The Falcons’ biggest remaining game? Well, it ain’t the Saints

It’s a mismatch on paper. It should be a mismatch on the field. But this is the NFL, and this will be just another given Sunday, and we all know what that means.

The Falcons’ biggest remaining regular-season game isn’t the ballyhooed one against the Saints here two nights after Christmas. The biggest remaining game comes Sunday in Seattle. Provided the Falcons beat the Seahawks, they would have only to handle Carolina, which is the NFL’s worst team and has won on only one given Sunday, here on Jan. 2 to claim both the NFC South title and the conference’s No. 1 seed.

The Falcons can lose to the Saints and still finish No. 1 in their division and the NFC. (It would come down to the common-opponent tiebreaker, which the Saints would lose because they lost to the Browns, whom the Falcons beat on the strength of Kroy Biermann’s bat-and-grab.) The Falcons cannot lose to both the Seahawks and the Saints and be assured of even a first-round bye.

The Seahawks, working in Year 1 under Pete Carroll, aren’t very good. They’re 6-7 and enter Sunday’s game as a six-point home underdog. Since winning at Chicago on Oct. 13, Seattle has beaten only Arizona (twice) and Carolina. This team shouldn’t beat the Falcons anywhere anytime, but the Falcons have, as we know, become the kings of cutting it close.

Unlike the Panthers, with whom the Falcons toyed last Sunday, the Seahawks actually have reason to play. They can still win the NFC West, which tells us everything we need to know about the NFC West, but never mind. They’re past due to beat somebody.

Even the process of getting to Seattle can throw a team off its stride. The Falcons are leaving Friday, as opposed to the customary Saturday road-game-departure. They’ll be playing in a stadium that can be raucous. And they’ll be playing a team they should beat at a time when this city is beginning to buzz over the Saints game.

“That’ll be a tough ticket,” the former Falcon great Jessie Tuggle told me this week, and even in this sweet season the Falcons haven’t had many tough-ticket dates. But first things first: Win in Seattle, then worry about the Saints. Or don’t worry about the Saints, because a win in Seattle makes that game more for show than for dough.

By Mark Bradley

132 comments Add your comment

rawdawg

December 16th, 2010
11:14 am

first

back on top

Adam

December 16th, 2010
11:15 am

FIRST!

KUDOS TO ME!

Adam

December 16th, 2010
11:16 am

Dang, rawdawg…

Evidently I shouldn’t have read the article

rawdawg

December 16th, 2010
11:18 am

rawdawg

December 16th, 2010
11:18 am

Enter your comments here

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
11:19 am

Kudos to rawdawg, for the fourth time this week.

Advice to Adam: Never read the post.

rawdawg

December 16th, 2010
11:22 am

Just read it after

Marcus

December 16th, 2010
11:23 am

agree 100%,MB. Just win …. don’t make this an unnecessary trap game.

Birdman

December 16th, 2010
11:25 am

Mathematically this is a true article, but beating the Saints twice in a regular season would be so much more valuable emotionally, especially considering they might be coming to town during the playoffs and we need them to be low on confidence. So beating Seattle needs to happen, but we need to win that game on Monday night to springboard to a Superbowl run.

Ted M

December 16th, 2010
11:26 am

The Falcons need to start putting complete games together or they won’t last in the playoffs.

Sid

December 16th, 2010
11:27 am

If we don’t go out to Seattle and play to win with “Championship Mentatility” then we deserve whatever seed we get. Truthfully, this game is a test of did the Falcons really earn the #1 seed or stumble into it. They deserve it, yes, but go out to Seattle and answer all your critics (and trolls) by putting them down hard. This half speed crap they came out with in the 2nd half against Carolina is not championship football, take care of business Falcons, dig those talons into the Seahawks deep.

Chris

December 16th, 2010
11:28 am

This should be a good game for Mattie Ice. The Seahawks secondary has not been good this year. Look for Roddy White and Gonzalez early.

PMC

December 16th, 2010
11:29 am

What is thier biggest remaining game from 2007?

FALCONS SORRY

December 16th, 2010
11:30 am

WHEN DO I GET KUDOS I POST IN EVER ONE OF THES BLOGS!!!!

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
11:33 am

Kudos, FALCONS SORRY.

FALCONS SORRY

December 16th, 2010
11:33 am

YOUR RIGHT MB I SHOULDN’T HAVE RED THE ARTICLE SINCE IT IS GARBAGE ANYWAY ABOUT THE FALCONS NEEDED TO BEAT THE SEAHAWKS IN SEATTLE WHAT A JOKE AND A CLASSIC CHOKE GAME

Gary O

December 16th, 2010
11:34 am

The Falcons need this game, because with Dome field advantage throughout the playoffs, they would have a great shot to make it to the SB.

If they have to play on the road (for example, at N.O. or at Philly) to get to the SB, I’m not so confident.

baldy87

December 16th, 2010
11:34 am

One of the worst scenarios is – beat the Seahawks, get drilled at home by New Orleans, and then beat Carolina. I say that because if we lay an egg against New Orleans at home – then it will be New Orleans who enters the playoffs thinking that they can be anyone in the NFC. I still think that game is bigger than the Seattle game, purely from a momentum standpoint. The Falcons win over New Orleans in their dome seems like it was 5 years ago, and frankly, the Falcons DID luck into that one. We can’t count on many missed 29 yard field goals. I want to see them play their best game against the Saints and end all of the arguments.

Sid

December 16th, 2010
11:35 am

MB, kissing up to the trolls…………..I think there is an opening at the New Orleans Daily Bugle……

indianman

December 16th, 2010
11:37 am

i can call a team 11 and 2 sorry your need go to brain doctor

Seriously?????????

December 16th, 2010
11:38 am

A post about the current 11-2 Falcons. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Better than that garbage last post you made, which ironically I noticed you never made any response to. You responded twice on this article in less than an hour.

The Grinch

December 16th, 2010
11:38 am

You’ll get kudos when you stop posting entirely.

I agree this is a huge game; as great a season as we’ve had if we lose this one and lose to the Saints, we’ll still have a good record but not be in particularly good shape for the playoffs. The only POSSIBLE chance we have of beating the Eagles will be if we’re at home.

Thankfully, this team has appeared to be pretty mentally tough to this point.

PMC

December 16th, 2010
11:39 am

Baldy, the Falcons handled the Saints for 3.5 Quarters in thier own building. The Saints were lucky they had a chance for their idiot druggy kicker to fail.

JeanE

December 16th, 2010
11:39 am

Totally agree, Mark. We’ll be pumped to play the Saints but not so much the Seahawks and there’s the long trip, blah blah blah. This game makes me nervous! One big reason the games are always close is our very “offensive” coordinator, Mularkey (was a name every more appropriate?!). As soon as a lead emerges, he hunkers down and gets ultra conserative with a play not to lose mentality. It’s drives me ape-sh*t!! This offense is capable of really unleashing but they are held in by Mularkey and by tacit agreement, Smitty. I have been very impressed with our resiliency this year so I hope we continue to show it. Go Birds!!

Chamwa

December 16th, 2010
11:41 am

If we beat Seattle….we will play conservative vs. the Saints, not needing the win necessarily. It would be nice to clinch the division againt them though!

Kennesaw Falcons Fan

December 16th, 2010
11:41 am

Falcons will win out. Simple as that. 14-2. Easy math.

Donte Killworth

December 16th, 2010
11:41 am

This does have “trap game” written all over it, but I think the Dirty Birds will pull it off. Hey, Ho, Rodney Ho has gotta go. Holla acha boy #firerodneyho

Eric

December 16th, 2010
11:42 am

I would have been worried about a game like this a few weeks ago before we beat Baltimore and GB. But the more I think about it the more this team seems destined to go to the Super Bowl just like in 1998. There is just that feeling to every game that no matter what some miracle happens and we win. Roddy’s strip at the end of the SF game, the stop on 4th and goal vs. TB, NO missing a chip shot field goal. It seems like the hand of the football gods intervenes every week and we win, somehow, someway.

It also should be our year considering our division. The NFC South has sent every other team to the Super Bowl this decade and I think 2010 is the Falcons year. Unfortunately we will get to face the best team in a generation (New England) just like we did in 1998 (Denver) and we all know how that went….

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley, The Corner News and Chris Heiden, Brenda Clayson. Brenda Clayson said: RT @MarkBradleyAJC The #Falcons' biggest remaining game? It ain't the #Saints. http://bit.ly/fdEthg [...]

Dr. Warren

December 16th, 2010
11:44 am

If Bears and Vikings really come to the GA DOME to play their game, that would could present a slight disadvantage to the Falcons in the playoffs. The reason? The Bears would get a chance to get more familiar with the GA Dome than they otherwise would have, and that, in turn, might erode the Falcons’ vaunted Dome Field Advantage just a bit.

ATLien

December 16th, 2010
11:45 am

Still need to beat the Saints, but a win vs Seattle gives us a little breathing room. HUGE GAME!!!

Jim

December 16th, 2010
11:45 am

Saints were lucky. If the punt hadn’t found the heel they wouldn’t have missed the field goal.

Brian F.

December 16th, 2010
11:48 am

Just Win Baby !!!

DawgDad

December 16th, 2010
11:48 am

If this was a college game the line would be what, Falcons by 20-1/2?

You can’t ever afford to take an NFL team lightly, especially on the road, but Seattle beating Atlanta this week would be the upset of the year. The Falcons are getting precious little respect from the NFL analysts and running mouths on gamedays; I suspect this team is chomping at the bit to get the business of clinching done quickly. The Falcons players, in the interviews I’ve seen, appear very focused and dedicated to the mission at hand.

PMC

December 16th, 2010
11:49 am

If everyone think’s it’s a “trap game” is it?

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
11:50 am

Speaking of trap games: Does anyone remember the bad guy in “The Fantastic Four” comic books named the Trapster?

Birdman

December 16th, 2010
11:51 am

Home field advantage isnt about knowing a stadium. They all have the same dimensions, most of the artificial surfaces are all pretty much the same. So playing in the dome with your fans filling the seats and then coming back with a full dirty bird house in the playoffs is two completely different worlds, one does not aid the other.

Birddawg24

December 16th, 2010
11:58 am

Ted M is absolutely right. this playing catch up will catch up to them.seattle will be a tough game. beat them then focus on saints.beating the saints Will Be Harder This Time. I wouldnt pop the champagne corks just yet. sorry guys been a falcon fan for a long time but im being cautiously optomistic.but hey who knows. and dont forget the carolina game, at this point every game is important.

ATLien

December 16th, 2010
12:00 pm

This is not a “trap game”!!!!! Seattle is fighting for a playoff spot, so Atlanta knows they’ll get Seattle’s best shot. However, in my opinion, it won’t be enough. The Falcons know what’s at stake. I think they’ll be more than ready.

The Grinch

December 16th, 2010
12:01 pm

Eric, in 1998 we beat the best team in a generation in the Vikings. Denver wasn’t anywhere NEAR as good. We just had a major letdown.

BirdDog

December 16th, 2010
12:02 pm

Falcons need to take care of bidness. They seem to play to the level of competition and cannot put away the bad teams. But, who cares about style points? Just win baby!

Fake FALCONS SORRY on Here = Loser

December 16th, 2010
12:03 pm

The loser on here posting under FALCONS SORRY’S name is pathetic. How big of a dweeb do you have to be to make fun of someone’s intelligence by mocking their posts and how they communicate?

The real FALCONS SORRY is far more amusing (and original), but I didn’t realize he had so many worshippers and copycats on here.

Get your own handle and stop making fun of minorities, Loser. The real guy/gal doesn’t need any help in sounding ridiculous.

tell it like it is

December 16th, 2010
12:04 pm

I think its a trap game,only if the falcons allow it to be.

dean

December 16th, 2010
12:04 pm

I want to beat the Saints THREE times to get to the SB. Hard? Yes. Can it happen? OH HAIL YES!(credit to that guy who used to carry that sign to every game at ATL-Fulton Co.)

Curious George

December 16th, 2010
12:04 pm

Isn’t “The Trapster” in the FANTASTIC FOUR books also known as “Paste Pot Pete,” Mark?

Supes

December 16th, 2010
12:05 pm

Win them all…don’t take your foot off the pedal if you are the Falcons.

I don’t think this is a “trap” game, this team is too mature for that. It’s a tough place to play…but if you are a playoff contender you come in here and whip them…I saw the CHIEFS and the GIANTS (2 other contending teams) come in here and stop Seattle so why not our FALCONS???

The only concern is the late 2nd or 3rd quarter “lulls” that this team has been falling into…I expect the Falcons D to have a huge game…the 49ers did last week against Seattle…now it’s our turn.

Dr. Warren

December 16th, 2010
12:05 pm

Familiarity is not so simple, Birdman. The whole routine from the hotel to the drive over to the locker room will be more familiar. And yes, buildings can become familiar, too, despite who is sitting in the seats. Traditionally, teams have a better winning percentage on the road against their division rivals than they do against non-division foes. Familiarity the buildings and fields and lighting most likely plays a factor there to some extent.

Larry

December 16th, 2010
12:13 pm

For all the right reasons we must beat Seattle! However, I disagree with those who say we must then beat the Saints again so that should we meet again in the playoffs they will be ow on confidence.

Remember, the Saints are the Super Bowls Champions and are right their with the Falcons as one the top 2-3 teams in the NFC. They are NOT a fluke at 10-3! Losing to them on MNF–if we take care of business against the Seahawks and Panthers–would not be necessarily a bad thing as the likelihood of defeating a defending Super Bowl Champion and one of the most well coached and talented teams in the NFL three consecutive times in the same season is remote!

I don’t like them, but I certainly do respect the Saints, and I wouldn’t be all too upset if we had the extra motivation to beat them after they had beaten us in our own backyard. Again, I would prefer to win out and spank the Saints again but let’s keep everything in perspective!

ET

December 16th, 2010
12:16 pm

Comic books! Comic books! You want me to talk comic books? We might not make the comic books!!!

Scott

December 16th, 2010
12:16 pm

Need to win this one, but also hoping the Saints lose to the Ravens, Falcons, and The Bucs. That way they don’t play in January! It’s Possible!

Bradleyisalwayswrong

December 16th, 2010
12:26 pm

Mark, are Adam and rawdog your relatives, or do they just not have anything meaningful in their lives to focus on?

nhlfan79

December 16th, 2010
12:28 pm

My flight for Seattle leaves tomorrow morning. I will be there to RISE UP in person.

Trainwreck

December 16th, 2010
12:39 pm

We have praised this Falcons team for being more mentally tough than those Mora led teams and noted all through the year that some games we won this year we would not have won a few years back. So I don’t see a reason that trend won’t continue. Falcons WILL get it done.

mike barnett

December 16th, 2010
12:45 pm

the team in photo is usc thats not a pro team get it right

Freshmaker

December 16th, 2010
12:45 pm

Looks like Mike doesn’t get the joke

GT

December 16th, 2010
12:49 pm

“the team in photo is usc thats not a pro team get it right”

That is a joke referring to USC

Falcon Maine-eack

December 16th, 2010
12:53 pm

Take a lead from Belichek’s team – look what they did to two contenders the past two weeks. They’re at full throttle and won’t let up until they’re in Dallas. When a team considers every play important the games wins take care of themselves. If we keep saying, someone will make a play – sooner or later it ain’t going to happen. Let’s embarass our next three opponents, then we can have SUPER confidence going into the playoffs.

Enemas for Christmas

December 16th, 2010
12:55 pm

Seattle is that much of a threat?

Just SHOOT Me

December 16th, 2010
1:02 pm

Seattle 20, Atlanta 17. Mike Williams comes up with a big grab late in the 4th which will setup Olindo Mare with a field goal. Watch, Wait, and See. Tell em’ JustSHOOTMe told ya.

Tony from Stone Mountain

December 16th, 2010
1:04 pm

Paste-Pot-Pete (Peter Petruski) is the Trapsters original name. He is a founding member of the Frightful Four. Come check out my comic book shop Mark! http://www.thedragonshorde.com

SquirrelDawg

December 16th, 2010
1:04 pm

Bradley you are wrong…….
The common opponents record is also tied, we lost to Pittsburgh and NO beat Pittsburgh……..The actual tie-breaker that is applied is the strength of schedule, and since 14 of the 16 games are the same that leaves only two games we are talking about……NO played Dallas and Minnesota, we played Philly and Green Bay….the overall record, division record, conference record, and common opponent records are all the same based on Bradleys scenario……..I am surprised that your editors would let you put out false information

DPHIL

December 16th, 2010
1:06 pm

Get your tickets now! We are going to the Bowl That’s SUPERBOWL all you migrated NFL fans and not your team!

bottomline

December 16th, 2010
1:06 pm

This is definitely a special year for our Falcons. Winning the next two games is critical! It will be hard against the Panthers because they have nothing to lose and a “freak accident” would destroy everything the Falcons have worked so hard for this season. Home field advantage is definitely a plus, but nothing is guaranteed in this league. Minnesota last year, the Patriots undefeated season ended in disaster, so on and so forth. I don’t think the Falcons are that naive to go to Seattle thinking that this will be a cake walk. New Orleans is probably even hotter than Atlanta right now, so we need to cool them down… I honestly, see us finishing 13-3, #1 seeded, and a great run in the playoffs. I believe that this is our year, but so does everyone else about their respective teams. This will be the year to remember!!! I don’t know what’s around the bend, but hopefully when the dust settles in Dallas, coach Smith and Falcons are celebrating the biggest victory ever for our state. It’s possible. I like the Patriots, but David did defeat Goliath!!!

dawg4u

December 16th, 2010
1:20 pm

This is definitely the biggest game of the season Sunday vs. the Seahawks. I read a column by Steve Kelley in the Seattle Times yesterday and he was not at all inspired by the Seahawk’s chances Sunday. In fact it was doom and gloom basically for them against the NFC leading Falcons. I think the Falcons win another close game by seven points or maybe even three or four. Dan Reeves was asked to compare this year’s Falcons to those in ‘98 that went to the Super Bowl and he gave the ‘98 team the edge on defense because they were much more experienced. He also noted that Chris Chandler was exceptional in ‘98 for throwing the deep pass and that Jamaal Anderson had a super year at running back but really likes this year’s team and thinks they have an excellent chance to get even better and go far in the playoffs. You’re right on in that this is THE big game for the Falcons this year.

DHunt

December 16th, 2010
1:22 pm

Falcons 14-2. I said it at the beginning of the year, I’m sure bradley or some other archive searching guru can confirm. This is the most focused Falcons team that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen most of them. This is the best coached Falcons team, This is the most complete Falcons team. This is the best team in the NFL, regardless of what New England looks like they are doing. The Jets and the Bears really did it to themselves.

The Falcons are going to tear the Seahawks apart, one feather at a time. Multi-faceted and multiple 7+ minute touchdown drives, Bonecrushing and backbreaking defense, precise and consistent special teams. This is what we do. You must not be watching the games if you can’t see the sheer Football mastery at work here. Getting better and healthier every game.

After we beat New Orleans, every sportswriter and tv talking head will be saying the exact same thing that I just said about this team. Nobody wants to give them credit just yet, because the Falcons history is still to fresh in our minds. That much failure is hard to flush out of your system. But football purists (more so than just fans) should see it. The Falcons have been a dominant team in all facets of the game, when it mattered most. This is not a team on the verge of falling apart. This team is rising.

FALCONS RISE UP!

Colonel Kurtz

December 16th, 2010
1:25 pm

Well, you see, Bradley, in this season, things get confused out there. Power, ideals, the old division favorites, and practical football necessity. But out there with ESPN, it must be a temptation to be God. Because there’s a conflict in every human heart, between the rational and irration, between good and evil. And good does not always triumph. Just look up Trent Dilfer. Sometimes, the dark side overcomes what Lincoln called the better angels of our nature

This by far is the biggest game the Falcons face in 13 seasons. Win and not only is a playoff berth secured but all of the pressure rest on the Saints. Remember they have to deal with the Ravens in the cold this week (Not exactly a gimme contest). With a Falcon win and a Saint’s loss we will have a two game lead with two to play.

JONESBORO SLIM

December 16th, 2010
1:26 pm

You people who think the Falcons may lose to the “BROKEN WINGS” why don’t you get off the bus..you’re acting like a b*tch..you’re so scared…you were scared when they played Ravens, Packers, Saints…and quit using the word “WE” you don’t play…theyyyyy play.. this team doesn’t play like the 98 team..they have a different mind set…the old Falcons (under the Smith’s) didn’t have this mind set they were in it for the money remember all the in fighting?…..these Falcons players today have a winning attitude that started when Arthur purchased the team …and as we all know “Winning Starts at the TOP”…at the begining of the season you were the ones saying the O-Line was too small our this our that…I just wonder why so players from other teams want to come to the Falcons….they know it ..too bad you don’t…..so the Falcon bus is pulling into the “HOUSE OF PUNKS”…GET OFF

Eric

December 16th, 2010
1:27 pm

SquirrelDawg –

Last I checked the Saints also lost to Arizona, a team we humiliated in week two. You are the one passing along false info my friend….

Colonel Kurtz

December 16th, 2010
1:28 pm

Just Shoot Me Sir, I am unaware of any such activity or operation… nor would I be disposed to discuss such an operation if it did in fact exist, sir.

C from Marietta

December 16th, 2010
1:28 pm

Actually SquirrelDawg. It’s you who are wrong. Falcons beat Arizona and Cleveland. They lost to Pittsburgh. NO lost to Arizona and Cleveland. Beat Pittsburgh. Falcons 2-1 vs common opponents. NO 1-2.

PreyDawg

December 16th, 2010
1:31 pm

Hasnt this Falcons team earned a little respect from us? They have won games they were expected to win as well as several that they were not expected to. They take care of their business even when they do sleep through the 3rd quarter.

I think we give them their props here and EXPECT them to go beat Seattle….I hope.

SquirrelDawg

December 16th, 2010
1:33 pm

Eric, can I say ooops,
I realized that 2 minutes after I posted……..sorry for the mis-info

JASon

December 16th, 2010
1:37 pm

Mark, the bigger point here is that, basically, by beating the seahawks, the falcons have secured home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Can you imagine how hard the falcons are going to be to beat at home in the playoffs? The falcons are heavy favorites to come out of the NFC if they have home field advantage. That’s right, I just said that.

Sam

December 16th, 2010
1:44 pm

@Mark…

Isn’t the game in common that is important the Arizona Cardinals? Because we lost to the Steelers and they beat them, essentially canceling out the Browns. We beat the Cardinals, but they lost to them.

Eric

December 16th, 2010
1:51 pm

Hopefully it won’t come down to tiebreakers because I truly hope they just go ahead and win out. Atlanta should beat Seattle and I don’t see the Saints coming to the Falcon’s house and winning. Atlanta/NO is ALWAYS a tight game just because of how well they know each other but I’d definitely give the edge to the Birds in their house.

With a win at Seattle, I’d say the odds of a 14-2 season shoot up to 80/20…

GSU Eagle 91

December 16th, 2010
2:04 pm

I concur with Larry’s comment…
I also want to add that I am enjoying ( Very Much!) this Falcon season, and actually believe we can get to the SB…
My main concern vs NO is our pass rush…Our D-Line has got to hammer Drew Brees or he will simply pick us apart on 3rd down, like he has done to everyone else for the past 6 weeks. They are a Fine team…and as a Falcons fan, I cannot stand them…..
But first..Let’s go run the ball in Seattle, throw deep on play action downs to Roddy WHite and Michael Jenkins…and win…

Damage Inc.

December 16th, 2010
2:06 pm

Anybody heard from STB4 lately? I know you’re reading seen……

AtlE

December 16th, 2010
2:08 pm

Is it crazy thinking but the Saints will not make the playoffs. They are going to lose there next 3 games. The wildcard will go to the Giants and the lowly Buccaneers. Check there schedule, they have trouble brewing if they lose to Ravens Sunday!

AtlE

December 16th, 2010
2:10 pm

Falcon Saint game tickets extremely inflated right now, nosebleeds for 200. Insane, we got playoff and Superbowl Tickets to think about too.

Ted Striker

December 16th, 2010
2:16 pm

Peter Petruski was “The Trapster,” who originally went by “Paste-Pot-Pete.”

Until Spiderman mocked his name. Rightfully so.

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
2:18 pm

I actually knew that part about Paste-Pot Pete, which doesn’t say much for me, I’m afraid.

Other members of the Frightful Four: The Wizard, Medusa and … the Sandman?

GO BIRDS!

December 16th, 2010
2:22 pm

NEVER DOUBT THE POWER OF SAMIEL L JACKSON!!!!!!

GO BIRDS!

December 16th, 2010
2:24 pm

My spelling is always bad when i shout

lilhomer

December 16th, 2010
2:28 pm

as a former saints ticket holder, living here in atl for the last 20yrs, i can’t stand the falcons….thank goodness for directv and the NFL package…i don’t have to watch the birds…i lived thru the lean yrs in NO and am proud of their current success….they’ve had some critical injuries this year and have overcome lots of issues…granted, the road to the superbowl may lead thru atl but i don’t expect the birds to be in the game…geaux saints…

Falcons Girl

December 16th, 2010
2:31 pm

I couldn’t be more proud of the Falcons this year. Regardless of the rest of the season, they have been so fun to watch and be a part of – even though most of the games almost sent me to the hospital with heart problems! I am confident we can beat Seattle this weekend, does that secure the home field advantage for the playoffs? As a season ticket holder, I have already purchased my tickets, and sure hope I get to see them post-season at home. I also will not be attending the NO game on 12/27. I attended the game last year and was so overwhelmingly disgusted by the NO fans in the Dome, it is enough for me to not want to be around that crowd again. I have not missed a game in 4 years at home, but will miss this one thanks to the NO fans.

JONESBORO SLIM

December 16th, 2010
2:31 pm

The solution to beating the Saints..Falcons have to be pressure the Saints middle so Bree can’t step up…this make him move to his right..he doesn’t throw well from his left….From a Falcon stand point ICE just needs to throw the short stuff (Saints are ball hawkers) this of course keeps the Saint Def. on the field and more importantly keeps Bree on the bench and the clock running…safety has to be over the top because Grimes will be playing receivers tight….thats enough for now I don’t want to clog your brains…………

yodaddy

December 16th, 2010
2:38 pm

Can’t believe people are actually worried about the Seahawks….man please we will dominate them…wait until Sunday

JONESBORO SLIM

December 16th, 2010
2:44 pm

Hey Mark…..Who are the Frightful Four?…they must not be too much… never heard of them….

bjohndawg

December 16th, 2010
2:45 pm

I hope this is not a trap season.

You know one with a quick playoff exit.
Or a 5-11 season next year.

Here is to hoping the Falcons can avoid the trap and go deep in the playoffs this year, and again the next. and the next.

lets hope they become New England south….and not just because the GM came from there.

chprince

December 16th, 2010
2:45 pm

I would not be foolish enough to underestimate Seahawks! There are those teams who have learned that lesson the hardway. Seahawks may have gone up and down this senson. But they are capable of best football in the NFL…

JONESBORO SLIM

December 16th, 2010
2:47 pm

Mark Badley…Whose this Frightful Four..are they part of the “Broken Wings” team?….. they must not be too much…never heard of them…….

PreyDawg

December 16th, 2010
2:49 pm

FalconGirl- You love the Falcons…I love the Falcons…lets get married and I will deck any New Orleans fan that bothers you when you take me to the game.

To the rest of you worry warts…Again I say…this Falcons team has earned the benefit of the doubt. Stop obsessing. We are going to beat Seattle.

JONESBORO SLIM

December 16th, 2010
2:55 pm

Way to go PreyDawg way to go

Ted Striker

December 16th, 2010
2:59 pm

You are exactly right about the original members of the Frightful Four. Stan Lee is one of the coolest individuals in the universe.

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
3:08 pm

I should note that I was a member of the MMMS — the Merry Marvel Marching Society. One of the fan club’s goodies was a flexi-disc narrated by Stan Lee.

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
3:09 pm

The Frightful Four were the nemeses of the Fantastic Four

Falcon Rockdale Fan

December 16th, 2010
3:15 pm

Mark: The Falcons can lose to the Seahawks then beat the Saints and Panthers and would still get homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. Right? If so I had rather see them beat the Saints twice if they have to lose another game.

Mark Bradley

December 16th, 2010
3:19 pm

Yes. If the Falcons win twice, they have the No. 1 seed.

Gwinnett Fred

December 16th, 2010
3:39 pm

If rawdawg has been “first” (talk about life’s lowered expectations if being first on a blog excites anybody even a miniscule amount) four times this week, he needs to spend more time looking for a job instead of being part of the 10.1% Georgia unemployment number.

Anyway, not to brag, but I posted 2 weeks ago that the Saints game was meaningless as long as the Falcons beat their other 3 horrible opponents. We’ve not only have controlled our own destiny for over a month, we controlled it with one game to throw away – just glad the team hasn’t done thrown anything away so far.

Keep this dream season going. (and this is a much better team to be excited about than 1998 because that team came from nowhere, this one is 3 years in the making and has totally shed any “fluke” tag)

inkspot

December 16th, 2010
3:41 pm

This coaching staff does not admit “trap games.” They approach every game in the same methodical, workman-like way, with a good touch of humor and enjoying the moment. These coaches are pros, not the usual buffoons we’re used to seeing around here. The Falcons will win on Sunday. We are going to win the Super Bowl this year, people!

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

December 16th, 2010
3:44 pm

I thought The Frightful Four was our 2003 D-line.

Mr. Turnip-Green Jeans

December 16th, 2010
3:46 pm

And I don’t mean frightful in a good way..

joe white

December 16th, 2010
4:03 pm

We are going to beat down the seahawks really bad. This game will not be close by far. Go Falcons.

JaxDawg

December 16th, 2010
4:03 pm

Lest we not forget, the Saints have their own difficult game to play this week with the Ravens. I agree with other posters that, although the Saints game might not end up being a mathematically important win, it would be huge for morale. It would keep the mystique of the dome-field advantage alive for the playoffs and would shatter any remaining confidence the Saints would have that they are better than us and that our win over them earlier this year was just a fluke.

dagrapevine

December 16th, 2010
4:06 pm

win out and make a statement to the rest of the league.

Ted M

December 16th, 2010
4:11 pm

If the Falcons clinch home field against the Saints it would be a mistake to rest everyone against Carolina. A big mistake.

Ted M

December 16th, 2010
4:13 pm

Mark,

When next do you cover Jackets BB?

1990_Champs_GT

December 16th, 2010
4:17 pm

Falcons don’t win out because they will rest against the Carolina Kitties. We absolutely don’t need a sorry Panthers’ player taking a cheap shot. Resting also makes a statement. Beating the Seahawks and Aints have to happen first. I think they can do that.

jsualumnus

December 16th, 2010
4:28 pm

Can’t wait…taking my family to the game in Seattle and will wear the Falcons gear. Tickets were tough to get to this game. Go Falcons!!!!!!

LawDawg

December 16th, 2010
4:31 pm

The 1st seed is definitely the ballgame for the Falcons considering how good Matty Ice is at home.

Gamer

December 16th, 2010
4:42 pm

The Falcons know that they’re in the driver’s seat, controlling home-field advantage throughout NFC postseason.

Knowing how tough the NFC opposing teams vying to make the playoff, should provide more than enough incentive for the Falcons to take this game seriously, picking up win #12.

NFC’s postseason teams are too tough to risk playing postseason ball anywhere but in the Georgia Dome.

FALCONS STAY FOCUS… PICK UP WIN #12 IN SEATTLE…

Seahawk Pride

December 16th, 2010
4:54 pm

The Hawks will win behind the arm of Matt Hasselback and the coaching prowess of Pete Carrol. I will be there; will you? 21-17 Seahawks.

D-ROME

December 16th, 2010
4:57 pm

Why is everybody so worried? This is not your daddys Falcons we will not lose to a sub par team.They cant stop the run,they cant stop the pass,we have beat every team we had to beat why stop now?WE READY!!!!!!!!!!!!

ATLANTA HOODRATS

December 16th, 2010
5:01 pm

If the hawks beat Atlanta you clowns aren’t going anywhere

SUPERBOWEL

December 16th, 2010
5:29 pm

PROWESS OF PETE CARROL,,, BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HA

SUPERBOWEL

December 16th, 2010
5:33 pm

This is Big Boy football,, Not USC,,, LOL

FrontRow

December 16th, 2010
5:36 pm

Funny posts – a squirrel (or is that a dog?) calling out the journalist before he even checked it out. And the journalist selling vintage comic books.

All we need is a Moose and a majic hat.

FrontRow

December 16th, 2010
5:38 pm

The Falcons don’t need to field much of a team to beat the Panthers. Of the 31 other teams, only the Panthers represent the antithesis to “any given Sunday”.

Just win Sunday.

Nauti-dawg

December 16th, 2010
5:48 pm

Falcons should win out to get full steam – but if they had to loose one game of the next three I’d prefer they lost to Seattle, but then come back and kick an overconfident Saints team.

We’ll likely play the Saints again in playoffs & need to drubb them good on Monday as a warm up…or wait –

….Maybe we play dead on purpose Monday night to catch em overconfident in playoffs….

Bosshog

December 16th, 2010
5:57 pm

trap game. the falcons will be disoriented by the trip west and will fall behind and lose.

SawThat1nce

December 16th, 2010
6:14 pm

The Falcons will defeat the Seahawks.

The saints will have 10-4 record when they enter the Ga. Dome.

SawThat1nce

December 16th, 2010
6:24 pm

@4:17……The Panthers are a collection of cheap shot artist.
They committed at least two personal fouls(Turner was tackled out of bounds and White was hit out of bounds) against the Falcons last Sunday, that were not called for some reason.

kaminari

December 16th, 2010
7:53 pm

The team in Seattle is crumbling apart. Sure, they’re getting some pieces back this week, but the Falcons should trounce them and if we don’t, then we don’t deserve a #1 ranking. However, I doubt this will happen. My prediction: Falcons 35, Seahawks 6.

scott

December 16th, 2010
9:27 pm

RISE UP!!ATLANTA FALCONS!!!THIS IS YOUR TIME!!!I,M GETTING PUMPED UP !!!BEAT THE SAINTS I HATE NEW ORLEANS AND THE SAINTS SO,SO,SO,SO,SO BAD!!!FOLKS GET CRAZY LOUD IN THE GA. DOME DEC 27TH !!TEAR THE ROOF OFF THE GEORGIA DOME!!!MAKE THE DOME SHAKE!!AS IF ATLANTA IS HAVING A MINI EARTHQUAKE!!!

chprince

December 16th, 2010
11:08 pm

My prediction: Seattle 27 Falcons 24

Vick getting a dog is like a pedophile adopting

December 16th, 2010
11:59 pm

Stay away from dogs, Mike, for the rest of your life, please.

Soccer 2011 game | Sports and Fun

December 17th, 2010
3:22 am

[...] The Falconsâ?? biggest remaining game? Well, it ainâ??t the Saints – Atlanta Journal Constit… [...]

SPS

December 17th, 2010
7:13 am

After the Baltimore game, I felt like the Falcons could run the table. I think that is more likely than losing to Seattle.

Coach Grohbo

December 17th, 2010
2:50 pm

SawThat1nce and 1990_Champs,

I agree. The Panthers are the Georgia Bulldogs of the NFL.

jerry

December 17th, 2010
5:57 pm

If this is a not classic “trap” game I don’t know what is. Looking ahead to playing not only the previous Super Bowl winner on Monday Night Football, but also your biggest rival. Funny though, even when people know this, they don’t want to believe it. Hopefully the Falcons can get through this, maybe an ugly win in Seattle.

Kaleolani

December 17th, 2010
7:07 pm

The final three games should see the Falcons give the lesser players (including
backup QBs & RBs) an opportunity to show what they’ve got and allow the vets
some deserved time off. Rock steady Dirty Birds.

Saints R.E.A.M.

December 18th, 2010
10:18 am

Falcons are clearly better than Seattle. Shouldn’t be competitive…unless the Falcons are just flat. Falcons should win 28-17