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
james
November 22nd, 2010
9:08 pm
What was said last night is something along the lines you have the falcons and the saints both at least 7-3, the wording may not be exact, bad announcers for not specifying the falcons records. People are so sensivitive. You know why the falcons get no love, they do not have that one defining win, where it was like dang they destroyed that team, and no cardinals do not count. Until they start actually putting teams away, they will not be viewed as an elite team. Also, lets be honest do you think the falcons D scares anyone? And before you start, I am a falcons fan, just being honest.
jarvis
November 22nd, 2010
9:44 pm
i dont even care about the falcons being recognized just play and win just like they did in 1998 ( the superbowl year). pay attention to the following game and play yall heart out ATL!!!!! because u have “one of the better teams” coming to our home with hype. this is no statement game because we made plenty already. we win they will cover the patriots in the afc then back to the saints in the nfc so stay focus Falcons!!!!!!
jarvis
November 22nd, 2010
9:53 pm
@james …….ur right….the falcons have good d but they give up at times they need to hold then they eventually make plays that count or the offense have to take over the game but the other teams get desperate that when the falcons d looks bad and that takes everything they did in that game anyway…..but dont forget this defense is young so imagine when they get more mature……. if u r reading this Falcons we need that complete game during the rest of the season……play the rest of this season like it is the playoffs
JD
November 22nd, 2010
9:54 pm
Do not worry about what the media thinks. Just win each week. That will show who is the best!!! Go Falcons!!!!!!!!
jarvis
November 22nd, 2010
10:10 pm
or if yall dont want to play a “complete” game yet dont make it to the playoffs because i know this team can win it all just play like yall know yall can…… dont play, dominate for 60mins!!!!!
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2010
10:35 pm
In 8 of the games, what has happened is the Falcons did play the complete game . . . . . .or should I say were ahead when the game was completed. OK, look at the Ravens game . . ….everyone pans the team, specifically D for 2nd half. That was a very good Ravens offense . . …what should be focused on is the great 1st half that allowed them to get a 10 point lead (I think). The Ravens looked good at times, very good. But it was they who didn’t have the complete game . . .as a result of the Falcs D and total dominance in ball control & 3rd down conversions. Same with the 49ers! The Falcs stayed close and then completed the game when it mattered . . ..at the end. If it wasn’t for some great play early against the Saints, then that game doesn’t go into OT . . ..and the Saints. . …obvious not a complete game due to an incompletion!!! No one worried about beating us last year due to bad FG kicking. Same goes for Browns . . . ..we completed that game!!! Steelers game was there for taking . . .we did not complete!!! Don’t think we ever actually started against the Eagles . . . .so no use even thinking about completing there:)
Shawn
November 22nd, 2010
11:08 pm
A lot of people in this comments section seem to be assuming the Falcons will beat the Packers in 6 days. That game remains undecided, and if the play of both teams over the last 3 weeks is to be believed, that game belongs to Green Bay.
Once "Recent" Reader
November 22nd, 2010
11:30 pm
Shawn . . . ..heard much of the same about the Falcons chances of victory before the Ravens game . . ….also before the Saints game. But we’ll know around 4:15 pm on Sunday.
Duffman
November 23rd, 2010
12:48 am
Alert ESPN? Hasn’t ESPN had us at #1 in their Power Rankings for a week?
RTW
November 23rd, 2010
1:23 am
To TampaGator and all: I saw the NBC coverage as well and couldn’t believe they mentioned the Falcons at 7 and 3. Following TG’s cite below is another Douche who is unaware as well. I was checking out “Power Rankings” and found the following. Nice credibility.
TampaGator
November 22nd, 2010
10:30 am
Also…..last night on the NFL game on NBC….the announcers raved about Tampa Bay and New Orleans as being agood at 7-3…and then they threw in the Atlanta Falcons as being a good 7-3 team as well…
Problem with that….the Falcons are 8-2, the best record in the NFC, and they beat both Tampa Bay and New Orleans.
So….it is not only ESPN not giving the Falcons any love.
RTW: Now another idiot who doesn’t give the Falcons any love.
NFL Predictions Week Twelve NFL Power Rankings: Vick, Falcons Rise November 23, 2010 Joe Lazauskas Two NFC teams crack the top 3! Five NFC teams crack the top 10! Exclamation points are way overused!
1. PATRIOTS-8-2 (1): There is no truth to the rumor that Danny Woodhead has been chosen to replace the kid in the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men. He’s just not tall enough.-Dr. Juan
2. FALCONS-7-3 (2): All of their big games down the stretch are at home. If they beat the Saints and Packers and get home field, they’ll have the best chance of any team at going to the Super Bowl.-Joe
Sports Review
November 23rd, 2010
1:25 am
[...] So the Falcons sit atop the NFC? Alert ESPN and Peter King – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blo…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 [...]
Falcons 2010
November 23rd, 2010
3:27 am
I don’t really care about mid season rankings, the only NFC “ranking” … the only way to find out who is the best NFC team, is to see who goes to the Super Bowl to face the AFC’s best team. These rankings now are just formalities
jarvis
November 23rd, 2010
4:58 am
@ shawn i doubt it……falcons oline have been a force since philly game so they defense rush wouldnt mean much and they not play a team in disarray they playing an actual TEAM which is balance on all sides of the ball….the only chance they can beat us is pass it all the time but the falcons make adjustments every week so they might be more tougher than the week b4 on the passing game……take ur glasses off and realize u never know what the d will give u for the falcons so rodgers just might not get it done like in 2008 when we had an even weaker secondary
jarvis
November 23rd, 2010
5:00 am
we still won!!!! but this time we at home so we will rise up!!!!
jarvis
November 23rd, 2010
5:05 am
gb didnt play nobody……they play teams that was already thinking about firing they coach after the end of the season…mike smith is safe because he done things that was never done b4……and this team is actually a team
jarvis
November 23rd, 2010
5:11 am
wow!!!!! gb played ny jets, dallas, and the vikings the last 3 game how empressive………not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! oh and they only beat ny jets by 3 fieldgoals…. i wasted time of my life even sending these texts
cwltank
November 23rd, 2010
5:51 am
Enter your comments here
cwltank
November 23rd, 2010
5:54 am
I agree Vick had his chance he blew it. It is amazeing that he is playing incredible football right now. Keep in mind this the NFL. Once teams figure out a way to stop Vick the Eagles will fold. Running QB’s careers end early. Ask steve young & Cunningham about it.
Samuel
November 23rd, 2010
6:05 am
Tyrone you make no sense The Falcons never did anything to Vick. He’ll tell you himself he was the reason for his down fall. Stop being an Idiot and move on.
Falther50
November 23rd, 2010
8:04 am
No respect. I watched the pregame Sunday, and the crew was gaga over the Bucs – it will be that way on the 5th – the MSM would love to see Tampa Bay & Philly in the NFC Championship.
stendek
November 23rd, 2010
8:44 am
Huh Tyrone?
Tyrone
November 22nd, 2010
10:28 am
If the Falcons had not treated MV7 like garbage when he was here, had kept him like they should have and had not stabbed him in the back, then Peter King would be ranking the Falcons as #1 right now instead of the Eagles.
Hate on THAT, you sorry Haters!
Really? Not a word of truth in this mess pal!
STENDEK
stendek
November 23rd, 2010
8:49 am
Michael Sick will be non factor at end of season. Was almost non factor in second half of most recent showdown. Eagles won despite the dog killer not because of him. Do not look for thug to finish season intact. That will be wonderful Christmas present! STENDEK
stendek
November 23rd, 2010
8:53 am
I know who is going to see plenty of action when the Packers are in town. GRIMES! Sigh. Call Victor Von Frankenstein to resurrect some type of pass rush. It will be needed. Falcons may need to consider blitzes. LISTENING MR GRIMES? STENDEK
D Orlando Bedwetter
November 23rd, 2010
9:37 am
Band
Alex Karras in Webster
November 23rd, 2010
9:40 am
Meineke Car Care Bowl
Deborah Hall
November 23rd, 2010
1:02 pm
It is so amusing how everyone is talking about the other teams being #1 and the team that is not running their mouth is #1 in NFC. We have six more games, of course, I am always optimistic when it comes to the Falcons, they will DEFEND THE DOME. Good things come to those who have waited and they deserve another winning season and the playoffs.
Pickettboy
November 23rd, 2010
1:40 pm
Everyone needs to stop all the speculations cause before the season started a lot of fans picked Atlanta to go 9-7 or either 8-8 so we are blessed to be where we are at 8-2 with 6 games left. Just chill out and stop all the negative talk and keep believing! Go Falcons and RISE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
John
November 23rd, 2010
2:05 pm
Just how does any reasonable Falcon fan think they’re better than the Eagles? What area are the Falcons better? QB, Receivers, Defense, Kicker, Coach….C’mon homers be realistic! The Falcons aren’t great at any one area, however they do some things well. And that aint gonna win you a Super Bowl.
GBcoming
November 23rd, 2010
2:05 pm
Sweet…..I always did like the big dreamers …we’re going dirty bird hunting and you’ll be watching us from your living room chair come the end of the season
Fish Bisch
November 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
Today’s ESPN and CBS Sports website has the Falcons as #1 in the weekly power rankings.
GBcoming
November 23rd, 2010
2:17 pm
You are lucky you like your coach we could arrange his dismissal if you would like………The coach killers
GameReviewer
November 23rd, 2010
3:39 pm
I love the Falcons “never quit” attitude this year. But, with a great Green Bay passing attack against a mediocre Falcons secondary, it could be a long Sunday afternoon for the Falcons. They will need ALL of their ball control magic to pull this one out.
Kurt
November 23rd, 2010
6:19 pm
Really who cares about Power Rankings. It’s all one persons opinion. As a Packer fan I even have to admit I don’t see how Atlanta isn’t ranked ahead of us. IMO they should be #1 at this point.
Nevertheless, I don’t think PK is making a ridiculous point ranking the Packer #1. They have the top scoring D in the NFL, a star QB and an explosive offense. They lead the league by a wide margin in Net point differential. They lost two games in OT by a FG and then another at Chicago by a FG in which they dominated the Bears but committed 18 penalties and yet barely lost. They’ve also won at Philly and at NY Jets.
But really all this means nothing. We’ll know who is better come Sunday afternoon…
Ross
November 23rd, 2010
9:59 pm
We interrupt this complainin’ ’bout Yankees and such (justified tho’ it may be) to say, even ESPN thinks we’s number 1:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings/_/year/2010/week/12
TCCB
November 23rd, 2010
10:44 pm
In this division all of the teams are sorry!!!! So the Falcons are the best of the sorry teams.
jarvis
November 23rd, 2010
10:46 pm
who cares just play football….gb really didnt play an tough oppenent until they step foot in our dome…..packers fan stop dreaming……even with a bad secondary they still cant beat the falcons at home!
jarvis
November 23rd, 2010
10:47 pm
opponent….oooops!!!!!!!!!
Bum
November 24th, 2010
12:29 am
Sorry guys. The Packers have suffered more injuries to key players than any team in the league, and yet they are 7-3 with 2 overtime losses in games where they suffered most of these injuries. Many players are rejoining the roster and they are getting better every week. They not just beat 2 spiraling teams, they pounded them and sent the coach packing. If you watched those games, they could have easily scored 50 in both. Mike McCarthy is famous for taking the air out of the ball with a lead. Rodgers barely played in the 4th quarter against the Vikings. Our d-backs can’t handle their receivers, and most importantly we don’t match well on the lines. Sorry. Packers 31-17. We just aren’t there yet.
Bertman
November 24th, 2010
8:24 am
Watching the Falcons beat Vickadelphia would be as much fun as watching the Falcons go to New Orleans and BEAT the 2009 world champs.. GO BIRDS
Matt
November 24th, 2010
8:46 am
Jarvis,
The Packers just beat the Jets not too long ago, who are 8-2, in NY, with a shutout… is that not a quality opponent?
Paladin
November 24th, 2010
10:28 am
Reality check:
1. Oddsmakers set the betting line to make money for the books. It is a business and they do not make decisions based upon emotions as fans may do. Sports books are out to make a profit. Historically, the Packers attract more money at the sports books because they have a very wide and loyal fan base, even at the betting windows. So, the oddsmakers tend to weigh in favor of the Packers opponents in order to influence the betting line to their advantage.
2. The Packers comfortably beat the Eagles earlier this season. In Philadelphia.
3. There’s a lot of season still left to be played after Sunday. Don’t pin your hopes for the team’s future on one regular season game. Regardless of the outcome, the losing team could advance deep into the playoffs and still win it all. It does not matter who the best team is after week 12, only after the final game of the playoffs. Otherwise, you may as well throw in the towel should the game be lost. Keep it in perspective.
4. Respect your foe. This is a well-coached, deeply talented team that has put 6 starters on IR since the beginning of the season. Yet, they still have managed to establish the best point differential of any NFL team (points scored vs. points scored by their opponents). They make absolutely no excuses nor have they let their bad luck with injuries get them down.
RobbE33
November 24th, 2010
10:31 am
Shhhhhh…. Keep us on the down low! Pose these questions when Petey is scratching his skunk patch wondering, “How did the Falcons win the Super Bowl?” :~]
Honestly, the Falcons are playing very well but haven’t exactly dominated a quality team for an entire game. Still, with a few more lucky breaks and innovative schemes, we have as good a chance as anyone; just not the flashy star power mega egos of the Northeastern teams that attrack the gambling media gurus.
Dario
November 24th, 2010
11:36 am
I live in Italy, but i follow football since 1987, and i’ve always been a Falcons fan.
First and foremost: is a rarity to see the Falcons that high on Power Rankings. If you remember, either in 1998 we flied under the radar and then we went to the Superbowl. So i prefer not to be in the first place today only to crumble at the and of the season…
second: i don’t understand sometimes the logics of Power Rankings: i mean, football is not math. I don’t think that if Packers beat the eagles and the eagles beat the falcons,than the Packers are better than the falcons.
This is ridiculous. The NFL is becoming a league in which no one have a default win or loss, whoever is the upcoming foe.
You can see the Patriots lose to Cleveland and then win big vs Pittsburgh and Indianapolis.
So i think that when you’re thinking about to create a power ranking all you have to think about is who is the better NOW.
Don’t waste your time thinking about what happened six or seven weeks ago, because all the teams right now are very different compared on who they were at the beginning of the season.
You have to analyze who is in better shape and who has gained the most now.
so, i think we’re not the best team in the league (to me New england is the best right now) but cetainly we are the team to beat in the NFC right now.
In any case, i leave all those analysts say what they want any given tuesday, all i care about is where we will be in late January…
Go Falcons and greetings from Italy.
P.S. For all of you that don’t know, the NFL is very popular here, but it’s hard to find many falcons fan…
Ross
November 24th, 2010
12:13 pm
Ciao Dario! Alzati!
Btwarren
November 24th, 2010
2:05 pm
Can we put out a missing person alert for Harry Douglas. We were told he was part of the reason for last years playoff miss. well he is back this year and may as well not be. Is he still injured and we just aren’t hearing about it or is he just not very good.
Chucktown38
November 24th, 2010
3:49 pm
You Vick people talking about Vick coming to Atlanta making a statement to the organization. He already made his statement to Atlanta ” He stuck it in every ones arse and broke it off” and yet people still love him? You can trace animal cruelty to murders as well as a dumb arse’s to loving Vick!
Fannnatic
November 24th, 2010
3:52 pm
Falcons are good, no doubt about that. What’s funny to me is you guys can’t sell out an 80k seat stadium in a huge city like Atlanta!! LOL Green Bay’s population is about 100 thousand and you can’t sniff a seat for under 150$ online. Great fans in ATL……seriously…..
Chucktown38
November 24th, 2010
3:53 pm
Just remember any given sunday
Chucktown38
November 24th, 2010
3:54 pm
Hey fannatic how big is GB’s ghetto compared to the ATL’s?
Chucktown38
November 24th, 2010
3:55 pm
How many people from the South move to GB on purpose and how many move to the ATL from up North?