Drew Brees is back in the Georgia Dome tonight.
Aaron Rodgers was here in November.
While the Falcons have done a good job this season not looking beyond the next game — in this case, tonight’s meeting with the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome — it doesn’t have to stop us from looking ahead, does it?
So here’s the question: Which team would you rather see the Falcons play in their first playoff game: The Saints for the third time or the Green Bay Packers for the second? Because it’s likely to be one of those two.
The Falcons will lock up the NFC’s top seed with a win either tonight or next week against Carolina. Pending the outcome of Philadelphia’s postponed home game against Minnesota, which has been rescheduled for Tuesday night, this is how the standings in the NFC lay out right now:
♦ 1. Falcons (12-2): Bye.
♦ 2. Philadelphia (10-4) or Chicago (11-4): Bye.
♦ 3. Chicago or Philadelphia.
♦ 4. St. Louis (7-8).
♦ 5. New Orleans (10-4).
♦ 6. Green Bay/N.Y. Giants/Tampa Bay (9-6). (Green Bay controls its own destiny. It’s in the playoffs if it defeats visiting Chicago next week, or if New York and Tampa Bay both lose.)
Let’s assume for now that the Eagles — who have home games remaining against the Vikings and Dallas — win the No. 2 seed and the bye. In that scenario, the Packers (or Giants or Buccaneers) travel to Chicago in the first round and New Orleans travels to St. Louis. If the Saints and Bears win, the top four seeds in the next round would be: Falcons-Eagles-Bears-Saints. New Orleans would return to the Georgia Dome for the NFC semifinal.
If the Packers (or Giants or Bucs) defeat Chicago, and the Saints win at St. Louis, the seeding becomes: Falcons-Eagles-Saints-Packers. In that scenario, the Falcons play Green Bay and New Orleans travels to Philadelphia.
The best case scenario for the Falcons is that the Nos. 3 (Chicago or Philadelphia) and 4 (St. Louis) seeds win. (The Rams get a No. 4 seed despite its current 7-8 record for winning the NFC West). If that happens, The Rams come to Atlanta. But most aren’t expecting that.
So assuming its the Saints or Packers, which opponent would you rather see? The Falcons are 1-0 against each, defeating the Saints 27-24 in overtime in September, and the Packers 20-17 Nov. 28.
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Earlier posts
– Falcons get a chance to clinch division and quiet critics
– Atlanta can suddenly hit pro sports utopia
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Enter the “Sack Schultz” bowl contest and win an iPad! The bowls have started but don’t worry. Early games count only one point each and there’s like 12,000 bowls. Click here for more info or go to ajc.com/go/sack-schultz to enter.
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246 comments Add your comment
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
ConVick will always be a thuuuuuug.
FalconAtHeart
December 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
Man, I hate to say this but you can see it coming: All the hype and the ‘Aints are gonna win this one. The Karma is in the air. You will be disappointed in the 24-17 loss to the ‘Aints tonite. BUT, should the Birds prevail and the ‘Aints get into the playoffs, as someone has already said, ain’t (no pun intended) no way Birds prevail three outta three wins.
not an aint fan
December 27th, 2010
3:21 pm
nation, choke, Matt must have taken both of your girls in school cause if your watching the same ICEMAN ryan that the rest of the nation is then you can not even begin to say he chokes… plz name on time… plz
Joe Tess Fish House
December 27th, 2010
3:21 pm
It dosent mater. Flacons will crash and burn in the fist play off game.
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
You people keep on talking about that dog stuff that happened almost 4 years ago, which he DOUBLE PAID the price for,lol.
I know one thing..
You can’t say anything bad about him dealing with football…LMAO
Not a word…
Eat THAT
MV7 for MVP
December 27th, 2010
3:22 pm
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:20 pm
ConVick will always be a thuuuuuug.
And he will always be better than Ryan, check the MVP race
Who Dat Nation
December 27th, 2010
3:23 pm
not an aint fan
December 27th, 2010
3:21 pm
nation, choke, Matt must have taken both of your girls in school cause if your watching the same ICEMAN ryan that the rest of the nation is then you can not even begin to say he chokes… plz name on time… plz
Matt Ryan will choke tonight just like he did against Arizona
Who Dat Nation
December 27th, 2010
3:24 pm
Joe Tess Fish House
Any word on the bust Peria Jerry lol
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
Vick Supporter
Do I need to put it in “Hood terms”. Would that help you?
What up fool… Your A$$ no longer in our crib…..We mak’n the dough now that your punk A$$ is no longer here!
JSS
December 27th, 2010
3:26 pm
@ Roaddawg…
Nope, they’d still need for the Giants to lose at Washington and Green Bay lose at home next Sunday… Rex Grossman? As much as I detest Tom Coughlin , even he couldn’t sc_ew the pooch against the Skins! Not with Rex Grossman under center, no sir!!!
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
Haha good one RoadDawg!!
not an aint fan
December 27th, 2010
3:27 pm
No one is saying anything about vick and being a quarterback he is a good one… the thing the people are saying is that vick is an idiot by far the dumbest pro player ever to be the numberone highest paid player and to screw it up because he is the dumbest moronic thug wanna be in the history of sports…. his own family ratted on him what does that say about his kin???
Joe Tess Fish House
December 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
@ Whodat nation
Ive ben askin that question all year long andno newants to say it but me. Perrier Jerry is a fist round bust!
ImJustSayin4
December 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
Schultz leaves out the fact that IF Atlanta wins tonight and Tampa wins next week against the Saints. Green Bay can then claim the 5 seed with a win over the Bears and the Saints would be out of the playoffs.
Depends
December 27th, 2010
3:28 pm
“which he DOUBLE PAID the price for,lol”
the dogs are stilled pi*sed.
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:29 pm
@ROADDAWG80
Great comeback man! Label all black people and say we all live in the hood! Damn that was good!!
Joey
December 27th, 2010
3:29 pm
Choke, just curious, who would you rather babysit your daughter or give your wife/girlfriend a ride home? Vick or Ryan?
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:31 pm
@ROADDAWG80
Back when these blogs were flexible and let people say what they wanna say, I could eat you alive on here.
Jeff Schultz keep a close eye on “CHOKE” and myself. We can’t defend ourselves on here like “you people” can….we’re always being threatened to be banned because of babies like you
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
imjustsayn4
I said that same thing earlier. The Saints are in dangerous territory right now if they lose tonight.
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Get over Vick. He’s gone. Go to the philly boards.
Who Dat Nation
December 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
he is the dumbest moronic thug wanna be in the history of sports…. his own family ratted on him what does that say about his kin???
Dude who cares, he is still one of the top QB’s in the league and is better than Ryan
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:32 pm
imjustsayn4
I said that same thing earlier. The Saints are in dangerous territory right now if they lose tonight.
———————————-
The Saints are going bea the sh!! out of the Falcons.
There is no debate
Freshmaker
December 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Why do you guys keep talking to Vick and Choke? Just ignore them lol.
Who Dat Nation
December 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
I would take Matt Cassel to play for the Saints before Matt Ryan
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Vick Supporter
Did someone hit a soft spot on you?
not an aint fan
December 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
you must be related to him read all of my post he is a great quarterback just a moron like yourself….
Depends
December 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
Who Dat: maybe Cassel could have helped you in September.
see also: ravens, cardinals, browns.
MV7 for MVP
December 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Get over Vick. He’s gone. Go to the philly boards.
This is the AJC blog, not the dirty birds. Mike Vick is the man
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:33 pm
Get over Vick. He’s gone. Go to the philly boards.
—————————–
Well tell that to the AJC. They just had a Vick for MVP article/poll/blog on here last week.
Where are the Matty “ICE,lol” articles? Why must you people keep hanging on to Vick? LOL
You know why…he’s the best in the NFL…thats why
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
The Falcons will N-E-V-E-R win a playoff game without Vick
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
Have you ever noticed how ‘certain people’ can’t stick with one team? They always cheer for the individual no matter where they are at. Where’s the fun in that?
whodat mattdat
December 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
whoever we play it’ll be home at the dome, so be it. convick couldn’t get back to back winning seasons, could he, after this contract yr and somebody gives him a multiyear deal he’ll revert back the thug ways, herpes infesting, dope conceiling, moronic play, and broke like his punk brother. but hey he’s you’re home boy though, only reason for your loyalty to him
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Vick Supporter
Did someone hit a soft spot on you?
————–
Nah, you make yourself look stupid. You’re doing a great job
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
Freshmaker
December 27th, 2010
3:34 pm
Why do you guys keep talking to Vick and Choke? Just ignore them lol
______________________________________________
You just mentioned us
Brilliant I tell you!
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
Cassel is just like Flacco if you put pressure on them they panic and make stupid decisions.
Who Dat Nation
December 27th, 2010
3:39 pm
Depends
December 27th, 2010
3:35 pm
Who Dat: maybe Cassel could have helped you in September.
see also: ravens, cardinals, browns.
Wow so the Steelers and Eagles didn’t show you how bad the falcons are.
The 49ers, Bengals and Ravens could have won also if the refs wasn’t cheating or paid off
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
Everytime Ryan is being called an MVP candidate I laugh so damn hard.
How dare they Put Ryan in the upper tier of QBs without earning it…you know..that class that includes:
Brady
Manning
VICK
Yeah, that right. VICK
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
Can’t wait for Falcons to but the beatdown on the Aints. Falcons O-line & Turner will be the MVP’s of this game! GO FALCONS!
Just so you know
December 27th, 2010
3:41 pm
“The Falcons will N-E-V-E-R win a playoff game without Vick”
Oh well- he’s gone.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2010
3:41 pm
ROADDAWG80
December 27th, 2010
3:38 pm
Cassel is just like Flacco if you put pressure on them they panic and make stupid decisions.
_________________________________________
You mean like the 2 picks, 1 fumble and 1 safety CHOKE posted vs Arizona in the 2008 playoffs?
MV7 for MVP
December 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 27th, 2010
3:36 pm
The Falcons will N-E-V-E-R win a playoff game without Vick
2004 and counting
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:42 pm
Will
December 27th, 2010
3:40 pm
Can’t wait for Falcons to but the beatdown on the Aints. Falcons O-line & Turner will be the MVP’s of this game! GO FALCONS!
——————————————–
The Falcons will be called the Parrots after the Saints get done smashing’em
not an aint fan
December 27th, 2010
3:43 pm
MATTDAT…. could not have said it better…
MV7 for MVP
December 27th, 2010
3:43 pm
whodat mattdat
December 27th, 2010
3:37 pm
whoever we play it’ll be home at the dome, so be it. convick couldn’t get back to back winning seasons, could he, after this contract yr and somebody gives him a multiyear deal he’ll revert back the thug ways, herpes infesting, dope conceiling, moronic play, and broke like his punk brother. but hey he’s you’re home boy though, only reason for your loyalty to him
You falcon fans love winning regular season games, how many playoff wins does Ryan have
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2010
3:43 pm
CHOKE would wet his pants without Turner
ConVick
December 27th, 2010
3:44 pm
Yo I’m up here in philly right now but u guys keep talkin’ it up about me here. I kilt some dawgs but so what. Ain’t people r they? I never had back 2 back win seasons in the ATL but so what. I’m the man I tell ya!
Joey
December 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
Vick has had a dream season – his best. I’m inspired by his play this year, and I think he has truly changed.
I just don’t understand what being a Vick fan has to do with trashing Matt Ryan.
JSS
December 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
Man, the reading comprehension level on this blog is wanting to say the least!
“If New Orleans loses Monday night, it can still clinch a playoff spot next week with: 1) NO win or tie
2) NYG loss or tie + GB loss or tie” It is assumed when you put that out their that if the Tampa four different scenarios are needed, that then and only then, would the Saints fall from the playoff picture!
Again, Rex Grossman ain’t whipping anybody! I like the Bucs, especially Freeman; but shorthanded, they are going to be in a hot mess in New Orleans…
Vick Supporter
December 27th, 2010
3:45 pm
Shut down Mike Turner = Falcons lose
JSS
December 27th, 2010
3:46 pm
and it is “out there”