D3, that’s an awful lot of questions and a very good article. We’re only going to have ONE shot at breaking the yolk around our neck. ONE game and we’re going to have to come out smokin’ with everything we have. We need to set the bar for the next game by winning the first one with authority. I know we have to win the first one to get to the second one, I think we all learned that in the first grade. I truly expect us to show up in the swamp and will only think otherwise until our Falcons prove me wrong, and not until then. Instead of “lose and go home” I prefer “win and you’re in.”

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A few (haha) notes…

The Falcons play really well, especially at home, after a loss.
The Falcons play better as underdogs as opposed to a favored team.
The Falcons play better when the media trash them prior to the game. (Peyton Manning was mentioned 118 times on ESPN MNF pregame.)
Matt Ryan has a chance here to approach this playoff with some experience from past mistakes. He does, however, seem to get rattled easy early in any game but settles down latter to make up for that.
Pass D becomes frazzled when the run D is runover, as was the case in two of our three losses.
The first and fourth quarters are critical control points. If our ops get way ahead in the first, or are not shut down in the fourth, we tend to collapse.

Points of focus: Run D and pass rush.

End product: Falcons win Super Bowl in the unholy arena of New Orleans – Fans celebrate all year!

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Any weekend predictions? I’ll take Houston, Green Bay, Ravens and Seahawks.

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Mike — Good points. Thanks on critique. I guess I just assumed they were wild cards since they had to win their last two just to get in.

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Just some food for thought also. With all the talk of Seattle they are11-2 outdoors this year with losses at SF and Miami. They are 0-3 indoors.

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As long as they do not do what the 08 Cardinals did, even though they only had to do it once and not two weeks in a row. The 08 Cardinals were dominated on the east coast then came into Carolina and beat them pretty handily. I am one of the few though that is not convinced that they will make it past Washington.

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21, the houston game is really looking like a shoot out without bullets. Foster is for real but the Beagals ain’t doing so bad either. You watching the game?

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21, I’m gonna go cook sumptin’ to eat and give this one to the Texans since they can actually move the ball. The Beagals have crossed the 50 once. I figure the Falcons would have either one of them by 21 points by now.
I’m with you on GB next.

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Frazier seems to feel Ponder may be ready for Atlanta next week.

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Ah, it’s official. William Moore is back!

That’s going to be huge in the playoffs. Now just need Abe and Owens back and they’ll be full health.

I do feel the Vikings might have a chance tonight against the Packers because of Webb starting. It throws off their whole game planning on defense.

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Webb scares me more than Ponder…..See

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let’s go Vikings

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At least the Falcons will have tape on Webb. Lol

Greenbay looks lost on him–they didn’t prepare.

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Webb does stupid plays like that it won’t matter about tapes on t he guy

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I might have to just go direct snap to AP.

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Screen passes

Who would have thought it?

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D3 ,

Excellent work.

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Our guys are feeling it, I think.

You can tell. They’re gearing up. Getting back to practice. All business. No holdouts due to injury (ahem…Grimes from last year). Nobody worried about the future other than the next game. Everybody buying in and getting ready, getting down to it.

I love it. Playoff time.

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Vikings suffering from QB play. Their defense isn’t dominant enough to overcome QB play that is looking very average…at best.

Packers can win by being “good enough” on defense and by simply having Aaron Rodgers. If they can protect him. If they do this, he can win the game for them.

Same could be said of us, of course…

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Big Ray

I agree. Not to mention, they will be near to fully healthy. (Moore and Dunta back so far) They will feed off that dome energy. I feel a blowout coming.

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Big Lou,

I hear you. That would be freakin’ awesome…

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I swear I have a strange feeling that Tubby is going to roll….in a good way. I think he has SOME pride…maybe wishful thinking.

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So far the Vikes have done an amazing job of making the Pack D look like the 85 Bears.

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Vikings need to get some better pass protection for the Webb…..

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It is over now for theVikings!

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Looks like the winner of the Skins Hawks game. Welcome to the ATL.

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UB

You’re right. Whoever the Falcons get… it’s gonna be a good game!

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UB, looks like it. Either one ain’t gonna like the trip home.

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No way this guy beats Aaron Rogers in the playoffs….Actually, I will be insulted if he does.

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Vikings have no chance with Webb back there. Inaccurate as hell.

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AP should have dropped one more spot in the 07 draft! He put the Vikes on his back and carried them to the playoffs.

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This is how you win a playoff game Coach Smith, I hope you are watching.

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Just to correct the article, in 2005, the Steelers were the 6th seed wild card from the AFC, not the 3rd seed divisional champs…

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1) It’s way past time for the Falcons to take it to the next level. They’ve had the talent in place for a while, and with the new coordinators, it’s time to take it to the next level.

2) Falcons cannot take any team for granted. They have to play like the team on the other side of the ball is top tier, and they have to do it for the entire game. When they have done that this year, the results have been nothing but spectacular.

3) Coach Smith doesn’t usually make the same mistakes. He might make some new ones, but he hasn’t shown regression tendencies in the five winning seasons he has graced us with. There is no reason to believe that he won’t do everything in his power to have the Falcons ready to win thhe next three times they hit the field this month.

4) I think in game momentum is far more relevant than a winning streak. In fact winning streaks can just as easily make a team complacent. The Falcons have the type of team that can shift the momentum in their favor, on offense or defense, and that’s yet another good thing to have in your favor in the playoffs.

5) It’s time, and really past time, to have some faith in this team. The past playoffs notwithstanding, I know they are going to come out and give it their all. That’s all anyone can ask for, and that’s been more than enough almost every time they’ve done it. That should inspire plenty of confidence in all Falcons fans. Why wander around with a dark cloud on your thoughts for the whole week leading up to the first playoff game? If you wasted time being nervous, anxious, negative, or pessimistic about this team all year, you missed out on a great season of good vibrations.

6) Only the talking heads see the Falcons as underdogs. I’m sure that is not the vibe inside the team, nor should it be the vibe anywhere in Atlanta. Everybody has something to prove in the playoffs.

7) It would surely be nice to see the home team humming along on all cylinders in the Dome next Sunday. When the offense is on point, this team is virtually unstoppable. But if there are a couple of bumps in the road, this team has also shown it’s ability to turn it on and turn it up when it’s crunch time. We’ll either run away with the game, or we will be in it until the final second.

8.) When it mattered most, the Falcons stepped up and stopped the run. Even the backs that put up good numbers typically did it based on a few big plays (that rarely resulted in touchdowns) but were held in check for the majority of the time. Nolan can and will make the needed adjustments, even during a game. Morris and Lynch will not be the reason the Falcons don’t advance.

9) The Falcons offense in top form is more than a match for either the Redskins or the Seahawks. The Seahawks defense is better, so given the choice, I’d rather see the Redskins. Both are read option teams and the Falcons have the defensive line, and linebacker corps to handle that. Full strength and well rested, neither the Seahawks or the Skins can beat us through the air. For that matter, neither can the 49er’s. And the road to the Superbowl goes through the Thriller Dome this year. Whatever punks jump up will get beat down.

FALCONS RISE UP!

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a gunfight without bullets. lol. I am hoping whomever is our opponent, we come out and score on our first possession, and that those are the first points of the game. If I see us trot the Sta Puft man out on the first play of our first possession, or really anytime during our first possession up until we are within 5 yards of the goal line, I will be miffed and seriously worried. Anybody else see the Viking offense getting bottled up by running even the great Adrian Peterson between the tackles repeatedly for gains of less than 2 yards? Didn’t Musgrave cut his teeth under MM? Glad to see Jenkins score.

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Call me crazy, but I don’t want Washington minus anyone, or Seattle full-tilt. No excuses by the media once we beat one of those teams, no chance for them to slime around it. We need to beat them on Playoff terms, straight up, or we really don’t deserve it. I think the Falcons have answered every single challenge thrown their way this year, and this is going to be another step in that direction.

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Man, I was actually looking forward to that Vikings-Packers game. And it turned out ot be a complete waste of time…

For a minute, I actually thought Webb could make things even tougher for the Packers because of his mobility. I figured he could open up more holes for AP because the defense has to contain him as well. And man, was I wrong…

So now the Vikings are out of the way, today’s game is the one to watch. Should be a good game. Seattle’s run defense is vulnerable. They actually rank in the back-half of the league vs. the run. That’s not good because everything Washington does is predicated on running the football. Should be an interesting matchup. We’ll see what both teams bring to the table.

I hear a lot of fans saying they’d rather play Washington over Seattle. I could care less who we play, but if we actually got the chance to choose an opponent, I’d agree with those who say that. But, I think it’s important to realize this ain’t the same Washington team we shut down early in the season. Their offense has evolved, as has their QB. They’re a lot better than they were when we played them.

But, the real question is, are we? Have we grown throughout the course of the season? After that Giants game, I felt we were finally kickin’ it up a gear. I liked what I saw @ DET as well. The game vs. Tampa Bay might’ve made some folks pause, and it’s understandable because it was another performance that we see out of these guys too often. But, I’m gonna give them the benefit of the doubt and just chalk it up to a lack of motivation with nothing really to play for.

A week away. Can’t wait.

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As much as I agree that there is no excuse for losing next Sunday’s playoff game at home, I don’t put a lot of weight behind the previous playoff losses. This is a different team with better coaching and better players than we’ve had in the past. Also, the teams we lost to were on a roll and in some cases, just plain better than we were. The Cardinals had Kurt Warner and we had a rookie QB and a middle linebacker that didn’t know where the first down line was. The Packers (I was at this game) benefited from two very poor passes by Matt Ryan and had a better team overall without a better regular season record. The Giants had a better team, better pass rush, and were the start of a big roll through the playoffs. Again, their record wasn’t as good as ours, but they were a better team.

This year, we were better than most of the teams in the NFL thoughout the season. We are better than Seattle and Washington, but both of these teams are playing very good football. If we lose again this year, it will be because we didn’t play well, because we shouldn’t be overmatched.

What would I like to see in this game? Lots of Matt Ryan in hurry-up shotgun and not a lot of Michael Turner running for 1 or 2 yards. Our strength is passing the ball and our weakness is running it – so obviously, don’t bother trying to ‘establish’ the run.

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First things I will be checking:
– How well is Ryan seeing the field?
– How fast are our RBs hitting the LOS?
– How well are we tackling?

Dhunt says don’t be nervous– enjoy. That’s a good word. I’m trying to make my nerves co-operate!

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JC — Thanks. When I looked at Pro-Football-Reference.com, they had the Steelers listed atop the AFC North. Must’ve been a tie-breaker somewhere in there.

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Paddy O

Never wish injuries on anyone–bad karma. Yet, it’s not like Spoon can’t take care of him in the playoffs.

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DHunt made some good points above. On the same line of thought, I’ll add this:

“No plan survives contact with the enemy” — Helmuth von Moltke

Old Helmuth wasn’t a football coach, but he got that right. Both teams are going to show up with plans next week, but plans are going to fall apart to some extent. Making adjustments will be critical, and the correct adjustments have to be made quickly. I’d offer that the players will have to adjust faster than the coaches, and they’ll need to jump on every opportunity and mistake.

Smith plays a fundamentally cautious game (Smittyball?), an approach I don’t dismiss easily, because it reduces penalties and turnovers, both of which can be self-inflicted game changers. I do think, however, Smith needs to have the Falcons play the next game closer to that fine line between “bold” and “crazy.”

As DHunt and others have noted, this Falcons team deserves confidence from coaches and fans. Nolan’s defense can beat anybody. Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez want a playoff win more than any other Falcons. Even if the best game plan comes apart, I think the players will step up, and if not, Ryan and Gonzo will win the game by themselves if necessary.

My bottom line: Falcons win. It may be ugly, and they may lose the following game, but I think they’ll find a way to win, no matter what, and no matter who they play.

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D3, We had a red out 2 years ago wasn’t timidating against Packers.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BLACKOUT NEXT SUNDAY.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Lol

Horrible PI call…

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As good as RG3 and Wilson have been, Luck is the best.

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Great post, D-3. I’m worried, but hopeful. We certainly have the talent to win, but do we have the mental toughness? We will see. Thanks for a great column.

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Thanks, Big Ray. The other quote I remembered is “hit ‘em where they ain’t” by Willie von Keeler.

I don’t know enough about passing routes and coverage to make any suggestions, but it seems to me Julio and Roddy ought to be getting open — “where they ain’t” — more often than they have. Can’t see much on TV anyway, so I don’t know what’s going on downfield. All I have is an impression that our passing game, good as it is, could be better.

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I’m impressed by the blitz packages of the Colts. I hope the Falcons have similar ways to disrupt the QB. Mike Nolan should have some great things cooked up.

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falcon21,

MR2 and flacko are no longer joined at the hip.

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Rice is one heck of a runner.

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Nice move that time, though. Colts get on the board again.

Joe Fake-O is just that….fake. Above average QB but barely. Has a strong arm and can fling it. Doesn’t do great with pre-snap reads. Is even less impressive with progressions.

Gets bailed out by Ray Rice and Baltimore defense all the time.

Like I said, “Fake-O” is his name…not Flacco….

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BL excellent point in regards to our o-line. Hard to complete passes on crossing patterns and slants when your OG is getting pushed into the QB… Or disengages his assignment allowing them to get hands in the air an tip passes.

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The biggest play Flacco has made today was the screen to rice, and was probably an unadvised throw, but rice bailed him out on that one.

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Glad to see we are not to only team that has right tackle issues.

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Can’t believe R Lewis is retiring. Watching him move and get off blocks he still has game.

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Flacco pick coming up in 3-2

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OK fumble, my turnover radar was alerted.

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Ray does look good, but god only knows what he has to do in order to get ready to play. My guess is he probably has quite the medicine cabinet.

Yeah, probably

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Colt O-line is having a hard time pass blocking….Luck seems to be getting hit damn near every play, this is the first time I have ever really studied him, I did not realize he was that tough.

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Home teams have it so far this weekend.

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I think it is a catch, he had it on the ground, got knocked out when he was hit lying on the ground.

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Luck has a horrible receiving core. Dropped passes and horrible routes. Got a lot of respect for him.

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Were the fans chanting bullsh!t on that taunting call? Lol

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Much respect for Luck, indeed.

Ravens lose the next one. I just don’t see it. Especially if it comes down to QB play as the difference.

Fake-O won’t show up.

Anquan Boldin made several plays with vanilla long throws.

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Seahawks looking pedestrian so far in an away game… as I expected.

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I do not like either of these teams or coaches. I do like RG3, I think he is a special player. Wish he played for a better franchise.

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RG III and the Skins look good .

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Actually washington was a fantastic franchise, until little Nepoleon decided that he needed to meddle in everything and basically destroyed the franchise RG3 has helped that franchise come back.

And London Fletcher is still fantastic after all these years.

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Seahawks looking NOT so good.

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Skins seemed to come out and punching the Seahawks in the mouth. Granted only the first few series.. but they are not being shy.

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Said it weeks ago… Seahawks are usually not good on the road.

Redskins should win, but was given 4 points on my bet.

But, you know after beating up a couple BS teams and taking advantage of turnovers from the 49ers… everyone would be sucking their dongs.

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And the talking heads flee the Seattle bandwagon!

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Seahawks’ offense — 3 plays in 13 1/2 minutes.

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My only issue with RG3 and luck is I question his durability. He is just too small, runs to upright, and takes hit. Russell is small, but he has that last second avoid the hit gene, They just got to figure out how to keep him from getting hit. Luck looks like a Sherman Tank.

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I wondered about Lynch too, was expecting to see him in the first series.

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Looks like the skins could be the ones to whip our butts next week….

Until we win, i’m terrified.

Of course the good news next week is we won’t have to listen to buck and aikman call the game.

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Those talking heads aren’t gonna shut up….

They’re right about us, by the way, until we actually win something.

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Phil, thanks for your thoughtful insight.

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And now the hawks are waking up…..sigh.

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I am enjoying this game pulling for who I want to win. Not against who I am afraid of.

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I’ll take Luck over RG3.

Luck has the look of greatness all over him. I know folks wanna say that Luck’s INT’s make him overrated.

I don’t buy that though. Dude has led that offense. Not much of a running game to help him, and he doesn’t really have an All-Star cast of receivers [not that Griffin's are any better]. But, dude is required to do so much to help his team win.

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Good for you Mike.

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I do not see either team coming into the dome and winning…it would take Atlanta losing… Hopefully we are more mature and better coached than that.

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Well stated D3!

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Cmon D3, don’t Smitty get some points for taking a swipe at DeAngelo?

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Not to under value our playoff losses Phil, but we lost to 3 teams making a SB run… Which of these two do you see doing that?

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Saints sucked forever till they won a Superbowl. It happens. It just takes a couple good games to be in the big dance. They have a good chance like everyone else.

No team is dominant this year.

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Mike, we can’t know that up front, can we?

Maybe Seattle is? Who knows?

I hope Atlanta is, but again, who the heck knows until we tee it up.

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Looking forward to debating whether we will win or not into the 1st week in February!!! We play who we play, don’t care.

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The only match up I see with either of these two that concerns me would be R Bryant against P Konz.

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Big Lou clearly has some bullying issues, was beaten as a child or worse…..

Get a life, man.

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Release Matt Ryan….

Trade for kirk cousins.

Or bring back kerry collins!

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Phil — It’s obvious that you’ve been losing for quite a few years.

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I’m a troll…

can’t you tell?

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Me too Phil, since Drew Pearson ripped out the heart of an 8 year old boy. However I believe this year is different. In 08 me like everyone else was just happy to be invited to th e party, in 10 I did not want to see GB. Last year I did not feel we were good enough to go. This year it feels different. This is the year I want a GB-Atlanta rematch in the dome!!!

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21, may? I’d say definitely. Getting to be an infestation here.

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Yep should have been a pro bowler. Seattle a D doesn’t work without him.

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Seattle is dirty… very dirty.

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Wow…

Little grab by Washington… PI.

Seattle can maul and it’s never called.

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The Falcons have to win three games in order to be Super Bowl champs.
One for the money,
Two for the show,
Three to get ready and….

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I will say this, it is not a foregone conclusion that Seattle is going to score 50 points every game. They are gritty, and for all the discussion about RG3 and Luck, Russell might be the best “football player” of the bunch. He has Fran Tarkenton eyes in the back of his head.

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Russell is a serviceable QB, I take RG3 over him any day.

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Mike, RGs knee is killing him, he can’t plant.

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Redskins are stupid…

It’s not like Cousins is a bad QB. Put him in before the defense collapses.

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Griffin is clearly faking it…..

He will run for a hundred on us.

Then again, so could I at age 45.

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Wow…

Shannehan is clearly retarded.

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Both teams look very beatable.

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I wonder what Nolan is thinking?

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He’s thinking no way we stop aaron rodgers…

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Big Lou…true, but it would be nice to get that “never won a playoff game with Ryan” albatross from around our neck. I think I’d prefer whichever team gives us the best opportunity to do that.

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IDK phil, Nolan cooked up schemes to stop the manning brothers, I don’t think he is intimidated by great QBs.

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Nolan is starting to think seahawks…..

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Peyton was rusty as heck against us….

Not now.

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The Burner….

Sigh.

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If the Redskins lose, it’s because of the stubbornness of the coaching staff not to take RG3 out.

Clearly they haven’t scored since the 1st quarter. What idiots.

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I started watching the Falcons back in the 60’s with my dad. I’ve NEVER said a disparaging word about their play, called for coaches to be fired, etc. like so many tend to do in the comments. I don’t consider my comment to be “loser talk”…Actually it’s in reference to all of those who lament our not going beyond the first playoff game. I’ve been thrilled with what my Falcons have achieved the last 5 years.

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FF, I am with ya. I think we can analyze without projecting blame. As a lifer, I am elated. If we lose, to quote D3, it won’t kill me, it never has before.

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i understand dancing with who brought you to the dance, but keeping RGIII in has ended the Skins season

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I am going to throw up. His ACL has been torn for weeks.

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I think that’s your ball game…

It really sucks to not see a 100% RG3.

But, and I don’t say this to be a douche, this is what Skins fans will be dealing with year after year. Not saying he’s injury prone, but just constantly having to hold your breath because dude might get hurt.

High risk, but high reward.

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Time for Cousins to shine.

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Redskins deserve to lose, if I were RG3 I would refuse to take another snap w/ that pathetic franchise. However he has more class than that.

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Unca’ Bob
January 6th, 2013
7:05 pm

D3,

phil’s gotta’ die.

********
are you really this pathetic that you can’t handle scepticism? Surely not.

That griffin play was ugly. Looks like he was very lucky.

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RG is a warrior, he wanted to be in there, but coaches are paid to make hard decisions and be a leader.

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With all the draft picks given up for RG3, and even though it is the playoffs, can you bet your future on a knee that is shot, even after the first limps, then the hit etc…
RG3 can be there for years, but risking him like that was just stupide

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Seattle….my nightmare along with green bay and frisco….

I hear some say seattle’s D might be the best going.

This doesn’t at least worry folks? With our O line?

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Good job, Redskins.

You deserved to lose.

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JJ
January 6th, 2013
7:19 pm

D3, phil is a troll…needs to be banned!!!

CyA

**********
this blog might have more sniveling little girl types than most others here….

A troll? Hardly.

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Wabe

January 6th, 2013
7:10 pm

R Wilson has the same concerns.

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This will be a tough matchup, and it’ll require a great game plan…

Our game vs. Arizona comes to mind. A team with decent front, but a solid secondary.

It’ll be really interesting to see how we attack that defense.

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Phil, I do not short sell it, it is an NFL playoff game against a team that made the playoffs. I know they are good, and concerned is a fair word. I think their gameplan was bad, I am not sure why they did not start out pounding with lynch, but next week they line it up and play again, here in Atlanta, the hair on my arms will stand up when they play the national anthem here in the dome, it is all gravy after that.

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Phil, tone it down if you want to hang around but I think it is too late!

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One thing with Seattle coming to town, dont have to worry about so many “other” fans in the stands….

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I AM a fanatical fan, but if the club doesn’t want me here, i really don’t care.

See ya…

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Be bringing my noise to the dome next week. Looking forward to the delay of game followed by a time out.

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They already have, LRD. One of the announcers promptly said, “Everybody is afraid of the Seahawks.” Them birds are about the meet THE Birds.

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Ha, Terry Bradshaw looked scared of the Seahawks…his look suggested the Falcons had little chance of winning.

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Those talking head MF’ers finish up telling how good our team is BUT, (you know) How about BUT, KISS MY ASS!

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Seattle played like crap the whole game against the Redskins who have a worse defense compared to the Falcons. The only reason why they scored was because the Skin’s D was gassed out.

Then the receivers of the Skin was open almost the whole game… RG3 was just inaccurate.

Are the Seahawks a good team? Absolutely.

Will the dominate the Falcons? Hell no.

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“They haven’t won a playoff game!” Then how in H— did we get to the Super Bowl??? I’ll eat the whole damn crow if we let Seattle beat us, feathers, guts, bones and all….. without hot sauce!
I heard some teams haven’t won a playoff game in twenty years.

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I’ll join you for the meal, JB, and bring a bottle of Ripple.

I never make predictions, but this time I predict southern fried Osprey.

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I did not see a “HOT” Seattle team today, I saw a lethargic team that was able to win because a injured QB finally collapsed on the 3 yard line and fumbled the ball.

Agreed.

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Well another 1 and done, Wilson looked superb and so did the Seattle D. Looks like Seattle is one road win away from…. oh they haven’t played the game yet… From what I am hearing Atlanta already lost.

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It is my personal experience is that here is not downside by staying under the radar and being underestimated.

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Seattle is beatable.

Washington had them beat until RG III went down and the offense went away. Leaving your defense on the field way too long lets teams come back on you….a lesson we’ve hopefully learned after having done it before.

Nolan will have a scheme to give Wilson more fits than Washington did.

Our offense need only strike early and consecutively. Put the heavy foot on the gas pedal. Keep it there. Had Washington been able to do so, they would have had a chance at winning.

It’s how we WILL win. And shut those talking heads right the hell up.

‘Nuff said.

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Opening line Atlanta -1 with over/under at 45.5.

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Mike, I’m not a betting man, what does that mean?

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Apparently the money believes in Atlanta, they are now a 2 1/2 point favor. Baltimore and Houston both getting nine spots. GB is a 3 point dog against San Fran. My early prediction Denver holds off Baltimore, but doesn’t cover. Green Bay upsets San Fran. Atlanta beats Seattle and covers. Houston upsets New England on the back of Arian Foster.

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This playoff season is going to be fun! I don’t see a team out there that we can’t beat.

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Interesting that we are the only Dome teams left at Atlanta and Houston…..

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Couple of notes before hitting the hay………….

We quibble from time to time about Smitty and Dimitroff and some of the mistakes they’ve made, but ignore the media elites and truly look at the respect our organization gets from the people who own teams, run teams, coach, and play on actual NFL franchises: If you’re a good organization, you will have good people hired away. Since Smith/Dimitroff Era:

1) Bill Musgrave – hired to be Vikings OC
2) Mike Mularkey – hired to be Jags head coach (I know, but it did actually happen)
3) Les Snead – hired to be Rams GM
4) Dave Caldwell sounds like he’ll be Jags new GM
5) Koetter, Nolan, Armstrong all getting interviews for head coaching positions
6) Bob Bratkowski – from QB Coach to Jags OC
7) Even guys we let go (BVG, Paul Boudreau) were immediately snapped up

http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/1/5/3838200/report-jaguars-may-soon-hire-falcon-director-of-player-personnel-dave

We may get dissed by the media elite, MTV Sports, ESPN, Entertainment Tonight, NFL Propaganda Network crowd, but the people who actually are a part of franchises do respect us as an organization.

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Finally…………..

IT’S TIME!

It’s time to win this effin game for the players

It’s time to win this game for Smitty

It’s time to win this game for us long-beleaguered fans

It’s time win this game for Blank

It’s time to win this game for TD

It’s time to win this game for the City of Atlanta (long everyone’s favorite sports city to hate)

It’s time to win this game for Gonzo and everything he’s done for our franchise

It’s time to win this game for Matt Ryan and everything he’s done for our franchise

It’s time to win this game for guys like Abe, Turner, McClure, and M-Pete on the downside of their careers

It’s time to win this game to shut these major league @sshole, clownshoe MTV Sports (ESPN), Entertainment Football Tonight (NFL N) crowd the eff up………..at least momentarily

It’s time to win this game to get this dadgum albatross off our back

It’s time for this team to work and prepare like they never have before, show up with an attitude, fight their hearts out, and stomp the ever-loving dog-doo out of everyone’s favorite darlings with an arrogant, sleazebag head coach, and a rookie QB

It’s time ladies and gentlemen!

NO EXCUSES!

We’re the better, more talented, more experienced, more motivated, better coached, better prepared team that’s playing at home!

I’m an absolute nervous wreck and this week is going to excruciatingly painful.

Have a good nite ‘all and see you tomorrow!

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Last one…………

Here’s my key for Sunday (at least one of them):

We should absolutely destroy Seattle’s linebackers.

Julio, Roddy, Gonzo, HD vs. Leroy Hill, Bobby Wagner (rookie), KJ Wright (2nd year LB)

Sorry, these guys may be good, but it’s still a rookie and 2nd year player. Hill is good, but he’s no Clay Matthews or Ray Lewis.

Our gameplan should be almost identical to the Giants game: make a concerted effort to distribute the ball around to as many players as possible (little to no Turner and an early, heavy dose of Snelling, Quizz, and HD). That, IMO, was a big reason the Giants had no idea what hit them. Everyone will focus on Julio, Roddy, and Gonzo. Get those other guys involved early and their heads will be spinning.

Last thing: if we can dominate the best front 4 in the NFL (sorry, the MTV Sports crowd can’t change the statement after the Falcons dominated them), than we sure as the Hades can beat these chumps and Chris Clemons will either be out or dinged up.

Really gone this time. Nite ‘all!

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And if you get upset at our organization sometimes, you could be a franchise that hired a pretty awful college coach (Bills hiring Doug Marrone) or an organization interviewing a Canadian Football League coach (Bears)………Yikes!

Jeez, I’m going to need sleeping pills this week.

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Yea, we have a good system, that is what every NFL team strives for, hell, what is what we strived for over the past 40 years. It is not like our HC and GM are drunk in the Airport and see Denver pick up Peyton Manning and decide to got after Tim Tebow.

That said, we are out of excuses, we are playing a team with a Rookie QB, flying out to the WC tonight only board another 6 hour flight BACK to Atlanta in a couple of days. If we can’t beat these guys, it is time to really as the hard questions.

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Showtime Babby

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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I liked the toss to JJ out of the I. He put up a few yards.

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Spoon must blitz from inside and outside, let him attack at full throttle, Falcons can’t play like this a regular season game and be passive they must attack, specially our CB i hated when Dunta and Samuel play so far off from the WR they must play more jam up front with over top help from safety.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Darrell rest assured this is not a BVG called D so they will mix it up. You will have some cover 2, zone, straight up man. 4 man rush ( which with Seattles line won’t bring much) some LB and safety blitzes. Don’t be surprised if Owens is corner blitzing. LBs will definitely have their hands full covering Lynch, Z Miller, and keeping Wilson from escaping pressure and breaking long runs.

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Plus i like see more Travian Robertson at DT instead Peria Jerry who have been a big bust so far in his career.

GO FALCONS!!!!!!!!!

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“NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday night the Seahawks fear that defensive end Chris Clemons tore his ACL on the sloppy turf at FedEx Field in Sunday’s win. This is a big blow for Pete Carroll’s defense, which counts Clemons as its best pass-rusher. Matt Ryan has taken some abuse in the pocket this season, and the Falcons were going to have their hands full with Clemons and Bruce Irvin firing off the edges. The Seahawks have a strong defense even without Clemons, but his loss is considerable.”

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It’s time for the Falcons to bring the wood to this young Seattle team. From what I saw of Seattle’s “shutdown” corners, they won’t be able to handle Roddy, Tony, Julio, Harry, and Quizz or Snelling. If we go after this rookie QB like we did Peyton, Drew and Eli it will be a blowout.

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At least one writer is some what on the side of the Falcons. John Clayton has credibility as being objective.

Who is going to be in the NFC Championship Game? Even though home teams have controlled the opening rounds of the playoffs, I could see the Green Bay Packers getting a win in San Francisco and the Falcons finally breaking their home playoff problems. That would put the Packers against the Falcons in the NFC Championship Game. That’s fitting. Rodgers and Ryan were the top two quarterbacks in the NFC in my opinion. It’s a quarterback-driven league. Don’t count out the Packers and Rodgers getting to the Super Bowl.

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curious on the commentary of letting RG3 play. far too many think Shanahan gives a rats butt about his QB – wrong. Shanahan wants another SB ring, and won’t care about the body county. only reason I really root against the Skins – like RG3 – but his leg was about to fall off. he needs ligament replacement surgery. on LUCK – yeah, he really is the real deal – and as Big Lou stated, the Colts receivers – other than Wayne and even he dropped a couple – REALLY SUCK. HOwever, Luck does what Ryan does not – deceive the defense with his true intentions – does look offs naturally. Hope Matty Ice becomes more proficient at it – but, I guess if I had the Big 3 – I’d look for evidence that the primary is open too. Seattle is pretty darn good team. Should be an interesting game. I disagree with LRD – i’da rather play the Skins. Shanahan I understand much better than Carroll – Carroll is a lot more innovative.

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We have experience with teams that rely on running Qbs. For those teams, I guess it’s an exciting ride… while it lasts. RGIII is (was) the local hero. I’m glad Falcons didn’t go that direction. Running QBs take more time to develop as decision makers. They are WAY too ready to improvise with their feet. Maybe Cam will be the exception– but what is the likelihood he will get hurt before then? As far as Morris goes, I expect us to be disciplined with his read-option and scrambles. Reviewing my mental tapes though, I recall that designed QB runs have gashed us pretty good this year. Something to watch out for, anyway.

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Cam is unique He is a mountain. However, the end of 2012 he started eliminating self induced turnovers. he does that, and he could be a force.

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Arno (9:47) – The doctor publicly said he never examined RGIII or clear him to play. Shanahan lied about it and got caught last week.

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How do you figure Shanahan justifies leaving RG3 in the game limping all over the field? I don’t think we’ll ever have to witness Smitty playing somebody in that shape, playoff game or not. I hope RG3 recovers and didn’t permanently damage his leg. I’m not worried about the upcoming game I think we’ve got this one in the bag. The next one hmmmm…………

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Arno — Shame is right. Shanahan is a disgrace to the Redskins for allowing RG3 to play a single down limping like that. I can only imagine how all the Falcon fans would feel if Smitty let any one of our players continue playing in that shape.

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as I stated earlier, RG3 injury is eerily similar to what happened to Bo Jackson – not same injury but same vicious oddity. and, the team admin turning a blind eye. Raiders stated that Bo would be back in 2 weeks from the injury. Worse for RG3, he was allowed to play – even when IN GAME evidence showed he had a seriously damaged knee. RG3 looked funny/slow against Dallas. desperation of the boss makes the underlings pawns.

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D3

Great post at 1:10, but I must disagree on your premise of:

“They have big defensive backs. OK, so we didn’t play well against arguably one of the best tandems in the NFL in Philly (Asomugha and Rodgers-Cromartie), the Cowboys, Broncos, and others?

They have a great front 4 (minus Chris Clemons, their best pass rusher). Remember that little Giants game where everyone in the NFL agreed that they had the best front four? Think that was like 34-0 or something like that.”

I think the Falcons will win, but these comments right here are a little homer-ish and sets you up for disappointment. The Seahawks have a good defensive line AND corners, where the Giants had a weak secondary/good line. I am not saying the Falcons cannot score on them, but they are easily the best defensive team we have faced this year. It’s going to be up to DK and Smith to come up with a game-plan to maximize our strengths.

I do agree the the loss of Clemons will hurt Seattle and not only help the passing, but open up the run game for the Falcons, since their draft pick(forgot his name) is very slow on sweep/screen plays–Clemons was great on the run, too. The Redskins took advantage of this and I expect the Falcons to do the same.

To me, the key to this game is not our offense, but the defense–one of the worst in the league in rush defense. If we can make the Seahawks one-dimensional and force Wilson to beat us himself… he will make mistakes, which will help the momentum in our favor. He is still a rookie, so he will have a stinker in the playoffs and it’s up to the defense/Mike Nolan to help him out.

We have to get off the field on third down! I just feel that the Falcon’s defense will be the reason why this game is a win or loss, just because they will have to carry the offense for this game. I am thinking of the realistic score being 24-17(Falcons win).

I was thinking they would have blown out the Redskins easily, but the Seahawks will make this game interesting. If the Falcons stop the run, the Seahawks will lose easily and it might become a blowout… but I am not holding my breath on that.

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Blog monster….

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Big Lou — So top to bottom this is the best defensive team that we’ve faced this year? As a unit, you’re probably right. But their front four is not as good as the Giants wonder-team of JPP, Osi, and Tuck. I didn’t say that the Giants secondary was good, but I have a hard time believing that the Seahawks have the best secondary in the league. Yes, Earl Thomas is a stud, but Sherman and Browner are better than any corner tandem we’ve faced? Not to mention their LB corps. If our offense can’t exploit their LB corps, than we don’t deserve to win. The Redskins marched right down the field on the Seahawks with an injured RG3.

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D3, hoping he is not saving his best for last.. hoping to have him saving that for when we are in New Orleans in Feb…

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Afternoon Cage – Well, here we are…

this is the week we have all waited for since the 24-2 embarassment. Regardless of your Cage ilk (pollyanna, skeptic, realist, or homer), don’t kid yourself… every single true Cager has waited for this week for a long, hard year. Furtehr, I submit most of us have waited for it fearfully. I certainly have.

This is where we wanted to be… and at the same time, this is where we dread being. Until we win this first game, we may never TRULY believe in our hearts that this team can be what we hope they can be.

I went into the weekend hoping for the Vikes and Skins. I wanted the easiest path to the big game. I’ve always wanted my teams to get the most favorable draws. But I can honestly say, that for the first time, I no longer feel that way. It happened when RGIII blew up his hampered knee. when I realized, yep it’s Seattle, then probably Green Bay then the Broncos or Patriots…

And said to myself… Good! D@manit! GOOD!

I’m tired of hoping and wishing and praying and being fearful of this team ripping my heart out and using it as sausuge casing.

It is TIME! I want every hot, explosive, better, stronger, highly ranked, statistically superior, media lovefest team there is. I wanted the rookie of the year, OPY, DPY, every hall of fame QB there is. Bring the entire arsenal against this team…

I want to win. I want Mike Smith to get his troops ready and I want them to finally unleash holy hell on every team tey face. I want and epic run through a championship that will stun ESPN so badly they’ll have to air X – Games reruns while they regroup.

In short, I’m sick of it and I’m not taking it anymore. So I fear no team and I shirk no challenge.

There are no more excuses… JUST eFFING WIN!

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http://www.atlantafalcons.com/media-lounge/videos/Second-Season-Starts/0f70505b-700e-45ff-aca9-c82d6fda520e

Mike Smith interview for the playoff week in preparation for the seahawks.

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Falcons can not play straight up in the playoffs specially with homefield advantage in the playoffs.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

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Man it just kills me how much these guy’s on espn hate the Falcons.

GO FALCONS !!!!!!!

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Watching the games yesterday just confirmed what I have always thought, playoff football is just still just football.

I watched all 4 games, all 4 winners played rather uninspired. I did not see boldness in Houston coaching kicking one red zone field goal after the next, I did not see a superior scheme in Joe Flacco closing his eyes and heaving the ball as far as he could. I did not see Green Bay having to overcome the greatness of Joe Webb. I did not see a hot team in Seattle refusing to lose…..except for Anquan Bolden, the Ravens pass rush and ironically enough, Andrew Luck, I just saw the same knock down, drag out, last man standing football I have seen for 16 weeks.

My point? Smitty and the Falcons just needs to do what they do, be themselves, there is a reason we are the number #1 seed, I hope they don’t think they have to change something to win a game.

I think Gonzo is gonna eat up those rookie linebackers…I am taking the point.

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Is it Sunday yet? It’s gonna be a looong week!

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First game ever Paddy O? You will never want to see a game on tv again! Enjoy and get there early.

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http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/43935/atlanta-falcons-quietly-set-records

Falcons least penalized team in NFL history with only 55.

Arno

Agree. That’s why I said our defensive performance is more important than our offense.

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LOL, read the 4tf-5th paragraph in. “Still, should be a good game because the Falcons play close games at home”

http://m.espn.go.com/nfl/story?storyId=8819333

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Let the voices of the naysayers become ragged and parched with their discounting of our beloved Falcons chances against the Seahawks. Let them extoll the virtues of the Sea-ducks, all puffed up and full of their own ego, with their makeup on and nary a hair out of place. Let the charlatans, prognosticators and pretenders amaze and astound the mobs with their hyperbole and flash. The Falcons will serve up a win for them to have with their dinner of humble pie and a side of crow.

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I would LOVE to snatch Barret Jones, Lacy in the draft.

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Coop @ 4:11 – I’m with you brother!

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Ga vs. AL was the true National championship game. Tonight is just an exhibition game and an added victory lap for the Tide.
If you Google “must win” it sends you to the Falcons site*

*not really

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Coop I am right there with you in reference to your 4:11 post. I have been like you. I believe this year unlike I have in years. I have that child like belief that I had back in 80 ( as a child if course). I am not sure that we got a tougher match up than we would have had the Skins won with a healthy RG3. I do not believe we are drawing a hot team this year marching to the SB. We are not facing a future HOF under center. We focus on the task at hand, beat these guys and go into next week listening to how we have no chance in the NFC Championship Game. I desperately want a rematch with Green Bay! I think we match up well with them and can beat them, Seattle is but an obstacle. I want GB, beat New England or Houston ( 2 out of the 3 teams the current regime has not beaten) and hoist the Lombardi in New Orleans of all places. I want the guys in the pads and helmets wearing red and black to want this like we do! I want them right now to know they are on the edge of greatness and embrace it for this city and these fans. These last few days have been great. Hearing stories from lifelong fans like mine. Some say this is it, win it or they are giving up. Think I have said that before, but I know I am to invested in this team to ever give up hope. All of you that will be at the dome come Sunday its time to bring it. I am sick of hearing no one is afraid of coming into Atlanta!

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Agree, Lacy looks like what Turner once was.

Difference is that Lacy is about 220-225 lbs. Turner has been 240+ most of his career. Listing him now at 247 only means he’s played at 255-260 more often than we are likely to know.

Lacy is lighter, but still very strong. Good RB.

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So, completely contrary to what the media idiots have been harping about it not being good having a bye week…..

http://espn.go.com/nfl/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/8821325/2013-nfl-playoffs-chris-clemons-seattle-seahawks-torn-acl-meniscus

Sooo…..they’re wrong. Again.

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Coop- Awesome post at 4:11, only problem….we STILL have to wait another five frikkin’ days! ARggg! Want to see it NOW!!!

OK, my four scenarios for after Sunday’s game:

1) The “Media are all Geniuses” scenario. Seattle wins a close one. They can continue on their Atlanta can’t win a Playoff game crap for as long as they want and pat themselves on the back for how lucky…er….smart they were for saying that all year. The Coaching staff does the typical CYA stuff and sticks to the media bytes. My personal least favorite scenario. But there it is. Chances of actually occurring: 35%

2)The “End of an Era” scenario. Seattle wins big. Mike Smith gone. Hate to say it, but at that point, there is no fixing it. Regular season counts for getting to the Playoffs. If you keep getting slaughtered in it, you might as well be the Chiefs, with an extra weeks worth of work. Ugh. Chances of actually occurring: 20%

3) The “HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHHAHHAHAHAHA!” scenario. The Falcons win big. We get to ask the media for the next couple of weeks and all next year “WTF YOU GOT TO SAY NOW A$$HOLES??!!!” My most fun scenario.Chances of actually occurring: 40%

4)The “Everyone Gets to be Happy” scenario. the Falcons win a close one. We can gloat at the media with the same phrase; “WTF YOU GOT TO SAY NOW A$$HOLES??!!!” , but they can use lame excuses like “Clemons was out, what would have happened if he was there?” or “Seattle was road-weary, on even terms they are really the better team”. Or also: “Wilson is the next elite QB, wait till next year, he won a playoff game in his rookie season (forgetting Flacco and Sanchez, of course, THAT would require them to THINK.) So they don’t have to come up with anything original, so they’re happy, too. Most likely scenario. Chances of actually occurring: 65%

Can’t wait to see this play out, HURRY UP SUNDAY!!

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http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/43939/good-omen-for-falcons

Suck a d!ck, Matt Ryan haters. He’s on a mission.

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Seattle went back to Seattle, That will be 7500 miles in a week on a plane. No way Seahawks win on Sunday. I will be at the game on Sunday and will be adding to the crowd noise. Its not like every other week where its just 3rd down getting the dome loud, its every down during the playoffs! Time to shake up Wilson and he is 0-3 in domes anyways. He cant travel and he cant play indoors! DOWN WITH THE ROOKIE HYPE BS!!!

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Here is the myth they are smugly polishing in Seattle– “We are the tough guys.” http://seattletimes.com/html/jerrybrewer/2020081556_brewer08.html

They have no idea the Falcon powder keg they will be facing.

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White and Jones are hardly the players to be out-physical-ed. In fact, I’d love it if Seattle tried it. they’d be minus two starting cornerbacks by the end of the first quarter.

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For get about 3 WR set if the Falcons are going win this game, the double TE is a must specially after watching Alabama play last night.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

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Good post Trademark and nice dig BL. I don’t think I can say anything that hasn’t been said yet, I’m hoping my weird “bird event” is truly a good portent for the future. I know the team is more than capable, time to just get it done.

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“One of the scenarios is pretty spot on, which is if for some crazy @ss reason we get embarrassed again in the playoffs, I then would think that a change would be made. I know people called me crazy once before saying “why would you make a change and give the team to Nolan.” But why not? Smitty clearly ain’t getting it done and Nolan is even interviewing for other jobs. Can’t really see that happening, but you just never know. ” – D3

IF we were to get ROFL-stomped yet again I don’t Smitty being safe as many suggest. He looked like a recently spanked child that was happy to have a job at last years presser. The crazy stuff he did in that last game could easily be seen as acts of desperation, someone that knows this is the last shot. I hate it that the last game reminded me of this ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6da9U6Xjd8 ) with Smitty playing Lt. Dike. I don’t know if Nolan will play the part of Lt. Spiers that replaces Dike, but someone will have to if Smitty fails again.

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Arno – “Here is the myth they are smugly polishing in Seattle– “We are the tough guys.” http://seattletimes.com/html/jerrybrewer/2020081556_brewer08.html”

Typical homer article they wrote, like they are is SO much better physical shape and have SO much more willpower to out-muscle the other teams out there. Look, let’s get something very, very clear. The talent level in the NFL is not the same as it is in college. There are great players at every position, at top physical form, and there are a very few exceptions to that rule, they are the all-time greats, and there are a few of them playing in this league right now, and in this game.

You REALLY want to compare willpower Seattle? You REALLY think that we won’t be fighting for every blade of grass and every yard just as hard, or at times even harder than you? Try three years of total frustration. Now give that frustration the weapons that we have this year, and see what happens. (The Giants can explain it to you, if you can reach them at their respected houses-where we basically sent them.)

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Have any one notice every since MV7 left the media have been hating on Falcons, JUST DAM

When MV7 was with the Falcons ESPN the media and all sports station supported Falcons, now since what happen it’s like media are accusing Arthur Blanks and Falcons organization for throwing MV7 under the bus, SMH

MV7 CONVICTED HIM SELF NOT ATLANTA.

BIG DOG IN THE HOUSE

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The Seahawks are playing the Falcons, right? Yet the burning question on one segment of NFL Total Access last night (or whatever the show was called), was who is better, Seattle or San Fran? SMH.

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If Seattle is beat up, and road weary can anyone really make excuses? Is that not the point in playing for home field and earning a bye?

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Good point and overall article by Schultz…….

The people who claim Mike Smith absolutely gets fired if the Falcons lose this game are wrong. So are the people who say Mike Smith absolutely would not get fired. Fact is, we don’t know. That’s one man’s decision, and regardless of what that one man, owner Arthur Blank, might say now, even he can’t imagine the difficulty of processing another defeat and where that would lead him. We’re talking about one of the most emotionally invested owners in sports.

http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2013/01/08/times-up-for-falcons-they-need-to-win-in-postseason-now/

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D3 (2:40) – I’m learning to just tune them all out. Whether it’s just pure hatred for the Falcons I don’t know, but it’s evident they don’t want to give us our due for what we’ve accomplished. The measuring stick constantly moves for the Falcons…first no back to back winning seasons, now they can’t win in the playoffs, next it will be they can’t win the Superbowl (if we don’t win this year).

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I personally have not felt so much riding on a Falcons game…. ever. — Arno

I haven’t been around the Birds as long as some of you all have, but my dad and all his friends have, and outside of the 1980 NFC Champ game and the 98 Super Bowl, you’re absolutely right. And I’ll just say that this game has MORE pressure because those years were seen as drops in the bucket as opposed to being a supposed consistent contender and having fantastic regular season success. Relatively, the most pressure-packed game in franchise history.

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D3– Rolland Lawrence. Need I say more? Still– while those days were intense, they were more like a new adventure. But this game is exactly as you say– “Relatively, the most pressure-packed game in franchise history.”

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I hope our players are feeling less pressure than me. It reminds me a little of 98. I was a total wreck the day of the Super Bowl. Had to get 3 showers from sweating so much. By the time the game started I was completely worn out – just slumped back in my tv chair and numb (the cervezas may have contributed).

Just got my new big screen tv set up on Saturday, fridge is stocked, and breakable objects have been moved out of reach. My wife plans to evacuate. I’m ready for this….

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This just feels like the year. After the Meltdown at the Meadowlands we came back and did exactly what we needed to do….

….We came back and got the #1 seed.
….We beat Brew Brees while he talked about being the NFC South champs,
….We hammered the Giants,

We have passed all the tests up to this point. Now, it just seems the football god will at least give us the opportunity to make up for the debacle at the dome, to slay all the ghosts of playoff pasts. I just feels right.

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Actually 1980 the Falcons were eliminated by Dallas in the divisional round. Yes D-3 80 and 98 were drops in the bucket…especially 98, that year shocked the world. I agree that there is a lot riding on this game. I love the reference of. Gonzalez in diapers and Home Depot a twinkle in Aurthur’s eye. Gonzalez probably was out if diapers when I began this mostly painful journey as a Falcons fan. I would say probably riding a tri cycle. I remember my uncle throwing me the ball and I was always Alfred Jenkins. Anyone remember Joel Williams and Buddy Curry? Hopefully there are a ton of kids out there who can talk about how they remember Roddy, Julio, Matty Ice, the greatest tight end ever to play the game hoisting the Lombardi the year he retired. They can reminisce about Spoon, Abe, Asante, and William Moore. I know this team is on the verge of something special. I want it to be now. For a long time there has always been next year, well there will always be next year..but there is still today as well. I like what Aaron Rodgers said, this is when your legacy is made.

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Mike, I was in HS in ‘66 and remember when Tommy Nobis was our first draft pick. We have five generations of Falcon fans and it’s about time to drop the big reward so as the first generation does not die off before we finally win the SB. We are so close now it would be great to be a kid pulling for a SB winning team. It’s funny that year after year the fans remain loyal in spite of our history. I would like to have at least one SB so that we could hereafter strive to get another one. Talk about a forty six year old virgin!! The/we fans are getting a little restless.

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Does anybody know who the Seahawks are playing Sunday? All I can get from the media coverage is that they’re going to beat whatever team they’re playing, but it’s hard to tell. They may have already won Sunday’s game. Or have they won the Super Bowl already?

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Got a check in the mail today from Arthur Blank’s personal account. It was a refund for my ticket.

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Falcons vs Green Bay 2. It just has to happen.

That’s what I’m talkin’ about…

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BR —- Seems like the Eagles are doing their due diligence and interviewing pretty much anybody they think would be a good candidate. You never know. If come out and light up these defenses in the playoffs, it might be sayonara Mr. Nolan. If we lose on Sunday, it should be laters to Smitty. Sorry, can’t bare the thought of another season where all we would hear is 0-4. As bad as it’s been this year, it would be multiplied exponentially next year if we made no changes.

JB / falcon21 — We gotta do it boys! Boom or Bust for Smitty on Sunday.

Going to try and hit the hay a little early because that will speed up the time until Sunday, right?

Nite ‘all and GO D@MN FALCONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How awesome would it be if we just came out and destroyed them like the Giants? Normally, I’d never expect that in a million years, but we did do it to the defending SB Champs in the middle of a playoff push.

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Bobby Butler was a pretty good cornerback.

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I don’t know if Brian Jordan was a better baseball player, he was a hell of a football player too, but baseball is a better gig, bigger guaranteed contracts, it does not take the toll on your body, especially the way Jordan hit….no Brainer. It was Jordans choice; he was a stud at both sports.

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Am I not mistaken, but did we not hang 30 points, and 275 passing in Seattle last year with the same corner-backs….Roddy had a bid day if I remember correctly.

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Talk about getting burned, can you say Bruce Pickins or Charles Dimrey? {sp}

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Dimry, lol… he never got within 10 yards of Jerry Rice.

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Looks like MB has taken over so I’m out. That would be “M”r “B”ig head.

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I feel ya Greg, but Peter King picked us to win the SB a few years back, and when he does that, and you go one and done, the media is gonna make you pay….You don’t make Peter King look bad…..

BUT, if we win, expect Mr. King to come out and say he knew we would win it all along, that just picked the wrong year.

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Looong post warning:

Ah, the wonders of NFL GamePass (and the benefit of a Bye Week), and I’ve watched the tape of the Seahawks, and come up with what I’d like to see (at least some of) on Sunday.

The good and the bad first; The bad, we already know, Seattle is pretty damned good, offensively, and more so defensively. The good, we match up with them pretty damned good also.

Strategies that I think will work (my two or three cents worth):

Special teams: No letups. Period. We cannot afford a freak play going the wrong way for us to decide our fate. There is little margin for these kinds of errors, and would pump up an excitable Seattle team. Keep their FG attempts nice and long. Their kicker will probably be in job interview mode, so he’ll impress with the short to medium stuff. If at all possible, make the big play ourselves, those can be game changers. Failing that, stay SOLID and execute. No letups, concentrate, and everything should be fine in this arena.

Offense: What has succeeded against the Seahawks this year is the medium to long pass. By average, 7-9 yards seems to be the goal here. So any medium range passing mixed in with a couple of field-stretchers should work. The bad news for us is, the teams that had the most success against the Seahawks this year mixed in a healthy dose of the run (St. Louis, San Francisco, Miami). My strategy, play action needs to be established. Seattle is going to be PUMPED during the first 2 quarters of this, and a bit after halftime. They will be aggressive and will have a tendency to over-pursue. Their rookie DE starting for Clemons got the bulk of his sacks against teams like Arizona and Green Bay, who if they had a fleet of Battleships and a couple of Pershing Missiles would still end up getting their QB sacked. EMPLOY THE NO-HUDDLE EARLY AND OFTEN, ESPECIALLY IF THE GAME PLAN IS STALLING, AND DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE 3rd QUARTER TO DO IT!!!! Keep them on the field and guessing. Let them expend their energy. We’ll see how pumped they are after going full-tilt for a couple of quarters. Do not abandon the run. Yeah, I said it. Shoot me. OK, I am NOT a big believer that Turner will suddenly have a huge game, however, we haven’t seen a single indicator that he will. And the LAST thing we need is to run him on first down to watch him get stuffed, because that will do the two worst things to us possible. 1) Put us in 2nd and 3rd and longs, and 2) Pump Seattle up even more. Maybe the answer here is a mish-mash, or employing Quizz in the screen (or even Snelling) AS the run play. The trick is to make them account for the RBs. Seattle blitzes to bring QB pressure, and they (luckily for us) blitz their safeties and exterior LBs. God help them if they don’t change that trend, because Ryan has adjusted to the blitz really, really well this year, and one-on-one coverage against Jones and White is asking to get torched. Their corners are not so hot in those situations, I’ve seen it. They are much more effective at the bump-and-run (physical) coverage, and waiting for the rush to disrupt the QBs rhythm. Here’s where the screen will kill them. A pump fake after establishing the screen as a threat should freeze the corners and safeties and let Jones or White loose very deep. Remember, they play excited and up-tempo. USE IT AGAINST THEM. Ideally, IF we are able to establish a two-score lead, we can run it down their throats, but please, don’t use this strategy until the game is at LEAST mid-way through the 4th. No let-up, attack as if it’s tied for at LEAST three quarters.

Defense: Fun. Blitz the P!ss out of Russell Wilson. He absolutely sucks against it. I’ve seen it. He’s a Rookie, smart, sure. But STILL a rookie. Make them try to beat us with his arm, and we will shut them all the way down. We don’t even have to compile sacks on him, just harass him, don’t let him set up. Do NOT bring the blitzes from the safeties or corners, though, THIS IS WHERE SEATTLE BURNS PEOPLE IN THE PASSING GAME. Their receivers are pretty good, but nothing special. They get special when people blitz their corners or safeties and leave them in one-on-one. Plus, with a SLIGHTLY delayed blitz by the LBs, we can anticipate the running lanes and spy Wilson. This should help in the run support, which will be crucial. Seattle is going to try to ram it down our throats with Lynch. But, I’m telling you, in the Seattle losses, Lynch had over 100 yards rushing in most of them, you HAVE to harass and confuse Wilson. Control Lynch to a degree, but Seattle only hums when Wilson is allowed to pass. Turnovers would be nice, it would allow us a luxury here, but we can’t count on them. We do all of these things, we hold them around 20 points, and we can score with that all day.

Intangibles: Let’s not kid ourselves. The more nervous team this week is Atlanta. They’ve waited since last year to play THIS game. OK, maybe the New Orelans and Giants games also, but mostly this one. We need to weather the energy and attitude that Seattle will bring, be patient and execute. Stay CALM and do what we do. The butterflies will come and go throughout the game for Atlanta. In the beginning, if we get a lead, if they do, it doesn’t matter, they’re coming. EXPECT THEM AND KEEP FOCUSED. We forged the steel of our attack and defense in the regular season, and we know how to do it, and it is STRONG. Even under pressure. RELAX. No dumb decisions on 4th down. If we are in our territory or near mid-field, please, PLEASE don’t be stupid and go for it if there is a choice in the matter. Halftime adjustments will be CRUCIAL in this one, because Seattle will be starting to get tired. They play up-tempo, and they are a bit beat up and too well-travelled in the past week to keep that up for 4 quarters against a team that is coming off a Bye Week. IF, for some reason, we are out-hussled for the entire game, I say fire the trainer. There would be absolutely no excuse for that. Stay cool if we get behind, don’t force it if it isn’t there, but PUT THE OFFENSE IN MATTY ICE’S HANDS EARLY IF IT STARTS GETTING BAD, THAT MEANS THE PLAN ISN’T WORKING; AND HE CAN IMPROVISE BETTER THAN ALMOST ANYONE IN THE NFL. IF we get the lead, PRESS IT. TAKE THEM WHERE THEY DO NOT WANT TO GO, WHERE THEY HAVE NO CHANCE TO BREATHE OR GET BACK INTO IT. GOING CONSERVATIVE IN THIS CASE MEANS WE’RE SATISFIED, AND I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I WON’T BE SATISFIED UNTIL I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THE “W” IS NOTCHED IN OUR BELT!!

All that being said, I like our match-ups. I think we have the advantage in the QB, TE, WR, LB, CB and K positions. They have it in RB and D-Line. The O-Lines are a wash. The Coaching and Motivation remains to be seen.

Later, Cage!!
GO FALCONS!!

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I’m ready to see the Falcons get it on. These guys are tired of hearing all the media chatter and will be dying to shut up the talking heads. I believe these guys will come out fired up just like when they played the Giants. If it’s one thing we all know, this team rises to the occasion when they feel they have something to play for or to prove a point.

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`Wednesday Greetings Cagers!

For goodness sake, is it just Wednesday?

A few quick items and I’ll be back a little later………..

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2013/01/08/atlanta-falcons-david-caldwell-named-jacksonvilles-general-manager/

Another one of our executives picked to be another General Manager. That makes two in two consecutive years. For all those that think TD is attached to the hip with Smitty, I have vehemently disagree. Coaching is one thing, and yes the Jags hired Malarkey, but when you’re top two assistants get raided in two consecutive years, that means you’re doing something right. Smitty’s top two: one got hired as a head coach (yeah, I don’t get it either) and the other is now out of a job (at least to my knowledge).

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Zoomie

Great post! Also add to the fact that nobody believes in the Falcons really(except for John Clayton). Everyone is saying that the Falcons will lose and Stephen A Smith only picked them out of spite. If the Falcons can’t win this one, they’ll never win with this group. Everything is stacked in their favor for motivation:

-Nobody really believes in them(even our own journalists).
-Seahawks team is clearly arrogant and dismissive.
-0-3 record in the playoffs creates ‘pressure’ on Matt Ryan/Mike Smith. Well, pressure creates diamonds… which will be on their Superbowl rings if they silence the haters
-Asante was pretty much called washed up by Philly, and with the passing of his Mother… he will be ready to prove a point
-Matt Ryan/Mike Smith are called regular season warriors. With the combination of the new coordinators and MVP play(easily ignored by the media) by the Ice Man, I just think they are ready to prove a point.

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Anyone notice how silent the Falcons have been this week so far? It’s a good thing.

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Wednesday.
tic……………………..toc……………………tic……………………toc………………

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One of the advantages, along with a chance to get players some rest, during the bye week is the extra opportunity to prepare for the next opponent. While the Falcons didn’t find out who they’d play until around 8 p.m. ET Sunday, the coaching staff was hard at work last week preparing for all three of the possible opponents.

http://blog.atlantafalcons.com/jayadams/2013/01/07/extra-day-helps-falcons-in-preparations/

Music to my ears, because I thought I read something that said they couldn’t or wouldn’t try to prepare for 3 different opponents.

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trademark — D@mn fine post at 8:18 am. That looks like a helluva scouting report right there. I agree and I’ll just add one thing: Tony Gonzalez should have a career day. If Gonzo can burn the best of the LB’s in the league, he can have a field day with these guys. Wagner – rookie; Leroy Hill – slightly above average; Wright – 2nd year guy. HD, Snelling, and Quizz should be intentional, often targets in this game to exploit their weaknesses, much like the Giants gameplan that was the best offensive gameplan of the year.

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I don’t know what it is… maybe it’s just fool gold.

But I feel we’re going to run the ball well against the Seahawks.

You know why? Clemons being out. He’s the big reason why they stuff the run so well, and a big reason why Irvin will be a hindrance to their run D. He is a great pass rusher but slow off the edge. All I know is if we run the ball well, the Falcons are unstoppable on offense. Use the first Saints game, Giants, and Eagles as examples.

Sunday can’t come soon enough!

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Thanks D3! A lot of work, but worth it…and fun. I think the key stats for us are our middle range passing game is upgraded from last year’s game in Seattle, where we torched the Seahawks for 291 on the mid-range 7-9 yarders and then racked up the YAC. Gonzo might do everything you just said, but Seattle rarely blitzes their LBs and crowds the middle of the field, so he might find himself doubled a lot or in the middle of traffic. Kind of a reason why Seattle doesn’t tend to give up big games to the great Tight Ends in this league. I still say hit them on the edges, at middle-range, and then open them up on play-action/pump fakes. The lack of a running threat could hurt us, though. Turner played a big role last year in the W, the Falcons have to find a way to get the RBs involved, even if it’s screens. Their LBs have to buy that the line of scrimmage needs to be protected to leave our receivers in one-on-ones.
Of course, Seattle might be altering their tendencies and blitzing the LBs. If that happens, Tony G is going to go off.

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Why we win (nonsense reasons) …
The football Gods will allow us to try and set things right by having us play Green Bay at home again.
They will also wish to reward us for stopping against the Giants and not furthering our revenge by running up the score against them.
Finally they will punish the Seahawks for running up scores against their lesser competitors.

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The Falcons are going to win this game. Naysayers STFU.

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I do not know if Seattle has the personnel to try this, but others have had success with narrowing Ryan’s field to dump-offs, and limiting his time. So my key to the game– Will time slow down for Matt Ryan? If so, he will make his fakes, get his reads, see whole field, and claim it as HIS territory. And as we have seen– that is a thing of beauty!

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Big Lou: “I don’t know what it is… maybe it’s just fool gold.

But I feel we’re going to run the ball well against the Seahawks.”

I do too. The Falcons have had some very good moments all year in their rushing attack, but the passing attack is so good, they’ve been able to live off it. But I have this (possibly way off base) vision of Koetter tinkering and testing throughout the season, making mental notes for an unholy Frankenstein’s monster he will unleash in the playoffs. It just feels like the team and staff have made a committment this year to not just a stellar regular season, but to making the post season much different than in years past.

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DePlane — You’re correct about the for-profit, secondary agencies, but season-ticket holders always have first right of refusal. My only point was that the confidence level among the fan base as it pertains to the post-season is shaky at best. All he has to do is win this one and all that garbage goes away. And I would even go as far as say if we lose the NFCCG.

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I heard somewhere that the Falcons are ranked #1 in first quarter scoring in the past 5 years. I cannot confirm that, but I can confirm year by year.

2008 #2, 6.7
2009 #13 4.9
2010 #13 4.5
2011 #2 7.1 (Behind Green Bay)
2012 #12 5.7

I would imagine that puts us very near the top. Am I worried that we are going to come out flat and that our playcalling is out of rythem,

The 2 prior years, we were 17 and 22.

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Big Boi just picked the Falcons on that stupid Skip Bayless-Steven Smith show….That settle it, bring on the Lombardi.

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But I have this (possibly way off base) vision of Koetter tinkering and testing throughout the season, making mental notes for an unholy Frankenstein’s monster he will unleash in the playoffs. It just feels like the team and staff have made a commitment this year to not just a stellar regular season, but to making the post season much different than in years past. Geo

Man, wouldn’t that really be something. Normally, I’d agree that it may be way off base, but their was a glimpse of that in the Giants game. I mean, out of nowhere, we really could do no wrong. At that point, Smitty may have said, “we have 2 games vs. two crappy, eliminated from the playoffs teams (TB, Det) to get the #1 seed and bye. We’ve shown we can put it altogether when needed, let’s not go all out.” Of course, we both may be way off base, but that Giants game was probably one of the best offensive gameplans I’ve ever seen designed and executed in franchise history.

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Lol, maybe…it was classic, he was standing up for the birds while Skip and Steve were being their doushy selves. BB said that we would win because we were home, and they brought up the debacle…then BB said we did not have JJ then, and we are a more mature team…You could almost smell the smoke of misfiring brain synapse as they kept saying…but but but, like it was not on the que card.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHuupmFqlDQ

Something to pump you guys up for Sunday. Highlight fan video for the Falcons this year!

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Roddy torched Seattle last year.

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Actually, MB, Julio Torched Seattle last year…

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Warning:

Do NOT watch the video Big Lou posted. If you are already pumped up like me, you will explode.

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Arno

Yeah, can’t wait for Sunday.

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I am just churning with anxious energy and the only thing that helps quell it is talking Falcons, matchups, debunking myths, calling media-elite the stupid @ss-clowns they are, etc. etc.

Here’s a good article debunking the myth that this All-World secondary can’t be beat…….

http://www.thefalcoholic.com/2013/1/9/3852598/a-closer-look-is-the-seahawks-secondary-unbeatable

Green Bay – The story of this game was the way in which the GB line fell apart. Rodgers was sacked 8 (8!) times in this game and only ended up throwing for 223 yards with no TDs.

If the Falcons are going to succeed against the Seahawks, the easier road will likely be through guys like Tony Gonzalez and Harry Douglas. As well, the screen game could be a huge factor.

Exactly the point I was making, and throw in Quizz and Snelling. Those 4 will be the the key to the game on offense I believe.

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@ D3’s 2:21 PM:

Easy, there D3. These Sea Gull fans are pretty new to winning football. There are bound to be a few “cleats-in-throat” moments.

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Lookers like they picked up some bum off the street, Patrick chukwurah, who has not played in the nlf since 07….he beat out ray Edward, lol.

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Bruce Irving (rookie) takes Clemons place. Hopefully we can run on him, but he did set some kind of franchise record for rookie year tackles — I think.

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They also signed Patrick Chukwurah. He hasn’t played since 2007 when he was backup DE for the Bucs.

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trademark – very nice write up. I’m hoping we come out strong and score on our opening drive, and those are the first points of the game.

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Everyone has at least 2 opinion’s, just like elbows…The team that wins Sunday will be the team that makes the fewest mistakes and operates at a very high level!!

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There corners are average, well maybe even good but not elite. They are playing behind one of the NFL’s best pass rushes. That is the only reason they are getting alot of there stats, except maybe E Thomas. He’s there best secondary player and its mostly coming from the blitz/pass rush.

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Paraphrase from Walterfootball is that he’s picking the Falcons even thought the Seahawks are the better team… Simply because the Hawks are in a bad position traveling to the East Coast. He disgusts me.

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I was listening to Rush Limbaugh today… he was pointing out that the Washington Post blamed the Washington loss to Seattle last Sunday on the “racist” name of the franchise… the “Redskins”… and then he pointed out something I didn’t know… there is no such thing as a Seahawk… it’s a completely made-up animal! Falcons can’t possible lose to a make-believe bird!!!

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“I was listening to Rush Limbaugh today…”

Ornithology-wise, that’s going out on a limb.

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Lynch has a hurt foot?

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2013/01/09/seattle-seahawks-injury-report-marshawn-lynch-did-not-practice-today/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_falcons_blog

Ooopsie. Hate to break it to ya, Seahawks, but if Lynch is not 100% or limited in the game (or OUT), you are going to have a hard time doing anything out there on Sunday. Might get damn near shut out.

Ah well, at least the media can add that to their list of built-in excuses to have if Seattle loses.

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JJ,

Thank you my friend.

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3lanes2nj – I don’t know about Sherman, but Browner holds just about every receiver that is capable of blowing by him. He was hanging on for dear life last year against Julio and I’m pretty sure he will be asking for safety help over the top most of the game. Don’t believe for one minute that Seattle will play our receivers straight up man-to-man. Pete Carroll is lying.

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UB – you finally legal to drink? BTW, Happy B-day!

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Dang. Everybody picks against the Falcons.

Can Sunday hurry up? Jeez.

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Great Thursday Greetings Cagers!

For those of us that are trying to find anything about the Falcons and the media darling Seahawks and matchup to help us get through these painful last few days, Pat Y has a ton of stuff up about the Falcons and media darling Seahawks……….

ATLANTA FALCONS

For the second straight year, Atlanta is losing its director of player personnel. Dave Caldwell has been hired as the general manager in Jacksonville. That comes a year after Les Snead left for St. Louis. Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff has a deep and talented staff in place. But it’s logical to speculate about the chances of Scott Pioli ending up with the Falcons. He used to be Dimitroff’s boss in New England.

WOW!, talk about a dream scenario getting Pioli on our staff as an assistant to TD. I have a hard time believing that Pioli can mastermind such greatness in NE only to forget everything he knows about football in a few years. I know that Belichick did play a big role in the GM side of it, but still. I think Pioli doomed himself with the Todd Haley hire. He may have been a good offensive mind, but he was an effin’ headcase and that doomed him. Some of the picks may not have been the best either, but he did draft Tyson Jackson (sorry, the guy may not be balling in the NFL, but he was an absolute stud in the SEC, hard to argue with that pick). Sure, he passed on a few guys in retrospect (BJ Raji, Brian Orakpo, Josh Freeman, Michael Oher), but there were a lot of early busts from that draft class. He drafted Eric Berry, Dexter McCluster, Javier Arenas, Tony Moeki,

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My computer flummoxed there and I didn’t mean to get into a Chiefs discussion, but my point was that Pioli taking Haley and then electing to go with Crennel (who just ain’t got it at head coach) doomed him.

3lanes2nj — Welcome! Man, you got that right. I’m so sick of hearing about their corners I could vomit. Sherman sounds like he should playing for the Saints with his ignorant, trash attitude. They’ll likely find to miss Clemons more than anyone.

Now, for those of you getting a little worn out on the matchup on Sunday part, here is a VERY interesting dynamic.

Jaguars hire Dave Caldwell (#2 under TD) as their new general manager. And guess what happens 1 minute ago………..

The Jacksonville Jaguars just issued a news release announcing Mike Mularkey has been fired as their head coach.

“I informed Mike today that he will not return as head coach of the Jaguars,” new general manager David Caldwell said in a statement. “I know Mike well and do not want anyone to misinterpret the rationale behind my decision. Mike is an excellent coach and I am sure he will succeed in his next stop in the NFL. However, I must do what I believe is best for the Jacksonville Jaguars and immediately explore every avenue possible to turn our football team around. For that to happen as seamlessly as we want, and as quickly as our fans deserve, I feel it is in everyone’s best interests for an immediate and clean restart.”

Added owner Shad Khan: “Mike Mularkey is leaving our organization with my utmost respect. Mike gave the Jaguars everything he had on and off the field, and his efforts as our head coach will always be appreciated. Mike will land on his feet soon. Until then, I wish nothing but the best for Mike and his family.”

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/70197/jaguars-announce-mike-mularkey-is-out

Now, just WOW!. Here you have a guy who has worked with Mularkey for 4 years in Atlanta and the literally the first thing he does after getting the GM job is to fire said former colleague. Now that should tell you something right there about Malarkey the person. Someone you would think would have a good relationship with Mularkey fires his @ss immediately. Just dayum!

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D3 – “Now, just WOW!. Here you have a guy who has worked with Mularkey for 4 years in Atlanta and the literally the first thing he does after getting the GM job is to fire said former colleague. Now that should tell you something right there about Malarkey the person. Someone you would think would have a good relationship with Mularkey fires his @ss immediately. Just dayum!”

LOL…that’s the reason he fired Mularkey–because he knew him all too well. Don’t think for a minute he wasn’t privy to the conversations TD probably had with Smitty about his coordinators and neither being the answer to take the Falcons deep into the playoffs. I don’t wish losing your job on anyone, but Mularkey should never been hired as HC to begin with. WTH has he ever done as a HC or coordinator in the NFL? Oh wait…he did give us four years of regular season wins. I guess he should get credit for that.

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