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
old man
December 9th, 2012
4:38 pm
Sam Baker is a bust, Michael Turner is a bust. Matt Ryan is not a bust.
TCCB
December 9th, 2012
4:38 pm
Take a look at the Panthers record. The Panthers are a much better team than the Falcons. That record that the Falcons have does not mean anything. New York is going to kill them next week because the Falcons can not beat good football teams and they were exposed today. One and done in the playoffs and flatscreen cheerleaders for the Super Bowl .
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 9th, 2012
4:40 pm
Choke – Hey man, your boy Vick is not even playing anymore. Guess he is not good enough to beat out a Rookie QB? Yes, we had a difficult game but I’ll still take 11-2 and playing 1st play-off game at home anyday! See ya, wouldn’t want to be ya!!
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
4:41 pm
NFL formula is simple: win home games, split on the road, yields 12-4. Trouble is/was, Falcons failed to show up today. Not a poor, but a pathetic display against a 3-9 team. This one is on Mike Smith ‘it’s a process, we’ll fix it’.
LockednLoaded
December 9th, 2012
4:41 pm
To all Falcon fans (unfortunately, that includes me!): I know it’s only one bad, stinker game, but am I the only one who’s noticed a certain slowdown in performance over the last several games…hmmm! Today these guys looked about as organized as a Chinese fire drill! If they continue to play like this for the rest of the season, you can kiss any playoff wins goodbye. It appears that another year of “flash-in-the-pan” football may be making its appearance in our fair city. I hope not, but, hey…don’t despair. At least the birds will be consistent. This would be nothing new or surprising since we’ve had forty-plus years of pigskin mediocrity from this “professional organization”??…….Go Falcons!…maybe?
Bill Martin
December 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
I have been telling all of the falcons fans all year matty ice is not a upper team q’back. Still ahd the
happy feed t\when unger pressure. Always throwing under, over, ou/in side. I’me still wondering
where the falcons were the first half. They simple got their butts kicked, creamed, buried and the
offenc tne wasn’t any better.l In the playoffs they will be no better. If Atlanta is wise they will starting for a multied talented q’back. Ryan is one deminsion. No run ABILITY, NO ACCURATE
ROLL OUT. SORRY FOR THE LACK OF
USE OF THE MULTITALENT PLAYERS THEY HAVE, SEE COACHING STAFF.
Fez
December 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
These Falcons teams under coach Smith will continue to be held back by his conservative style of coaching. It shows on both sides of the ball even though he is not the coordinator. This team will never blow out an opponent. Mike Smith has too much of a percentages and by the book mentality and that alone will keep this team from ever reaching its full potential.
Big perry
December 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
the falcons need a o- line i been saying that for a long time the falcons is a football team that you cannot put your trust in i been a falcons fan for a long time bad teams and a long way in the playoff is not for the falcons they are not hungry enough ; when you cannot beat a team with a bad record.
Bugguy
December 9th, 2012
4:44 pm
Luv the falcons, but they aren’t half as good as they think they are.
Jay Dubu
December 9th, 2012
4:45 pm
Falcons will have to get things corrected by next week, else the Giants’ offense will have a field day playing pitch and catch.
DJ Sniper
December 9th, 2012
4:48 pm
I wouldn’t call Michael Turner a bust, but he’s definitely not what this offense needs. Baker has actually been playing a lot better this season.
Superfan
December 9th, 2012
4:49 pm
MS: 4th and one “NO”, but 4th and 8 “YES”. Who dat??
Pigskin
December 9th, 2012
4:50 pm
I don’t see us winning another game this year. The decline started over a month ago and is getting worse.
It is what it is kids.
Good time to start playing the scrubs and get them some experience.
allfalco
December 9th, 2012
4:52 pm
this loss is no big deal–the ATL was just flat and overconfident, expecting an easy win. They still have nfc homefield wrapped up. Atl will win big against ny next week—book it!
MTSeats
December 9th, 2012
4:53 pm
Falcons can compete, but can’t finish. With MSmith it’s always gonna be, 1-2 more players, 1-2 more years. Business stand point, Blank gets $300M from taxpayers for the show.
Pigskin
December 9th, 2012
4:58 pm
I don’t see us winning another game this year. The decline started over a month ago and is getting worse.
It is what it is kids.
Good time to start playing the scrubs and get them some experience.
Allenman
December 9th, 2012
4:58 pm
One more time….just an average team. Was hoping for more, but its worse by the week.
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 9th, 2012
5:04 pm
Hey people, we are 11-2 not 2-11! We have some holes but most all NFL teams do? Be happy with 11 victories!! I am, no matter what happens from this point on!
Tucker Dawg
December 9th, 2012
5:11 pm
Carolina can crow all they want, but their record is 4-9…out of the playoff hunt nowhere, better luck next year. Falcons are 11-2. Just looked at the updated standings on espn and it shows only only 3 other teams in the NFC with 8 wins. Sorry, but I like our chances against any of them! Go Falcons!!!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
5:19 pm
Sid
December 9th, 2012
4:25 pm
thanks Dawg Nole…..have to wonder how long some of these great fans have followed this franchise.
____________________
Not nearly long enough.
XLIV44
December 9th, 2012
5:24 pm
Yeah we suck this year but geeezzzzzzzzzzz Ya”ll are 11-2 and REALLY SUCK lol!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
5:26 pm
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 9th, 2012
5:04 pm
Hey people, we are 11-2 not 2-11! We have some holes but most all NFL teams do? Be happy with 11 victories!! I am, no matter what happens from this point on!
_________________
So if they lose out, you’ll be happy? Can’t win championships that way. Regardless, thanks for your service.
XLIV44
December 9th, 2012
5:39 pm
TuckerDawg,records are great for winning your division,but when the Playoffs start Records don’t matter, win or go home Period.
jo
December 9th, 2012
5:57 pm
Falcons will stay at home and lose..
Tom(Independent Viet Vet-USAF)
December 9th, 2012
6:18 pm
DawgNold@5:26 – I will not be happy if we lose out but I also will not be suicidal either! We really do not have a championship caliber type team, but we can contend on good days with the best of them. On the bad days, maybe not?
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2012
6:57 pm
Game column is posted. Let’s move all commenting over there. Thanks, J.
http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2012/12/09/falcons-give-performance-to-leave-us-wondering-again/