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
Sid
December 9th, 2012
3:51 pm
the only reason they MIGHT win a playoff game is they will be home. Then it will not matter as the Giants, Niners or Packers will kill them.
yellowfever
December 9th, 2012
3:51 pm
what does that say about your team when the opposition talks smack all week and then they come out and push you around like a bunch of little girls. I don’t care what this teams record is their not going to win a playoff game. Their just not mean & dirty enough. Sorry.
Mountain Man
December 9th, 2012
3:51 pm
The entire Falcons team should be made to stand in a line at midfield and the Panthers should get to walk past them one-by-one and state “Get the f**k our our field.”
And we should not have to hear anything, ever again, about “not getting respect”. You don’t earn respect by being outclassed by 3 win team.
Looks to me like one-and-done again.
TheDudeAbides...
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
These announcers are seriously going to make me puke… #SuckingKittyKock
Jimmy
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
We have a number of injuries. We are coming out of a long off week. Those are mitgating factors in this loss.
Still, we were in a position to win in the 4th quarter.
Ryan has not had time to throw.
And consequently, he’s looked like a deer caught in the headlights.
If we can’t manage the rush any better…we are won’t win a playoff game this year.
Mark
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
If you can’t run the ball or at least have a threat of it you lose!
Section 212
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
Need to go for TD now
Better to collapse now
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
You think the Panthers pressured Ryan, wait until the Giants get here. Has ther ever been a playoff team that lost their last four games?
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
playmeortrademe
December 9th, 2012
3:46 pm
Playoffs should be another awesome letdown for everybody, a la Braves and UGA. Beating Cleveland in 1995 still the pinnacle of local sports.
_________________
Sad but true.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
3:52 pm
All you LOSERS continue to make excuses for CHOKE the LOSER. Now you are blaming the offensive line. AaRon Rodgers leads the league in being sacked and he is having another monster season.
Keep on making excuses losers……ha ha
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
3:53 pm
Just a poor, poor game. We didn’t show any resiliency today, Smitty. It was a hard-fought second half for about ten minutes. That’s about it. I will say one thing, though. You don’t burn this tape. Every player should have this garbage seared into their retinas. This was totally unacceptable from a team that has competed (not always well) in every other game this year.
tmc
December 9th, 2012
3:53 pm
Why is matt ryan still in this game?
Come on coach Smith
Get him out of there!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
3:53 pm
OK all you that think the FALCON SUCK I don’t want to see you here next week when they play. Win or Lose you don’t care you just want to see the Falcons do bad.
I guess your parents didn’t raise you to have a positive outlook and to never give up.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
3:53 pm
You guys are stupid. Have any of you realized that half of our starting secondary is out in this game? Our best cover corner and our best safety.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
3:54 pm
Here comes CHOKE again padding his stats in garbage time…..ha ha
Jimmy
December 9th, 2012
3:54 pm
I’m sorry…but the NFL is not like college.
3 win teams can beat anyone on any given day.
That is a fact.
AmpK
December 9th, 2012
3:54 pm
Their done!!! This kind of performance is why no one ever gets to excited about the Falcons…Matt Ryan gets all the praise from the media but the guy sucks when it counts. Don’t blame the O-line for his screw ups. Wow he just missed another wide open receiver.
Now he starts to play well…that’s Matty Loser for you
goFalcons
December 9th, 2012
3:54 pm
Falcons big game is the Super Bowl, Panthers season is this game, get real, I like the Falcons big game more then the Panthers and for the Giants, they are going to get killed by our Falcons
Robert
December 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
No turnovers for the D, do we really miss Moore and Samuel that much
Falcons 73
December 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
Falcons 73
December 9th, 2012
2:23 pm
I’m going to say this again, Mike Smith steadfastly refuses to let the Falcons play the type of ball that made this team dominate offensively at the beginning of the season, which revolves around the pass (to set up the run). You can accomplish the same goals, by recognizing the fact that we are not a “smash mouth” football team, yet we have tons of advantages at WR & TE. This offensive line isn’t capable of moving the pile at will, and is much better at pass protection than run blocking.
The Falcons are more similar to New England offensively, but Mike Smith is trying to make us the 49er’s. This is just plain stupid, stubborn, and will result in a first round exit once again.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
If ROGERS was in on the last dive on 2nd down over Turnner That play we just ran play would have us in the game still.
no defense
December 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
REST THE STARTERS FOR WHAT?
Mark
December 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
While I’m fussing I don’t like the White Hat either. Whats he? Body builder want to be with his tight sleaves…
JR1967
December 9th, 2012
3:55 pm
Been following NFL football for some 35 plus years since my youth, and NEVER have I seen any 11-1 team at any stage in the pros get a beatdown like this. Every potential NFC playoff team should save this game for future gamefilm just in case the Falcons are some team’s opponent in January.
Jason
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
Falcons must be happy with winning the division and getting a home playoff game.
Section 212
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
Each of the top teams have taken a bad loss this season, this loss definately will bring the Falcons back down in the power rankings. I predict they will be 8th if the Giants win.
Rip
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
when will you falcon fan learn, this team is so suspect. The game they won at least 5 could have easily gone the other way. Good team take care of business on teams that have only won three games. Falcons made them look like superstars. Defense so poor, offense with, no line, you guys are not living in the real world, DO NOT BE JUST HOMERS, REALLY LOOK AT YOUR TEAM. OUT IN THE FIRST ROUND,
Bill
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
Some of you guys amaze me. Your wins are meaningless. All that matters is that you play into the postseason. Doesnt matter if its 11 or 16 or 6 wins.
You had a lot of wins last year, too. And how many points did Noodle Arm and your offense score in your playoff game? Oh, yeah. Zero.
You got humiliated then and you are getting humiliated now. Just like you will in the playoffs this year.
Pmc
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
Sissys
Rey
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
Falcons have 2 MAJOR problems:
1. Offensive Line
2. Defensive Line
That is a recipe for disaster come playoff time. Our coordinators better scheme better or its curtains for us.
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
3:56 pm
Sid
December 9th, 2012
3:47 pm
glad to see some realists on here today.
_____________________
I think they prefer to call us “negative.”
Better to collapse now
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
Looks like the Panthers are more talented. Weatherspoon needs to shut up.
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
Tampa had a great Defence that is why Tampa and Brad Johnson won a SB. Atlanta does not have a great D and still needs DL help, a real pass rusher, and OL help.
Have a great “D’ and maybe Ryan wins a SB. Until then it just ain’t gonna happen. Matty Ice is not a Brady or, Manning or Rothlesberger. He can’t win BIG Games by himself. In that respect, and it pains me to say this, he is a choke against great teams. Notice I said teams.
Its easy against the Raiders and Cardinals of the world to win those games in the 4th quarter. Its what you do against the great teams that matters and Ryan does not do it against great teams.
Robert
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
San Fran is going to tear our OL up!!
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
Mike Vick has January plans. He’s planning to keep preaching about the evils of animal abuse. He just loves pets! What a sincere guy. He has plenty of time now to plan his speeches. In fact, that’s what he’s doing as he’s holding that clipboard on the sidelines. One thing he’s not going to do ever again is start at QB in the NFL.
HA HA
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
The Panthers may be a 3-9 team but they are still a pretty good team. Kind of like the Saints being 5-7. You know they are better than that. Today the Panthers didn’t shoot themselves in the foot like they usually do.
Jimmy
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
AmpK:
You obviously have a very narrow understanding of “when it counts”.
Ryan has more than enough big time come from behind games.
It just didn’t end with a win today.
AmpK
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
5150 UOAD…I will have a positive outlook when they do something positive like win a playoff game or something similar to that. Just tired of the same old s#$%…like Ryan missing another open receiver
around town
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
The offense has been terrible today. No running game whatsoever, and it is hard to believe that #33 is still getting the ball in any important situation. They need a better OL for Ryan because he has no escapability. But the defense has been much worse: without a clue how to cover any receivers or to otherwise stop Cam Newton. Looks too much like their usual playoff form and I hope it is just a letdown from winning the division.
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
How can anybody say that this game determines how the season will end? You are a damned moron if you believe that. Grow a pair.
Anyway, we have to play better. There is no doubt about that. On the other hand, we’ve been skating by against bad teams. The Panthers happened to get another shot at us. They didn’t follow the script. They kicked our teeth in for two quarters and we did nothing. When we finally showed up at the stadium, we were down by 23 points and needed everything to go our way. That is pathetic and every player on our team knows it. Nobody, even Falcon fans, will give this team much respect after today. That isn’t totally fair, but it’s a fact. These guys have to decide if they want to be, in the words of my dad, “cheese champions,” or if they want to be something worthwhile. I hate going to all the cliches, but I don’t know that there are any other words.
cadwellnek
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
yep that looks like our playoff team. another year of one and out. matt icy is not the answer
Joseph
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
These refs suck. Seriously, they choose to see something they wanted to see on the 2-point conversion. They allow Abe to get held on almost each play, they allow our receivers to get mugged the entire way down the field, yet they have the nerve to flag Dunta! Did they get the recs confused? No way the other playoff teams get this treatment!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
FRAUDSSSSSSSSSSSS………………
OVERRATED………………..
LOSERS…………….
EXPOSED…………………..
Still the laugh of the NFL
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
Robert
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
San Fran is going to tear our OL up!!
_____________________________________________________________
Like they tore up the St Louis Rams last week?
Section 212
December 9th, 2012
3:58 pm
Gotta run folks. Go Falcons!
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
3:59 pm
Gotta establish the running game now.
JR1967
December 9th, 2012
3:59 pm
If the local NFL team falls short in the playoffs again without a win, watch for Marion Campbell’s third stint as head coach next year (lol)
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
3:59 pm
Should have run for the TD on 1stdown. Never should have run this many plays.
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
3:59 pm
Gentlemen, we’ve established the run.
ijonathan
December 9th, 2012
3:59 pm
a real man runs that in on the first try