Live from the Dome, with the big-time Bucs(?) on the card
Having tired of of the standard Dome shot, I added this week's flip card. (Photo by M.B., auteur)
The standings say this is a big game, both teams being 5-2. The visiting coach thinks it’s a big game, his Bucs being the best team in the NFC and all. But I have a confession:
I’m not feeling it.
I’m thinking the big game at the Dome this week comes Thursday night when the Ravens visit. (Super Bowl preview!) I’m thinking Baltimore is legit. I’m thinking Tampa Bay is not.
My pals in Vegas — not that I have any, having never been there — would seem to agree. They’ve levied a 10-point spread on this titanic tussle. In the NFL, with its parity and any-given-Sunday ethos, a 10-point spread is fairly massive, especially in a game featuring two 5-2 teams. But that’s where we are: More than simply being favored by 10 points, the Falcons are the biggest favorite on this week’s card.
I’m thinking the Falcons take their bye week and make short work of Tampa Bay. I’m thinking they’ll win by two touchdowns, easy. (I’m also thinking that I liked Georgia over Florida, and maybe one or two of you are, too.)
But that’s just me, the big fat Atlanta homer. Raheem Morris probably likes his Bucs by three TDs, but I’d be shocked if that one turns out this way. With Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback, the Falcons have lost once in the Georgia Dome — against Denver in 2008. Roddy White dropped a ball in the end zone. Roddy White hasn’t dropped anything since.
And with that, the figurative floor is again open for questions, comments and fashion-related suggestions for Arthur M. Blank. (Sonny Clusters, I’m talking about you.) I’ll be here all game, and I might just get so pumped I camp out in the parking lot until Thursday night. Which would make no sense because I’m not covering that game and I don’t have a ticket, but sometimes — stop me if you knew this already — I don’t make make sense.
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1,243 comments Add your comment
tybeedawg
November 7th, 2010
12:15 pm
definitely not first? Here’s to hoping you are right about today….go birds!
Frozen Rope
November 7th, 2010
12:19 pm
Not First, Go Falcons!!
Ree Roe
November 7th, 2010
12:19 pm
This will be a close game. I would love to see the Birds win by 3 TDs, but I think Tampa might be a bit better than we’re givin them credit for. I think it gets decided in the 4th & ATL holds on for the victory
-REEsted Roe!!!
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:20 pm
I am ready for some more football!
RISE-UP! Go Falcons!
Ghost of Ironhead Heyward
November 7th, 2010
12:21 pm
As an out-of-towner sans NFL Network, I’m not looking forward to Thursday night.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 7th, 2010
12:24 pm
45ACP
Did you even cookout for that dawgs game yesterday? I hope you spent some time with the wife earning those points for some other games.
Frozen Rope
November 7th, 2010
12:24 pm
Is Spoon playing today Bradley
Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2010
12:25 pm
Nope, Rope. Sean Weatherspoon is inactive.
Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2010
12:25 pm
Kudos to tybeedawg.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 7th, 2010
12:25 pm
Mark, didn’t I read somewhere that this QB (Josh Freeman) has already led the Bucs to 5 or 6 comeback wins?
Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2010
12:27 pm
Josh Freeman is the new comeback king, Okefenokee. But let’s also note that 5-2 Tampa Bay has been outscored by 27 points this season.
Jeremy Knipe
November 7th, 2010
12:29 pm
Falcons by 10. White with a TD reception. Running game fares well. And one of the offensive lineman takes a personal foul. Defense gets 2 turnovers. There’s my prediction. I just hope the people I gave my tickets to..show up.
Falcons-Bucs inactives – ProFootballTalk
November 7th, 2010
12:30 pm
[...] Mike Williams may have otherwise proven to difficult for Mike Smith's team to stop. …Live from the Dome, with the big-time Bucs(?) on the cardAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)NFL Week 9: Bucs Vs. Falcons Series HistorySB Nation AtlantaGNB [...]
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:30 pm
POAD – No cookout for that game.
I have a date with Kennestone in the morning for the back surgery.
Going in through my stomach and insert a “cage device” on my spine @ L3 – L4.
hiramsaint
November 7th, 2010
12:31 pm
may the best team in the nfc win!!!!. they ought to , they are playing the panthers!
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:32 pm
POAD ~ No cookout.
Surgery in the morning.
Supes
November 7th, 2010
12:32 pm
The Falcons are gonna lay it on the Bucs today.
Expect our Falcons to fly high and hit them in the mouth and DEFEND THE DOME!!!
The Jama
November 7th, 2010
12:32 pm
Falcons win big. Lots of Turner and Snelling to control time of possession. As long as Ryan doesn’t throw any pick 6’s the Bucs lack the offense to keep up.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 7th, 2010
12:32 pm
Duly noted, Mark.
Come on, Coach Smith, turn Ryan loose today and get this over with early, and get the starters on the bench!
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:32 pm
Well, can’t seem to post anything….
BLUE
November 7th, 2010
12:34 pm
Birds by 9 today, need to getoff to good start
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:35 pm
POAD
No cookout for that game.
I have a date with Kennestone in the morning.
Headley Lamar
November 7th, 2010
12:36 pm
Who did the classy Paul Johnson tell to punch who in the mouth this week?
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 7th, 2010
12:36 pm
Mark why is it sending us back to the top of the page eachtime we post. How the Hell is this going to work for a LIVE blog? Pleas see if you can get this fixed.
The New Blog System Sucks
November 7th, 2010
12:37 pm
hey mark tell d led the new blog systems works he should stick with the first to last not vice versa
Najeh Davenpoop
November 7th, 2010
12:38 pm
The Bucs may or may not be a legit team, but Josh Freeman is a legit quarterback. That alone is enough for this game to likely be close. I would expect the Falcons to win, thanks to their stellar home record in recent years, but the Bucs are no pushover like Bradley would like to believe.
Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2010
12:38 pm
Best wishes on your procedure, 45ACP.
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 7th, 2010
12:38 pm
Headley Lamar
I think told the Gator Kicker to punch the choke sign baby Grantham.
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:41 pm
Thanks Mark, sorry for the duplicates but it wouldn’t post anything….
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 7th, 2010
12:41 pm
Sorry to hers 45ACP i had Harrington put in my lower back in 89. I had them removed, but my bad is likking me today because of the cold. Best Wishes I will send a prayer for you.
JTH
November 7th, 2010
12:42 pm
34-17 Falcons and sole possession of first in the NFC South.
Willy
November 7th, 2010
12:45 pm
Anyone care to give an opinion of Pera Jerry’s play? His injury last year was cited as a big reason why the defense didn’t perform. This year he’s been quiet (3 or 4 tackles and 1 sack).
Don Shula
November 7th, 2010
12:45 pm
Tampa Bay? Best team in football?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
JTH
November 7th, 2010
12:46 pm
Peria Jerry is a bust. He’ll be let go once his contract expires.
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:46 pm
Channel 5 showing highlights of Roddy White now.
BirdDog
November 7th, 2010
12:46 pm
The Falcons barely beat the lowly Bengals and they have their meager minds on Thursday night. Bucs in ab upset 27-20.
todd grantham
November 7th, 2010
12:46 pm
Mark, as you can see my plan is developing nicely. A win-win situation for me in yesterday’s game. My D showed out greatly, but it was a meaningless win for CMR. The stars are aligning very well.
REEaly irROEtating!!!
November 7th, 2010
12:47 pm
Does anyone else find this a-hole annoying??
Ree Roe
November 7th, 2010
12:47 pm
@ Najeh, I agree. We can’t take TB lightly today
-REEspond to Roe!!!
Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2010
12:47 pm
No offense, so to speak, but shouldn’t a defensive coordinator be watching film of Auburn and Newton?
todd grantham
November 7th, 2010
12:48 pm
short week huh? does baltimore play today too?
todd grantham
November 7th, 2010
12:50 pm
Not to worry. Newton, if he’s not suspended before Saturday, will cause Auburn to soon forfiet every game this year.
Headley Lamar
November 7th, 2010
12:51 pm
Bradshaw just picked the Bucs. This baby is in the bag.
archangeladidas
November 7th, 2010
12:51 pm
Break Up The Bucs!!!
18 out of 21! GO GATORS!!!
todd grantham
November 7th, 2010
12:51 pm
If AJ gets 4 games for selling a jersey, I mean, how much trouble can a guy get in for his father trying to sell HIM and all the guilt by association that brings?
Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2010
12:52 pm
Baltimore plays the Dolphins.
todd grantham
November 7th, 2010
12:52 pm
but Headley, Mark picked the Falcons.
Headley Lamar
November 7th, 2010
12:52 pm
No offense, so to speak, but shouldn’t a defensive coordinator be watching film of Auburn and Newton?
You mean 200,000 grand Newton.
bigstack
November 7th, 2010
12:54 pm
Here is to the Falcons stomping a hole in the Bucs and shutting up their idiot coach.
45ACP
November 7th, 2010
12:54 pm
If Auburn has to forfiet every game there will be great wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Especially after they got shafted in 2004.