Atlanta Falcons: Birds Lock Up Home Field
Our Birds wrapped it up and they did what they had to do tonight. We dominated early and often and it’’s time to make waves in the off-season! Much more to come very soon……….
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366 comments Add your comment
Big Ray
December 23rd, 2012
9:58 pm
SP ,
True. Seattle’s OL gets mucho push…wish ours was like that….but I think with a good offseason conditioning program for Mr. Konz and the introduction of Mr. Holmes…and we’ll see a stronger OL. That, and a nice healthy draft pick.
JB Falcon
December 23rd, 2012
9:58 pm
phil, how does it feel to be an eternal pessimistic non-falcon fan?
Big Ray
December 23rd, 2012
9:59 pm
Giants are about done.
We blew them out, then they get beat down by the Ravens who can’t seem to figure it out from week to week on offense. Youch….down you go.
Oh wait, I forgot.
They have heavy hearts….or was it that losing is part of the grand plan to go 9-7, make the playoffs as a wild card, and win it all coming from behind.
Heh.
Big Ray
December 23rd, 2012
10:01 pm
This game is ALL Seahawks. Wow.
Still have a half of football to play, but right now it’s a good thing the ‘Hawks don’t have home field advantage in the playoffs. For this squad, it would be a REAL tactical advantage….nastiest place for any visiting team.
Matty Bicep
December 23rd, 2012
10:02 pm
Falcons have their issues, like every other team. There is a reason they play the game.
Big Lou
December 23rd, 2012
10:06 pm
Who let Phil back in here?
The guy who says the Falcons will lose before every game starts on the troll blogs.
Dead clock is right twice a day.
Also, 49ers and Seattle’s secondary blows c!ck.
Ray
December 23rd, 2012
10:07 pm
Really and truly the only team Falcons should be scared of if at all is the Green Bay Packers.
Not 49ers, not Seahawks, not Redskins, not Vikings or whomever joins as the 6th team.
Even with that said I’m starting to buy into this Mike Nolan hasn’t shown us what this defense can really do.
Basically buying time until the playoffs start we saw some stuff, but I think he went conservative for a reason in the middle of the season.
Birdman
December 23rd, 2012
10:11 pm
I see our secondary having to play there best and our defense holding the run against this other Bird team . This team is red hot right now anybody that can’t see that then I just don’t understand.
Our O line if they could keep MR upright then we do probably have a chance .with the passing game.
These guy’s are playing with a lot of steam . Falcons gonna half to buck up ‘ and rise up . If they draw this team the first round they play
snacktastic
December 23rd, 2012
10:14 pm
Ray, I’d be surprised if coordinators were hiding a significant amount of their strategies until the playoffs. Sixteen weeks is a long time to go without using 99% of the tricks in your bag, especially in a league this competitive.
Slant Pattern
December 23rd, 2012
10:18 pm
“True. Seattle’s OL gets mucho push…wish ours was like that….but I think with a good offseason conditioning program for Mr. Konz and the introduction of Mr. Holmes…and we’ll see a stronger OL. That, and a nice healthy draft pick.” – BR
They slowed down a bit near halftime but still could move their man. That read option to go with the push is pretty nasty I must say. If we play them, giving up some yards ( leaving back side open, but with a LB spy waiting not too far off ) to lay the smack down on the Munchkin QB a few times should slow that a bit. The other way would be to jump out on top quick to force the muchkin to try and beat us with his arm. He’s not bad but he’s not that good either.
.
Next years O-line with a new feature back should be good times for sure. Oh wait, is that hypocrisy? No, I am quite sure of my convictions regarding our backfield
Wabe
December 23rd, 2012
11:02 pm
Smitty better start gameplanning for them Seahawks…
Say whatever you want about a rookie QB, Russel Wilson ain’t playin’ like a rookie. Dude looks like a seasoned veteran out there.
That defense is hellacious.
They’re definitely in the mix with the big boys contending for a Superbowl.
Big Lou
December 23rd, 2012
11:14 pm
“Smitty better start gameplanning for them Seahawks…
Say whatever you want about a rookie QB, Russel Wilson ain’t playin’ like a rookie. Dude looks like a seasoned veteran out there.
That defense is hellacious.
They’re definitely in the mix with the big boys contending for a Superbowl.”
Wake me up when he actually beats a good team AWAY from home.
Big Lou
December 23rd, 2012
11:16 pm
ESPN is going to make the Seahawks number one on the power rankings.
Big Lou
December 23rd, 2012
11:33 pm
Not to toot my own horn, but I said we should have drafted Wilson in my mock draft.
I remember saying that he’s the next Drew Brees.
Birdman
December 23rd, 2012
11:35 pm
Com on Man . Do you really think that after betting teams like the 49ers and racking up the kind of points that the sea birds are doing then there gonna be so much more less a team on the road ?
Coop
December 23rd, 2012
11:39 pm
JJ – So bitter over Jake Locker? He wouldn’t have help the beat down you took loser. What was it that you wanted me to do? Divest my team and not play any more? I played every single game as best I could. I lost more Thani wanted, but never gave up. You should definitely be the commissioner next year and demand that all teams that don’t make the playoffs, drop,their best players to you and make no further FA transactions.
Dude, you’re a smart and funny guy, but you’re way off on this topic. Integrity of the league means nothing to you.
Big Lou
December 23rd, 2012
11:53 pm
Birdman
Read in between the lines.
Most of the Seahawks points were due to 49ers gaffs.
Don’t get me wrong; I respect them and the QB will be a beast in a few years. Yet, he has been horrible on the road this year, especially against good teams.
We are talking about the same 49ers team that got stomped by the Giants. Any given Sunday.
Birdman
December 24th, 2012
12:00 am
I here ya Big Lou
I guess I am just looking at the class half empty instead of half full.
I just want our Birds to do well in the playoffs . My concern probably overwhelms me some times
Birdman
December 24th, 2012
12:11 am
Knowing the so called ESPN pro’s the rankings will look something like this
1 Patriots
2 Packers
3 Sea Hawks
4 Broncos
5 Falcons
Wabe
December 24th, 2012
12:57 am
I get what you’re saying and everything Big Lou.
But, you gotta tip your cap to what they’ve done the past 3 weeks. Yeah, at first, they were just running it up against bad teams. But, this week, they proved that they’re a force to be reckoned with.
They’ve beaten the Pats on the road.
They technically won vs. GB, but we all know they shouldn’t have. Still, they held the Packers to 12 points.
The Seahawks are definitely in the mix of teams that have a legitimate shot at the Lombardi. To overlook them as a team that can’t win on the road or that fields a rookie QB would be foolish, because they’re making noise right now. Russell Wilson is ballin’. He may be a rookie, but he ain’t playin’ like one. They can run it with Marshawn Lynch. And they got a great defense, arguably the best in the league.
If there’s ever a time for Smitty to ‘play the percentages’, it’s now. Anything can happen when the playoffs come around. But, at this point, I see our first round draw being against Seattle.
Ken Stricklan
December 24th, 2012
1:35 am
Until RG PKonz gets a lot stronger, he’ll continue to be suseptable to the power rush and have trouble power blocking in short yardage situations. He’s probably strong enough to play OC, but can he do a better job than JHawley? Hawley certainly did a better job at RG than he’s done so far this yr.
We’ve definitely got to resolve our RG issues. It would be nice to hear a report on how far OT LHolmes has progressed, and how close he is to taking over at LT if Baker isn’t resigned. Any success we have in the playoffs with depend on how far our OL and DL takes us.
Paddy O
December 24th, 2012
2:33 am
phil, go to dante’s inferno.
Paddy O
December 24th, 2012
2:34 am
as adequately as Baker has played – and keeping his injury a relative secret last year so fans thought he had severely regressed – is all on Smitty. I’m hoping we keep Baker. But, we do need somebody stout at RG.
DHunt
December 24th, 2012
2:47 am
Yeah phil. I’m going to be homicidal if the Seahawks beat the Falcons so you might wanna make yourself scarce. The Falcons can’t tackle, can’t block, can’t cover, can’t stop the run, can’t pass the ball, can’t throw the ball, and definitely can’t run the ball. I’m frankly amazed that they won more than one game over the past 5 years. Of course when the Falcons win, I’m sure you will come back with all kinds of sophisticated commentary about how the other team just rolled over and let it happen. Play that game by yourself, as I’m sure you are well used to doing at this point.
Why fear Green Bay? The same Green Bay that got trounced at home by the hapless 49er team tha just got dismantled in prime time? Why should the Falcons fear any team in the NFL? Brady and the Pats just barely got past Arizona today. We already showed we could take down the Broncos. Every team in the NFL is flawed, and all it takes is smacking most of them in the mouth to completely throw them off their game. Which is yet another area the Falcons have actually shown much moxie this year. Taken almost every smack any team has had to offer and still came back swinging.
Yeah, I fully expect to beat any team that shows up in the Thriller Dome, and that’s where they are going to have to show up because the Falcons earned the right to play at home.
Birdman, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Pack ranked #1, or to see the Redskins and 49′ers ranked ahead of the Falcons along with the other teams you listed. Again, I sincerely hope the entire sports media establishment doubles down and turns the hate up to full power over the next few weeks. I want a flock of Angry Birds waiting for whoever comes into the Dome.
Wings
December 24th, 2012
6:52 am
Unca’Bog – “What I tend to wonder is how quickly the season goes by. We are going into week 17 and it’s over as pertains to the regular season. The older I get the faster time flys by. I would love to be a small part of a very large Peachtree Parade..”
JB Falcon – “UB, maybe this year our season will be prolonged, for a change, and we will finally get that parade. You got ten months on me and father time is not going to let us wait another 46 years.”
Guys, SO TRUE! I am 67 and I will meet you at the parade. Better yet, maybe we could get together and hire a driver as I have found it it much harder to drive than previous younger days.
Zoomie
December 24th, 2012
6:57 am
In case SF makes it to the dome this post-season, I hope the Atlanta fans took note of just how badly the crowd noise affected Kaepernick. I mean, that guy simply could not operate in that environment.
The Seahawks appear to be an example of what it looks like when you build your team from the LOS. I shiver to think of Atlanta facing a team that looked that dominant on the O and D lines. The third round draft pick who turned out to be seasoned, effective, dual-threat rookie QB capable of leading his team is just icing on the cake.
Considering the Falcon’s observed weaknesses this season, Seattle looks like a nightmare match-up against the Falcons.
Wings
December 24th, 2012
7:00 am
No one mentioned that Seattle played at that intensity in a rain storm and hardly made a mistake. Seattle will be a team that is extremely difficult to defeat in the playoffs.
Wings
December 24th, 2012
7:03 am
Zoomie, I have that nightmare in the back of my mind too.
trademark
December 24th, 2012
8:33 am
Personally ain’t worried about a rookie QB from any team, SF or Seattle, doing jack against Nolan’s D. He makes it hard enough on veterans. The QB rating against the Falcons from any elite this year has been truly frightening. And as far as tough D’s go, I have a hard time seeing even the toughest of them being able to stop the Falcons throughout a game (that is, without Atlanta going all conservative and beating themselves).
Like I said, I don’t fear any team in the NFL right now, and that’s not just based on overconfidence or homerism. Atlanta hitting on most of it’s cylinders is enough to beat any of them. They have to stay focused and fired-up, and they’ve done that this year, ESPECIALLY in the marquee match-ups, you know, the ones that have a Playoff atmosphere.
D3
December 24th, 2012
9:14 am
So, it looks like everyone is scared to pieces of Seattle and d-bag Pete Carroll. I’m not going to deny that they’re a good football team and will be tough to beat, but guys and gals, what did we expect would be like in the playoffs? This is not 2004 where we get to play a crappy 8-8 team that backs into the playoffs. I’m sick of being scared and nervous and we can talk about how great Wilson is all we want, but the fact is this, if you lose to a rookie QB at home in the playoffs for the 4th time in 5 years, than you’re @ss doesn’t deserve to be mentioned with the Lombardi trophy.
It’s good to be wary of your opponent, especially ones that’s playing as good as they are right now, but d@mmit, it’s time to get it done and if we don’t, should Smitty keep getting another shot with this uber-talented team, failing in the playoffs 0-4, when it’s rarely EVER been done in the NFL in history, as my research a few weeks ago proved?
Yes, he is playing good, but Wilson is not Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, or Aaron Rodgers (3 of them, BTW, we made look like straight up chumps). I’m not trying to pee on our fears about Seattle, but here’s how it boils down to me:
If you lose to any rookie QB at home in the playoffs after going 13-3 or 14-2, than you don’t deserve it………..period!
Seahawks, Packers are pretty good……………. You know what, we’re pretty darn good too!
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John Waynesworld
December 24th, 2012
9:14 am
Congrats to LRD! I should have hid those pregame Skittles!
Birdman
December 24th, 2012
9:18 am
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2012/12/nfl_power_rankings_week_16.html
D3
December 24th, 2012
9:22 am
Let’s all just go ahead and give them the NFC right now, whaddya say?
“You look back at a couple of the past Super Bowl winners, they were wild cards who got hot,” veteran linebacker and Super Bowl XL participant Leroy Hill said. “I’m feeling a certain way. We’re hot right now.”
http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/86156/seahawks-and-their-qb-are-hotter-than-hot
Sorry, never bought the hype on the Niners, Patriots, Giants, and not buying the hype on the Seahawks. Who by the way, all had blowout losses to many of the four listed.
That’s fine, let’s just let these @holes come in arrogant, cocky, and get a big wakeup call in the Georgia Dome. Which, btw, we play pretty darn well in if you don’t recall.
D3
December 24th, 2012
9:24 am
Let me ask ya’ll a question………..
why are the Niners still the #2 seed after they are 10-4-1 and the Packers are 11-4? I know they have the same number of losses, but the Packers have one more win than they do?
D3
December 24th, 2012
9:33 am
So it’s looking like this for the NFC
#1 Falcons
#2 Packers (if they beat Minnesota)
#3 Niners (if they beat the Cardinals, but Packers also won)
#4 Redskins or Cowboys (whoever wins)
#5 Seahawks (if both Packers and Niners both win)
#6 Bears (if they beat Lions and Packers beat Minnesota)
Sorry, but the only team I’m worried about is the Packers. If you lose to a rookie QB at home (regardless of how d@mn good they are), than you don’t deserve it. Sure, Seattles playing good right now, but momentum is a two-way street. They’re beaming with arrogance and confidence just because they’re playing good at the right time the past two champs are, but it doesn’t always work out like that, and SURELY, Mike Smith will have this team better prepared than the Debacle in the Dome. To be honest, I’m not worried about the Packers that much either. We don’t have “dumb and dumber” as our two coordinators this time around.
I’m sick of living life in fear that our Falcons will lose. If they do, than so be it, but that doesn’t mean I have to ruin something I love so much. If we win, we’ll be on our way to New Orleans. If we lose, than Smitty’s seat is on fire.
snacktastic
December 24th, 2012
9:48 am
D3 is right. The Falcons sure as hell aren’t scared of these teams, so why should we be?
That said, Wilson looked like a seasoned vet out there yesterday. I’d go ahead and split Rookie of the Year between him, RG3, and Luck.
Matty Bicep
December 24th, 2012
9:48 am
Watching Kaperkick last night tells me he is not ready for playoff football. Getting past the #6 seen is not a given. He looked like a deer in the headlights…..And the trick to Seattle is to slow the game down, they play at such a frenetic pace, you have to slow it down and establish long drives….But Wilson is a handful, looks like Fran the Man, I think he is better than RG3 and Luck. The guy just knows how to play football.
Matty Bicep
December 24th, 2012
9:57 am
Way to stand strong D3, there is entriely too much hand wringing around here. Yes, we have to play a very good football team in the playoffs. Shocker. This is what it is all about, week 2 of the playoffs, down to 8 teams, a chance to play on the grand stage, the possibility of a major shrivel is always there, but man, this is what it is all about. I don’t give a @@@@ about last year, nor do I give a @@@@ what anyone says if we lose, I don’t even know why anyone wants to think about it.
If you watched interviews yesterday, the consistent theme to a player was “I want a chance”, or “We got a chance”. I am just ready for them to sing the national Anthem in Atlanta, everything after that is gravy.
Matty Bicep
December 24th, 2012
10:03 am
If it bleeds, we can kill it.
Big Lou
December 24th, 2012
10:35 am
D3
49ers beat the Packers head to head, regaurdless with the tie game.
Wabe
No. They barely beat the Pats AT home. It seems ATL react to teams like ESPN. 49ers gave Seattle that game due to the horrible mistakes. I’ll give judgement in the playoffs.
Arno
December 24th, 2012
10:36 am
Good words, D3. Sick of hearing, “Well, at least we lost to the eventual superbowl champ.” Bring the best team to the dome. Time for the Falcons to STOMP.
Matty Bicep
December 24th, 2012
10:43 am
Right now the Pack is the #2 seed, head to head is only in the case of identical records. If San Fran is listed as a #2 seed, it is a mistake. Again, 9ers play the #6 seed, and Colin K is a question mark, a 49ers win is not guaranteed.
Big Lou
December 24th, 2012
10:53 am
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2012/12/24/atlanta-falcons-different-team-vows-to-end-playoff-flops/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog
Big Lou
December 24th, 2012
10:56 am
My mistake. I was looking at the standing from yesterday. Yeah, the Pack have the number 2 seed, which means if we face them, it would be in the NFC championship.
JJ
December 24th, 2012
11:27 am
Coop, lol, just a little ffl smack, nothing personal buddy. Maybee well have a beer and some laughs next week if Im back in town. Merry Christmas to you and your family, you 9th place loser! lol, j/k!
Matty Bicep
December 24th, 2012
11:34 am
Interesting that Peter King moved us to #2 on his list, we have been hanging around 5. He has Denver ahead of us, which is sort of strange since we beat them, and they have more losses. Oh well, don’t even know why I bother to look.
Big Lou
December 24th, 2012
11:40 am
“NFL- Matt Ryan’s 95+ QBR
Matt Ryan posted a 96.7 Total QBR in Saturday night’s win over Detroit. Ryan now has 4 games this season with a 95+ QBR, most in the NFL. In the QBR era, there has only been one other instance of a player having four or more games with a 95+ QBR in a season: Matt Ryan in 2008.”
All this talk about MVP for Brady, Peterson and Peyton…
Screw it, I hope that Matt gets the MVP that truly matters…
Super Bowl MVP.
JJ
December 24th, 2012
11:41 am
***FFL***
CONGRATULATIONS
2012 League Champion!
Howlin Owls – LRD
Owner(s): Jeff Gillespie
Regular Season Record: 9-4
Sarah Brainerd Bird Cage Fantasy Final League Standings:
Champion: LRD
2. JWW
3. Lil’Dave
4. JJ – biggest loser
5. WR
6. SW
7. Unca’ Bob
8. Nookah
9. Coop
10. D3
11.BT
12. Stirg (fishngrits))
Big Lou
December 24th, 2012
11:47 am
http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings/_/year/2012/week/17
Number 2 in the ESPN power rankings.
darrell starks
December 24th, 2012
11:48 am
Falcons need to rest players point blank period.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!