Falcons get another shot at Saints, looking to affirm direction
Are Matt Ryan and the Falcons headed forward? We'll find out Monday night in New Orleans. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
NEW ORLEANS — There have been enough times over the 40-plus seasons of Falcons-Saints games when we knew it really told us nothing about the future, other than maybe who would be happier once their hangover wore off.
One team stunk. Both teams stunk. Neither fan base was deluded into believing their team was that great, just better than the other one. It was the closest thing the NFL got to a college rivalry.
But the meeting in New Orleans Monday night will be different. This game likely will tell us something about the future for the Falcons. They’re almost certainly headed to the playoffs, and it’s possible their first-round game will be in the Superdome.
We know about the Saints: They’ve won six straight. Drew Brees, coach Mike Smith said, “is operating at a level we probably haven’t seen,” having thrown 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last five games. Because of Brees, New Orleans is a Super Bowl threat.
We don’t really about the Falcons: They’ve played their best six quarters of the season consecutively. But that has come against Carolina (6-9) and Jacksonville (4-11), so they’re not quite feeling a group hug yet.
Their 9-5 record breaks down this way: 7-1 against teams currently with losing records, 2-4 against teams with winning or .500 records (including Chicago, which was 7-7 going into its game at Green Bay game Sunday night.).
The Falcons were viewed as a title contender at this time a year ago, and we know where that got them. They’re viewed as something less than that now. They’ll tell you they’re fine with that because they have the wild card/Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers as a reference point. But this is when the Packers stepped on the gas a year ago (winning their last two before the playoffs, including 45-17 over the Giants in game 15).
This is when the Falcons can begin to define direction and alter perceptions.
“It’s an important game because we’re going down the stretch and this is a big test for us,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “This could be a really big statement game for us, especially if we have to go back down there to play these guys again in two weeks.”
The Saints haven’t clinched the NFC South yet. But for the Falcons to win the division and clinch a home playoff game, they would have to win in the Superdome and again next week over Tampa Bay, then hope New Orleans loses its finale against Carolina. In that scenario, the Falcons would be the NFC’s No. 3 seed and host a first-round game against Detroit. As a wild card, the Falcons would travel to either the NFC East winner (Dallas or New York) if they’re the fifth seed, or New Orleans or San Francisco if they’re the the sixth seed (which ever opponent had the lesser record).
The scenarios would be different if the Falcons hadn’t, in their view, given away a game to New Orleans six weeks ago. The Saints won in overtime 26-23. You might recall something about a fourth-and-1 decision by coach Mike Smith in overtime that backfired. But Atlanta also had three red zone possessions that resulted in only field goals. Matt Bryant missed a field goal. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw an interception that led to three Saints’ points.
If any of those things fall the Falcons’ way, the teams probably are tied at 10-4 today instead of separated by two games. That game still stings.
“Guys have had this game circled,” Smith said.
“This is the one that we want,” White said.
“When we lost, we knew this game would be here later on in the season,” center Todd McClure said. “We want to go back and get a little revenge.”
This is their chance. The Falcons’ playoff lives aren’t on the line. But how they play against one of the league’s better teams should tell us something more about where they’re going.
By Jeff Schultz
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424 comments Add your comment
ls1z28chris
December 25th, 2011
10:52 pm
“After January football season will be over, but New Orleans will still be New Orleans.”
Yeah you right. Brah, Christmas isn’t even over yet and we’re already planning New Years and Mardi Gras. Don’t forget lent and seafood boils in the backyard every other weekend. So don’t worry about us if the Saints lose. We’ve got everything covered, because as you say, New Orleans will still be New Orleans.
What are you folks going to do? Have the annual discussion about whether freaknik will return? Oh, I know, you’ll be updating your county by county and city by city maps as your municipalities slowly join the 20th Century (yes, the one that ended 11 years ago) in eliminating heinous blue laws? Or maybe you’ll have another snowstorm and be trapped in your houses for an entire week in February?
cteez
December 25th, 2011
10:58 pm
@ls1z28chris nah, we’ll be busy trying to wring duck feathers into our gas tanks so our cars can run….oh wait thats you guys
Noneya
December 25th, 2011
10:59 pm
Falcons will get it done tomorrow. We are getting hot at the right time.
Days In The Lives Of Falcons Fans!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QKLJ4wY_yQ
Dave
December 25th, 2011
11:04 pm
Personally, I’d settle for the Falcons to lose tomorrow as long as they won the third game with the Saints this year.
Braves #17 Fan
December 25th, 2011
11:08 pm
ls1z28chris = Napoleon complex
D man
December 25th, 2011
11:09 pm
After watching the first game, I don’t blame the Falcons for circling this game. What they learned is that they can beat those saints and should beat those saints. We dominated them statistically and should have won the first time around. I feel great about our chances tomorrow night. One BIG differance this game is that Roddy, Julio, and Peters are 100% this time around which makes us much stronger. Plus, Grimes, Moore, and Haden are going to be in the lineup too. can’t wait till Monday night… Go FALCONS!!!
D man
December 25th, 2011
11:18 pm
Chris Collinsworth is an idiot. How does he keep his job on NBC and Inside the NFL?
5150 UOAD
December 25th, 2011
11:18 pm
Well It was a good game. The Bears fans like Cutler much better now than at the beginning of the season.
playoffz here we come
December 25th, 2011
11:18 pm
Yes, chitown loses, we are in the playoffs
5150 UOAD
December 25th, 2011
11:19 pm
D man the same way Craig James kept a job at ESPN. They have naked pictures of somebody big at the network. LOL
Once Recent Reader
December 25th, 2011
11:23 pm
Bears reminding: Things are going good when Mr. Choke can only harp on the current lack of playoff wins in Atlanta since whenever they won last with a certain QB no longer in Atlanta. I don’t know what name Choke went under Ryan’s rookie year, but I recall clearly the preseason taunts of 2-14 – 3-13 if lucky season. Quickly disproved. I remember clearly the bloggers saying Ryan would throw a boatload of Int’s. I believe over all he’s been pretty good in that Dept . ..some bad streaks here and there, but usually 2-1 TDs. I’m sure whatever name Choke went under then, he was going haywire every time there was an Int and waiting for the Ryan to break down into the turnover machine . . .which didn’t happen. Then there was the dinking and dunking . . . . .well they seem to be getting downfield a bit more this year, not yet proving he can “throw the long-ball”. We don’t even have to go into 4 consecutive winning seasons, and a very good W-L Team record when he is starting QB. Flacco has more wins than Ryan in Playoffs for sure . . .but Choke . . he also has more losses. We all know once / if that first Playoff Win happens you’ll move on to the next thing. Either no NFC Championship or no SB. Merry X-Mas Choke . . . . .sorry the Falcons current QB has not turned up to be a lump of coal.
Once Recent Reader
December 25th, 2011
11:26 pm
D Man . . . I don’t know. I guess to many Collinsworth touches the wrong nerve, but I think he is very knowledgeable and brings up many good points.
TrishaDishaWarEagle
December 25th, 2011
11:26 pm
Falcons clinch the playoffs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now lets go kick the aints butt!
Happy in Atlanta....
December 25th, 2011
11:42 pm
ls1z28chris
December 25th, 2011
10:52 pm
“After January football season will be over, but New Orleans will still be New Orleans.”
Yeah you right. Brah, Christmas isn’t even over yet and we’re already planning New Years and Mardi Gras. Don’t forget lent and seafood boils in the backyard every other weekend. So don’t worry about us if the Saints lose. We’ve got everything covered, because as you say, New Orleans will still be New Orleans.
What are you folks going to do? Have the annual discussion about whether freaknik will return? Oh, I know, you’ll be updating your county by county and city by city maps as your municipalities slowly join the 20th Century (yes, the one that ended 11 years ago) in eliminating heinous blue laws? Or maybe you’ll have another snowstorm and be trapped in your houses for an entire week in February?”
Or…maybe we’ll be here in the ATL happy we don’t live in “Sin city, LA!”
MarkG
December 25th, 2011
11:54 pm
Here’s a question. Will the Saints lose to both Atlanta and Carolina???
P B Orr
December 25th, 2011
11:54 pm
Hayden is doubtful and will probably not play – he’s got a toe injury and would only aggravate it.
History Channel
December 25th, 2011
11:56 pm
0-3……………..
Samuel L. Jackson
December 25th, 2011
11:56 pm
34-24 Saints win
P B Orr
December 25th, 2011
11:56 pm
The Panthers have won 4.5 of 5 – including the half they kicked our butt. They will want to finish strong for next year and will be out for the Saints with nothing to lose and a whole lot of momentum for next year to gain.
Amazing...
December 25th, 2011
11:57 pm
Hey Matt “Choke” Ryan,
Step from behind the curtain. You’re a Vick fan, but obviously can’t muster the courage to say so. So Vick has a playoff win. Ryan has back to back to back to back winning seasons. Vick, not one back to back ever here, or Philly but yet gets a 100 million dollar contract based on last years performace which by the way was a tell of two seasons. First half, very good, second, not so good. This year not so good. See the trend. 1.5 years not so good.
Amazing...
December 25th, 2011
11:58 pm
Ha, when it doesn’t matter Vick and Scam play great. The mind is a terrible thing to waste.
M&M
December 26th, 2011
12:02 am
Amazing…
December 25th, 2011
11:58 pm
Ha, when it doesn’t matter Vick and Scam play great. The mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Did you see my post @10:52 p.m ?!
panic fan
December 26th, 2011
12:10 am
Matt Ryan through the last seven games of 2011: Seventeen touchdown passes, four interceptions, a yards-per-pass average of 7.96 and a 101.5 passer rating.he will be ok
Amazing...
December 26th, 2011
12:11 am
M&M, I just read it.
I cannot get over how Vick is where he is. His lifetime QB rating prior to prison was around 80. His QB rating this year is 82.9. But yet the idiots continue to feel they must support him. Amazing.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
12:14 am
What will MV7 be doing on January 2?
Not getting ready for his next game and probably smoking a bowl.
Amazing...
December 26th, 2011
12:20 am
Let’s see Vick beat Rogers at Lambeau. Who is Brett Farve? How many SB’s might Green Bay have had they ditched him a long time ago. Yeah, I know the other side of the argument. How many losing seasons might they have had too.
Same goes with Paterno. I hope Penn State gets the Boise coach and he wins a NC in 3 years. Serves PSU for hold on to Joe. For the record. Before 88, PSU 11 times finished in top 5. After 88, 3 times in the top 5 and no NCs.
realitycheck
December 26th, 2011
12:29 am
For all of this “can’t wait til Monday” and ” Falcons will win for sure” talk, let’s remember that the Saints are nearly 3 to 1 favorites tommorrow night and are 6-0 at home and 6-0 against the spread.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
12:29 am
Amazing…Paterno made Penn State a ton of money. He did bring in a lot of money through donations. PSU will have a hard finding a High Profile coach right now. The Lawsuits haven’t even started. PSU will be paying those young men a lot of money over the next few years. This could be the Death Penality form a different perspective that has nothing to do with the NCAA.
Amazing...
December 26th, 2011
12:39 am
I think PSU reloads (albeit it will take a few years) and Paterno will be an after thought just like Farve is.
PSU football made 70 million last year (1 year) netting 50 million. They have very deep pockets and can afford to pay many lawsuits and a Saban too boot.
once recent reader
December 26th, 2011
1:38 am
And again . . . .lets go back to that 1st season with our current QB . . . ..how many of the detractors said this team was going backwards and wouldn’t see a winning season with him at the helm. A Playoff Win would be great, a couple awesome, 3 or 4 . .SUPERB. But, I’ll come down to earth . . .the detractors never expected playoffs never mind 3 out of 4 years. Hence, the 0-2 Playoffs argument is where they go. Much nicer to have them arguing that point then their original points when the current QB was drafted.
Joe Falcon
December 26th, 2011
2:18 am
Falcons already clinched with Chicago losing, so the game tomorrow is MEANINGLESS for the Falcons. Put in the backups and save everything for the first playoff game against the Saints. That game will MATTER.
The TRUTH Hurts!
December 26th, 2011
2:44 am
HEY CHOKE! Read it and weep! A.P. story from Sunday’s AJC on the Eagles loss. “Despite their late-season surge — a three-game winning streak — the Eagles (7-8) aren’t going to the playoffs. That’s the reality for this Dream Team.
So before they begin looking ahead to next season, they’re thinking about the ‘what ifs?’ One play could be the difference in several of the losses, especially because the Eagles blew five fourth-quarter leads.
Michael Vick and his teammates wasted an opportunity to repeat as division champions in a mediocre NFC East that will crown a champion — either the Cowboys or New York Giants — with no more than nine wins.”
Now do us all a favor,Choke. Turn off you computer,crawl back into you hole and stay there until NEXT season. Or until your Mommy says you can come out!What a COMPLETE LOSER! Michael Vick FOREVER,RIGHT CHOKE?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Dirty South TV
December 26th, 2011
3:14 am
Whoever that was that was trying to bet on The Falcons against The Saints–I will GLADLY take that bet. Please feel free to call me and make the proper arrangements at (404) 759-0046.
I get The Saints, you get The Falcons–and the points at the end of the game determine the winner–not anything anyone in Vegas, Jersey or New York say they should be. Even Steven. Now put your little itty bitty teeny weenie money where your BIG fat mouth is chief.
Dirty South TV
WitStream
December 26th, 2011
3:16 am
CHOKE: You spent Christmas trolling on an internet message board for a team you don’t even like. Speaks volumes.
mike
December 26th, 2011
4:05 am
Old Brett a sure HOFamer. MV comeback player of the year and doing well in spite of what the goobers think. Why does it upset folks because some people still like MV. That is their personal choice people. You might try wishing the falcants beat a team that does not have a losing record.
jc_dawgs
December 26th, 2011
5:01 am
9-5 is 9-5….say what you want but the Falcons ARE a good football team. Now we get to find out if they can be great or not. Stay tuned.
Big Bob
December 26th, 2011
5:39 am
Roddy catches v Tampa, JJ catches v Houston and we kick it v the Saints. Ryans fault???
You’re kidding aren’t you?
Samuel
December 26th, 2011
6:10 am
Here’s what I do know, these are the games you have to win….
Denni
December 26th, 2011
6:43 am
I still don’t have a problem with the fact that they went for that 1st down, but I *DO* have major problems with the IGNORANT play that was called. I mean, in a million years, who would’ve guessed that it would be Turner up the gut for no gain….
Big Al
December 26th, 2011
7:16 am
Get them excuses ready Falcons. The best thing Falcon fans do is talk. You will be crying tonight.
bob
December 26th, 2011
7:27 am
All you Flaco fans remember he went to a playoff team with one of the best defenses in the league while Ryan went to a losing team in complete disarray. Falcons should have won playoff game last year, but will win this year.
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
7:29 am
To all Anti-Falcons fans:
Why do you care so much about the Falcons? Why you even bother reading and commenting on our newspaper blogs and columns? Either:
A.) You are jealous of our team because your team is not as good.
B.) You are afraid of our team?
C.) You are a low life with NO life and being here making comments gives you a purpose for living.
D.) You are not from Atlanta, and you left your crap-fest city and brought your crap here.
E.) You are a Vick fan still b–tchin’ cause he got his own butt kicked off the team.
F.) All of the above.
There is little other reason for you to be here. Non-Falcon fans, by you coming here and making comments about the Falcons proves my point. If I am wrong, prove. Leave and don’t comment.
Oh by the way –
1.) The Falcons are in the playoffs. Deal with it.
2.) Mike Vick and the Eagles will be home and watching the playoffs. Deal With it.
3) You are still you and you hate your life. Deal with it.
Illuminatti
December 26th, 2011
7:48 am
Matt has the stay poised under center and in the shotgun… the helter skelter checking in and out of plays based on what he perceives from the defensive alignment in front of him befuddles the offensive attack. Stay cool Matty and execute the plan…
JSS
December 26th, 2011
7:50 am
Ha ha, what a bunch of cretins, you couldn’t even go one day without hanging around on the AJC Blogs and trying to flame each other!!!
Then you have the nerve to start your usual anti-Louisiana silliness. “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Man.” A playground full of perverts have more maturity than you guys… What a bunch of doo-doo, I’m so glad that Monday is here so y’all can lay down in the floor and have fits and tantrums all day and night long (sarcasm)… Sad thing is, we will have to endure this crap all over again in two weeks!
When is the AJC going to roll out the new comments criteria,? I’m so looking forward to the “4 Faces of Eve” and “Sybil” bloggers trying to get around the blogs without the alter egos and their race-baiting dung!
Illuminatti
December 26th, 2011
7:51 am
replace “the” with “to”…
PapaDawg
December 26th, 2011
8:12 am
The Saints are on a roll and the Falcons are rollimg over. Saints by at least two TDs
phil
December 26th, 2011
8:23 am
We aren’t beating the Saints tonight…
Let’s be honest. These guys are on another role like 2 seasons ago. JJ and Roddy will be terrified, Matt will be flat on his back, and Abraham and company will be steamrolled into oblivion by Brees.
It is what it is whether we like it or not.
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 26th, 2011
8:26 am
Jeff, I’m not sure a loss here defines the Falcon’s future. NO is good. The Falcons are good and starting to hit their stride. I’m not conceding a loss here, but 10-6 does not stink and regardless of who they beat, they beat equally put together NFL teams. They played good teams well, some days, and they are starting to hit their stride. I had the Falcons’ loosing this game at the beginning of the season, and won’t be surprised if they do loose (it’s in the toilet dome and over Christmas etc.).
I think a loss here, as long as the Falcons play a good game, just helps them tool up for the tournament. Remember, its getting hot at the right time, not beating teams when it does not matter, and frankly, this game really has no meaning.
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
8:27 am
1st round playoff matches:
Falcons – vs – Giants (or Dallas)
Saints – vs – Lions.
Eagles (and Vick) -vs – WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR (ha ha ha ha)
Can’t Wait!
Go Falcons
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
8:32 am
Do anyone knows if we lose tonight and win next week vs Tampa, do we still get the 5th seed? Does Detroit go all out to win their last game vs Packers (who will rest everyone now that they got the #1 seed).
I think the Lions will go all out to avoid the Saints.