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
Mr. Panic Button
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
This team falls flat on its face every time they have time off. Last year as well after the bye.
Elvis Presley
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
We’re only 18 or 20 number one picks away from having a good team.
Fire BVG
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
I don’t understand why everyone want to fire me! I’m good coach, I quit on The Dawgs, GSU and was LB’s coach for the Jags.
Dirty Bird Nation
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
Another Bead Doen on National TV. It seems in this type of setting, The Falcons are never prepared. Does anyone else feeds this way?
Nerehere
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
Atlanta lost this one mentally very early in the game with the election of the coin toss. They should not have chosen to receive the ball. Then they have a scoring drive which took 6 minutes and only showed 3 points for that effort. That was a precursor to what was to follow: settle for %’s and don’t take nay chances, cause that’s what we’ve always done. Let get Micheal his touches-with his slow self. Don’t use no other running back for any ground game, and let’s concentrate on Julio and White. Give our guys 3 day off and don’t prepare too much for N.O. cause we probably are not going to win anyway. If it gets too rough, then bail out. There’s always next week. We’ll show those Bucaneers who’s in charge. Gem me a break!
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
No the Saints fans don’t have homes, they just stay in the Super Dome after the games.
Bill
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
Choke u a joke!
sainthiram
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
what a BEATDOWN
Falcaints
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
Cowher would not come to Atlanta, he wants to win
Wookie Ninja
December 26th, 2011
11:47 pm
Vick has been deballed in Philly! to hell with Vick! he is a coward and a joke! Ryan is now and will forever be a thousand times the man! This game is absolutely on Refs and Van Goober!
ijonathan
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
If we want some size on the DL, maybe we should have signed Ray Edward’s honey instead of Ray Edwards. Looks like she has the goods to get off the ball with some power.
count_schemula
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
less live game, more of that hot thang’
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
SENDEK you are 1 stupid SOB. Ryan never quit. You need to go find another team your too much of an AzzHole.
HiRam Taint I guess you got some points. I guess you will post tomorrow. Didn’t see you much tonight.
Tiredoflosing
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
Its very obvious that the city of Atlanta is not committed to winning. I think the team should move to L.A. If this was a NY team the fans and sport writers will be calling for someone head.
stendek
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
Matt Ryan came to play? FalconFan you are either deluded or have had too many puffs on crack pipe! Came to play? Really? Hell no!
SonofaDawg
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
Redman is in the game. lmfao!
mrzizzle
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
running the score up on atlanta shows Payton has no class! That’s why the Saints will be one and DONE in the playoffs!
FalconsHeroZero
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
Sean Peyton is a genius…Too bad…Like most offensive gurus..his defense will be maxed out to handle The Packers in Lambeau..Rodgers does it what Brees outdoors..
Peyton is aggressive..
sainthiram
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
failclownfan is clearly upset
FrontRow
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
Garbage nothing. Holding in the endzone is a safety. The game was over when Lofton got called for tackling on Drew Brees night.
Let me guess; you’re in your mom’s basement wearing the brand new nfl jersey she got your for christmas.
happy holidays!
Joe
December 26th, 2011
11:48 pm
There are not but 4 players on the Saints that would start for Atlanta. Better coaches, no doubt, and the refs were certainly on NO’s side tonight, but it is a pretty mediocre team outside of Brees. The only team that can beat the Falcons in the playoffs is Green Bay.
Nerehere
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
Bill Parcells for coach of the Falcons. Let’s start a petition.
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
New Orleans has given up 400 yards passing with Ryan. Can you imagine how many yards the Packers and Rogers would get against them?
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
No i just saw you HiRam Taint
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
When Mr Blank fired the Professor Dan Reeves he screwed himself for years to come…..
Falcons Sloppy Secondsdary
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
This team is just bad and very badly coached. If Mike Smith steps down due to health issues it could be a blessing in disguise, though I hope he’s perfectly healthy enough to replace both coordinators and release the entire secondary.
Jay Dubu
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
Falcons have their work cut out for them if they’re to get their 1st playoff win in the Smith/Ryan era.
This defense has been average to poor for all 4 years under this regime. Either fix it, or get someone in there that can fix it. Enough of this already!!!
falcon fred
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
hahahahahaha….Brees and Payton own the Falcants…Falcons suck and so do their fans…like uga fans…losers…
Sam
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
I wish we had drew Brees
sainthiram
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
nfc south champs -GEAUX SAINTS !!!!!!!!
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
Enjoy you one week record Drew. Brady is breaking it on Sunday
Tom G
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
Matt Ryan threw for 375 yds, while running for his life alot! Too bad the rest of the team did not come to play. Saints could win it all but all those penalties(primarily against us) sucked! DL definitely did not show up with the OL not far behind them. That is where most games are won or lost anyway. Never should have let Harvey Dahl get away in free-agency, it has really hurt OL this year, they do not play with a swagger any more? Why let Dahl get away but pay big time for CB and DE positions(which are under performing). We most likely will be one game and out in playoffs but at least we made it that far!!
JSS
December 26th, 2011
11:49 pm
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:44 pm
“Wheres Mr Blank?????????????????”
He’s writing another letter of apology to the Commissioner. Tagliabue took his with him, Goodell needed a copy of his own!!! Nite nite!!!
MTSeats
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
From Smith, we need to improve. No SH$T!
FalconsHeroZero
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
running the score up on atlanta shows Payton has no class! That’s why the Saints will be one and DONE in the playoffs!
____________________________________________________________________________________
Yep..They lose to Detroit – if they draw them.. 2nd Falcons game would be closer, but not much..
It’s over vs. The Packers…
stendek
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
16 points? Total fail by offense and D! Yeah kiss Drew Brees by all means Matthew Ryan. Piece of worthless crap! To Hell with you quitter.
StingerSplash
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
Somebody tell BVG that Ole Miss finally wants to talk to him. Maybe he won’t come back to Atlanta then.
Tomekon
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
One day we can only hope NO sinks to the bottom of the gulf. One day
sainthiram
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
i’ll let you off the hook 5150
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
Coach Smith and his Staff has got to step off. Just dont have it at this level..
Greyhound is ready!!
WhatD?
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
The Falcons were served up as the holiday bird tonight. I can’t believe these guys are congratulating Brees for breaking the record on them.
Loserville USA
December 26th, 2011
11:50 pm
Ryan to Brees: “Golly gee Wally.”
Jeezus just go on vacation. Set the toaster on NUMBER 7. We are DONE.
PMc
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
If they lose again in the playoffs they will have accomplished nothing of merit in 4 years.
americankris
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
ajc is full of tools
Sam
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
Joe, what are you smoking? The falcons is lucky to make playoffs this year. I think there are at least 6 teams that can easily beat the falcons
Who Dat?
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
matt ryan telling sean peyton I want to play on a winning team…i want to play for you coach!
Fan from SAV
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
The Saints have marched in and kicked butt-it’s really not fair
WhatD?
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
BVD should be FIRED and given a one way ticket out of Atlanta.
Dwayne C
December 26th, 2011
11:51 pm
Falcons = the same problems as before. I remember last year looking at the image of Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff and Falcons owner Arthur Blank walking off the field with a supreme look of dejection on their faces. Guess what? They’re going to walk that walk and look just like that again after the Falcons get their asses kicked in the wild card round.
once recent reader
December 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
Better pressure, better Red Zone offense – play calling (By Ryan or Mularkey), less penalties at critical time . . . ..and I know it’s crazy to say, but I still have hope if we see the Saints again. For tonight, wow . …Brees is one hell of a QB!!!!