It's time for the Falcons to win a playoff game, and they will

Average Joe

January 6th, 2012
11:16 am

FIRST! Falcons will win!

Joe Stephens

January 6th, 2012
11:16 am

Not going to say it!

I believe the Falcons will come out of NY with a win. I am a Saints fan but the Falcons have grown on me since I living in the are for the past 2 years. Hoping Turner runs all over Tuck!

Mister.Earl

January 6th, 2012
11:17 am

The games are not played on paper. This one is played on the road in Met Life which will be swimming in blue and red, with a brisk breeze blowing from the east. Matt Ryan and company will not have stats to play for them.

The Giants defensive line against the Falcons fragile Oline wil be the matchup to watch.

It ain’t that deep.

Mister.Earl

January 6th, 2012
11:18 am

Joe Stephens – two words homeskillet.

JIMMY GRAHAM.

Who Dat.

mike

January 6th, 2012
11:19 am

This one’s for Rob Parker!

Petition Rob Parker

January 6th, 2012
11:21 am

If you all haven’t heard already Rob Parker has severely insulted the city of Atlanta with his article he wrote on ESPN and i have started a Petition to take it down. If you haven’t read it heres the link:
http://espn.go.com/newyork/conversations/_/id/7429623/the-city-atlanta-worst-sports-town-america
Then go to the Petition page to get it taken down:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Petition-Rob-Parker-and-ESPN/124618130989820

Greg

January 6th, 2012
11:23 am

Mark I don’t know if you saw Rob Parker’s article in espn new york but in it he basically says the falcons don’t deserve the win bc of a lackluster fan base and then goes to bash our fine city and it’s fans the entire article. Just want to know your thoughts on it.

Pete

January 6th, 2012
11:27 am

@Earl – so our O-line is made up of fragile dirt-bags? Got it.

PreyDawg

January 6th, 2012
11:27 am

LOVE IT!! Good Piece Mark! Now I am not about to let the negative, black rain cloud crowd, that is about to descend on this blog ruin my fun. I am pumped about the game. I only wonder…can we run block well enough?? Like you said, we only need to run SOME. I figure we need 4 yards per carry. 1 or 2 yards per carry will sink us. Four yards will open up enough passing opportunities that we will win.

just sayin'

January 6th, 2012
11:27 am

played mad against TB?..looks like they were just playing a down and out team on a 8/9 game losing streak…let’s see how ‘mad’ they play one on the road, outside in a hostile environment….melt will be limping in the 2nd qtr…look for some false starts and some ‘hands to the face’ from the OL just trying to hold off the NY DL…

Greg

January 6th, 2012
11:28 am

Couldn’t agree with you more

PMC

January 6th, 2012
11:28 am

My comment would be, who the F is Rob Parker?

PMC

January 6th, 2012
11:30 am

The fan attitude is that this Giants defense is scary? Really? 25th overall?

What’s so impressive about the Giants defense outside of 3 guys on the DL?

They didn’t matter when they got torched earlier this year. The Giants appear to pick linebackers and secondary staff about as well as the Jones boys, and that’s not good.

Haloscript

January 6th, 2012
11:32 am

I really, really hope you’re right Mark.

The next logical step in the team’s progression is a playoff win, but we’ve seen no evidence that they’re capable of beating the top teams in the league. This Sunday it’s time for that to change.

PreyDawg

January 6th, 2012
11:32 am

@ Mark- Did you see Ryan’s comment in yesterday’s Schultz article? He said something that got me thinking. Something like:

“I just have to make the big play when it presents itself and not try to do too much.”

When you think that over, that is a HUGELY difficult thing to do. I know NFL QB’s do it every year in the playoffs. But it just helped me appreciate how tough a job that is. You have 1 to 2 seconds and a really poor view with all the huge linemen in your way, to see an opening between a receiver and a defender that might be about 1 square feet. And with Justin Tuck breathing down your neck you have to decide in an instant, “Make a play, or hold the ball, or maybe run for a few, or dump it off, or throw out of bounds.”

Is NFL QB the toughest job in sports or what. Maybe Major League closer is almost as tough but there you have more time to contemplate.

Matt deserves the big money he is paid. And he has to make this happen with all kinds of media pressure scrutinizing him. (not you Mark but ESPN and NFL network have been on him some)

boilerup

January 6th, 2012
11:37 am

Just win baby!!

falconsrus

January 6th, 2012
11:37 am

We are going to fight the Giants and win big rise up D #

David

January 6th, 2012
11:40 am

We need to have a TE or RB chip Jason Paul-Pierre. That’s going to be huge. We’ll need to run a lot of draw plays to slow down the pass rush, and Michael Turner has to make the most of every hand off (he needs to average around 4.5 per carry). If we can do that, they’ll have to respec the run, and then we can exploit that secondary.

I’m scared to death of of what that line is capable of, though, given some other games I’ve had to watch this year (mainly the game against Philadelphia, where we — Sam Baker — made Trent Cole look like a modern day Reggie White).

I hope the win. We’re definitely capable, and New York is a team that has followed great games with poor games all season long. They essentially won a two game playoff against the Jets and Cowboys, so hopefully they’re a little drained.

not convinced

January 6th, 2012
11:40 am

Giants with their record don’t deserve the home field.
Can’t let the Giants rush get to Matt.
And some pressure on Eli would be helpful.
Hope the weather is warmer than usual.
The Falcons need to show superiority for us to believe they are Super Bowl bound.

Rickster

January 6th, 2012
11:42 am

Mark Bradley
Live from the Outback: UGA should win this bloomin’ bowl
11:46 am January 2, 2012

Mark Bradley
It’s time for the Falcons to win a playoff game, and they will
11:08 am January 6, 2012

We’re doomed, folks.

brandon

January 6th, 2012
11:43 am

If they win, it’s not because it’s their time. They’re going to have to take this one from a tough Giants team. It seems as though you’re underestimating them. Cruz and Nicks have been just as good if not better than Jones and White. The Falcons have a lot to prove against a good Giants team.

Reggie Bush

January 6th, 2012
11:48 am

Giants ain’t that tough. I think Falcons can take em. If the Falcons O-line can block the Giants D-line, the Falcons will win easily because the Giants secondary can’t hold up long enough, and Ryan has too many weapons to exploit the Giants secondary. Ryan gets that ball out quick, and somebody will be open; whether that be Gonzalez, White, Jones, Douglas, etc. Somebody will beat their man and be open for Ryan to deliver the ball. Falcons by 10.

Kim Kardashian

January 6th, 2012
11:49 am

Shut up Reggie! You know Kris Humphries was the better man than you! That’s why he took me! He laid it on me too baby! You drop the ball in football, and you dropped it in bed! Shame on you! Get off these boards!

Rickster

January 6th, 2012
11:50 am

Read that one too, Mark.

But the fact that you had to write a column saying, “Wow! I actually got some things right” does not bode well for the birds.

FalconFan

January 6th, 2012
11:51 am

Mark, did you read the ESPN article about Atlanta?

http://espn.go.com/newyork/conversations/_/id/7429623/the-city-atlanta-worst-sports-town-america

Bad Bidness

January 6th, 2012
11:58 am

They need to play within themselves, limit mistakes, and it’s a done deal. Go Falcons!

elroy

January 6th, 2012
11:58 am

Bradley you just jinxed the Falcons. Do the city/state a favor & keep your predictions to yourself. You are bad luck for Atl teams.

soon to be 0-3

January 6th, 2012
12:01 pm

The Falcons and their semi-elite QB can’t score TD’s in the playoffs. Sunday won’t be any different. You can’t win playoff games kicking field goals all day.

PMC

January 6th, 2012
12:04 pm

Will Svitek has been a tremendous upgrade over 72.

Samantha

January 6th, 2012
12:10 pm

The FalCANTS will lose! There is no way on this earth that they are going to beat the Giants. No way. They are a sorry team and with (drop the ball) Roddy White and your over rated quarter back Matt Ryan you will not will this game. hahahahahahahaha! Keep Hope Alive is all I have left to say about this sorry team.

Samantha

January 6th, 2012
12:11 pm

I meant to say you will NOT win this game…

Jeff

January 6th, 2012
12:12 pm

“Two examples do not a representative sample make.”

THANK YOU!!! About time somebody in the media said this. I work with statistics every day, and it pains me every time somebody points out that 0-2 record as if it’s proof of something.

Samantha

January 6th, 2012
12:16 pm

Furthermore it’s going to be freezing cold in New York this Sunday…The high will be about 40 degrees…it wouldn’t matter if it was warm weather, the Falcant’s beat them because the Giants are a real team..hahahahahahahaha! I’m going to watch the game just to get a kick out of watching Matt Ryan purposely fall down so nobody can tackle him..he is a whuss! hahahahahahaha!

Samantha

January 6th, 2012
12:17 pm

The Falcant’s can’t beat them…they won’t. It’s going to be fun just to watch them lose yet again to a REAL NFL team…

Samantha

January 6th, 2012
12:20 pm

http://espn.go.com/newyork/conversations/_/id/7429623/the-city-atlanta-worst-sports-town-america I just read this article…too funny….funny, but true..hahahahahaha!

J Tuck

January 6th, 2012
12:21 pm

Samantha, silly girl, even I don’t think the Giants can win. Why do you think I was whinning about their line?

Pamela

January 6th, 2012
12:22 pm

The Falcons fans do not support them like they should. Sure the Falcons are a sorry team, but you ’so called’ fans…have you ever wondered why? I don’t care if they lost every single game this season..you should still support them. I am a major/true Saints fan. Always have been and ALWAYS will be and we support our team no matter what. They really appreciate it. It shows on the field. GEAUX SAINTSF!

Samantha

January 6th, 2012
12:24 pm

J Tuck..funny name.. any way I KNOW the Giants will beat the FalCANTS because the FalCANTS Can’t play ball..hahahahahahaha! Just wait, watch and see on Sunday how they will lose yet again…hahahahahahahaha! Go Giants!

Roaddawg80

January 6th, 2012
12:24 pm

The Rob Parker article maybe the worst article I have ever read by someone at ESPN. It is all over the place. Blaming fans for the Braves meltdown and also why Gonzalez is still the manager. Really?

Also, who cares about the Thrashers. Although I will admit hockey games are actually fun but this is the South. Blame the person who brought hockey to this city.

This article is terrible and funny at the same time. How does he have a job?

dc74

January 6th, 2012
12:25 pm

The Parker article is correct

Johnny Vaught

January 6th, 2012
12:26 pm

Would other position should we expect from home boy? ‘Cons may win on Sunday – but you can forget anything beyond that.

Falcons all the way

January 6th, 2012
12:30 pm

Samantha – go sit on a plunger

J Tuck

January 6th, 2012
12:31 pm

Sam – you didn’t take those drugs I left on the nightstand did you? That wasn’t crack. Even though you sure sound like you’re on it.
Falcons are going to win by 13.:)

J Tuck

January 6th, 2012
12:36 pm

C’mon Sam, don’t you remember how much I was crying after we got humilated by the Redskins at home a few weeks ago. They’re in last place in our division. We can’t beat the teams we’re supposed too.

1eyedJack

January 6th, 2012
12:38 pm

“…do you see a Michael Turner on the Giants? A Tony Gonzalez? Anything approaching the combination of Roddy White and Julio Jones?”

“Passing offense: Eighth against fifth.”

Well Mark, they must have somebody that can catch the ball.

doug dawg

January 6th, 2012
12:39 pm

all of this is very nice, well-researched, and presented appropriately. sadly, stats don’t win games.

Birdawg

January 6th, 2012
12:40 pm

KOD from Bradley?

George Stein

January 6th, 2012
12:43 pm

Tell us all what is correct about the article, dc74. We’re all ears.

falconfan 24-7

January 6th, 2012
12:45 pm

Sorry teams don’t make the playoffs.20 teams will be home on the outside looking in. Go figure, knuckleheads and get a life.

George Stein

January 6th, 2012
12:45 pm

Stats definitively do not tell win games (people do), but they shed an awful lot of light on who will or who has.

falconfan 24-7

January 6th, 2012
12:50 pm

Samantha,
Clearly, you are clueless on the sport of football. Are you a woman or something else? You sound like an unhappy old hag, getting joy from others misfortune. Grow up troll, disappear or get a life and a job if need be.

Getaway

January 6th, 2012
12:52 pm

I’m not going to bag too much on the Giants cause they are a good team. I want the Falcons to beat good teams. Beating a good Giants team gives them confidence going into the Packers game.

Chris

January 6th, 2012
12:54 pm

The Giants have nothing approaching Roddy White and Julio Jones????? Are you honestly writing that Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks are much more formidable than that duo who one leads the league in drops and the latter can’t stay on the field. This is another example of Atlanta sports having the pom poms out only to be disappointed by the weak fair weather fan base and teams

P B Orr

January 6th, 2012
12:55 pm

The Falcons, I hope, understand the it’s Pierre-Paul on whom the Giants’ fate depends. They need to have designed rollouts away from him, and good trap blocking. Designed sweeps for Turner would be good. They CANNOT win by pounding the middle and hoping to maintain a pocket around Ryan.

Falcons4Eva

January 6th, 2012
1:01 pm

Mark –

“Two examples do not a representative sample make” in regards to the Falcons failure to win a playoff game.

While this is true…what would be a representative sample? Three? Four? What I’d say is look at other combos who’ve gotten it done already in the same time period as Smith and Ryan. (Sean Payton/Drew Brees. Look at Jim Harbaugh/Joe Flacco. Look at Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez.)

Point being…this team has had the talent to get the job done sooner, but hasn’t. They’ve been together 4 years right? In my book, that’s 0 for 4 for playoffs wins. Not getting to the playoff is just as bad as not winning one…

Just my 2 cents.

Falcon

January 6th, 2012
1:03 pm

Falcon may lose in the play off since they don’t have the passing offense. Giants win!

Typical Football Fan

January 6th, 2012
1:08 pm

Let’s hope the Falcons don’t choke like the Dawgs and Jackets.

Atlanta Native

January 6th, 2012
1:08 pm

Samantha and Pamela sound a lot like SeenThisB4. I thought his momma spanked his little butt and sent him to his room without dinner again.

relocated dawg

January 6th, 2012
1:13 pm

i agree with the espn article, and have been saying so for years. i would like to think the economy shares some blame, but let’s be honest our fan support wasn’t great before the economy tanked.

Marie

January 6th, 2012
1:16 pm

Mark, hope is a beautiful thing but hope does not win games. All of your stats mean absolutely nothing because like the Green Bay Packers last year and the NY Jets the year before, the NY Giants have been in a playoff mindset for the past 2 weeks. That is they knew they were 1 and done if they did not win those last two games. And teams entering the playoffs with that mindset can be dangerous.

Your stats measure the team’s performance over the life of the season. Sorry but the Giants offense and defense should be measured over the last 2 weeks when the team has gotten healthier and key players have returned to the lineup. And with more of their starting lineup in place their running offense and defense has improved tremendously.

Finally, I cannot overlook the fact that the only team the Falcons beat that made the playoff was Detroit. They have struggled all season against good quarterbacks and Eli is having probably his best season since entering the league. Coupled that with the fact that they are 4-4 on the road while the Giants are 5-3 at home (I know the official record will say 4-4 at home for the Giants but the game against the Jets was a home game for both teams).

Not saying the Falcons won’t win this game, but, I just don’t give them the odds you’re willing to. I think the NFC home teams will prevail this weekend but both AFC home teams (Denver and Houston) will be one and done.

JSS

January 6th, 2012
1:18 pm

Like I said on the Schultz’s blog, they made sideways moves. Julio Jones is a tremendous talent; but the reason that couldn’t go blow-for-blow with the Packers last January 15th was not because of the missing deep threat. No one railed against that “ham handed” Michael Jenkins more than me. I keep saying it: “this team will not advance until they get a set of lines that are not a product filled with second hand goods.” The replacement of Baker is just a tourniquet on a gapping wound. You guys are infatuated with the myth of Harvey Dahl. He was getting beat just like Reynolds and Hawley have been this season by the last quarter of the previous season. The mythic “long pass” is stil being searched for, and they’ve yet to show they can go “blow-for-blow” with any of the top-tier teams.

I will this again clearly for the ones who are new and keep trying to jump in this and make it into something else. The other ones have staked out a position and are going down with the ship like that is a noble thing. If you want to win with Matt Ryan, you change the physical complexion of this team. They must have two stout lines. They have to be able to stop being beat over the top in the defensive secondary. They must create a stable O-line, McClure’s time has passed. Get two guards that are actually truly capable. I’m not going to address the tackles because cap wise, you can’t have it all. WIth this QB (and current line), you are not going to beat people over the top with the regularity that most under illusion they can. You do have receivers capable of yards after the catch. Adjust and scheme accordingly, stop trying to be something that they are not. The person that truly understands strengths and weaknesses can see the numbers, adjust the philosophy…

Hollywould

January 6th, 2012
1:18 pm

falcon4eva, try to catch up ok. With this being the 4th season of Smith/Ryan and the playoffs not yet here it is kinda tough to be 0-4. Also, the year before Smith came The Dog Killa was in jail, the cowardly coach hauled butt in the middle of the night and season. I am damn happy to have Smith/Ryan considering the crap we had been put through.

Falcon Jim

January 6th, 2012
1:19 pm

Samantha

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

………………LOSER ! ! ! ! !

JDawg1785

January 6th, 2012
1:23 pm

Time to rise up in a major way. Go Falcons!

BoneKollector

January 6th, 2012
1:23 pm

Not the Bradley Jinx

Hollywould

January 6th, 2012
1:25 pm

falcon4eva, Try to keep up ok? This is only the 4th year for Smith/Ryan together. Kinda makes your 2 cents worth nothing. Let’s see, the year before Smith came the DOG KILLA was in jail, The COWARD coach hauled butt in the middle of the night and season, and yet in 4 years we are in the playoffs 3 times. Might get ot 0-4 but right now 0for 3. I am damn happy to have this coach and qb for what they have done in 4 years.

Darius

January 6th, 2012
1:28 pm

The ESPN article is spot on. And all you people native and transplants know it!! Which begs the question, why the Hell build an outside stadium for the Falcons? Wasn’t the whole point of the Dome to get people to come to the game in the heat, rain, and cold. Atlanta fans ARE NOT going to a football game outside in big numbers. DUH!!!

Blueland Buddha

January 6th, 2012
1:29 pm

The only stats to focus on for this game will be the effectiveness of the Giants pass rush. If the Giants front four get to Ryan, the Giants win. Both teams can score and the rank of the Giants rushing attack doesn’t matter. They have been a ‘pass first’ team all year, with a good degree of success. If Ryan has the time to pick the Giants secondary and linebackers apart (by far, the Giants big weakness), Atlanta wins. Otherwise, the Giants win.

72 Million Bust

January 6th, 2012
1:29 pm

Peyton Manning met with Art Blanks

dcb

January 6th, 2012
1:32 pm

Love the Falcons, Bradley, but disagree with you on this one. Forget the stats other than the home advantage the Giants have. I hope I’m wrong – but the Giants are peaking and have most of their injured big names back. Add that to the more difficult schedule the Giants had this year and you get a tough game for our Falcons. It’ll be decided early – and probably on the basis of a couple of great touchdown grabs. Ryan could have a real ugly day. But one thing is for sure – screw your stats advantage. Glad to see your support, though.

budd

January 6th, 2012
1:37 pm

Bradley,
Thanks for assuring a win for my New York Giants in the playoff game. As usual, your choice will be the kiss of death for the sparrows

RMW

January 6th, 2012
1:42 pm

The Falcons may win, but I’ll dispute that the Giants don’t have “anything approaching” Julio Jones and Roddy White. Nicks and Cruz have better numbers, and the Falcons played 10 games in a dome this year inflating the numbers they did put up.

bruce mac

January 6th, 2012
1:49 pm

Great Bradley, don’t you also want to give us that math again explaining how all the Braves have to do is go 500 and then the Cardinals can’t win the wild card. Go ahead and jinx all our teams. I have a new nickname for you MB, how about Mark Barton instead of Bradley.

volquest

January 6th, 2012
1:50 pm

Stop smoking dope,,,, would love to see the birds win but it ain’t going to happen this year,,,

take it from me.

January 6th, 2012
1:54 pm

the key to this game will be can we stop the run?or can we put pressure on manning?and will grimes be ready to play at a hight level after coming back from a knee injury?and do we have anybody with enough speed to cover Cruze?

Orlando

January 6th, 2012
1:55 pm

If we still had Vick, we would have home field advantage and that reporter would not have wrote the article on the city of Atlanta and the worse fans in America…. BRING BACK VICK!!!!! #7 all the way

Field Goal Smitty!

January 6th, 2012
1:56 pm

Mike, listen up, please. Foeld goals won’t, will not, can’t cut it in this game. Find a way to score touchdowns and you will win. Fail to get 6’s and settle for 3’s will send you home, left wanting!! Google the Eagles game a couple of years back in Atl…heck before the game started a fight broke out at mid-field…we need THAT kind of attitude for this game. Heck boy’s, if you see you are going to get jobbed by the refs, go ahead and do the crime with results that make be beneficial to you in the end. McKay, please stand up for this team and get Goodell of our darn backs!

Chris

January 6th, 2012
2:07 pm

Uh Oh… The Kiss of Death….

Samuel

January 6th, 2012
2:08 pm

I know the Falcons have talent and they have build a solid organization. Being that said, we as Falcon fans want them to win this game, so we can move on. All that talk about you can’t win a playoff game will be over. Next will be they can’t go deep into the playoffs….

DawginLex

January 6th, 2012
2:12 pm

Giants 27
Falcons 24

Eli leads Giants to game winning FG drive with .03 left.

Sorry Mark, but this bunch will not win anything this Sunday.

Hope I am wrong

ijonathan

January 6th, 2012
2:13 pm

@JSS, nice summary at 1:18. Pretty much spot on. Any personnel focus other than the lines over the next 1-2 years will represent a collosal strategic failure.

take it from me.

January 6th, 2012
2:13 pm

Manning has bad days,and when he has bad days they are really bad,lets hope sunday is one of those days! Go Falcons

bruce mac

January 6th, 2012
2:14 pm

So Orlando, other than sell out every game, which the Falcons do, what more do you want? You are as dumb as the NY reporter.

ijonathan

January 6th, 2012
2:15 pm

Orlando, let’s see how Vick does leading the Eagles into their playoff game this year at home.

what? really? Oh…

ijonathan

January 6th, 2012
2:18 pm

Orlando — I could be wrong here, but I think the Eagles attendance at their home playoff game(s) this year will be around zero.

Fans in Other Cities Don't Go Cheer For Atlanta Players

January 6th, 2012
2:18 pm

Go to a Hawks, Falcons, and Braves game, against big foes (Boston, NY, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Miami Heat, etc.), and you’ll see more of their fans there than our fans.

YOU DO NOT SEE THAT TYPE OF FAN BEHAVIOR FROM THEIR FANS AT THOSE GAMES.

I’m 45 years old and, frankly, our fanbase is brutal. The truth is the truth.

BTW – It’s terribly hot and humid here. Fact.

bobby

January 6th, 2012
2:18 pm

Mr.Bradley the falcons are not going to beat the giants.
1 the falcons offensive line is not good enough to block the giants defensive line
2 the falcons db’s are not going to stop the giants receivers.
3 the game is in new york outdoors and it’s a strong chance it might be cold.

take it from me.

January 6th, 2012
2:19 pm

Dawginlex- You must have us mixed up with The Dawgs,and MS!

ijonathan

January 6th, 2012
2:19 pm

@JSS, regarding your quarterback ranking (forget which blog it was on) what has Matt Schaub done to cuase you to fall in love with him?

bruce mac

January 6th, 2012
2:21 pm

I have been going to Falcons and Braves games for 50 years and have never ever seen more of opposing fans there than our fans. I have been to games involving every team you mention on many many occasions. You sir are an idiot of the tallest order.

Fred

January 6th, 2012
2:25 pm

Mark Bradley

January 6th, 2012
11:46 am

For Rickster:

http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2011/12/30/its-a-miracle-mr-wrong-actually-got-some-things-right-in-2011/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

LOL I’m glad I actually read some of the posts before I commented, especially Rickster’s and the one from MB I quoted. I was just about to say the exact same thing Rickster said, IE: ‘Thanks for the kiss of death Bradley.”

But apparently the Bradley curse has worn off. Or at least we can hope. But if the Falcons lose, I’m blaming Bradley.

PreyDawg

January 6th, 2012
2:25 pm

@ P B Orr- I kind of like your idea about rolling away from Pierre. But what I don’t like about it is cutting the field in half. Don’t we limit our receivers to a small section of the field when we do that? I think our receivers can get open and open fast against this back end. We might not need to roll.

Yo Vince

January 6th, 2012
2:25 pm

JSS, I actually agree with most of that. You are still a Tool.

anonymous

January 6th, 2012
2:28 pm

This sounds so much like the UGA mantra: “We should win because we have BETTER PLAYERS!”

I’ll come back on Monday and write why I knew these Falcons would get throttled in New York.

anon

Cecil34

January 6th, 2012
2:29 pm

You said UGA would win their bowl game also……

ijonathan

January 6th, 2012
2:32 pm

Falcons O-line + Giants D-line + Matt Ryan + Outdoors + 40 degress + rollouts = LOSS

BulldogBen

January 6th, 2012
2:33 pm

Blah, blah, blah. We’ve heard this for years now. Heck, we heard it before the New Orleans game. Roddy: “we’re going to win this game”.

If the Falcons were on trial I’d say they’re guilty until proven innocent.

If they don’t win this game, SOMETHING has to be done. Not talking wholesale change but SOMETHING. Even if they do, does anyone truly think this team can reach a Super Bowl??

JSS

January 6th, 2012
2:38 pm

@ IJonthan…
I’m not in love with Matt Schuab… He was having that kind of a season before the injury and I put the caveat in my explanation on the placing him in the top 8. That caveat was Andre Johnson. There are 3 wide receivers in this league and 2 tight ends that automatically make their teams top shelf in terms of offense: Andre Johnson (Houston), Greg Jennings (Green Bay), and Calvin Johnson (Detroit). The tight ends are Jimmy Graham and JerMichael Finley. Andre Johnson when healthy is a game changer, year-in-year out… Schuab rises on that fact.

JJ

January 6th, 2012
2:42 pm

Can’t win a playoff game if you don’t make the playoffs, which Smith, Ryan et.al have done on a consistent basis.

dc74

January 6th, 2012
2:43 pm

What’s correct ?? The Hawks attendance is lousy..the Braves attendance is pitiful not even selling out playoff games. You lost TWO hockey teams. It’s a bad sports town and it’s teams never win anything.

Joe Tess Fish House

January 6th, 2012
2:46 pm

What atricle about Altanta? I havnt read it but I agree the Atlanta fans are the worse. Thats why I dont go 2 games cuz the fans R loosers.

LongTimeGiantsFan

January 6th, 2012
2:48 pm

Should be a good game. Giants have had a mediocre year w/ lots of injuries. That said, alot of those guys are back now and in top shape. Gonna be cool in New Jersey on Sunday; can the Falcons handle that plus being in enemy territory? If Eli and his WRs are on, Falcons lose. If the Falcons defense steps up big time, Giants lose.

Joe Tess Fish House

January 6th, 2012
2:48 pm

The Altanta fans R loosers. they are the worse. Thats why I dont go 2 games plus the reams realy sux most of the time

take it from me.

January 6th, 2012
2:49 pm

Hey-all you haters out there,the falcons don’t need you! The Falcons need true Falcons fans.the ones that have stuck around since 1966,and seen most of the lean times,but still falcon fans.we may, or may not win sundays game,but, being in the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years has its perks.Thanks MR Blank for turning this franchise around.

Yo Vince

January 6th, 2012
2:50 pm

NFL Total QB Ratings ESPN
1. Aaron Rogers 85.2
2. Drew Brees 84.0
3 Tom Brady 74.2
4. Tony Romo 70.1
5. Matt Ryan 67.5
6. Matt Schaub 66.7.
7. Matt stafford 65.1 8. Rivers, 9. Roethlisberger, 10. Vick
So Matty is bad, can’t throw, bla bla bla… Shut up idiots

PMC

January 6th, 2012
2:50 pm

Oh, god, the attendance thing again. The NY Islanders have had the worst attendance in the league for years. They have a city of 20 million people in a place where people actually play hockey.

WHat’s the problem there?

The Mets run thier franchise like idiots, yet despite a new stadium, no one cared to see the product.

After 1999 interest in the Braves in the playoffs waned, because everyone who cared to go, knew the outcome already. 14 trips, 1 title, why pay exorbitant prices to watch your team fail over and over?

The Thrashers never won a playoff game and only went once in 10 years.

The Hawks are astoundinly poorly run and even when they had a chance, never drafted a superstar while overpaying the heck out of average players.

The Falcons have sold out every game since 2002, when the new owner came in and blew doors of the Smith families regime that was absolutely dreadful for 30 some odd years.

Now, why the Knicks have fans that still seem to hold on to that team I have no idea but other than that….. it’s just a stupid argument really.

The Yankees are the most storied franchise in sports… wow people like them…..

PMC

January 6th, 2012
2:52 pm

Every one of these lets dump on Atlanta sports articles is lazy weak sauce.

You could write the same article about every sunbelt city that has 4 sports.

It’s just that most people are smarter and more ambitious about writing the same tired garbage.

Michael

January 6th, 2012
2:53 pm

I am from Atlanta, yes FROM Atlanta. I have rooted for the Falcons/Hawks since I was a kid. I moved to New York last year for a job and I have tickets to the game Sunday. Looking forward to wearing my Falcons gear in the sea of blue with pride. RISE UP

go-BRAVOS

January 6th, 2012
2:53 pm

I think for the few die hard Atlanta sports fans the Rob Parker article will sting but sadly it is all true. I am born and raised in Georgia, northwest area, and am a fan of all Atlanta sports teams but unfortunately he has a point about the lack of passion of most fans, it’s just not there. The Braves are my favorite team and it’s mind boggling that nothing was done about the epic collapse, though it was not surprising.
It seems most teams in Atlanta and even the whole state, yes that would be UGA, are completely content with being mediocre. The teams owners, administrators, and fans simply do not demand excellence. The Braves, Falcons, and Hawks are simply happy to make the playoffs and UGA is just happy to win 10 games, even if they were all against inferior opponents.
Until the culture changes and the people in charge will accept nothing less than the best, the results will continue to be the same.
Oh yeah, how the Braves only win 1 World Series with the players we had in the 90s is completely baffling to me.

Go Braves, Go Dawgs (not Dwags), Go Falcons, Go Hawks

Whopper Dawg

January 6th, 2012
2:57 pm

Enter your comments here

joel stickman

January 6th, 2012
2:57 pm

The falcons cannot allow Eli 2 sit in the pocket like they let Drew B. .If we dont get a pass rush victor cruz is going 2 b going 2 the second round. They have to take the attitude that if we dont get 2 him we lose because that is the case.Pass rush and run the ball well. If not Eli can pick a defense apart if u give him the time we gave the saints QB

take it from me.

January 6th, 2012
2:58 pm

Good for you Michael.Wear that red with pride!

BCS

January 6th, 2012
2:58 pm

I am so sick of the media saying Atlanta is a bad sports town. We sold out every game this season and we could not be more passionate at the games. TV ratings for Falcon games are through the roof. What do we have to do – show up to games naked with a falcon tattooed to our a$$cheeks.

Give me a break. I hope we beat the living crap out of New York.

Yo Vince

January 6th, 2012
3:01 pm

Michael… good for you Dude. I so wish I was there with ya. We would raise some hell for the Coons. I’ll be lookin for the Falcon Jerseys up in Jersey. Go Falcons, Go Lions, Roll Freakin Tide

Andrew

January 6th, 2012
3:07 pm

Where do you get “more balanced offense” from? The numbers you submit do not even support this. And combination similar to Roddy White and Julio Jones? Um, how about Nicks and Cruz? Then again, I suppose they’re not really similar since the Giants combo is far superior this season.

BigBlue

January 6th, 2012
3:09 pm

Superbowl MVP vs. I have never won a playoff game!!!! Sorry, but your stats mean Sh@#t. Ask the 18-0 Patriots about stats!!!!! Boys they had em all that year!

crackbaby

January 6th, 2012
3:10 pm

@dc74 – In the words of the late Lewis Grizzard, if you don’t like it here, Delta is ready when you are.

Atlanta is the best, by far, major city in terms of college football support (check the ratings rankings). Only Birmingham is higher on a per capita basis and B’Ham isn’t a major market.

Atlanta has more than 80,000 recreational tennis players. People who PLAY, not sofa-tards who bitch about sports on TV. That’s more than the entire state of California.

Your sole focus on professional sports franchises doesn’t recognize the majority of competing sports interests in this town.

Dwayne

January 6th, 2012
3:13 pm

NY Giants 27 – Atlanta Falcons 23 this Sunday. The playoff misery of the Falcons continues. LOL

jackal11726

January 6th, 2012
3:13 pm

G-men all day…. My NY folks living in the A, we need to rep for the G-men…. Falcons are going down this weekend.

crackbaby

January 6th, 2012
3:14 pm

Mark,

Will the Falcons O-line play well enough to win? That is the key to this game. If they don’t, Coons lose and Mattie Ice will get the blame.

dc74

January 6th, 2012
3:15 pm

College football support ??? Dodd stadium is full of empty seats every game.

72 Million Bust

January 6th, 2012
3:17 pm

Peyton is coming!

72 Million Bust

January 6th, 2012
3:21 pm

4 years later and you delusional people saying the same junk. Meanwhile the ravend
are superbowl bound.

Gwinnett

January 6th, 2012
3:30 pm

72 Million Bust

January 6th, 2012
3:17 pm
Peyton is coming!

————————————————

If Peyton Manning had Roddy, Julio and Toni G. to throw to the Falcons offense be just as explosive as N.O. and Green Bay. Unfortunately, Ryan does not have the skillset to maximize our weapons on offense. I like Ryan but his passing ability is limited.

Mark

January 6th, 2012
3:30 pm

Giants D-line will dominate Matty Ice has never been very good at moving and throwing this could get ugly

JT

January 6th, 2012
3:31 pm

@ Fans in Other Cities Don’t Go Cheer For Atlanta Players

January 6th, 2012
2:18 pm

Go to a Hawks, Falcons, and Braves game, against big foes (Boston, NY, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Miami Heat, etc.), and you’ll see more of their fans there than our fans.

YOU DO NOT SEE THAT TYPE OF FAN BEHAVIOR FROM THEIR FANS AT THOSE GAMES.

I’m 45 years old and, frankly, our fanbase is brutal. The truth is the truth.

BTW – It’s terribly hot and humid here. Fact.

I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU! I also have noticed how there are more fans in Phillips Arena screaming for the opposing team and booing Atlanta’s teams. I’ve never witnessed this in any other city.

Greg Mendel

January 6th, 2012
3:32 pm

“Peyton is coming!”

Right. Guess he wants to watch Eli lose to an elite quarterback.

abby normal

January 6th, 2012
3:33 pm

THE KISS OF DEATH……thanks alot, Bradley.

Reality

January 6th, 2012
3:35 pm

No consistency, no win. Will wilt when the going gets tough.

Yo Vince

January 6th, 2012
3:37 pm

If Matt never won another game, he would still be the only winning QB in Falcons history. Winning means more than 1 season. How about never had a losing season?

PMC

January 6th, 2012
3:46 pm

Can’t wait until the media is out to hang Coughlin after Sunday AGAIN.

Beat the freaking Redskins, then come talk to me about the Super Bowl.

Yo Vince

January 6th, 2012
3:48 pm

If you are a true Falcon fan, you understand what Never had a back to back winning season means or B 2 B playoff run. NEVER means NEVER. Rome was not built in a day, and a culture of failure may take a 3rd or 4th try to change. True Falcon fan will be here yelling the loudest come Sunday. Everyone else can bite it.

Fred Macmurray

January 6th, 2012
3:49 pm

Bradley picks the Falcons,,,, in the words of JoeTessFishBreath,,,WE’RE DOMED….

Dr. Warren

January 6th, 2012
3:52 pm

Should. Would. Could. The three words add up to only one thing: second place.

The same words could be applied to the “nice guy” Hawks this past week. The Falcons actually have better talent than the Hawks but also lack discipline and “the eye of the tiger.” That said, I think this a good game for you to break out of your “big game’ slump, MB, since the Giants seem just as inconsistent as those Big Red Birds.

MG3

January 6th, 2012
3:52 pm

The Falcons are so popular that these boards are constantly filled with OTHER fans. If you all love your teams so much go to THEIR boards. Giants barely made the playoffs this year and lost to some awful teams…Falcons roll on Sunday.

williebkind

January 6th, 2012
3:53 pm

My family pulls for the Falcons every week they play. It has been a roller coster ride–but we never give up.

ls1z28chris

January 6th, 2012
3:54 pm

I don’t know whether to be offended by those obnoxious sports fans in New York, or to pat them on the back for saying something that is so obviously true about Atlanta.

I guess we’ll see during the game. Let’s see if the Falcons fans here shout “9/11!” every time the Giants score a touchdown like they shout “Katrina!” every time the Saints score one… Only to get tired of it all and head for the ‘burbs halfway through the third quarter.

Tumbledown

January 6th, 2012
3:59 pm

Given the poor recent history of the area’s college and pro teams in big games, I would not hold my breath for a victory by the Falcons. A loss by the Falcons would cap off a maddening and frustrating last few months started by the Braves’ epic collapse.

UGA 1999

January 6th, 2012
3:59 pm

As a Georgia native for over 30 years I would like to think that the Falcons will win on Sunday. However if there is one thing I have learned about Atlanta sports….do not get your hopes up. While I love the Falcons I just dont think they are going to beat the Giants on Sunday. The front four on the DL for the Giants are just too big and strong for our OL.

JSS

January 6th, 2012
4:02 pm

@ Is1z28chris…
Asides from the NY fan comment, true, very true… That behavior and the Petrino hiring (especially at games when the Saints came to town) was the last nail in the coffin for me when I cancelled my 3 season tickets on January 8th, 2007. It is cheaper to fly elsewhere and take in a game and have a clear peace of mind… But hey, the same people want to go to war over NYC (and the Tri-State) and DC, but are the first to defame her people in a sports arena…

Big Lou

January 6th, 2012
4:04 pm

Yo Vince

Thank you for that wonderful display of awesomeness. Win or Lose, the real Falcons fans will be here next year. So, ADIOS to you bandwagon losers.

Dan

January 6th, 2012
4:07 pm

As a lifelong Giants fan AND a Falcons season ticket holder, I do have a bit of mixed emotions, don’t get me wrong I want the Giants to win BUT, I hate that it will have to happen by denying the Smith/Ryan team their first playoff win. Mark makes some good points but the stats are a bit skewed based on the schedules. Regardless both teams have a terrible secondary, but the the Falcons line has been struggling all year few QB’s have taken the punishment that Ryan has and Giants are going to be on him all day, I think Manning will have more time to throw and if Bradshaw is healthy, their run game can be pretty good. And the Giants have a number of players that have been there done that, we will see if the falcons have a couple of peeps to step up
It should be a good game though

Tojo

January 6th, 2012
4:14 pm

I will not underestimate the Giants running game, ranked #32 or not…now that they have Jacobs and Bradshaw running healthy. And, with Umenyiora back the Giants have like 13 sacks in the last 2 games. We will definitely need to run AND throw out of 2 and even 3 back sets…using the backs to chip pass rushers. Mularkey is pretty good at running out of passing looks and vice versa. We need to run effectively and use the SHORT QUICK PASSES to keep them from killing Ryan.
The Falcons have done poorly in their playoff appearances in THE KEY AREAS OF PLAYOFF FOOTBALL:
Don’t turn the ball over, SCORE TOUCHDOWNS IN THE RED ZONE, and defensively win on third down. Those situations will, again, be where the game is won or lost.
Protecting Ryan is key but especially early. In the 2 playoff losses he has been unable to get a rythym early, and then starts to make poor decisions (the pick 6 before halftime last year). Quarterback play is crucial in this game.
GO FALCONS.

St Simons - we're on Island time

January 6th, 2012
4:15 pm

one more time (17)

Bosher.Owens.Decoud.Baker.Edwards.Robinson.Not.Bigtime.Football.

wouldn’t make any of the other playoff teams’ practice squads.

Noneya

January 6th, 2012
4:19 pm

It’s time. Can’t wait for Sunday!

Days In The Lives Of Falcons Fans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QKLJ4wY_yQ

UGA 1999

January 6th, 2012
4:19 pm

St. Simons….I nearly agree with you other than Edwards and Decoud….

Blake

January 6th, 2012
4:25 pm

I hope your right Mark Bradley….I will believe It when I see It…They need to dominate this game ! They can If they want to…

PMC

January 6th, 2012
4:28 pm

I guarantee Brandon Jacobs fumbles at least once.

Chubbyboy

January 6th, 2012
4:28 pm

I read the ESPN article from Mr. Parker about Hot-Lanta and the Falcons players and coaches should take note of it and use it as Bulletin Board material come Sunday…The city really has had nothing to cheer for since the 90’s Braves teams…But lets face it winning in the postseason will help cure everyone’s doubts about these Falcons…I am not saying they will win it all but a win Sunday will go a long way towards believing a Super Bowl is possible if not this year maybe next…Take the Pats who were a doormat for years even during the Plunkett and Grogan years until Bellichick came along and used the draft to make them a contender every year. Winning has a way of curing everything…I believe Falcons fans were excited two years ago with winning records and making the playoffs but after 4 years with this group of coaches and players they know their season will be judged by winning in the postseason not the regular season…Until this is accomplish the Atlanta fanbase is no longer accepting winning records every year, it now wants a title…When this happens the City will celebrate it like no other…

Vance

January 6th, 2012
4:35 pm

NFL and local radio station 680 the fan that partner with ESPN should be pretty upset with Rob Parker. First of all, trashing an NFL team when ESPN financially benefits greatly is not only disrespect to the city but the NFL. Second, 680 The Fan is a big partner of ESPN. They owe it to Atlanta to defend our City. I think we have great fans, but like in any other city, fans like when their teams win. Mr Parker, if you never come to Atlanta, it sure wouldnt hurt my feelings. You take too much oxygen as it is.

Falclowns will NOT win in the playoffs

January 6th, 2012
4:36 pm

Sorry to disappoint the dirty turdz, but the Gmen will own the Falclowns….it must be miserable to run a franchise on only hope…..must be worse to be a fan…glad I am not one….prefer to follow winners and the #1 team in the NFC South and soon to be SB champs….the New Orleans Saints…the team the Falclowns want to be like, but just can’t seem to find a way…tisk, tisk….

Chubbyboy

January 6th, 2012
4:37 pm

AMEN…VANCE

Lousy Birds!!

January 6th, 2012
4:39 pm

One and done. Falcons lose by 21.. Write it down.

Yo Vince

January 6th, 2012
4:40 pm

Big Lou

Me & You Big Lou. These haters are just gonna hate. I watch the same game they do every week. I see the mistakes on 3rd down from the D. I see the run up the middle for a 2 yd loss on 1st down over and over. I scream at MVG and Mularky louder than anyone. BUT…. I love My Falcons. I’m so pumped about Julio and Matts’ progress over the past few weeks. Loften and Spoonman are becoming total Beasts. We have a lot to hope for. We are pretty young still, and teams are starting to dread us. Ask Carolina, J’ville, and the Bucs. Hey, we beat Philly, the Titans, Seahawks. I think we should have won 12 games this year, no excuse for 2 of our losses.
If we win on the road in Jersey, I for 1 will be happy. If they lose, I will drink more whiskey.
Reguardless, I will be watchin the draft, reading the blogs and papers, and thinking about September. That’s what Diehard Fans do.

Lousy Birds!!

January 6th, 2012
4:43 pm

When does baseball season begin. Falcons Stink, Hawks stink, well so do the Braves, but at least that means it’s warm when baseball season starts.

Joseph Allen McWhorter

January 6th, 2012
4:43 pm

I think the Falcons will win on Sunday against the Giants too and if they have a really strong performance, it may just be the spark that ignites them toward bigger and better things. I personally think it is better for the Falcons to go in as the wild card because having to play that extra game keeps them in playoff mode and many people believe that is one reason why Green Bay came into Atlanta last January and totally demolished the Falcons. The Falcons having an extra week to rest for it obviously didn’t work out for them. I do think the Falcons will beat the Giants on Sunday. After that, it is hard to say but anything can happen in the playoffs. The teams with the best records in regular don’t always make it to the Super Bowl. Just look at the Falcons last year. I wish the Falcons the best of luck on Sunday and throughout the playoffs. It is playoff time and time to play with attitude, energy, and the greatest sense of urgency. Go Falcons!

Screw the "So called fans"

January 6th, 2012
4:44 pm

FYI the NY Giants are NOT a top team in the league. What media thread do some of y’all read? Everyone shows up to kick a team when its down, but flips the script when a team is winning. Let’s see…The Giants nor the Jets have to play the saints twice a year and the Yankees don’t have to play the Phillies every year. So how is there a comparison? Mark is right, “WHO CARES”. Believing everything some analyst writes or says is your first problem. IMO people who never miss the opportunity to kick a team when they’re down, are weak minded and pathetic. Smith and the Falcons are going to play 60 minutes and leave it all on the field. Win or lose if you can’t handle it then GET A NEW TEAM.

ANDY

January 6th, 2012
4:46 pm

Falcon Fans Risee Up!! > Rob Parker

http://espn.go.com/newyork/conversations/_/id/7429623/the-city-atlanta-worst-sports-town-america

Lousy Birds!!

January 6th, 2012
4:47 pm

Giants 24 Falcons 3
Win by 21 regardless of the score. Falcons have “The Curse” that they will never get rid of. Watch for it, watch for it……here comes the Big CHOKE!

Falclowns have no chance....

January 6th, 2012
4:49 pm

Must be miserable to be a Falclowns fan and all you have is HOPE….glad to be with a winner, The New Orleans Saints…you know, the team that you admire and try to emulate….you know, the team that beat you 45-16 recently on MNF when Brees broke the passing record….and have won the last 10/12 games….we will have our second SB trophy before you get your first….fact…stay classy and geaux G-men….

Lousy Birds!!

January 6th, 2012
4:49 pm

There will be “dirty birds” flying all over the dome when the falcons get stomped by another lousy team.

Fred Macmurray

January 6th, 2012
4:51 pm

@JSS
What was it you didnt like about the Patrino Hiring that made you drop your season tickets… I mean aside from the obvious fact that he’s a douchbag….

Hostess

January 6th, 2012
4:52 pm

LOL the Falconsstas are built on playing perhaps the easiest schedule in the leaguse this year. They were axed by pretty much ay good team they played

Screw the "So called fans"

January 6th, 2012
4:54 pm

It’s funny how people expect results immediately or it’s “off with their heads!”. You demand so much, but you are just one person, just one fan, and quite frankly a nobody.

Randy Oglesby

January 6th, 2012
4:58 pm

Bring on the cold weather – we’ve got a BC grad under center.

art ashe

January 6th, 2012
4:58 pm

hey @crackbaby Atlanta has 80,000 tennis players and can’t even keep an Olympic tennis center open!! Then they get a big tournament and are going to build a temp stadium with bleachers?????? That’s the kinda stuff that earned them the loserville tag

Fred Macmurray

January 6th, 2012
4:59 pm

“quite frankly a nobody” ,

Speak for yourself loser. Now off with your head!

BigBlue

January 6th, 2012
5:01 pm

You falcon “fans” are so SOFT!!!! Cry me a friggin river….BOO HOO…some mean ol’ New Yorker said we are not true fans!!! Boycott ESPN; he should be FIRED…You tools are LAUGHABLE and WEAK…you sound like wimps on a playground going home and tattling on the kid who called you a bad word!! Ha.Ha!! Grow up and grow a pair..let your team handle their business and stop crying like this dude just b@ned your wife…Jeez, no wonder we burned this city!

Fred Macmurray

January 6th, 2012
5:05 pm

Screw You BigBlue,, Hey,, poet and didnt know it…

Bob

January 6th, 2012
5:09 pm

Just read Bradley’s stats…this means we’ll lose by 17 points in a game we should win. Mike needs to fire BVG and assume defensive chores himself.

Donald Trump

January 6th, 2012
5:09 pm

Enter your comments here

Donald Trump

January 6th, 2012
5:11 pm

The difference in the two cities:
Win or lose NY will pick apart the good and bad plays,players,and effort in any sport any game
In Atlanta,–lose –all the excuses in the world pop up –no one has the balls to call a spade a spade for fear of offending anyone everything is puppy dogs and rainbows

Bob

January 6th, 2012
5:12 pm

And one other note, Dimitroff evidently had no input on drafting with the Pats…look at his record here. Maybe we can outsource our drafting.

AceDawg

January 6th, 2012
5:15 pm

I am pumped, but I need to see a big performance to believe it. The defense needs to slow down a good offense with more than just a couple lucky turnovers (like they’ve often had against the Saints to stay in games with them).

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
5:16 pm

Samantha

In case youre ignorant, which you clearly are, your “uber-elite” lesser Manning was in the same boat as Ryan is in not too long ago. Not to mention, you do know its in the 20’s and so in atlanta right now….right? Of course you don’t, because you think New York is the only place where it gets cold, and it’s the only place teams win. Again, just pointing out your madening ignorance sucks to be you Sunday around 4pm, but let’s see if you show back up on here to eat your words

Fred Macmurray

January 6th, 2012
5:19 pm

Puppy Dogs and Rainbows,, until you piss us off… gotta love these Yankees down here telling us how they “do it” in New York….

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
5:25 pm

Hostess,

Clearly you’re the girl that no one listens to about sports, and its painfully obvious why. The Falcons had a fairly easy second half, but considering no one expected Tampa or Minnesota to be as bad as they were, the Falcons schedule was fairly tough when it was originally released. In fact, had manning not gone out for the season, seven of the first nine games were against the Bears, the Eagles (who everyone thought would be impossible to beat), Bucs (again, when they were thouht to be a contender), the Packers, the Lions, Colts (again, before Manning was out for the season), and the Saints. So, if anything, the weak second half schedule only made up for what would have been a very brutal first half. Do us a favor and try to make better points if you want to talkwith the grown ups

bean bag

January 6th, 2012
5:38 pm

REMEMBER THIS IS LOSERVILLE.

ernisTbass

January 6th, 2012
5:39 pm

I agree the Falcons should be pissed about the Staints runnin up the score but then again they shoulda just stopped them and there wouldn’t be anything to complain about, What they shoulda been already pissed about was the Staints staining their carpet before, now that shoulda already had em a little hot but I geaus not, anyway I hear they did get em back a little, they didn’t get to stain their carpet but don’t order anything with mayo on it from the Volkswagon superdome is what I hear

we dat

January 6th, 2012
5:40 pm

i want some aints in the div round.

Falcons fan for 35 years

January 6th, 2012
6:07 pm

If the Falcons want to play NO again, they shouldn’t have wet themselves last time. I know I don’t want to se them play NO again-they aren’t good enough. I just wish they’d shut-up and play.

Nativebird

January 6th, 2012
6:16 pm

Coaching. Our only weakness.

Ted M

January 6th, 2012
6:27 pm

The Giants stink.

Delbert D.

January 6th, 2012
6:28 pm

Yeah, but they made the playoffs over the dream team with the ex-con, what’s his name.

realitycheck

January 6th, 2012
6:36 pm

The Bradley curse probably just sealed it! This regime likely will still be “0-fer” after Sunday.

Gwinnett

January 6th, 2012
6:47 pm

Beating an 8-8 Giants team means nothing. If the Falcons want to be taken serious they need to prove they can compete against elite teams. Do you want to be a SB contender or just be satisfied with playoff appearences and back-to-back winning seasons? That’s the difference between champions and pretenders. So far the Falcons have proven to be the latter.

Gints82

January 6th, 2012
6:59 pm

Roddy and Julio are two dynamic recievers. But Giants are only team to have two 1,000 yard recievers in the league this year with Cruz and Nicks. Get your facts straight about Gints not having anything comparable to Falcons WR’s.

Najeh Davenpoop

January 6th, 2012
7:00 pm

If this game was being played in an indoor neutral site, I’d pick the Falcons.

But on the road, outdoors, in a hostile environment, I am not confident they can pull it off. They still struggle outdoors, even against non-playoff teams (lost to Bucs, barely beat the Seahawks, had to come from behind to beat Carolina). The Giants are peaking right now. I can’t pick the Falcons in those circumstances. But I do think Ryan will play better than he has in his previous two playoff games, and they won’t embarrass themselves the way they did against the Cardinals and Packers.

If the Falcons are going to prove me wrong, the O-line and Abraham will have to play their best games of the season.

Giants 27, Falcons 23.

FrontRow

January 6th, 2012
7:16 pm

The key about the Giants? Not defense, not offense, not special teams. It’s the “NY” in front of the name.

When is the last time there were NO “NY” teams in the playoffs?

Sorry Folks

January 6th, 2012
7:23 pm

The Falcons remind me of the Vikings of the early 90’s. They were a solid team that made the playoffs every year but not good enough to compete with elite teams. This team and it’s current make-up with will never go past the second round.

Not a Falcon fan

January 6th, 2012
7:38 pm

It’s time for Mark Bradley and all falCANT fans to wake up from dreamland. I like what I saw the other day. Falcons stands for:
Fans
Always
Left
Counting
On
Next
Season

Not a Saints Fan

January 6th, 2012
7:47 pm

Not a Falcon Fan is an;
I
D
I
O
T
Real original, copy/paste brilliance.

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
8:03 pm

Giants82

True, they are the only team with 2 1000yd receivers in the NFC, BUT, had Julio not missed three games I thikn its a lock that he could have easily hit that mark. Which is quite impressive being as how he is only a rookie, and had literally almost a third of the time to learn the playbook given the lock out situation. This will be a fun game, and it’ll be a tough game. Ultimately, the Giants don’t have the defense to stop the multitude of weapons at Ryan’s disposal. If you notice, the only thing people are taking about is the Giants pass rush, and that’s because theyre the only thing going for that defensive unit, albeit, it IS a very impressive pass rush

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
8:05 pm

talking about*

Losersville USA

January 6th, 2012
8:06 pm

No they won’t win. Giants are fairly recent Super Bowl winners, Falcons looked bad in their only Super Bowl appearance under Dan Reeves, who at least got them there. Shame Falcons DB was out on the town night before their Super Bowl soliciting prostitutes. Tradition of recent success won’t hurt the Giants.

Eli Manning is a much, much better quarterback than Matt Ryan, and is playoff tested on top of the good year he has had.

Michael Turner crumbles to the ground when anybody of any size hits him straight on. I wish it weren’t so but I watch it happen often.

Atlanta’s pass rush is none existant against a good front and plays erratic, like Abraham overrushing often and QB’s simply stepping around him. Falcons would probably do better rushing from the tackle positions.

New York has home field and if it is cold will do better in the conditions than the Falcons.

The Falcons have yet matched the talk with the walk.

Just saying it like it will happen.

Losersville USA

January 6th, 2012
8:08 pm

No they won’t win.

Sorry Folks

January 6th, 2012
8:10 pm

Ultimately, the Giants don’t have the defense to stop the multitude of weapons at Ryan’s disposal

—————-

The Giants have a better defense than New Orleans and the Falcons only managed 1 TD against them.

Not a Falcon fan

January 6th, 2012
8:13 pm

Not a Saints Fan, you and the rest of Falcon fans are the IDIOTS. You think the Falcons will REALLY win a Super Bowl. It’s the same old Falcons, year after year. Losers !!!!!! Just for the record, I’m not a Saints fan. Except when they play the Falcons. Falcons, one and done !!!!!

phil57

January 6th, 2012
8:13 pm

Has anyone read the article by Rob Parker at ESPN NY saying the Falcons deserve to lose to the Giants and that Atlanta is the “worst sports town in America”? Unbelievable http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/story/_/id/7429623/the-city-atlanta-worst-sports-town-america

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
8:21 pm

Sorry Folks
The Giants are nowhere near the team the Saints are, and we played tight and Gregg Williams always has a tremendous game plan for Atlanta, because its both ours and their biggest two games of the year. Any football fan knows stats don’t mean jack $#!* in a division rivalry game, anything can happen.

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
8:22 pm

And I believe the Falcons managed 3 against them in their first meeting, would have been for if Roddy hadnt droppeda slant pass right in his hands with 4 seconds left.

JN

January 6th, 2012
8:48 pm

The falcants played the most first year QBs ever in one season. I wonder if that helped their defensive stats and win totals. The Giants 2nd half of the season was murder!!! The Giansts would have won 12-13 games if they played the falcon’s schedule this season!!

YellowJacket

January 6th, 2012
9:01 pm

A math worksheet for third graders that used examples of slavery in word problems has angered some parents at a Norcross elementary school, Channel 2 Action News reports.

Enlarge photo

Channel 2 Action News A math worksheet for third graders that used slavery in word problems has angered some parents at Beaver Ridge Elementary School in Norcross. Gwinnett school officials acknowledge the worksheet should have been reviewed before it was sent home with students.

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.
One word problem stated, “Each tree had 56 oranges. If 8 slaves pick them equally, then how much would each slave pick?” Another said, “If Frederick got two beatings per day, how many beatings did he get in 1 week?”

Such questions can evoke bitter memories in Georgia, where African Americans were enslaved for generations until the Civil War and the elimination of slavery.

“It kind of blew me away,” Christopher Braxton, a parent of a child at Beaver Ridge Elementary School, told Channel 2. “I was furious. … Something like this shouldn’t be embedded into a kid of the third, fourth, fifth, any grade.”

Another Beaver Ridge parent, Terrance Barnett, said, “I’m having to explain to my 8-year-old why slavery or slave or beatings is in a math problem. So that hurts.”

Gwinnett County School District officials said teachers were attempting to incorporate history into math lessons.

“Teachers were trying to do a cross-curricular activity,” district spokeswoman Sloan Roach told Channel 2.

Roach acknowledged the questions gave no context for the issues they raised.

“We understand that there are concerns about these questions, and we agree that these questions were not appropriate,” she said.

Parents told Channel 2 that the school’s principal was collecting the assignments and would shred them so they wouldn’t be circulated.

Officials said that under district policy, the worksheet should have been reviewed before being handed out to students, but that process was not followed in this situation. They said they would work with math teachers to come up with more appropriate questions.

72 Million Dollar Bust

January 6th, 2012
9:08 pm

POLL TIME:

What will be the number 1 excuse for the 4th year of Failure in the playoffs?

falconion.4.life

January 6th, 2012
9:10 pm

How can anyone that’s a realist believe we’ll go very far in the playoffs even if we’re fortunate enough to pull out a victory tomorrow against New York? Did everyone forget what happened just two weeks ago? Brees tore our defense up for nearly 400 yards and anyone who says “we let him do it” as I read in a column earlier, is delusional. I think we’d all agree that the Giants defense – especially outdoors – is much more imposing than the Saints’ defense. The Saints, playing at home, in all likelihood, will defeat Detroit. And in the unlikely event that we do find a way to win outdoors in New York, our playoff adventure will certainly be put to rest next week against San Francisco or Green Bay. As much as I hate to admit it, we have neither the quarterback, defensive line or secondary and most importantly, the coaching, to be nothing more than a wild-card or just an above-average team for the forseeable future. There is no way we can compete with a Green Bay, New Orleans or a San Francisco – and that’s just the NFC.

72 Million Dollar Bust

January 6th, 2012
9:11 pm

4 straight rookies, plus a 4 win team and a BEATING by the Saints.

Is that the same team you are proud of?

007

January 6th, 2012
9:12 pm

Ever who MB picks, go with the other team, its almost a guarantee.

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
9:24 pm

It’s funny, I was sure we played NY on Sunday, which is not tomorrow. And it’s also funny that you pathetic “fans” and “realists” like falconian are trying to say that because we got killed by the Saints, that we will get killed by the Giants. Now, I may just be taking it the wrong way, but it seems to me that you’re trying to say the Giants are every bit as good as the Saints. Now we all know that’s nowhere near accurate, so I must be misinterpreting you, correct? I mean, you are, after all, talking about a team that lost not once, but TWICE to the freaking REDSKINS! and you think this is a team thats going to beat Atlanta? Just because we got beat by whats probably the best team in the NFL right now? WOW, some of you “realists” must not have a clue what realism is.

BigLou

January 6th, 2012
9:41 pm

Ohhhhyeah

Your reading and comprehension skills are pretty bad. He was making the comment of going far in the playoffs, after a close win against the Giants.

jakedsnake

January 6th, 2012
9:43 pm

I’m already checking the 10 day forecast for Green Bay. Detroit will take care of Skants and the Falcons will see them later in the playoffs.

realitycheck

January 6th, 2012
9:56 pm

ohhhhYEAH………I definitely am every bit a realist but am not buying into the Falcons winning Sunday. The Falcons certainly have a chance, but this is an outdoor game that could be rainy/ and or windy with a vocal and passionate crowd to deal with. The Giants are only 8-8 but favored in the game because the oddsmakers aren’t sold on these Falcons either. Additionally, I am not buying in at all to this 12th ranked defense because those rankings are by yardage given up and not points allowed. Example: The Jets defense ranks like 5th, but they’ve given up more points than the 24th ranked Saints defense so that shows that yards between the 20’s aren’t nearly as important as points allowed. I’m predicting a hard fought tight game with Manning making a 4th qtr play that leads to a Giant win but we will see.

Skeezix

January 6th, 2012
10:06 pm

Mark: I think the Giants will come away with the win. Just not a buyer of the Falcons today. If they had showed up against the Saints, I would feel different.

………….but hope I am proven wrong.

P.S. That ESPN article is both dumb and lame. Best to ignore it.

Bob-Bob Baran

January 6th, 2012
10:06 pm

Since they avoided NO, finally a Playoff Victory awaits them on Sunday!!!!

JSS

January 6th, 2012
10:09 pm

Fred Macmurray
January 6th, 2012
4:51 pm
“@JSS What was it you didnt like about the P(e)atrino Hiring that made you drop your season tickets… I mean aside from the obvious fact that he’s a douch(e)bag….”

He orchestrated a attempted coup at Auburn that only the Board of Regents kept from tearing that athletic department apart… Then the way he left Louisville out on a ledge was classic Petrino! I just knew it was a deal with the devil… THe only thing, I thought he might do get an offense to use Vick, Crumpler, and Dunn in a way that could get some production where Knapp failed so miserably…

Greg Mendel

January 6th, 2012
10:28 pm

Falcons can’t play outdoors. Just ask the Panthers, Bucs, Eagles, and Jags. They can’t win “on paper” either.

ohhhhYEAH

January 6th, 2012
10:37 pm

realitycheck

Giants are 9-7, not 8-8, and the odds makers have them as a 3pt favorite simply because they are, in fact, the home team, not because they aren’t “buying the Falcons.” Meaning odds makers are also not sold on the Giants since the game is a push. To listen to you guys talk it seems we are playing Johnny Unitas, with the Steel Curtain defense, at Lambeau field in sub-zero weather. Oh well, guess the Birds might as well not bother getting on the plane since we clearly have no shot

Say what

January 6th, 2012
10:47 pm

Choke is using a girl’s name, thinking we won’t know it’s him. What a loser. (could be CGD or JSS, they are all the same to me)

Najeh Davenpoop

January 6th, 2012
10:52 pm

“And in the unlikely event that we do find a way to win outdoors in New York, our playoff adventure will certainly be put to rest next week against San Francisco or Green Bay.”

The 49ers are not as tough a matchup as the Giants. Their offense is easy to stop and their defense has been showing cracks the last couple of weeks. That team is going to be one and done in the playoffs.

Problem is, the Falcons are going to play the Packers if they get past New York, and they are not going to win that game.

Say what

January 6th, 2012
10:59 pm

Falcons have given up fewer points per game than the Giants. 21.9 for ATL, 25.0 for NYG

JSS

January 6th, 2012
11:19 pm

Like I said Say What: “That’s your P.P.!!! Think whatever you like, you’d just be wrong again…

Say what

January 6th, 2012
11:24 pm

JSS, you mean like you wildly accusing bloggers of using multiple screen names? LOL.

Ok, “samantha” is probably Choke’s sister.

Mr Charlie

January 6th, 2012
11:37 pm

Nav, I do agree with you. SF might be the easiest NFC “out”. I like the Giants to win it all, they are a different team with running backs healthy, and have the best pass rush, a QB capable of getting hot, been playing win or go home for the past few weeks….Falcons win here, it will be something special.

JSS

January 6th, 2012
11:39 pm

No it means you have “personal problems” that need to get a handle on that go beyond what happens within this comment sections… You got issues with a blogger, handle it, move on or just shut up…

JSS

January 6th, 2012
11:42 pm

And I’m Skyping with someone way more important than you for the next hour, so amuse yourself with more falsehoods… Ciao

JN

January 6th, 2012
11:48 pm

@ SAY WHAT compare the falcons and the giants schedule this season!!! Is it better defense or competition

Fred Macmurray

January 7th, 2012
12:04 am

Thanks JSS,,, I just wanted to hear the story,,, I do remember the Auburn thing,, pretty cheesy,,, and thanx for coricting my spelling along the way,, Go Flacons

Mr Charlie

January 7th, 2012
12:07 am

I don’t see a huge difference between the Giants schedule and ours.

We both played the Packers,
They played NO and NE, we played NO twice
they also played the 49ers, but we played the Lions.
We played the Texans, but not at full strength, but we still found a way to lose.

So, it appears we played 1 more playoff team. So what am I missing? Dallas…Charlotte Miami….Titans. Colts….Rams Skins…..Bucs Eagles x2…..We wish

I don’t see a huge difference in the schedules.

Mr Charlie

January 7th, 2012
12:16 am

I guy that the Giants an advantage because:

They play at home
We are playing out doors
They have the best pass rush in the NFL
They are getting healthy
They are a different running team with both backs
They have a QB who can get hot and run the table
They have been there and done that
They have a very good coach

But I don’t buy the harder schedule thing.

houstondawgfan

January 7th, 2012
12:25 am

Falcons will prove they are one of the top teams during this run, they win by at least 10 this weekend, mark it down. The Giants are a little suspect and it will show this weekend, Turner runs out the clock and Matt Ryan gets his Matty Ice name back, I just would like to see a rematch with the Saints, but its not going to happen, NFL knows it too, that its hard to beat a good team three times in a row.

JSS

January 7th, 2012
12:50 am

“thanx for coricting my spelling along the way,, Go Flacons”

I’ve been leaving out whole prepositional phases on this stupid tablet, I can related… Peace Mike, Chip, and Robbie’s dad

Michael M.

January 7th, 2012
1:03 am

Atlanta and the Fans and of course a few trolls for flavor………okay here’s the deal, ” Some like to love on em, some like to hate on em, but we all know about em. Most that like to hate on them really just hating on the Atlanta Fans. You read several pages of these Posts and it shows.

I have lived with the Falcons almost as long as they were brought out of the dust………there’s been some good times and a lot of bad times along those years too. We had some good teams with years and of course some bad ones as well…………………this Team this year is not as bad a team as a lot on here try to make them appear to be. Sure they lost a few close ones but a catch here or there would have been a win so really the only difference in the record is 3 from last to 3 less this year.

You had told me 10-6 get in the playoffs six weeks ago I would have said you are a fruitcake ! Sooooooooooooo, here we are boys and girls but mostly grown fellas with a few that need to act their age, yes, here we are 10-6 in the playoffs and got a 5th seed too, to boot.

Come this { Sunday January 8, 2012} Atlanta gets its first Road Victory Playoff Win in many years !
Don’t say it won’t happen because this Sunday it will. I really have no clue what the score will be as well as yards etc but neither does anyone else. The Playoff Jinx will be broken Sunday, that’s a record Atlanta will have broken this year, the most important one any team can achieve.

As for the next week , sure its going to be more of the same ole same ole just like it was for this game on these Sports blogs. Will they win next week too ? I don’t know, the players on the Team control their destiny. Who knows, you don’t know and I don’t know, this team could go as far as that 1998 team did. They had no more special players as they do now, maybe a little stronger running back but pretty well equal in the rest of the Team.

Lets give the players on the team a chance guys and stop cutting each other down about this and that. we don’t play their football games for them, they do. So come this Sunday , they will play and have something pretty special to play about …breaking the losing record in the playoffs and moving on to the next game.

Its game time guys so lets deal with it !
Dirt Bags, Dirty Birds or Superbirds they are our Birds !

DawgDad

January 7th, 2012
1:27 am

Sure, I want the Falcons to win, but they are weak in the o-line and their pass rush is far too inconsistent. They have to prove they can play with the best teams in the league before they get the benefit of the doubt.

Vick Supporter

January 7th, 2012
1:39 am

All right you heard it here live….Ryan is hot right now and I’ve always said he could play….arm just a little weak…but thats ok if you win.

My Eagles gelled too late…we got our asses beat. I’ve picked the Giants to win the SB…Ice got a chance

Go Giants

Eugene

January 7th, 2012
1:53 am

To the “Saints fan” below who says the Falcons have “grown” on him.” You sir, are not a real Saints fan. No true Who Dat feels a grain of empathy for the dirty birds.

SawThat1nce

January 7th, 2012
2:07 am

Falcons beaten by Packers, beaten by saints in 2nd game.
Gave away 1st saints game, gave away Texans game.
Falcons win Sunday by 11 or more points.
GO FALCONS!!!!!!

HardyFalcon

January 7th, 2012
5:39 am

You know its sad, we are probably a better team than NY, but because its a NY team they get all the press coverage and everyone and their brother is picking NY over us. I just hope we go into NY with our A** 0n our shoulders and with a chip on our shoulder and show those New Jerkers that we came into town with a take no prisoner attitude. IT IS TIME TO RISE UP AND SHOW THE WORLD WE HAVE THE TEAM TO TAKE NY BY STORM AND MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT VICTIM, WHETHER IT BE SF OR GB!!!! GO FALCONS

Jim

January 7th, 2012
6:28 am

The Facons have done absolutely nothing all year to earn such a prediction. Each time they have stepped up onto the big stage they have been slammed. Until this crew wins a game against a quality opponent no one who is objective can say they are ready to win when it counts. The facts just don’t support your analysis.

joseph coppola

January 7th, 2012
6:47 am

it’s funny, these home town writers and their reasoning for victory, they’re playing outdoors, against a mentally and physcially tough team, and matty”ice” will look loke an “ice dancer” I am not a n.y. fan.

Caesar

January 7th, 2012
7:56 am

Why should fans be optimistic when every time the Falcons have a big game like this they lose. It doesn’t mean we don’t support the team and it doesn’t mean we are not “real fans”. Real fans should be objective, not blind loyalist. So far this team has yet to prove they are real SB contenders. I hope they prove me wrong.

The ATL

January 7th, 2012
7:59 am

The Falcons are angry about all this disrespect! Mark this down—Matt and Julio will light up the weak NY secondary and the angry falcons D will shut down manning with a few INTs! Falcons roll!!! ATL 30 NY 17!

Sid

January 7th, 2012
8:18 am

Mister.Earl January 6th, 2012 11:17 am
This one is played on the road in Met Life which will be swimming in blue and red, with a brisk breeze blowing from the east.
*****************************************************
Hey, Larry Munson’s not dead, he’s Mister Earl. “Get the Picture”

The wind won’t be from the east and the only thing brisk in the stadium will be the tea.

jdl2

January 7th, 2012
8:21 am

Quick dish on Rob Parker from Wikipedia. He’s a low life who hates everything Atlanta for some reason. Doesn’t deserve a national stage. Here’s from Wikipedia:

“On March 28, 2008, Parker declared on ESPN’s First Take that he had low expectations for college players Tyler Hansbrough and Kevin Love in the NBA, because they are white.[1]
Parker, who is African American, is not shy to discuss the racial aspects of current sports events, such as the NBA off-court dress policy, or the lack of African Americans in NFL coaching positions. He penned a much-maligned column where he called Hank Aaron a “coward” for declining to attend when Barry Bonds would break the career home run record.
In October 2008, Parker erroneously reported that Kirk Cousins, a quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans, was involved in a fight with members of the Michigan State hockey team. At the time of the fight, Cousins was at church with his parents. After being publicly reproved by head coach Mark Dantonio at his weekly news conference, Parker was suspended by The Detroit News for two weeks.[2]
On December 21, 2008, at a press conference following the Lions’ 42-7 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Parker addressed a question Lions head coach Rod Marinelli about Lions defensive coordinator Joe Barry, Marinelli’s son-in-law, inquiring whether Marinelli wished that his daughter had “married a better defensive coordinator.”[3] The question was criticized as unprofessional and inappropriate. The next day, Parker wrote that the comment was “an attempt at humor” and not a malicious attack.[4] Parker wrote no further columns forThe Detroit News, nor did he attend any press conferences, following the incident. On January 6, 2009, The Detroit News announced that Parker had resigned from the newspaper the previous week.[5]
On January 5th, 2012, Parker wrote an article posted on ESPN’s ESPNNewYork.com site that caused an uproar as he attacked the city of Atlanta.[6]“

Bob-Bob Baran

January 7th, 2012
8:30 am

It’ll be just like the Braves….win a playoff series and the Braves get free passes for 14 years. Hey get me 3 Hall of Fame pitchers and I’ll do just as good as Coach Bobby Cocks. Ohhhhh back to the Falcons…..same thing applies here….win versus the Giants and they’ll get their free pass for a few years. Good thing about Atlanta, the players don’t have to face an intense media….its all soooo nice here!!! If Matty Ice is watching this, he’s now asking Tony G. to hold him closer…..

Bob-Bob Baran

January 7th, 2012
8:33 am

Dearest Tony G, please play for one more year and Hold me Close…I need to cuddle….I’m getting nervous about the game this weekend. The NY media is so nasty….How does Eli put up with this scrutiny?

Sincerely, Matty Ice

Sid

January 7th, 2012
8:39 am

Eugene January 7th, 2012 1:53 am
To the “Saints fan” below who says the Falcons have “grown” on him.” You sir, are not a real Saints fan. No true Who Dat feels a grain of empathy for the dirty birds.
***************************************************************
Hey Marcel, what year did you become a Saints fan? Let me guess, Feb. 7, 2010.

And just for the record…………it’s Dirty Birds!

Eric C.

January 7th, 2012
8:40 am

some excellent points…

http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/tag/_/name/final-word-2011-wild-card

GiantBo

January 7th, 2012
8:42 am

If citing stats that got racked up during an injury plagued season for the Gmen makes this guy able to sleep at night before the Falcons next playoff loss, so be it. BUT he can’t say that the Falcons are a different team ready to roll in the playoffs in one breath and not acknowledge that the Giants have played like monsters since the Aints game and are now 90% healthy.

Should be a good game, Atlanta is a GOOD team, but Giants win at home 31-20.

Say what

January 7th, 2012
8:42 am

Ever notice how jerks say it’s your problem when they are jerks?

GiantBo

January 7th, 2012
8:50 am

Giants win.

Ty

January 7th, 2012
8:59 am

Umm…Cruz and Nicks have been every bit as explosive and productive as Julio/Roddy. What the hell have you been watching?

JSS

January 7th, 2012
9:13 am

Say what
January 7th, 2012
8:42 am
“Ever notice how jerks say it’s your problem when they are jerks?”

And it is still “your” problem…

Sid

January 7th, 2012
9:18 am

If the Falcons establish a ground attack (and stick to it) NY is going to have a long day. That said, lest we forget, Manning is a MVP Super Bowl QB and is capable of doing some damage with his arm. We have to get some pressure on him. He isn’t an escape artist and has been sacked a career high 28 times in 2011. He has also scrambled a career high 35 times for a whopping 12 yards. And if we start our first offensive series with a deep incomplete pass I may call Jax and lend my support to hiring Mularkey.

Say what

January 7th, 2012
9:21 am

JSS, thanks for the laughs. Enjoy your wildcard weekend, JSS, and everyone.

jakedsnake

January 7th, 2012
9:29 am

The Saints are one quarterback hit from being the Indianapolis Colts.

Sid

January 7th, 2012
9:32 am

Falcons all the way January 6th, 2012 12:30 pm
Samantha – go sit on a plunger

******************************************

Which end?

Sid

January 7th, 2012
9:34 am

jakedsnake January 7th, 2012 9:29 am
The Saints are one quarterback hit from being the Indianapolis Colts.
*******************************************
……….and oh how I have preyed…………er uh………..prayed.

JCL

January 7th, 2012
9:34 am

Mark,
Sometimes these games come down to something small. It seems to me that during the Mike Smith era the Falcons have been the worst team in football about losing every single challenge. Am I crazy or do we always seem to lose a timeout by challenging a play that is subsequently upheld?
Who makes this decision ?

TommyP

January 7th, 2012
9:36 am

I stopped reading when you asked if the Giants had “anything resembling the tandem of Julio and Roddy.”

Uhh….Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz? Do you watch the NFL?

PaulieOldSchool

January 7th, 2012
9:46 am

If the PTB let Matt Ryan control the offense, we win this game and at least 1 more. If MM has control, there’s a real chance we go home even angrier and certainly early for the year. Let ‘em lead! He’s got a good head and a fine arm.

JSS

January 7th, 2012
9:46 am

@ Sid…
Maybe one hit from being like the Pittsburgh Steelers (with Charlie Batch)… Chaz Daniels will never be as bad as Curtis Painter…

ohhhhYEAH

January 7th, 2012
10:28 am

The Falcons have done everything to earn your trust to this point. They made the playoffs. Isn’t that what you wanted? Sure they played very sloppy and very inconsistently, and we didnt win the division, but there are 20 other teams that would love to be where we are. And its not “blind loyalty” to hope your team wins, its called hope, optimism. Maybe you should look those words up. If you think they haven’t “earned” your support or your faith to believe they can win, then go be a Pats or Packers or Saints fan. The Falcons are as far as they can be at this point, so either be happy and support them, or go find yourselves another team.

Big Crimson 75

January 7th, 2012
10:40 am

I’ll be very disappointed if WE don’t win this game

benchwarmer

January 7th, 2012
10:53 am

Like Charles Barkley said while commenting during the Hawks/Heat game the other night,”ya gotta have some dirt bags to be a winning team.”

AU Liberal in ATL

January 7th, 2012
11:04 am

The Falcons might win, could win. But I ain’t holding my breath.

SawThat1nce

January 7th, 2012
11:08 am

Falcons win. No doubt about it.

Ken Van

January 7th, 2012
11:08 am

This writer’s “the Falcon’s will win because of” are just plain dumb. He forgets to take into consideration the huge advantage the Giants have with their pass rushers. These guys will turn Matty “Ice” into Matty “Meltdown”. Sure, Turner is a superior back but the Giants are aware of that and Kiwanuka and company will handle him. Forget about the Giant rushing stats for the year, Bradshaw will out rush Turner and wew might even see Jacobs destroy the Falcon defensive front four. Bradley had better stop wishing and write with his brain instead of his heart. GO GIANTS…..

Sid

January 7th, 2012
11:30 am

Jeff Porter……………my deepest and sincerest sympathy to you and your family. May your best memories give you comfort.

My respect for our GSP has dropped considerably.

realitycheck

January 7th, 2012
11:34 am

Forget the big wins over Tampa Bay and Jacksonville because there will be no teams of that caliber still playing. How quickly so many dreamers have forgotten about that 29 pt blowout loss to the Saints. All those yards between the 20’s against the Saints meant nothing since they produced only one TD. This regime hasn’t beaten the big boys hardly at all so I don’t get all of this “mark it down” and “guaranteed” win talk. The excuses will be flying after this regime is 0-3, and there will be endless “Dimwit” and “Melt” writeups too.

BIG JIM

January 7th, 2012
12:04 pm

for the falcons to win there pass rush got to match or be better then the giant!!!!!!!

Giants40yrs

January 7th, 2012
12:50 pm

“Anything approaching the combination of Roddy White and Julio Jones” – are you delusional?? White (1296 yards) and Jones (959) versus Victor Cruz (1536) and Hakeem Nicks (1192) is a HUGE advantage to the Giants. It’s OK to be a homer, but get real – the Giants have the only tandem of 1000 yd receivers in the league. Cruz finished third in the NFL and only started 12 games.

Dre

January 7th, 2012
1:34 pm

Mike Mularkey please take the job at Miami please!

Saints R.E.A.M.

January 7th, 2012
1:38 pm

The Falcons will see New Orleans again either on TV or on the field next year. Ain’t no way the Falcons will win enough games to see New Orleans in the playoffs.

Ssshhhhh be quiet and let your season die peacefully…..because its over.

AtlNative

January 7th, 2012
2:07 pm

Look,
The bottom line is this, and M. Bradley should recognize this, the falcons have given us NO REASON to believe they can win a big game. Now, does that mean they can’t win this game? Absolutely not, in fact, they have enough talent to get it done.
However,
We can only judge the future on the past, and the sad truth about the falcon’s (heck EVERY atlanta team) past is that their past is full of big game losses and under-performance against quality teams and on the biggest stages. I have long lamented, been frustrated by, and pulled my hair out trying to figure out this town’s seeming inability to win. I honestly don’t understand it.
The falcon’s (like the bulldogs – sorry dog fans) don’t have any good wins this year. They perform against bad teams, and get blown out by good ones – guess which they will face in the playoffs.
I know a lot of folks will accuse me of being negative, and not supporting the team etc. but, as an Atlanta fan I have been down this road. There is a reason why the Braves stopped selling out first round playoff games toward the end of their run.
Once you have seen something over and over again, you just expect it. And, until I see differently, I expect the falcons to fold against a quality opponent.
Sorry guys, that’s just how I see it.

lulz

January 7th, 2012
2:49 pm

Detroit is going to WHIP New Orleans tonight…

lulz

January 7th, 2012
2:50 pm

ken van—-if they have such a huge advantage with pass rushing–then why is their pass d among the leagues worse?? you’re an idiot…carry on

lulz

January 7th, 2012
2:50 pm

giants40years—–white and jones would both be well over 1k without injuries..you fool

lulz

January 7th, 2012
2:52 pm

are the lousy New York fans even going to sell this game out?? Pathetic.

phil

January 7th, 2012
2:52 pm

The stats mean nothing.

We can’t block with consistency.

We can’t put heat on Manning.

We’re therefore going to lose.

Simple, really.

Sad and frustrating but it’s reality.

lulz

January 7th, 2012
2:56 pm

thats poetry in motion brotha…..i mean really-motion-get out of here. Go be a Carolina or a Jag fan broham. You keep saying we but it’s us. You are a them.

falconsrus

January 7th, 2012
3:07 pm

22 hrs and ticking get your popcorn ready rise up

In a laugher

January 7th, 2012
3:11 pm

Technically, the guy did get you Atlanta fans right. You people don’t support your teams. I’ve been to falcons games many times over the years, and I to remember that place with lots of empty seats. I know your team’s slogan is rise up, but it doesn’t mean to rise out of your bed, only to stet away from the Georgia dome.

lulz

January 7th, 2012
3:13 pm

just think, in about 24 hours all the naysayers and nyg fans will crawl into their hole–until next weekend when they say that we’ll lose then too

What happened to UGA's D?

January 7th, 2012
3:14 pm

Somebody tell Samantha that freezing begins at 32 degrees and below, not in the 40’s.

Time to rise up in the big apple!

January 7th, 2012
3:16 pm

If the Falcons can forget last weeks win and only remember the loss in NO, they will win.

Time to rise up in the big apple!

January 7th, 2012
3:17 pm

The Lions will be takin out the trash tonight!

lulz

January 7th, 2012
3:27 pm

to be fair…40 might be cold to a girl.. why is she watching football anyways…go back to the kitchen Samantha and make me some snacks before the Who Dey game

lulz

January 7th, 2012
3:36 pm

from the NYDailyPost
THE WEATHER: There was once the threat of a storm, but now it appears the conditions will be about as perfect as anyone could expect for a game in early January. Light winds, sunny, temperatures in the low-to-mid 40s. It’s not the comforts of a climate-controlled dome, but unless the winds start gusting a swirling – always a possibility in the hard-to-predict Meadowlands – it does not appear that the weather will have an impact on this game.

lulz

January 7th, 2012
3:38 pm

wow- their sports guy is picking the birds..lol…actually a good and very flattering article
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/giants/2012/01/wont-be-easy-for-giants-to-flip-the-birds

Red-Helmets swarm

January 7th, 2012
3:39 pm

Yeah, espn reporter asked ol’ Clabo what he thought about being called a dirtbag, he said it don’t matter all of us went & had t-shirts made w/ dirtbags on em’. I think that’s cool; ought put on the back nip – tuck. I hope when ever they get down in the trenches the falcon OL is lettin’ tuck & his boys know “Heck(another explexitive)yeah!WE GOT YOU’RE DIRTBAG RIGHT HERE COME & GET SOME! (EXPLEXITIVE)Jack smack you’re face off! Dang, just tryin’ to keep it clean.

stizz

January 7th, 2012
3:51 pm

It wouldn’t be a blog without phil and his usual bitching.

karen donnelly

January 7th, 2012
4:15 pm

i want to see my man mr. john abraham #55 put eli manning to the ground just one good time. pass rush pass rush. thank you very much

Todd

January 7th, 2012
4:21 pm

Bradley likes the falcs to win means we will lose. Why can’t he just stop with the predictions for a change.

Jason

January 7th, 2012
4:26 pm

Go Falcons

Jason

January 7th, 2012
4:32 pm

Re: Fans at Other Stadiums
Really? No Braves fans in opposing teams’ stadiums?

http://atlanta.sbnation.com/atlanta-braves/2011/7/11/2270469/the-atlanta-braves-are-the-no-3-most-popular-baseball-team

Behold the power of empirical vs. anecdotal evidence.

Matt CHOKE Ryan

January 7th, 2012
4:45 pm

I really think Matt and Roddy and Co. will light up the Giant secondary. They are just starting to click. Matt has progressed alot this year, and I have become a big fan. I’m glad Vick has moved on and can watch the playoffs this year. Maybe he will learn what a real QB looks like on Sunday. GO Falcons

Yo Vince

January 7th, 2012
4:52 pm

Choke I totally agree. Vick could learn a whole lot. Roddy, Gonzo, and JJ will be the X factor. NFL Net says so, NY Daily News says so, Mark Bradley says so, ESPN says so, Mike Golic says so, and most importantly, Yo Vince says so, and that’s the bottom line. Thanks for the kind words Choke.

steven A.

January 7th, 2012
4:59 pm

There a 5 Georgia players on the Bengals Roster. Go Dawgs!!!!

Yo Vince

January 7th, 2012
5:18 pm

There is 1 Bama line backer for Texans. Texans by 50. Just not fair against a Bamer.

Yo Vince

January 7th, 2012
5:27 pm

My bad… 3 Bama boys on the roster. Texans by 150

phil

January 7th, 2012
5:37 pm

YellowJacket
January 6th, 2012
9:01 pm