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
Ed Pilcher
December 9th, 2012
1:52 pm
How does one consider a team ‘elite’ when they clinch their division while having a soon to be 3-2 record against said divisional opponents?
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2012
1:52 pm
Looking at Babineaux’s left arm.
12-1???
December 9th, 2012
1:52 pm
Maybe the Falcons strategy is to get the Carolina offense worn out from playing the entire first half!
Falcons 73
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Beyond embarrassing…that’s what happens when the coach decides he wants play “not to lose”.
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
No worries here….we will be allright.
musicgeekmusic
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Simple equation here: Panthers care, Falcons do not.
Darkcow
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Babs hurt….and here we go.
Next will be Ryan with the protection he’s getting.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Answer This
December 9th, 2012
1:52 pm
So unflattering to see a 3-9 team celebrate catches instead of wins
________________________________________________________________________
The same thing I was thinking but what do you expect from a team with no class.
Ofalconfan
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
I am not even mad at the Sports Analysts on NFL channel for not talking Super Bowl for the Falcons because today they look like they don’t want it. Everybody looks like they know they are going to win this game. Hope I am wrong.
Jlew
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Looks like we had an bye week this week. It just wasn’t on the schedule. Must be unofficial.
motu
December 9th, 2012
1:53 pm
Mostly haters on this thread. I’m a huge fan but this is very disapointing. Turnover is needed.
kevkat
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
1:49 pm
kevkat,
That happens all the time. Why throw it short of the yards needed? That’s the better question.
Yea, but what are you going to do? Apparently the receivers aren’t getting any separation down field.
Falcons 73
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
The jack a!! announcers didn’t even acknowledge the reason for the timeout.
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
A stop is needed.
Ed Pilcher
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
Wow, an actual penalty against Scam and company?
Jlew
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
Wow. Look at the time of possession.
ramblinwreck80
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
Falcons “D” luring Scam into a false sense of security?…
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
And we don’t get a stop.
Darkcow
December 9th, 2012
1:54 pm
musicgeek….not sure you know what an equation is.
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
WOW that should have been picked.
Ed Pilcher
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Never fear, they got all of that back plus 20.
ugafan13
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
WOW, our secondary is impressive today!
DawgNole
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Freddie
December 9th, 2012
1:43 pm
They commercial too much. Fox never commercials this much.
_______________________
This IS Fox, and ALL the networks do it. They’re shameless in their greed.
playmeortrademe
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
I think this team is going to be an exact repeat of UGA. Soft schedule, never really dominating except for a couple of games. Weak D-line, no pressure on QBs, poor tackling. A team with a good O-line will run through this team like tissue paper in the playoffs. This opinion is based on the entire season, not just this game. I keep hoping one week I’ll watch and this team will play better fundamentally, instead of relying on some teams to beat themselves. Well, it will not be this week….
No Defense
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
One and done, Atlanta sports joke city.
Freddie
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Remember folks, last year the Panthers owned the first half vs. the Falcons. Were up 23-7 at halftime. Falcons came back and won 31-23. Remember.
OH MY
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Glad I’m on medication.
ouch
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Notice how we don’t ever get ‘coverage sacks’? Assante is hurt, McClain is working hard, but they keep attacking Dunta….don’t blame them.
Ed Pilcher
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
Wonder of wonders!!!!! A SACK!
Where is the defense????
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
They suck!!!!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
1:55 pm
TECH boy with the SACK.
nobody
December 9th, 2012
1:56 pm
We are going to half 3 possessions in a half. Yowza
OH MY
December 9th, 2012
1:56 pm
I hope Panthers route us at this point!
KDYo
December 9th, 2012
1:56 pm
Once they are down by 3 scores, that would be asking too much for a team with such offensive woes. Does anyone really believe they can win a first round playoff game?
Great Falconi
December 9th, 2012
1:56 pm
Better watch Cam on third down here.
Ed Pilcher
December 9th, 2012
1:56 pm
OK, 3rd and long here…….I’m guessing a long TD next play or a long first dowm completion.
DawgPrint
December 9th, 2012
1:56 pm
Oh my goodness – a sack!!
5150 UOAD
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
Falcons are not playing well but the Falcons are far far from Sucking.
ouch
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
We need to cut ties with Dunta after the season. He’s a liability and we could use the money for a good cb instead, be it a draft pick or a FA.
Sparks
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
…and we wonder why we don’t get any respect.
Jeff Schultz
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
Babineaux are ribs.
musicgeekmusic
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
Darkcow… it’s called a metaphor. Look it up.
Freddie
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
We’ve played horrible but are only down 13-0. That’s the sign of a team that has no quit. Falcons will not quit. 13-0 is not a bad place. It’s not where you want it, but 13-0 is not insurmountable. A touchdown on this next drive, and we’re right back in it.
nobody
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
From Charles Davis’ opinion, it doesnt sound like Steve Smith likes Cam either. But then again, who does?
Ed Pilcher
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
Or, maybe a long incompletion to the end zone. FG time! It’s GOOD……13-0, and it should be 21-0.
kerryb
December 9th, 2012
1:57 pm
I think they are going to regret that they are not up 21-0
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 9th, 2012
1:58 pm
Been in this position against AZ
Freddie
December 9th, 2012
1:58 pm
The score could be 21-0 but the Falcons have not broken. They bend a lot but almost never break. 13-0 is not that bad.
OH MY
December 9th, 2012
1:58 pm
I wonder if we can even get a 1st down in this game.
No Defense
December 9th, 2012
1:58 pm
Babineaux not much of a player anyway.