In prime time, the suddenly surging Falcons show their class
Sean Weatherspoon's team had a ball Thursday night. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Here’s where we haul out the wide-angle lens. Here’s where we recall those prime-time Falcons games that went the other way.
Like the one in 1984 that left O.J. Simpson, then an ABC analyst, chucking over the local team’s capacity to throw three-yard passes when trailing by three touchdowns. Or the 36-0 loss in 2003 that led Arthur Blank to write a letter of apology to the network. Or the 20-point home loss to New Orleans on Dec. 10, 2007 — the same day Michael Vick was sentenced to prison, the night before Bobby Petrino left to go call some Hogs in Arkansas.
And here’s where we step back and say: The woebegone Jacksonville Jaguars we saw Thursday night? Those used to be the Falcons.
Maybe the 2011 Birds haven’t been quite the team we hoped they’d be, but let’s get real: This club is 9-5 and headed for the playoffs. The Falcons have had chances to spit the bit and have declined every time. They’ve given themselves a postseason chance, and that’s all any team — even mighty Green Bay — can hope to do before the playoffs commence.
There was a time — heck, it was two years ago — that we Atlantans celebrated the Falcons finally managing consecutive winning seasons. On Thursday they clinched a fourth in a row, and none of us cared. Because we’ve been conditioned by Thomas Dimitroff and Mike Smith and Matt Ryan and Roddy White and Michael Turner to expect bigger and better.
“In-house, our expectations are much higher than just a winning season,” Smith said. “When you’re where you want to be as a team, winning seasons are expected.”
Raging mediocrity was left in the dust the January after Vick went to prison and Petrino split for the Ozarks. A franchise that looked to be three years from even a sniff of anything sweet hired a smart general manager and an unadorned coach and drafted a quarterback, and most everything since has been an unflagging march toward excellence. Tony Gonzalez came aboard. Julio Jones was taken after a bold managerial move upward. We might quibble with what the Falcons have become, but we cannot deny that they’ve become something worth watching.
On Thursday night we were treated to most of it. To Turner busting up the gut. To Jones splitting defenders to score. To White running the precise patterns that made him a 1,000-yard receiver. To Ryan managing the game and making the requisite throws. To John Abraham sacking the Jaguar quarterback so often that the name “Gabbert” got imprinted on the Dome turf. To Sean Weatherspoon doing his search-and-destroy routine. To a good-looking NFL club, in sum, treating its opponent with abject disdain.
It was 7-0 after four minutes, 17-0 after 17, 27-0 at the half, 34-0 in the first minute of the third quarter, 41-14 when it ended. No, Jacksonville isn’t much of a test, but that’s the point. The Falcons are no longer just another team. They’re one of the league’s best, and they’re getting better as they go.
We cannot know just yet, but it could be that the comeback in Charlotte five days ago marked a Rubicon. Down 23-7, the Falcons scored the final 24 points. Then they scored the first 41 against Jacksonville. For those without a handy abacus, that marked 65 consecutive Atlanta points. When last have we beheld a Falcons team capable of that? In the Super Bowl season of 1998? In the great-leap-forward year of 1980? Ever?
You mightn’t pick this team to win the Super Bowl, but no opponent will want to see the Falcons across the line of scrimmage. There’s enough talent here to reach the game so big we had to let the Romans number it, more talent than at any time in franchise history. (Yes, that includes 1998.) The Falcons’ next game will be in New Orleans the night after Christmas, and there’s no cause to believe it’s unwinnable.
At peak capacity, this team can beat anybody. Trouble is, the Falcons didn’t function at peak capacity against the Packers in October or the Saints in November … or against anybody until Thursday. Players and coaches kept saying, “We haven’t yet played a complete game,” but on this night they came pretty close. (There was that blocked punt, though.)
We’ve been wondering since September how these Falcons in full flight would look. We’re getting an idea. The offense isn’t as good as Green Bay’s or New England’s and the defense isn’t as unyielding as Houston’s, but not many teams have a better combination of the two. Not many teams can match 53-man rosters with this.
There was a time when we in this city had cause to dread every prime-time slot the Falcons were handed, and mercifully they weren’t given many. That time is gone. These Birds aren’t clowns. These Birds are class.
By Mark Bradley
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257 comments Add your comment
trademark
December 16th, 2011
2:15 am
LOL Mark,
You just made like 50,000 people Google the historical reference of “Rubicon”.
keepinitreal
December 16th, 2011
2:15 am
One more important note: the Bears and Lions both still have games remaining at Green Bay.
I don’t want to say the Falcons are in, but the Falcons are in.
Poobear Jenkins
December 16th, 2011
2:24 am
yeah we have shined lately In prime time games…..That Thursday night game against the Ravens come 2 mind #weballedout
Poobear Jenkins
December 16th, 2011
2:26 am
Yeah we have shined lately in prime time games……..That Thursday night game against the Ravens come to miind #weballedout
P B Orr
December 16th, 2011
3:05 am
Davenpoop, here is the list of tiebreakers straight from the colt’s mouth:
TO BREAK A TIE WITHIN A DIVISION
If, at the end of the regular season, two or more clubs in the same division finish with identical won-lost-tied percentages, the following steps will be taken until a champion is determined.
Two Clubs
Head-to-head (best won-lost-tied percentage in games between the clubs).
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the division.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.
Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed.
Best net points in common games.
Best net points in all games.
Best net touchdowns in all games.
Coin toss
The third tiebreaker is w/l percentage in common games – and the only uncommon games the Falcons/Saints have are Seattle and Philly for us, Giants and Rams for them. So they are 10-4 against common teams, while we are 9-5, assuming we end up tied.
P B Orr
December 16th, 2011
3:10 am
Eric C, if the Saints lose to the Birds and the Panthers and we end up tied at 11-5, that is, if they beat the Vikings and then lose out, while the Falcons win out, then we win the division by virtue of better record within the division, the second tiebreaker. My earlier statement was wrong. But they must lose to the Panthers and the Falcons must win out. Go Cam go
David Smith
December 16th, 2011
4:01 am
This win brought back some much needed swagger to this team at the right time of the season. The Jags aren’t world beaters but are still a decent team with the leading rusher in The NFL and a underrated defense. This team is peaking at the right time and could make a deep run in the playoffs this year.
KQuark
December 16th, 2011
4:14 am
Class was running it on fourth down near the end of the game withing the Jags 20 yard line. Psychopaths coaches like Peyton and Belichick would kick the field goal or throw it in the endzone to pad their stats. Atlanta could have easily posted 50+ points on the Jags like NO did on a Sunday Night by keeping Brees in the whole game to put up 62 points on the hapless 0 for the season Colts.
Samuel
December 16th, 2011
5:52 am
You have ten days to rest your Players and get ready for the Saints, which should be an interesting game. GO BIRDS!!
birdbrain2
December 16th, 2011
6:00 am
Go Falcons!!! Who dat whip up side dat Aints head!!!!
Realist
December 16th, 2011
6:05 am
Stay tuned! Mark’s next post game column will be about how the Falcon’s are a pretty good team…just not one of the leauges best. Thats what I love about Mark, he picks the flavor of the day and so eloquently opines about it. Today…among leauges best! Two weeks…back to just another wanna be with glaring issues.
Mr. Charlie
December 16th, 2011
6:21 am
GET READY FOR THE TICKER TAPE PARADE!!!!
*giggle*
GregKennesaw
December 16th, 2011
6:26 am
JSS the last 3 cames between Falcons and Saints have been decided by 3 points.
We split with them last year, we beat them in the superdome last year.
Old Boy
December 16th, 2011
6:29 am
Until we can prove that we can win in the post season, I am still going to feel like Charlie Brown lining up to kick Lucy’s football (I can’t remember whether that was your analogy or Schultz’s, but it pretty well summed up being a sports fan in Atlanta).
Allenman
December 16th, 2011
6:41 am
A good night for the Birds. Still I’m sorry to say, only an average team. Watch Brees humiliate our secondary. Enjoy Christmas, reality returns at 820 on dec 26th.
dave
December 16th, 2011
6:46 am
You’re scaring me, Mark. Every time we get this giddy over the Falcons, they lay an egg. Eugene Robinson solicits a cop or something like that.
Wutehvah
December 16th, 2011
7:02 am
I’m usually critical of the intensity/effort, but that was a convincing win last night. Let’s see if that play carries over vs Saints.
not bad
December 16th, 2011
7:30 am
Question – Since it was pretty much a blow out…..Can ANYBODY say that they remember hearing Dunta Robinsons name at ANY TIME last night? seriously………….
Bill
December 16th, 2011
7:51 am
Is it possible, just possible that this team is coming together at just the right time for a stretch run?? It happened in Green Bay last year. Consider:
Falcons dominated the last 6 quarters on offense and defense
First real complete game of the season
Many starters got to rest the last quarter
Brent Grimes should be back for NO
10 days to prepare for NO
Visiting team has a history of winning this contest.
Falcons played NO even the first time around.
Not a prediction, but consider the positive indicators.
DP
December 16th, 2011
7:51 am
Whenever you see a giddy Mark Bradley atop the bandwagon, something bad is about to happen.
JSS
December 16th, 2011
7:56 am
@ GregnCracknsaw…
What in “Rock-n-sock ‘em” don’t you understand? Translation: Hard hitting and close… GBI still trying to find Meth labs in the home of “The General?”
Trade School FTW
December 16th, 2011
8:05 am
Matty Ice pisses me off, but…..the Birds have a winning formula….woot woot!
True Falcon Fan
December 16th, 2011
8:09 am
Yea i heard GBI found one in Canton, Ga
True Falcon Fan
December 16th, 2011
8:11 am
Trade School FTW = WTF are you talkin’ about — you must be a MV7 lover —- No time for that BS!
jerry
December 16th, 2011
8:12 am
Smith and Ryan take their 2-5 record vs the Saints into the Cajun filled, jackhammer decibel, Mercedes-Benz Superdome for a nationally televised Monday Night Football game vs the NFC South leading, Super Bowl winning, New Orleans Saints. We will see if they are worthy of endless Bradley accolades at that time but not after this farce.
trademark
December 16th, 2011
8:14 am
Interesting, normally I’d agree, Bradley being on the bandwagon is a sure-shot at disaster…LOL….no, really, this time it isn’t just him….
Check out Burke’s column at si.com….
or Yasinkas on Espn…
or several on nfl.com…
There are RUMBLINGS out there, Falcons fans….
….and it’s getting louder and LOUDER out there….
and unlike last year, it’s coming right around Playoff time.
This one feels different. Last year, there was a loathing underneath it all, a sense that it was a house of cards, a bit of a magic trick.
This one feels like a runaway freight train is coming, stumbling and chugging a bit at first, but now heading fast and strong right on track. And ANYTHING standing in it’s way is gonna get plowed into, flattened, and knocked into little pieces. And they won’t know how bad it is until it’s already run right through them.
Falcon’s are Rising Up. Saints? YOU’RE NEXT.
RL
December 16th, 2011
8:14 am
Mark – you make a good point about the current expectations. I, along with my brother, are original 1966 fans. My favorite all time Falcon is Tommy Nobis. So you know where my perspective comes from. We suffered through 40 years of futility to get here. Now we have four winning seasons in a row!
Paradise!
Nativebird
December 16th, 2011
8:15 am
As much as I like Smitty, Ryan, Dimitroff, the new regime, they’re still missing a few things that, one of which you and others that keep comparing them to the 1988 Falcons franchise would consider peripheral, but is still a fundamental need if they’re to play with the elite teams: Killer Instinct. Belicheck would have Tom Brady running the 1st team offense in the 4th quarter up 41-7 slashing and smashing their opponent into oblivion. He would’ve hanged 60 on them. why? because he’s mean? or lacks some notion of sportsmanship? NO. Because he CAN, and in the NFL, a profession played by men who do not and will not whimper and cry if they get their butts handed to them. Saints would’ve done (and did by the way to the Colts) the same thing. so would the Packers. It’s called Killer Instinct, and it sends a message, and it DOES get into the minds of the rest of the leaque. and THAT is working to get competitive advantage and that is worth doing.
True Falcon Fan
December 16th, 2011
8:20 am
I get the feelin’ one somebody in Canton, Ga — suddenly got intense pain in his/her neck looking in the rearview mirror, Yes, baby they are there for sure…….
Go Falcon – Ain’ts next
dlmodFalcon
December 16th, 2011
8:21 am
Hey we could be any of the NFC East. Theres The Packers, The Saints, If you can’t be those two teams in the NFC who else would you hang your hat on. The Forty Niners Really? The Falcons problem is that at times this year the Offensive play calling hasn’t been aggressive enough but last night there was some misdirection and that opened up the running and passing.
MB is right. The Falcons right now are one of the best, just please put the pedal to the medal on offense. Get Rogers on the field with 33. Playaction, Misdirection…
JSS
December 16th, 2011
8:21 am
Bill
December 16th, 2011
7:51 am
“Is it possible, just possible that this team is coming together at just the right time for a stretch run?? It happened in Green Bay last year. Consider:”
First, your hypothesis is wrong, the Packers lost two of their last 4, one to a non-playoff team. But here is the difference; the Packers were competitive all year (3, 3,3, 4, 4, and 3 in loses). There was only one stinker game was the Lions game (7-3 when Rodgers was knocked out)… Falcons fans just despise the fact the Packers (with 15 players on the IR) were just better developed, better prepared, better coached, and a better team last year…
“Visiting team has a history of winning this contest.”
Yeah, that is half true… if the visiting team is the Saints… The Falcons are 1-4 as visitors since 2006. Generally tough games (excluding Mora’s last visit and Petrino’s only trip), but 5 years is a good sample…
Billy Joe Overthrow
December 16th, 2011
8:26 am
For all those who say the falcons only beat bad teams, at least they beat bad teams. When I played for the falcons we couldn’t even do that. Billy Joe Toliver is name? Heck I was replaced by bobby Hebert and I was Chris Miller’s backup. Good news is they did keep me and shipped some scrub wearing a #4 out of town
lancer
December 16th, 2011
8:29 am
Sean Weatherspoon’s team had a bad Thursday night…?
Yeah hopefully for Falcons fans we don’t repeat that dreadful performance from last night. Truly dreadful
JAYBO
December 16th, 2011
8:40 am
How the Falcons go talk about playing a complete game???? Come on guys, you were playing Jacksonville!!!!! Talk about playing a complete game against New Orleans or some other team that is pretty good!!! Until then, save the complete game talk!!!!!
Double Zero Eight
December 16th, 2011
8:44 am
Great win! The key to beating the Saints or Packers will
be generating a pass rush, and keeping them off balance
with the offensive play calling.
Saints R.E.A.M.
December 16th, 2011
8:47 am
Another day of the Falcon euphoria. Keep hope alive.
Well the Falcons are flying high after going 3-1 against rookie QB’s over the last 4 games. Hmmm…guess what….none of those cream puffs will be in a Saints uniform…..nor will they be in the playoffs.
Cinderella, the clock will strike 12 and your glass slipper will break…..yet again…just like last year.
D Fence
December 16th, 2011
8:48 am
I was at the game in Charlotte, even down like we were, you could really sense an air of confidence, well at least amongst the fans, that all would be alright in the end. Expectations have certainly changed from the days of Dan Henning and Marion Campbell part 2 with some minor hiccups in between.
Its good to realize that every game and year now, you have a chance to win it all.
ATLER (RAMBLIN WRECK)
December 16th, 2011
8:51 am
Great win for the hometown Dirty Birds. But I hate to bring up the fact that it was an awful Jacksonville Jaguars we destroyed. We need to grade our progress on a team that is more of a challenge. At least a playoff team.
DecaturJim
December 16th, 2011
8:54 am
Had to have it, and did. That’s the good news.
Have played how many rookie QB’s in the last how many weeks? Please. JAX has 3 games in 11 days?
Let’s see how this plays out. The next two weeks will be much tougher tests. Frankly, I’m hoping for a Saints victory this Sunday, ’cause I sincerely don’t want to go down there with them “having” to win; rather have them in “cruise” mode – meaning beatable.
DawgDad
December 16th, 2011
8:59 am
Taking care of business, good to see. Nice to see Jones break some plays, he could be a huge difference maker in the playoffs – Ryan needs to keep him in-bounds with his throws. The defense looks a lot better with William Moore back there. Double-nickels can still play when he’s healthy and motivated. The o-line remains a work-in-progress, and the DBs need to play better as a unit for this team to take the next step.
BirdsRule
December 16th, 2011
9:02 am
Frankly, I’m proud of these guys. Four consecutive winning seasons may not mean much to the Steelers or Pats, but I couldn’t be happier. If we can split the last two, I believe we’re playoff-bound.
david allen
December 16th, 2011
9:02 am
mike smiths a class act , it was good to see him call off the dogs in the 3 q i said it befor the birds are here to stay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hell yes
Stephen
December 16th, 2011
9:07 am
Two years ago it was “No one wants to see this wildcard Falcons team in the first round,” and we lost to the Cards (Superbowl Runners Up). Last year it was “No one wants to see these birds in the 2nd round,” and we were destroyed by the SuperBowl Champs. This year it is once again, “No one wants to see this wildcard Falcs team in the first round.” My question is this – with a pourous pass D, inconsistent O line, and QB (and team in general) that tends to get stage fright, can we beat the Giants or Saints on the road, in a first round match up?
I hope the answer is yes, but I have my doubts, unfortunately.
Please, Falcons, prove my doubts unfruitful. Step up Julio, and catch the winning TD pass late in the 4th quarter against the Saints. Step up O-line, and keep Matt Ryan on his feet against the Giants. Most importantly, step up Falcs D/ST, and force a turnover in EVERY game from here on out. We’ll need it if we want to win.
Stephen
December 16th, 2011
9:07 am
*Porous* – pardon me
saintsation777
December 16th, 2011
9:20 am
Yet another team with a losing record loses to the Falcons. Seems to me the only teams the lil Falcons can beat are teams with losing records. No wonder we Saints (winners of teh last 9 of 11 vs Falcons) and Packers don’t take this team seriously.
All I remember is
December 16th, 2011
9:25 am
FOUR
…………. winning seasons in a row,
and no other Falcons coach
ever had back to back winning seasons
since 1966.
Hollywould
December 16th, 2011
9:26 am
aints better not choke this week/ Vikes have the Ram playbook for the aints.
Rickster
December 16th, 2011
9:26 am
I’ll put Green Bay’s roster up against any roster in the league. A 19-game winning streak speaks VOLUMES.
Once Recent Reader
December 16th, 2011
9:31 am
So now the Jags are all on IR and even worse than their record . … . so when folks state that was the #4 defense, and they beat the Ravens . …well that all of a sudden is a different team. Well, just last week they defeated the Bucs by the same score, 41-14. Bucs are not Saint/Packers . . .but still they beat them 41-14!!!! No one was complaining about IR then.
MTSeats
December 16th, 2011
9:33 am
Come on.. This was a home game against a really bad team. I suggest you wait till 27Dec to crown them.