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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
129 comments Add your comment
ACC is WEAK
September 16th, 2012
11:03 am
Looking forward to having Peyton in the GA Dome!
Matty Ice gonna light the Broncos D on fire!
The Mighty Quinn
September 16th, 2012
11:11 am
I predict the shootout scenario, 45-42.
Ted M
September 16th, 2012
11:18 am
Good Blog.Even with Manning though I’m not so sure the Broncos are one of the big boys.
DS CE'91
September 16th, 2012
11:22 am
Peacock network? Isn’t the game on ESPN?
Senior falcon
September 16th, 2012
11:25 am
I just hope that everyone forgets Keith Brooking and concentrates on the game at hand. Brooking is about as significant to this game as one of Denver’s assistant trainers. Booing him or letting him get under our skin will only work in favor of the Broncos. GATA Peyton and the ones that count. Go Falcons…win the big one!
yo mama
September 16th, 2012
11:31 am
why the peacock mention in second to last paragraph? they play on monday night football. did you think it was a sunday night game, meaning your peacock reference was about NBC?
MFranklin
September 16th, 2012
11:37 am
Well, there it is. Two stellar QBs; ours with more weapons but less defense… our D is banged, bruised and thin as a tater chip in places.
We either outscore them in a fireworks display or… we don’t.
P B Orr
September 16th, 2012
11:37 am
I’m going for the trifecta – 56-20 Falcons.
War Dawg
September 16th, 2012
11:48 am
31-34 Broncos win, Matt throws late int to seal it.
Dr. Warren
September 16th, 2012
11:59 am
Saul Bellow would have been proud of you, Mark.
CamiloAtlanta
September 16th, 2012
12:26 pm
Ain’t no way Broncos win. If you think so, you are clueless. This is one of the easier games on the schedule, no way it’s a prove it or lose it night for Ryan.
Birdhair
September 16th, 2012
12:26 pm
Falcons in big trouble if they have to rely on dunta robinson….
falCANS
September 16th, 2012
12:29 pm
All comes down to Champ vs. Julio. If Champ cant stop Julio 1-o-1 we will win the shoot out. Falcons 42 – 31. O yea can Dent get at least 1 tackle sheesh! #54 fa president GO BIRDS
falcons41
September 16th, 2012
1:13 pm
Was at Mile High Stadium for the Broncos/Steelers game last Sunday. The fans in Denver are the most obnoxious I’ve ever been around. More Broncos fans than usual may travel with the team this Monday due to low fares between ATL and Denver. Here’s my advice to neutralize them and help get a W for the Falcons–MAKE A LOT OF NOISE SO PEYTON’S CONCENTRATION/AUDIBLES WILL BE OFF THE ENTIRE GAME. During the 4th quarter at Mile High, the big screen had “QUIET” during the times Peyton was QB. As compared to the first half, he was much more effective 4th quarter with less noise. SHUT PEYTON DOWN/GO TO THE GA DOME AND MAKE NOISE FALCONS FANS!!!! GO FALCONS!!!!!!!
Nativebird
September 16th, 2012
1:17 pm
I just hope we don’t go into overtime on the back of great 2nd half Falcon defensive play and awesome Matt Ryan come from behind quarterbacking only to be in a 4th and 1 on our own 29, and our brilliant head coach “afraid” of punting the ball to the other teams elite quarterback.
Sound familiar?
The Grinch
September 16th, 2012
1:36 pm
I’ll relax every time I DON’T see Micheal Turner up the middle in the first half.
The Grinch
September 16th, 2012
1:39 pm
The chick on the left in the photo needs a little Grinch in her day.
Rimfire
September 16th, 2012
1:59 pm
Peacock network?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:11 pm
Buffalo blown out by the Jets are up 21-0 over K.C.
I told you losers that beating a 7-9 team with 3 starters out was no accomplishment.
If anything it was defeat because Buffalo already is shutting them out.
Same old losers
falcons41
September 16th, 2012
2:15 pm
She’s just mugging for any camera/attention she can get. I saw her trying to get in front of Steelers fans who were waiting for over an hour to see them board the bus to Mile High from the hotel they were at in Denver. Just wanted to be front and center eye candy for the players; how shameless and disgusting……
Eric C.
September 16th, 2012
2:21 pm
Matt, I don’t know…I mean the Chiefs play better at home than on the road. I don’t think that is a fair assessment to say winning a game at Arrowhead is a defeat.
Bill
September 16th, 2012
2:23 pm
Mark good article but is not this game on ESPN and not the Peacock Network (NBC)?
I don’t think the Falcon tackles can block Dumerville and Miller. If Atlanta can’t get Turner going it will be a long night for the home team.
Eric C.
September 16th, 2012
2:23 pm
falcons41, wow, that was a heck of game to attend. I think you make great points because we know Ryan is much more limited in the no-huddle on the road (see Texans game last season). The more noise the better…excellent points.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:26 pm
I told you that CHOKE gets you people excited over meaningless regular season games.
Buffalo was killed by the Jets and they are killing the team that the Falcants thought was a big win….ha ha
Beastly Dawg
September 16th, 2012
2:29 pm
It would make my day if “CHOKE” was officially banned from AJC. I would be so happy if that happened. He’s jealous. That’s all that is. It would make me cumm if he got banned. Make it happen Bradley.
Eric C.
September 16th, 2012
2:29 pm
Matt, I disagree that regular season games are meaningless…how else can you get to the playoffs? Moreover, that win last year over Philadelphia was one of the most exciting regular season victories in a while.
Beastly Dawg
September 16th, 2012
2:32 pm
Hey “CHOKE”, what’s gonna be your excuse when we beat Denver tomorrow night? Will you say that Manning isn’t any good coming off a year away from football? Or that Denver barely won a playoff game last year? What will it be? I’m sure it’ll be something.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:32 pm
Looks like Tampa will be in 1st place after doing what CHOKE couldn’t do…..Beat the Giants…..ha ha
Beastly Dawg
September 16th, 2012
2:33 pm
“Choke”, what’s going to be your excuse when we beat Denver tomorrow? That Peyton Manning isn’t the same Peyton Manning? That Denver isn’t any good?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:34 pm
Buffalo 21
KC 0
Enough said….ha ha
LOL at the Aints
September 16th, 2012
2:34 pm
How bout those Aints,, Lookin Good!! LOL!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:35 pm
Tampa 24
Giants 13
Falcants 2
Giants 24
Enough said…..ha ha
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:36 pm
Tampaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
CHOKE the JOKE
September 16th, 2012
2:39 pm
Hey Joke Choke, how is your boy Vick doing?
CHOKE the JOKE
September 16th, 2012
2:43 pm
Oh you quiet now? Come on you coward. Face me! Fight me!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
2:45 pm
0-3…..ha ha
CHOKE the JOKE
September 16th, 2012
2:47 pm
What a punk. Dude is unbelievable. Such a loser. Must be a kid.
Matty Bicep
September 16th, 2012
2:48 pm
So MV7 has a fumble and a pick in the red zone in the 1st half. Waaaahahahaha.
HAL
September 16th, 2012
2:49 pm
I don’t think winning the game will be enough- we’ve got to find a way for a decisive, dominating win. Leave everything on the field and leave no room for doubt. If its close and we win, the pundits will spin it as the broncos beat themselves or the broncos would have one if not for this play or that error or some other lame excuse as to why the broncos didn’t win. Regardless, if its not a decisive dominating win, the falcons still won’t gain much respect…at least from the press.
They call me Mr Tibbs
September 16th, 2012
2:52 pm
Buffalo blown out by the Jets are up 21-0 over K.C.
Yea, the poor KC coach does not belong in the NFL. The guy is overmatched.
They call me Mr Tibbs
September 16th, 2012
2:54 pm
And oh yea, at least the Giants ARE SB champs, it is not like we made Cleveland LOOK like SP champs.
CHOKE the JOKE
September 16th, 2012
3:00 pm
Saints SUCK!
Whopper Dawg
September 16th, 2012
3:02 pm
Great column, Mark, you nailed the Falcon’s status. If they have designs on being more than just a good team and designs on doing more than backing into the playoffs and being sent packing home after one game, than folks like Manning are the people you have to beat.
IMO, they are not more than a good team right now and it will take more than the continued progression of Ryan to become more than that. The lack of fruits of TD’s drafting and FA labors on both lines and the Dbackfield is a trifecta that is hard for a team to over come. no matter how good their WRs are.
Sid
September 16th, 2012
3:06 pm
Falcon’s miserable Monday Night history and the great Peyton….not a good combination…hope I’m wrong.
They call me Mr Tibbs
September 16th, 2012
3:15 pm
Very true Mark, because history says that teams who win in week 2 have a destiny with the SB.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
3:22 pm
Flaccoooooooooooo
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
3:23 pm
Vick……………..
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 16th, 2012
3:24 pm
Buffalo 35
KC 3
I guess the Bills are destined for the superbowl too…..ha ha
CHOKE can’t even out gun Fitzpatrick with all his weapons…ha ha
dean
September 16th, 2012
3:29 pm
That’s right, Mark. Until the Falcons hang some prestigous hides they will always be known as the cute kid.
We’ll get a decent indicator tomorrow night of what kind of team ATL has.
(Watching saints-panthers I understand something: Curtis Lofton probably wasn’t the huge loss some of us thought. He’s been pushed around all afternoon. So far.
dean
September 16th, 2012
3:32 pm
releeeeease me
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?
FalconJim
September 16th, 2012
11:57 pm
I agree, Mark, this IS a prove-it night for the Birds! We’re about to find out what this team is really made out of.
I see it being a fairly high scoring affair, with the youngster reminding the old man how “HE used to play”. Broncos have the edge on D, though, so it won’t be easy.
Key to the game is how our D line plays, I think. If we’re in Manning’s face all night, we’ll have a better chance of getting the W…..if not, it could be a long night for ‘em.
My prediction — Falcons 34, Broncos 31
Falcons: Play 60!
September 17th, 2012
2:09 am
Saints 0-2, Bucs an early surprise but still 1-1, Panthers also 1-1
1-0 Falcons got a chance to make some early noise themselves and what better way of proving they’re ready to take that next big step then to win on a Monday night against the Denver Mannings
Smooth Operator
September 17th, 2012
4:24 am
A shout out to Bradley for that picture of the cute Bronco girl on the left………is she related to those Middleton girls……………??
Gritsfed
September 17th, 2012
6:02 am
I agree with the assessment that it’ll be a shoot – out. With Brent Grimes out the Falcons really don’t have much choice. The Dome should be a-rockin’!
Samuel
September 17th, 2012
6:29 am
Get our fast players out in space. Don’t give up big plays on the defensive side of the ball. Run Michael Turner and Rodgers more. Simply put, out coach their coaches. My problem in the past has been the mental toughness of this team. And Mike Smith’s inability to get the Falcons to play at a high level in big games.
DT
September 17th, 2012
6:39 am
Peyton in town? You should mean Bay Bay Thomas.
DT
September 17th, 2012
6:41 am
Peyton? More like Bay Bay Thomas coming to town
Ken
September 17th, 2012
6:41 am
Should be a great game with a lot of scoring!!
CAN”T WAIT TO SEE MY FALCONS RISE UP!!!!!!
gabugman
September 17th, 2012
8:02 am
Spearing minnows, haha!
Heat Check: The Braves close in; Tech and UGA run wild | Mark Bradley
September 17th, 2012
8:40 am
[...] Technically they haven’t played yet — that comes tonight — but they had a very good Sunday. The Saints are 0-2. Tampa Bay blew a lead against the [...]
Escaped from Email Purgatory
September 17th, 2012
9:01 am
Bradley,
Your last paragraph says it all: Beat a good team in a game that matters.
If these Falcons are truly better than the previous Smith/Dimitroff versions, then tonight is as good a time as any to start proving it.
Bravo...
September 17th, 2012
9:23 am
The Broncos will beat the Failcants’.
Matt Ryan is NOT even near as good as Peyton Manning!
Noid
September 17th, 2012
9:29 am
Hi, I’m a grown man that likes to talk football while texting like a 12 year old girl. lol rotflmao
haha haha hahah
Your team is stinky because I know how to make smiley facess. lol lol
darryl
September 17th, 2012
9:47 am
DUH………conservative coaching was the whole problem in the past. Every team knew what MULARKEY’s gameplan was. The good teams would out muscle that gameplan(Yeah in your face RUN RUN PASS) I had freinds in other states that would watch them and say” he”MULARKEY” is soo obvious!!!
JSS
September 17th, 2012
9:59 am
Gee Mark Bradley, you had some early morning “creeping” going on this blog!
Mister.Earl
September 17th, 2012
10:11 am
(from The NOLA Times-Picayune)
FalconFANatic | Bench Warmer | 7 minutes ago
“GO Falcons!
I hope I can get apologies from all of the Aints fans! Do you believe me now that the Falcons are gonna Win the division! Have fun in the basment of the NFC South Aints fans! hahahaha GO FALCONS, ITS OUR TIME!”
One game into the season and the crowing has started already?
Last week the Dallas Cowboys were kings and the Patriots were the best team in the league.
It might be a bit premature to bury the Saints in September.
Better fasten your seat belts tonight.
D man
September 17th, 2012
10:21 am
That girl on the left in the picture above is pretty hot. I hope she comes to the game tonight…
ATLien1994
September 17th, 2012
10:21 am
Mr. Matt “CHOKE Ryan disappeared after the Giants came back and beat Tampa Bay. Falcons RISE UP!!!!
Bravo...
September 17th, 2012
10:28 am
Ken you are so right. There will be a lot of scoring…by the Broncos’.
PreyDawg
September 17th, 2012
10:57 am
Here is the key to the game. Manning and that excellent Offensive line, versus Chris Owens. I felt last year watching Teabow that the Denver line was incredible. So if Manning can stand clean, he is GOING to make Owens miserable. Grimes is out and Manning knows that. Whoever plays nickel better be ready. But they wont be ready. We MUST score and we MUST pressure.
I think we have to score because I don’t think we can run on this bunch. The are one of the big boys.
DawgDad
September 17th, 2012
11:16 am
I agree with PreyDawg, the pass rush and coverage are the big keys. Denver can run the ball, too.
I want the Falcons to win this game REAL bad, but Denver is clearly the better team, offensively and especially defensively. It’ll take at least 38 points to win, and don’t see the Falcons putting that up.
FLACCO CHOKE
September 17th, 2012
11:32 am
Uhhhhh.. i think Flacco didn’t do so well yesterday isn’t that righ Matt “CHOKE” Ryan???????
No Seriously?? Huh?
September 17th, 2012
12:02 pm
Oh my lordie that chick in the picture above!!! Go Falcons!!!!
Ryder
September 17th, 2012
12:25 pm
I keep hearing all of this talk about “well the Falcons should run more to keep Manning off the field”. I expect that out of teams like Kansas City or Oakland, but not Atlanta, at least not anymore. Instead of “Manning coming into town” how about “Denver has to figure out how to stop Matt Ryan, or at least keep him off the field”.
If the Falcons decide to play conservative and hope that the game remains low scoring tonight, then we know that this team is not ready to play against the big boys. I’d say screw it, air it out tonight and let’s see who’s the last team standing!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
September 17th, 2012
12:27 pm
Vick 6-0 owns the longest current winning streak…………..
CHOKE not so much
Live from Falcons-Broncos: Either way, it’ll be a long night | Mark Bradley
September 17th, 2012
7:24 pm
[...] no lazy day at the dude ranch, either. Game 2 was a Monday night affair against the Denver Broncos and the famous Peyton Manning. All of this only heightened the anxiety: All day to fret, all those hours for ESPN to dole out its [...]
Rdm
September 18th, 2012
12:33 am
Come again, dawg?
The Falcons spoil ESPN’s Peyton party and win a big one | Mark Bradley
September 18th, 2012
2:47 pm
[...] guys wearing red almost turned it into a pity party. The Worldwide Leader sought to show the world the greatness that is Peyton Manning; the Falcons almost made you feel sorry for the old [...]
Dawg in Griffin
September 19th, 2012
2:29 am
Jesus, dean, consider yourself released. Just stop with the same sh*tty comment.