We’re live from Georgia Dome (and I’m confused)

The Falcons are hoping life imitates art.

Hello. We’re just back from a commercial break, and in case you missed it, Georgia defeated South Carolina in a game that ended about seven minutes ago.

On Thursday, I watched Georgia Tech blow a 24-0 lead, fall behind, then rally for a 30-27 win over Clemson in a game that wasn’t decided until a Tigers’ incomplete pass with 24 seconds left. Last night, I watched (from my couch), Georgia nearly blow a 38-23 lead and scramble to beat South Carolina, 41-37, in a game that wasn’t clinched until the Gamecocks threw an

Cheerleaders picture because, well, just because.

incomplete pass from the Bulldogs’ 7-yard-line with 22 seconds left.

Today, I expect nothing when the Falcons open against Miami. I’m just so happy it’s a day game. (That’s the selfish media-thinking-only-of-deadlines perspective.)

How different is this from a year ago? The Falcons, coming off a 4-12 season that didn’t begin to illustrate the nightmares, opened against Detroit.  We didn’t know what to think then, either. But the Falcons unwrapped the season with a win over the

The view from my seat. It's still 0-0.

Lions and went to the playoffs.

Today, they open the season against the Dolphins — who had an even more unlikely turnaround from 1-15 to 11-5 — and we still aren’t sure what to think. But it’s a little more fun uncertainty, don’t you think? Logic screams that with a second year in this offense, a second year with Matt Ryan and the addition of Tony Gonzalez, points-for won’t be an issue. But with youth and several new faces on defense, points-against might.

They're all inside there, meditating I guess.

But can we really know? Raise your hand if you thought 78 points would be scored in the Georgia-South Carolina game. I realize that’s comparing the SEC with the NFL. But if anything the pros tend to be more unpredictable. Schedules that look easy in the first half and difficult in the second wind up just the opposite. Blue prints blow up. Injuries occur.

I was hoping to find some tangible evidence about what the season opener really means. While watching last night’s game, I thumbed through the Falcons’ media guide. The team is 23-20 all-time in season openers. A breakdown:

♦ In the 23 seasons when it won the first game, Atlanta finished with a winning record eight times (8-12, with three .500 seasons) and made the playoffs six times.

♦ In the 20 seasons when it lost the opener, the Falcons finished with a winning record only three times (3-17) and made the playoffs three times.

So there is discernable difference.

From an historical perspective, the most significant thing on the line for the Falcons is the franchise never has posted consecutive winning seasons.  But I’m on record as saying that ends this year. Barring some catastrophic injury — like, to the quarterback — I just don’t see this team melting down. The offense is too talented and the coaching staff and the core of veterans are too stable to fathom that.

Anyway, I’m here for some live blogging. Weigh in with your thoughts now and during the game. It’s a day game. I’ve got time.