Falcons vs. playoff field: unbeaten but seldom tested (with video)
John Abraham, Jonathan Babineaux and Falcons are 2-0 vs. playoff field. (Curtis Compton)
Much has been made about how difficult the Falcons’ schedule was this season and whether, at 13-3, they’re truly one of the elite teams in the NFL playoff field.
We really won’t know the answer to that until we see how they fare Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, and possibly beyond. But here’s one measuring stick, which you may or may not consider relevant. I went through all 12 teams in the playoff field and compared their results against other postseason teams.
The Falcons are the only team that went undefeated: 2-0.
They’ve also played the fewest playoff teams: two (Denver and Washington). Every other team faced between three (Washington) and seven (Minnesota and Houston) playoff teams during the regular season.
The most impressive team: Seattle at 4-1. The Seahawks have beaten Green Bay, New England, Minnesota and San Francisco, and their only loss came to a divisional opponent (49ers) that they later defeated.
Here are the standings vs. playoff teams, ranked by winning percentage.
Atlanta: 2-0 (1.000) (wins: Denver, Washington)
Seattle: 4-1 (.800) (wins: Green Bay, New England, Minn., San Fran.)
Washington: 2-1 (.667) (wins: Minnesota, Baltimore)
San Francisco: 3-2 (.600) (wins: Green Bay, Seattle, New England)
Indianapolis: 3-2 (.600) (wins: Minnesota, Green Bay, Houston)
New England: 3-3 (.500) (wins: Denver, Indianapolis, Houston)
Cincinnati: 2-2 (.500) (wins: Washington, Baltimore)
Houston: 3-4 (.429) (wins: Denver, Baltimore, Indianapolis)
Minnesota: 3-4 (.429) (wins: San Francisco, Houston, Green Bay)
Denver: 2-3 (.400) (wins: Cincinnati, Baltimore)
Baltimore: 2-4 (.333) (wins: Cincinnati, New England)
Green Bay: 2-4 (.333) (wins: Houston, Minnesota)
The Falcons swept eight games against the NFC East and AFC West this season, but only one team in each of those divisions ended up making the playoffs.
The relevance of all this.
We’re about to find out.
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
176 comments Add your comment
JSS
January 8th, 2013
2:24 pm
“Religion (even football) is the Opium of the Masses…” to paraphrase Marx… Good luck with the toy building and watch that LDL!
Quiet
January 8th, 2013
2:25 pm
Thomas you say Wilson is a joke. The Falcons played a total of 2 playoff teams during the season. Seattle played 5 winning 4 of those and then played Washington and won. Seattle’s offense did not play against RGIII. They played against one of the best defenses against the run. Oops, the first qtr Seattle was stopped and then over the rest of the game Seattle ran over, around and thru Washington’s Defense.
The game was played on a crappy field. Seattle did not knock Griffin out of the game, he did it himself, on a crappy field. Washington’s running game which was suppose to trounce Seattle did not develop or was crushed.
Ryan may have done well this season but do not say Wilson is a joke. The let the Falcons focus on Lynch, that is what is expected.
Good luck with that. The Falcons only chance is to rip up the carpet in your dome and put down sand so Seattle will not get traction. Oops that was the deal last weekend. Washington did not do to well when Griffin fell because of the field.
Good luck on Sunday.
JSS
January 8th, 2013
2:32 pm
No, Agnostic means something is considered beyond human understanding therefore non-understandable whether it exists or not… The NFL on the other hand exists, I know why, I understand why teams win and lose… The distinction is I just don’t care which of the 32 teams wins ultimately… However, I don’t “believe” it is a sport, it is professional amusement… Therefore that makes it a matter of “disbelief.” No ambiguity in that…
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
2:34 pm
You dont care and yet you are here and “cant wait for Sunday to get here” remember! What a lying sack of poo. Get it off your nose lying boy! And as another blogger pointed out…..dont just put down words that sound good to you…let it have some meaning! Silly fool…..still you cant wait for Sunday…right….but you dont care? Hmmmmmmmm?!
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
2:36 pm
And once again you correct others because as we know you are never wrong! Lol what a frigging fool! He is right because as you put it I cant comprehend….remember? Shut the fudge up you lying sack of poo!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
2:39 pm
“Atlanta Falcons” my team? Nope, I spend way more time on Patroits and Steelers blog than here, so I guess under that diminished view I’d have to claim those teams? Nah, you’re reaching, but that what you do…
Oh Say What, how did all of pontifications and rubble-rousing go for you last year? You great musing on Jeff Schultz’s 01-05-2012 column still keeps me in stitches! Still telling me how to think? It worked so well for you in the past pray tell…
JSS
January 8th, 2013
2:42 pm
“Lying sack of poo?” Have video of such magic? There are producers on FOX that would pay you a pretty penny for such entertainment!!!
Say what
January 8th, 2013
2:42 pm
In general, agnostic means someone who doesn’t come down on either side of the debate (existence of God). Someone who is not committed. Like not committed to, or supporting or otherwise *caring* about a football team. So, “agnostic” is the more accurate word to use in your context. In any case, my point stands. You are not indifferent (or uncommitted), because hatred is not the same as indifference. You simply would not have posted so many derogatory comments about the Falcons if you were indifferent.
Say what
January 8th, 2013
2:44 pm
So the “agnostic” cares about three teams now? LOL
Say what
January 8th, 2013
2:55 pm
JSS, the final outcome of the Falcons season last year sucked. Like everyone else, I am a spectator. I don’t influence how things work out. Not sure why I bother with such idiotic questions….but you asked.
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
2:57 pm
He stinks Say What!
ChickenHawks
January 8th, 2013
3:14 pm
Loser Saint fans are still crying. Losers.
JSS
January 8th, 2013
3:16 pm
Say what, you are way off… But keep running with that dumbed down version of Agnostic thought…
Say what
January 8th, 2013
3:21 pm
Uhm, no, it is a sign of intelligence to realize words have many uses and shades of meaning depending on context and intent.
JSS
January 8th, 2013
3:23 pm
And since Answer This is this year’s version of you (Say what)…
“Not sure why I bother with such idiotic questions….but you asked.”
It is because you ran blog trap ad nauseam all the way until reality set in on that 2nd 4 and 1… Don’t worry, you joined a long line of people offering up that metaphorical plate of crow that is resting in some freezer getting frost burn… Friendly reminder…
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
3:27 pm
Get that stuff off your nose and then talk….until keep lying sack of poo. King Idiot….remember we crowned you!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
3:35 pm
Oh yeah, an Agnostic is not apathetic…
JSS
January 8th, 2013
3:36 pm
Oh that scratched record is still on the turntable?
Say what
January 8th, 2013
3:38 pm
JSS @ 3:23, that’s just sad. Is this what you live for? To be right on a blog? Here’s a thought for you: reality will be what it will be on Jan.13, but for now, I am expecting the team I support to play well and win. They are expecting to play well and win. And nobody knows what will happen. And if they don’t win, I will then deal with that reality. That’s what grown ups do.
Answer This
January 8th, 2013
3:40 pm
And speaking of scratched records you are exactly that King Idiot!
JSS
January 8th, 2013
4:36 pm
“Grown-ups?”
What do you know of grown-ups? Dude, you sat here telling folks what the “perennial winners” as you called them (led by the antithesis of current post-season winning ) were going to do… SO, so, so grown-up…
Mora less Petrino
January 8th, 2013
4:48 pm
I don’t think it fair that the Seahawks have to travel so far so often! It is a real disadvantage for Pete’s guys. The NFL should move the Seahawks to Oklahoma City immediately. The Supersonics have been transformed by their move and name change to the OKC Thunder.
The Seahawks would be in the center of the country with greatly reduced travel times, and I’m sure they would thrive as the Oklahoma City Cowgirls.
Say what
January 8th, 2013
4:57 pm
Kudos to the Falcons for making it to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second time in three years. Four playoff appearances and five straight winning seasons — perennial winners!
Dude, really, SMH. You are HOPELESS. Talking about what we think will happen or won’t happen is what ALL of us are doing.
Mitchmadness
January 8th, 2013
5:37 pm
Fear the Hawks!
Skeptical but hopeful
January 8th, 2013
6:48 pm
Despite talk of Seattle’s east-coast road fatigue, Falcons will have to be at the absolute top of their game to win; Seattle is super hot and their recent successes have only spurred their momentum and confidence. The road factor and the jet lag should not be an issue with them.. Falcons are capable of winning, but again must put forth a first-class performance on all fronts. If they play indifferently or tentatively as has happened periodically throughout the season, it will be an embarrassment.
iRock
January 8th, 2013
8:43 pm
Just too much pressure for the Falcons to handle. Seattle will come in calm, confident and overwhelm Atlanta, even without their best pass rusher, but expect a big sack day from Irvin. Thomas & Sherman will snatch a couple of picks and the special teams will account for 1-2 scores and this game won’t be close. Hawks, 38- 17.