Game by game: Here’s how the 2010 Falcons will finish 12-4
"The Super Bowl's that way," Tom Brady tells Matt Ryan. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
The Falcons will finish 12-4 and win the NFC South. Here’s how:
At Pittsburgh, Sept. 12: You don’t like playing these guys anywhere, especially up there on Opening Day with the Steelers coming off a dud season. But if you have to do it, this is the year. Because Ben Roethlisberger won’t be playing. Falcons 21, Steelers 16.
Arizona, Sept. 19: The great receiver Larry Fizgerald sprained a knee ligament in an exhibition game but is expected back for the regular season. Won’t matter. He no longer has Kurt Warner throwing to him. He has Matt Leinart, who hasn’t done a thing since college. Falcons 30, Cardinals 14.
At New Orleans, Sept. 26: Here’s where the watching world starts to take the Birds seriously. The Falcons nearly won in the Superdome last November at a time when the Saints were unbeaten. This time they’ll render the Saints unbeaten no more. Falcons 26, Saints 24.
San Francisco, Oct. 3: A potential misstep. The Falcons are coming off a win that has led NFL pundits — and there are only 10 zillion — to wonder if they’re the new power in the NFC. The Niners are improving incrementally. A tough game, but still a win. Falcons 23, Niners 17.
At Cleveland, Oct. 10: Mike Holmgren is running the Browns. This will help — eventually. Right now this is an NFL irritants: A road game against a lousy team when you’re 4-0 with everyone singing your praises. Falcons 24, Browns 14.
At Philadelphia, Oct. 17: Here’s where Mercury Morris and the rest of the 1972 Miami Dolphins stop sweating the 2010 Falcons. The Eagles are in post-Donovan McNabb mode, but they’re still an OK team. And the Falcons are due to lose. Eagles 20, Falcons 17.
Cincinnati, Oct. 24: The Bengals have found themselves again, but you never know how long a roster that includes Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco can co-exist. Lots of national chatter about this one. Lots more about the Falcons when they win. Falcons 34, Bengals 24.
Tampa Bay, Nov. 7: The Falcons exit their bye week atop the NFC South. They consolidate their hold against the only division opponent they swept last season. Falcons 35, Bucs 3.
Baltimore, Nov. 11: This is more like it. A Thursday night game against a tough AFC bunch. Some will see this as the game that proves Joe Flacco is better than Matt Ryan. (The two were first-round picks in 2008.) Scoreboard suggests otherwise. Falcons 20, Ravens 13.
At St. Louis, Nov. 21: Sam Bradford, the No. 1 pick in the April draft, should be starting by now, assuming he hasn’t already been chased out of the lineup by the utter lack of support around him. The Falcons have nine days to prepare, not that they’ll need it. Falcons 31, Rams 10.
Green Bay, Nov. 28: Another delicious Dome date. The Packers and Falcons are two of the NFC’s three best teams. (The Cowboys being the third.) They could well meet in January. If so, the Falcons had better hope for a different result. Packers 24, Falcons 20.
At Tampa Bay, Dec. 5: Move along, folks. Nothing to see here. Just an angry team hammering a lousy opponent. Falcons 31, Bucs 10.
At Carolina, Dec. 12: The Panthers are where they usually are in December — trying to slide into the playoff chase. This is a must win for Carolina, and it won’t be for the Falcons, who are 10-2 and a postseason cinch. Desperation carries the day. Panthers 17, Falcons 14.
At Seattle, Dec. 19: The third of three consecutive road games involves a long trip. It also involves an accommodating opponent less talented than the pro-style (heh, heh) teams Pete Carroll coached at Southern Cal. Falcons clinch their division. Falcons 27, Seahawks 14.
New Orleans, Dec. 27: Two nights after Christmas, only one team has much on the table. The Falcons have won the NFC South and need one victory in their final two games to secure a first-round bye. The Saints have to win. And do. Saints 30, Falcons 24.
Carolina, Jan. 2: Here it is, folks, the culmination of the finest regular season this franchise has seen since 1998. Those Birds wound up in the Super Bowl. These Birds just might. Falcons 24, Panthers 10.
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201 comments Add your comment
don't eat yellow snow
August 22nd, 2010
11:48 pm
8-8 at best. Patriots showed us who is boss even in a pre season game.
33theburner33
August 23rd, 2010
12:27 am
dang, so many people freaking out about a preseason game…
Conyers Falcons/Braves Fan
August 23rd, 2010
4:18 am
Mark: I hope you are right. However, I believe that the Falcons will
not be so good. 10-4 at best, 9-7 or 8-8 more likely.
Jen
August 23rd, 2010
5:06 am
For all of you that are judging the Falcons from their first 2 preseason games……IT”S PRESEASON!!!!!!!
the year the Lions lost every game, guess what?…they were 4-0 in preseason games.
Just go and look at the Indy Colts preseason vs. Reg season stats.
Just hope every player stays healthy.
CHALK TALK: Film review highlights third down struggles | Atlanta Falcons
August 23rd, 2010
7:01 am
[...] esteemed colleague Mark Bradley is predicting a 12-4 campaign for the Falcons. He obviously believes they will drastically improve on this woeful third down [...]
Howie Long
August 23rd, 2010
7:45 am
Wishful thinking Mr. Bradley at best the Falcons will end up at 10-6. I love my Falcons but im a realist and they havent made any big additions to their roster that would even make me slightly believe that they could make it to the playoffs without getting the wildcard spot and then losing in the first round. We need a number 1 receiver Roddy White is a number 2 receiver, we need a good defensive end thatwill free up J. Abraham, we need to start Snelling at RB (M. Turner just a had lucky season his first year here believe me it wont happen again), we need for Matt Ryan to step up and take full control of the offensive pass the ball and quit playing like he is scared its almost like he doesnt trust his O-Line or his receivers, use J. Norwood as a receiving back, get a new offensive coordinator and also, get rid of Thomas Dimitroff.
Falcons 10-6
Joey
August 23rd, 2010
7:54 am
Don’t know, Mark. How are the Falcons gonna score 3 TDs when they can’t get in the endzone now?
Some Sense
August 23rd, 2010
7:55 am
Even for a preseason game, that was a schoolyard beatdown Thursday night.
Poor, shameful as a matter of fact. Men v. boys.
jfreak
August 23rd, 2010
7:58 am
The Falcons start slow with 2 and 2 record, but I think they will finish with 10-6 record and they do make the playoffs. I don’t see them being better than the Saints, Vikings, Cowboys, or the Packers. However, if the Falcons start strong and go 3 and 1 in theif first four games then 11-6 or 12-4 is not out of the question? Defense will be the key for this team. Can they stop anyone?
Who Dat Nation
August 23rd, 2010
8:07 am
Literally bulletin board material. Will be sure to remind you of your Falcons and Saints predictions throughout the season Mark……….
Nativebird
August 23rd, 2010
8:09 am
I love it. All is possible. Certainly the talent is here to do it. Question is now…year 3…is this ‘brain-trust’ reeeeeally capable of preparing and executing, steering an organization to the superbowl. I hope so. No injury excuses…no “we’re so young” excuses from the “draft guru” we hired.
Will our “pro-bowler” holdout wider receiver actually be the man this year…or continue to smile and laugh and joke when he drops passes like he did as a rookie.
time to step gentlemen…this is no laughing matter to a city who yearns to be taken seriously in the NFL.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
August 23rd, 2010
8:13 am
schedule is certainly in the falcon’s favor. just hope everyone stays healthy and learn from their pre-season mistakes.
dx107
August 23rd, 2010
8:46 am
look like an 8-8 team to me – offense can not move the ball. Defense still can not stop the run.
Manny
August 23rd, 2010
8:58 am
OK, here we go with a dose of reality. I don’t have us beating the Steelers that first game. They have a credible backup to replace Big Ben and they can stuff the run(0-1)
I see us getting our first win against the Cardinals.(1-1)
New Orleans at New Orleans? I think it’s winnable, but I got the Saints in a squeaker. (1-2)
We will beat the 49ers. (2-2)
Beating what’s left at Cleveland (3-2)
Philly? I don’t think they can beat the Falcons (4-2)
Cincinnati will beat us. See, their offense is complete and I think their running game will be underestimated because of the WR freakshow. Cedric Benson is a train. (4-3)
We’ll beat Tampa Bay (5-3)
We will lose against the Ravens. They will stuff our running game and make Matt Ryan beat them. (5-4)
We’ll beat St. Louis (6-4)
Green Bay will beat us (6-5)
Tampa Bay @ Tampa. I got them beating the Falcons in an upset. (6-6)
We’ll beat Carolina (7-6)
Same with Seattle (8-6)
The Saints will beat us again (8-7)
We will beat Carolina again. (9-7)
That’s how I see it. We will beat some good teams, but we won’t beat teams that stuffs the run. We will beat Philly, but won’t beat the Saints, even though we may get close in the first one.
In short, the max here is 10-6, but I see the Falcons more like a 9-7 team. We’re too one-dimensional on offense and we’ve still got gaps on D. We have to be able to stuff the run for that will be our downfall.
gator32301
August 23rd, 2010
9:11 am
Mark, first off, i’m a bengals fan and of course hoping for a win, but this comment is not so much about the pick but about the score. are you even familiar with the type of team cincinnati is? what makes you think the falcons will drop 34 on one of the league’s best defenses?
rekingball
August 23rd, 2010
9:13 am
Manny, why are you pretending to be a Falcon’s fan?
BirdDog
August 23rd, 2010
9:31 am
Falcons were 9-7 last year with half their team on the DL and they lost at least 1 game on a last minute field goal. No way they do worse than 9-7 this year but I’m thinking more like 11-5. Go Falcons! Rise up!!!
Once "Recent" Reader
August 23rd, 2010
9:38 am
Who Dat Nation . . . .who’s bulletin board?????? If it was a member of the Falcons making the predictions sure . . . . . .but if you think the Saints would tack up an article with predictions from a Reporter to get themselves pumped up when they play Falcs . ..well they must really be in need of artificial stimulation.
DawgInDC
August 23rd, 2010
9:44 am
Mark, were you under a rock last week>? did you not see the NE game? they are more likely to finish 4-12 than 12-4…I say 9-7..miss the playoffs
THE COMMENTOR
August 23rd, 2010
9:50 am
MARK, YOU ARE A GREAT SPORTS COLUMNIST WITH SUPERIOR INTELLIGENCE WHO HAS A VERY WIDE RANGE OF SPORTS KNOWLEDGE AND INSIGHT ON THE SPORT TOPIC THAT YOU ARE WRITING ON AND EXCELLENT-TO-SUPERIOR WRITING TALENTS, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES.
HOWEVER, YOU ARE MISTAKEN IF YOU THINK THAT THE ATLANTA FALCONS WILL LOSE ANY HOME GAMES THIS YEAR OR EVEN IN THE PLAYOFFS.
I STATE THAT THE ATLANTA FALCONS WILL WIN FOURTEEN GAMES (14) AND ONLY LOSE TWO GAMES (2) WITH THOSE TWO LOSSES BEING AGAINST THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS IN NEW ORLEANS ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2010 AND AGAINST THE CAROLINA PANTHERS IN CAROLINA ON DECEMBER 12, 2010 WHICH ARE ROAD LOSSES.
I STATE THAT THE ATLANTA FALCONS HAVE A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL THIS FEBRUARY 2011 AND STAND A VERY GOOD CHANCE OF WINNING THE SUPER BOWL IF THEY ARE FORTUNATE TO MAKE IT THAT FAR.
Manny
August 23rd, 2010
10:01 am
rekingball,
I don’t take my fandom into consideration when I’m trying to predict an outcome of a game or season. That’s a recipe for inaccuracy, IMO.
But here’s why I think that this is a 10-6 or 9-7 team.
1. A running back will be injured. And I’m thinking that it’s going to be Michael Turner, eventually. This isn’t doom-and-gloom, but it’s simply the way the Falcons play that lends to him being hurt a few games.
Now why do I say that? Because he’s going to get too many touches on the offense. His ankle is chronic and with all that torque along with all those touches, it’s just a matter of time. I mean, I sat back a watched him during preseason and he’s getting too many touches in these meaningless games, IMO. That means that he’s key to moving the ball.
Oh, and another thing: Because we stall so much on 3rd down, it’s going to be incumbent upon Turner to get us out of there. That’s why they’re incorporating this dump pass to Turner… to get him even MORE touches in order to get him out in space.
2. Matt Ryan is dependent on his TEs too much. The last few preseason games, as well as last season- the WRs were almost non-factors. Gonzales is Ryan’s go-to receiver and he only take chances with his WRs primarily on out patterns. And going over the top for big plays haven’t been seen so far.
3. Our defense have improved against the pass, but needs work against the run. If we can’t stuff the run, we can’t beat the higher echelon teams. And that’s another reason why I saw that upset against the Bucs.
4. The Falcons haven’t really improved as a team from last year, so I gave them last year’s record. Someone on here said that the Falcons were 9-7 last year with half the team on DL. That’s true. Now given that I really do not believe that Turner is going to go the entire season on the field, that only leaves me to believe that at least one or two games would have been won if Matt Ryan would have been on the field when he was sidelined.
I can’t think of one game that Chris Redman lost that Matt Ryan would have won if he wasn’t out there due to his toe injury. So I look at the schedule and I can see a max of 10-6. I can’t see anything over that. But I think it’s going to be more like 9-7.
But things may change if this next game (dress rehearsal) looks more open on offense and we can get good defensive play against the run. I may think twice if I see Matt Ryan being able to go downfield and Michael Turner getting some relief. Only if I see that will I think twice.
But if I see us being bogged down on offense and it’s the Michael Turner/Tony Gonzalez show… uggh!
Will
August 23rd, 2010
10:09 am
Mark:
There you go again, looking at life through the rose-colored glasses of a true “homer”! This from the writer who proclaimed the Braves the equivalent to the 1927 Yankees after two games in New York and from the writer who said the Hawks would advance past the first round of this year’s playoffs!
The Falcons will win nine games, with an outside chance at ten if they stay healthy and the ball bounces their way.
Multiple sources that are familiar with the Falcons have told me that concern is growing that Ryan may be closer to what you saw last year than what you saw his first year in the NFL. These same sources have indicated that Turner is on the downside of his career and concern continues regarding the health of the receivers. Finally, both Anderson and Baker are proving to be first round busts.
The Falcons are not a bad team, just a team that is just above average.
Multiple calls for comment from the Falcon front office have not been immediately returned.
harris
August 23rd, 2010
10:27 am
Bradley I think you meant 4 and 12- no way in the heck the saints lose to the falcons at home. And I know you dreaming to think they are going to beat pittsburgh at home
Antidawg
August 23rd, 2010
10:29 am
Manny are you really being manny? How can you sat the steelers have a credible backup. Leftwich will get the start, and he played for us and Tampa. Results not so great. With Peria in the lineup we can stop the run. I like us 10- 6 or 11-4. Of course that is if we do not get a rash of injuries like last year.
Ted M
August 23rd, 2010
10:39 am
Dennis Dixon and the Steelers will surprise the Falcons in week one. Baltimore will be to much for the Falcons too.
I know preseason means nothing, but I’m still worried Ryan hasn’t lead TD drive yet, aren’t you?
robdawg08
August 23rd, 2010
11:01 am
I’ll go 10-6 with wild card spot. Road games are hard to win even if you are playing the Chiefs,Lions, & Rams. Carolina & 49ers will be most improved teams in NFC.
robdawg08
August 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
Tony Gonzalez was misused (under used) last year. He can’t be covered and is open every down. Throw the dang ball to him…
Reggie
August 23rd, 2010
11:07 am
Ok so the Falcons will avg 25 ppg….are you high? Have you seen the offense or lack there of. And the defense is going to hold the opposition to 16 ppg…you sir are an idiot. 8-8 or back to back to back winning seasons at 9-7…that seems to keep certain people satisfied. Not me.
Manny
August 23rd, 2010
11:22 am
Antidawg,
Dennis Dixon will get the start for the Steelers. And I hope so with Peria, but I haven’t seen much of him. But I’m taking injuries into account, as well.
Here’s the deal: the only way for the Falcons to win more than 9 games is for Turner and Norwood to stay upright. Both Turner AND Norwood. With 0 injuries after 16 games that places them on the sidelines.
You see what I mean?
Boom Dizzle
August 23rd, 2010
11:24 am
This is a scared sports town. It’s like we’d rather sneak up on people as opposed to just beating them. After the first preseason game, we were going to the Super Bowl. After the second one, we’ll won’t win 6 games.
It’s time to expect big things from this team and embrace high expectations…..With the talent and way the schedule sets up, ANYTHING less than 10 -6 would be a huge disappointment. IMO I have them going 12 – 4 also……
Reggie
August 23rd, 2010
11:42 am
robdawg08
August 23rd, 2010
11:05 am
Tony Gonzalez was misused (under used) last year. He can’t be covered and is open every down. Throw the dang ball to him… Clearly you didn’t watch the Falcons last year..Matt Ryan was so locked in on Tony he was throwing the ball at him when Tony was on the sideline getting water!
geneg
August 23rd, 2010
11:46 am
I don’t know which football game you watched Saturday night, but the one I watched, the one between the Falcons and the Patriots, left me feeling like this was going to be another, long, boring, sucky season for the Falcons. None of the eleven Falcons players on the field at any point in time were better than the eleven players the Patriots had on the field. Having lived in Dallas for the last twenty-one years I’ve seen good, bad and indifferent football teams, this one is at best indifferent. It is not championship calibre and will be lucky to go 8 – 8, much less 12 – 4. I know it’s your job to create enthusiasm, but this team reminds me of the same Falcons I left twenty-one years ago. Nothing has changed. Oh, my!
Honest Falcon Fan and 5yr Season Tkt Holder
August 23rd, 2010
12:20 pm
I love the Falcons, I pull for them just as hard as any transplant, but I see more of the same from last year, 9-7 if we are lucky. Defensively we are just not that physical and offensively we don’t scare anybody with our dink and dunk passing game. We have a good running game but without a threat of going deep, teams will stack eight in the box and dare us to beat them with anything longer than a 15-20 yard pass . Offensive line is OK but not that deep.. Pittsburg with a backup QB is still 50/50 to the Steelers(they don’t lose home openers), we lose to New Orleans twice ( to much offense),Ravens (just to physical), Green bay ( To much Offense),Phidelelphia,Cincinati and we have a habit of always losing to Seattle in there place. That puts us at 8-8 unless we win one the eight games I mentioned. I will be there cheering ,trying to help the team as much as I can but 12, 11 or 10 wins with our talent is dreaming. Eight wins with a possible 9th is more likely.
Gipp
August 23rd, 2010
1:45 pm
I think the falcons must start out strong the beginning of the season. I think if they beat pittsburg, it will give them condifence to play any other teams. Lose against them then it will be a long season. They do have some good players and those guys got to step it up for them to have a good season. I predict 10-6 if they start off strong and 8-8 if they do not.
PlanB
August 23rd, 2010
2:17 pm
I like the way Biermann is playing. That will help this season.
Sorry to see Meier gone for the season. What do we have to do to keep him for next year?
Bama Backer
August 23rd, 2010
3:13 pm
I heard thru a source that Alabama is under investigation by the NCAA for unspeicified violations, sounds serious.
Sour Grapes
August 23rd, 2010
3:19 pm
good article mark- eveyone enjoys a little fiction sometimes. the bengals , the ravens , the niners and the saints all win where you say they will lose. 8-8 but another winning season of .500 or more– congratulations on 3 in a row
Sid
August 23rd, 2010
3:21 pm
12-4 could be right on the money, I have no doubt we will have at least 10 wins. This offense is better than last year and with an improved defense our offense will have more opportunities to put points on the board. Just like every team, injuries or the lack thereof play a big part of the season. But I disagree on the Philadelphia game, that’s a W………..!!
mark
August 23rd, 2010
3:34 pm
, trey lewis. is coming on. if you remember before both knee injuries, as a rookie in 07. he was the only bright spot in a season to forget. go falcons
FLDude
August 23rd, 2010
4:14 pm
The NFC South Championship stays in Louisiana!!
WHO DAT!!!!
Hamad Meander
August 23rd, 2010
4:29 pm
Being a HUGE Falcons fan, optimistical and yet still realistic, I think 12-4 would be above expectations. Everything centers on this team staying healthy, which they have NOT been able to do in the last couple of years. Meier is already done for the season, so our WR depth is a concern. I am most concerned with Peria Jerry, William Moore, Sam Baker, Trey Lewis, Brian Williams and Harry Douglas. If all these players make it through the season and contribute, this is a very good team. I would be satisfied with 10-6 and a playoff berth. I still think the Falcons are a ways off from Superbowl contention.
Schmitt
August 23rd, 2010
4:35 pm
Does anyone know where the Falcons vs Bama game will be played? Obviously the Falcons will need to win that one if they expect to beat the Miami Heat in the world series
Schmitt
August 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
For real though, the Falcons will go undefeated and Drew Brees will go out with a season ending injury due to the Madden Curse (just look at what it did to Vick)
joe
August 23rd, 2010
4:38 pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO they won’t. 9 wins if they are lucky.
Ramblin Wrecker
August 23rd, 2010
4:42 pm
12-4 seems like about right. However, I think the Falcons beat New Orleans at home and lose to them on the road. I also see the Falcons beating Philly. Kolb might be good down the road, but he’s not going to be right off the bat. I think they lose to Baltimore, because they’ll be tough physically. But I don’t see them losing to Carolina, either time. So I’d still have them at 13-3 or 12-4, just a different way.
VicksStepChild
August 23rd, 2010
4:48 pm
I agree that the Falcons may have another banner season like they did in mattys rookie season when they went 11-5. So what. If the Falcons dont win the Super Bowl in my opinion it represents a COMPLETELY WASTED SEASON. Ask hall of famer Jerry Rice of the SF 49ers. When he played, he played for the rings and not to come up short. I can tell by the way the Falcons lost their last playoff game to the Arizona Cardinals, the Falcons were just happy to be playing in the playoffs and did not dominate against an inferior team. The Cardinals went on to play in the superbowl just to lose the game. I think the Falcons are capable of winning the superbowl this season. But if they dont I will consider their season a TOTAL WASTE.
However....
August 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
if that last preseason game was just the Falcons way of trying to throw teams off and they are secretly better than how they played last week, then Yes! There is a chance……
PhilJohnson
August 23rd, 2010
4:53 pm
I know this may offense some people out there, but I know there are many bloggers that keep blogging about Michael Vick. The reason why you keep doing it is because you have some twisted, convoluted pipe dream that Vick will EITHER start at qb for Philly instead of Kolb or by some freak last minute twist of fate, the Eagles trade Vick for Matt Ryan and Vick ends of under center again as qb for the Falcons this year. Listen guys and gals, Arthur Blank isnt a fool. Vick made a fool of the Falcons franchise and he wont get another chance here in Atlanta. So you should just forget about Vick because he has long forgotten the Atlanta Falcons and the fans he let down.
Mike Moroski (the other great Polish QB)
August 23rd, 2010
5:08 pm
Not a bad guess but my money is on them losing either to the Bengals or Ravens and going 11-5.
WTF?
August 23rd, 2010
5:17 pm
do people really think this team is that good? What changed from last year? Not much. I give them another 9 wins and 7 losses again. They are not that good and are not ready to be that good yet. But if they don’t start getting rid of the good players and getting soon to be retired players filling the roster they will be able to go 12 and 4. Not yet though.