With Peyton in town, Monday is a prove-it night for the Falcons
Are you an NFL team looking for a big-name opponent? Well, here's your guy. (AP photo)
Counting the playoffs, the Atlanta Falcons are 24-11 since Jan. 3, 2010. That’s not bad. But the reason this winning team doesn’t yet occupy space on the NFL’s shelf of the elite is that, duh, it hasn’t won a playoff game since Jim Mora was a rookie coach, and also because it tends to spit the bit in prime time.
Of the Falcons’ six most recent night games, they’ve lost four. One exception was a victory over Jacksonville last December, and we affix an asterisk because it came on Thursday and was aired by the NFL Network, which not everybody gets. Of the five times in 2010/2011 the Falcons played on Saturday (NBC), Sunday (NBC again) or Monday (ESPN) nights, they’ve lost four.
They could have clinched the NFC South two nights after Christmas 2010, but they lost here to the Saints. Nineteen days later they were the marquee game of Saturday’s divisional playoff round, and they lost 48-21 to Green Bay. Last season the Falcons played two home Sunday-nighters in the span of four weeks, and they split: Beating the Eagles narrowly, losing to the Packers less narrowly. And then, come the holidays, they stunk out the Superdome on Monday night, losing to the Saints 45-16.
And here we are again: Another Monday night, another name-brand opponent. “It’ll be a full house,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said this week, and then he smiled. “I’m guessing everyone [holding a ticket] will remember it’s an 8:30 game.”
Well, yes. When Peyton Manning comes to town, you tend to note the date and time. Not-so-fun fact: When last Manning faced the Falcons at night, it was on Thanksgiving in the lost season of 2007. He threw three touchdown passes and the visiting Colts won 31-13. But that was with Bobby Petrino as coach and Joey Harrington as quarterback, and Falcon fortunes have since improved.
The Denver Broncos, Manning’s new team, are 1-0, having beaten the Steelers last Sunday night. The Falcons are 1-0, having routed Kansas City on the road. “It ought to be a good game,” said Smith, telling no lies, and even a coach who sweats the seeming bad games seemed to be feeling some extra oomph for this one.
Again, those two words: Peyton Manning. He might or might not be the greatest quarterback of his generation, but he’s the most frightening for a defensive coordinator. For the five seasons before he moved to Flowery Branch, Mike Smith was a defensive coordinator in Peyton Manning’s division. Twice a year, Smitty and his Jacksonville D had to try and outflank the quarterback who has rarely been outflanked.
Smith on Manning: “He’s the measuring stick for every quarterback of this era, especially with more teams throwing it all the time and going no-huddle. When you’re the defensive coordinator, it truly is a chess match. You get 40 seconds on the play clock, and [going against Manning] you still don’t know what’s coming at the end of it. With most guys, it’s a case of ‘either/or’ or ‘this, this or this.’ But he can go through the whole playbook.”
Smith mentioned measuring sticks: Manning and his new club offer a convenient one for the locals. The Falcons have committed to playing at a fuller tilt on offense and pressuring more on defense, but if your team doesn’t hog the ball and burn the clock your defense has to spend even more time trying to harness a Hall of Famer.
The Falcons could look to run a bit more against Denver than in Week 1 simply because the best way to defuse Manning is to have him stand on the sideline. Or the Falcons could decide to let it fly and we might wind up with a 42-38 game, and wouldn’t that be a boon for the Worldwide Leader? And wouldn’t it say something for the locals if they could win such a spectacle?
The Falcons need to win this game just to prove, both to the watching world and to themselves, that they can. They’re skilled at spearing minnows, but only one of last season’s 10 victories came against a team that qualified for the playoffs. Given repeated opportunities, the Falcons haven’t seized the day. (Or, more precisely, the night.) They’ve gotten tagged as a good team that’s not good enough, and the only way around that is to start beating up on the big boys. There’s none bigger than Peyton Manning.
By Mark Bradley
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129 comments Add your comment
Billyho55
September 16th, 2012
3:43 pm
AINTS FANS MUST HAVE THEIR PAPER BAGS READY!
Roger
September 16th, 2012
3:58 pm
At least the saints are fighting to get the number one pick in next years draft
Roger
September 16th, 2012
4:00 pm
Don’t know why you people get upset with Choke, who is probably a 17 year old kid high on glue but low on brains. He’s entertaining…who would be our bozo if he went away?
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
4:01 pm
Vick……………..
Only 2 picks and one fumbled handoff, and he has not quit on his team yet, so things are looking pretty good for MV7 today….but there is 9 minutes left…but it is kinda as how low expectations have fallen for him, but he’s got that “100 mill” contract.
david
September 16th, 2012
4:15 pm
not so fast on Tampa in 1st there Choke
Roger
September 16th, 2012
4:17 pm
Choke Ryan once again dead wrong(glue has that effect on the brain)……the Bucs llose to the Giants.
Please excuse us if we laugh at your ignorant rants and predictions.
CGD..
September 16th, 2012
4:25 pm
The Fal-cons are pretenders..
ICE Melt is 4-10 against the winners[above .500] the past 2 years.. Would not surprise anyone if they lose on National TV again… Oh the Humanity!
4-10= PRETENDERS
10-4= CONTENDERS
CHOKE the JOKE
September 16th, 2012
4:27 pm
Falcons will be 1st in the NFC South tomorrow night around 12. AINTS lost, Bucs lost, and the Panthers already had a loss. Falcons will be 2-0 tomorrow.
Roger
September 16th, 2012
4:28 pm
Unless your a fortune teller, we don’t know the future and the past doesn’t matter.
Let’s go by the facts…..Falcons are the ONLY undefeated team in the NFC south……suck on that,
Day One Fan
September 16th, 2012
4:29 pm
Great day, Aints lose and NYG come back and knock off the Bucs. I do think the Bucs, in all fairness, got a bum rap after a long completion was overturned. Don’t know if the call really effected the outcome but, it was a catch IMHO.
Day One Fan
September 16th, 2012
4:31 pm
Oh, and first…on page two…lol.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
4:42 pm
Well The Great Mike Vick back to back come from behind victories on last drive………………
Superbowl champs baby…………….
Well CHOKE…………..not so much…..ha ha
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
4:51 pm
Ahh, so Vick tossed 2 picks and fumbles a snap, puts the ball on the ground and ALMOST loses the game (should have been intentional grounding) ONLY because Joe Flacco is in the Brandon Weeden catagory of QB and cant get this team into FG position with over a minute left….Classic.
Willy
September 16th, 2012
5:03 pm
There’s no way the two women holding that sign made the association with the 1956 novel, Peyton Place, by Grace Metalious. A very popular book, by the way.
j
September 16th, 2012
5:10 pm
….. who dat 0-2 out the gate?
REAL DAWG'S N FALCONS FAN
September 16th, 2012
5:11 pm
RYAN’S FLYIN HIGH , RISE UP ! FALCON’S DUMP BRONCOS .
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
5:11 pm
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
4:51 pm
Ahh, so Vick tossed 2 picks and fumbles a snap, puts the ball on the ground and ALMOST
_________________________________________
Almost is in horse shoes and hand grinades….ha ha.
Meanwhile Buffalo blew out KC………….
HA HA
CHOKE is worthless
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
5:12 pm
Vickkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk………..ha ha
David
September 16th, 2012
5:15 pm
Mark, the game is on ESPN, not NBC (”peacock network)”.
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
5:16 pm
So “Choke” looks like you were wrong………again sucker! Tampa succaners lose! Aints lose again! So what you got to say? O yea I like Vick don’t have a problem with him, however after another day of getting drilled like he did last week and this week he wont be around long to see 16 games less talk about the playoffs. And he threw 2 more picks today! Not good! He won……but dont brag about that win! Go Choke your……..just Choke yourself!
Joe "CHOKE" Flacco
September 16th, 2012
5:17 pm
All I remember is that vick formation..
Drew "CHOKE" Brees
September 16th, 2012
5:20 pm
CHA CHING
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
5:21 pm
So many haters on this blog that cheer for different teams! Makes me think you guys really riding jock on a real team blog and real fans! Its all good! Keep hating we love the hate love! You only hate because you know we the bomb! When you stop hating I will get concerned because that means you dont expect anything from us! You hate because we are expected to do so much! You haters are our motivators! Get your popcorn, the Rise Up Nation is on primetime tomorrow!
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
5:23 pm
Vick and Flacco, one of them gotta win….But knew it would be ugly, but Vick only had 3 TOs, and had 3 more picks dropped…THEN drops the ball at the 3, and yet, somehow the officials overturn the call, and forget to tack on the grounding penalty….
Yep, it was ugly, it did not disappoint. Vick=Tebow.
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
5:24 pm
Flacco = Weeden….I hope Flacco does not start spending that new contract money.
Jamaaliver
September 16th, 2012
5:26 pm
But if Matty Ice BEAT Vick and the Eagles last season and made the playoffs whilst the Eagles stayed home…doesn.’t that mean Falcons > Eagles. And Ryan > Vick.
H3ll, Vick has 9 turnovers in two games. That’s TURRIBLE!!!
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
5:33 pm
@Jamaalliver
If you make sense like that to Choke he will just turn facts into gibberish! He is like Hiram and Seen (tell the truth he is one or the other with a different name) just keep dropping facts on his ignorance and he has no choice but to recognize!
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
5:49 pm
But Vick is RUSTY. But he is 0-2, he dug down deep and beat world class Weeden, and, despite 3 turnovers, and a handful of dropped picks, he was the better man over Flacco…Which says more of Flacco than anything else…And where is Ryan? Leading the league on QBR….It is fun to just sit back and watch it unfold.
M.C. Ryan
September 16th, 2012
6:03 pm
Until Melted Ice can win a playoff game, no one is interested in his QBR or his regular season record. We’ve seen him win regular season games against sub-par teams before, nothing to get excited about. Let’s see what he does against quality competition.
Boo Brees
September 16th, 2012
6:25 pm
6 int’s in two games to start the season for Vick….. IMPRESSIVE!!!
He’s on pace to throw 48 picks this year…. HOLY CRAP!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
6:45 pm
MIKE VICK & JOE FLACCO POST CONVERSATION:
FLACCO
Mike you sure throw a pretty deep ball.
VICK
No Joe you throw a pretty deep ball.
FLACCO
Catch you later at the “Playoff Win Club” Can I bring my boy ICE?
VICK
Sorry dude it’s for members only.
FLACCO
Okay Mike I keep forgetting he still has not won one yet.
VICK
Later dude
End of conversation….ha ha
Boo Brees
September 16th, 2012
6:49 pm
LOL, Vick and Flacco are talking about each others balls.
Dazzy G
September 16th, 2012
6:53 pm
@ Matt Choke Ryan. This kid is hilarious! He must be too young to drive because he only looks in the rear view mirror! LOL!
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
6:57 pm
@ MC Ryan
For guys like you its always not good enough. When he wins playoffs games this year still won’t be good enough…..please go back top your real name Seen or Hiram….we wont respect you either way…he beats KC at home not good enough. When we win tomorrow night you like these other haters will find a way to discredit it….gets old man …..find something else!
@Choke…..
you know what forget both of you suckers…..I will continue to let our wins soeak for themselves …..like I said I am a Vick fan BIG fan……however when was the last time he was in a playoff game? Shut up and choke yourself for that dumb post Dream Team wannabe!
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
6:58 pm
Last time Vick was in a playoff game?……..
Crickets!
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
6:59 pm
Choke yourself for that dumb post! It was wack!
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
7:00 pm
@Melted Ice
change your name back to Seen or is it Hiram? Dont hide and post your coward remarks we all know who you are! Lol
Jo
September 16th, 2012
7:13 pm
I hope not but I think the Falcons cant keep up with PM. They will lose 35-24….losing Grimes was a big deal.
Jo
September 16th, 2012
7:14 pm
Maybe the broncs defense is as doutbful as ours…..
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
7:16 pm
The Playoff Win Club………..
HA HA
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
7:19 pm
Did you know?
It has been 3 presidential campaigns since the last time the Falcants won a playoff game?
They are losers…..ha ha
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
7:20 pm
Eli passing for 500 yards is bad news for the Falcants defense. No way is big brother going to be shown up by little brother…ha ha
Eric
September 16th, 2012
7:20 pm
ncaa is coming after kentucky mark you just wait
falcons 31-27
What r u really choking?
September 16th, 2012
7:21 pm
How long since Vick won one? A prison term? Whats that 6 years or so? Hehehehehe!
Smooth Operator
September 16th, 2012
7:22 pm
Last time the caints started 0-2 they finished the season 7-9……..2007. Falcons fans feel free to forget 07…!!! Tampa did a good job of hangin’ with the Giants….for awhile…!!
Ouch Patriots…………guess that 13 point spread went to your heads.
What happened to Joe Flacco? Just 232 yards passing today and a pick. Joe had an opportunity to win this game in the final minute but couldn’t get it done. Flacco overthrew Rice on fourth-and-1 around midfield which allowed the Eagles to run out the clock. Probably the most overpaid QB in NFL history. Bar none.
Looking forward to the game tomorrow. Two premier quarterbacks that can lead their teams. Matt Ryan will take a step up on his legacy tomorrow night. Falcons win 27-24…..!!!
Boo Brees
September 16th, 2012
7:37 pm
The Playoff Win Club?
So when they meet up do they celebrate or just look over in jealousy at The Super Bowl Win Club? I heard they give out free drinks and have a stripper pole? I’m just saying because that sounds like it could be more fun. The Super Bowl Win Club you know?
W.R. Terrell
September 16th, 2012
8:09 pm
I’m with ya Mark, I feel the same way.
Hillbilly D
September 16th, 2012
8:46 pm
It might be a shootout or it might just be half a shootout.
Najeh Davenpoop
September 16th, 2012
9:05 pm
I think the Falcons will win because they are at home, but I’m looking forward to seeing how the Grimes-less D responds to Peyton Manning’s no huddle. This game is a good test for the defense. Also looking forward to seeing how good the Falcons really are — the Bills’ beat down of the Chiefs today casts some doubt on whether the Falcons benefited from a bad opponent last week when they looked so impressive. The Broncos are a legit team.
Quiz time
September 16th, 2012
9:58 pm
Whats black and gold and 0 – 2?