Live from the Dome: A stress-free Falcons’ victory at last?
Matty Ice, shown in an un-holly-jolly mood. (AP photo)
The Falcons have played 13 games. Two have been blowouts: The opening loss at Chicago and the dismissal of winless Indianapolis. In the Falcons’ six home games, all have been in doubt in the fourth quarter, and one beyond that. (Fourth-and-1 at the 30 in overtime. I’m guessing you remember.)
I mention this because we might be about to see an actual Dome wipeout. The Jacksonville Jaguars arrive having already shed coach Jack Del Rio but still lugging the 32nd-best offense in a 32-team league. I also mention this because the Falcons’ head coach has been in the news for having chest pains. An actual runaway by the home side would be the nicest holiday gift Mike Smith could imagine.
I should also mention that the Falcons need only to beat two bad teams here — Jacksonville and then Tampa Bay on New Year’s Day — to reach 10 wins. Ten wins will almost surely book playoff passage and claim the NFC’s No. 5 seed in the process, and you’d rather be No. 5 and have to play the Giants or the Cowboys or the Eagles than be No. 6 and face a Round 1 game in the Superdome.
I could mention other things, but I really don’t feel a pressing need. This one shouldn’t be close, except that the Falcons are pretty good at making games close. Let’s see if they break character tonight.
And with that, the floor’s yours. I eagerly await your comments, questions and submissions for favorite seasonal song. And if anyone suggests Burl Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” that person gets banned in perpetuity. So be warned.
By Mark Bradley
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845 comments Add your comment
katherine
December 15th, 2011
11:10 pm
i dont see what the big deal is about how long someones hair is…its just hair
JSS
December 15th, 2011
11:10 pm
In Arizona, he was absolutely lost for 2and 1/4 quarters… Hey Arthur looking for the next lawsuit?
1 4 GT
December 15th, 2011
11:10 pm
I too quit smoking. April 24, 1997 10:30 AM–after 39 years. Thought I was gonna get married for the 2nd time. She asked me to quit. I did. Hussy married someone else! Good. My money is still my money–she didn’t get to spend a penny and I quit evil cigarettes.
katherine
December 15th, 2011
11:11 pm
hussy lol
Lintonia 83
December 15th, 2011
11:12 pm
katherine …. if urban had health problems due to stress of being the gator hc, he hasnt felt stress yet! Buckeye’s are crazy fans and have largest alumni base in the country plus 110K opinions every saturday.
JSS
December 15th, 2011
11:12 pm
He was a fool with a Lombardi…
kerryb
December 15th, 2011
11:12 pm
Watch these backups give up a TD.
katherine
December 15th, 2011
11:13 pm
lintonia…im sure urban can handle it having been in the sec for so long
Tojo
December 15th, 2011
11:13 pm
Shan Schillinger shcrewed up the shutout.
Last 6 quarters of football Falcons score 65-7. Good tuneup for the Aints. Hope Peters is OK I think he pulled something on that 25 ft. sprint to the endzone.
Once Recent Reader
December 15th, 2011
11:13 pm
Jags don’t have many wins, but they did beat the Ravens. Big win to keep the playoff advantage.
kerryb
December 15th, 2011
11:14 pm
A fool is still a fool no matter what he has.
AtlNative
December 15th, 2011
11:14 pm
@Kat
Agreed, the SEC is a whole different animal
1 4 GT
December 15th, 2011
11:14 pm
well I didn’t want to call her a b…h
kerryb
December 15th, 2011
11:14 pm
Told you so
Lintonia 83
December 15th, 2011
11:14 pm
Hey Roddy and Abe, where is the party?
Tojo
December 15th, 2011
11:14 pm
Spoke too soon, make that 65-14.
katherine
December 15th, 2011
11:15 pm
well you knew that was coming…not a big deal
Norm Van Brocklin
December 15th, 2011
11:15 pm
Katherine, hair is hair but i never let my players hand out among no long haired, drug trippin, sex lovin’ hippies.
AtlNative
December 15th, 2011
11:15 pm
Well, would have liked to hang a zero on them, but still a thorough butt-kicking.
We ate their lunch.
Now let’s hope the long layoff is a help and not a problem
Norm Van Brocklin
December 15th, 2011
11:16 pm
Enter your comments here
Lintonia 83
December 15th, 2011
11:16 pm
Kat…my point is that the stress is no less
katherine
December 15th, 2011
11:17 pm
ok people bedtime…..have a good one
Lintonia 83
December 15th, 2011
11:17 pm
So, Cowboys or Giants? Who do we want?
Where is "Choke"?
December 15th, 2011
11:17 pm
Matt Ryan should be traded. He is pathetic! We need Vick back again! Anybody is better than Choke Ryan! ……………Did I miss anything?
Jim
December 15th, 2011
11:18 pm
Katherine, i live in a trailer at 25 cove road,malibu, ca. call me. i have a state of art answering machne.
AtlNative
December 15th, 2011
11:18 pm
@Lint…
I think I prefer the Cowboys, just because you never know which Romo is going to show up. BUT… to be honest I dont think we have much of a chance with either on the road in a playoff game
1 4 GT
December 15th, 2011
11:19 pm
dang good game 5 near perfect quarters good momentum builder for next game
Norm Van Brocklin
December 15th, 2011
11:19 pm
i wish it was “our” bedtime!
ijonathan
December 15th, 2011
11:19 pm
I would rather face dem Cowboys, but I’m afraid it will be the Gians. Eli and his receivers are in a groove, and they have some pound-it-out running backs.
Mark Bradley
December 15th, 2011
11:20 pm
Here’s the game column, if you’re inclined. If not, thanks for hanging with me.
bostonBCfan
December 15th, 2011
11:20 pm
A great win for the falcons tonight…..looks like they could be peaking at just the right time, hopefully! You all have a great day tomorrow my friendly fellow southern bloggers!!!!!!!! And to all a good nite!!!!!
And be nice to Katherine boys….because she can handle herself quite well here! I’m Outta here!!
ijonathan
December 15th, 2011
11:20 pm
Katherine, wise decision to get out while the gettin’ was good.
JSS
December 15th, 2011
11:20 pm
“Did I miss anything?”
Using your “own” user name instead being of trying to be cute…
JSS
December 15th, 2011
11:22 pm
A ‘Rockford File’ reference on a blog… David Chase is rolling in his production trailer…
Lawton
December 15th, 2011
11:25 pm
jones-drew becomes a free agent when turner’s contract ends….. hmmmm,,,,,
1 4 GT
December 15th, 2011
11:25 pm
I once saw a story in USA Today money section about a trailer–80 ft X 12 ft old style rounded roof in a trailer park on a bluff overlooking the Pacific in Malibu that was for sale. Economy was going great then. Asking price $1.4 M with lot rent of $2700/month. Same park one sold for $1.8 M. Story also mentioned 800 sq ft house in San Diego that sold for $800,000. California!!
kerryb
December 15th, 2011
11:27 pm
AtlNative, I think we have a chance against the Cowboys or the Giants no matter where we play them
ls1z28chris
December 15th, 2011
11:28 pm
kerryb: Around here, fat old guys dancing and making fools of themselves is the very definition of class. Did you see the Thanksgiving parade? Google the “610 stompers macy’s parade.” Or look on YouTube for video from the Buddy D parade. Bobby Hebert drunk out of his mind in a dress and wig dancing on a Mardi Gras float is something you won’t soon forget.
Even though Benson is kind of a dick for the way he treated New Orleans after the levees broke.
jonkdawg
December 15th, 2011
11:29 pm
I already knew that Atlanta would take an easy win…there is nothing folks…
lets concentrate on The Aints!
ls1z28chris
December 15th, 2011
11:30 pm
katherine: The GM of your football team looks like a guido stereotype reality TV show cast member. Tell me you wouldn’t punch your son in the testicles if he showed up to your house looking like Pauly D.
Boss Hog
December 15th, 2011
11:34 pm
no link there Mark
Boss Hog
December 15th, 2011
11:35 pm
my bad! you do have a link there!
kerryb
December 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
I’m calling it. Falcons vs Ravens in the SB. Ryan vs. Flacco. It won’t be those cheating Aint’s and their whistles with no defense.
DONT HAVE ANOTHER HEARTATTACK M.SMITH
December 15th, 2011
11:38 pm
SUPER BOWL OR BUST
kerryb
December 15th, 2011
11:45 pm
I still haven’t figured out why they play the Panthers commercial here when they play the NFL Play 60 commercial.