Archive for the ‘Notes’ Category

FLOWERY BRANCH–Just one good night in Detroit will set the Falcons up for a relatively relaxed three weeks in Atlanta.

Win at Detroit on Saturday and the Falcons (12-2) will earn a bye for the first weekend of the playoffs and wouldn’t need to leave the Georgia Dome to win the NFC title. The result of their game against the Buccaneers on Dec. 30 would become moot.

For the Falcons, it’s all about clinching home field when they go to Detroit’s Ford Field.

“That’s the thing that is in reach,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “We’ve got to go out and play effectively this week. Our goal is to win every game we play and then we will figure out what happens after that.”

Defeat the Lions (4-10) and Falcons players are likely to be off until after Christmas Day. When they returned to work, the team’s regulars would enjoy a light practice week and look forward to either sitting out the Buccaneers game or logging just a handful of plays.

Lose to the Lions and Atlanta still could earn …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Looking to stay home for the playoffs »

FLOWERY BRANCH–Playing left tackle in the NFL is one of the toughest jobs in sports.

Trying to do it with a balky back — and who knows what else — like Falcons tackle Sam Baker did for who knows how long, makes it nearly impossible.

As Baker struggled last season and eventually lost his job, his linemates kept saying his health was the issue. But in the cold, bottom-line business of professional football, the reasons for Baker’s struggle hardly mattered. He had to play better.

He’s doing so now, in no small part because he’s also healthier now. So it’s satisfying for Baker to have the kind of season that he and his teammates always knew he could.

“For all these guys that have always had my back and stood by me, to be back playing well feels real good right now,” Baker said.

When the Falcons selected Baker with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2008 draft, it was with the idea that he would be a building block along with quarterback Matt Ryan. They had selected Ryan 13 spots …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Sam Baker bounces back »

If the playoffs started today …

NFC top contenders

The Falcons (12-2), who have clinched a playoff spot, would be the No. 1 seed with a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Atlanta would open the playoffs on Jan. 12 or 13 against the lowest-seeded team to advance from the NFC wild card round.

The 49ers (10-3-1), who have clinched a playoff spot, would be the No. 2 seed with a first-round bye. San Francisco would open the playoffs on Jan. 12 or 13 with a home game against the highest-seeded winner from the NFC wild card round.

NFC wild card picture

The third-seeded Packers (10-4) have clinched a playoff spot would play host to the sixth-seeded Vikings (8-6) on Jan. 5 or 6. The No.5 Seahawks (9-5) would play the No. 4 Redskins (8-6) on Jan. 5 or 6.

The other teams with a realistic chance of still earning a wild card are the Cowboys (8-6), Giants (8-6) and Bears (8-6). The Rams (6-7-1) and Saints (6-8) are also still technically alive.

How …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: If the playoffs started today . . . »

FLOWERY BRANCH –  The Falcons had two interceptions against the Giants to give them 18 for the season, which ranks fourth in the league. Only Chicago (21), Giants (20) and Arizona (22) have more interceptions.

The Falcons are also plus-9 in takeaways, which is eighth in the league before Monday’s night game between the New York Jets and Tennessee.

To go with their 18 interceptions, the Falcons have nine fumble recoveries for 27 turnovers. The offense has 14 interceptions and four fumbles for 18 turnovers.

The defense has recorded six games with two interceptions are more. They are 6-0 in those contests.

Players credit the ability to disguise their coverages as the key to interceptions.

“If we can confuse a quarterback and make him throw it somewhere where he wasn’t expecting to throw it, or after play-fake, look back and see a completely different coverage, it helps us out exponentially,” said safety Thomas DeCoud, who leads the team with six interceptions. “It’s (paid) …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: Disguised coverages have led to interceptions »

“They don’t remember what you do in September and October. It’s all about December and January. We’ve been saying we haven’t played our best. We haven’t played our best game and when we watch the game tomorrow, we’ll probably have that same opinion.”

Falcons coach Mike Smith

“Those three fourth-down stops are like turnovers. We know that when you make them as a football team, it can change the momentum. It multiplies when you stop them on defense.”

Smith

“Coach Smith does a great job at the beginning of the year preaching that he wants to win at home and defend our dome. We’ve done a good job of that. I think our fans have been awesome and they’ve been loud in the dome. I think that helps when our defense is playing.”

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan on the team’s 11-game home winning streak

“It feels great to play that well on both sides of the ball, especially after last week (a 30-20 defeat to the Panthers). If we can keep this momentum and passion going, I think the …

Continue reading Atlanta Falcons: What they said after 34-0 Falcons victory over Giants »

ATLANTA FALCONS

Atlanta clinches a first-round bye:

1) ATL win + GB loss or tie

2) ATL win + SF loss

3) ATL tie + GB loss

Atlanta clinches homefield advantage:

1) ATL win + GB loss or tie + SF loss

LATEST NEWS

Roddy White, William Moore are questionable for Sunday’s game against the New York Giants

Linebacker Sean Weatherspoon takes over as leader of the defense

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