Falcons wait for playoff picture to clear
By MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM
FLOWERY BRANCH — After the Falcons earned the NFC’s top playoff seed on Saturday night, coach Mike Smith didn’t plan on watching the rest of the conference play on Sunday.
He figured there’s no use in checking in on Atlanta’s competition until the picture gets clearer.
“I don’t try to watch scoreboards,” Smith said the day after the Falcons won 31-18 at Detroit. “It’s going to fall into place. … There is a lot of football to be played. A lot of things happen this week and next week as far as who plays who and who plays where.”
Atlanta is the only team in the NFC that already knows the “where” part. The Falcons, on either Jan. 12 or 13, will play host to the lowest-seeded NFC team to advance from first round of the playoffs the week before.
The rest of the NFC contenders are still jockeying for position.
The Packers and 49ers are vying for the other first-round bye. The Packers can finish no worse than the third seed, which means Atlanta has no chance of playing them until the NFC championship game. The 49ers could slide to the No. 5 seed but it’s unlikely.
So the Falcons’ first playoff opponent figures to be one of four teams: Seahawks, Vikings, Redskins or Bears. Of those teams, the Seahawks could present their stiffest challenge.
Seattle has won six of seven games while posting big offensive numbers in their second-half surge. The Seahawks damaged the 49ers’ status as favorites to win the NFC championship with an impressive 42-13 romp on Sunday night.
Seattle sliced through the NFC’s top scoring defense and now has outscored its last three opponents 150-30. The Seahawks, like the past two Super Bowl champions, appear to be surging at the right time.
“We knew we were capable of doing this,” Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin said. “We had no doubt. … It took time because we’re a young team. We had to mature. We had to grow together, build that chemistry, build that trust out there on the field.”
The Seahawks can win the NFC West if they beat the Rams on Sunday and the 49ers lose to the Cardinals. But they most likely will be the No. 5 seed in the NFC with a road game at the eventual NFC East champion.
The Seahawks certainly are capable of defeating either the Redskins or Bears in the wild card round. If they do so and the No. 6 NFC seed doesn’t spring an upset, the Falcons would open the playoffs against the hottest team in the NFC.
Seattle is among the wild-card contenders that is best capable of exploiting three of Atlanta’s weaknesses: running the ball, stopping the run and slowing mobile quarterbacks.
But the Falcons’ other potential foes also could present problems.
The Vikings and Redskins both boast strong ground games. The Vikings are No. 6 in the NFL against the run and the Bears have allowed just six rushing touchdowns all season.
Washington’s Robert Griffin III is another quarterback who can break off big gains. The Falcons won 24-17 at Washington on Oct. 7 after they knocked Griffin out of the game with a head injury.
Of course, Atlanta’s playoff opposition will have to deal with a passing game at top form and a defense that can force turnovers in bunches. The Falcons have been tough at home — they have an 11-game home win streak — and will have the benefit of relaxing at home while watching their next opponent try to earn a date in the Georgia Dome.
“I think it’s going to be great to have a long home stint for this playoff game,” Falcons safety Thomas DeCoud said. He quickly added: “Playoff games.”
Atlanta reached its primary regular-season goal of making its playoff opponents come to the Dome. The Falcons say they are ready for all challengers.
“They are going to see a team that is prepared,” Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson said. “They are going to see a team that plays 60 minutes. And they are going to have to give us their best shot. We are a very confident team.”
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.
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78 comments Add your comment
Getaway
December 26th, 2012
11:36 am
Well, I’ve done what I can to prevent other team’s fans from showing up. I bought 6 more tickets from other season ticket holders and I know for a fact only Falcons’ fans will be in those seats.
PlanB
December 26th, 2012
11:52 am
Wingman
December 26th, 2012
6:09 am
DAVID- I have said from the beginning of Snelling’s time on the team that he is a better back than Turner. He is faster, quicker, makes decisions faster than Turner. And he plays with more emotion and abandon. He also moves the pile. I agree with you. It is time for Turner to retire.
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I agree completely. I’ve been saying that since Snelling played a few games in 2009. He was convincing enough to be able to take some of the snaps each game from then on and MT wouldn’t be used up like he is now.
I also have been a fan since 1966 and agree this is the best years we fans have ever had but I refuse to keep quite about what I think would make this team better as some don’t want to hear. I think that is what the blogs are for and I love hearing what some of you have to say. When the Falcons are perfect I will no longer speculate but I really don’t see that happening. Like HarryCt, I moved near Durham, NC over 5 years ago and have not missed a game due to having Directv football package.
One more thing. I know it doesn’t count but being good enough to get a bye is equal to winning a playoff game. If we hadn’t gotten the bye we would be playing the worst teams that made the playoffs. Keep that in mind.
Keep up the good work Falcons.
Storming Norman
December 26th, 2012
12:13 pm
WELCOME TO THE ICE HOUSE!
warfalcon
December 26th, 2012
12:25 pm
ONE GAME AT A TIME,next up Tampa Bay,LETS GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
okeetee
December 26th, 2012
12:35 pm
“We don’t want the Bears in the first round. The mob of dirty, transplanted Chicagoans will swarm and infiltrate the Dome, diminishing the 12th man. But bring ‘em on. The Falcons can handle them.”
….the chances of playing the Bears in our first playoff game this year are slim and NONE! It would mean the Vikings lose to the Packers Sunday….and then the Bears go up to Green Bay and upset them in the first round. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! We will be playing Seattle or Washington. We’ve beaten Seattle the last two times we’ve played them, both in Seattle…..and we’ve already beaten the Skins this year.
Mike is Back
December 26th, 2012
1:05 pm
Dled, if the BIRDS execute like they did against the G Man…it doesn’t matter who comes to the DOME during the playoff.
RISE UP BIRDS…LET’S GO…LET’S GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DC Dirty Bird
December 26th, 2012
1:26 pm
The only team we “don’t want to see” in the playoffs is the Carolina Panthers. Everyone else is fair game. Sure, Seattle likes to pound the rock. Haven’t we stopped the run in the redzone for most of the year? Because of Mike Nolan, we can be very multiple on defense. That will allow us to play with every other NFC team. Its real simple for our team. Score early and dictate the pace. As long as Dirk understands how to attack each defense that we face in the playoffs, and our offensive line holds up, we can play with anyone.
DawgNole
December 26th, 2012
3:01 pm
violet123
December 26th, 2012
5:30 am
yes. that is right Falcons team and fans….our next game wll be Feb. 3rd. Don’t miss it.
___________________
The Falcons will play at least one game (hopefully 2) before Feb 3.
D man
December 26th, 2012
3:02 pm
This is OUR year. Falcons will win the Superbowl…
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RyanG
December 26th, 2012
3:59 pm
Man its good to see the love everyone here is showing for the Falcons! I still can’t believe it when the news says ATL sports fans are the worst in the nation-WE ARE NOT!!! We love our teams and support them all the way no matter what (Trust me im a dawg fan too). Im 22 and have really watched the falcons every year since they lost to the broncos in the SB (which was john elways last game I think)….anyway this team seems so different than the previous years and I actually really believe they will win it all this year, they certainly deserve it! (Also, I’ve heard them being called the Fal-coons all my life and its not meant to bellitle them at all its just something we say)
RyanG
December 26th, 2012
4:04 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r2fCLOIGpg Made this funny hitler rant video titled “hitler finds out the falcons are NFLs best team” Give it a look if you wanna quick laugh!
d. barrett
December 26th, 2012
5:13 pm
Has anyone thought about the motivation that might just come from giving T.Gonzalez his only, and last shot of a win, much less a ring? It could be the needed game speech to put them over when they need it! It’s now or maybe not again for these Falcons.
Never First, Just the Best.
December 26th, 2012
10:47 pm
CBS had an announcer that called them the full-cons a long while back.
Esquire
December 27th, 2012
8:56 am
DC Dirty Bird
December 26th, 2012
1:26 pm
The only team we “don’t want to see” in the playoffs is the Carolina Panthers.
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Stupid comment of the year award contender.
BirdDawg25
December 27th, 2012
10:15 am
Some people i work with call the Falcons, “THE BUZZARDS ” . but theses are also the same people that cant spell their own names ,or even name one player on their so-called favorite team that they are BIG fans of. . They also like to pat themselves on the back cause no one else will .lol, also i hear Atlanta is getting a lingerie league football team… Life is Good !
Falconetti
December 27th, 2012
10:44 am
We have the best record in the NFL. We beat every team we played this year. We just had our QB and two receivers named to the Pro Bowl. We already beat Denver, the second best team in the NFL. You should read the SF, GB, and Seattle papers; they are afraid of us!!!
BirdFanForever
December 27th, 2012
11:23 am
After watching the Seahawks rout the other night it appears to this lowly scribe that Fran Tarkenton has been revived and now resides in Seatle. How in the world can a team defend against such a mobile and agile Q-back is way beyond me. Lets all hope that the Seahawks go down in the playoffs as that offense looked awesome..RISE UP!!!!
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wisconsinfalcons fan
December 27th, 2012
8:56 pm
I’m from Georgia also, but i can’t say that it is a term that is use for good but I’m not trying to say any negative about the term but anyway I just want the FALCONS to kick ass
okeetee
December 28th, 2012
8:03 am
“Fran Tarkenton has been revived and now resides in Seatle. How in the world can a team defend against such a mobile and agile Q-back is way beyond me”
….you beat him like we beat Peyton Manning….disguise your defenses, confuse him, have a good, athletic, smart, ball hawking secondary! Look, this kid is good and talented, but he’s still a ROOKIE! You can’t tell me that in a big playoff game, on the road, first time experience for him….that he’s not going to make some mistakes! And besides, our offense is very capable of scoring 30 plus points on any defense in the playoffs that I’ve seen! Remember this, too…..we’ve beaten the Sea Hawks the last two years in their crib! I’d rather face the sea hawks than the Packers myself!
JC
December 28th, 2012
4:44 pm
Slight correction… The Seahawks can’t face the Bears in the wild card round.. it would either be Redskins or Cowboys if Seattle is the #5 seed. If 2 wild card teams were to ever face off, it would be in the conference championship or Super Bowl.
okeetee
December 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
“Slight correction… The Seahawks can’t face the Bears in the wild card round.”
…..who ever said they could? Nobody on this board that I can remember. .
PETER
December 29th, 2012
4:38 am
Turner has been a terrific rb for the falcons. however age, happy feet, and a loss of burst, has caused him to become less than stellar in the run game. he just does not hit the hole hard like he used to. I’ve been saying for a long time tha Snelling was more the elite back for more than the last 2 years. he hits the hole hard, is a better reciever out of the backfield, and he get to his top gear quickly. With all that being said Snelling SHOULD BE 1ST STRING. CYT TURNERS CARRIES SO HIS LEGS ARE FRESH, USE RODGERS JUST AS HE IS BEING USED.
coleski
December 29th, 2012
11:03 am
I don’t care who runs the ball, if there is no hole the runner is going to get stuffed. I’ve seen both
Quizz and Snelling stopped for no gain or tackled behind the line of scrimage. It all starts with the
o-line.
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