LIVE: Falcons are in playoffs, now go for South vs. Saints
Falcons are hoping John Abraham can replicate this play against Drew Brees. (Jason Getz)
NEW ORLEANS — After lunch with D-Led at Mother’s — always my first stop in New Orleans — I’m ready for the afterthought of this road trip: a football game. (Sorry, but everything takes a back seat to food here.)
The byproduct of two straight wins and a few NFC playoff contenders collapsing around them has left the Falcons in a comfortable position going into tonight’s game against the New Orleans Saints: They’ve already clinched a postseason birth for the third time in four seasons.
There's always a line at Mother's.
But is winning that NFC South that implausible?
Three things need to happen for the Falcons to win the South and clinch a home playoff game: 1) They need to win tonight. (The last four meetings between the teams have been decided by a field goal, with two going into overtime, so an upset wouldn’t be monumental); 2) The Falcons need to win next week’s regular season finale at home against Tampa Bay. (Not a problem. The Bucs have lost nine straight); 3) New Orleans needs to lose next week against Carolina. (The Saints will be favored, but the Panthers have won four of their last five and have a high-scoring offense.)
In that scenario, the teams would finish tied at 11-5 overall but the Falcons would get the edge because of a better division record (4-2 vs. 3-3). So it’s possible they can pull it
Darryl Ledbetter scripts his first 15 plays.
off. But winning in the Superdome won’t be easy, especially with quarterback Drew Brees playing like the league’s MVP (16 touchdowns, zero interceptions in the last five games, 24 TDs and 3 interceptions in the last eight).
At least the Falcons know they’ve already clinched at least a wild card playoff berth, the result of Green Bay’s win over Chicago Sunday night.
If the playoffs opened today, the Falcons (NFC’s sixth seed) would face the Saints (third seed) in the playoffs. If the Falcons finish ahead of Detroit for the top wild card spot (fifth seed), they will travel to the NFC East champion, which will be the winner of next week’s Dallas-New York Giants game. If they win the division, they could wind up hosting Detroit. There’s still a chance New Orleans finishes with the No. 2 seed and
Counter-clockwise: Red beans and rice, shrimp po-boy, chicken and andouille gumbo, softshell crab po-boy.
draws a bye, leaving the Falcons to travel to San Francisco.
For now, the Falcons are focused only on trying to play four quarters against the Saints as well as they played the last six against Carolina and Jacksonville.
Some obvious keys tonight: 1) Turnovers (it’s notable the Saints’ defense has only 13 takeaways, the fewest in the league; 2) Don’t waste red zone possessions, as was the case the last time the teams met; 3) Get some semblance of a pass rush on Brees, at least forcing him to move off his spot; 4) Pound the Saints’ defense with the run, using up clock and keeping Brees on the sideline.
The Falcons also get cornerback Brent Grimes back after a three-game absence, which should help against a quarterback who’s about to break the NFL’s single-season passing record (Brees’ 4,780 yards trails Dan Marino’s record of 5,048 by 268).
OK, that’s enough. I’ll turn it over to you now. Call me crazy (not the first time, I’m sure) but I like the Falcons’ chances tonight. They seem particularly up for this game. We’ll see. I’m here to serve, at least until I have to start banging out the game column.
By Jeff Schultz
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2,750 comments Add your comment
Nerehere
December 26th, 2011
11:37 pm
We’ve regressed and I think that the spotlight is too bright for Roddy White. The man was trying to keep his emotions in check and he going back to his dropping habits when he gets nervous.
Offense can't score
December 26th, 2011
11:37 pm
Every pass pattern is too the sidelines. So when guys are initially covered, there is no where for them to go. I hope Mularkey gets a head coach job.
katherine
December 26th, 2011
11:37 pm
matt ryan is a class act as well
Mr. Panic Button
December 26th, 2011
11:37 pm
OUT COACHED AGAIN!!!
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Wheres Mr Blank..Hes in hiding crying in his napkin with a bottle of Jack Daniels! lol
tell it like it is
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
face it folks the saints are a better team! we don’t belong in the playoffs.this game is a joke,the falcons are the same old falcons,with the same old coaches same old game plan.
Wookie Ninja
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Unbelievably Embarrasing display! Van Goober should be kicked in the nuts and Fired immediately, worthless walking human feces is as useless as a corpse! Fire that sonofab.i.t.ch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Leonard Pinth-Garnell
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Despite the wretched officiating,,, this team never had a chance,,, not with the offensive and defensive collective brilliance of MM and BVG. If either of these 2 proven losers are here next year I will not watch another game. I like Smitty,,, but get those 2 losers outta here.
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Don’t worry, the Saints will lose in the first round again this year too just like they did in Seattle last year.
The record Brees broke is a joke. Why don’t they talk about the difference in the period that Marino played and Brees plays.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Sorry but I would have just tackled the WR before the pass so the Penalty would have move the yardage under the record.
Falcons Sloppy Secondsdary
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
NFC must really be weak this year for the Falcons to make the playoffs. We are average at best.
IAW
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Don’t worry. The local media will spin this lost and tell falcons fans how anything can happen in playoffs
Mr. Panic Button
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
OUT PLAYED AGAIN!!!
FalconsHeroZero
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
IF you see a Falcons defender in a night club, please videophone them..
Loserville USA
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Be proud VAN IDIOT.
A real southern genius.
jb
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Delay of game?
ole ball coach
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Not that it matters, but this officiating crew is HORRIBLE. Penalties in crucial times against ATL but no calls against NO? Now NO throwing the ball up 22 with 3 mins left LOW FREAKIN RENT with a TD. what a bunch of pricks. I hope to god Mike Smith does NOT shake hands with that prick Sean Payton. he is a freakin douchebag, a sorry MF!!!
falcon fred
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
kerryb…shut your redneck, picklekissing mouth boy…
Mo
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Shultz asked can the Falcons win the NFC south and we know thats a NO. I ask can these Falcons even win a playoff game…I really doubt it. oneanddone.com And Drew Brees breaks the record on these Falcons. Great win Saints fans. Your team is superior to this Falcons team…without a doubt!
Sam
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
This is f-ing embarrassing. The falcons had 11 days to prepare and they’re getting a$$ whooped. BVG needs to get fired. Our d is a joke. Somebody take dunta and decoud out and put them out of their miseries
Mr. Panic Button
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
EMBARRASSED AGAIN ON MNF!!!
Turtsnap
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
CLASS by the Saints!!! Gotta love it…. or hate it. What a CLASS-LESS organization!
Elvis Presley
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
You mean they count these stats against an FCS team ?
IMHO
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Brees goes for the record while running up the score on multiple teams this year. Refs in the tank, I question their integrity.
Falcaints
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
And the Falcaints never even hit him.
falconsfan
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Take notes Falcons. You deserve every minute of this humiliation.
Wookie Ninja
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Gawd I hope Mularkey takes that b@stard VanGoober with his azz to Jax!
billy bob
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
Something is seriously wrong with this team and organization…You laid down like dogs and quit Falcons!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
11:38 pm
ANOTHER MESSAGE FROM MIKE VICK:
Dang at age 22 I set a record vs Green Bay
Now Drew Brees sets a record vs my ex LOSER TEAM
Sid
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
how can anyone blame the officials for this debacle? bunch of average players playing a championship caliber team. BTW, the Saints can win in Green Bay…..Packers defense is not good. 1-13 in MNF games….something to be proud of for sure.
clyve
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Mike smith is Sean Peyton’s little bi$ch doll
Loserville USA
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Feel like I’m watching THE WATER BOY.
ijonathan
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Put Redman in.
phil
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Katrina……..
Told ya.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
We are classless! How do you like us now, running up the score for the heck of it. Ha HA… You guys are idiots. We think Drew is so sexy
falcon fred
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
45-16…suck it beotches…
americankris
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
damn they have stopped the game for this gtfo mnf
michael
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Time to blow the whole team up and start over. Couldn’t do it last year with home field advantqage…..couldn’t do it this year basically the same team…..Goodbye Gonzalez, Turner,
Abraham…and any and all other high priced veterans who have done nothing but….well, lose playoff games and not show up when it counts in the regular saeson……
Nerehere
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
That’s cool with Brees getting the record, but N.O. ain’t going to the Superbowl. There are too many great teams out there, unfortunately, Atlanta’s not one of them.
stendek
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
I have never been more ashamed of Falcons than I am right now! Allowed Drew Brees to set passing mark. Hatred of team will burn long after this giveup job. So obvious Matthew Ryan quit early with rest of team following thereafter. Heartless quitters can stay in Louisiana! Betch dogs good for nothing else. So ashamed and nauseated by this group of uncaring losers! Especially the ball-less Falcon QB! To Hell with em.
FalconsHeroZero
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Saints still won’t beat The packers..I doubt they beat The Lions at home again..
All you have to do is apply pressure on him up the middle..He’s not tall, and can’t see..
buba beans
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
AND BREES GETS THE RECORD TALK ABOUT INSULT TO INJURY
WhatD?
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Falcons were raped on national tv.
soldierman
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
insult to injury how in the hell are you going to stop a freaking game for a dang record announcement? The falcons should be pissed insulted and down right angry!
Dawg48
December 26th, 2011
11:39 pm
Drew brees never beat UGA!
walter
December 26th, 2011
11:40 pm
mike smith isn’t qualified to wash peyton’s undershorts
No Class Aints
December 26th, 2011
11:40 pm
Goes to prove the Aints are a no class club.
um
December 26th, 2011
11:40 pm
So Drew Brees gets 5,087 passing yards in a season to break Marino’s record. I think 5,000 of those were tonight against the Falcons. C’mon Birds regroup and get ready for the playoffs……
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:40 pm
Sorry but I would have just tackled the WR before the pass so the Penalty would have move the yardage under the record.
WOULD HAVE DONE EVERYTHING TO STOP THAT RECORD.
count_schemula
December 26th, 2011
11:40 pm
Up 22 points w/ 2:50 to go in the game…
Bree’s throwing to break a record.
If i’m on the Falcons defense, i’m pissed off.
====
They only have themselves to blame. Can’t hate on Brees for this.