Playoff poll: Do you prefer Falcons play Saints or Packers?
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.
Loading ...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.
♦
Earlier posts
– Falcons get a chance to clinch division and quiet critics
– Atlanta can suddenly hit pro sports utopia
♦
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.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
246 comments Add your comment
Cheesehead
December 27th, 2010
5:28 pm
‘Aints are going down tonight HARD!!! GO FALCONS!!!!! Mattie so called “Choke” Ryan will run the clock…Score…and Brees will throw 2 interceptions!!
Falcons34
‘Aints 17
Cheesehead
December 27th, 2010
5:29 pm
Hawks…FEAR THE DEAR!!!!
Peta
December 27th, 2010
5:30 pm
Payback is a Mutha ?! Who did who wrong ?! Redemption is going to be against Vick, not the other way around ! The Lord says, “You Shall Reap what you Sow” ! “Vengance is Mine !, I will Repay” !! Be very Afraid Michael Vick ! Very Afraid !
Cheesehead
December 27th, 2010
5:31 pm
OH Yeah…Falcons cannot beat the Packers twice!! Aaron Rodgers to Greg Jennings will rip apart the secondary!!! Not to mention his other targets.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2010
5:32 pm
The Falcons thrive by controlling the clock with the running game and capitalizing on turnovers by the other team. The Packers defend the run better and have a better turnover margin than the Saints. I think the Falcons would rather see the Saints in the playoffs.
Cheesehead
December 27th, 2010
5:38 pm
Good point Najeh, The Packers also don’t turn it over as much as the Saints
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
What is going on? Suchita Vadlamani (the Hottest Woman on Atl TV) is not longer with Fox 5. Man I have no reason to get up earliy and watch Good Day Atlanta now. Man She is a Beautiful woman. I hate Atlanta to lose her.
Sameul L. Jackson
December 27th, 2010
5:53 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPqx6nRYnpU
Cheesehead
December 27th, 2010
5:56 pm
Enter your comments here
GetReal
December 27th, 2010
6:04 pm
Hey, let’s protect Ryan and Brees like Philly did Vick with the Mayor pleading for them to cancel the game because of snow. Only 5 inches of snow feel prior to game time and less than 12 in the 24 hour period. We know why they canceled or postponed the game, because MV7 SUCKS in the cold and snow.
Oh wait, we can’t cancel here, it’s inside and not enough snow is left. Darn, we could have had a Wednesday night game.
FalconFan
December 27th, 2010
6:08 pm
What’s all the junk about this team can’t beat that team twice in one year. Yeah right. That’s crap. Bring either back to the Dome and the Falcons would WEAR out the Packers this time and not let them back in the game like last time. Also, let’s see if we have the chance to beat the Saints 3 times in one year. Can’t wait for that conversation tomorrow.
dawg4u
December 27th, 2010
6:17 pm
The ideal scenario for the Falcons would be for Chicago to beat Green Bay next week. NO will beat either the Falcons or Bucs (probably Bucs). Then the opening playoff round would be NY Giants at either St. Louis or Seattle and NO would play at Philly. The Giants beat the NFC West team and Philly beats NO. Then Atlanta would host the NY Giants and Philly would go to Chicago where they lost during the regular season We beat the NY Giants and then play the winner of Chi.-Philly. I would rather play Chicago but this team would be sky high against Philly and Mike Vick. Green Bay is hot after that win against the Giants so hope they lose against the Bears but it’ll be close.
TCCB
December 27th, 2010
6:58 pm
When the Falcons play the 1st playoff game; it does not matter who the team is : the Falcons are gaing to lose!!!!!!!
TCCB
December 27th, 2010
6:59 pm
typo: going!!!!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2010
7:00 pm
“We know why they canceled or postponed the game, because MV7 SUCKS in the cold and snow.”
Good one. Who was the first opposing QB to win a playoff game at Lambeau Field again?
TCCB
December 27th, 2010
7:04 pm
@ get real how good is Matt Ryan in the snow!!!!!!!! chicken $hit plays indoors.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 27th, 2010
7:06 pm
TCCB ryan is from up north and played at Boston College.
GetReal
December 27th, 2010
7:07 pm
Yeah Vick in the playoffs in 2002 had a 71 rating and 55% completion rating. AND there was NO SNOW in Green Bay. Remember the 2006 Atlanta/Chicago game? The fear in Vick’s eyes was totally unreal.
GetReal
December 27th, 2010
7:08 pm
TCCB:
About as good as Vick was in those two playoff games in Philly in 2002 and 2004. Nothing could be that bad
TCCB
December 27th, 2010
7:17 pm
Please don’t talk about Matt Ryan at Boston College we all want to forget those days!!!!!
JSS
December 27th, 2010
7:34 pm
@ Joey…
It is pretty simple… I don’rt agree (the reason) with how it started; but certain bloggers (i.e. Larry, Crabapple Joe, and especially UGABugKiller, then just BugKiller among others) at the beginning and the transition of the Vick led offense-to Harrington-to a Ryan led offense made wide and erroneously wild accusations about Matt Ryan and what he was going to be… And in turn, what Michael Vick never was and never would be. Moreover, they made even greater insinuations largely based on 1) Race 2) Cultural myopic behavior based on class and character 3) legal ramifications (financial, bankruptcy, and criminal law statutes) and then without basis went on a blog by blog campaign to discredit a series of bloggers via a “flaming” campaign.
In a counterweight (right or wrong), a series of bloggers moved independently of each other to take on the campaign. Some of it was just retaliation flaming. But most of it was reasoned questioning of the Matt Ryan contract ($72 million with a massive signing bonus), his career in college and his propensity for throwing interceptions, his road woes during the first 31 games of his career, and in conclusion, the massive reliance upon Michael Turner, Roddy White, and by addition Tony Gonzalez to move the cogs of a very conservative offense. These individual pieces were both the cusp of the argument with the meltdown in the desert in his 1st playoff appearance and then in the weeks leading to his injury (turf toe) in the Tampa game at the Dome last season. His play upon his return though the team won, it was lackluster excluding a 4th quarter drive in the Meadowlands against the Jets, Then during the season 3 preseason, the trend continued.
So we get to this season… You guys can fight about the merits of his play… I’ve said before, “I can care less,” until the final tick of the clock in Dallas, I’m just going to watch football, enjoy the playoff and lose no sleep over any of it…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2010
7:44 pm
TCCB
December 27th, 2010
7:17 pm
Please don’t talk about Matt Ryan at Boston College we all want to forget those days!!!!!
___________________________________________________
You mean like those 22 PICKS in his 5th college season?
How in the hell do you even play 5 years in college and get picked 3rd in the draft? Only the Falcons are dumb enough to do that
So what’s happening TCCB?
JSS
December 27th, 2010
7:47 pm
Does Road Dawg not know that a New York Giants victory combined with two Saints losses give the Giants the final playoff spot, not the Bucs? Man, it is just not that hard, read!!! The loss to Detroit by the Bucs gave them the following weighted tie-breaker problem: The Giants “Wins tie break over Tampa Bay based on best win percentage in common games.”
Buh bye!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2010
7:50 pm
“Yeah Vick in the playoffs in 2002 had a 71 rating and 55% completion rating. AND there was NO SNOW in Green Bay. Remember the 2006 Atlanta/Chicago game? The fear in Vick’s eyes was totally unreal.”
Yeah, let’s completely disregard the rushing stats and impact on the running game of the greatest running quarterback in the history of the game. That makes perfect sense.
By the way, the game recap for that game disagrees with you about the snow.
It’s also worth pointing out that Philadelphia tends to get a little chilly this time of the year. Hasn’t stopped Vick from being a leading MVP candidate.
Vick’s shortcomings in Atlanta were a direct result of terrible coaching, and Atlanta’s wins when Vick was here was a result of Vick overcoming terrible coaching. Period.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2010
7:55 pm
“I would rather play Chicago but this team would be sky high against Philly and Mike Vick. ”
Why does everyone assume the team would be extra motivated to play Philly? Dimitroff got rid of half the roster when he arrived in 2008, and off the top of my head the only current Falcons who were teammates of Vick are McClure, Roddy White, Jenkins, Babineaux, Koenen, and Norwood. It will be great for the football fans of Atlanta, but I don’t see how it would make a huge difference to the players.
idot
December 27th, 2010
8:16 pm
I would prefer the Seatle Seahawks.
idot
December 27th, 2010
8:22 pm
or the Giants or Bears
JSS
December 27th, 2010
8:23 pm
@ Davenpoop…
Weren’t Finneran and Abraham Vick teammates too?
Super Bowl Shuffle
December 27th, 2010
9:00 pm
GB or New orleans? It doesn’t matter–the falcons will beat either team easily in the playoffs, then will beat Philadelphia for the nfc title. The falcons will play the patriots in the super bowl—mark it down. Atl—all the way to the title.
Rex Winn
December 27th, 2010
9:00 pm
On another subject, how about a little “Seperated at Birth” action: Sean Payton and Lee Harvey Oswald.
Najeh Davenpoop
December 27th, 2010
9:20 pm
“Weren’t Finneran and Abraham Vick teammates too?”
Yeah, I forgot about them… too lazy to hit up pro football reference and look it up.
gabugman
December 27th, 2010
11:28 pm
I have tried to be patient this season but I’ve got no more:
Dunta Robinson, you’re an overpaid bust!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 27th, 2010
11:41 pm
So, your team is down by 3 with 3 minutes left in the game.
With a Franchise “elite” qb he goes 3 and out – game over.
Like I have been saying, he is a big ole C-H-O-K-E…..HA HA HA.
root4au
December 27th, 2010
11:46 pm
the better team won….saints have so many more weapons and a much better qb…
root4au
December 27th, 2010
11:47 pm
Falcons will be one and done in the playoffs…just wait and see…
Predictable
December 27th, 2010
11:49 pm
This offense is so predictable a BLIND man could call the defenses against it.
vuduchld
December 27th, 2010
11:51 pm
Doesn’t matter because Falcons won’t beat either of these teams in the playoffs. Like I said before, the Falcons are pretenders and they proved it again tonight.
stendek
December 27th, 2010
11:56 pm
I am so proud of the Falcon defense! Well done guys. You played your hearts out! Deserved to win. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner can go straight to Hell! Obviously paid off by New Orleans. Sorry pieces of shet. Damn choking bestards! Falcon defense turned in superior effort. Falcon offense failed in every facet of game. Especially Matt Ryan and Michael “Fumble” Turner. Unacceptable! STENDEK
Dwayne C
December 27th, 2010
11:59 pm
Makes no difference who the Atlanta Falcons will play in the post season: they’ll lose. The NO Saints just beat the Falcons tonight 17-14. Some observations from tonight’s game:
1. the Falcons scored exactly one offensive TD against the SB champs
2. by losing the Falcons send the Saints this message: “You guys can own us in our building if you want.”
3. the NO Saints should remain, for years to come, the premier team in the NFC South division and legitimate Super Bowl contenders year in and year out
4. the Atlanta Falcons will contend for second or third place in the NFC South with the Tampa bay Buccaneers year in and year out and be a playoff contender and no better
5. after the Falcon’s loss tonight look for the NO Saints to beat the Tb Bucs at home and enter the playoffs having defeated two good teams
6. the Falcons will win their final game in nondescript fashion against the Carolina Panthers, the worst team in the league, entering the playoffs havving beaten a team they were expected to beat anyway
Wondering how the Falcons will do in the playoffs this year? Look no further than tonight’s loss as the template: the defense plays their butts off, Mike Mularkey’s offense doesn’t do anything. Michael Turner runs like he his cleats are encased in cement blocks and the Birds lose at home in a 17-14 or 17-10 type game.
stendek
December 27th, 2010
11:59 pm
Falcons will NEVER defeat Saints or Packers in playoffs. Have serious doubts about Eagles. Falcon defense totally exposed Monday night. Matt Ryan nothing more than mid level QB. Not in class of Flacco and certainly not Brees or Brady. So very sad. Falcons choke again when on big stage. Trade Michael Turner. Fumble was completely unacceptable! STENDEK
stendek
December 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Meant to say Falcon OFFENSE totaslly exposed. Just so pi$$ed right now! STENDEK
JSS
December 28th, 2010
4:20 am
@ Davenpoop…
You’re never lazy, if anybody gets a “bye” on forgetting a few; it’s you! As much as those two stayed hurt, they were easily forgot. But to their credit, they came back…
No Who Dat!
December 28th, 2010
8:52 am
After that beatdown, the falcons want nothing to do with the Saints in the playoffs.
SportsFan31313
December 28th, 2010
10:27 am
The Dirty Birds will not beat the Saints again this year. The Philadelphia Eagles will win the NFC and go on to meet the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Ask Me Why?
Chief Pitchanono
December 29th, 2010
12:59 pm
I would rather see the pack at the Ga Dome first. If the saints are the next best team, (which I believe they are) I would love to see them back in Atlanta for the NFC championship game if they survive their road trip thru the playoffs.
Saint Lenny
January 2nd, 2011
6:44 pm
Saints! It would be a great atmosphere for a third matchup. They split the regular season. This one would be for all the marbles. Plus, it may be the first time the Saints would be completely healthy all year.