Betting windows open: Nevada says Falcons miss playoffs
These two quarterbacks had far different fates in the playoffs last season. (AP photo)
When the betting windows opened Wednesday morning, it was clear the wise guys didn’t think much of the Falcons.
Cantor Gaming was the first Nevada bookmaker to release over/under win totals for the upcoming NFL season (via Covers.com). Neither the leaders (Green Bay and New England at 12 wins) nor the bottom-feeders (Cleveland, Indianapolis and Jacksonville at 5.5 wins) were surprising.
The Falcons’ over/under opened at nine wins, which equates to a 9-7 record (barring ties). If you’re wondering how that breaks down with the rest of Cantor’s projections, that means they would miss the playoffs, finishing behind New Orleans (10 wins) in the NFC South, and the New York Giants and Detroit (9.5) in the wild card race.
Now, this is where we remind you that betting lines aren’t meant to be predictions but rather enticements to get an even amount of money wagered on both sides. So it’s basically a read on perceptions. Therefore, we can conclude that Cantor’s read is that most people aren’t as optimistic about the Falcons next season as presumably the Falcons are.
I’ve taken all of Cantor’s projected over/under win totals and arranged the teams by division. So here are their projected standings, if the numbers are accurate:
• NFC EAST Philadelphia: 10 New York Giants: 9.5 Dallas: 8-5 Washington: 6.5 • NFC NORTH Green Bay: 12 Detroit: 9.5 Chicago: 8.5 Minnesota 6 • NFC SOUTH New Orleans: 10 Atlanta: 9 Carolina: 7.5 Tampa Bay 6 • NFC WEST San Francisco: 10 Seattle: 7 Arizona: 7 St. Louis: 6.5 • AFC EAST New England 12 New York Jets: 8.5 Miami: 7.5 Buffalo: 7 • AFC NORTH Pittsburgh: 10 Baltimore: 10 Cincinnati: 7.5 Cleveland 5.5 • AFC SOUTH Houston: 10 Tennessee: 7 Indianapolis: 5.5 Jacksonville: 5.5 • AFC WEST Denver: 9.5 San Diego: 9 Kansas City: 8 Oakland: 7 •Playoff field:
NFC: Philadelphia, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco, N.Y. Giants, Detroit.
AFC: New England, Pittsburgh, Houston, Denver, Baltimore, San Diego.
Here’s the Falcons’ 2012 schedule: at Kansas City, Denver, at San Diego, Carolina, at Washington, Oakland, bye, at Philadelphia, Dallas, at New Orleans, Arizona, at Tampa Bay, New Orleans, at Carolina, New York Giants, at Detroit, Tampa Bay.
I just went through it and, after a careful, extremely scientific, week-by-week dissection, which took approximately 27 seconds, concluded they will go 10-6. (Projections, as always, are subject to change. Also for entertainment purposes only.)
What are your thoughts on the opening over/under lines? And feel free to put on your prediction hat.
By Jeff Schultz
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139 comments Add your comment
STRETCH
May 23rd, 2012
2:02 pm
1st!
Jeff B
May 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
Look, it all depends on whether we start playing like we think we can. If we do, we’ll beat the over by a lot. If we don’t, it won’t matter whether we make the playoffs or not, because we won’t go far in them anyway…
bugman
May 23rd, 2012
2:05 pm
I predict that weekend predictions will cover all spreads and O/u’s.
Bounty Hunter
May 23rd, 2012
2:12 pm
Playoffs ? who is talkin’ about playoffs ?
Jeff B
May 23rd, 2012
2:15 pm
Okay, since nobody has yet made an actual prediction yet, I guess I’ll take a stab. I say we overcome the pitfalls of learning new schemes and play up to our potential. We got 13-3, and make a deep run in the playoffs.
I do think Vegas set the line correctly, since plenty of people will bet both sides of that number.
bali
May 23rd, 2012
2:19 pm
16 and 0 babeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee………….ohhh you are talking bout the smash mouth falcons…the non cheatin bird eaters..the falcoooneros..10 and 6 sounds good to me
richard whiskey
May 23rd, 2012
2:22 pm
sounds about right with choke ryan leading the team
Captain ATLANTA
May 23rd, 2012
2:26 pm
They are not predicting the record. They set the number where they think the action will be 50/50. If the betting is heavy on the over, the number will move higher. Cute to talk about and comment on, but truely meaningless.
JB
May 23rd, 2012
2:27 pm
Dawgs and Falcons a lot alike. They field a competitive team and the weaknesses really show when they play a superior opponent. 9-10 wins because of the schedule….same for the Dawgs
Henri
May 23rd, 2012
2:29 pm
My super-optimistic prediction is 12-4, but it depends on so many things… You have to think Denver isn’t going to be ready to face a team as solid as the Falcons so early in the season, so I counted that as a win. RGIII is a rookie, no matter how great his potential is, so I counted that as a win. No one knows whether the Saints will perform like they have in the past. With all the suspensions and interim leadership, there’s no telling how good they’ll be. I split our games against them. Carolina could be really awesome or just mediocre again, so I figure we’ll either split or win both against them. The Giants like to get hot at the end of the season, and Detroit could be very good again, so I split those games as well. Overall, it seems like we’re set up to have a very hot start, with our tougher competition at the tail end of the season. The key for the Falcons will be to get hot at the end of the season and carry momentum into the playoffs. Oh, and not playing the eventual NFC Super Bowl representative in the first round.
mark
May 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
bets? really bets? this is one of the most fixed sports of all so! just lets wait and see with who the money is then the other teams wins! remember saints vs rams? that is what i call mob!
old qb
May 23rd, 2012
2:33 pm
Although the Falcons have a very difficult schedule I say they go 10-6. As usual in the NFC South Tampa Bay will be the surprise team and win at lteast 8-8. The Saints will win only 7 games this year unless Sean Payton has a secret mic going into Brees’ helmet. He’s the brains behind the Saints offense.
I’d rather see Konz play center, but he’ll be at right guard because he has the ability to pull on sweeps. Snelling will have a big year. Antone Smith may end up doing what Rogers would drafted to do. Kerry Meier will be in the slot in the red zone instead of Douglas and on short yardage 3rd down plays.
On defense Biermann will be the rush OLB in a lot of 3-4 looks and take a lot of pressure off Abraham. 3rd down will be much less a problem with the new defensive philosophy. That alone could get the Falcons comfortably into the playoffs. Robinson will be much better inside. If Tatufu can still motor the Falcons will be far better off.
Don’t be surprised when (no if) the Falcons add another tight end before the season starts (a good tight end).
Justin
May 23rd, 2012
2:35 pm
How anyone could project the Saints to win 10 games (let alone the division) in a season where they don’t have their head coach, their GM and their QB1 at the time of this comment is Chase Daniel is a little confusing. Brees isn’t even signed to a contract yet. I guess they’re assuming he signs soon, otherwise, the Saints are lucky to win 6 this season.
The Real Falcon
May 23rd, 2012
2:40 pm
10-6 seems about right at best.
abby normal
May 23rd, 2012
2:47 pm
Just for fun, I’ll take the over. Wouldn’t put any real money on it though.
C Patterson
May 23rd, 2012
2:49 pm
I think we will do better than a lot of people think. The Falcons aways get over looked. I think we will go 11-5.
SeenThisB4
May 23rd, 2012
2:50 pm
What these línes do indicate, is that most NFL bettors consider the Saints to be better than the falcan’ts, even with the suspensions. LOL! Feeling abused Schultz? Or just victimized?
Chris
May 23rd, 2012
2:51 pm
Looking at the schedule we could very well be 6-0 heading into the bye. It’s the second half of the season that gets tough. But even then I still think overall we win 10 or 11 games.
PMC
May 23rd, 2012
2:54 pm
Most betters are going to look at the fact that the Falcons were the absolute worst team in the playoffs last season and count them as being one of the teams to miss the playoffs.
I can understand where they are coming from, disagree and yet still not plunk my hard earned money down.
When you score 0 offensive pts in a playoff game the year after you got blown out of your own building I would say that would erode confidence
Smoove Criminal
May 23rd, 2012
2:55 pm
These predictions don’t mean a thing right now. Look at Philly last year, everything thought they were going to go deep into the playoffs last year before the season started and they bombed. I guess it gives us all something to talk about until the preseason starts in August, but there’s no certainty to them.
One thing is certain though in that if the Falcons don’t atleast get into the playoffs and past the 1st round, Mike Smith will be run out of town faster than he can sprint from the locker room to his car.
Captain ATLANTA
May 23rd, 2012
3:01 pm
What these línes do indicate, is that most NFL bettors consider the Saints to be better than the falcan’ts, even with the suspensions. LOL! Feeling abused Schultz? Or just victimized?
~SeenthisB4
That is correct… and the Majority of NFL bettors are wrong!! They didnt build those Casinos because the bettors were right!!
SeenThisB4
May 23rd, 2012
3:05 pm
Then go make your wager, CaptATL.
Jeff Schultz
May 23rd, 2012
3:07 pm
Bugman — I like the way you think.
Jeff Schultz
May 23rd, 2012
3:07 pm
Bali — 16-0 I think qualifies as “over”.
Benjamin
May 23rd, 2012
3:08 pm
This year really does appear to be a crapshoot to me. A lot of it depends on how we improve in the trenches. We’ve got skill players on top of skill players, but unless our guys that move the pile from both sides of the line come to play this year, we’re looking at 8-8 or 9-7 in my opinion.
Jeff Schultz
May 23rd, 2012
3:08 pm
Henri — Too much hype about Denver. I’m not sure they’ll get to 9.5 wins.
Benjamin
May 23rd, 2012
3:09 pm
In other words, “I’m not a betting man, Schultzie, but if I were, I’d take my bet elsewhere.”
tonyb
May 23rd, 2012
3:09 pm
Jeff, my first initial reaction at the start of the off season was that the Falcons would somewhat regress this year. But based on the off season activity, I have renewed optimism that this team may finally come together.
I think the Falcons did an outstanding job in replacing the two coordinators. Nolan is a first class defensive coordinator who I think will do wonders for the defense. In the next year, I think the Falcons will convert to a 3-4 base defense, once all of the personal is in place. And hopefully, the new offensive coordinator will finally open up the vertical passing game and allow Ryan to fully utilize the outstanding WR’s corp to stretch the field.
I also have to give props to Thomas Dimitroff. I think this draft was his strongest since 2008. Trading the first round pick for Julio Jones was genius. I promise you that in a few years Cleveland will regret that trade. And picking up the aging but hopefully effective Samuel for a 7th was another outstanding move. The players Dimiitroff picked may not be flashy, but they all effectively fill needs, especially the two O lineman and the FB.
And finally, the schedule sets up nicely. Couple that with the turmoil with the Saints, and the youth of the Panthers and lack of talent with the Bucs, I think the team will go 12-4 and win the division.
REAL FALCONS FAN
May 23rd, 2012
3:14 pm
yeah and this guy took a beating in the market too!
Steve From Dalton
May 23rd, 2012
3:20 pm
I don’t see the ‘aints winning 10 games.
DePort
May 23rd, 2012
3:20 pm
The first half of the season is not bad at all… so maybe one loss by the Bye … after that I see a few losses so im looking for 12-4 or 11-5 this year.
Jeff Schultz
May 23rd, 2012
3:23 pm
Smoove Criminal — I agree on Philly: There’s still a Michael Vick love-affair factor in that 10-win projection. Biggest question as always is whether he can stay healthy.
Larry
May 23rd, 2012
3:36 pm
Eveything for the Falcons once again depends on the line play–everything!
Same song now for four years…can they rush the passer and pass block?
Eb
May 23rd, 2012
3:44 pm
Falcons number will probably move lower to 8-8.5 by season start. Oddsmakers think Carolina and TB will improve and Saints will rebound well from the suspensions. Falcons are going with a similar lineup to last year and will be implementing new schemes on both sides of the ball which could take some time to smooth out. In the end, Falcons did little to create excitement last year or this offseason for the local fans more or less the national audience. The team as it is assembled is predictably boring and has been successful in the regular season due to half of the NFC South being weak. This soft schedule is why the Falcons look completely outmatched in playoff games.
Let me buy the groceries
May 23rd, 2012
3:59 pm
Falcons 11-5
Saints 8-8
Panthers 8-8
Bucs 6-10
old qb
May 23rd, 2012
4:20 pm
Hey do the guys making the picks. Philly…. Give me a break. Good coach, but a quarterback that never finishes the season. Now if Vegas wants to lay down odds on how long Vick lasts before going on IR I’d jump on it. He’s not as big or strong as the other now-in-vogue running QB’s–and he’s older. Philly is a 9-7 team at best in that division.
Atlanta won’t convert to a 3-4 team excusively because they don’t have the personnel for that type of shift. However, Mr. Overweight DE Edwards might be better with his hand in the dirt inside than he was outside in a 4-3. Hell, where’s Jamaal Anderson when we need him.
If Gonzalez goes down early the Falcons are screwed. TD has to get a pass-catching TE before the season starts or we’re toast.
Tokyo Tom
May 23rd, 2012
4:44 pm
I was in LV in May 2008 when they put the Falcons o/u at 5; I plopped down $1000 on the over and, at the end of October, flew out to LV to collect my winnings. This year- not so sure, I’m figuring the Birds to be right at 9-10 wins which might be enough to win the division. I see 3-3 in NFC South, 3-3 vs NFC other, and 3-1 vs AFC West. An upset win here while avoiding an upset loss there (Falcons are good at winning winnable regular season games) might yield that 10th win. Way too close in my book to wager on the o/u this year.
indianman
May 23rd, 2012
4:46 pm
1 say atlanta will go 13 and 3
godirtybirds53
May 23rd, 2012
4:50 pm
coons- 12-4
‘aints- 9-7
panthers 7-9
bucs 6-10
BikerDudeBravesFan
May 23rd, 2012
5:03 pm
This is a tough one because we have a tough early schedule and kind of like last year started.. we’ll most likely start out 3-3 .. KC is a tough place to play and Denver coming to the dome with Peyton frightens me just a little. My prediction would be 9-7 or 10-6 realistically. Now if we come out blazing and play with some fire in our belly then I could see us going 12-4 or 13-3. We have to prove that we can beat the Saints and Carolina and TB aren’t going to be easy this year. We have a very tough division and our opponents outside the division are no easy task. It is what it is! Go Falcons!!!
Gwinnett Fred
May 23rd, 2012
5:05 pm
I do feel that they need to win the division to make the playoffs. With rise of teams like Detroit and the Giants to go with teams like Dallas & Philadelphia due to rebound a wild card will be hard.
Figure Green Bay & San Fran taking 2 spots then there’s always a team or two that plays better than they are predicted to (Minnesota, Chicago, Seattle) and I think it will take 10 wins a a good division record (minimum 4-2) to make it.
Phil Lunney
May 23rd, 2012
5:06 pm
I like this prediction better than last year’s going to the Super Bowl prediction. Now maybe they will have something to prove.
JOEL
May 23rd, 2012
5:08 pm
BORROW ALL THE MONEY YOU CAN AND TAKE THE UNDER ON THE DOLPHINS!!!!
Mr. Vegas
May 23rd, 2012
5:12 pm
My betting tip of the day:
Since there will be 256 wins in the NFL (assuming no ties) and the over unders above total 263, it is one of the rare times a better would have the advantage against the house, by a 2.7% rate.
Pick the 2 teams you most feel will be an under – that is the bet to make (I’d take under 5.5 on Colts & under 9.5 on Lions – too tough of a division!).
Falcon's 4 life
May 23rd, 2012
5:14 pm
Considering certain members of the media predicted them to go to the Super Bowl last year, I welcome this prediction!
Hackjobs
May 23rd, 2012
5:27 pm
Ah, but Vegas is forgetting one thing: The NFC South Jinx. No team has won the division in back to back years.
So, unless TB or Carolina REALLY surprise everyone, I say 10-6 or 11-5 and the division title for the Falcons.
mudcat47
May 23rd, 2012
5:35 pm
TD has screwed up our last 2 drafts. Even with an easy schedule, I say 9-7.
Heyward's Bat
May 23rd, 2012
5:42 pm
Based on that schedule, we’d probably go 13-3 at the most (Lose to PHI, at NO, and NYG) and 11-5 at the least (Lose to PHI, at NO, NYG, at CAR, and DET) We’ll win the division regardless.
atlanta to Seattle2016
May 23rd, 2012
5:58 pm
beat the very hated (New orlean aints)twice this season and i will dance on top of the bank of america building…i HATE THE AINTS SO PASSIONATLY..FALCONS 12/4 THIS SEASON
SeenThisB4
May 23rd, 2012
6:17 pm
Instead, a2catl2016, you may feel compelled to leap off the BOA bldg.
Roy
May 23rd, 2012
6:24 pm
8 and 8 at best i hate what we did in the draft and off season.
Really?
May 23rd, 2012
6:30 pm
seenthisb4
I’m not sure if your moronic comments are false bravado or just proof that you are like most taint’s fans and either drunk or on a 3 day welfare check crack binge.
Vain Jangling
May 23rd, 2012
6:33 pm
If I’d have known math was involved I wouldn’t have read this.
QB/DB
May 23rd, 2012
7:22 pm
Our draft was conservative without impact, big play guys. The Samuels move will help but we are stilll at least 2 guys a way. It all depends what TD does from the wire and Last cuts. Will he sit still or will he rol the dice????
SeenThisB4
May 23rd, 2012
7:29 pm
@Really?: You are in error on both suppositions. The norm for you, no doubt.
10 of 12
May 23rd, 2012
7:35 pm
sorry to tell you this but 48 other states know the same thing . due to the ga. public school system , y’all aint not edjumacated enuff two neaux betr
10 of 12
May 23rd, 2012
7:36 pm
where ‘yat seen ? hiramsaints says the same ! the truth doth hurt for the failclowns doesn’t it but i guess blindness helps .
Betting windows open: Nevada says Falcons miss playoffs | football-feed.com
May 23rd, 2012
7:52 pm
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falcon1
May 23rd, 2012
8:20 pm
Want to know what M. Bradley has to say.
SeenThisB4
May 23rd, 2012
8:37 pm
Seriously, as much as I want the Saints to win the NFC South I just think Vegas got this wrong. No coach, no qb, this could affect us for years to come. I truly believe the oddsamakers have missed the Falcons break out year, and it it now. Good Luck homeys, you have the tools.
hiramsaint
May 23rd, 2012
8:43 pm
You got that right Seen. It is gonna be tough to keep blogging with these Falcons fans when they whip us twice this year. Seen, you still comin’ over tonight?
Old Goober
May 23rd, 2012
8:48 pm
I’ll take 7-9 for the Falcons and I want the concession on the mechanical Super Dooper Pooper Scooper to scrape Ryan from the turf after each game. 9-7? Are you kidding me? We have basically the same sorry OL plus Tip Toe Turner. Maybe Turner will fall on a defensive lineman and put him out of action, but there’s no way the Falcants can pick up a half yard on 4th & 1. I’m putting my bucks on the Under.
dawg4u
May 23rd, 2012
8:58 pm
The Saints have lost their head coach for the season and the team is in disarray over bounty-gate and still Nevada has the Saints pegged ahead of the Falcons. Then again the Falcons always look better on paper than they actually do on the field. There doesn’t seem to be much to be optimistic about as far as the playoffs go. The problems again will be Ryan’s throwing a deep ball, the O line and D line and secondary. Asante should help some but I don’t see us improving that much. Your prediction of 10-6 seems right on Jeff. I hated seeing Ovie Mughelli released because he was a gamer.
JSS
May 23rd, 2012
9:16 pm
Nothing is changing that defense in Denver; they are nasty!
JSS
May 23rd, 2012
9:18 pm
Who still tells crack jokes?
Birrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrd Man
May 23rd, 2012
9:20 pm
12-4…Superbowl winners! Yes!
SWAT Native
May 23rd, 2012
9:36 pm
Falcons only go deep in the playoffs when the oddsmakers don’t pick them. This is a good omen.
10 of 12
May 23rd, 2012
9:42 pm
on the bright side – y’all won’t have to be humiliated again by showing the country you can’t score an offensive point in a playoff game or embarrassed like the year before when the country watched all your fans bail out at halftime
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 23rd, 2012
9:52 pm
But I thought CHOKE was the 2nd coming of Peyton Manning
I thought CHOKE would lead the Falcants to more playoff wins than Vick
Like I said in 2008 CHOKE is a 72 million BUST
P B Orr
May 23rd, 2012
9:53 pm
In the Smith era, the Falcons have a great year (2008), followed by a good year (2009), followed by a great year (2010), followed by a good year (2011). It’s great year year.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 23rd, 2012
9:54 pm
Dan Reeves……Multiple Playoff wins
Jim Mora Jr……Multiple Playoff wins
Mike Smith……Multiple Playoff Flops
Yet you losers say this is the best regime….ha ha
Paul in NH
May 23rd, 2012
10:01 pm
If you look at the lines in aggregate, Vegas has it as 9 games over in a sport where it has to be level. Sports psychology at its finest – the optimism of hope versus reality.
If it wasn’t for the darn vigorish you could bet under across the board and guarantee a win.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 23rd, 2012
10:01 pm
P B Orr
May 23rd, 2012
9:53 pm
In the Smith era, the Falcons have a great year (2008), followed by a good year (2009), followed by a great year (2010), followed by a good year (2011). It’s great year year.
__________________________________________
Great years normally equate to winning in the playoffs…just a thought
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 23rd, 2012
10:04 pm
Two things that won’t change while CHOKE is behind center……..
1. Playoff wins…………..
2. Playofff wins…………
Dude sucks so bad I had to say it twice….ha ha.
10 of 12
May 23rd, 2012
10:11 pm
in the smith era—-Z-E-R-O—&—T-H-R-E-E. but heyyyyy-you’ve had winning seasons ! WEEEEEE
Dwayne Parker
May 23rd, 2012
10:28 pm
In the NFL it is all about who is hot & healthy at the right time, period. Estimated records are just that, Falcons 11-5, loose in the NFC Champ. game; on a botched call.
CamiloAtlanta
May 24th, 2012
12:02 am
Easy as pie. 16-0.
Mr. Brooks
May 24th, 2012
5:55 am
The Falcons are going to rise to the top this year, Matt Ryan has been lifting weights so we’re going to be going deep to Julio. Super Bowl all the way!
10 of 12
May 24th, 2012
6:26 am
matty melt has been lifting weights so he’ll be able to throw it 20 yds. instead of 15 . superbowl all the way from the couch…again
mick crysler
May 24th, 2012
6:58 am
11-5 On the fence with the at Detroit game, picked a loss.
Mr. Brooks
May 24th, 2012
7:29 am
Rise up Falcon fans! Discard your negativities and be encouraged that Matt Ryan has been lifting weights and Julio got a haircut. The Falcons will be going down field with a stronger Matt Ryan throwing deep to a quicker Julio. This is our year! Rise up Falcon fans!
Chris
May 24th, 2012
8:05 am
Schultz – kind of a glass half empty way to look at it. While I get your rationale, 9 wins puts the Falcons in the top 12 teams and 12 teams make the playoffs thus I like the Falcons odds of making the playoffs (understanding that the season could play out in any number of different ways). The median and average win total is about 8.25 so the Falcons are perceived to exceed the average, albeit slightly. If we’re talking perceptions, my view is the national perception matches the rational local perception of this team. I think they very well could be a solid playoff team but they will need to find a running game and improve the defense.
Stepchild
May 24th, 2012
8:19 am
Many of the teams on our schedule are better teams. 9 wins would be a good season for the Falcons considering the bulk of our changes won’t be in a uniform. The new offensive and defensive schemes will be both a benefit and a curse to us. We will make mistakes learning…hopefully they won’t result in game losing turnovers or blown coverages. – - The Falcons will look worse than they really are due to so much change. You don’t hear the local media talk about THAT….as they dream through rose colored glasses.
FALCONSJRT
May 24th, 2012
8:27 am
The falcons will go 11-5 or 12-4 and will win the NFC SOUTH and home field through out the NFC playoffs and will win the SUPER BOWL in the super dome and yes it will be in the saints and saints fans BACK YARD!!!! Saints fans would hate that for years and Falcons fans would would have SUPER bragging rights and the best SLAP in the face of every saints fans everywhere!
SeenThisB4
May 24th, 2012
8:36 am
The Falcons will do better than 10-6, I have no doubt. I worry that the Saints can finish that strong. We will be lucky and I mean LUCKY to go 8-8. One team that is going to make huge strides is the Panthers. No way they finish with only 7 wins.
SeenThisB4
May 24th, 2012
8:40 am
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
10:01 pm
Great years normally equate to winning in the playoffs…just a thought
It is called a maturation process, something you would not understand. Maybe when you turn 12 a light will go on.
Komagawa
May 24th, 2012
8:43 am
Its ok, we get a better draft pick to compensate in 2013. Go falcons!
PlanB
May 24th, 2012
8:56 am
old qb may 23 @ 2:33 – I like what you say and believe most is true. We do have some injured guys like Meier, that will help this year.
Glenn
May 24th, 2012
9:22 am
Hey if anyone can loan me say 25k I would gladly take SF and over 10 . The rest of the NFC west will still be lousy this fall . I saw one of these earlier in the year . It had Miami at 9 . I would have put my mortgage on the Tannehills and the under .
Whats your lock Jeff ?
Tommy
May 24th, 2012
9:39 am
These lines are meaningless when it comes to predicting playoff appearances. New York and Detroit have the edge over the Falcons because their initial line is set at 9.5 wins vs. 9 wins. Show me how a team wins .5 of a game and I’ll bite. Ties, perhaps, but there are on average one every three years in the NFL.
The Saints are at 10 because the piles of carbon better known as ‘Saints fans’ keep betting what’s left of their Katrina payouts on New Orleans going 16-0.
dean
May 24th, 2012
9:39 am
I’m glad that I learned young to never, ever bet on football. There is a reason Vegas is Vegas.
Don’t be this guy who got Lost in America. (Heck, come to think of it, this very same thing is going on today all over America.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0rS5Zusw4M
Whatever. I’m going to trudge to the couch for every game. Expect the worst and hope for the best. I hate approaching games with that attitude but after 46 years of soul-crushing moments….
dean
May 24th, 2012
9:41 am
See, I am expecting the worst. It has been 45 years. It will be 46 years.
Just back from 2025 in my time machine.
May 24th, 2012
10:02 am
They finished 11-5 and lost in the NFC Championship game to the Packers that year. But the good stuff started in 2013.
PMC
May 24th, 2012
10:07 am
People hate this draft really? They got a legit center/guard prospect and a guy they think can play left tackle.
I can’t hate that. Ultimately they addressed their biggest problems so far this offseason. They haven’t addressed pass rush with a player but they have with a coordinator change and getting another seasoned CB.
There are a few teams better than us but this is a very solid football team. They just need a few guys to be better in key moments.
Joe Tess Fish House
May 24th, 2012
10:23 am
IM not surprized that Vegas does not have tehm going 2 to palyoffs. They didnt do nothin 2 improve from last season in fact they got worst becaue they did not have a fist round pick this year. Tommy Dummytroff needs 2 go a way now
Short Term Memory
May 24th, 2012
10:48 am
The Falcons want to win with defense. Picking up Asante Samuels is HUGE. Assuming we stay healthy in our secondary we will win the super bowl. Mark my word all you haters.
TN Jeff
May 24th, 2012
10:50 am
In my ultra quick analysis, I too have the Falcons going 10-6 but that is with a 6-0 start of the season. That might be optismistic that they will come out of the gate so strong. Sure hope they don’t have a “it means nothing” winless preseason this year.
Norm Van Brocklin
May 24th, 2012
10:59 am
when impersonating hiramsaint, don’t capitalize, it gives you away immediately. hiram’s cap key is broken………….or he is just too stupid to know better (i’ll bet on the latter.)
Norm Van Brocklin
May 24th, 2012
11:00 am
&#$% *^&#@@! &%^$
Malcom
May 24th, 2012
11:02 am
when impersonating hiramsaint, don’t use caps, it gives you away. (he is too ignorant to know proper punctuation.)
Whopper Dawg
May 24th, 2012
11:20 am
The Vegas odds are pretty much what you would expect after last year, one semi-surprise being Phillie over the Giants. And that is understandable.
More interesting is that on average six teams that made the playoffs last year won’t this year. What six teams? That would make a good column Jeff.
PMC
May 24th, 2012
11:25 am
Im interested as to how the home/away every week schedule will affect them.
SawThat1nce
May 24th, 2012
11:36 am
IN 2008, I remember the oods of the Falcons going to the SuperBowl were like, 1 followed by twentyfour zeros, that they would not win it.
We all know that they didn’t make it, but they did get to the playoffs.
They will be in the playoffs this year ‘IF’ they can get a OLine that can keep the opponent off of their QB’s back, and move the other teams DLine and open some holes for the running game, just a little bit.
EasyE
May 24th, 2012
12:08 pm
As a falcon fan for many years,I still see the start of the season as a race to 8 wins!…….Seems like just the other day when the falcons just hoped to smell the playoffs!!!!….Now all people can talk about is the super bowl?…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. About betting….1. I bet edwards plays better when he’s not hurt…2.That there is a 50/50 chance one of the FA’s at LB or OL will return to there former self’s…3.Robinson plays the nickle cb spot like he did for the texans!!!!!……I have 3 negative bets too but just hate so even say’em in case they might come true!
Nobody Falcon
May 24th, 2012
12:14 pm
Man this is 2012 things always happen like New Orleans do you sill stink that they will win 12 games this year….I bet you with a penny that they will win 8 games the most come on Jeff.
Jesus Freakin Christ
May 24th, 2012
1:01 pm
You rednecks should be in church on Sunday, not watching football.
EasyE
May 24th, 2012
1:17 pm
lol!! we are seven month outta the year in church…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 24th, 2012
2:08 pm
The Vegas line should read………………
“OVER AND UNDER THAT CHOKE BLOWS IN THE PLAYOFFS AGAIN”
True Falcon Fan
May 24th, 2012
2:45 pm
The 1998 Atlanta Falcons opened in Vegas odds at 35-1 to the win their division, 50-1 to go WIN NFC Championship game, 55-1 to go to Super Bowl (Just make it to SB paid) was the payoff – i am here to tell everyone “I purchased 3 tickets at $100.00 on 35-1 —- $50.00 on 50-1 —- $50.00 on 55-1 to just make it to SB — Boyz & Girls — I won BIG! —- So the moral to this story is don’t always believe the bookies!
Go Falcons!!
hiramsaint
May 24th, 2012
2:56 pm
@ norm and malcom- when impersonating me , always keep in mind that it’s just pretend and eventually you have to go back to being a failclown fan .
left coast falcons fan
May 24th, 2012
2:57 pm
seems accurate to me..the popular sentiment in management was to blame coaching for last years debacle, but they are the same old birds…last time they had a pass rush was the 80’s grits blitz
10 of 12
May 24th, 2012
2:58 pm
When impersonating hiramsaint , Malcolm and Norm must remember that it’s only make believe and sooner or later , they must return to being a lowly failclown fan !
10 of 12
May 24th, 2012
2:59 pm
Enter your comments here
10 of 12
May 24th, 2012
3:00 pm
Nah -waste of time on a waste of a franchise
Sister Teresa
May 24th, 2012
5:43 pm
We all know, however, we must all forgive and learn to love these Saint fans that post here, even though they are ignominiously irritating, brash, arrogant, annoying, caustic, galling, hateful, nasty, unpleasant, peevish, cavalier, cocky, conceited, contemptible, contemptuous, disdainful, egotistical, haughty, insolent, overbearing, smug, snooty and snotty. There must be some redeeming factors about them………..er…………well………maybe not.
hiramtiger
May 24th, 2012
7:34 pm
you forgot -accurate and insightful !
Sister Teresa
May 24th, 2012
7:53 pm
Well, tiger, if you say so……………..but really! ! !
Michael Thompson
May 24th, 2012
10:23 pm
It amazes me how many writers, betters, cracked out prognosticators, talking heads and the like create wins with their breath and a dated win/loss record. Philly is going to out play the Giants? New Orleans out-wins Atlanta, did the Aints get “better” in the off-season; did the Birds get worse?
Saints R.E.A.M.
May 25th, 2012
9:34 am
This is the last year for “Go for it” Smitty. The Falcons will have to fire him after another under performing season. When he doesn’t win the division this year it will be clear that he is a cheerleader more than a head coach.
Sister Teresa
May 25th, 2012
11:33 am
Saints REAM: only in your prayers, heathen.
10 of 12
May 25th, 2012
3:55 pm
Not true sister- I know for a fact that if Smitty doesn’t reach the NFC championship game this year , he’s done . I don’t know Arty personally but I do know a number of high level execs that work for him and have loose lips after a few bourbons
Gritsfalcon
May 26th, 2012
4:35 am
Falcons go 14-2 with their only loses being @ N. Orleans and @ Detroit. (Okay, I’ll make some allowances for splitting a series with either Carolina OR Tampa Bay. (That means 13-3)) They get the “bye” again, beat the snot out of the Cowboys at Home in the Divisional round, everybody gets all excited, they are predicted to win the NFC champsionship game and go to the Super Bowl. But lurking in the shadows are those pesky Lions. That’s as far as I go. Now, everybody can go watch baseball, get ready for Christmas and check back-in January. Herm Edwards (ESPN) is one of those analysts that’s more emotion than…..oh, well, and I don’t put much stock in what he usually says. However, he is right about this: To paraphrase, This IS the make or break year for Matt Ryan. This year he proves whether Atl’s selection and grooming of him as their answer at QB was a correct one or he is a pretender that has just so happened to play with a lot of good talent around him. In 2012 no QB has more pressure on him to perform than M. Ryan. And anything short of the NFC Championship game will equal failure. Just some thoughts from an arm chair falcon’s fan since ‘66.
Roger Goodell is the BEST
May 26th, 2012
10:10 am
NFC South and North may be toughest divisions in football…..
I believe the OVER would be best bet for entire South division. Then again, N.O. will be without many pieces for a while, but could be seething and have a lot to prove. But they’ll always be piss ants, regardless.
Sister Teresa
May 26th, 2012
10:10 am
To my knowledge, none of the narcissistic individuals I’ve known personally, such as hiramsaint, have had official diagnoses of Narcissistic Personality Disorder; they have not sought help and so haven’t been assessed clinically. On the other hand, members of their families have sought help to cope with them — and I have sought help in understanding every one of them! Thus these pages.
These are field notes — that is, descriptions and observations to assist in identifying narcissists and also, I hope, to give aid and comfort to others who live and work with narcissists. I’m sorry that I cannot also give hope, but, since a prime characteristic of narcissists is believing that they are always right no matter what, narcissists are extremely resistant to change and, unfortunately, tend to get worse as they get older.
I have also never had to cope with a physically aggressive or sadistic narcissist. The narcissists I’ve known have pretty much stuck to neglect and verbal and emotional abuse. But lots of people have not been so lucky, and their narcissist parents or partners have been relentlessly interfering and cruel in efforts to reform and re-form their “beloveds,” including but not limited to plastic surgery or bleaching and perming little babies’ hair to make them more perfectly beautiful blondes. Nearly everyone has some narcissistic traits. It’s possible to be arrogant, selfish, conceited, or out of touch without being a narcissist. The practical test, so far as I know, is that with normal people, no matter how difficult, you can get some improvements, at least temporarily, by saying, essentially, “Please have a heart.” This doesn’t work with narcissists; in fact, it usually makes things worse.
It’s impossible to overemphasize the importance of narcissists’ lack of empathy. It colors everything about them.
Hey Vilma, go make Fred and Barney lunch you little girl
May 26th, 2012
10:16 am
Falcons weren’t given any favors of preperation time for games on and after national games. ie. monday, thursday, saturday and sunday night games on schedule. Check it out.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 26th, 2012
12:11 pm
Poor Falcants:
Vegas is not into you….ha ha & NFL Network Top 100 is not into CHOKE
Finally the rest of the NFL is seeing what I have been saying since 2008
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 26th, 2012
12:13 pm
Gritsfalcon
May 26th, 2012
4:35 am
Falcons go 14-2 with their only loses being @ N. Orleans and @ Detroit. (Okay, I’ll make some allowances for splitting a series with either Carolina OR Tampa Bay
_________________________________________-
Crack really does kill
fan 66
May 27th, 2012
12:31 pm
I see falcons improving with Nolan as DC. I do not see any change in offense with MMII as OC and Smith as head coach. Falcons will be 8-8 at best. Would not be suprised if falcons finish fourth in NFC south. I see no playoff in site with falcons.
I see Bucs and Panthers coming on . They made improvement with rosters with pick ups and draft picks. Falcons had done little to help their roster if any. You do not win with weak o-lines and weak d-lines. Falcons have strong skill postion players on offense, weak line. You can take weak skill position players and win if you have a strong line. Look at the strong or winning team over the years . They take offense lineman with first and second round picks or sign great lineman as Bucs did with Nicks.
I hope I am wrong, but I do not see a playoff win or any superbowl wins with Smith and TD.
Blanks let the best man walk. Les Snead, he is the talent man not TD!!!!
\ Tell me how you get in salary cap trouble with a team full of average players? A JOKE!!!!!!!
junbug
May 27th, 2012
3:22 pm
You’re a damn homer schultz dummy. The facan’ts are lucky if they go 8-8. I’d say the odds makers got it right. The gay birds will not make the playoffs and will continue their streak of not winning a playoff game for the 5 year in a row under that stupid head coach smith.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 28th, 2012
3:32 pm
After 5 years of Winless Playoff success since the previous regime I’ll say what others are too stubborn to admit……..
The CHOKE Experiment has been a F-A-I-L-U-R-E!
You can sugar coat it all you like but it has been 9 seasons since this franchise won their last playoff win.
You can continue to hate Vick all you want, but he still remains the LAST qb to win a playoff game for this franchise.
In the meanwhile this franchise is now regressed years behind the Ravens and Joe Flacco. The Ravens didn’t overpay Flacco like this franchise has with CHOKE. The money that was thrown away on CHOKE was more than they paid for Turner, Gonzalez, Roddy and Julio combined.
After this season Dimitroff/Smitty/CHOKE will be packing and this franchise will have to start over again in hopes of erasing the hold that Vick apparently still has on the city and community.
Sorry guys but CHOKE is a bust
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 28th, 2012
3:34 pm
Smith showed his insecurities when he tried to physically attack an opposing player.
That is total classless
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
May 28th, 2012
7:54 pm
What happened to all the 2008 Hype?
Whadda Ya Know?
May 31st, 2012
7:27 am
If they focus on winning all eight home games they’d only need to win two or three to have a 10 or 11 win season. If our offense can keep all of our opponents guessing this year we will win a lot of game. If we can have 10+ win seasons with Mularkey, I’m sure Koetter can’t be any worse. Defense should stop the 3rd down bleeding this year so they will contribute to keep opponents time of possession down. We keep the ball, long drives and score TDs (NO FGs) and we win.
Whadda Ya Know?
May 31st, 2012
8:06 am
How sweet would it be to play in the Superbowl at our most hated rival’s house? If I were Smitty, he should get the team fired up with that…we can play the SB in the Lousyana Stank Dome.
sainthiram
May 31st, 2012
8:34 pm
thats because goodell said no way to atl .hosting a superbowl in that circus tent y’all have for a stadium. i’ve been there-it’s like a rap concert and then all of a sudden a football game breaks out and the fans bail at haltime after having walked in , in the middle of the 1st qtr.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
June 2nd, 2012
11:28 am
Whadda Ya Know?
May 31st, 2012
8:06 am
How sweet would it be to play in the Superbowl at our most hated rival’s house? If I were Smitty, he should get the team fired up with that…we can play the SB in the Lousyana Stank Dome.
_______________________________________________
You really should put down the crack pipe. Trying scoring in the playoffs first
The Unjust Disrespect For the Atlanta Falcons « The Falcon Project
June 3rd, 2012
2:27 pm
[...] Falcons are being unjustly disrespected heading into the 2012 NFL season. Both Warren Sapp and Vegas expect the Falcons to miss the playoffs this year, and a couple of Falcons players are mysteriously [...]
The Unjust Disrespect For the Atlanta Falcons « The Falcon Project
June 3rd, 2012
2:27 pm
[...] Falcons are being unjustly disrespected heading into the 2012 NFL season. Both Warren Sapp and Vegas expect the Falcons to miss the playoffs this year, and a couple of Falcons players are mysteriously [...]
Sister Teresa
June 3rd, 2012
3:34 pm
Choke, son, you ought to have a doctor look at that.