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
Jimmy Jam
August 23rd, 2010
5:17 pm
Mark Bradley smoking some of that stuff Uncle Russell smoked in “Death at a Funeral.” Put down the crack pipe Mark.
WTF?
August 23rd, 2010
5:19 pm
the first 4 games will be the true test of whether they can play or not. I have them going 1 win and 3 losses in the first 4 games. They’ll either win against Arizona or San Fran but not both. Steelers, no way, even with rothlesburger. Steelers are too physical for the falcons and will manhandle their offensive line the entire game. I get Ryan throws at least 2 interceptions that game and gets sacked 4 or more times.
MisterEarl
August 23rd, 2010
5:21 pm
C’mon man!
10-5
The Falcons defensive backs will be torched if the pass rush stays the same. The Linebacker position features a rookie and does not have quality dept.
Problem area at wide receiver matching up with the Saints deep and talented defensive backs
Don’t even think about beating the Saints in The Superdome
scott
August 23rd, 2010
5:31 pm
falcons winning this year would be good for this economic stagnant racialy divided city it would give it a much needed spark..it needs it for sure and the falcons can save this depressed town and lift it up…COME ON FALCONS!!
Bravesfansince66
August 23rd, 2010
5:37 pm
Falcon offense needs to mature and get first downs and control the clock…3 and out ain’t going to cut it. Turner is the key to doing this. Flinging the ball down the field on every down is a formula for disaster. Believe we will be better on “D” this year but not if we have to stay on the field becuase the offense can’t score when it is in the red zone.
Tell it like it is.
August 23rd, 2010
5:41 pm
As evidence of thier last preseason game vs NE,i would say no team could look that bad,and be that good,preseason or not.
ACE
August 23rd, 2010
5:43 pm
Byron Leftwich is going to smoke the Dirty Birds, that’ll probably sting a little
jb
August 23rd, 2010
6:03 pm
They’ll be lucky to win 5 games.
SAINTS LSU
August 23rd, 2010
6:24 pm
Mark Bradley you know you just put your foot in your mouth the falcons beat the saints in Nawlins the saints will go 13-3 or 12-4
SAINTS LSU
August 23rd, 2010
6:32 pm
@ proud season ticket holder so the NFL fix the super bowl for the saints maybe you know who kill Kennedy LOL
GoDawgs
August 23rd, 2010
7:10 pm
Not with the way they looked against the pats first team. If the starters perform like that often in the season they will be lucky to go 8-8.
Mike
August 23rd, 2010
7:13 pm
game by game
Pitt 31 Atl 23…. Pitts oline pushes around Atl’s D and Mendenhall has carreer day.
Atl 30 Ariz 28 late fg and Atl escapes after Leinart looks like an NFL QB for his first and only time.
New Orleans 35 Atl 30….once again D line is manhandled, and the offense has 2 drives stopped inside the 10 and have to settle for FG.
Atl 27 SF 20…Gore has huge day, but still not enough to beat us in the dome.
Atl 30 Clev 17….after jumping out to a big lead, clev punishes our D line to make it a game, until a Turner breaks a big run in 4th to ice the game.
Philly 28 Atl 10….Philly finally gets some off production and their D shuts down Turner….Ryan is sacked 4 times and Sam Baker returns to the IR.
Cinncy 27 Atl 16…forget TO and Ocho, Benson goes off and once again Atlantas redzone woes kill them.
Atl 26 TB 19….a game of many field goals..TB racks up yards, but are worse in the red zone than we are.
Balt 28 Atl 27..Ryan has huge game, but Rice has over 200 yrds combined off.
Atl 38 St Louis 13….Rams suck
GB 31 Atl 20…Aaron Rogers passes for over 400 on his way to league MVP.
Atl 24 TB 16…Atl escapes from TB with a win after TB has two redzone turnovers. our D line still looking bad.
Atl 27 Car 21…J Stewart has huge day, but not enough to lead Panthers to win.
Atl 26 Sea 17….3 game winning streak vs not very good teams.
Atl 34 NO 31….finally a quality win.
Car 31 Atl 26…a late goal line stand helps Carolina beat us, and keeps us out of the playoffs at 9-7.
dandy
August 23rd, 2010
7:31 pm
…………………………………………………………………….!
Tell it like it is.
August 23rd, 2010
7:36 pm
Go Dawgs—–My point exactly!
bob
August 23rd, 2010
8:10 pm
This scenario shows them stumbling into the playoffs. Sounds like 12-5 then.
Rich
August 23rd, 2010
8:46 pm
I guess the AJC does not have a robust drug testing policy.
Hurricane Joe
August 23rd, 2010
8:58 pm
ROTFLMAO! 4-12 is more like it.
Hurricane Joe
August 23rd, 2010
9:04 pm
If hard work were the only criteria for success waitresses would rule the world.
Mark Palkovic
August 23rd, 2010
9:08 pm
This guy is nuts,hire me AJC because he sure doesn`t know football,they will not beat Cincinnati and if they are going to the playoffs they will not play any starters in game 16,so Carolina is another loss at the end of the season.
Michael
August 23rd, 2010
9:32 pm
I hope you are right.
Michael
August 23rd, 2010
9:34 pm
That is, I hope Mr. Bradley is right.
Steve
August 23rd, 2010
9:40 pm
I’m with you, except…. flip the home and road games with the Saints. Falcons lose on the road and win at home. Plus, Atlanta beats Carolina in Carolina. 13-3.
Michael
August 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
What if the Falcons go 16-0 and nobody scores on them. Matt Ryan has 60 TD passed and Michael Turner rushes for 3000 yards, and lose in the first round of the playoffs 3-0 to an 8-8 team. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! This can’t be happening! OK, I’m just kidding. Please don’t anyone correct me. I’m just kidding.
Mark
August 23rd, 2010
9:48 pm
As we used to say back in the day!
OH HELL YES!!!!!!
Mark
August 23rd, 2010
9:49 pm
Enter your comments here
Kapoonka
August 23rd, 2010
9:53 pm
I know the AJC has fallen on hard times, but I think they should invest in a drug test for you. I really don’t think you believe what you wrote, but you surely achieved your objective by getting a lot of “you must be on crack” responses. I’m guessing like maybe a 500 season…at best.
REAL FALCON FAN
August 23rd, 2010
10:07 pm
HEY MARK , FOR THE MOST PART YOU ARE RIGHT ,BUT I SEE US BEATING THE AINTS TWICE AND WE WILL NOT LOSE TO GREEN BAY OR THE EAGLES!!!!!!!!!!!!! GO FALCONS
Steeler4Life
August 23rd, 2010
10:15 pm
Roethlisberger doesn’t play DEFENSE!! But Harrison, Woodley, and Polamalu sure do!!! GO STEELERS! You Falcon fans need to be concerned with game 1 first!!!
Matt the Brave
August 23rd, 2010
10:22 pm
Roll Tide (apparently, that roll is for toilet paper), the Buccaneers would beat the crap out of Alabama. Apparently you have no idea that the NFL are professionals. No matter how you cut it, these guys would kill to make sure they still had their spots. The kids at Alabama get to lead their coaches and that organization around by the *nose* because they feel like no one can replace them. You’re a joker, and stay off of the discussion boards until you finally realize that you’re an idiot and have 3 brain cells because you’re backwater trash.
catdaddy1
August 23rd, 2010
10:24 pm
are you out your mind,give them a 7and 9 seson.
DannyB
August 23rd, 2010
11:03 pm
The Falcons look good, but not that good. I took the liberty as an interim editor to rework your prediction. The season will be a 11-5.
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 do the same exact thing – shoulda, coulda, woulda… Falcons 21, Saints 31.
Saints1Fan
August 23rd, 2010
11:06 pm
Why does everyone keep saying the Saints have such a tough schedule. We have the exact same schedule as everyone in the NFC South, except for 2 games. We have Dallas and Minnesota, and the Falcons have Philadelphia and Green Bay.
Mark, you are thinking big. Very big. Let me help you. You are starting the season with only 14 possible wins because you will lose both games to the Saints. I have you losing to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Green Bay, Philadelphia, 1 game to Carolina. Cleveland and Cincinatti are also a possibility. The best you will be this year is 9-7. Maybe 7-9.
Health is key for all teams, but I think NO has more quality back-ups than the Falcons. You don’t believe me, the Saints have 5 WR that could start for any team in the league. Definitely for the Falcons. They have 4 starting CB’s, 4 very nice running backs, O-Linemen out the whazzoo, and D-Linemen galore. Darren Sharper’s back up at FS is Malcolm Jenkins.
Can you name the Falcons back-ups? Better yet, would you feel comfortable with them starting? Me either.
DannyB
August 23rd, 2010
11:07 pm
Real Falcon Fan — nice name, kinda catchy. Must be lonely being the only one in the city of college football fans and transient NFL fans. Like your dedication, but there Aint no way da dirty-birds gonna beat dem Saints. It’ll playout out like most of your recent years: Gonzalez will get an age-related injury, Ryan will be caught with Vick at a Night Club with a piece under his shirt, your OLBs will get turf toe, and your kicker will miss 3 in a row…
rose colred glasses
August 23rd, 2010
11:10 pm
pour me some of what you’re drinking MB.
ejj
August 24th, 2010
12:40 am
I am a falcon fan, but I am real. don’t see more than 8 wins. I hope I ‘m wrong, but defense is soft, and falcons did not beat every soft team last year, so I’m not a believer yet. Nice “rise up video, but team needs to believe it. Need strong inside rush, don’t depend totally on Abe, others need to step up. Linebackers not solid, wspoon a rookie, got turned around last game, been seeing basic flaws in pass defense (db’s getting turned, etc), other lb’s would not be starting on other clubs. I will be at the games, when home, cheering, as an 12th player, though. Must win at home.
A complete blank
August 24th, 2010
12:42 am
Way too much hype for a team with a crappy Defense and a hot and cold offense. Schedule is tough. Plus they are the Falcons…Too much coaching inexperience……Record will be closer to 4-12.. Sorry Mark!!!
Mike
August 24th, 2010
1:26 am
This is what happens when your local “sports columnist” reads another sports columnist prediction! I want you to take a bite of Lee Rusakoff’s humble pie @ the end the season! 10-6 @ best.
You better pray that Michael Turner holds up. Besides, the Steelers are notorius for stopping the run. Also, with the return of Troy P., Aaron Smith, Bryant McFadden and Larry Foote, I think the Steelers are being underestimated. When expectations aren’t high (Superbowl for them)this is the year the Steelers shine. You spoke about Ben? If the Falcons play D like they did last Thursday, Dennis Dixon & Byron Leftwich will have a field day!
Triumph The Soothsayer
August 24th, 2010
1:29 am
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!!
That’s a great prediction…FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!!
That doozie rivals the “Dogs will go 11-0″ column in 1988.
Triumph has a long memory. I found that edition and read it while gnawing on bones out of the dumpster behind the KFC on Gray Highway one late August day in Macon…TRUE STORY!
The years have made Triumph wiser. Bradley? Not so much. Flip the numbers and you’ll be closer to the eventual actuality.
Triumph knows. Trust me…I’m a Soothsayer.
Joshua
August 24th, 2010
2:41 am
The Falcons are definitely talented enough to go 12-4 and win the division like MB says. But they are the Falcons, and the fact is they probably won’t get it done, regardless of how good they should be.
mightymike
August 24th, 2010
3:55 am
what is up with you guys?
Where is your faith?
They will go all the way only if enough will believe that includes tham and you…
No matter who wins we’re all winners in life just by beign here
Piece out you all
The Falcons can't go 12-4? 'Sure they can,' says Mr. Sunshine | Mark Bradley
August 24th, 2010
8:23 am
[...] See, I do read your comments. Herein I’ll attempt to parry the main objections raised by the little post in which I predicted the Falcons will go 12-4. [...]
Sid
August 24th, 2010
10:38 am
I looked at each team on the Falcons schedule to see what the opposition had the previous week they play the Falcons. Turns out 12 of the teams played their previous week on the road. They only face one team coming off of their bye week, the Bengals. We catch the Saints coming off of a road trip to SF for Monday Night Football. We catch Carolina coming off a road trip to Seattle. We play Green Bay the week after they play a huge away game against the Vikings. Also, Philadelphia plays us after a road trip to SF. And the Saints may well be pretty beat up for that MNF game after they tangle with the Ravens.
Falcons Vs——————————who opp. played the previous week
@ Steelers——————————–
Arizona ———————————–@ Rams
@ Saints———————————–@ 49ers (MNF)
San Francisco—————————–@ KC
@ Cleveland——————————-Bengals
@ Eagles————————————@ 49ers
Bengals—————————————Bye Week
Falcons Bye Week———————————
Tampa—————————————@ Cardinals
Baltimore————————————Miami
@ Rams————————————–@ 49ers
Packers ————————————–@ Minnesota
@ Tampa————————————-@ Baltimore
@ Carolina———————————–@ Seahawks
@ Seahawks ———————————@ 49ers
Saints (MNF)——————————-@ Ravens
Carolina—————————————@ Steelers
hiramsaint
August 25th, 2010
6:27 pm
sid – so your sayin’ 9 wins at best? i’ll have to agree-9 at best
ATL Observer
August 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
Don’t think the Pitt game is lock with no Ben. The real star (as last year proved) is Polumalu, and he’s in the lineup. I actually would flip the San Fran and Philly results. I don’t think we can take both Baltimore AND Cincy, only split. 4-2 against the division sounds about right.
I’m thinking 10-6, *maybe* 11-5.
TDiddy
August 26th, 2010
2:28 pm
10-6 is more realistic no way they go into Pitt & win week 1 home opener for the Steelers. Not so sure they will sweep the AFC North beating both Baltimore & Cincy. Nothing like wishful thinking Falcon fans, just remember last time you were in the Super Bowl you guys were down in Liberty City chasing tricks. Lol
Baldy2658
August 28th, 2010
9:59 am
With or without Big Ben they won’t beat the Steelers
FAAAQ
August 28th, 2010
10:18 am
Got to find the end zone… and so far we haven’t…
Don't Drink the Coolaid
August 28th, 2010
10:23 am
Yep – that’s it – you just gave the Falcons the kiss of death. How about the lack of a downfield passing game?? Or the 3rd down efficiency – I don’t see 12 – 4. This season will be a lot closer to 9-7 or 10 – 6 then 12 – 4. Wildcard here we come!!
Peter
August 28th, 2010
11:19 am
Funny stuff Mark….especially your call of the Raven’s Game….. they take it all this year………we get stomped in that game. Joe Flaco shows us why we picked the wrong QB in the draft.
We may hang with the Saints, they are typically close games, ” IF ” we split with them, then we have a chance for 10 wins.
Do we have a kicker ? Can we catch the ball ? Will the offensive line hold up ?
All big questions along with, is Matt going to get any better ?
The defense got better so there is hope for the Falcon’s.
Mike
August 28th, 2010
11:59 am
Mark, a 12-4 record is wishful thinking I’m afraid. Did you see the same game that I saw last night? Something is wrong with Matt Ryan. He misses and underthrows receivers. He throws the ball after the receiver breaks, rather than before and his interception was a weak floater that any high school defensive back would have intercepted. I think our offensive playcalling lacks imiganation. How many balls did Roddy White drop last night? How much is Arthur Blank paying him to drop touchdown passes?
After the Pittsburgh game, I expect you will need revise your 12-4 record.
Thanks for being positive and I hope that I am wrong, but from what I have seen on the field, I’m very discouraged.