So the Falcons sit atop the NFC? Alert ESPN and Peter King
The Falcons have the NFC’s best record. They’re 8-2, having won eight of nine. In November alone they’ve beaten Tampa Bay, which is 7-3; Baltimore, which is 7-3, and St. Louis, which is 4-6 but was 4-1 at home before the Falcons showed up.
And yet: The ESPN.com home page as of 9:25 a.m. Monday asked two questions. “The NFC’s best team? Why not the Eagles?”
And Peter King of SI.com lists the Falcons No. 5 in his Fine Fifteen, with not one but two NFC teams above them. Asks King of Green Bay, which he ranks No. 1 in the league: “Who’s played better over the past month? Beat the Vikes 28-24, the Jets 9-0, the Cowboys 45-7, the Vikes again 31-3.”
Note to P.K.: Uh, maybe the Falcons? (And aren’t the Vikings and Cowboys, against whom three of those four Packer victories have been achieved, the NFL’s biggest duds? Didn’t one just fire its coach? Isn’t the other about to fire its coach?)
Understand: I’m ordinarily not one who believes The National Media Never Gives Atlanta Teams Any Credit. I don’t think there’s a vast right- or left-wing conspiracy out there to ignore our fair city. (And I would stipulate that Green Bay isn’t exactly the hub of 21st Century journalism.) That said …
The Falcons are playing pretty darn well. They’ve beaten the Saints (No. 6 according to King), the Ravens (No. 7) and the Bucs (No. 12.). They’ve lost only to the Eagles (No. 3) and the Steelers (No. 8), both of those coming on the road.
Side-by-side comparison: The Packers have beaten two teams that hold winning records; the Falcons have beaten three.
Loading ...Further comparison: The Eagles have beaten four teams that hold winning records, the Falcons among them. And Philly beat the Falcons soundly using its backup quarterback. You can make the case, I submit, that the Eagles might — I said might — deserve to be placed ahead of Atlanta, but I don’t see a reason to elevate Green Bay above a team with a better record.
What’s that ? You say the Packers will play here this Sunday? How intriguing. And how convenient.
Guess we’ll do this the old-fashioned way. (Or, for you college fans, the non-BCS way.) Guess we’ll settle this on the field.
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488 comments Add your comment
striped shirt
November 22nd, 2010
3:36 pm
Great article, Mark. ESPN’s “Sports Center” routinely devotes all but a tiny fraction of its late Sunday coverage to the Jets, Giants, Mannings, Favre and Brady. After lavishing praise on the Jets for 20 minutes last night, practically showing every play in which the Jets did anything successfully, they managed to show one play from the New Orleans game and two from the Falcons. The entire cast of “experts” have become little more than shills for the larger markets.
ESPN: Every Segment Praising NY teams.
Neutral Fan
November 22nd, 2010
3:38 pm
Right now the Eagles should be voted the best because they beat the Falcons.
mo
November 22nd, 2010
3:38 pm
Even Mike Smith said in his post game remarks to the team in the locker room, “We have yet to puta good 60 minutes together,” which to me says the Falcons know they still have work to do.this is a STATEMENT that was made by a HC that was 16-0 mine goodness THE real question is what do we have here in the ATL.I am personally very happy for Michael Vick. he a man now, he was foolisles child here . @JoeFann, yes…. THREE yes two more wins I wont be happy with that me AND TG88 have the same dream. that would make me some what happy this year. What about next Year .I personly like too pick at32 every year , i can remember not to long ago that old saying “maybe next year” fly under-the-radar is just fine. let all the team with an 6-4 record and better be the so call best , that let #4, Dallas , philly and all the good plays be seen by other team , as long as we keep winning . To espn , and Peter King, keep mine team under-the-radar . IT WILL BE MOE YOU HERE ON ALL THE SPORT TALK TELLing the true about the best TEAM…..
jim
November 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
I really could not care less what Peter King or the national media says about the Falcons. The record will speak for itself at the end of the year. The Falcons are playing really good football and may do something extrordinary this season. If they do fall flat, so be it. I don’t think they will and if they do not, then Mr. King and the others will have to recognize them at some point. Way too much importance put on these national guys and their opinions.
To Coach Smith and the Falcon team – Keep up guys. Proud of you!!
jeff
November 22nd, 2010
3:48 pm
Mark, not sure how you don’t at least acknowledge that the Eagles have to be ranked ahead of our Falcons. You admit that they put the beat down on the Falcons using their backup. I do agree with you that the Falcons are being slightly underestimated this year, but both losses, while on the road, were to teams with their backup QBs.
Jesse Stone
November 22nd, 2010
3:49 pm
Neutral fan- Green Bay beat the Eagles
Ed
November 22nd, 2010
3:50 pm
Go Falcons, beat the Packers and let the doubters at ESPN and NFL network continue to ignore your success. It will be hard to ignore the Falcons when Roger Goodell hands Arthur Blank the Lombardi Trophy
65 foot tall burning Jesus
November 22nd, 2010
3:52 pm
What would Jesus do?
Mr Charlie
November 22nd, 2010
3:53 pm
Neutral, if that is the case, how about the teams that beat the Eagles?
D Orlando Bedwetter
November 22nd, 2010
3:55 pm
Joe Tess Fish House here. I was band from Bedwetters blog. All I did was discuss footbal where every 1 else called me names and I get band?
What ever happen 2 freedom of speach? U can count on me suing!
True Falcon Fan
November 22nd, 2010
3:56 pm
Odds on over / under calls for 47 – my bet is “way over” – the Packers are good – Our DB’s and defense better come ready to play for long ball offensive game – if we shut down Rogers then the”under” is the way to bet – the real key is “can our offense dominate the way we have these past weeks”, against that tenacious Packer defense??
GO FALCONS
TheObvious
November 22nd, 2010
3:58 pm
I’m worried about Tampa Bay and Philly. Somehow, with the roll we’re on, I like us against New Orleans. This may be the beginning of something beautiful! As long as we have Thomas Dimitroff, the future looks very bright!
ml
November 22nd, 2010
4:01 pm
if not conspiracy, definitely things like bias, prejudice, black-ball, censure all come to mind. it is unbelievable…oh wait, gotta go, more important sporting news afoot from ESPN: latest headlines-chidress and favre agued over the wallpaper in the bathrooms or even more tantalizing- the cowboys re-painted the lines in the parking lot. ooooo, just makes you shiver and the gravity and impact of these situations, so remember tune to ESPN or Lifetime to hear more about these intriguing developments!
Katherine
November 22nd, 2010
4:02 pm
I was waiting for them to even mention the falcons on first take and they didn’t…..I don’t get why. What is their deal with atlanta teams?
jay
November 22nd, 2010
4:04 pm
Doesnt matter who’s number one right now. This aint the BCS! The number #1 team is the team that wins the Superbowl in February.
Falconian
November 22nd, 2010
4:04 pm
Peter King has his head so far up the Northeast teams fanny holes that he doesn’t realize there are other teams that even exist in the NFL. He is a typical fat, cheese steak stuffing yankee that believes the world revolves around the city of New York and Boston.
Elvisinthehouse
November 22nd, 2010
4:06 pm
The nfc championship game will be G.B and philly.I love to see people hating on vicks success on this blog.AJC and fans didn’t see this coming and hate it.1.eagles 2.GB 3.giants 4.saints 5.falcons Understand records are decieving, number 1-4 have a better team than the turdy birds,you can read my comment get mad and comment against my opinion if you want to because but everyone who respond to this blog is doing just that commenting with a OPINION,Even the columnist.But time will tell when i hear falcon fans saying there favorite slogan,”WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR”.Thats a fact….
DeanB
November 22nd, 2010
4:07 pm
Yo, Tyrone, you must have been under your rock when MV lied to both the owner who was willing to pony up $100mil and the commish who is definitely no-nonsense. Being the type of person I am, I’m happy that MV got a second chance and is making the most of it. I’ve been a Falcons fan since 1976. This team is good but not the best. Despite having hung in with Pittsburgh through regulation, that 50yd td in ot still sucks for me.
on the field
November 22nd, 2010
4:08 pm
Just a note on Vick – in the interview last night he said that he cheated the Atlanta Fans and organization by not giving 100%. He then tried to clarify by saying that he always gave 100% on the field but did not do the training/studying required.
Can we get a refund?
Elvisinthehouse
November 22nd, 2010
4:08 pm
Because and but? oooooo bad typo!
Michael Dougherty
November 22nd, 2010
4:09 pm
Amen, thank god someone else is noticing this. No one gives Atlanta any credit, Falcons Highlights on ESPN last night came after THE MLS GAME, after multiple Eagles highlights, after Gasols great game (wow, who gives a s*** about that) how ridiculous is that. ESPN is left a left winged network that never gives Atlanta teams credit your exactly right.
SeenThisB4
November 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, …..
Just a matter of time before the World Champion New Orleans Saints reclaim their rightful spot atop of the NFC South Division!
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
TheBurner33
November 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
“the Falcons had not treated MV7 like garbage when he was here”
Are you serious TYRONE…..you mean had they looked passed his felon ways and set the precident for the team that any of the players can be felons and not get cut….yea thats a great idea….you moron….get out of here with that garbage…..this clearly is a racial thing for you…..let me guess you think if Matt Ryan fought dogs he would still be in Atlanta? Shutup and get out of here….this is not the 1960s and MV7 is gone…LET IT GO……
jay
November 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
Neutral fan- Green Bay beat the Eagles
##############################################
The Eagles started Kevin Kolb from the UFL and came back when Micheal Vick entered the game…they ran out of time
GO BIRDS!
November 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
When Childress was playing in minisoda, it was a dome playing in a dome…
ME
November 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
They have us ranked #1
http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings
TheBurner33
November 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
SeenThisB4
November 22nd, 2010
4:11 pm
Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, …..
Just a matter of time before the World Champion New Orleans Saints reclaim their rightful spot atop of the NFC South Division!
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
Dude….you have been saying this for weeks now…..and whats sad is you spend the time to come to our forums and talk trash……its awesome……please stick to your forums….and your rat infested sewer city…..
Tdawg money
November 22nd, 2010
4:12 pm
The falcons look pretty dog-gone good to me too. One problem though, which must be corrected….is when we get into the red zone, Smith and Malarkey start to resemble Richt and Bobo. We too easily settle for 3 points. It ALMOST cost us the game yesterday. Sometimes you have to put your foot on the other team’s throat, and put the game away. In summary, we too quickly switch into a mode of playing “not to lose” instead of the GATA approach earlier in the game. BTW….Roddy White is a beast….I love our receiver corp.
Elvisinthehouse
November 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Wow,if the eagles go to the superbowl,its a promise that all the vick haters from the ajc and all the blog commenting vick haters will put on there white sheets and start a riot on all the blogs.
Jay Blaze
November 22nd, 2010
4:14 pm
@ Dylan
U obviously arent watching football if u say vick had 1 good game. They are undefeated when he starts and finishes. And hes playing like a beast come on now get your facts strait
Peter
November 22nd, 2010
4:15 pm
The Falcon’s are contenders……..thinking they are number 1….. well who really cares ?
Mark are you needing a Corvette or something enlarged ?
For me it is all about winning the Super Bowl, and frankly for us to get there we need home team advantage through the playoffs.
So I don’t care how ugly we win, as a long as we win enough to be playing home when the season is over.
Mark get yourself something manly, so you don’t have to worry about who is number one during the season.
Tdawg money
November 22nd, 2010
4:15 pm
Hey TheBurner……
You’re right on the money, dude. Keep pitchin’ it.
SeenThisB4
November 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
Burner: Donya worry, when the time comes, and you know it’s right around the corner, I’ll change my mantra. Till then: Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, tick, …..
GEAUX SAINTS! OUR TIME!!
Katherine
November 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
Elvisinthehouse
November 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Wow,if the eagles go to the superbowl,its a promise that all the vick haters from the ajc and all the blog commenting vick haters will put on there white sheets and start a riot on all the blogs.
That is a horrible thing to say! what is your problem! most people here are very supportive of vick and his comeback…myself included. I wish the guy nothing but the best..he paid a heavy price and deserves a second chance. That being said…you are disgusting.
GO BIRDS!
November 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
Elvisinthehouse
November 22nd, 2010
4:13 pm
Wow,if the eagles go to the superbowl,its a promise that all the vick haters from the ajc and all the blog commenting vick haters will put on there white sheets and start a riot on all the blogs.
Racist!
A-Ville Ranger
November 22nd, 2010
4:16 pm
I like the comment about settling it on the field ”the non-BCS way.
Katherine
November 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
Oh and saying geaux saints is super lame.
Opine
November 22nd, 2010
4:17 pm
I had to nod my head in agreement with the headline, the Falcons are indeed flying under the radar and very well be the best team in the NFC. I am a Packer fan and even with my team in the smallest market in all of Pro Sports we still seem to get more media attention then the likes of Atlanta. Consider yourselves fortunate and hope you remain low key until the playoffs. I hated the fact that so many media outlets were picking the Pack to win it all this year, it just puts more pressure on your team. Cant believe NBC did not pick this game up for next Sunday night, it very well may be a preview of the NFC Championship.
Mr. Obvious
November 22nd, 2010
4:18 pm
Michael Vick is a DOG-GONE GOOD Quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, the so-called #1 team in the NFL!
True Falcon Fan
November 22nd, 2010
4:18 pm
“Forgetaboutit” – PK who really cares what teams he likes or dislikes – It’s like what the Tampa Bay head coach stated – “Stats” are for “losers”, that basically what the PK’s write about – Peter King is a writer, “don’t let yourself fall in his journalism crap/trap” – I assure you if the Falcons keep playing ball in the way they are at this pace “and keep learning how to get BETTER each week” – The PK’s out there will have no other choices but to “WRITE WHAT THEY SEE IT”!!!
GO FALCONS —- “DON”T STOP LEARNING EVERY WEEK”
TheBurner33
November 22nd, 2010
4:20 pm
@Elvisinthehouse
you my friend have a skewed viewpoint….if you read all 6 pages of this blog…noone is hating on Vick…merely saying that we have moved on…he served his time…glad he is getting a 2nd chance….blah blah blah…..oh…and that ATL didnt treat him like garbage….he took a dump on the team…and all the fans by his extracurricular activities……so please stop with these nonsense vick hater posts.
Colonel Kurtz
November 22nd, 2010
4:20 pm
We must whip them. We must incinerate them. Cheesehead after Cheesehead. Packer after Packer. Green Bay after Green Bay. NFC team after NFC team , and they call me an assassin! Well, what do you call it when the assassins accuse the assassin?~
Mr. Obvious
November 22nd, 2010
4:21 pm
Michael Vick may be a DOG-GONE-GOOD Quarterback, but he is still a walking disease spreader.
DOG-GONE…
H
A!
I kill me!
TheBurner33
November 22nd, 2010
4:21 pm
@Katherine
Yes….and them saying Who Dat…is also lame….they sound like a bunch of uneducated cajun…oh wait…nevermind
….
Goldie
November 22nd, 2010
4:23 pm
Atlanta caught some glimpses of Vick’s “greatness” while he was here, but it sure wasn’t worth all the pain and grief that he brought along with him and his “greatness”. I do wish Vick the best now that he’s playing in a different city and I hope we never see him play in Atlanta as a Falcon ever again!
BeerDawg
November 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
You heard it here folks, while Vick has been absolutely amazing, the way he plays, he WILL suffer another major injury before the season ends. He’s 30 years old, not very big, and someone will put a major hit on him. In the NFL, you cannot sustain his style of play like that…
skeptomania
November 22nd, 2010
4:24 pm
I am concerned about the running game. Is it predictable play calling on 1st and 2nd down or Turner is a step slower or blocking? Two years ago we could run the clock out with a lead in the 4th. If it wasn’t for that lame shuttle pass the Rams would have scored. We couldn’t stop Philly and New England. Dunta Robinson has not been impressive so far. He looks overrated. Don’t get these players with the long hair in football? They look unprofessional. But this year there isn’t one dominating team so who knows.
Cooter
November 22nd, 2010
4:25 pm
MB> Great article. Was exactly what I was thinking when I read MMQB. I think that PK might be doing his part to fan the fire in anticipation of Next Sunday. Any word on whether the NFL is changing the start time to 8:30PM?
Goldie
November 22nd, 2010
4:25 pm
SeenThisB4 @ 4:11 — Atlanta Falcons: WE DAT!
Packer Backer in ATL
November 22nd, 2010
4:25 pm
You guys are really riled up over a fictitious ranking that is meaningless due to the playoffs? Living in ATL, I’m happy for the Falcons’ “recent” success, but to suggest a media bias is laughable considering that the Packers are located in the NFL’s smallest city. Also, lets not forget that the Falcons just recently achieved two winning seasons in a row.
A more pertinent discussion should be how the Falcons are going to slow down the Packers’ offense. Again, the Falcons are having a great season thus far. However, they better give Turner an awful lot of carries if they intend on keeping the Pack from going up and down the field. And don’t forget to watch out for this outside linebacker named Clay Matthews Jr.
Btw, The Pack beat the Eagles in Philly this year.