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
MJC
August 19th, 2011
1:32 pm
Looks like we might have another great season on tap. Hopefully we can keep it rolling into the playoffs this time!
MJC
August 19th, 2011
1:32 pm
Really? First? That’s a, well, first.
Dejay
August 19th, 2011
1:33 pm
Uh, first? Do I get a gift card from Montgomery Ward or Service Merchandise?
D. Bell
August 19th, 2011
1:33 pm
I think 12-4 will be good enough to win the South, but I don’t see two of those loses coming to Philly and Seattle. Did you see Vick last night? Terrible reads, terrible decision-making, terrible throws.
Dejay
August 19th, 2011
1:34 pm
Oh well. I guess I’ll take a consolation prize, which is the home version of blogging on the AJC…
leon
August 19th, 2011
1:36 pm
Wow, Falcons loose to Seattle I doubt it. Seattle has big questions at QB and O-line
D. Bell
August 19th, 2011
1:36 pm
12-4 will probably be good enough to win the South. The Saints are already dealing with injuries, their offense line looks weak, their schedule is almost as tough as the Falcons.
Also, I don’t see them losing to Philly. Vick looked terrible last night. It’s only the preseason, but damn, those were some bad decisions and terrible throws.
chickenman
August 19th, 2011
1:39 pm
eh… 4 losses with this schedule would be disappointing…13-3 would be my guess because this team is complete… i think from what i have seen in camp so far a special season… i for the first time feel confident about our secondary… grimes is a beast hate it or love it he is one of the best zone corners in the game right now… with 2 young safetys..( look out for a probowl year from willie mo) …the offense needs no mention because we can run or throw pick your poison.. matt ryan is everything we hope post vick era.. lets sit back and enjoy
The Grinch
August 19th, 2011
1:40 pm
I hope so Mark, but I’m leaning more towards 11-5. I’m just hoping we’re healthy at the end of the season and can get that elusive playoff win.
12-4 is a...
August 19th, 2011
1:44 pm
…pipe dream with this schedule – playing mostly winning teams from last year, including perennial powers Indy, Chicago (well, some of the time), Green Bay, & Philly will be a hard learned lesson in a winners schedule vs a mediocre team schedule – that is, unless they do something to shore up their depth and defense. Here’s hoping that they do…
Fulton Kuykendall
August 19th, 2011
1:45 pm
Doesn’t matter; they will choke in the playoffs, as usual………
BiG Z
August 19th, 2011
1:45 pm
I like your picks Mark BUT We will not lose to the SEAHAWKS! So I would say we finish 13-3 or 14-2 if we are lucky. We will have HOME FIELD Advantage again but this time we will take care of business. I think last year we kind of got the BIG HEAD and lost focus after we had beat the Packers in the regular season. Not trying to make any excuses but that was a BAD week in the ATL. That damn snow strom thru alot of people off their game that week. I think JA55 got in a car accident and alot of other crazy things happened that week. We did not have a good week of practice and Brain Williams got hurt and we had to play Chris Owens. Come to think about we still have to play Chris Owens. OS
Fulton Kuykendall
August 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
Just like we did back in 1978 and 1980.
Fulton Kuykendall
August 19th, 2011
1:46 pm
Choke, I mean.
honest_abe
August 19th, 2011
1:47 pm
i’d take 12-4 all day with this schedule. shoot i’d be fine with 10-6 as long as we got in the playoffs.
let’s keep our fingers crossed. the bradley jinx is FIERCE!
BamaDad
August 19th, 2011
1:48 pm
Tough schedule, that’s for sure. Hope we can beat the injury bug.
Troy Taylor
August 19th, 2011
1:52 pm
BTW, Brad Childress has been gone from Minn.
Leeman Bennett
August 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
Don’t you believe it…………………….
Lenny Wilkins
August 19th, 2011
1:53 pm
I think you are giving the Texans D a little too much credit. They may be better with Wade Phillips, but I don’t see the Falcons scoring under 20pts all year(except against the Eagles maybe)
Leeman Bennett
August 19th, 2011
1:54 pm
Falcons, 8-8……….Bulldawgs, 6-6…………Both head coaches fired, they call me out of retirement to come back and coach the Birds. You heard it here first.
Leeman Bennett
August 19th, 2011
1:55 pm
And Goff comes back to coach the Dawgs.
Leeman Bennett
August 19th, 2011
1:57 pm
You heard it here first.
Ted M
August 19th, 2011
1:58 pm
Nice backhanded pat on the back (your back) with that first paragragh.
Ted M
August 19th, 2011
2:00 pm
MN Head Coach: Leslie Frazier
cdog
August 19th, 2011
2:00 pm
wow mark, if they go 12-4 they will win their division.nobody else their will finish above them.no team in their division is better than the falcons.wow! where do you get your stuff from?.i think you just like to be heard or seen.
Brad Childress?
August 19th, 2011
2:02 pm
Um, Brad Childress has already been fired, so the end for him will have happened by then. Just a reminder, Leslie Frazier is the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings
Realist
August 19th, 2011
2:03 pm
12-4 is nice but Bradley has them winning games they shouldn’t, and losing games they should win.
Stinger2
August 19th, 2011
2:11 pm
Whatever Bradley says will happen likely will not happen.
Anderson
August 19th, 2011
2:12 pm
I have told people that I am predicting a 11-5 record (+1/-1 error of margin) so I can buy M Bradley’s prediction. I agree with M Bradley in predicting a W over Green Bay. However,I think this is the year the Falcons beat the Eagles (just a gut feeling). I think the “Birds will go 6-2 in their division. The road games at Seattle,Detroit,Houston,and Indiannapolis will be a challenge…..’Birds will hold their own but have a setback (or two) among those games.
I think the NFC South will be decided by one game or even a tie-breaker. For me,it is an even battle between the Atlanta Falcons and the New Orleans Saints. Since I’m a Falcons fan,I will give the benefit of the doubt to my ‘Birds.
Atlanta87
August 19th, 2011
2:14 pm
Yeah Mark. I think the Falcons are real scarred of Vick and his 3 ints he threw last night. At home, I don’t think we lose this game.
Ed Zactly
August 19th, 2011
2:16 pm
You’re right, Mr. Kuykendall, the Falcons have been watching game films of the ‘78 and ‘80 seasons so they’ll remember how to choke. There are so many comparisons to those teams and this one….N O T!! Not only are your comments irrelevant – they are over 30 years irrelevant. One horrid game a year ago against the eventual champs and and a couple of loses over 30 years ago hardly constitutes a trend! “We” – like you’re a Falcons fan? I doubt it very much.
Check your facts
August 19th, 2011
2:16 pm
Tampa Bay was not a playoff team last year and Childress has not been the Vikings coach since late last season. Maybe if you quit worshipping the dawgs you could keep up with what’s going on in the NFL.
ted williams head
August 19th, 2011
2:31 pm
Chilly is long gone from the ViQueens. Where have you been Mark
Jeff
August 19th, 2011
2:31 pm
I think 12-4 is a good target to shoot for. Last year, we slightly exceeded it. With a tougher-looking schedule, I’d be happy with 12-4 this year.
epic quibble
August 19th, 2011
2:39 pm
10 – 6. Book it, Bradley. Done.
Roll Tide Boaz
August 19th, 2011
2:39 pm
Wow, I had high hopes for the falcons until I saw that schedule. I think the Falcons will be better than last year but will be lucky to go 10-6 with that schedule. Still can’t wait to see Julio run wild though.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 19th, 2011
2:48 pm
At best I see 11-5. That schedule is brutal. I can easily see 9-7. Tough matchups on the road and at home. Turner needs to stay healthy.
PreyDawg
August 19th, 2011
2:50 pm
Lowcountry and Bradley must not watch much pro football. You are both all wet. 14 and 2 and the number one seed if we stay healthy.
Lowcountry Bulldawg
August 19th, 2011
2:52 pm
Yeah, just pass over whateve it is that you are smoking on big guy.
Runner-
August 19th, 2011
3:12 pm
11-5, miss playoffs by 1 game, you all will see. Other than that, go Falcons!!
chem
August 19th, 2011
3:22 pm
Tampa will be good this year. They’ve got QB Freeman and RB Blount starting from week 1. Those two will give the Falcons fits for years to come.
Falcons4Eva
August 19th, 2011
3:26 pm
11- 5 Falcons
11-5 Saints
Very interesting to see which is the Wild Card and Which is The Division Champ!
elroy
August 19th, 2011
3:34 pm
Bradley, your predicitions are the worst. just stop! ajc should drop you!
Infamous
August 19th, 2011
3:36 pm
I think playing Philly early is a plus for us. Last year was a blip for Vick. He will come back down to earth. Not as bad as those 3 picks in 7 passes last night, but somewhere in between. Take away the big play from Philly and they can not win. Several teams proved that down the stretch last year. This will be the first time in many tries that we will actually beat the Eagles.
jake
August 19th, 2011
3:43 pm
This is honestly one of the worst, most biased articles I’ve ever read on here. I saw the title was excited to see an educated prediction, but this article never comes close. I’ve been a Falcons fan since birth, but let’s look at this article logically.
Number 1….Mark, you have the Falcons beating the Panthers 56-17. The Panthers, who in 2010 without Julius Pepper and Thomas Davis were the 17th ranked total defense in the NFL. As the worst team (record) in the NFL, they allowed 25.5 points per game, the Panthers never allowed more than 37 points in one game. On top of that, their new head coach is Ron Rivera, who is a defensive minded coach and led the Chargers last year to the NFL’s #1 rated defense in terms of total yards. From the Falcons point of view, do you know how many times the Falcons have scored 56 points or more, Mark? One time. One single time, in 1973 vs the Saints. And you expect them to come out and put up their highest point total in nearly 40 years?
Number 2, two of the four teams you have the Falcons losing to are the Seahawks and the Texans. For starters, since we drafted Matt Ryan, the Falcons have not lost to either the Seahawks OR the Texans, much less in the same season.
I’m guessing you picked your scores by blindly throwing darts at random towards a dart board? You have the Falcons averaging 28.3 points per game. You have them increasing their points per game by over 3 points from last year even though there schedule is significantly harder this year (not to mention the Falcons haven’t averaged over 28 points per game in the last decade).
The one thing I don’t mind is the actual record. I think 12-4 is reasonable (11-5 is the most likely statistically)….but the way you picked it was just awful. I want you to print off this article and at the end of the year, go back and track how well you did. Then use it as a reminder that next year, you should actually do some research instead of writing whatever you think in your head. It must be too easy to get a job as a journalist these days.
Mr Phil
August 19th, 2011
3:47 pm
Bradley is on the sauce!! Losing to the Seahawks and Texans. Really?!!! Omg. At least tell me you are drinking quality stuff and not that cheap whiskey.
ATLBadger
August 19th, 2011
3:49 pm
LOL. Bradley still thinks Childress is the HC of the Vikings!
Tyron Shulaces
August 19th, 2011
3:51 pm
we’ll be 4-12 if we don’t cut that Burnt Toast #21 out of the secondary.
SPS
August 19th, 2011
3:52 pm
I think 12-4 is about right, but I think that record wins the division title. Saints will go 10-6.
reebok
August 19th, 2011
3:52 pm
Falcons will start 1-4, with the lone win against either the Seahawks or the Bucs. Thr Falcons are a fundamentally unsound team with a defense that got shredded at home last year after an off week, by a team on 5 days’ rest. Falcons may make it to 9-7 by exploiting the soft part of the schedule. 9-7 may let them sneak in as a WC.
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.
Ed
August 19th, 2011
11:00 pm
12 – 4. Is a definite possibility for the Falcons this year. The offense appears to be more explosive than ever and the defense looks pretty sharp too. I can’t wait til this thing gets kicked off for real.
tom
August 19th, 2011
11:14 pm
Why don’t you give us your results from last years predictions? I am waiting.
SeenThisB4
August 19th, 2011
11:18 pm
The falcan’ts remind me of last year’s cowboys team about this time. All their fans, and even a lot of the media were proclaiming them to be the odds on favorite to win the Super Bowl. All they needed was that one explosive receiver, Dez Bryant, that they had picked with their first round selection. They were the complete team,….or so they thought. So, you see, I have SeenThisB4.
I don’t see it. I didn’t see it last week, I didn’t see it tonight.
10-6, with some luck- a playoff appearance, but one and out.
Mark Bradley
August 19th, 2011
11:22 pm
Er, in the first graph I write: Last year I picked the Falcons to go 12-4 and win the NFC South. They went 13-3 and won the NFC South. I picked them to play Dallas in the NFC championship game. Neither team made it.
J.J.M.
August 19th, 2011
11:25 pm
so when will the falcons throw a deep ball?
Henry D.
August 19th, 2011
11:34 pm
The only way these guys go 12-4 is if 3 other teams forfeit their games. These guys stink! The defense could not stop an 8 year old team, and the next time a Falcons defender tackles a quarterback in the backfield it will be the first. they are a horrendous tackling team. As glad as I wasd to see him hired, it’s time for BVG to go!
Back 2 Reality
August 19th, 2011
11:46 pm
Hey Mark, ease up on the Jack Daniels. If this team goes 10 -6 consider themselves lucky.
Drexel Gal
August 20th, 2011
12:37 am
I say the Falcons will go 7-9.
JASon
August 20th, 2011
1:34 am
12-4
And if you are smart, you would listen to me. I was dead on in 2009, and had them 12-4 last year (one off).
bob from account temps
August 20th, 2011
2:56 am
you have ruined the viewing season for me mark. no need to watch any games now.
Eric C.
August 20th, 2011
6:01 am
Wow…that is a really brutal schedule and I can’t see the Falcons going better than 11-5, which still may be good enough to win the division.
Now, thinking back to 2008 when the Falcons were in the midst of a magical season…wouldn’t you have thought then that Ryan would surely win a playoff game by 2011? It was an unfortunate draw the Falcons had in the 2nd round last season, but this has got to be the year the Falcons finally put it together and at least get one win in the playoffs.
jerry
August 20th, 2011
6:23 am
Bradley has the so called high powered Falcon offense scoring no more than 24 points in 5 of the first 6 games. I would not be surprised if he is correct.
BARTKOWSKI
August 20th, 2011
6:36 am
13-3 without a major injury 11-5 otherwise…. superbowl bound. iggles are overrated
B-Bro
August 20th, 2011
6:52 am
The Falcons won’t beat Tampa either game this year and they should of lost both games to them last year.
matt
August 20th, 2011
7:01 am
seriously we are not losing to the tarvis jackson seahawks we go 4-1 to start the season i give us upset againist green bay and the texans as cris carter would say cmon man we go 13 and 3 that s my prediction
Furman Bitcher
August 20th, 2011
7:03 am
10-6 my friends.
Furman Bitcher
August 20th, 2011
7:04 am
Tough division this year. Sorry Bro there will be a split with the Bucs
lgd
August 20th, 2011
8:21 am
you people need to let up on vick he was up all night before at a dog show
Ackshun
August 20th, 2011
8:31 am
I like our chances against Chicago. If we get up on Philly early and make Mike panic a bit we will beat them too. I don’t think we will beat the Colts at home. It’s more a mental thing there than talent related. The Saints will not be the factor that you think. I think the Bucs will be more competitive and may wind up getting a split with the Falcons. I see 13-3 with losses to the Saints and Bucs away and Indianapolis. Close calls with Philly, Green Bay and the Jags. They will destroy everyone else.
2010 Season Re-Cap
August 20th, 2011
8:31 am
The Falcons clobbered
the Seahawks 34-18 in Seattle last year
(Atlanta’s third road game win in a row).
The Saints lost
a Wildcard playoff game 41-36 to the 7-9 Seahawks in Seattle last year
(after losing at home to Tampa Bay).
D man
August 20th, 2011
8:44 am
Our first team looked pretty good last night against the Jags. We still have some depth issues so we better stay healthy. I would take 12-4 against this schedule.
D man
August 20th, 2011
8:45 am
Enter your comments here
D man
August 20th, 2011
8:46 am
I’ll take 12-4. Starters looked good last night again. We have back up problems. Hope no one gets hurt.
BirdDawg
August 20th, 2011
8:58 am
When last Cam Newton played in the Dome, his team won 56-17. Not this time. Falcons 56, Panthers 17.
2 funny…LMAO!
jerry
August 20th, 2011
9:13 am
Either miss the playoffs or another one and done and Mike Smith should be shown the door. Enough is enough.
Noler
August 20th, 2011
9:33 am
Last years falcs were very lucky and really a 9-7 team mores a 13-3 team..
They shoulda lost to sf, tb and new orl….they looked eerily similar last night
With the bend but not break def..they’re a 10-6 team or 9-7..they failed to address
The secondary in the offseason
Harvey D. Pooka
August 20th, 2011
9:36 am
Hold on there, all you band-wagon-jumper-ons: revised evaluation = 11-5 record (10-6 or 9-7 if Ryan misses any games).
Escaped from Email Purgatory
August 20th, 2011
9:49 am
Don’t see the Falcons going 5 -1 in the division. The Saints improved their pass rush markedly, and their offense is still sound after jettisoning Bush and Shockey. Brees is by far the best QB in the division. This is probably your division winner.
Watch out for the Bucs. A team on the rise for sure. Can’t see the Falcons taking two from these guys. I suspect, by season’s end, both Atlanta and Tampa will be 9-7 or 10-6.
The Panthers bring up the rear, but will probably be a heckuva lot better than most folks think.
We won way too many games last year on flukey plays. We should be better if we stay healthy, but the rest of the division has improved too.
It ought to be a fun season. And for the Birds, either Matt Ryan’s break out year, or the point at which the fan base begins to acknowledge his chronic shortcomings with accuracy.
Chattanooga Chuck
August 20th, 2011
10:18 am
Blazerdawg,
I was about to post the exact same thing you posted about the 1978 Falcons. That team was anything but a choker. The game they played in Dallas was probably one of the finest efforts in Falcon history.
Angelo
August 20th, 2011
10:20 am
What have you been smoking Man! Lets face preseason or not the falcons look bad. The falcons are lucky to go 8-8 this season.
Van Brocklin
August 20th, 2011
10:59 am
The 2007 Patriots went 16-0 after starting the pre-season 0-2.
Here’s how the 2011 Falcons will go 12-4 and grab a wild card – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) · Top Trends Daily
August 20th, 2011
11:00 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Van Brocklin
August 20th, 2011
11:01 am
From 13-3 to 16-0 regular season,
sounds about right for Falcons this year.
Van Brocklin
August 20th, 2011
11:04 am
General Manager Thomas Dimitroff Jr. knows a little bit about 16-0.
JagsFan
August 20th, 2011
12:11 pm
You may want to reconsider the blowout of the Jags based on a solid performance of the 1st team defense. Jags will win in Atlanta by a field goald
Mr Charlie
August 20th, 2011
12:20 pm
Injuries, Penalties, Special Teams, and the bounce of the ball will be the most decisive factor in the difference of a 14-2, or an 8-8 season. However after the luck the falcons has last year, I think we will come closer to the 8-8 mark than the 14-2. It all tends to even out.
TheRealGM
August 20th, 2011
12:22 pm
“1st off let me say that I am a DIE HEART “Atlanta Everything Sports Fan”. Born and raised Grady Baby..OK But I’m a realist, the Falcon’s not only got destroyed in the Packers Playoff game but humiliated.
Ice Matty is a intellectual QB not the least that dumb azz pick-6 before halftime was weak and lacked fire his arm is not Bret Farve he is a finesses thrower. He lack’s the killer instinct his stats will always look great on paper but I can say this now without no hate.
” He will never bring a SUPERBOWL RING TO ATLANTA” He is missing the “IT” that Tom Brady has the “IT” That Peyton Manning has something with this kid “Abilities is off”. Turner is losing burst as we could all expect and he can not “bounce – change direction” at all he is a “NORTH” guy no swivel in his hips.
Our DB situation is very suspect “GRIMES is the Star this kid is truly gifted he has the “IT”. Only the other side with Robinson this guy has yet to live up to the hype. I’m not fooled Rich McKay or Arthur Blank this team is Charmin posing as Tank. (7-11) is my prediction.
The defense cannot stop the pass. We have a good linebackers and great Safeties. What is causing Quaterbacks to be so happy to play against the Falcons is the lack of Pass Rush, even with the addition of Ray Edwards is that he is was injured (he’s not going to produce 10-15 sacks). Abraham he produced but against upper echelon teams he was absent.
Our only hope is to produce 3-5 Sacks a game and stop leaving this mediocre talented Secondary in compromising situations. This defense was built to stop the run but the league has changed. If we were serious about winning Julius Peepers should have never made it to the Bears. Asomough and Samuel’s should be in the Atl.
John House
August 20th, 2011
1:09 pm
14-2; only losses to Chicago and New Orleans(at home). Don’t know why that is. NFC champs and play New England in the Superbowl.
Keith
August 20th, 2011
1:30 pm
have to disagree with ya on a couple of games, the Seahawks game , no way do we lose that one, Texas is a toss up. unforunatley I think we lose to Peyton in indy they’ve only beat the Colts one time and that was in ATL so I don’t see them going into Indy and winning other than that 12-4 or 11-5 NFC Sout Champs (again) beat the fudge packers in the NFC Championship to make it to the Superbowl!!
georgia guy
August 20th, 2011
1:58 pm
Some of you folks need to take a reading comprehension class. Mark is clearly aware that Childress is gone, and the 56-17 Carolina score is a JOKE, referring to Cam Newton’s last game at the Dome.
Bobby "The Waterboy" Boucher
August 20th, 2011
2:25 pm
It’s ridiculous for anyone to pick how many games a team will win at this time of year, let alone what the actual score will be. There’s no way of knowing what key players will be injured and not playing for any given game, that can go a long way in determining who wins. All the people making predictions are just guessing what might be. They don’t know any more than the average fan, just because one team looks really better, that doesn’t guarantee a win. Every week has plenty of upsets. I wouldn’t bet any money on Mark Bradley’s predictions.
Bruce
August 20th, 2011
3:08 pm
“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 went 5-3 against teams with winning records and two of those were the Bucs. Don’t book those playoff tickets yet Falcon Fan.
dawgkicker
August 20th, 2011
4:48 pm
Ahh… mark bradley and his pearls of wisdom…. NOT… i am sure you already have uga going undefeated and winning the national championship.. always good to have a journalist who knows what unbiased journalism is… The falcons will finish 13-3 for the season….
Saints R.E.A.M.
August 20th, 2011
5:50 pm
I won’t predict what the Falcons record will be. I will say that GreenBay is overhyped and will not make it back to the championship game. They didn’t win their division last year but they did get hot in the playoffs. I expect the Falcons to win 9 or 10 this year but not win the division. I really think that the Falcons missed a golden opportunity last year. I mean they had home field through the playoffs, avoided major injuries and had a few bounces go their way. All the things you need to make a run to the Superbowl. I doubt that they capture that kind of lightning again so soon and I think the Philadelhia game, Greenbay game & New Orleans game at the end of the year rattled this team. They must find a way to cover teams that spread them out….need more speed and coverage on D & more big plays on offense. Julio Jones may be the answer for the Big plays on offense…but what about the Defense????
Saints R.E.A.M.
August 20th, 2011
5:51 pm
Ok…I guess I did predict the Falcons record….oops.
intellibird
August 20th, 2011
7:26 pm
What’s the over under on the number of games that Vick plays this year? My guess is that he may already be injured by the time we play them and then probably again by the playoffs. He is again, as here, looking to run too much. He better stand in the pocket and take his hits, not risk himself running around, backwards, and downfield. Go Falcons!
SawThat1nce
August 20th, 2011
7:43 pm
Falcons will be the 2001 NFC South winners, regardless, as the saints sux.
They will finish at least 12-4.
SawThat1nce
August 20th, 2011
7:44 pm
2011 NFCS Champs.
REAL FALCONS FAN
August 20th, 2011
8:11 pm
mark the falcons d won’t let the panthers score and as for the eagles,ha,ha falcons in a blowout, seahawks REALLY IN THE WORDS OF K. JOHNSON COME ON MAN!
Rodney
August 20th, 2011
8:25 pm
I see you have jumped on the bandwagon like the rest of the national media when it comes to the Jaguars. I believe you will find the Jaguars to be a worthy opponent on the Thursday night game. I am not saying they will win, but I think it will be a close game. And, I am not basing this on the pre-season game. The Falcons first team beat the Jags first team.
Skeezix
August 20th, 2011
10:24 pm
Mark: I just don’t follow the NFL that much, so I’ll take your word for it. I do watch more of it during the playoffs, so if the Falcons are that good at least I’ll have a team I can root for.
All the local sports experts say that the Carolina Panthers (my home state) will stink again, so there is two likely wins for the Birds.
danstreet
August 20th, 2011
10:40 pm
How are they a Wildcard if they win the division? You guys at the AJC are lazy. No wonder no other news source like ESPN or FOX Sports uses you…you are all hacks….go do a Curt Kobain for us please Mark
KQuark
August 20th, 2011
11:37 pm
LOL don’t believe the hype around Philly. I’ve read the book on Vick and know how it ends.
welikebaseball2
August 21st, 2011
1:23 am
So…how did I guess SeenThisB4 would disappear if the Saints got manhandled by the Texans? Hilarious…yet so predictable, annoying, & delusional…LOL
ga gator
August 21st, 2011
8:13 am
Prediction 12-4 but swap win and loss with Texans and Greenbay.
DA BEARS!!!!!!!!
August 21st, 2011
9:06 am
mb glad to see u pick the pigions to win at the bears because what u predict usaully doesnt happen i see then 7-9 maybe 8-8 at best with this slate of games matt ryan is not progressing and i know ive got my drama king (cutler) there will be issues with the receivers and the defense always plays substandard mike smith is a very good coach and hey there the falcons come on
glc3md
August 21st, 2011
9:22 am
Dream on
Pig Farmers Local 42
August 21st, 2011
9:50 am
U have lost ur fu–in mind!
Slaw Dawg
August 21st, 2011
9:54 am
I know this is a Falcons blog but I have to say I hate the new UGA uniforms. Not to mention, we will start the season 0-2 with losses to Boise and S. Carolina. Sad but true. You heard it here first.
kenny t
August 21st, 2011
9:59 am
falcons lose to teams like philly&greenbay because brian van gorder is a great college coach but cannot coach on pro level .any quarter back like vick&rogers blow his mind.
Just so you know.
August 21st, 2011
10:14 am
Mark Bradley sucks as a writer!!!! Where’s Terrance Moore???!!!! Go Dirty Birds!!!!
Marquis James
August 21st, 2011
10:24 am
Matt SUCKS…..he has Pro Bowlers, Hall of Famers, and top draft picks( that we dont EVEN need) at EVERY skill position and we cant score 20 points…..and thats with our defense forcing 2 turnovers!!!! Lol
When are you gonna stop making excuses for this guy and our incompetent offensive coordinator….if we were ANYwhere else in America the local media would have long ran them bothout of town…..but in the dumb’em down,racial undertone, good ‘ol boy south….we pay him $11Million just to show up!!!! This jig is up….he’s been exposed, the league knows, our offense is Smoke and Mirrors and so busy trying to make Howdy Doody look good all of the black skill players are suffering!!! We wont win 10 games if we dont hold them accountable!!!!! By the way….I still havent seen a pass thrown over 20yards yet!!!!! Lol
matthew
August 21st, 2011
10:57 am
the stinkin new orleans saints feel good katrina era is over..they will not be a challenge this year at all..ATLANTA FALCONS 14-2 …Saints 4-12..
Freddy
August 21st, 2011
11:06 am
The late Bear Bryant said: “Offense sells tickets; Defense wins championships”.
After the Falcons humiliation against Green Bay, I thought for sure they would shore up the defense on draft day. Don’t get me wrong, I love what they have done with the offense but I don’t think adding one defensive player, Ray Edwards, was nearly enough.
The Falcons will make the playoffs this year and I predict win the 1st round. I just don’t think they will get much further.
braves fan forever
August 21st, 2011
11:55 am
Hey L bennett how about you and ray GOof just go away.Falcons could go 14-2 or 15-1.I don’t see them losing to seattle or the texans and may not lose to the saints.I tis also no gaurantee they will lose to philly especially with Vick as there QB.He is highly overated.
Buzz 2011
August 21st, 2011
12:03 pm
Mark what are you thinking? You have one of 12 Falcon wins coming Oct. 9th..The Falcons will not and could not beat the Packers anywhere. They could play five times this year ( anywhere) and the Falcons lose all games.. The Falcons didn’t play bad in their 28 point loss to the Pack, they simply played The Pack……………
Mark Bradley
August 21st, 2011
12:36 pm
Did not the Falcons beat the Packers in the regular season in 2010?
Marquis James
August 21st, 2011
12:38 pm
By the way I love how we are gonna beat all the black coaches and destroy the Black QBs too….I especially love Tim Tebow and how he got drafted in the 1st round so he could be taught how to throw and now he’s risen to 3rd string QB……change we all can believe in…..Matty Ice aka Howdy Doody…..”I show up 4 my money only”…..and I lay down for the competition cause Im scared to go deep wit Julio cause of my secret relationship underneath with Pretty Tony!!!!! Lol
Dirty Birds
August 21st, 2011
2:17 pm
10-6/11-5 on top side. D just isn’t proven. They improve dramatically over last season and they can reach 12-13. They won everything close last year, had to have a fantastic strip fumble by Roddy White on Nate Clements to pull one out (guy goes down, game over). They were exposed as a relatively mild 13-3 team in playoffs (if there is such a thing) that has a long way to go. Yes, Packers were hot, but they didn’t obliterate anyone else in the playoffs last year, after needing the Giants really give one away to the Eagles to even qualify….
Eskoballa
August 21st, 2011
10:15 pm
i agree with the prediction. but if all aint correct, i would say we ll still have a winning record but miss playoffs. im gambling with a 9-7 record if the above prediction is not met. too early to tell especially with us having a difficult schedule.
Ed
August 22nd, 2011
9:37 am
I’m not impressed…… “Win A Play Off Game” The last two super bowl winners had team speed and aggressive play calling….. not the predictable conservative plays the falcons run in the play offs.
THE BIG R
August 22nd, 2011
10:46 am
LIKE I SAID BEFORE, 9 AND 7 4 AND 3 AFTER FIRST 7 GAMES. SCHEDULE TO TOUGH AT START, INJURIES, NO DEPTH, EVERYBODY TARGETING AFTER YOU AFTER LAST YEAR, WILL LOSE ONCE TO BUCS,AND NOT CONVINCED BEARS GAME IS A WIN. AND IF THEY DID GO 12-4 IT WOULD BE A DIVISION WINNER AND NOT WILD CARD
SeenThisB4
August 22nd, 2011
12:24 pm
@Welikebaseball: Disappear? Moi? I think not! What would you have me do, post every five minutes, 24/7. It was the weekend, and down in New Orleans, we have better things to do than to be on the net badmouthing the falcan’ts all day.
Yeah, the Saints stunk it up on both sides of the ball Saturday night. I guess they caught the “We’re-going-to-stink-tonight-virus” from the falcan’ts cause your team wasn’t much better. Except for one pass, Ryan spent the better part of the night running for his life. LOL!
Yeah, yall are going to go 12-4. Uh-huh!
Your help needed: Why aren't we buzzing about the Falcons? | Mark Bradley
August 24th, 2011
9:55 am
[...] about the Atlanta Falcons. I think they’re going to be really good, Super-Bowl-or-thereabouts good. But then, when I listen closely, I hear no buzz about this [...]
htwo0rider
August 24th, 2011
6:07 pm
Anderson, they haven’t beat the Eagles in 7 years…the eagles improved more this year….I hope you’re right though.