LIVE: Falcons have chance to clinch playoff bye (or more)
Stopping the Carolina Panthers starts with stopping Cam Newton for the Falcons. (AP photo)
CHARLOTTE — Good morning. When I walked out of the deck parking lot toward the media entrance of the stadium (a healthy walk here at Bank of America Stadium), there was only a slight drizzle. But a few minutes later, the skies opened up, I got drenched and it totally ruined my coiffure.
(Go ahead, I’ll give you a few minutes to laugh. … Waiting. … Still waiting. … )
So yes, it is raining here in Charlotte. The forecast says there’s only a 10 percent chance of showers, but that 10 percent clearly resides on this block. So at the very least, the field will be slippery for the Falcons’ game against the Carolina Panthers today.
Some folks around the Falcons are worried about this game. The Panthers are only 3-9 but seven of those losses have come by six points or less (one in overtime). The Falcons were fortunate to rally and beat Carolina 30-28 on a last-minute field goal drive in Week 4.
Tackle Tyson Clabo said of the Panthers, “They’re the exact opposite team of us. They’re in every game but somehow they find a way lose. We’re in every game and we find a way to win. It only takes a bounce of the ball here or there to change the whole thing. They’re a good team and they’ll be at home.”
The X-factor for Carolina obviously is Cam Newton. Every week it seems like there are new stories that quote anonymous players, questioning Newton’s attitude and leadership. Personally, I don’t like anonymous quotes. But the questions about Newton’s maturity have been there from day one so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to all of this and whether he grows from it. If he goes in the wrong direction, the Panthers are sunk because they’ve invested a lot in him from a financial and marketing standpoint.
Back to the Falcons. At 11-1, they’ve already clinched a playoff berth and the NFC South Division. They can clinch one of the top two seeds — and therefore a first-round bye — with a win over Carolina and ONE of the following two scenarios: 1) A San Francisco loss (home vs. Miami: OR 2) Chicago loss or tie (at Minnesota) and a Green Bay loss or tie (home vs. Detroit). A tie with Carolina and losses by Chicago and Green Bay also would clinch the bye.
The Falcons would clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed and home field through the playoffs with a win, AND a loss by San Francisco AND losses or ties by Chicago and Green Bay.
With college football winding down (pre-bowls), the amount of Falcons’ content in the AJC went up this week. Here’s a sampling, with links:
– My column on the Falcons realizing they have some flaws to correct in these final four games.
– My column on John Abraham and another double-digit sack season at the age of 34.
– Barrister Ledbetter’s Q-and-A with wide receiver Julio Jones.
– Ledbetter’s story on Jacquizz Rodgers’ work load possibly going up.
– Tim Tucker’s story on how the Falcons’ proposed new stadium deal breaks down.
Here’s a link to the AJC’s Falcons page if you’re looking for more.
That’s all I’ve got for now. I’ll post the inactives in the comments section below.
Any thoughts on today’s game? And what are you hoping to see from the Falcons today?
I’m here to serve.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,276 comments Add your comment
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
3:35 pm
We will score in 3 minutes…..will come down to if we can stop and get ball back against the kitty cats!
DawgPrint
December 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
Do or die time!
dean
December 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
What did Franks do wrong there?
tmc
December 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
Let’s review,
Falcons catch a 2 pt conversion originally called good by the ref right in front of the catch. Then overturned by the white hat 25 yds away… we have to use a challenge, white hat claims no evidence to overturn. (i don’t know what he was watching).
It costs us 2 points, a timeout, no challenges and makes us have and extra possession to win the game.
Carolina pass catch or no catch: called incomplete and the replay is closes could go either way… white hat overturns the call and rewards Panthers catch yardage.
Unbelievable.
Section 212
December 9th, 2012
3:36 pm
Right where we want them. 90 yards away….Feed Roddy
ijonathan
December 9th, 2012
3:37 pm
Rodgers runs for at least 10 on that play
playmeortrademe
December 9th, 2012
3:38 pm
Turner is a waste in these situations. Where is Quizz?
AndrewRiggs
December 9th, 2012
3:38 pm
Awareness?
Whadda Ya Know?
December 9th, 2012
3:38 pm
That sack is on Matt Ryan’s stupid a$$
Dt
December 9th, 2012
3:38 pm
How long did ryan hold that ball
J.J.M.
December 9th, 2012
3:38 pm
get rid of the ball ryan
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
If you had ROGERS in he can catch the pass Fat Butt was LOST and didn’t provide a check down for Ryan.
Dt
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
Go for it
Whadda Ya Know?
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
Matt Ryan is a F up!
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
That’s probably it.
Junky
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
Sorry ass team!
ijonathan
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
And now Gus Johnson can celebrate
J.J.M.
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
one and done in the playoffs!
Jaded
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
Terrible pass-blocking was the nail in the coffin.
Bill
December 9th, 2012
3:39 pm
To all the Falcon fans who have been whining all year about how nobody gives you respect-
This is why.
Your lousy defense cant get a 3 win team off the field, and your pansy little girl quarterback wont throw the ball more than 8 yards downfield. Lot of good your star receivers do you when your scared little noodle arm quarterback checks down on every play.
I despise Cam Newton and wanted the Falcons to win this game, but this is pathetic. You guys do this against one of the worst teams in the league and expect to win in the playoffs? Give me a break. You are gonna get embarrassed again in your own building and will go back to being an afterthought. -
Whadda Ya Know?
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Ryan CRACKS under pressure. I swear
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
14 picks and now only 2 off the NFL Lead…..
Come on CHOKE I have faith in you LOSER……
HA HA
The Real Falcon
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Throw off the back foot, Ryan!
Pigskin
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
BALLGAME People!!!
Old Man Peabody
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Noddle arm thought he could get that through there SMH
Dt
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
They got down by too many points..we can’t start like that and expect to win
Section 212
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
our OL let us down. did not match their toughness, thus the result
Jimmy
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Hocula overturned that 2 point conversion so he couldn’t let us win the challenge.
I think he’s in it for the panthers.
Mora less Petrino
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Birds need a better OL. Hope they get Barrett Jones.
Sid
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
go home….pitiful.
moboman
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
O line let a guy right thru on that INT. Who was that???
Megahurtz
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Blame it on the coin-toss. Pathetic O-line play today.
Jimmy
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
I think that may be it.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Tough game again for Matt! We got to find out what the problem has been the last 5 weeks. We still the Nation…..and we will Rise Up.
playmeortrademe
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Gus Johnson’s act is getting old…Not every game is an NCAA tournament game.
Terrible first down call to Turner, terrible sack. Next time don’t get down 23-0 to a 3-9 team.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
They totally messed up those play calls.
On 2nd if ROGERS is in Ryan has a dump pass to save the SACK and get the first Down
Then on 3 rd you have Rogers in and too far to go for the 1st.
Bad people in with bad play calls.
J.J.M.
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
no deep ball to julio today where he will either catch it or will be a pass interference…dumb play calling
Jason
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Matt Ryan never throws well on the run. Why not throw a screen there to pick up some good yardage? This team is sickening.
Whadda Ya Know?
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Bill I agree. This team is a fraud!!! Mike Smith is a fraud!
goFalcons
December 9th, 2012
3:40 pm
Back is really against the wall now.
dean
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
You will eat your words Bill.
toccoa
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
Why weren’t we doing this earlier in the game, and now Ryan stands back there forever and hopes not to get sacked. What a joke! The GIANTS are watching this and licking their chops.
The Real Falcon
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
No D No O
Robert
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
I know we played terrible today, but these announcers are terrible.
Seriously, they won the coin toss, these panthers are different?
They are going to win 5 games this year
Sav FAN
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan -you were correct today
mountain_jim
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
Blank still has not got the upgraded oline he wanted after last season.
Pmc
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
Welp Greg Hardy was right. These guys aren’t even man enough to defend their own honor.
Steve
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
Funny how “Matt Choke Ryan” had been in hiding until that pick. I guess he put down his dolls and ran over to the computer to make a quick post.
J.J.M.
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
this game was over halftime
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
3:41 pm
A pick