Live from the Dome: OK, I’ve decided – I’m picking the …
All is in readiness in the city where snow and ice never descend. (Photo by M. Bradley)
True confession: I’ve actually spent a lot of time thinking about who’s going to win this game. (Ordinarily I just go with my gut, which can prove problematic. Perhaps you knew that already.) And I, at the risk of blowing it for everyone, am picking the Falcons. My rationale:
The Falcons have been the better team. The Falcons are playing at home. The Falcons have already proved they can beat Green Bay.
Ergo, the better team/home team/proven team should win. By the count of 20-17, let’s say. And now, having said that …
Green Bay is the only team remaining in the NFC bracket capable of coming here and stealing one. The Bears? No. The Seahawks? Get real. The Packers are a good team capable of winning if the Falcons perform the way they did against New Orleans on Dec. 27. But I’m thinking the Falcons won’t. I’m thinking they’ll learn from that night that a game of such magnitude is no place for timidity. I’m thinking, in sum, that the Falcons will get past this impediment and play in Super Bowl XLV.
But that’s just me. And I’ve been known to be wrong. But I’ve just spoken to a high-level Falcons official — have fun guessing who — and that individual is frankly peeved at the plethora of pundits picking the Packers tonight. (Try saying that three times fast with a mouthful of peanut butter.) And I’m thinking the home side will render a performance to remember — for good reasons.
And with that, this floor is again open for questions, comments and threats for having jinxed the Falcons. I’ll be here all night, and I’d appreciate the ride-along. (Speaking of riding along, I rode to the game from the Atlanta Bread Co. on South Cobb Drive with esteemed colleague Darryl Orlando Ledbetter. D-Led has a sporty Mustang. Bet you didn’t know that about him.)
But I digress. Time to get ready for some football. Time to rise up. Time to watch the Falcons send the Pack packing. Join me, please. You’ll be sorry you did.
By Mark Bradley
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1,956 comments Add your comment
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:23 pm
Gawd, just glad Flacko don’t have to punt.
mountain_falcon
January 15th, 2011
7:23 pm
i say we cut the cheese early and often
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:23 pm
I was most surprised that Trenton Sturdivant didn’t declare for the draft. He’s got the ability to play in the NFL, but one more knee injury and I’m afraid he’s done.
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:24 pm
When the best play your QB makes is NOT getting strip sacked, he is ICE ICE BABY.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 15th, 2011
7:24 pm
another one of ESPN’s chosen teams is headed for a loss, what will they do?
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:24 pm
GREAT PLAY BY FLACCO BY ONLY LOSING 15 yard.
stat master
January 15th, 2011
7:25 pm
Packers are 4-5 on the road including 2 wins at Philly. Falcons 7-1 at the home dome.
Buck 22
January 15th, 2011
7:25 pm
Hope Abraham plays like a mad man again. He has been BIG for us this year. If we had one more pass rusher I would feel better about tonight.
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:26 pm
Really really impressive job by Flacco showing those kahones by getting outscored 17-0 in the 2nd half. hahahaha
real falcon fan
January 15th, 2011
7:28 pm
hey mark since i cannot be at the GAME ,I AM SITTING AT THE PETRO TRK.STOP IN INDIANA HOW ABOUT YOU YELLING DEFENSE FOR ME I WOULD CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT. GO FALCONS RISE UP ,GO MIGHTY DEFENSE !! GOOD LUCK AND HAVE A GREAT GAME AND MAY GOD BLESS!
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:29 pm
Mark, were you as disgusted by me at the editing of Mark Twain’s works for “political incorrectness”?
What’s next? The Bible?
Bravesfan79
January 15th, 2011
7:30 pm
GO FALCONS!
Mark Bradley
January 15th, 2011
7:30 pm
I thought Houston leaving was a close call. I’m not certain he’ll be taken in Round 1.
stevie zero
January 15th, 2011
7:31 pm
final score prediction tonight, sir bradley?
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:32 pm
Great Job Flacko taking some clean snaps and getting that 3 after being handed the ball on the 20.
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:32 pm
speaking of pen names, many books were written under the pseudonym “Bob Hope”.
1990_Champs_GT
January 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
Posting this now because holding expensive, breakable objects during the game is not an option: If they don’t win tonight, the entire season was a waste.
But I believe in this team. I believe that they can do it. And I believe the that whoever wins in Chicago tomorrow wins the right to lose to the best team in the land, THE ATLANTA FALCONS!!!!
GO DIRTY BIRDS!!!!!!!!
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
“Profiles In Courage” was written under the pseudonym “John F. Kennedy”.
Dr. Warren
January 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
Still living in China, Mark, so had to get back here to work rather than stay on for the big game in Atlanta. But you are right—this was one surefire way to make Atlanta’s ice a distant (8,000 mile) memory.
Ron Choke Mexico
January 15th, 2011
7:33 pm
Boy Flacco sure has been impressive, NOT
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:35 pm
and, to finish the thread, “The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas” was written by Gertrude Stein.
FalconIce
January 15th, 2011
7:35 pm
Mark, how’s the dome looking?
Mark Bradley
January 15th, 2011
7:36 pm
Dome’s looking fine.
And Brian Williams is indeed inactive.
Buck 22
January 15th, 2011
7:36 pm
Need Abraham to play like a man possessed tonight– like he has lately!! I wish we had another major pass rush threat Mark, I sure would feel better about tonight.
Ross
January 15th, 2011
7:36 pm
Here’s to Norb Hecker, Pat Pepplar, Marion Campbell, Leeman Bennett, and the Dutchman. Dan Henning is still coaching’em up, so we’ll pass on him.
mountain_falcon
January 15th, 2011
7:38 pm
Damn Royal Marshall died
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:38 pm
Mark, has Wes Durham taken his chairs yet?
Mark Bradley
January 15th, 2011
7:38 pm
I think I picked a score in the post, Stevie. Forgot what it was. Maybe 20-16.
FalconIce
January 15th, 2011
7:38 pm
Pregame on NBC aren’t giving the Falcons much credibility either Mark.
Kinda ridiculous. Jimmie Johnson and Howie aren’t a fan. Lauded Starks again. I don’t get freaking get it.
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:39 pm
actually, Marion Campbell twice.
Mark Bradley
January 15th, 2011
7:39 pm
I picked 20-17. I checked
stevie zero
January 15th, 2011
7:40 pm
ah. so you like the under…….. hmmmm
todd grantham
January 15th, 2011
7:41 pm
I joke about Wes, but I will have him on satellite radio rather than listen to those tv nitwits.
FalconIce
January 15th, 2011
7:42 pm
Mark,
Just FYI, NBC pregame don’t like the Falcons much either. Praised Packers run game again…I just don’t get that.
Jimmie Johnson and Howie Long said good defense, few penalties, good special teams are good during the regular season but it’s big plays in the play offs are what wins and Green Bay is better at that, but I still differ with this “expert” opinion. What do you say?
Buckhead Bulldog
January 15th, 2011
7:44 pm
Steelers, baby! Hines Ward wil be headed to Canton once he retires. Falcons Steelers would be a dream match up for SB for me…
Tampa Falcon
January 15th, 2011
7:49 pm
Add the folks at Fox to those who see the Pack in a walk tonight.
Tampa Falcon
January 15th, 2011
7:50 pm
TD Steelers! But a flag on the play
Buckhead Bulldog
January 15th, 2011
7:51 pm
Yes!!!! Steelers TD 31/24.
Tampa Falcon
January 15th, 2011
7:51 pm
Enforced on the kickoff
Tampa Falcon
January 15th, 2011
7:52 pm
So, to summarize:
ESPN Hates us, Fox hates us, NBC hates us, but Bradley’s picking us.
Uh oh.
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:55 pm
Lets see what Flacko has….
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:55 pm
Really impressed with Flacko.
Mark Bradley
January 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
Place is loud now. Falcons fan waving huge red flags.
fbfan
January 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
Two live blogs — so how big’s the side bet between you and JS over who will have the most hits/page views at the end of the evening?
UGABugKiller
January 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
So, The DogKilla CHOKED.
Joe Flacco CHOKED.
Where are all the DogKilla Lovers?
Who are they gonna love on NOW?
Buckhead Bulldog
January 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
Flacco D R I L L E D by Ziggy!
Falcons2010
January 15th, 2011
7:56 pm
Joe Cool is now Joe Desperation
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:57 pm
BUT BUT BUT Flacko won a playoff game…….
Falcons2010
January 15th, 2011
7:57 pm
And the Steelers become the first official possible Falcons Super Bowl opponent.
Joe "Choke" Flacco aka Mr Charlie
January 15th, 2011
7:58 pm
Well, Choke, another one bites the dust…..I guess all your hope is pinned on Sanchez…..would not be you….