Here’s how the 2011 Falcons will go 12-4 and grab a wild card
One of these teams will win the NFC South, I boldly predict. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
I erred egregiously in my preseason assessment of the 2010 Falcons. I had them going 12-4, winning the NFC South and playing Dallas for the NFC title. They went 13-3, won the NFC South and wouldn’t have played Dallas had they reached the NFC title game, which they didn’t. I’ll try to do better this time.
At Chicago, Sept. 11: The Bears played for the NFC title and, like the Falcons had done, lost to the Packers. Had the Falcons and Bears played in the Dome last January, the home team would have won by two touchdowns. At Soldier Field the visitor will win by one touchdown. Falcons 20, Bears 13.
Philadelphia, Sept. 18: Until they tripped over the Packers, the 2010 Falcons had been routed only once. That came in Philadelphia on a day Michael Vick didn’t play. (Kevin Kolb did, and quite well.) The Falcons keep trying to get faster, but Philly still seems too quick for them. Eagles 27, Falcons 21.
At Tampa Bay, Sept. 25: The Buccaneers won 10 games last season and have been tapped as the rising power in the NFC. But nine of those victories came against teams that finished with losing records. Meaning: Not so fast, rising power. The Falcons go to 2-0 on the road. Falcons 24, Buccaneers 17.
At Seattle, Oct. 2: Here’s where the stiff early schedule takes it toll. The Falcons are better than the Seahawks, but coming off three rough games and facing a long trip to the not-so-sunny Northwest, they’ll slip. Didn’t think they were going to win all their away games, did you? Seahawks 17, Falcons 14.
Green Bay, Oct. 9: When last they met, the Falcons came within 28 points of victory. But the Packers were hot, and the Falcons, who hadn’t played a truly rotten game all season, played a truly rotten game. That outcome has become a rallying point in Flowery Branch. It’ll show. Falcons 24, Packers 20.
Carolina, Oct. 16: We pause to assess. The Falcons have opened with five playoff teams from 2010, with three of the games on the road, and have gone 3-2. They’ll have their way with the Panthers. When last Cam Newton played in the Dome, his team won 56-17. Not this time. Falcons 56, Panthers 17.
At Detroit, Oct. 23: This is kind of a scary game. The Falcons should win, but this is another given Sunday in the NFL, and we know what that means. With Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh, the Lions have enough good players to cause some palpitations. Falcons 23, Lions 21.
At Indianapolis, Nov. 6: The Falcons come off a bye week and get Peyton Manning in his house. There was a time when this would have seemed a bridge too far. That time is gone. Peyton still’s a great player, but the Colts aren’t what they were. And the Falcons are really good. Falcons 30, Colts 21.
New Orleans, Nov. 13: When he gets done suspending players who aren’t yet pros, Roger Goodell needs to do something about this Falcons-Saints series. These games are so boring! (Yes, I’m kidding.) Last season the Falcons won there and lost here. This time will be different. Falcons 30, Saints 27.
Tennessee, Nov. 20: The Titans came close to winning a Super Bowl on this field, but that was in January 2000. Which was a while ago. Over the offseason Tennessee fired the respected Jeff Fisher and promoted assistant Mike Munchak. I’m not seeing that as any sort of upgrade. Falcons 33, Titans 10.
Minnesota, Nov. 27: Another new, yet old, quarterback for the Vikings. After the (retired-for-the-moment) Brett Favre, the Purple has turned to Donovan McNabb. He’ll do OK. The team won’t. New coach Leslie Frazier is picking up the pieces left after Brad Childress was canned. Falcons 28, Vikings 17.
At Houston, Dec. 4: Another pause for stock-taking. The Falcons are 9-2, having won seven in a row. They’re again playing for the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Here’s where the the bandwagon hits a pothole. It’s way past time for the Texans to do something, and this has to be a year of arrival. Texans 17, Falcons 16.
At Carolina, Dec. 11: A get-well game, even if it’s on the road. The Falcons will enter having won five of six against the Panthers, and nothing will happen to arrest the trend. Only questions: Will Cam be starting by then and, if not, what will Rev. Cecil Newton have to say about that? Falcons 31, Panthers 20.
Jacksonville, Dec. 15: That’s correct. For the first (but not the last) time this regular season, the Falcons won’t be playing on Sunday. This is a Thursday night game. Shame it’s not against a better opponent, though. Those who have the NFL Network will be tuning out by halftime. Falcons 41, Jaguars 14.
At New Orleans, Dec. 26: OK, here’s a non-Sunday game against a superb opponent. Falcons-Saints in that other dome on the Monday night after Christmas. In England they call Dec. 26 Boxing Day. In New Orleans they’ll remember it as the night their Saints clinched the NFC South. Saints 30, Falcons 27.
Tampa Bay, Jan. 1: No, it’s not the Rose Bowl, but this is a game of weight on New Year’s Day. The Falcons need this to clinch a wild card. They’ll get it. They’ll finish 12-4. They’ll win two playoff games and reach the NFC title game against Philly. Who’ll win then? Stay tuned. Falcons 35, Buccaneers 20.
By Mark Bradley
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175 comments Add your comment
Jeff
August 19th, 2011
3:54 pm
I bet every game you have them losing, they win. I dont see them at 12-4. Maybe 11-5 and probably 10-6. Tampa is going to be better than last year and they wont win in NO. Philly has vick and that’s a W. Lose to the colts det and gb.
Paul H
August 19th, 2011
3:59 pm
Mark, Childress was fired 11/23/10.
Boom Dizzle
August 19th, 2011
4:20 pm
Wild Card.??? At 12 -4??? Who’s going to be ahead of us? Don’t Say Dem Ain’ts…..
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August 19th, 2011
4:33 pm
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JACK
August 19th, 2011
4:37 pm
HOW ARE WE THE WILD CARD WITH ONLY ONE DIVISION LOSS????
Blk09GT
August 19th, 2011
4:37 pm
Mark, Your predictions for the Falcons are a little outrageous. 56-17 Falcons over Carolina. You obviously haven’t been following the Panthers this off-season. You will be in for a rude awakening. The Panthers are not the push overs of last year. If we stay healthy this game will be a lot closer.
TheAntiMe
August 19th, 2011
4:39 pm
Go Birds!!!!!!
DaWG
August 19th, 2011
4:46 pm
I’ve got news for you, Mr. Bradley. 12-4 will win this division. Ain’ts are overrated.
Ricky M.
August 19th, 2011
4:55 pm
I disagree with Mr. Bradley. I truly think the Falcons will go 14-2, and at worst 13-3. We have a Very strong team and will prove it this season! With a Powerful offense, and Extremely physical defense this is going to be a great year!!!!
jfreak13713
August 19th, 2011
5:01 pm
Mark I don’t agree with all your picks (Seahawks) but I do agree for the most part with your prediction on Falcons record 12-4. I’m thinking more like 11-5 because they do have very hard schedule and their secondary seems to still have some holes?? Either way should be good season assuming no injuries take place to key players. My predictions:
Falcons 11-5 take wildcard all the way to NFC Championship game and lose to …. Philly nope .. Packers again! Rogers too good and they are VERY well coached.
The Wad
August 19th, 2011
5:05 pm
Ed Zactly…your comment sounds as if you don`t recognize Fulton Kuykendall as the mainstay linebacker on the 78-80 Falcons that he was…..That being said, I think we have a weakness at RB with Turner. He`s a plodder now. Better hope Snelling has a real good year.
The Wad
August 19th, 2011
5:07 pm
The problem with predicting success for this year`s Falcons is the fact they have the exact same defensive backfield they ended last year with and that doesn`t bode well. They were young and inexperienced and now they are young and less inexperienced. That doesn`t translate to 14-2,13-3, or 12-4.
Blazerdawg
August 19th, 2011
5:08 pm
Fulton K – the Falcons won their first playoff game in 1978 (Phil) and almost pulled an epic upset in Dallas the following week. That was a great season and hardly a team that choked. 1980 on the other hand…
Let's get real!
August 19th, 2011
5:13 pm
Enter your comments here
Let's get real!
August 19th, 2011
5:16 pm
I don’t see the Falcon’s going 12-4 and not winning the division. The Saints will not do better than 11-5 at best. If the Falcons lose 1 game in the division (at Saints) and go 12-4 overall…they will be division champs!
Mr Charlie
August 19th, 2011
5:33 pm
Bottom line, nobody has any idea, we do have a lot of tough games, 10-6. 9-7 is not out of the question. Plus you never know how the injuries will go….we just need to get to the playoffs and then it is a crapshoot.
but I do know one thing, the eagles ain’t gonna do anything….Cause when MV7 is bad, as was saw last night, he is horrid. Good luck with that.
dawg4u
August 19th, 2011
5:55 pm
Wow a 12-4 wild card. I believe if we go 12-4 we win the division again because I just can’t see the Saints winning 13+ games. That was a good breakdown of each individual game. I disagreed with the Seattle and Green Bay picks but hope you are right on with us being 12-4 with that tough schedule.
FalconFans
August 19th, 2011
6:21 pm
No way Philly beats the Falcons with Vick being sacked 5 times. I say Indy beats Atlanta late, and the Falcons beat the Eagles. 12-4 but they win the Southern Division.
Najeh Davenpoop
August 19th, 2011
6:24 pm
Predictions are like ass holes, everyone has one and they all stink.
So here’s mine.
NFC
East: Eagles
South: Saints
West: Rams
North: Packers
Wild cards: Falcons, Lions
Just missed: Cowboys
AFC
East: Jets
South: Texans
West: Chargers
North: Steelers
Wild cards: Patriots, Ravens
Just missed: Colts
Super Bowl: Eagles vs. Patriots
Najeh Davenpoop
August 19th, 2011
6:25 pm
Be careful with predicting records, or else you’ll end up like Colin Cowherd who picked the entire NFL collectively to finish 21 games over .500.
Boss
August 19th, 2011
6:25 pm
@leeman bennett 1:54
It’s always obvious when the disability checks arrive. I see you spent yours on liquor and crack again you pathetic sad little nothing. At least you provided all your betters with a good laugh at your expense.
BiggdawgK
August 19th, 2011
6:26 pm
Enter your comments here
SeenThisB4
August 19th, 2011
6:29 pm
Wow Mark! You picked the Saints ahead of the falcan’ts? Whatupwiddat? Be careful, or D. Orlando Ledbetter’s Blog censor will erase your entire column, not to mention the posts.
I don’t think the falcan’ts will lose to Seattle, but I do think they’ll lose both games to the Saints, so your prediction still holds some water. I also think they’ll find a way to lose to the Colts.
GEAUX SAINTS!!
BiggdawgK
August 19th, 2011
6:32 pm
With the comments vick made last week and those picks he threw last night it’s safe to say the real vick Atlanta knows and hates is slowly but surely coming out again. I can’t wait to see how the city of brotherly hate reacts when vick starts half assing ever other game which will start as soon as he signs a long term contract. LOL LOL LOL It couldn’t happen to a more deserving city. Well pittsburgh and new “we’re all drunken idiots” orleans are just as deserving but they have their own time bombs of despair that will explode this year.
BiggdawgK
August 19th, 2011
6:40 pm
seen this b4
LOL LOL Only a drunken moronic ain’ts fan from that cesspool of the US new “we’re too stupid to fix a levee or leave” orleans could continue to post such idiotic comments day after day after day.
I admit your pathetic meanderings do provide me and most people on this site with a good laugh. Keep it up you sad alchoholic little girl. If you were not obviously a bitter fat chick maybe you could flash someone and get some beads. That is how most aint’s fans earn a living after all.
TruthSeeker
August 19th, 2011
6:47 pm
That looks pretty reasonable, Mark. I see more along the lines of 10-6 or 11-5, but I think we’ll be more playoff-ready than we were last year.
GT71
August 19th, 2011
7:03 pm
Dear Mr. Fantasy, play us a tune,
Something to make us all happy…
You remember the Traffic song. You also remember the next line.
Anyone can ‘play’ Mr. Fantasy.
But some must actually play the games.
Who knows?
Maybe they will, maybe they wont…
Bradley has about as much idea as anyone else…
Not a clue.
SeenThisB4
August 19th, 2011
7:18 pm
@BiggDawg: And you must be a sad little man, since your blog name resonates the pre-occupation you have with size, probably well justified though.
Yeah, the D.Orlando Ledbetter blog censor is erasing my, and other Saints fans, posts. Although, I do have to admit, censoring some of that trash by some of my bretheren is not only warranted, but rightous. So, Cheers! I’ll drink to that!
On the other hand, it must be so tedious, such a chore, a mental challenge to scan past the bs posts, especially for those thin-skinned, weak-minded readers that want to rule the world. LOL!
Hey “Don’t feed”, this one’s for you!
Good luck tonight, I’ll be watching the falcan’t game from here, (assumming the levees don’t break tonight)
GEAUX SAINTS!
Najeh Davenpoop
August 19th, 2011
8:05 pm
Ledbetter’s policy of censoring the word “Vick” is the single dumbest thing I have ever seen on any blog.
Ivan
August 19th, 2011
8:19 pm
“Ledbetter’s policy of censoring the word “Vick” is the single dumbest thing I have ever seen on any blog.”
After continuing his streak of “imploding” by going 5/12 with 0 TDs and 3 INTs and a rating of 13.5 in a preseason game, I believe I’d censor him too.
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:26 pm
U got it backwards Brady. The Flacons go 4 – 12
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:30 pm
Najeh Davenpoop
August 19th, 2011
8:05 pm
Ledbetter’s policy of censoring the word “Vick” is the single dumbest thing I have ever seen on any blog.
He will band U if U disagre with him 2. He never say N E thing bad abiout Perrier Jerry who is turning out 2 be the bigest bust sense Michale Jenkins
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:33 pm
Watching gasme now and Ryan looks aweful….Another fist round bust.
J.J.M.
August 19th, 2011
8:38 pm
why are they running shotgun on rd and shorts smh bad coaching
Bradley Curse
August 19th, 2011
8:39 pm
MB just made another prediction ……in other words he just put the entire Falcons team on the cover of Madden
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:42 pm
Surprise Perrier Jerry injrued again. BUST
Aslo why cant they tackel? Already 2 many mised tackels. What a bunch of loosers.
See U in last place Flacons
kerryb
August 19th, 2011
8:44 pm
If the Falcons go 12-4 they will win the division not the wild card.
J.J.M.
August 19th, 2011
8:55 pm
playing like this they wont make the playoffs
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:55 pm
Man Rayn looks horible. Even Vick did not look this bad last night.
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:57 pm
Enter your comments here
Mr. Panic Button
August 19th, 2011
8:58 pm
Matt “Panic Button” Ryan. This is his 4th year in the league and he is still getting rid of the ball prematurely. If he continues this crap into the season with the schedule we have there won’t be a playoff of any kind. Get Redman in their I”m tired of seeing Ryan playing scared.
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
8:59 pm
Even Vick looked beter last nite.
Mr. Panic Button
August 19th, 2011
9:06 pm
Ok, Mr Panic that’s more like it! Settle down and stop with the Deer in the Headlights look.
Mr. Panic Button
August 19th, 2011
9:07 pm
JTFH, Vick looked like garbage!
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
9:21 pm
And Ryan looks worst.
And what is wrong with the punter? He is only kiking it like 20 yards. What a waisted pick.
Heres how the 2011 Falcons will go 12-4 and grab a wild card #Touchdown Falcons |
August 19th, 2011
9:22 pm
[...] Check out the original source here. [...]
Mr. Panic Button
August 19th, 2011
9:35 pm
Um Joe, you need Hooked on Phonics! U iz dumb.
Can't get right
August 19th, 2011
9:40 pm
Fal-cants will go 6-10, take that to the bank. Your team will continue to be one never to win a super bowl. Remember, your pro sports teams are known as loserville USA. Nothing like a empty Georgia dome, pretty much like that green bay playoff game, that was priceless.
Barley Corn
August 19th, 2011
10:31 pm
If they make the playoffs, it’ll be another 1 & done. And, buzzard-baiters should hope for a road game, so they won’t humiliate themselves by flooding out of the Ga Dome in the 3rd quarter. Like they did last season.
Joe Tess Fish House
August 19th, 2011
10:47 pm
Luke McGown? Realy?
See you in last palce Falcons.