Live from Falcons-Vikings: Anybody excited about this one?
"Hey, I'm pumped. Who's with me?" (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
I wish I could say I’m looking forward to a great day of pro football here at the Dome, but I’d be a big fat liar. The Atlanta Falcons tend to play to the level of the opposition, and if that happens today …
(Pause to shudder.)
The Minnesota Vikings are awful, and they’re without their best player. (Adrian Peterson, RB.) They’re also without Brett Favre, Randy Moss, Alan Page, Joe Kapp, Carl Eller, Fran Tarkenton, Chuck Foreman, Cris Carter, Mick Tinglehoff and anyone else who ever put the pop in the Purple. The Vikings are 2-8, having beaten two other terrible teams (Arizona and Carolina).
This is one of those games the Falcons should win by three touchdowns, and I’m thinking it’s a game they need to win by three touchdowns. Even at 6-4, there’s scarcely a buzz about this team nationally or locally. I got out of Mass later than usual this morning, and I was thinking I might hit traffic around the Dome, but I drove right in at 11:30.
It’s 12:03 as I write, and there’s almost nobody in the house. I know it’s the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the day after Tech-Georgia, but still … this is, on the record, a pretty good NFL team. I wondered in preseason why more people weren’t talking about the Falcons, and on the final Sunday of November I’m wondering still.
So I ask again: Are you pumped about the Birds? Are you too stuffed with Thanksgiving turkey to care? Has watching Florida fall to 6-6 and Clemson to 9-3 last night dulled the senses? Is there anybody out there? Is this microphone on?
With that, I’ll hang up and await your responses. Assuming there are any.
By Mark Bradley
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,179 comments Add your comment
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
4:23 pm
It is too early to call JJ a bust, but when you see all we gave up, he is under more pressure to perform faster. If we knew it would take him a few years to get acclimated, we don’t make that trade.
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
4:24 pm
I thought our secondary played quit well, except for one really bad play.
DAMON
November 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
Now that I think about it, I think it will be more favorable if the Saints win. The odds for the Falcons to overtake the Saints is less than their chance to make a wild card spot. If the Giants are defeated by the Saints and Packers, that will increase the Falcons probabilty. It’s all a moot point anyway, they be one and done. If the wildcard is a home game, atleast it will add a few bucks to the local businesses.
JSS
November 27th, 2011
4:26 pm
I’m just inspired!!!
marymac
November 27th, 2011
4:29 pm
GO TO HELL,MARK……………………………
bigdave
November 27th, 2011
4:30 pm
TJ Yates a tough customer.. isnt he from here..?solid football player.
however, the stars are aligning.. we have to go to Houston and take care of business..
our #2 overall rush defense will be mightily tested..
DHD
November 27th, 2011
4:32 pm
I am excited about EVERY win. I am a Falcons fan. What the heck kind of article is this? Oh…it’s the AJC.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
4:33 pm
JJ is still not the #1 or #2 receiver on this team in terms of where Ryan looks. It is White and Gonzalez depending on the scenario. Douglas is playing a nice role these days too. JJ will have his games I believe, and should be a big factor in a few upcoming games. Just my opinion. I like what I have seen when he has been the receiver of choice. TBD what the perception/final analysis will be on the draft choices traded. I can’t worry about that now and just look forward to him getting involved a bit more.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
4:35 pm
Damon . .. .I don’t get your line of thinking. If the Giants beat the Saints tomorrow, then the Falcons are in control of their own fate. Now winning 5 games in a row in this league is tough if you are not the Packers these days. Still, how can you claim you’d rather have the Giants win because their odds are less favorable to overtake the Saints. Remember that was a very close game in Atlanta . . .and last year I believe the home team lost both games.
DAMON
November 27th, 2011
4:42 pm
ORR, I just don’t think the Falcons will beat the Saints in NO and I know they did it last year. To be honest, I’m concerned about the game at Carolina. Who is left on their schedule that you can boldly say, that’s a win??? Tampa, maybe.
trademark
November 27th, 2011
4:45 pm
@njfalcon – The Haters will NEVER unfortunately let up on Matt Ryan. Simple reasoning..he is not the beloved Mike Vick. Even though Matt is a FAR superior QB, with a lot more talent and winning percentage and damn, you could go on and on. Their just pissed because someone came in and bailed this team out, and not only that, turned a disaster into a perennial contender. Something Vick NEVER did…and looks like never will. Petty. Trifling. Call it what you will. Unfortunately, the AJC blogs seem content to let them spew this garbage year after year instead of blocking these fools, turning this place into a septic tank of stupidity.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
OK Damon . . ….i understand you are doubtful of the Falcs beating the Saints and believe Wild Card is more feasible. Me, I’ll be rooting for the Giants, a tie in the Win – Loss total with Saints, and then rooting for the Falcs to win every game. Hey we all know the Saints are a strong team, but I think the Falcs have a very good chance to beat them. So I’m going for a goal of front door entrance into the playoffs and not backing in.
DAMON
November 27th, 2011
4:47 pm
Oh, I didn’t list Jacksonville as a possibly definitely win.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
4:50 pm
Damon . . .. every game is a challenge
I’ll just be rooting for the wins each time. With that scenario I gotta root for the Giants to beat Saints as I don’t know all the tie-breakers if by good fortune the Falcons went 12-4, and in the end the Saints were 12-4.
phil
November 27th, 2011
4:53 pm
I might could throw one 40 yards….i’m not Elway.
Tommy
November 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
The Carolina game will decide the season. Jacksonville and Tampa should be wins (you can see the Bucs coming apart today), leaving the games at New Orleans, Houston and Carolina. Houston looks like an opportunity, but if we lose and we beat Jax, Tampa and carolina we’re at worst 10-6. And with the tiebreaker on Detroit that should be enough
DAMON
November 27th, 2011
4:58 pm
As the saying goes, ” that’s why they play the game ”
kreedham
November 27th, 2011
5:03 pm
As previously mentioned Leinhert went out of the game today. Don’t know how good their 3rd string guy is but I’d say it’s awfully hard to win with him starting. I also believe Julio was only thrown 1 pass today. Perhaps Smitty was saving him for next week!
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
kreedham . . definitely wasn’t too many passes thrown to Julio today. I don’t look at that as a bad thing, but game decision by the QB. Heck, Wes Welker the leading receiver in AFC – maybe NFL – did not have a reception until well near the end of the game against KC. No need as Gronkowski was incredible as well as Hernandez.
JSS
November 27th, 2011
5:06 pm
And finally the cry baby “it is all because of Vick” fixation blogger sidekick shows up… This is all about Matt Ryan, win a playoff game first… Then win a Super Bowl… That will be the only thing that will shut-up any detractor of any QB… Ask Jim Plunkett, Dan Pastaroni, Marc Wilson. Don Majikowski, and countless others… Any Dan Marino knows that his biography reads like the “Never won a Super Bowl!” And Matt Ryan reads “Never won a playoff game!” Simple as that, it hurts you, and you will name call and and troll on folks, but it is what is… And it ain’t about Michael Vick!
JSS
November 27th, 2011
5:14 pm
Kreedham…
Yates is a lot like Ponder, and a couple of notches below Locker in talent. Nowhere as athletic as those two, but exactly the type of QBs who’ve been giving the Falcons fits…
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
5:18 pm
JSS . . but no one complains bout Marino down here in SE Florida even though he did not win the big one. Every day I hear them bemoaning only if they had a QB half as good as Marino. I’m not sure how Marc Wilson fits into the debate. I remember when he played and don’t recall anyone thinking he was anything special. I know a lot of fans on this blog feel Ryan is not elite or even special, but he gets a bit more pub by national folks than M. Wilson. Pastorini . . . .now folks also thought highly about him so I don’t necessarily agree with your assessment of those other QBs. Don the Magic Man . . ..he was a surprise guy and not a #3 pick with all the hype.
Supes
November 27th, 2011
5:18 pm
Houston is down to rookie 3rd string Tyler Yates (from UNC)…if the Falcons can’t beat a Houston team with Yates at QB (making his first start), then they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs. Period. I’m aware that their D has elevated their play, and their run game is excellent…but without a viable QB…
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
5:20 pm
So JSS . . .in short, although Marino will have “he never won a SB” as well as Pastorini, I don’t think anyone ever said they were lesser as QBs for that reason. Dang . . .Marino is a legend down here still and always will be. Can’t speak for Pastorini’s legacy in Houston . . .but as good as he was . . he was no Marino.
Great Falconi
November 27th, 2011
5:20 pm
Odd game.
Dominique Franks is probably the dude who screwed us up the most. He was supposed to cover Harvin on 4th and 13 and blew his assignment. He’s also the guy who got hit with the punt that set the Vikes up in our territory to start that drive. Hell, if Smitty doesn’t challenge Gerhart’s alleged reception, the Vikes would’ve kicked a FG anyway.
Ryan was on point. Roddy and Tony had strong games. Jacquizz had a couple of nice plays. We got bogged down again in the second half. I have no idea why.
Again, it was an odd game, but we got the W. Hell, we even covered.
JSS
November 27th, 2011
5:35 pm
O.R.R.
Wilson as you remember was the first of the BYU bombs away savior QBs. He was drafted for the express reason of unseating the FA castaway Jim Plunkett that season in 1980. There was always the pressure to make him no. 1! All Plunkett did was win, even with lesser Raider talent until they reload for the 2nd of his SB wins. When Wilson got his chances, regardless of his intangibles he could never get the Raiders over any hump…
Look, I never demean Marino’s numbers, but he just could not win the big game… Sorry, but the NFL is a zero-sum contest in that manner, you gotta win it! I can add someone like Steve McNair to that list… When you’re there, you just have to do it… Shoot, I give Vick heck because of it, but at least he, McNair, Marino, and Pastaroni were not “one and done!”
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
5:36 pm
Supes . . .remember the Ravens won a SB with Trent Dilfer because of their D? Heck, if it wasn’t for the Giants D the Pats would have gone 19-0. So there is the chance that Yates does just enough and the D holds back the Falcons. These things happen. Now it’s up to the Falcons to score enough to put Yates in a position where he has to do a little extra. He is a Pro QB you know, so he may be able to succeed!
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
5:58 pm
Hows it going JSS. I don’t know if I agree with the “zero sum” assessment. I know it works nicely in certain arguments against Ryan for not yet being part of a Playoff Win never mind SB, but although folks will always know Marino’s teams did not win a SB, he still is looked at as an incredible and great QB. Like I said, I live down in SE Florida now, and Marino is God to these folks . ..not Bob Griese who won a couple of SBs. Jim Kelly will always be remembered as a great QB . …even though he lost several SBs. Again – not winning a SB will always be something that they’ll remember, and yes in the end it may put Brady, Manning, Elway, Favre, and Brees a notch above in some assessments. It doesn’t do much for Dilfer. Rypien will be remembered as a pretty good QB …for those who remember him:) Plunkett . . .solid QB with Raiders, Namath – really not great but hey . . .he’s Joe Namath:) McMahon . … .hmmm not sure where to put him. A championship takes a team. Folks down here only wish Marino had a better defense for most of his years.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
6:00 pm
Now keep it up Raiders!!!! Falcs could use a Bear loss. I know I mentioned I don’t want to “back into” playoffs . . … but I will accept the help . . . .and continue to root for Falcon wins!!!
cdog
November 27th, 2011
6:07 pm
yes, anytime the falcons win, falcon fans should be excited.at the end no one is going to ask , did they win pretty or ugly? all we want to know is, we won.a win is a win.no one is going to the superbowl by winning pretty. WINS, WHETHER THEY ARE PRETY OR UGLY is going to get you to the playoffs and superbowl. i am very excited about this win, we could have lost then what? GO FALCONS! LETS GET THE TEXANS NEXT
AD80
November 27th, 2011
6:07 pm
I am a season ticket holder and lifetime fan but just see this team making the playoffs and getting crushed…team should be much better then what I see at the game. 3rd down def. and pass def. scares no one. offence has very little energy.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
6:16 pm
AD80 . . . ..were you there today? You know Vikings only had 2 or 3 first downs in the first half? Now they made a nice run in the 2nd half ….but “overall” I thought the D played fine! That touchdown to Harvin was definitely a screw up, but they shut them down pretty much towards the end of the game when it mattered most. Can’t complain about a goal line stance either!
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
6:18 pm
3rd Down efficiency for Vikes . .. .5-15. I believe most of those may have come on that long drive in the 3rd quarter. So folks may not fear the Falcons 3rd Down D . .. .but it has quietly been getting a lot better stat-wise.
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
6:22 pm
Correction: 4-13 on 3rd downs. 1-2 on 4th downs for Vikes. (I added the two together initially)
Melissa
November 27th, 2011
6:29 pm
Weatherspoon & Owens, WELCOME TO THE PARTY, BOYS! Ya’ll did your thing out there today!
As for the rest of the fellas, I don”t know what”s up with ya’ll checking out at the half, but you gotta do better, real talk. Great win, all the same!
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
6:43 pm
Melissa, the Vikes had one nice drive, and got a bunch of yards on a play the Falcs D would like back on that shortened drive caused by the punt receiving team turnover. But they still held the Vikes to only 226 total yards!! The Falcs had 22 1st downs to the Vikings 12 and time of possession once again is well in Falcs advantage. Looking like last year’s regular season in that regard. Now, we all know this one should not have had us nervous at the end . …. ..but in the end a nice, dominating win . ..if not totally reflected in the score.
JSS is Vick's Be-atch
November 27th, 2011
7:21 pm
JSS,
Please name me a quarterback who LED his team to the playoffs in 2 out of his first 3 years in the NFL. Please don’t mention Joe Flacco as the Ravens defense carried him to the playoffs. Please don’t respond if you can’t answer that question. I am so glad to see Vick gone. A quarterback must be the leader of the team and Vick was/is no leader. Look at the Eagles now. Vick is a coach killer. Andy Reid will likely be fired this year because he trusted in Vick. Matt Ryan will win a Super Bowl for the Falcons. I GUARANTEE IT!!!!!!
drmaryb (*_-)
November 27th, 2011
7:25 pm
Sam’s Hill!
For the Love of God, will this Sam guy stop posting all over the place, about some high school kicker?
JSS
November 27th, 2011
7:27 pm
I rated Super Bowl winning QBs a few years back… Namath is an anomaly… There is no good way to judge him because Weeb Eubanks just let him have carte blanche… He had 1950s river boat gambler numbers an he put some old school AFL numbers a couple of seasons… Griese will always get the short cuff in S. Florida because he was the beneficiary of the No name Defense. His managing of the 3 SB appearances have been tainted by that, and the love of Earl Morrall by the oldies didn’t make things clear for him… By the time he got his stuff together, it was an Steelers-Raiders AFC… McMahon was just one tough something, if they’d ever given him real wideouts (Gault, Mooorehead, and McKinnon) were a joke… Payton and that defense, that was it… Marino is beloved because he was a modern riverboat gambler… But in other places, they just shrug their shoulders and say great numbers, but did he win, like Jurgensen and Tittle?
JSS
November 27th, 2011
7:32 pm
AT the fool…
Pat Haden (Rams) did it… He actually won a playoff game too.. Does that make me a Haden %$#@*? You’re a troll, use a user name like a man and stop trying to hide like a little W*ore!
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
7:37 pm
JSS, agree with most everything you say, but Ryan has been in the league 3 years, and he can’t win a playoff game tomorrow. So what is your point on being here week in week out?
You cannot deny that Ryan has show much more during the regular season in his first three years than say, Dan Pastorini. When Ryans career is done, I would say it would be time to reflect on his career, not 3 and a half very promising seasons in. Why all the hate?
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
7:37 pm
JSS – don’t agree with that “shrug shoulder” comment either. It would be like saying people think Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Charles Barkley weren’t any good. I lived in Mass and was/am a Pats fan primarily . …..we did not shrug our shoulders at Marino. I don’t think any fan of any team did. He just did not have the team around him in the end to match the Buffalo Bills mostly nor the overall talent of the multiple SB winners – 49ers and Cowboys. Anyone who thinks Troy Aikman was anywhere near as good as Marino .. ..well I guess I’d have to allow them their incredibly wrong opinion
I really think this “No SB” not a great QB thing is more for bloggers and not the folks we see on TV. They will mention it as an additional piece if you are comparing Marino to Montana . . ..which will give Montana the nod. But at least they are saying Marino belongs in the discussion. Sum Zero seems to indicate they don’t belong in the discussion without a Championship. Barry Sanders does not belong in the discussion? Dan Fouts? John Hannah? Thurman Thomas? Bruce Smith? I know I’m going outside of QBs . ..but again . . ..it still is a team game even if the QB can be the most important piece most of the time.
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
7:40 pm
Really I take nothing away from Flacco, he got it done. Same for Sanchez. But the story is still being written. Ryan seems to be getting stronger as this season is going forward. Like I said, I just hope we play our best when it means the most.
JSS
November 27th, 2011
7:40 pm
Reid will be fired because he hired a O-Line coach to be an NFL D- coordinator and didn’t go get some real safeties to go with all of those corners, but you most likely think DeCoud and Moore are Pro- Bowlers too? Troll…
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
7:42 pm
In the history on the NFL, there are probably 35 QBs who have a ring. Does that mean all the rest suck? Hardly.
JSS is Vick's Be-atch
November 27th, 2011
7:45 pm
This is my user name. You have a problem with it? I could change it to Vick the Coach Killer.
Pat Freaking Haden? What about Brady or Manning or Montana or Elway? Did they lead their teams to the playoffs twice in their first three years? Hell no. Most of the great QBs started their careers on the bench. Ryan came in and won games and led his team to the playoffs. Vick the coach killer didn’t do anything his rookie season. So why do you bow down to Vick, an exciting player no doubt, but never a player who will be considered more than that by an unbiased observer.
Mr Charlie
November 27th, 2011
7:49 pm
Tebow Magic again? Do you believe?
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
7:49 pm
Mr Charlie . . .I don’t know if there are 35. Think about it. Bradshaw has 4 . . correct? Brady 3, Aikman 3 I believe. Montana . ..is it 3 or 4? Roethisberger has 2 right? How many SBs have there been? Right there alone I have 5 QBs with 15 or 16 rings of 45 . . . . .oops . …so your number of 35 or so sounds very close. (Griese had 2 right? Or did Morral start one?)
Once Recent Reader
November 27th, 2011
7:50 pm
Oh yeah . . . I just saw Elway on TV . .didn’t he win 2? Favre – 2? OK getting closer to 30 starting QBs winning SBs
JSS
November 27th, 2011
7:51 pm
See, it is not that they were not great, it is a different pantheon… Lower level, that’s where the players put most players… I like Barkley, but he had shortcomings, Malone yep, if he’d been as complete as 96 in 89, his resume may have been different… John Hannah may have been one of the two greatest linemen to play the game (Munoz), but they’ll tell you do aren’t the conversation when it comes to post-season, comes with the territory… I’ve had the good fortune of knowing Barry Sanders via some connections from college years in Michigan… He knows there is a special “winners” section that comes with NFL playoff success… People like him don’t even get upset about the point… It is the fans who lose sight of it…