LIVE: Falcons seek home field and, yes, respect
The last time Matt Ryan saw Eli Manning, he was congratulating him for a playoff win. (Getty Images)
Let’s start with this: I’m thoroughly convinced that even if the Falcons go out today and beat the New York Giants by two touchdowns, there is still going to be a segment of the fan base — a large segment — that says, “Just wait until the playoffs.”
And that’s fine. Because as we’ve discussed ad nauseam this season, the Falcons will be judged by how they do in the postseason, not the regular season, which again is going well (11-2). But a strong performance against the Giants would at least ease some of the concerns moving forward.
The Falcons, coming off their worst game of the season at Carolina (30-20 loss), lost to New York 24-2 in the last year’s playoffs. The Giants had a record of only 7-7 with two games left in the season but won their last two over the Jets and Dallas to win the NFC East and then beat four teams with better records than them — the Falcons (10-6), Green Bay (15-1), San Francisco (13-3) and New England (13-3) to win their second Super Bowl in five years.
If the Falcons’ offense scores anything today, it would put them ahead of the playoff loss, when the team’s only points came on a safety. They need to figure out a way to have some success against New York’s front four because there’s a reasonable chance these two teams will meet again in a few weeks.
A few important items before I open the cyber-venting lines:
• The Falcons will be without safety William Moore (hamstring). Wide receiver Roddy White (knee) did not practice all week but will start. Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineux (ribs) and wide receiver Harry Douglas (ribs), who were limited in practice, are active. Cornerback Asante Samuel (shoulder), out most of the last two weeks, will start.
• The Giants are missing three regulars — running back Ahmad Bradshaw (knee), cornerback Prince Amukamara (hamstring) and safety Kenny Phillips (knee).
• The scenarios for the Falcons clinching a bye and home field in the playoffs are similar to a week ago. They can clinch a bye with: a win and a Green Bay loss or tie; a win and a San Francisco loss; or a tie and a Green Bay loss. They can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and a Green Bay loss or tie and a San Francisco loss. (Green Bay plays at Chicago and San Francisco plays at New England.)
Need something to read from during the week:
– Here’s my column on judgement time for the Falcons and Mike Smith.
– Here’s Darryl Ledbetter’s piece on Asante Samuel’s history against Eli Manning.
– Here’s Michael Cunningham’s story on whether the Falcons felt too satisfied before their loss to Carolina.
– Here’s Ledbetter again on the “voices” in Sean Weatherspoon’s head.
OK, that’s it for now. The floor is yours.
Let’s hear your thoughts on the game.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,026 comments Add your comment
BobDawg
December 16th, 2012
3:42 pm
LOOK WHO IS STILL PLAYIN!!!
Basstringerfish
December 16th, 2012
3:42 pm
Let’s get a long run for a TD…hang 40 on these guys…
Mike Smith for Governor
December 16th, 2012
3:42 pm
Maybe we lost to Carolina last week to set up the Giants today.
SNELLING!
Sid
December 16th, 2012
3:42 pm
I was at the 81 game….lost near the end if I remember correctly.
Michael M.
December 16th, 2012
3:42 pm
We need another touchdown right here to shut-up everyone in the NFL……………hehehehe
Answer This
December 16th, 2012
3:43 pm
Finally can you guys give the home ream its respect!?
JSS
December 16th, 2012
3:43 pm
rhettt
December 16th, 2012
3:40 pm
“To all you naaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasayers, and you know who you are, it’s ok if you want to join the party.”
Nope, it is like going to a wine store with a Mormon, you’re going to be let down…
DawgNole
December 16th, 2012
3:44 pm
This is a butt-kickin’. Falcons are running harder, doing everything better. It’s the kind of game we’ve been clamoring for all season.
You hear what Johnston’s saying now. He’s right. Gotta carry this momentum into the postseason!
Basstringerfish
December 16th, 2012
3:44 pm
Crimson…radio saying last win against the Giants in Atlanta…1978.
david
December 16th, 2012
3:45 pm
give it up chicken choker, and where is “matt noodle arm ryan”? they love to talk before kick off and then run and hide when the score comes in. Looks like Matt R threw it pretty well down field !
phil
December 16th, 2012
3:45 pm
JSS
December 16th, 2012
3:39 pm
I’ll take your slack on that one phil… That is because only a stupid blogger or Lawrence Phillips thinks Jones or any professional is going to get in a fist fight over pro football challenges to someone’s manhood…
*********
and only morons really take such stuff so seriously anyway.
Obviously Julio is a tough dude.
Basstringerfish
December 16th, 2012
3:45 pm
And all I know right now is we killed them in 2012.
BobDawg
December 16th, 2012
3:45 pm
SO…. What is our record against the “Vaunted” NFC East??? 4-0…. OH MY!!!!
falconsrus
December 16th, 2012
3:45 pm
Mosse trying to spin Falcons as not the class of the N.F.C hilariuos
11-2!!!!!!!!!
December 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
“Choke” would make a good politician. He spreads the Bullcrap with every syllable, exercises no common sense, while completely ignoring the obvious!
5150 UOAD
December 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
CHOKE……………………CHOKE…………………..CHOKE…………………..CHOKE……..”I CAN’T HEAR YOU”,said SGT Carter to Prvt. PYLE.
Jason
December 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
Score again here, and the entire NFL is on notice. They should be anyway.
NFC South Champs
December 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
Pepsi sux
80sFalcon
December 16th, 2012
3:46 pm
This has been the most complete game I have seen Atlanta play this season. Dominating on both sides of the ball and special teems. Only criticism I have is the need for a true punt returner. Franks just ain’t getting it done. GO BIRDS!!!
Mora less Petrino
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
4-0 against the AFC West and NFC Least! First time Coughlin has been shutout in NY during regular season if this holds.
tmc
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
I consider this the 1st playoff win of the season.
(yeah, i know it wasn’t a playoff game… but the team needed a good performance against a proven playoff team)
This should be the blue-print for the way the team plays in the post season!
Offensive and Defensive intensity. Go Birds!
Mike Smith for Governor
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
The idiots on the TV said that it was 1996 when the last time the Giants were shut out. That makes this even sweeter today. RISE UP!
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
Falcons came out of the gate and set the tone for this game. Get that uggly blue out of our seats. Giant fans got to see a elite QB in Matt Ryan today! Hope they enjoyed the show!
Where is the TROLL????
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
Choke, you can go back to eating paint chips. Sissy!
Gotta admit
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
You kind of have to admit, the Falcons remind you a lot of the Washington Nationals. Great regular season and one and done.
Mike Smith for Governor
December 16th, 2012
3:47 pm
SNELLING!!
Basstringerfish
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
JSS…I just left living in Park City, UT….you’d be surprised how many Mormons ” go to Wyoming for milk…” !!!! Hah! Thanks for the memory!!!
5150 UOAD
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
SCORE again against they YANKEE ASS.
Gotta admit
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
I think that’s why people would still favor the Giants if they meet in the playoffs.
NFC South Champs
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
a 34 point beating
Jason
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
Good move there to down the ball.
phil
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
This result just shocks me….
I am truly proud of this team! Today at least!
Well done!
houze
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
Snelling is so underrated…
Sid
December 16th, 2012
3:48 pm
do not take a knee
Georgia
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
Love the smell of a total shutout on falcon Sunday.
DawgNole
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
NORRIS CHUCK
December 16th, 2012
3:32 pm
Wish i was watching this game. Im stuck with the Dolphins and Jaguars. And it probably is the worst game of the year!!!
Strange Murphy
December 16th, 2012
3:32 pm
What dumbass at Fox Sports has decided to turn off the Falcons game to the Bears/Packers game? Fox can’t stand to see their beloved Giants getting their asses kicked I guess.
____________________
DirecTV’s NFL Sunday ticket is the answer for both of you. Quit being cheap, and buy it. You’ll never miss another game.
Section 212
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
Enter your comments here
5150 UOAD
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
CHOKE………..stop licking the jocks of bad teams.
tyler
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
this is awesome- I love the way we came out today. I also love reading CHOKE’s posts as the game has progressed…..truly hilarious. You are such a loser bro- I love it. Keep it coming…….
NFC South Champs
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
TWELVE and TWO
TCCB
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
It is all about what the Falcons do in the Post Season period!!!!!!
Michael M.
December 16th, 2012
3:49 pm
I wonder if the Giants hear us now………………..hahahaha……………….also wonder if they fear us now…………………lmao
Basstringerfish
December 16th, 2012
3:50 pm
1221st game I Giant history…only the 23rd shutout in Giant history…
First for them since 1996…
Wow…
80sFalcon
December 16th, 2012
3:50 pm
Classy move by Smith. No sense rubbing it in. No sure Coughlin would have done the same if the roles were reversed though. Good win
FalconUGAFan
December 16th, 2012
3:50 pm
Awesome game, Falcons!
houze
December 16th, 2012
3:50 pm
oh yeah!!!! Choke on this!!!
Robert
December 16th, 2012
3:50 pm
Man… At least we scored 2 points, Big fat egg
Sid
December 16th, 2012
3:50 pm
excellent
BobDawg
December 16th, 2012
3:51 pm
Later Ya’ll….. Great Game, Coons!!!
JSS
December 16th, 2012
3:51 pm
@ 3:48…
Nope, I’m there almost every year for Sundance… Those are like Saturday Catholics, come to Nevada and see the real thing…