The Falcons are the class of the NFC, but a familiar face looms
Feeling fearless in Seattle: Another three-touchdown game for Matt Ryan. (AP photo)
They’re in the playoffs, and they’re as close to having the No. 1 seed throughout the NFC bracket as you can get without clinching. They’ve got two games to go, both of them here. Win once more — here we note that the Falcons meet the NFL’s worst team, Carolina, in the regular-season finale Jan. 2 — and they won’t play anywhere but here until February.
And that’s the way it ought to be. If you’re looking for the NFL’s best overall team, it’s Atlanta. (And if you’re wondering when last we could say that about the Falcons with any conviction, the answer would be, “Um … never.”)
The Patriots have a fabulous offense, but their defense entered the weekend as the league’s fifth-worst. Maybe Tom Brady is good enough to override that failing, but at some point a championship team has to stop somebody. (Doesn’t it?) The Ravens are stout, but the Falcons have beaten them. The Falcons lost to the Steelers, but that was before the local team figured out how good it could be.The Jets are more a TV show than a Super Bowl winner. Those are the only AFC teams worth mentioning.
As for the NFC: The Giants just blew a 21-point lead in a prove-it game, meaning they proved they don’t belong among the elite. The Saints lost in Baltimore on Sunday, solidifying the season-long belief that the reigning champs are indeed last year’s team. The Bears lead the NFC North but don’t seem a threat. But there’s one team that does.
Given the Falcons’ run of last-gasp victories and their absence of serious injuries, this has been a charmed season for the franchise that, 45 years on, hasn’t known many. These Falcons don’t dazzle you with footwork; they just hammer you with basics. They’re not rattled by an opponent’s quick start. They’re not rattled by anything. That said …
The Philadelphia Eagles are coming fast. (Emphasis on “fast.” Those guys can really run.) They weren’t supposed to lead the NFC East with two games to go — back in September, Dallas and the Giants were the touted teams — and however the Eagles fared was supposed to hinge on new quarterback Kevin Kolb.
Two weeks into the season, the Eagles had a new new quarterback. Andy Reid, the low-key coach, chose to elevate Michael Vick to No. 1 after saying repeatedly he would not. (Kolb had gotten hurt in the opener.) The Eagles made the announcement via a mass text message at 6 p.m. on a Tuesday night. At a Wednesday briefing Reid faced an enraged Philly media, which demanded to know why it should ever trust him again.
Today the Eagles are at worst the NFC’s second-best team, and they’ve already beaten the Falcons on a day when Vick didn’t play. (Question for a rainy afternoon: Are the Eagles deeper at quarterback than the Phillies are in starting pitching?) The Eagles are having a season kissed by the angels, same as the Falcons. You know something strange is happening when, as happened Sunday, a Vick-fueled Philly rally enables his former team to clinch a playoff berth.
Loading ...So now we ask: Is it possible to have two teams of destiny? If so, which one wins?
Speaking last week, the former Falcon great Jessie Tuggle said: “I’m a little biased, but I think [the Falcons are] the best team in the NFC.”
Then, after a pause: “But Philadelphia could push them.”
Think about it. Jan. 23, 2011: The Georgia Dome stages its first conference championship game, and who should be the opposing quarterback? Only the guy who used to pack the place.
Me, I’m thinking that would be the toughest ticket in the history of Atlanta sports, above even Muhammad Ali’s comeback fight against Jerry Quarry in October 1970. And I’m also hoping it doesn’t happen for a selfish reason: The profession I’ve chosen would be rendered null and void, at least for that week.
If ever a story could write itself, it’d be this: Michael Vick returns to Atlanta, a Super Bowl on the line. Nuff said.
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837 comments Add your comment
D Man
December 20th, 2010
12:29 am
mv7, the most important statistic in football is wins and losses and the Falcons are the best at home in the NFL. Enough said…
By the way, if you love Mike so much, I have a bunch of Mike Vick stuff I can’t sale on EBAY because no one will pay anything close to what I payed for it. I have two game jerseys, a signed framed picture I payed $150 for and two bobble head dolls that I want to get rid of if someone will give me some money. I payed over $500 for this stuff, how much will you give me MV7 lover? Put up or shut up…
DeSean Jackson
December 20th, 2010
12:29 am
Eww! I hate koochi!
Playoffs Bound
December 20th, 2010
12:29 am
YOU ROCK MATTY ICE!!!
Mando
December 20th, 2010
12:30 am
^ queer
Richie Gonzalez
December 20th, 2010
12:32 am
My penis is in my belly button and wont come out!
12-2
December 20th, 2010
12:35 am
12-2!!!!! We are going to the playoffs……………………
Peion Deion
December 20th, 2010
12:35 am
True Karma: Falcons whip Vick in NFC title game to go to the Super Bowl, he goes home to the homies!!!! Dirty birds over the Beagles 27-21 in the ATL
Mike "CON" Vick
December 20th, 2010
12:43 am
MV7 for MVP
December 20th, 2010
12:27 am
Mike “CON” Vick
Dude everyone deserves second chances, no matter what the situation is. I love Big Ben and all of the other athletes that comes back from redemption
=======================
Don’t have against letting them come back and play. But, I think what Big Ben did was very despicable, and I choose not to like him. It ain’t a mistake if you knew what you’re doing.
well fare doesn't pay for football games
December 20th, 2010
12:49 am
That’s ok, let the eagles come play in ATL, there may still be Vick supporters, but none of them will be able to afford playoff tickets!
L.R.Glass, Sr.
December 20th, 2010
12:53 am
Re:Mike “CON” Vick
Beating the Eagles in NFC champ game and beating the Steelers in SB.
That would be really sweet revenge.
Those are my thoughts, Exactly. What a way to end a Cinderella season!
Najeh Davenpoop
December 20th, 2010
12:58 am
That would be something, wouldn’t it? Vick in the Dome against the Falcons, trying to advance to the Super Bowl he would have made in Atlanta if the Falcons had bothered to get him a half-decent coaching staff.
I agree with the earlier poster about Mike Smith. He should be the landslide coach of the year. They will probably give it to Belichick again, which is unfortunate. The Falcons are the best coached team in the NFL, hands down.
L.R.Glass, Sr.
December 20th, 2010
1:16 am
As far as I’m concerned, the only thing that a Falcons Vs Eagles NFC Championship game would prove is that the Gods of Football have a delicious sense of humor. For the first twenty years of my life, I, being a native of Philly (born & bred) suffered through some Godawful seasons, sort of like you early Falcon fans. Now, as a proud transplant to Atlanta, I would love to see our Falcons defeat my Eagles for a trip to the big dance. Bittersweet, for sure, but satisfying nonetheless. (Before someone attempts to label me a “Damn Yankee”, I must tell you that this past August My family and I observed our twentieth year of residency in the great state of Georgia. So I’m a Damn Yankee no more.
tjhook
December 20th, 2010
1:20 am
Will SeenB4 make an appearance this week?! Waiting patiently . . . GEAUX Falcons! Our Time!!
5150 P.O.A.D
December 20th, 2010
1:26 am
L.R. Glass
50 years in the south and you will still be a DAMN YANKEE. Sorry but true. You were Born above the Mason Dixon Line is just the fact. Georgia Born. Georgia Bred. In the Georgia Red Clay I will be burried when Dead. Glad to have you as a Falcon Fan for sure.
errol flynn
December 20th, 2010
1:52 am
as a falcon fan one has to hope the vick–led eagles have to play the bears again. they seem to have #7’s number.
Big Rick from East Point
December 20th, 2010
2:32 am
Whoever the Falcons face will be a playoff team. Each week these are professional men playing the game. Too much attention is given to the peripherals. Schemes + Execution + Player Ability…these matter, nothing else on the pro field.
M
December 20th, 2010
2:48 am
Anyone notice how the media continues to spend little time talking about the Falcons and more time on Bret Farve, Brady, Vick, Giants. Damn man, I guess the Falcons will just have Defend home and go to Texas and Win it all before getting the Credit for the Best record in the NFL. Let’s do it Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sports Review
December 20th, 2010
3:05 am
[...] The Falcons are the class of the NFC, but a familiar face looms – Atlanta Journal Constitution…They’re in the playoffs, and they’re as close to having the No. 1 seed throughout the NFC bracket as you can get without clinching. They’ve got two games to go, both of them here. Win once more — here we note that the Falcons meet the NFL’s worst This is a preview of . Read the full sportreview (371 words, estimated 1:29 mins reading time) Administrator @ 5:05 am Filed under: Uncategorized No Comments [...]
yo mama
December 20th, 2010
3:40 am
yo folks in Philly, we gave the game away, the only one all season. it is hard to sweep a team in a season, but if we got a shot at Philly in Playoffs at home, we would be favored by the bookies, and our game is much better now. we played philly after two hard fought games prior to the philly game. we were banged up, and made like three mistakes, and let philly take off from the start. I doubt philly could win in Atlanta, because I know this 2010 team is stubborn, and very cohesive. we sucked on special teams that day, gave up a big return, let desean have an crazy end around, and a deep endzone catch. Gonz caused a pass to be intercepted in the redzone, and Bryant missed a fg. factor those two mistakes and its a 4 point game with a different ending. so, bring on whoever, focus, and whup that ass, i mean aints. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahaha
Rockdale Falcon
December 20th, 2010
4:32 am
Great win for the Falcons although the breaks we got certainly did not hurt. I believe Falcons vs. Eagles
would be a great and exciting game for NFC championship.
However, as an earlier post mentioned, I believe the game itself would be completely overshadowed by the media hype about the Michael Vick angle.
rudy
December 20th, 2010
4:57 am
Miracles do happen…GO FALCONS
SawThat1nce
December 20th, 2010
6:01 am
4:32…..What are the breaks, that the Falcons got?
SawThat1nce
December 20th, 2010
6:10 am
MB…… Get a lot of hits on your “ode to the partnership that never was” Mike Vick tribute, the other day?
Or perhaps you have a real fondness for him.
Why don’t you ask him to move in with you, and go ahead and adopt him, the next time you see him.
Kevin
December 20th, 2010
6:20 am
while at lets bring turn tail Petrino to be here so can see Vick here get sacked 5 times n get his shoulder busted for good also then we can feed his shoulder to the dogs he killed also…Sorry rabbit foot and a jucied idiot all Mark bradley do is start race baitin he loves M.Vick they slept together alot he pick eagles here anyway.all falcons need is beat saints win south n carl at end 14-2 home field adv….and get to dallas to play the pats in superbowl and win with Matt Ryan then u morons will be all Matt Ryan fans which u all still say No vick is the Man would win 3 superbowls n Mark Bradley would say other one is better.U idiots fans best fill the place up make more noise then u ever can because way u folks cheer u think u are at a church social gatherin..If the Dome can rock durin a SEC title game between to college teams out of state By golly u sit on u hands falcon Fans can make the people in broadcast booth shake too also! Lets Rock it to death….Make the stands move period!
David
December 20th, 2010
6:46 am
Everyone is talking about a Falcons-Eagles match-up, but there’s a team in Chicago that might have something to say about that. True, Chicago has not looked like a Super Bowl team at any point this season, but they DID beat the Vick-led Eagles a few weeks ago AND Jay Cutler is the only QB to take down Matty Ice in the Dome. Falcon fans better not overlook ‘Da Bears, especially with that D now that it’s healthy again.
Kevin
December 20th, 2010
6:50 am
Funny after falcons won all we heard was Eagles this eagles that n etc..Nothin on falcons win just eagles to good and see Vick in atlanta n the morons with deon(NoPrimetime)Sanders pick eagles beat Us Typical sports people in NFL network in espn and now NBC morons in Ny and conn. We get no respect again if we still lost to saints n beat carl.panthers will have home field adv at 13-3 folks!also if St.louis wins west at 7-9 the eagles would play them there first..saints vs chicago also falcons get bye off week..that if eagles win east after there give away by giants game to Vick 38-31 vick sick eagles be 11-5 at end with east won..giants be 11-5 also but tie breaker be eagles win east so giants be six seed and saints6# seedfalcons be 1st seed at 13-3 are 14-2..they get bye 1stround…so mark bradley likes and hates Matt Ryan which he like his buddy who wad fired um left for aoland writes..Falcon vs steelers and hey we would face that QB of pittsburgh who drove a motorcycle n almost died cause stupid no wore a helmet and the same person who rape a girl in Ga last year!
Kevin
December 20th, 2010
6:54 am
the bears look crappy and will lose to Minnesota outdoors cause they crybabys to…..waaa we hate play outdoors to cold funny don’t bears play at soldier field where there turf is frozen to…ought be a good one at Unv of Minnesota snow winds winter storm Jack webb at quarterback all he needs is the dragnet theme play out durin game for vikeings who will be in Los angeles by 2012 after lock out cause the Minnesota folks will not get a new staduim for vikes…so isee Los Angeles Vikeings soon!
ATLFalcons4Eva
December 20th, 2010
7:11 am
Congratulations FALCONS! Lets keep it rollin! Here is how I see the playoffs playing out:
Falcons and Eagles get a first round bye.
Saints go out to play NFC West Crappy Team (and Saints will win)
Giants go out and play Chicago Bears. (and Giants will win)
Falcons and Eagles first round bye
Second Round:
Saints will have to go to Philly (because of their better record than the Giants)
Giants will have to come to Atlanta (Because Atlanta has the best NFC record, they will have to play the team with the worst record between Saints and Giants, in this case it will be the Saints).
Saints will lose to Philly in Philly. Giants will lost to the Falcons in the Dome. Setting up the epic battle between Atlanta and Philly Eagles in the GAME EVERYONE wants to see happen – Even the NFL. Its destiny. Michael Vick returns to Atlanta. WE will win. FALCONS going to the super bowl to face the Patriots. The Superbowl champions remain in the NFC South.
I will say this, I hope the Saints beat the Eagles because I REALLY don’t want NO part of Vick and the Eagles. Vick coming here and the Eagles will be very, very ugly on so many levels. Racially, it is going to be down right nasty. I can see fights happening in the parking lot tail gate between Vick supporters (which I am) and the Falcons supporters (Which I am more than anything). And God knows what is going to look and sound like inside the dome. Arthur Blanks worst night mare is to see half the building cheering the eagles (which we lose home field advantage) and the other half cheering he falcons.
Wow. Epic event. So I just as soon see the Saints beat the Eagles in Philly and we have to play the Saints in Atlanta for the NFC Conference Championship and a trip for the Superbowl on the line. the Saints will win Monday, I believe, and we will win the following week vs. the Panthers for home field advantage I love our chances against the Saints more so than the Eagles.
Go Falcons.!
Kris G
December 20th, 2010
7:20 am
Boy. Some of you guys really have too much anger wrapped up in Vick. It’s only going to cause you pain, you know. And I love the “Vick fans are racists” thinking. Just shows how far Limbaugh has brought you on the Al Sharpton Train to Pointless Racial Division.
Vick did a lot for the Falcons when he showed up, and while he was here. And despite the ridiculous antics, he did a lot by getting himself suspeded and jailed. Remember who our coach was going to be? He only came to coach Vick.
Vick’s rise AND fall helped us to get where we are. I’m happy to be where we are as a team with the players and coach we have. And I’m so glad I haven’t wrapped race and hate into football, a game that’s supposed to be fun. I’m happy that I can still enjoy Vick’s comeback, and that I can do so as my Falcons fight for home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Lovin’ it right now. Now go back to your race-baiting…
NikkiFree
December 20th, 2010
7:24 am
I REALLY don’t want to see MV7 at the Dome mostly because of the circus that would surround the entire game. Also, there are the Vick-o-phants who would love nothing more than to see MV7 stick it to the falcons as if the falcons were the bad guy in that whole dogfighting scenario. Vick —followed by Petrino — burned this franchise and now it has risen from the ashes like a phoenix.
Then again, to see the falcons FINALLY beat the Eagles and especially MV7 then go on and beat the Pats to win a superbowl would be worthy of making a movie about.
DogTheMan
December 20th, 2010
7:46 am
All you people need to quit hating on Michael Vick. The past is gone. If you still holding on to that you are a pathetic human being because jealousy is eating you up!!!~! GO FALCONS!!!
Nauti-Dawg
December 20th, 2010
8:06 am
Phillys & now Eagles – Philly just passed NY as my most hated sports team city.
YA DIg!!!
December 20th, 2010
8:18 am
i like both teams but im more of a falcon fan than a eagle..MV7 is my dude, im glad he taking over and shutting up all the haters but im a Georgia Boy so Falcons all the way
Anthony
December 20th, 2010
8:20 am
If I weren’t a Philadelphia Eagles fan, I’d hate Michael Vick, DeSean Jackson, Shady Mccoy, & Jeremy Maclin, too.
Anthony
December 20th, 2010
8:21 am
But you’re right about the Falcons being healthy. Eagles are injury ravaged…I don’t know how they’re doing it
suwaneefalcon
December 20th, 2010
8:25 am
Here is what makes this team capable of going to Dallas this year. They take one day and one game at a time. They leave it to the pundits and the bloggers to be concerned about the Eagles and other teams that we MAY play in the playoffs. The Saints come in with the South and the home field advantage on the line. No disrepect here Mark but, to hell with the Eagles. This next game just became the biggest of the year. I hope we do have the chance to be concerned about playing the Eagles this year. Just not right now.
Answer man.
December 20th, 2010
8:26 am
Philly scares me.
GwinnettDad
December 20th, 2010
8:31 am
Certain teams seem to have the number of other teams. Don’t know why, wish I did. There’s no way I want to see the Falcons play Philadelphia. In the past, the eventual Super Bowl winner doesn’t end up playing the team that would have beat them, since somebody else unexpectedly does the job. Maybe that will be the case this year.
Sometimes it isn’t the best team that wins it all, it is the most fortunate team.
Michael Conner
December 20th, 2010
8:31 am
UGABugKiller… That’s HEADLEY, don’t you keep up? lol (wait a few years and you can sue Her!)
Michael Conner
December 20th, 2010
8:36 am
Just for the record, I am hating on Michael Vick. I’m also hating on ANY other team’s quarterback that we play, if they’re any good. I wish Vick would get a left thumb sprain or something if we have to play the Eagles. To h3ll with the dog thing, he’s just too good a competitor right now.
Nativebird
December 20th, 2010
8:37 am
MV somewhere else, and twice the quarterback was inevitable from the moment of indictment. Blank’s doubly error (triple counting Mora) was not doing a deal with an AFC team, but alas.
Can’t look back, can’t wonder, can only do what Smitty and Dimitrof have always done, grow your new Franchise QB into what he is and will become, and make this tragic-football city into something relevent, annually, for years to come. I WILL TAKE THAT OVER 1-POP FLASH MV any day, all day.
Get Real
December 20th, 2010
8:38 am
Why do people love/hate Vick:
Reasons to hate:
Committed heinous crimes and went to Federal Prison
1) Admits he never tried hard in Atlanta
2) Lied face-to-face to the owner
3) Flips middle-finger at Falcons fans while still a Falcon
4) Had a sex scandal (Ron Mexico)
5) Had a marijuana scandal (water bottle)
6) Operated a dog-fighting ring
7) Killed dogs
9) Owes Falcons millions, but filed bankruptcy
Reasons to love:
1) He’s black (only applies if you’re black)
Yeah – still rooting for Vick in Atlanta makes you a racist because the only reason you can justify rooting for him is because he’s your “brother.” RACIST.
LT
December 20th, 2010
8:42 am
This year of all years demonstrates that ANYTHING can happen…we have to look no farther than the 14 point underdog Packers hanging with the Pats last night. They had no business being in that football game but these guys are professionals. There is a lot of football left to be played. I still say keeping the stars healthy is the key for all the playoff teams. The Eagles get the Vikings and Cowboys the last two weeks and it’ll be smashmouth. Two proud franchises that won’t mind some fines being levied for….well, you know where I’m going…..
black bee
December 20th, 2010
8:45 am
I’m worried about this Saints game! How would you play it? Do you go all out and possibly risk injury against the Saints when all we have to do is beat the Panthers? If we do have injuries I think we go to the SUPER BOWL! But the Saints are going to come hunting for our heads. How about letting the second stringers play for the SAINTS game, come back and whip the PANTHERS get home field advantage and go to the SUPER BOWL!
Anthony
December 20th, 2010
8:46 am
Whoa…I saw the Falcons remaining schedule…OH MAN!!! Eagles still have to play Minnesota and Dallas…both in Philly
Katherine
December 20th, 2010
8:53 am
I just don’t get it though…..the falcons are 12 – 2 and still barely get a mention on sportscenter until the end of the show….
T-Bone
December 20th, 2010
8:54 am
I’ve always felt like we should have at least kept the rights to Vick, and seen what would have happened after a few practices. What would an offense with both Ryan and Vick have been like? Sick, unstappable, amazing, I tell you. No QB controversy; just play them both, at different times, sometimes in different situations, sometimes at the same time. A good OC would figure this out. Vick in the slot would absolutely freeze a defense.
And can you imigine the storylines??
=> Vick returns to ATL repentant
=> Vick and Blank kiss and make up
This city has always loved him. Blank should have capitalized on that.
Vick is a special talent. Now it is very possible that we could get beaten by the star-kissed QB that that we discarded simply because he embarrassed us.
PMC
December 20th, 2010
8:55 am
I’m not concerned about Philly. Sure they are a good team. But there’s no reason even to think about them yet… and they don’t play any kind of defense.
This is Saints Hate Week. Christmas Presents get delivered next Monday Night.
GwinnettDad
December 20th, 2010
8:56 am
@Dogtheman? Jealousy? Nah! Disgust is appropriate and deserved.. You sound like a fool that tortures dogs for fun, and then lies about it without blinking. MV is talented, yes “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Never have those words been shown to be more true than by the Eagles this year. It would be easier for me to root for somebody with a DUI manslaughter conviction, because the damage wouldn’t be premeditated or intentional. Sure, let MV play, which is part of this secular world. But like him? Would any decent man want their son turn out to have the morals of MV? The ends justifies the means in the NFL and in professional sports in general, not good taste nor moral convictions. Winning is the only thing in professional sports. Greed so often is said to be despised in politics and by so-called believers, but it thrives in worse forms on a football field. Jealous? If we reap what we sow, there’s no way I’d trade places with MV7 if he wins the next twenty Super Bowls single handed 100-0 with his hands tied behind his back.
Katherine
December 20th, 2010
8:57 am
Get Real
December 20th, 2010
8:38 am
Why do people love/hate Vick:
Reasons to hate:
1) Admits he never tried hard in Atlanta
2) Lied face-to-face to the owner
3) Flips middle-finger at Falcons fans while still a Falcon
4) Had a sex scandal (Ron Mexico)
5) Had a marijuana scandal (water bottle)
6) Operated a dog-fighting ring
7) Killed dogs
Committed heinous crimes and went to Federal Prison
9) Owes Falcons millions, but filed bankruptcy
Reasons to love:
1) He’s black (only applies if you’re black)
Yeah – still rooting for Vick in Atlanta makes you a racist because the only reason you can justify rooting for him is because he’s your “brother.” RACIST.
Omg…what a terrible post! I am not black but have been rooting for vick all season, until/when he plays the falcons of course. The man paid a 100 million dollar price and went to prison and did his time. I’m sure all of that did change him and he grew up. What is the point of rehabilitation if you don’t give the person a second chance? I feel sorry for people who think they are better than other people and judge them so harshly. Go Falcons!