaningless”) regular-season game (vs LA Rams), then followed that with a 4Q collapse against the Cowboys. The franchise struggled again for years after that disaster.
Losing should NEVER be a part of the equation.
Michael M.
December 24th, 2012
2:53 pm
This has been a fun year for the fans and the Falcons and the fun will continue all the way to the Superbowl in the Superdome with the Falcons winning the Lombardi Trophy. The Trolls and the haters can clean up the mess down there after the Fabulous Falcons destroy their Super Bowl opponent.
The NFC game…………..Seahawks, Packers, Niners, bring em on…………..its one game at a time, onwards and upwards, with the Falcons who think they suppose to win every time they touch a football field. Too much talent and too many weapons on offense and defense .
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 24th, 2012
3:07 pm
don’t TELL Me just DO IT.
Win Playoff games that is all that matters.
DawgNole
December 24th, 2012
3:09 pm
Pete
December 24th, 2012
11:51 am
“Atlanta earned a first-round bye, home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and will play the lowest-seeded wild card team to advance to the divisional round. ”
Huh? Both wild card teams could lose; they do not play each other like in baseball.
“During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams ”
Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?
______________________
Who told you there are only 2 wildcard teams?
“Huh?” indeed.
1 & Done
December 24th, 2012
3:17 pm
Give up 522 yards and see how fast the off season starts.
1 & Done
December 24th, 2012
3:20 pm
Hey Matty Ice, it’s me destiny.
DawgPile
December 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
30-24 48-21 24-2
Get those lotto numbers…..
ha ha
SouthernEnglishMan
December 24th, 2012
3:47 pm
A Georgia boy dies and goes to Hell
When he gets there, one of Satan’s minions puts him to work
About a week later, the Devil asked how the GA boy was?
The minion replied, he was happy and just whistling away.
Devil told him to turn the heat up.
Another week and the Devil again inquired
Minion said he was still having a good old time.
He said this time turn the heat down to freezing.
Another week goes by and the Devil again asks
The minion replies that he is now dancing
The Devil is bewildered and goes to see him
The Devil asked why the GA boy was so happy.
The man replied, when I got here, it was as warm as a GA spring day
Later on, it got hot and it made me think of home in the summer.
But when hell froze, I knew the Falcons had won the Super bowl.
Rise Up...in my pants
December 24th, 2012
3:49 pm
HBCUclassics: Thanks for the updates. All that matters is that Tuskegee won the SIAC.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 24th, 2012
3:50 pm
DawgPile
December 24th, 2012
3:23 pm
30-24 48-21 24-2
Get those lotto numbers…..
ha ha
===================================
Hey STUPID what do those LOTTO numbers have to do with the FALCONS?
Go spew that COLLEGE crap on the college blogs.
This is about the FALCONS and the Playoffs.
Pete
December 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
DawgNole……are you serious? The NFL told me (and everyone else) there are only 2 WC teams in each conference. 4 Div winers and 2 WC = 6 teams. Wow; thats a scary comment.
Pete
December 24th, 2012
4:08 pm
AintHater: “Pete they have to scout the 4,5, and 6th seed because we could play any of those 3 depending on who wins. We cannot play the 3rd seed. So the article is correct.”
You didnt read my comment very well. What you say is 100% true re: who we may play in round 1. What I was questioning was the article said there are 4 WC teams, when in fact there are only 2 WC teams. Also since both WC’s could lose, we may be playing a Div winner and not a WC team for our first game.
Exiled!
December 24th, 2012
4:11 pm
I luv the Atlanta Falcons and I luv Arthur Blank….eghhh..but despite their record,this team aint convincing.
PERIOD!
They have never thrashed anybody,untill the New York Giants. And to be fair,the NY Giants are a fallen Giant,not the same team of a year ago.
But I will giv the Falcons a pass.
Prove yourself in the playoffs…beat San Fransisco,beat Peyton again,beat Aaron Rogers,beat Seatle and beat Brady..any of those guys..in the playoffs,then the Falcons can get some repect.
I am buying the playoff tickets this Thursday.
God luck!
DawgNole
December 24th, 2012
4:43 pm
Pete
December 24th, 2012
4:00 pm
DawgNole……are you serious? The NFL told me (and everyone else) there are only 2 WC teams in each conference. 4 Div winers and 2 WC = 6 teams. Wow; thats a scary comment.
_____________________
Let’s see now, Pete, here’s your original comment: “Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?”
Now I see–in response to my comment on your ignorant statement that there are “only 2 wild card teams”–that you’ve corrected your original comment to “2 WC teams IN EACH CONFERENCE.”
OK, Pete, follow me carefully here. TWO WC teams in EACH of TWO conferences = FOUR WC teams. DUH! Get it now, Pete?
Better go pick up your lump of coal and bag of switches for mindlessly trying to CYA on a football blog.
Ho-Ho-Ho.
Doug
December 24th, 2012
4:48 pm
Falcons- no run game
Passing game -so so
1st round playoffs- see ya just like years past
Daily Aued
December 24th, 2012
4:52 pm
An epic setting impulse figure lofty apathies. Considerable advance thus.
okeetee
December 24th, 2012
5:03 pm
“The big difference between this team and the teams of the last two seasons is Dirk Koetter, Mike Nolan, Asante Samuel & Robert McClain in the nickel.”
BINGO! No question, the biggest improvement this year from the last 5 years has been our secondary! These guys are athletic, quick, and most importantly SMART! They actually KNOW where they are suppose to be when the defensive huddle breaks! No more WIDEOPEN receivers or guys coming out of the backfield! And when considering who we may play the first game in Atlanta, it seems to me that the other playoff teams are getting worse and hurt while we are getting better and healthier! Yeah, the SeaHawks are coming on, but have a rookie quarterback. The 49ers lost 2 receivers last night and they won’t be coming back anytime soon! The Packers are getting healthy, but clearly not the same team that slapped 50 points on us 2 years ago. Let’s put it this way: No matter who we play the first game or the second game, the bookies will have us as a favorite in the betting line!
okeetee
December 24th, 2012
5:09 pm
“Give up 522 yards and see how fast the off season starts.”
…..yeah, but NO TOUCHDOWN passes! You failed to mention that! Those yards were gained for the most part after this game was already decided. Besides, we’ll tighten up our defense even more and especially in the red zone!
okeetee
December 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
“Falcons- no run game
Passing game -so so”
….so so passing game? What, are you Stevie Wonders brother? Or is it Ray Charles? Run game would be nice but not necessary when the rules clearly cater to the passing game anyway! Can’t touch the receiver, can’t hit the quarterback, etc, etc, etc. Plus, you’re not going to find a smarter cookie than Matt Ryan when it comes to managing a game! He generally doesn’t throw the ball up for grabs and is fantastic at throwing it away to live another play!
DawgPile
December 24th, 2012
5:36 pm
This team’s biggest problem is they get a cushy mediocre regular season and then when the playoffs start they are not prepared for the stiffer playoff competition.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 24th, 2012
5:40 pm
okeetee
December 24th, 2012
5:13 pm
“Falcons- no run game
Passing game -so so”
….so so passing game? What, are you Stevie Wonders brother? Or is it Ray Charles?
===========================================
I would say even Ray Charles would know how good a passing game the Falcons have. Blind People have GREAT hearing so even he could HEAR all the Completed Passes….lol
okeetee
December 24th, 2012
5:53 pm
“This team’s biggest problem is they get a cushy mediocre regular season and then when the playoffs start they are not prepared for the stiffer playoff competition”
….we’ve beaten 4 teams this year that went to the playoffs last year and 3 teams that will be in the playoffs this year! We can’t help the schedule they gave us! We’ve beaten enough good teams, both on the road and in our house to know we can compete with and beat any team in this years playoff picture. Plus, we get ALL of them at HOME!
Pete
December 24th, 2012
6:21 pm
Dawg: “Now I see–in response to my comment on your ignorant statement that there are “only 2 wild card teams”–that you’ve corrected your original comment to “2 WC teams IN EACH CONFERENCE.”
No one else (except you) needs clarification because the subject being discussed was who were the Falcons going to play. Follow along….DOL said “During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams since they could end up facing any of them except the No. 3 seed in the divisional round.”
Since the rest of us know that our opponent has to be an NFC team, my comment re: there being only 2 WC teams (not 4) needs no clarification, excet for you. Or would you want to scout the 2 AFC WC teams as well? No surprise if you do.
Dirt Nap
December 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Everybody chill out,Gruden’s giving us some love!
Pete
December 24th, 2012
8:20 pm
Falcons will lay waste to whomever their 1st playoff opponent is. Take that to the bank; this is a MUCH improved team from previous 4 years.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
December 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Anybody watching the Hawaii Bowl?
Atlanta Falcons: Joe Hawley added to active roster FEATURED ARTICLE | Falcons - NFC South Daily | Atlanta Falcons Blog
December 24th, 2012
8:29 pm
[...] ‘Different team’ vows to end playoff flops [...]
jo
December 24th, 2012
8:59 pm
Falcons have weak spots like every team. However, in the three games the falcons were determined to win as key tests of their legitimacy (nola ii, giants, lions) they did. The falcons may have been sloppy against Carolina, but the rest of the season is inspiring and I see no one that is better than the falcons including the flavor of the week (and weak away from Seattle) seahawks.
Pete
December 24th, 2012
9:21 pm
Amen, Jo.
Ken Norman
December 24th, 2012
9:26 pm
All we need is three playoff wins for our first Super Bowl Championship, and to do it in New Orleans, that would be the best ever.
mgm
December 24th, 2012
10:24 pm
The previous three seasons that the Falcons made the playoffs they ran into teams that all were very hot going into the playoffs. All three went to the Super Bowl and only Arizona didn’t win it but they came very close and were arguably the worst of the three teams that beat Atlanta. Don’t look now but this seasons playoffs scenario is pointing toward Atlanta playing Seattle in the first round. Seattle will probably get the #5 seed (San Fran will beat Arizona and Seattle will beat the Rams in the final week). Seattle will play either Dallas or Wash in the first round and quite frankly they are better than both of those teams. Seattle is peaking and they have an X Factor QB, a strond defense and they play tough. They just dismantled three straight teams and hung 50 points on the first 2 and over 40 on San Fran. The bottom line is, Atlanta may be cursed with facing another Super Bowl Bound up and coming team a la Arizona, Green Bay, New York. Good Luck.
Delbert D.
December 24th, 2012
10:53 pm
Yeah, but. there is always a but. Two of the three teams they score 150 on were Arizona and Buffalo. The other was San Francisco’s equivalent of a Carolina moment at Seattle. However, the Seahawks do look very impressive this late in the season. Tough D, and Russell Wilson is a helluva QB. I’d like to see the Falcons play them.
Falcons Fan
December 24th, 2012
11:30 pm
Hey Falcons,
No. 92 SMU
ChipperisGod
December 24th, 2012
11:30 pm
Rise up guys! This is your year! Take it!!!!!
meme
December 24th, 2012
11:37 pm
As Chuck Smith said in ‘98 The whole can SHUT UP if ‘they’ don’t give us any respect then ya just have take it from them!!
meme
December 24th, 2012
11:40 pm
whole world (crap)
Mora less Petrino
December 25th, 2012
2:53 am
Merry Christmas to all you Falcons fans, and a lump of coal to all the trolls!
convinced
December 25th, 2012
6:30 am
yes the falcons will lose in first round of the playoffs!
Me Too
December 25th, 2012
7:00 am
It’s not the same team!! It is the same head coach who will not change. It’s the coach who will prevent the Falcons from winning in the playoffs. You can’t continue to do the same thing and expect a different outcome.
Thomas Brown
December 25th, 2012
7:34 am
+++++++++++++
Merry Christmas !
+++++++++++++
In the NFC, there are 4 Wild Card Play-Off Games’ Opponents, since the 2 worst-rated divisional winners have to play the 2 Wild Card teams, while the top 2 teams earned a bye. Wild Card Weekend, the Falcons are off as the # 1 seed. We aren’t 1 of the 4 Wild Card Games’ Opponents playing in those 2 NFL Wild Card Play-Off Games.
13-3 aside, the Falcons do not need to be getting injured to prove some statistic when we have earned our home field advantage throughout the play-offs, so that we can reach the Super Bowl.
You play your top players to begin the game. You substitute freely, getting all involved. You tell the players that your goal is to win the Divisional Play-Off Round. Obviously, the Falcons have been getting this wrong, too.
Tampa ?
I could give a rats’ behind if we beat Tampa or not. I do not want any of our players injured. Or, nagging injuries.
Then, we have 2 weeks before the Divisional Play-Off 2nd Round game against the worse-rated of the 2 Wild Card Play-Off Opponents remaining. Since the # 2 seed is also a bye for the Wild Card Play-Off 1st Round, we cannot play them. That team is not determined, and therefore by Heavens they both must play hard this weekend at all costs to get the bye.
Bye week we have to practice hard in pads even though it is week 18, not counting the 4 pre-season games.
It has been a long season. We are not a team with a ton of talent sitting on the sidelines. We rely upon our starters far more heavily than other teams who are also likely to go deep in the Play-Offs.
I am glad we’re having this discussion so that it can be clear what our strategies are and are not for week # 17 and week # 18.
It’s week # 19 that counts, and nothing else does.
If we can actually win week # 19, then there are other goals – AFTER THAT.
Week # 20.
If you have a huge advantage in week # 19, you do the same thing : Protect your Starters from injury.
This is not against the rules of the NFL, and it is the Right you earned by having earned the Home Field Advantage throughout the Play-Offs so that you’re able to earn the berth to the Super Bowl.
I believe if we concentrate in the city of Atlanta on what is important to the Falcons, winning week # 19, we will clearly see that we do not need to risk injury to any Starter against Tampa. And, even more so, we have players who clearly need to rest.
You start the Starters. You freely substitute. You let them get back in for some plays to be sharp, and it matters not 1 iota whether you lose to a sorry Tampa team or not. It is difficult to grasp sometimes what is important. This is not college football.
Falcons have failed to flip the switch at the right moment 45 years in a row. Most of those times we had nothing. We would take our 1st Round Pick and waste it. Now, our 1st Round Picks count. We’re still thin. This is Mike Smith’s 5th year, Matt Ryan’s 5th year, and our Defense and Running Games need all the Starters Able-Bodied after this 21-week season already including pre-season games. This is a pre-season game for the Falcons, and nothing more.
I do not want to see Matt Ryan sacked in the 4th quarter with a shoulder injury, and those who are confused about the NFL MVP 2012 needing to win, are fans in a city who for 45 years’ to-date, have not known what to do and have no experience to know.
Tony Gonzalez we do not need to be injured. We have 6 nagging injuries as it is. I do not care about Tampa. I care only about week # 19, not counting the pre-season. You need to peak at the right moment. That moment is NOT Sunday.
Esquire
December 25th, 2012
8:07 am
Merry Christmas from New York City!!!
WE ARE THE MIGHTY MIGHTY FALCONS!!!
D-BLOCK
December 25th, 2012
8:40 am
We Love Our Falcons. No one’s saying it but 11 other NFL teams do not want to face the FALCONS in the playoffs. “RISE UP ATLANTA”
Let's hate the Caints together
December 25th, 2012
8:50 am
Unless they allow fewer than 217 yards to the Panthers Sunday the
caints will surpass the 1981 Baltimore Colts as the worst defense of all time.
Aint it great!!!!
Fan since 66
December 25th, 2012
9:40 am
Merry Christmas All…Isn’t it wonderful that we have the problem of trying to decide who plays in our last regular season game? I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we ARE an elite team now, whether the Natl. Media thinks so or not)! Since the hiring of Thomas Dimitroff and Coach Smith, we have been on a steady uphill climb. Granted, we have not reached the Promised Land, but by golly, we have our GPS units set on the Superdome and we know what to do to get there. Let’s all take a moment to realize how lucky we are to have hung our hats on the Falcons. We may not be the best, (yet), but we have a darn good team and a good organization behind it representing us in the NFL. Be thankful, my friends! And to all, Merry Christmas…be safe on the roads!
Go Falcons!
ATLRU
December 25th, 2012
9:41 am
ATL will roll through the playoffs–they will beat Green Bay and SF easily on the way to the Super bowl–book it! No team in the nFc matches up with the ATL!!! Rise up!! ATL will not be beat!
Georgia
December 25th, 2012
10:14 am
The Falcons are the worst 13-2 team in the NFL. Don’t you just love them! How did they win all those games? I dont know. Who cares? Go Falcons!!!
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 25th, 2012
10:50 am
COME ON ATLANTA FALCONS!!!!!I,M A DIE HARD FAN BRING A CHAMPIONSHIP TO THIS CHAMPIONSHIP STARVED CITY..SHOCK THE WORLD!!and make a liar out of a lot of folks..the joy you would bring to this very racialy divided crime infested city would be tremendous !!their would be dancing in the street on peachtree..as a 34 year resident hear much has changed to my dislike(too many norttherners from the slums of the north)but one thing has not changed LOVE MY ATLANTA FALCONS!!!GEORGIA DOME MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLY LOUD FOR FALCON OPPONENTS IN THE PLAYOFFS SO LOUD THEY WILL HAVE TO HAVE HEARING AIDS!!!!!!
Thrash
December 25th, 2012
10:58 am
All the teams in the NFC that looked mean & scary a few weeks ago look pretty disheveled and weak now. San Fran? Weak. Giants? Pathetic. Packers? Maybe, but which teams shows up, especially on the road to ATL? Dallas? Be serious. Chicago? Don’t make me laugh. Minnesota? If you shut down AP and the game is yours, big IF though. Seattle, gold at home, crap on the road. Just play your game as you have all year Falcons, no need to get fancy and/or stupid now.
Big Al
December 25th, 2012
11:28 am
Thrash, don’t you remember the last time the Packers came to town for a playoff game? Same thing might be coming again. Geaux Packers!!!!
Samuel
December 25th, 2012
11:30 am
Teams gain yards on the defense, but they don’t score points. The offense when clicking is a quick strike offense. In the Georgia dome, if that running game improves during the course of the playoffs,there’s know telling how far this team can go. The fans have to be the twelfth man. It’s on, go Dirty Birds!!
Fan since 66
December 25th, 2012
11:48 am
@Thrash…Good points. The two that worry me the most are the Pack and the Seahawks. The Pack, because they seem to be on somewhat of a roll with 4 wins, albeit against mediocre teams. This weeks game against the Vikings will tell us more. Seattle had some impressive numbers against teams in the last 3 weeks. The win over the 49ers, however was against a team that was playing on a short week after a very tough win on Monday. Plus, they were playing at home. The ‘Hawks are great at home, not so much on the road. In the Ga. Dome, they may be in trouble. Guess we’ll see what happens after this week’s games. All in all, I like the Falcons’ chances if they play like they did the last couple of weeks. Good time to peak!
Go Falcons!
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
12:59 pm
“Seattle is peaking and they have an X Factor QB, a strong defense and they play tough.”
…yeah, that x factor at quarterback is ROOKIE…..and you can’t tell me that coming into the Georgia Dome he’s not going to make a few mistakes that we can capitalize on and win that game!!! Plus, they have to play that extra game, perhaps pick up a few injuries…..and then there’s the long trip from the west coast to the east coast….which they have not handled very well at all! I’ll take my chances with Seattle…..they’re hot…..but I’d rather avoid Green Bay until absolutely necessary!
Fan since 66
December 25th, 2012
1:12 pm
@Okeetee, agreed. I don’t think Wilson could handle the noise at the Dome. They love their home field, but don’t do so well on the road. Combine that with a delirious Atlanta crowd, and I see a bevy of mistakes made by them. Green Bay doesn’t scare me as much as they used to, but get them in the post-season, and you never know what you’re gonna’ get! Ditto on avoiding them if at all possible.
Go Falcons!
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
Pete
December 24th, 2012
6:21 pm
Dawg: “Now I see–in response to my comment on your ignorant statement that there are “only 2 wild card teams”–that you’ve corrected your original comment to “2 WC teams IN EACH CONFERENCE.”
No one else (except you) needs clarification because the subject being discussed was who were the Falcons going to play. Follow along….DOL said “During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams since they could end up facing any of them except the No. 3 seed in the divisional round.”
Since the rest of us know that our opponent has to be an NFC team, my comment re: there being only 2 WC teams (not 4) needs no clarification, excet for you. Or would you want to scout the 2 AFC WC teams as well? No surprise if you do.
________________________
No one else except me? Is that why you had to clarify for the others multiple times what you meant by your original ignorant statement?
You just keep posting your dumbazz remarks. Maybe you’ll finally get it right. Try holding your breath in the meantime.
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
Thomas Brown
December 25th, 2012
7:34 am
+++++++++++++
Merry Christmas !
+++++++++++++
_____________________
Merry Christmas to you as well, Thomas Brown, although I respectfully (for once) disagree wih you on the importance of Sunday’s game with Tampa Bay.
Substitute freely, yes, but WIN the game. Or else why even keep score?
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
1:39 pm
Dirt Nap
December 24th, 2012
8:06 pm
Everybody chill out,Gruden’s giving us some love!
_____________________
Just win–and the respect will come.
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
1:40 pm
Put in Timeout . . .
December 24th, 2012
8:26 pm
Anybody watching the Hawaii Bowl?
_____________________
Guess not.
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
1:46 pm
mgm
December 24th, 2012
10:24 pm
The previous three seasons that the Falcons made the playoffs they ran into teams that all were very hot going into the playoffs. All three went to the Super Bowl and only Arizona didn’t win it but they came very close and were arguably the worst of the three teams that beat Atlanta. Don’t look now but this seasons playoffs scenario is pointing toward Atlanta playing Seattle in the first round. Seattle will probably get the #5 seed (San Fran will beat Arizona and Seattle will beat the Rams in the final week). Seattle will play either Dallas or Wash in the first round and quite frankly they are better than both of those teams. Seattle is peaking and they have an X Factor QB, a strond defense and they play tough. They just dismantled three straight teams and hung 50 points on the first 2 and over 40 on San Fran. The bottom line is, Atlanta may be cursed with facing another Super Bowl Bound up and coming team a la Arizona, Green Bay, New York. Good Luck.
____________________
Based on their playoff history, the Falcons will need that good luck. Seattle looks formidable here at season’s end, but I’d rather face them than a team we’ve already beaten this year (i.e. Redskins, Cowboys, Giants). Hard to beat the same team in the playoffs that you’ve already handled in the regular season.
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
1:52 pm
Fan since 66
December 25th, 2012
9:40 am
Merry Christmas All…Isn’t it wonderful that we have the problem of trying to decide who plays in our last regular season game?
_______________________
Co-sign!
Big Al
December 25th, 2012
1:55 pm
Looks like to me that Falcon fans are skeered of dah Packers. You should be skeered. The Packers are peaking at the right time.
Rick in Warner Robins
December 25th, 2012
3:07 pm
If something isn’t done about the defensive secondary, the Falcons will be one and done in the playoffs. Dunta Robinson is useless…couldn’t cover a 90 year old, blind man running a pass route. Calvin Johnson made him look like an idiot Saturday night. Sad thing is, he’s not the first receiver and won’t be the last. Robinson is a detriment to the team. Assante Samuel isn’t much better…maybe just a notch above Robinson. Between that and the lack of offensive line blocking, we won’t go far by only being able to pass. All a team has to do is blitz Ryan and the passing game will be worthless, as well.
Pete
December 25th, 2012
5:04 pm
Dawg: “You just keep posting your dumbazz remarks. Maybe you’ll finally get it right. Try holding your breath in the meantime.”
I stated there were 2 WC teams (+ 1 Div winner) the Falcons needed to scout. You insisted there are 4 WC teams, so make sure and consider the 2 AFC WC teams as well. Brilliant idea.
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
5:24 pm
“If something isn’t done about the defensive secondary, the Falcons will be one and done in the playoffs. Dunta Robinson is useless…couldn’t cover a 90 year old, blind man running a pass route. Calvin Johnson made him look like an idiot Saturday night.”
…..hey numbnuts…..you watching the same games we are??? Our secondary is without question the STRONGEST part of our defense! They have been fabulous throughout the season! Nobody completely shuts down an opponents passing attack in todays NFL. The rules are set up to give all the advantages to the quarterback and his receivers! Yeah, Johnson got a ton of yards….but DIDN’T cross the goal line, did he? Our secondary is quick, athletic and SMART! The defensive schemes our new guy has been using have worked extremely well! Picked off Peyton Manning 3 or 4 times. Picked off Brezzs 5 times. Picked off Eli Manning 3 more times! Plus, our secondary is DEEP! When we go to a nickel the guy that comes in does very well…..when our 1st stringers need a breather, the guys who come in don’t miss a beat! Best secondary we have EVER, EVER, EVER had! So you are either on drugs or blind or both! If we win the NFC and get to the Super Bowl, you can bet alot of it will have to do with the solid play of our secondary!
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
5:30 pm
“Looks like to me that Falcon fans are skeered of dah Packers. You should be skeered. The Packers are peaking at the right time.”
…not scared of them, just respect Aaron Rogers and what he has done and can do! Our secondary is much improved since the last time he came in here and torched us for 50 points. But, that being said, we’d just as soon avoid him or at least avoid him till the last game, if possible, kapeesh? I’m sure the Packer fans have their preference in whom they would like to play in the first round. Probably would love to knock off the Vikings and have the banged up, offensively challenged Bears come into Lambeua than have to play the Vikings two weeks in a row and deal with Adrian Peterson!!!
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
7:29 pm
Pete
December 25th, 2012
5:04 pm
Dawg: “You just keep posting your dumbazz remarks. Maybe you’ll finally get it right. Try holding your breath in the meantime.”
I stated there were 2 WC teams (+ 1 Div winner) the Falcons needed to scout. You insisted there are 4 WC teams, so make sure and consider the 2 AFC WC teams as well. Brilliant idea.
____________________
I “insisted”? No need to insist; there ARE 4 WC teams.
Let’s try again, Petey. Here’s your original statement, verbatim: “Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?”
Do you see “the Falcons needed to scout” in there. Nope. So not only are you posting ignorant statements, but untruthful ones as well.
Have you fainted yet from holding your breath? Bad boy.
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
7:53 pm
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
5:30 pm
…not scared of them, just respect Aaron Rogers and what he has done and can do! Our secondary is much improved since the last time he came in here and torched us for 50 points. But, that being said, we’d just as soon avoid him or at least avoid him till the last game, if possible, kapeesh?
__________________
We wouldn’t be playing the Packers in “the last game” (NFC vs AFC) in any event.
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
8:03 pm
“We wouldn’t be playing the Packers in “the last game” (NFC vs AFC) in any event.”
….don’t you think that I know the “last” game of the entire year is the Super Bowl? I was obviously referring to the last game to be played at the Georgia Dome for the NFC championship! So to review: most Falcon fans would rather play anybody but the Packers and Rogers…..until the championship game, which we should reach by beating the lowest seed that survives the first wild card weekend. It doesn’t appear that that would be Green Bay at any rate, but we wouldn’t mind Green Bay getting beat by anybody in the early round, if they, in fact, don’t get a bye week by being the second seed, which is still a possibility if they beat the Vikings this Sunday. The 49ers lost a golden opportunity to secure that second seed until they got waxed by the Sea Hawks Sunday night.
Big Al
December 25th, 2012
8:38 pm
Please, please, please, somebody please beat the Packers so that they will not have to come to Atlanta. I smells me a great big pile of Falcon Fear. Rogers just might light up the scoreboard in the Georgia Dome. He has done it before.
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
8:58 pm
“Please, please, please, somebody please beat the Packers so that they will not have to come to Atlanta. I smells me a great big pile of Falcon Fear.”
….not fear, respect! Who is your team by the way? Probably not even in the playoffs this year? If Rogers does come to Atlanta I can tell you one thing….it will be a lot closer than the last time……our secondary is much better and we can probably match him touchdown pass for touchdown pass!
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
9:23 pm
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
8:03 pm
….don’t you think that I know the “last” game of the entire year is the Super Bowl? I was obviously referring to the last game to be played at the Georgia Dome for the NFC championship!
______________________
Well, I hope you know; I was just going by what you wrote. I agree with you about the Packers, but hell, I can’t think of anyone left that I really “want” the Falcons to play. They’re all too good at this stage. I just hope they don’t play someone they’ve already beaten.
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
9:44 pm
” I just hope they don’t play someone they’ve already beaten”
…..I wouldn’t mind playing the Skins again. They are better than when we beat them earlier in the year, but then so are we! Plus, they also have a rookie quarterback….and as good as he’s been, he’ll make some mistakes, bad throws, bad decisions and we should be right there to capitalize on them! Hey, didn’t we beat Seattle in Seattle a couple of years ago, or was it last year? Well, in either case, unless we have an injury Sunday to a key player, we should be going in with a full deck, healthy and on a roll! .
DawgNole
December 25th, 2012
10:02 pm
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
9:44 pm
…..I wouldn’t mind playing the Skins again. They are better than when we beat them earlier in the year, but then so are we! Plus, they also have a rookie quarterback….and as good as he’s been, he’ll make some mistakes, bad throws, bad decisions and we should be right there to capitalize on them! Hey, didn’t we beat Seattle in Seattle a couple of years ago, or was it last year? Well, in either case, unless we have an injury Sunday to a key player, we should be going in with a full deck, healthy and on a roll! .
_________________
Seems harder to beat a team in the postseason when you’ve alredy beaten them once during the regular season. Chicago looks to me to be the most “vulnerable” of the potential opponents at this point.
Pete
December 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
Dawg: “Let’s try again, Petey. Here’s your original statement, verbatim: “Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?”
Do you see “the Falcons needed to scout” in there.”
Yes I do; heres the direct quote from the article (which I was commenting on) which you conveniently left out:
“During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams since they could end up facing any of them except the No. 3 seed in the divisional round.”
Thats when I said “Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?”
So if you think we should scout the 2 AFC WC teams, that speaks for itself.
Thomas Brown
December 25th, 2012
10:53 pm
Denver is a team no one has mentioned yet. They’re tough on defense against the run and against the pass, and they do have a quarterback and 2 capable running backs. I remember when they were 2-3 and not looking good with their imported quarterback. Now, they are 12-3 and look to me to be better than Green Bay.
Green Bay has a good defense, but not as good as Denver defending the pass, and especially not as good against the run. Green Bay’s quarterback has not set the world on fire 2012, has he ? Their running game is better than the Falcons’ running game, but that is about all they are better running the football than, too.
San Francisco has injury issues already. That is a big deal, and this is what I said about Tampa – that we need to avoid injuries at all costs against Tampa to our Starters, unlike San Francisco; and, therefore the Tampa game is important and I never said it was not : What I said is that the Tampa game is important for us because we do not need to beat them at all for any reason whatsoever – just keep our Starters from being injured such as Running Backs, such as Quarterback, such as Tight End, WR and OL and secondary and defense, and such as everyone. How many of the teams who lost in week 17 needed to win in week 17 to move up in the seeding ? We don’t. Who is San Francisco’s quarterback ?
New England has a quarterback whose 2007 season we are to compare against Matt Ryan’s 2012 season. But, they have no secondary.
Seattle. Russell Wilson ? Seriously ? Marshawn Lynch can run the football and so too can Russell Wilson, but quarterback Seattle ? No. They do have a good defense, but their QB passing the football is serious drawback to their 2012 Play-Off hopes and they have home field against no one with their 10-win season. They’re great because they have a tie ? Pardon me, they have no quarterback to pass the football, and are a 1-dimensional offense therefore.
Texans are a better football team than Seattle, and it is because Matt Schaub is better than Russell Wilson.
We need to get our running game going in week # 19. I care not 1 iota about Tampa, other than how important the game is that we do not have anyone injured in it.
Can you and DawgNole, cut it out please ?
Pete
December 25th, 2012
11:09 pm
Thomas, youre so right about Denver. If I had to predict which AFC team goes to the Super Bowl, Denver it is. Trying to convince Dawg we dont need to scout AFC WC teams is not as easy as it sounds.
okeetee
December 25th, 2012
11:31 pm
We won’t meet Denver or New England unless we end up in the Super Bowl. So forget about them right now. Looks like our first opponent in the playoffs will be Seattle. We’ve beaten them twice in the last two seasons, both in Seattle. They have a more talented quarterback now, but he’s still a rookie…and prone to rookie mistakes. Then it’s probably going to be the Packers. Well, we’ve got them at home….nothing more we can ask for. The team that makes the least mistakes, turns the ball over the least….and has the fewest penalties is probably going to win. That would be us.
Thomas Brown
December 25th, 2012
11:31 pm
Yes, but he did say Merry Christmas back to me. So, we will leave it at that, ok ? Denver is the best team in the NFL, if Knowshon Moreno in these Play-Offs does what Champ Bailey has done for 14 years defending the pass and supporting the run – before Champ Bailey goes on to the College and Professional Football Hall of Fames. Denver’s defense is better than our defense. I remember their other running back’s career at Miami of Florida and how he got injured too, and Willis McGahee and Knowshon Moreno are better than our running game.
Thomas Brown
December 26th, 2012
12:20 am
We don’t know whom it is we play in week # 19, but we do know we don’t want to play them with anyone injured, and that our focus is on week # 19; while our defense can ill afford any injury even a nagging one, while our running game can ill afford any injury either. There are other positions such as OL, WR, TE and QB which would be devastating to our game in week # 19. Seattle cannot compete Russell Wilson compared to Matt Ryan, so I am not concerned about them, either way, despite Seattle’s defense.
Denver is a whole other story.
Green Bay ? Green Bay matches up with us. I would not say that Green Bay is better than Denver can be. Matt Ryan 2012 is the difference between Green Bay and us. Aaron Rodgers is not going to light up our secondary like Matt Ryan will their secondary. Great game. I’ll take Matt Ryan 2012 to what Aaron Rodgers is doing 2012. And, frankly, I think we will do better running the football against Green Bay than we would do against anyone, and that is never good for a team defending Matt Ryan.
This is our Divisional Play-Off Round Opponent : Green Bay and I remain not impressed with Green Bay’s defense and fully expect them to be lit-up by Matt Ryan because the play-action will be there because we will run the football better against Green Bay than we’ve done against anyone. Matt Ryan has more upside in this game, as a result than Aaron Rodgers.
49ers beat Arizona, so Seattle is the # 5 seed. Washington and Dallas determine who Seattle plays in the Wild Card Weekend games. Washington can defend the pass. All Dallas has is Tony Romo. This game is far from determined, therefore, although Dallas is weak. So, if Washington wins despite their weakness against Dallas’ 1 strength, Seattle plays Washington.
Washington – Seattle match-up is an away game for Seattle, when they went undefeated at home in Seattle but no so on the road. This match-up is completely the opposite of Dallas – Washington where Tony Romo figures to light-up Washington’s poor secondary because Seattle has no quarterback who can throw the football with Russell Wilson. What Tony Romo can do to the porous secondary of Washington, Seattle will never do. Therefore I see Washington as week # 19 opponent at home for the Falcons.
We beat Washington here by a TD. Matt Ryan passes the football as well if not better than everyone in the NFL, and Washington has no secondary and figures to be lit-up.
ATL-WASH
Gary 32
December 26th, 2012
7:44 am
I started watching the Falcons upon there inception in 1966..I was 12 years old…I am now 58…needless to say I have seen an incredible amount of bad football and unlike some I realize we are in a renaissance period. This may be the best Falcons team ever…we shall see….GO FALCONS!!!!!
Big Al
December 26th, 2012
8:22 am
Okeetee!! I have been a Packers fan since the Lombardi years. They will pluck them Falcon feathers when they get the chance.
Mike is Back
December 26th, 2012
8:26 am
Dled, I agree with the sentiment of the TEAM…IF I’M THE BIRDS…I’m just pissed off and ready to take it out…on any team…THAT COMES TO DOME…during playoff!!
LESS KICK SOME ASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS****************************…BIRDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
okeetee
December 26th, 2012
9:44 am
“Okeetee!! I have been a Packers fan since the Lombardi years. They will pluck them Falcon feathers when they get the chance.”
….I grew up in Chicago and was a Bear fan during the Lombardi era! I hated the Packers with a passion during the Lombardi era for all the butt kickings they use to give the Bears year in and year out! Still hate them because of those flash back feelings! But have always respected Lombardi and now I respect Aaron Rogers! But this is a much better Falcon team, lack of running game not withstanding, than the one he slapped 50 points on 2 years ago! I’m just hoping your boys don’t come up with that 2nd seed and get to rest a week! The Falcons need all the help they can get if we play the Packers, and an extra game of bump and bruises can’t possibly hurt our chances!
Big Al
December 26th, 2012
10:21 am
Okeetee, that was real football. Used to love to watch the Bears or the Packers at Soldier Field or Lambeau. Good late season games with snow on the ground were fun to watch.
I will give you this much. If the Falcons can beat the Packers, I will be glad to show some respect to the Atlanta team. If they are going to get it done, it better be this year.
Pete
December 26th, 2012
10:29 am
Yeah the great game to watch will probably be Manning vs. Brady at some point, another brawl like those when Manning was in Indy. Shoud be fun.
@Davidbrownnn
December 26th, 2012
1:23 pm
Great article.
Check my upcoming tweets Mr. Cunningham & D. Orlando!
JuniorBridgeman
December 26th, 2012
1:42 pm
The Falcons at 13-2 have the best record in the league, but the media outside of atlanta is treating us as though we have the 30th best record in the league (dead last). Most media outlets have NOT jumped on the bandwagon and they have installed the favorites to advance far in the playoffs being the Broncos, Patriots, 49ers and Packers. The Falcons are considered the WEAKEST team of all the playoff contenders since we won the majority of the games in the closing seconds of games or due to miracle plays at the end of games. I know it seems like all of our wins are weak and shabby but we cant help it that the competition was soft this year. We have only had 3 convincing wins on our schedule, the broncos, lions and giants were games in which we dominated. The other wins we were quite fortunate to win and could have lost them all. in reality our record could easily be 3-12 right now instead of 13-2. I am hopeful that the Falcons will take the teams SERIOUSLY when the playoffs start so that they will hopefully play hard for entire games and not take off quarters and halfs so that, as coach smith always says, WE GET THE OUTCOME THAT WE WANT.
DawgNole
December 26th, 2012
3:48 pm
Pete
December 25th, 2012
10:19 pm
Dawg: “Let’s try again, Petey. Here’s your original statement, verbatim: “Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?”
Do you see “the Falcons needed to scout” in there.”
Yes I do; heres the direct quote from the article (which I was commenting on) which you conveniently left out:
“During the bye week Smith and his staff will have to scout three of the four wild-card teams since they could end up facing any of them except the No. 3 seed in the divisional round.”
Thats when I said “Huh? There are only 2 wild card teams. Who wrote this article?”
So if you think we should scout the 2 AFC WC teams, that speaks for itself.
_______________________
FOUR (not 2) NFC teams will be playing during WC weekend (Jan 5-6). Because the Falcons could play 3 of the 4, they’ll scout both games involving those 4. What’s so hard to understand about that? Even easier to understand is who wrote the article.
And besides, I wished Thomas Brown a Merry Christmas, so stop picking on me.
Pete
December 26th, 2012
6:56 pm
Merry Christmas to you as well, Dawg. I made my comments first and it was you jumping on me, not other way around, when you asked me who told me there were only 2 WC teams. Theres nothing hard to understand about what you say:
“FOUR (not 2) NFC teams will be playing during WC weekend (Jan 5-6). Because the Falcons could play 3 of the 4, they’ll scout both games involving those 4.” Absolutely correct. My original comment questioned why DOL called all 4 teams “WC teams.” In fact, 2 of the teams being scouted will be DIVISION WINNERS, and only 2 (not 4) will be WC teams. DOL stated clearly that the Falcons will be playing a WC team in the 1st round, and I was pointing out that the Falcons may play a Division winner, and not necessarily a WC team. If you go back and read my original post carefully, you will see what I was saying. (There are a total of 4 WC teams in the NFL playoffs, and 2 of them are in the AFC.)
Happy New Year as well to you, Thomas, and everyone else here!
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JuniorBridgeman
December 27th, 2012
3:21 pm
I would like to know one thing. When Brent Grimes comes back, who will be removed from our secondary to make room for Grimes. I hope its not Asante Samuel because in my mind, Asante has been our defensive MVP so far this year, with COUNTLESS CLUTCH PICKS ALL YEAR LONG. Asante is quite a professional and is a ballhawk on defense; someone who takes calculated risks, but they payoff big most of the time and the guy contributes heavily to the big picture. Asante also gives us a swagger that we wouldnt have. I’m glad Asante was acquired from Philly because I didnt think Andy Reid was going to let him get away. The Falcons should easily win the superbowl this season and I expect this team to duplicate the 1998 team regular season record of 14-2. What a great year so far and I cant wait until we become superbowl champions. Oh I can hardly wait.
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