How the Falcons will go 12-4 and reclaim the NFC South title
There'll be a new champion of the NFC South this season. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
I think the Falcons will be really good, Super Bowl good. Maybe that makes me a raging homer. Or maybe it means I see a team that has won 23 games the past two years and is poised to break upward. While you’re discussing among yourselves, I’ll tell you how this regular season will go.
Sept. 9, at Kansas City: The Chiefs aren’t bad, but this will be a coming-out party for Dirk Koetter’s new offense. Expect Matt Ryan to throw 35 passes. Expect Julio Jones to catch 10 of them, three for touchdowns. Falcons 28, Chiefs 20.
Sept. 17, Denver: It’s a Monday night game, and the Falcons haven’t done so well in those. Peyton Manning now plays for the Broncos, but this will serve as a prime-time showcase for the other starting quarterback. Falcons 30, Broncos 17.
Sept. 23, at San Diego: Here’s where the issue of logistics rears its head. The Falcons face a short week against a West Coast team that opens 2012 with a point to prove. Shootout time in San Dog (old naval term). Chargers 34, Falcons 30.
Sept. 30, Carolina: Some see the Panthers as the rising power in the NFC South. Maybe so, but this is one division rival the Falcons have come to own. They’re 6-2 against Carolina under Mike Smith, 4-0 since 2009. Falcons 27, Panthers 17.
Oct. 7, at Washington: Will Robert Griffin III be starting by now? Will D.C. be more abuzz over the Redskins or the Nationals? Will the Falcons lose to a rookie quarterback? The last question is by far the easiest. Falcons 24, Redskins 17.
Oct. 14, Oakland: The pre-bye part of the schedule has been challenging (K.C. and S.D. on the road) but not oppressive, and Oakland at the Dome shouldn’t be too troubling. But the schedule is about to toughen. Falcons 35, Raiders 14.
Oct. 28, at Philadelphia: The roughest stretch of the season commences here. Michael Vick, who used to play for the Falcons, has said the Eagles could become a dynasty. They won’t, but they will win this game. Eagles 28, Falcons 24.
Nov. 4, Dallas: A Sunday-nighter against America’s Team will be the season’s pivot point. With a date at New Orleans upcoming, this could become a losing streak. But Mike Smith’s teams don’t have losing streaks. Falcons 27, Cowboys 17.
Nov. 11, at New Orleans: By now, the Saints will have interim coach Joe Vitt back. And yes, it’s more than a little weird that the interim coach has been suspended by the NFL. But Sean Payton still won’t be around. Falcons 31, Saints 30.
Nov. 18, Arizona: Trap game here. The Falcons are 7-2 and flying high off that narrow victory in Superdome, and Arizona is nicely suited as a stealth opponent. Consider this the season’s first real misstep. Cardinals 21, Falcons 17.
Nov. 25, at Tampa Bay: With that egregious home upset out of their system, the Falcons take on the Buccaneers, who figure again to run last in the NFC South. A rudimentary road victory ensues. Falcons 30, Buccaneers 13.
Nov. 29, New Orleans: A Thursday night date against the team that keeps embarrassing the Falcons on national TV. That pent-up frustration yields a second victory over their nemesis in 18 days. Falcons 24, Saints 23.
Dec. 9, at Carolina: With 10 days to prepare, the Falcons will manage to overcome the torpor that undid them after their first victory over New Orleans. Still won’t be easy, though. Falcons 27, Panthers 24 (overtime).
Dec. 16, New York Giants: The memory of the wretched 24-2 playoff loss in the Meadowlands burns, and this is yet another chance for the surging Falcons to prove their bona fides. Falcons 30, Giants 28.
Dec. 22, at Detroit: And now a Saturday night game. (For the record, the Falcons will not play on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday this season.) And another loss seems in order, don’t you think? Lions 30, Falcons 24.
Dec. 29, Tampa Bay: The NFC South having already been won, the Falcons are playing for positioning now. They finish 12-4 and secure the NFC’s No. 2 seed (behind Green Bay) in rousing fashion. Falcons 35, Buccaneers 10.
By Mark Bradley
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196 comments Add your comment
Hawthorne
August 24th, 2012
8:56 am
Time to face facts Falcon fans! See below for the series history in the Sean Payton era:
September 25, 2006 New Orleans New Orleans 23 Atlanta 3
November 26, 2006 New Orleans New Orleans 31 Atlanta 13
October 21, 2007 New Orleans New Orleans 22 Atlanta 16
December 10, 2007 New Orleans New Orleans 34 Atlanta 14
November 9, 2008 Atlanta. Atlanta 34 New Orleans 20
December 7, 2008 New Orleans New Orleans 29 Atlanta 25
November 2, 2009 New Orleans New Orleans 35 Atlanta 27
December 14, 2009 New Orleans New Orleans 26 Atlanta 23
September 26, 2010 Atlanta Atlanta 27 New Orleans 24
December 27, 2010 New Orleans New Orleans 17 Atlanta 14
November 13, 2011 New Orleans New Orleans 26 Atlanta 23
December 26, 2011 New Orleans New Orleans 45 Atlanta 16
The 2010 win by the Birds was pure luck (missed chip shot FG by Hartley). Looks like really. 11-1 Saints to me…admit reality. WHO DAT!
HUH?????????????
August 24th, 2012
9:01 am
Another pointless prediction by Bark Madley. Hey Mark, how are the Braves looking?
HUH?????????????
August 24th, 2012
9:02 am
How the Falcons will go 12-4 and reclaim the NFC South title….and lose in the first round of the playoffs for a fourth straight year.
HUH?????????????
August 24th, 2012
9:02 am
“Sept. 30, Carolina: Some see the Panthers as the rising power in the NFC South. Maybe so, but this is one division rival the Falcons have come to own. They’re 6-2 against Carolina under Mike Smith, 4-0 since 2009. Falcons 27, Panthers 17.”
Cam will destroy the Falcants this year.
HUH?????????????
August 24th, 2012
9:03 am
“Dec. 16, New York Giants: The memory of the wretched 24-2 playoff loss in the Meadowlands burns, and this is yet another chance for the surging Falcons to prove their bona fides. Falcons 30, Giants 28.”
Ok Mark, get back on your meds.
HUH?????????????
August 24th, 2012
9:04 am
LOLOL
Bradley has the Falcons beating the Saints twice. Geez Mark, you’re more delusional than most UGA fans.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 24th, 2012
9:05 am
The 0-3 man transforms into the 0-4 man
RC in the ATL
August 24th, 2012
9:14 am
Back off of Mark Bradley! The last time he predicted a 12-4 year (with the Falcons coming off a dissapointing 9-7 campaign in 2010) they went out and went 13-3. The Falcons have shown great proclivity to win regular season games. Quite frankly, I agree with Bradley here, and I think they will also bring home a playoff win this season as well. #2 seed along with a playoff victory should send them to Lambeau for the NFC Title Game. And payback is….well, it depends on which side you are on!
biz
August 24th, 2012
9:30 am
I vote raging homer.
Rick in Macon
August 24th, 2012
9:40 am
Bradley, you’re obviously delirious. Unless the OL blocks and Ryan stays off his butt, they’ll never approach that kind of record. I also think the secondary is still suspect…Grimes is the only decent defensive back they have. They have no chance with Robinson in there.
SM
August 24th, 2012
9:48 am
Bad OL, under-performing DL = 9-7
It doesn’t matter how good your skill positions are if they don’t have time to perform. This team goes as far (or not far!) as their line of scrimmage will allow, and that isn’t much. They have very little depth and once the inevitable injuries occur on defense and the OL, this team falls apart. Julio is great, but we could really have used another 4 able bodies on the OL and secondary.
Milburn Drysdale
August 24th, 2012
10:13 am
12-4? Superbowl? These are very bold predictions. The Falcons are pretty much like the Braves….a good team that is better than average, but will struggle to make the playoffs, and even if they do….first round…lose….exit stage left.
T DOG
August 24th, 2012
10:14 am
You have so many problems with your hypothesis.
1) Falcons won’t beat the Saints twice. Mike Smith has never done it.
2) You have the Falcons scoring more than 20 points in almost every game. That’s not possible from a team that will run screen passes and a sophisticated passing game with a suspect o-line. Right plans, wrong parts.
3) Most teams on the schedule made roster changes and got better. The Falcons got worse. No free agent signings, 1 trade for an old CB, and injuries on both sides of the ball.
Paul in NH
August 24th, 2012
10:15 am
@JSS
Dempsey will be transferred from Fulham – it is the nature of the game now that the players (and their agents) can manipulate the clubs to get transferred. I doubt he’ll be transferred to a team playing in the CL (which he claims he wants) – Liverpool is his best bet – John Henry seems to like players on the down slope for both of his ball teams.
Opening weekend in the EPL was great. My guys outplayed ManU and Liverpool lost!
Blues Professor
August 24th, 2012
10:17 am
The Saints are better than the Falcons at QB, RB, OL, OT, TE, WR, LB, DL, DT, DE, CB, K, P, and special teams.
Did I leave out anything?
Oh yeah, much louder and more loyal fans, and better coaching (even with Payton and Vitt suspended).
Go Saints!
Perspective
August 24th, 2012
10:19 am
A word to the wise…
Posting on here with a name like Matty “Choke” Ryan or Falcan’ts, etc.. costs you all credibility and respect for making any argument you put forth. A few might take it personal and make a retaliating comment back, but for the large majority, we simply see the name of the person who made the comment and intentionally skip over it and move on the to the next comment because we know that anything coming from a person that is THAT blatantly one-sided has nothing of value to offer.
That is all… continue.
Esquire
August 24th, 2012
10:20 am
Let’s put that new stadium in Doraville. The Doraville Falcons, has a nice ring to it!! Like a Superbowl ring……!!! Can you hear the roar, it’s the Falcons at 12-4…………!!!
Esquire
August 24th, 2012
10:21 am
Will Akeem Dent play on special teams tonight?
james
August 24th, 2012
10:21 am
Mark, surely you don’t believe they can go 12-4 and are Superbowl material? Or could this be the ultimate form of pandering to the homers? Can we please take a healthy dose of realism here? Have you ever heard the expression, “never overpromise, then underdeliver”? How in the hell are they going to do this anyway with virtually no depth at linebacker, a flimsy offensive line, a fat, slow running back and no pressure from the defensive line. I stick comfortably by my 8-8 and no playoffs prediction. While by no means do I want this, I do live in the real world.
PMC
August 24th, 2012
10:24 am
The Saints are not better than the Falcons at WR or CB or S or Linebacker (they were but they all got hurt) Barrett Ruud was just traded for seriously.
K is level, DE is level. DT is level. The Saints are much at QB, OT, OG, RB more talented at TE
You’re nuts if you think their WR’s are better and apparently you haven’t watched them play if you like anyone in that wretched secondary.
The big difference of the last 5 years has been QB and OL in addition to an incredibly good offensive scheme and brilliant play calling on the Saints side.
I
jarvis
August 24th, 2012
10:25 am
This dumbazz didn’t think Medlen should move into the rotation. He’s not even worth reading.
tom
August 24th, 2012
10:28 am
Dream ON!
Vesaversa
August 24th, 2012
11:06 am
I’m optimistic about this season too but 12-4 seam a stretch .Falcons win the NFC South but with a 11 -5 record
non-sense
August 24th, 2012
11:13 am
How you see this team winning more than 9 games this year baffles me. We still don’t have an effective pass rush attack. Our defense will still not be able to defend the pass. Our defensive backs are still not that good. We have injuries on the lines, and at middle linebacker, our QB still looks nervous. I say 9-7. 12-4 is the biggest load crock on this planet.
Red Pants
August 24th, 2012
11:14 am
Falcons go 8-8 and you guys are crazy if you think they beat Denver by 13 on MNF. Broncos defense is twice as good as Atlanta’s, Miller and Dumervil will abuse that o-line. Not sure why everyone is so high on these Falcons…new coordinators don’t change a team into world beaters. The talent on defense and o-line just isn’t there.
Cejay
August 24th, 2012
11:50 am
I’d listen to these guys before the trolls on this blog….
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/storylist/17506081/2/2012-nfl-season-preview/atlanta-falcons
shannyeight
August 24th, 2012
11:53 am
I’m gonna say 10-6 or 11-5 based on the fact that Dallas’ defense looks a lot better…and yeah I agree- we’ll most likely split the series with the Saints.
Falconfanriseup
August 24th, 2012
12:13 pm
12-4 is more realistic split with Saints, Loss to Eagles, Split with Panthers we will not lose to the Cardnals but could slip to the Chargers. Could be a slip up against the Cowboys hope not though.
Die Hard Falcon
August 24th, 2012
12:54 pm
I would say that 11-5 is more likely. Unfortunately I think we’ll split w/ the aints & the panthers, and lose the other 3 to chargers, giants, and eagles. I still say we win the South, and get at least 1 playoff win, hopefully more.
Thanks,
Highly Respected Southern Troll
August 24th, 2012
4:10 pm
Let’s not forget the rest:
Braves win the World Series by sweeping the Yankees.
Georgia Southern goes 11-0, beats Georgia convincingly in Athens, and then goes on to claim their seventh national championship.
Georgia State goes 11-0 and shocks Tennessee. Bill Curry is talked out of retirement and given a lifetime contract.
Valdosta State wins the Division 2 National Championship.
UGA goes 11-1, beats Florida 56-0, nips Georgia Tech, then wins the SEC. Richt is named SEC COTY and hired by an NFL team after the season.
Georgia Tech goes 11-1, gets edged by UGA, wins the ACC, then beats UGA in 2OT in the National Championship game rematch. Paul Johnson is named Bobby Dodd and ACC COTY and is offered coaching jobs at seven schools. Florida State exits the ACC for the Big-12 to escape the Jackets’ pending wrath in 2013.
Falcons beat the Patriots to win the Super Bowl.
Reviewing film of the NFC South chat – ESPN (blog)
August 24th, 2012
4:49 pm
[...] NFC South chat. ATLANTA FALCONS Tony (Richmond, CA): How …NFC South: Things to considerCBC.caHow the Falcons will go 12-4 and reclaim the NFC South titleAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog)all 5 news [...]
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 24th, 2012
10:25 pm
Okay seriously it’s time to bench CHOKE.
For 3 quarters in a dress rehearsal he stunk up the place with all those
dink & dunks.
Davis comes in for 2 plays and gets a 39 yard bomb for a touchdown.
CHOKE is not the answer.
Davis needs to start for Julio and Roddy to take the team to the
next level
Go Falcons
August 24th, 2012
10:52 pm
I think people are being way to pessimistic! Sam Baker has not met up to his draft positiona at all but come on, he was hurt and it seems he is fully healthy this year for almost the first time in his nfl career. And how can you call a defense ranked 12th horrible or bad. We weren’t great but we weren’t bad. I do think Mike Nolan’s scheme will give Moore and Decoud better opportunities therefore making us better in pass coverage.
Go Falcons
August 24th, 2012
11:01 pm
Fans like this are exactly why the nfl and nba doesn’t respect the city of atlanta or our teams. It’s a shame that we have had this much success (compared to how we used to constantly suck) and yet we still get unloyal, fairweather fans.
Matty "Choke" Ice
August 25th, 2012
9:58 am
The Falcons will go 12-4 if we play the Dolphins 16 times!
Angelo
August 25th, 2012
7:31 pm
what you been smoking Maybe 8-8.
Bojack
August 25th, 2012
8:26 pm
This idiot who cannot kick a 32 yard field goal will cost us a couple of games.
Falcon Realist
August 26th, 2012
2:56 am
12-4 is a joke. The first team struggle to score against Miami. New Orleans is still the team to beat in the NFC South with or w/o Sean Payton. Falcons will finish third. tied with Tampa Bay.
Matt still struggles on the deep ball. The receivers have to slow up for the under thrown ball and it becomes a jump ball. He still gets nervous in the pocket when there is pressure up the middle (happy feet and he looks scared). OL can’t be depended on to get critical short yards.
Mike Smith is a good solid coach except when it comes to crucial situations.
I expect the Falcons to surprise everyone and cut Michael Turner if they can’t move him. He simply does not fit this offense and will only serve to slow the offense down. Not fair to him or the Falcons.
By the way, can we count on the new offensive coordinator to make the right call in crucial situations? He hasn’t been in those situations with his prior experience.
CamiloAtlanta
August 26th, 2012
11:25 am
In MB I trust, but let’s shoot for 16-0.
CamiloAtlanta
August 26th, 2012
11:27 am
Falcons Realust, Matty Ice held his own in the pocket. Mr Negative, what games have you been watching?
CamiloAtlanta
August 26th, 2012
11:31 am
And Saints fans in for a long year. Back to the bags for you guys. Haha, who dat stinking up the field? Who dat idiots, dat is.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 26th, 2012
11:50 am
That Paul Ryan P90X really has helped CHOKE crank up the dink & dunk
Falcon Realist
August 26th, 2012
4:35 pm
If Drew Brees makes it through the year the Saints will win the division. The Panthers will place second in the division. The Falcons continue to struggle in the red zone.
Hmmmmmmm
August 27th, 2012
11:33 am
and here I thought the Falcons were going to be successful this season…. Bradley just put the jinx on that….
Hmmmmmmm
August 27th, 2012
11:35 am
Highly respected southern troll….. Funny!
Why I believe UGA, Tech and the Falcons are bound for glory | Mark Bradley
August 29th, 2012
6:36 pm
[...] defensive lines, but I see few teams than can match the Falcons at the skill positions. I like them to go 12-4, win their division and then take the NFC title. Confidence level: Very [...]