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
Georgia
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
Why?
Jeff Schultz
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
Falcons convert int. into FG, but had a second-and-1 from 18 before 2 bad running plays.
NoShamSam
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
Nice that Tech and Ga fans can work together
phil
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
Pathetic short yardage failure….
All the bad signs are starting to show, other than a few fortunate picks.
Jason
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
Just like the Saints game it feels like. Could have been up 21-0 instead we’re up 17-0. I’ll take it but we gotta learn to convert 3rd and short and come up with touchdowns vs. playoff caliber teams.
Answer This
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
First bad play call today!
Ivan
December 16th, 2012
1:54 pm
Bad 3rd and 1 call Koetter
playmeortrademe
December 16th, 2012
1:55 pm
WTH was that? Why can’t this team get one yard when they need it?
Georgia
December 16th, 2012
1:55 pm
WHY??
Good Grief!
December 16th, 2012
1:55 pm
Just freaking pathetic! Can’t get a friggin yard on 2 runs!
2 > 7
December 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
It is better to be 3rd and 4 than 3rd and inches, it seems.
Falcon Flap
December 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
As long as we have home field . We have a shot.
Jimmy Crack
December 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
Embarrasking. Can we please take advantage of these opportunities??
NFC South Champs
December 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
17-0 will work
dean
December 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
Hi mates.
Got here just in time to see a 3rd and 1 stuffed. But I’ll take 17-0!
Good luck rest of the way Falcons.
falconsrus
December 16th, 2012
1:56 pm
Por Smitty can’t shake that 3rd and 1 albatross
Jeff Schultz
December 16th, 2012
1:57 pm
Manning’s 2 interceptions have led to 10 of Falcons’ 17 points.
J.J.M.
December 16th, 2012
1:58 pm
damnnnn there goes our backup
Georgia
December 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
I’m worried about the clock. Too much time left. Can’t let giants hang around.
Groundhogday
December 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
Why is 3 and 1 such a PITA for the Falcons?
Optimist
December 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
What’s a bandwagon?
Suspecting a corporate decision, the Falcons can either put on a show or make use of their lead to practice tricks. The corporate decisions might be between Coach Smith and TD, which might explain Atlanta’s previous hesitations when they had their opponents pinned down.
Robert
December 16th, 2012
2:00 pm
Next 3rd and 1. Lets just get a 5 yard penalty, 3rd and 6 we could do
Jason
December 16th, 2012
2:00 pm
Of course after the game (if we win), we’ll just hear how Manning had a bad game and the Falcons were lucky to win due to Manning’s bad game. Not giving the credit to the Falcons defense who has picked off 2 passes already. Does it not mean anything to the league that against 3 of the best QB’s the NFL has to offer (Peyton, Brees, and Eli), the Falcons have 10 picks against them.
phil
December 16th, 2012
2:00 pm
Fire someone!!
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
2:01 pm
Everybody but the D knew the Draw was coming!!!!!! Come on Man
NFC South Champs
December 16th, 2012
2:01 pm
Lumpkin just came off the Giants practice squad.
5150 UOAD
December 16th, 2012
2:01 pm
Knock that MUTT in the MOUTH HARD……………….P.O.A.D……and THWG………..
dean
December 16th, 2012
2:01 pm
Lumpkin running like a Dawg
phil
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
No, Jason, it doesn’t. Talk is just that. Talk.
As long as we choke and play poorly, we don’t deserve praise.
Jason
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
Seems like we play our best vs. the NFL’s best quarterbacks.
Jason
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
TACKLE!
J.J.M.
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
another inside draw…
phil
December 16th, 2012
2:02 pm
Shredded. Cannot stop the run. Cannot win when it matters.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Michael M.
December 16th, 2012
1:51 pm
hehehehe……………………..Giants are not going to beat the Falcons in the Birdhouse , not going to happen, not today, not tomorrow, not in no playoffs, ……………….not at all!
________________________________
I guess you better not play Green Bay (48-21 in 2010)
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Hey Jason, It would be a insult if the media started giving the Falcons credit at this point. Everybody but the media knows the Falcons are great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DawgNole
December 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Pizz-poor tackling on that one. C’mon, Falcons, don’t go back to that crap.
dean
December 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Maybe I should turn the game off. I bring bad karma. They were doing fine before I turned it on
Kris
December 16th, 2012
2:03 pm
Didn’t Lumpkin go to N. Gwinnett High School or is that a different Lumpkin?
Jason
December 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
Come on D, get off the field here.
GA Dome
December 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
Playing ok except we can’t stop any runners.
DawgNole
December 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
Jason
December 16th, 2012
1:32 pm
Remember guys, we started hot like this vs. the Aints but they crawled their way back. Can’t do that this game. Gotta keep the pedal down all the way to the end of the 4th quarter and then look up at the scoreboard. Please Mike Smith DO NOT look at the scoreboard until the end of the game. Just keep playing.
___________________
You nailed it there, Jason.
Pigskin
December 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
Who’s winning? I can’t tell from the blog.
J.J.M.
December 16th, 2012
2:04 pm
giants should go for it
5150 UOAD
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
Lumpkin Running like a dWag? What I didn’t see not COPS chasing Him……………Lumpkin was hit like the ACC PD
GA Dome
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
They got a stop on 3rd down that was a great stop.
dean
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
phil! I told you after the SECCG that life would go on! I’m glad to see you.
goFalcons
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
Great stop, another Draw and we caught on….oh 4th is coming lets see, Heck Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!WOOOOOOOOOOOO hooooooooooooo
NFC South Champs
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
4th down
Pigskin
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
Big stop!
Jason
December 16th, 2012
2:05 pm
Good D baby! What a push by our D-line!