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
Brent
December 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
All the Falcons have done is raise the bar on mediocrity
falcon fred
December 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
what a bunch of losers…falcons and their fans…crybaby mo fo’s…
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
Wow imagine if the Falcons have to go back for the Wild card game in 2 weeks?
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Who Me?
December 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
Wow, how long do we have to continue living through this? Year after year we’re teased along only to find out the management is still trying to do it with smoke and mirrors….year after year this team shows so much promise and yet year after year we settle for moral victory and no solace.
Lived here almost 60 years and only one World Championship in any sport – ok so i’m not counting soccer but still – year after year of mediocrity. I thought AB would make some noise as an owner, looks like I was wrong. Although, like the Braves, its good to contend year after year, somewhere along the line you have to win something once in a while. Packers and Saints know it, we are still stuck in hell.
Smith is either outcoached or outgunned, not sure yet which, and the buck has to stop somewhere. Clearly MM and BVG better have their resumes polished up.
WhatD?
December 26th, 2011
11:52 pm
Falcons do not deserve to be in the playoff. Period!!!!
Big Wally
December 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
Sell this POS team to Winnipeg.
FalconsHeroZero
December 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
Detroit will attack The Saints offense at least..They won’t lay back..or down.. They blitz with confidence behind DT Suh..Falcons don’t have a player the caliber of Suh..
Joe
December 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
Everyone, just relax. Unlike CFB, the only thing that matters are the playoffs. Brees’ record will sipmly be a footnote to another early playoff exit for the Saints, and it will be at the hands of the Falcons.
Just wait and watch.
Dirty Bird Nation
December 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
Defense can’t rush the QB, CB is zone can cover plus there is no height back there. There is NO HEART ON THIS TEAM PERIOD. THEY ARE QUITTERS. Tom Brady would look BAD with MM as his co-ordinator. BVG is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy over his HEAD. Should have never been hired as D-Coordinator. TD please make changes in this coaching staff even if it means Coach Smith has to go!
athensmatt
December 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
I know I made a comment in which I was questioning the pass interference call on Roddy White earlier tonight, but people here tonight talking about the terrible job by the refs tonight need to think back to all of the times this year (and ESPECIALLY last year) that the Falcons got breaks from the refs.
So many fourth-quarter drives in the Georgia Dome in which the Falcons got doubtful calls in their favor.
It’s not just the Saints who get calls made in their favor. It happens every week. Get over it.
The Saints are the much better team, and they would’ve beaten us by two touchdowns without those calls.
I’d rather a team win the division because they’re good, not because they get lucky in the last two games of the year.
Brent
December 26th, 2011
11:53 pm
No defense at all
Loserville USA
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
Ole Miss is a perfect spot for Van Idiot. He can blow dry his hair, groom his porn mustache, leash up his hunting dog, trudge through the swamps and finish at the bottom of the SEC West.
He makes Donatell look like a defensive Einstein.
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
Pathetic performance by the Defense. Pathetic play calling, REALLY Pathetic officiating. Horrible all around. Only good performance was by Ryan. Next week Ryan with 50 yards will pass Jeff George for the most yards thrown by a Falcon QB in a season
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
Long ride home for the pretenders……
Big Wally
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
The fact is, that every time this team has a “big” game, they wet their pants. The dome will not see anymore money from me.
Sam
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
Who me? I totally feel u
Charleston Jacket
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
Good night all
tb falcon fan i think
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
how many monday night losses is that now?
FrontRow
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
Again – holding in the endzone is a safety (except on drew brees night).
Explain that and you can get respect. Otherwise – remember seattle 2011
fired van gorder
December 26th, 2011
11:54 pm
get rid of most of the coaching staff
StingerSplash
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
FalconFan, the Ryan/Redman combo threw it 61 times. That means passing yards, thanks to the very generous new rules, were only an academic exercise.
CaliDirtyBird
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Is it just me or was the safety not called because it might have prevented Brees from breaking the record. Sacks deduct from the passing yards.
Jarrett
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Falcons are an enbarrasement!!! We need new coaching!!!!!
Fan from SAV
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Somebody got some plaining to do Lucy or anybody
Brent
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
We have gone from losers in the regular season to losers in the playoffs
whodat70816
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
45-16…..LMAO…told you fools it wasn’t going to be some 3 point game!
1 4 GT
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Well folks, the Falcons did it again. This was a total team loss–from the coaches to the last player on the totem pole of “athleticism”. How can one franchise be so consistently inept. 1966 until now (46 years) of being out coached & outplayed. I will crawl into a hole and pout & sulk & fuss & fume & come back for more next week. The Atlanta Falcons were totally over matched tonight. I have played a lot of football when I was much younger, but I have NEVER seen a team go so deep into a game @ 100 % in 3rd down conversions in my 57 years of playing, watching & supporting “my” football teams. I predict the Saints, God I hate them just a tiny bit less that I hate Georgie, will win another Super Bowl. UUUGGGGHHHHHH!!!
CGD..
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
ICE MELT! How appropriate….
Submariner683
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Stendek, I know you’re from New Orleans, or at least act like, so you probably grew up on drinking and Popeye’s fried chicken, but did you check the stat sheet? Matt Ryan had 375 yards, a TD and no pics. Not exactly a horrible game.
FalconsHeroZero
December 26th, 2011
11:55 pm
Falcons needed a dominate defender..Nnamdi Asomugha. They looked at the money that they spent on Dunta, and passed…So what? Correct it with Asomugha
Richard C
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
Van Gorder’s no presssure soft zone defence will never stop the elite teams. Did Blank sell the Falcons to the Atl. Spirit group? They look like the Hawks, another second tier team that can’t compete against the good teams nor win in the play-offs.
falcon fred
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
Atlanta…where losers live…
tell it like it is
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
We may never beat the saints again! We need better players and better coaches.The saints orgnization has went out and got players and coaches that know how to win,and left Atlanta in thier dust.Atlanta doesn’t belong in the playoffs,the team is just not good enought!
Turtsnap
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
Did you see the brown smudge on the side of NO’s head coach cheek? Must’ve been from sucking Drew Brees’ ARSE!!!
MTSeats
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
Where the hell are you Shultz?
Big Wally
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
NY Giants 42, Falcons 7 – in two weeks. The one and done birds.
Tiredoflosing
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
AJC should started calling out the Falcons organization.
PaulM
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
If I were Arthur Blank I would make my first order of business in the off season (which is coming real soon) firing Thomas Dmitroff and searching for a compentent GM. Green Bay blows the Falcons off the ball on both sides of the line and this New England genius sells the farm to get a WR. None of these ex Patriots are worth crap. Embarrasing.
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
Who Dat. Honestly, Matt Ryan would throw for 5000 yards with Peyton for sure. Heck he is going to throw for around 4300 with an idiot for an Offensive Coordinator. They better be looking for Drew’s replacement. He will be 34 next month.
Bobby Walden
December 26th, 2011
11:56 pm
“I like the Falcon’s chances tonight.” Does anyone other than deluded fans take seriously anything that spews from these homer-pimps’ moufs? I guess that’s why these 3rd rate scribblers work for a 4th rate newspaper. They get free food, free travel and get paid to spout idiotic opinions. Pimps. Nothing but cheap pimps.
Mike
December 26th, 2011
11:57 pm
Can not wait to go back in two weeks to kick some more field goals!!!!!!
Saints guy
December 26th, 2011
11:57 pm
If Katrina comes, NO folks will do what we do…..overcome, adapt and rise up! Nola culture, food, music, art and now, according to Forbes, entrepreneurism, is second to none. We had fun when we were bad….we have more fun when we’re good.
Katherine, no matter what, we’ll always have our unique food, music, joie de vire, and Lombardi trophy…so it’s all good. PS, I have it on blue ray….for the bad times.
Who Me?
December 26th, 2011
11:57 pm
Schultz, 2600 or so blog comments tonight, still think the fan base here doesn’t care? Alot of potential season ticketholders read this column, how about writing one that calls a spade a spade. The NY writers man up on their teams, our sportswriters would rather pee themselves than wrinkle a few feathers in the local organizations around here.
Be bold, write a column that shows your passion and not your political take on things…
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
11:57 pm
Since DBs can’t hit WRs then DBs & WRs can no longer wear helmets or shoulder pads. DBs ca’t rush the QB and WRs can’t block down field. We should just wussifly the game all the way.
Who Dat?
December 26th, 2011
11:57 pm
hey falcons fans…. rise up! to the saints baby!
DocDawg
December 26th, 2011
11:58 pm
Any self respecting coach would have ordered Brees knee blown out during an attempt to run up the score or break a record. Pit-tee-full. Lombardi is rolling in his grave.
Brent
December 26th, 2011
11:58 pm
Bottom line, Falcons are still losers
FalconFan
December 26th, 2011
11:58 pm
The Falcons won’t play the Saints in the first round. Detroit plays Green Bay Sunday. God I hope we can beat Tampa. The way our defense played tonight, we could lose that one too
stendek
December 26th, 2011
11:58 pm
Do the Saints get to bring in their own officials for home games? Just asking. Holding in end zone is a safety in football. PERIOD! At every level. Except in NO against Saints. Still lost but gee whiz. Was this inside job like 911?
once recent reader
December 26th, 2011
11:58 pm
Remember, and this is not an attack on the Saints or their fans . . . .Seattle did win last year. Yes, a different year and a different team, Brees on fire. But even he made mistakes tonight. Good chance we’ll be seeing them in a couple of weeks. And that also will be a whole different game. If I had to bet my life savings, yes . . .I’d wager on the Saints. But I don’t have to do that, so I still can see a chance for a win. Many bad things tonight, but I also saw some good things. With better execution . . .and specifically no penalties at very critical times, who knows what can happen.