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
jerry
December 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
I have been in a coma, just woke up in the hospital and caught the end of the game. Was that a playoff game?
Whadda Ya Know?
December 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
We had no sense of urgency until the fourth quarter. This team should have thrown the ball all third and fourth quarter. Running Turner…smh
Wutehvah
December 9th, 2012
4:08 pm
What a pathetic showing. Horrible defense, no passion and totally dominated. Doesn’t get any easier next week. Come on, man!!!!
Rip
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
Matt RYan’s interview, we did not play well, the team did not play well, I did not play well. we have got to start better, lets put this game behind us. Smitty comments, it is my fault, I did not get these guys ready to play, we have got to play better on both sides of the ball. You are a are really stupid if you believe that crap. come on homers really look at your team. I would like to think you know something about football
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
For whatever reason, the Falcons dialed one in today. I blame Mike (bobby Cox of the NFL) Smith for not getting his team ready. The defense was shredded today and it looks like one playoff win is the end goal of this smoke and mirrors team.
cadwellnek
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
they said they were better and this was our answer its humiliating being a falcon fan
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
@Dawgnole
I disagree with you did not play soft that game, lost it because of the inability to get 3 yards! And the offense put up.more than 400 yards….so your insight is not received here. Sorry now for the last.couple of games soft play has got us this! You a fan correct? Find the positive and move on cant win them all and cant hang around like a troll when we lose and be ready to pounce like a fat kid on cake! Come on man….be better if you part of the Nation…..no excusrs only solutions and we know what they are! Fix it and lets get the next one!
OH MY
December 9th, 2012
4:10 pm
You Homers who think the Falcants can win a playoff game are nuts!!!!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
4:10 pm
49ers were looking great then Kapernack fumbled and they had to Punt……………..I guess the 49ers SUCK too………………….
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:11 pm
I don’t want to hear again you FOOLS complaining about the sports media not giving these losers any respect
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
4:11 pm
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.
_____________________
You make no sense. All teams have injuries, and the long week should be beneficial with the extra rest it provides.
Pmc
December 9th, 2012
4:12 pm
Rip the flaws with this team are obvious, you want people to not be Falcons fans because they are Flawed,
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
Even Jerry Glanville won a playoff game for the Falcants….ha ha
Iluvnutella
December 9th, 2012
4:13 pm
@Matt”Choke” Ryan….I agree with u sir, for once. horrible looking effort. these guys get paid MILLIONS of dollars and the show we as paying fans recived today is the payoff?
DawgPrint
December 9th, 2012
4:14 pm
Butt ugly loss!
Jamie
December 9th, 2012
4:15 pm
An overall uninspiring effort! All on the coaching staff!!!
vesaversa
December 9th, 2012
4:17 pm
I understand the Falcons can’t stop the run but this suppose to be Matt “Ice RYAN team. But this man have become a bust at ever becoming a elite QB in the NFL , so with talks of a new stadium when do the falcons drafts a real QB that will some day make us all proud? This team from the top down really suck .I hope Smith and the entire coaching crew is fired after they lose again in the playoff.
Jamie
December 9th, 2012
4:17 pm
They should forfeit their game check this week! What a joke!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
4:18 pm
Snake Doc
December 9th, 2012
3:57 pm
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.
___________________
True, but not sure what that has to do with today’s loss. Carolina’s hardly a “great team.”
Jeffro
December 9th, 2012
4:18 pm
Did Matty nice tell them to “get off the f***ing field” again? What a big talk little action man is he.
Sid
December 9th, 2012
4:18 pm
watch out for the Redskins.
monty
December 9th, 2012
4:19 pm
THey never matched the intensity level of Steve Smith who willed his team on.
Rudy
December 9th, 2012
4:19 pm
Lord….please slap the OC & HC….no more of this….we are a running team…because Smitty you are not….please throw the ball down field, not these little short dump offs…..start running crossing and drag patterns again….play the seam pass and control the ball. That’ll protect the defense, it’s called changing field position even if you don’t score. 1 good thing Today, no tip passes ….when Ryan tries to throw these dink & dunk passes he gets tipped alot.
Quicherbichin
December 9th, 2012
4:20 pm
The only thing “Choke”: chokes is his chicken, daily and repeatedly. And DawgNole is here again too… how refreshing… DawgNole’s nick should be Jeremiah Bullfrog… because he apparently has helped himself to some whine…
Brent
December 9th, 2012
4:21 pm
Mike Smith is not the coach to get this team to the next level. He will always coach down to the level of his opponent and scheme to his own design rather than the talent he has on the roster.
And the tackling on defense is horrendous. Cam Newton is a talented player, but the Falcons made him look like he was back at Auburn and unquestionably the best player at his level.
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
4:21 pm
Sid
December 9th, 2012
4:01 pm
Dawg Nole…..or that favorite new term of the day….”haters”.
______________________
Yes, anything but “reality.” And they think they have a grip. Fools.
Ted
December 9th, 2012
4:22 pm
The only ones who try to talk up the Falcants every year are sportswriters in Atlanta and Falcants fans. The Falcants are not nearly as good as their record would indicate.
LOL@The Pigeons
December 9th, 2012
4:23 pm
The Panthers made yall look like the average team that yall are!!!The Super Bowl!! The Superbowl!!Did yall say the Superbowl!!! LOL!!!! What does a Falcon fan do after winning the Super Bowl???? Turn his X Box off and go to sleep!!!! LMAO!!!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
4:23 pm
goFalcons
December 9th, 2012
4:01 pm
realist???????? what is that somebody that hates on the Falcons? Really if you are a realist you could see our great record! I tell u what the Falcons would be better off without u so called realist fans
____________________
Yeah, our great record–and all our great Super Bowl wins. 46 years, ZERO championships. That’s reality.
dee
December 9th, 2012
4:24 pm
one and done in the playoffs dirty overrated birds!!!!! one and done!!!!! Matt Ryan should prepare to watch the Super Bowl game cause he won’t be playing in it!!!! one and done!!!!!!
jack
December 9th, 2012
4:25 pm
The Falcons are NOT to the point where they can take games off like they did today. When they start destroying teams by 30 — 40 points,,then, and only then should they be so arrogant to take a dive like they did today. Pathetic excuse of a Professional football team out there today. Since they didn’t show up to play today,, Arthur should just decide not to pay their sorry arses….
Sid
December 9th, 2012
4:25 pm
thanks Dawg Nole…..have to wonder how long some of these great fans have followed this franchise.
Loyal falcon
December 9th, 2012
4:26 pm
A lot of you need to SHUT THE HECK UP!!!!!!! The falcons will be just fine. We still are 3 games ahead of any team in the NFC.
Sid
December 9th, 2012
4:27 pm
watch out dee and Jack…your “hating” on your team.
Arthur
December 9th, 2012
4:28 pm
I hate losing but I rather lose today than last week. Matt Ryan has to step up his game if the Falcons are to advance in the playoffs, and this Oline has to play better.
Why with all reserves in the Carolina Defensive Backfield we try to run turner instead of attacking in the air. I still cannot understand why we go away from our strength so often in many games.
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
4:29 pm
Matt Ryan is a BUST.
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
4:29 pm
This game was the poster child for ‘No-Respect’. Parents, please, don’t let your children do Falcons.
jack
December 9th, 2012
4:29 pm
@ Sid,,, I have every right to hate on my team if my team tanks it on the field. If a “professional” doesn’t play up to their potential, then I don’t feel that that “professional” deserves his pay for that game. Not totally hating,, just stating an opinion,, and one that is well deserved.
The Real Falcon
December 9th, 2012
4:30 pm
We lost the turnover battle.
We lost the 3rd down battle
we lost the coaching battle
Big perry
December 9th, 2012
4:30 pm
to all my falcons fans it one and done this clown team cannot i mean cannot run the football what the hell they been doing in the off season do they work on there run game this team had less then 50 yards rush, this team is a dam joke why cheer for this sad want to be geart football team, they ain”t s- – t !!!!! the playoff why some one tell me why how the hell they won 11 game is unbleaveable the falcons a quarterback out run the whole defense matt ryan need to run more because they as a team dam show can”t do it a clown football team’ that why they don”t get no respect how can you respect a clown team
xx
December 9th, 2012
4:30 pm
Cam must have stolen the laptop with the defensive coordinators schemes on it. Have fun in the playoffs Cam…oh wait…I forgot carolina is not going…dang can you steal me a ipad next time?
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
4:32 pm
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
4:09 pm
@Dawgnole
I disagree with you did not play soft that game, lost it because of the inability to get 3 yards!
___________________
The “inability to get 3 yards” is the very definition of “soft.” Not sure why you disagree.
Sid
December 9th, 2012
4:32 pm
hey Jack….I was being sarcastic. I have been crucified on here for criticizing or “hating”….just warning you they’ll get after you.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:33 pm
Your MVP last 4 games 4 tds and 7 picks. 14 picks for the season, only 2 picks from leading the NFL.
Congrats MVP…..HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:34 pm
That’s 14 picks in the last 11 games
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
That’s 60 picks in 75 regular season games
old man
December 9th, 2012
4:36 pm
Defense played well enough for us to win.
MR2 did too.
So did special teams.
Turner did what you expect–he sucked.
The game was lost by the O-Line.
They kept our D on the field almost the entire first half. Opening drive sack. MR2 had no time all day. Last 4th down play ending in INT–most important play of the game–Carolina rushes AT MOST 4, and MR2 has a defender in his face the instant he looks up field. Horrible.
This could have been a typical Falcon win. But the O-Line got their rears kicked up and down the field. Actually, not up and down the field. Sort of like in on spot for three snaps at a time.
NeverWasAFan
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
Dump Sam Baker, NOW!
DJ Sniper
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
Can somebody please explain to me why this idiot Choke brought up Michael Vick? Jesus, this dude is a retard.
Anyway, the first half is what did us in. The play calling is way too conservative, and I’m starting to agree with those who place the blame for that on Mike Smith. I thought that the arrival of Dirk Koetter would really open this offense up, but I swear Smitty continues to make his input felt. As for the running game, will they please make Quizz Rogers the starter? Whenever Turner runs, you can pretty much bet that he won’t do much.
old man
December 9th, 2012
4:37 pm
If you say Matt Ryan is a but, you’re an idiot.