Live from the Dome: Big D against the overrated (?) Falcons
"Hey! You there! Are you the one calling us overrated? This next one's for you, pal. " (AP photo)
Rob Ryan, brother of Rex and son of Buddy, has predicted his Cowboys — Rob is the defensive coordinator — will beat the Falcons tonight. Falcons fans will probably take offense, no pun intended, but really, what’s he supposed to do? Say, “I’m guessing Atlanta wins by 10″?
For those easily riled, here’s another in the lengthening series of Atlanta-isn’t-as-good-as-its-record stories. (I know a bit about these, having written one myself.) In this one, Gary Horton of Sports Inc. declares on ESPN Insider (link requires registration) that the Falcons have issues running the ball and stopping the run — no news there — and wonders if this offensive line will hold up and if the defense can improve its red-zone efficiency. These are legitimate issues, no question, but still:
About here, I’m waiting for someone to predict that these Falcons are absolutely, positively going to tick off the ‘72 Dolphins by going unbeaten. Maybe I’ll get around to it, assuming Rob Ryan’s forecast doesn’t come to fruition.
While you’re waiting for toe to meet leather, here’s another little serving from ESPN Insider, this from Jeff Gold, in which he states his belief that the Cowboys are a great underdog play tonight. (They’re a 4 1/2-point underdog. They’re also a sub-.500 team.) And yet another from the Worldwide Leader, this from the Grantland imprint, wherein Bill Barnwell claims the Falcons are “a tad overrated” — how, I ask, can they be overrated if everybody’s writing how they aren’t all that great? — but figures they’ll finish as the NFC’s No. 1 seed and Matt Ryan will win MVP. (Barnwell does not, however, pick the Falcons to win the Super Bowl. He likes Green Bay.)
Oh, wait. There’s one more. From Jason York of ESPN Stats & Information, we learn that the Cowboys have beaten a team 7-0 or better three times since 1991 — and all three of those teams won the Super Bowl! So that presents a real dilemma, assuming you’re a Falcons’ fan: Do you root for 8-0, do you pull for history?
I’ll leave you to ponder that metaphysical stumper, but I hope you’ll return for tonight’s festivities. I’ll be watching and commenting, and I hope you’ll join me. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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1,048 comments Add your comment
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:03 pm
Falcons: Play 60!
November 4th, 2012
8:55 pm
I bet if the Falcons had played all their playoffs games on non-national TV they probably would have won a few more
_____________________
No doubt about it.
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:03 pm
Back when he was a player, Collinsworth’s best friend was Turk Schonert, who was briefly a Falcons’ quarterback.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:03 pm
@DawgNole
“You have to earn respect, and it comes from winning games like these.”
What is special and so important about this game as compared to the next. Who gives a damn what the media experts thing. The goal is to win as many games as possible. It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks. The Falcons didn’t make their schedule. If we win tonight, people will say we beat a team win 3 wins.
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:04 pm
Wow, that running game is great, they almost have positive yardage.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:04 pm
So much for the outside…
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:04 pm
We need a running game in the worst way.
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:04 pm
I love TG.
Hope he never retires.
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:05 pm
Great Ryan throw. Great White route.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:05 pm
Roddy & JJ…
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:06 pm
I know how to tackle Turner now. Just touch his jersey. He will fall like a rock.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:06 pm
Makes no sense…
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
Slow burner should have already retired Turner, pathetic.
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
Here’s the thing about running: If you don’t try to make it work, the Cowboys will rush Ryan like … well, like wild Cowboys.
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
Looks like it’s gonna have to happen through the air. Not a good recipe for long-term success.
80sFalcons
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
It’s time for Turner to move on.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
DawgNole
That attitude right there is exactly why we typically lose these kinds of games. The expectation and acceptance of mediocrity.
I’m not playing in the game, so what are you talking about? My approach/attitude towards this game doesn’t matter. You might not realize that yours doesn’t either.
It’s clowns like you that must expect them to win every game. The other teams spend millions $$$ as well. Sometimes they play well.
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
Can’t believe we tried running up the middle again.
We are going to have to be more creative on the run game.
J.J.M.
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
Every time ryan scream green oklahoma its a run to the left side
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:08 pm
Maybe another Tejas buger will help…
playmeortrademe
November 4th, 2012
9:08 pm
So do they really think they need to establish the running game still? I don’t understand it when teams lose trying to establish something rather than using their best weapons.
Augusta
November 4th, 2012
9:08 pm
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over–with the same result…kinda like turner waddling for a yard up in the middle.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
I’d like to see Julio get the ball on an end-around … just to see what would happen.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
Watched some of the Giants/Steelers. I had forgotten what a RB that can cut and change direction looks like. The guy for Pitt was good.
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
The Falcons are acting like its a playoff game and you know what that means.
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
We have got to get Antone Smith some touches with the ball. How long will we accept these mediocre performances by Turner
Mr C
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
It will be a long night if the falcons can’t run the ball. The Cowboys can just play with 5 DB’s all night
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
Run a few more screens.
Put JR in the slot.
Run a fake reverse.
Do something to get the boys running laterally
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:09 pm
Another FG.
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:10 pm
6-3.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:10 pm
Baby steps…
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:10 pm
That’s more like it, Bryant!
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:10 pm
Bryant is the Man!!!
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:10 pm
Make the Dallas D defend the ENTIRE field.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:11 pm
@Chokeins
“The Falcons are acting like its a playoff game and you know what that means.”
That you have no idea what you are talking about.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:11 pm
Time for a pick6…
Augusta
November 4th, 2012
9:11 pm
so much love for dallas in the booth..
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:12 pm
Time to punish Roma
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:12 pm
Lets go D…
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:12 pm
Babineaux with a serious stop
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:13 pm
There is always love in the booth for any team playing the Falcon. Pathetic.
dean
November 4th, 2012
9:13 pm
Babs came to play
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:13 pm
me
November 4th, 2012
9:07 pm
DawgNole
That attitude right there is exactly why we typically lose these kinds of games. The expectation and acceptance of mediocrity.
I’m not playing in the game, so what are you talking about? My approach/attitude towards this game doesn’t matter. You might not realize that yours doesn’t either.
It’s clowns like you that must expect them to win every game. The other teams spend millions $$$ as well. Sometimes they play well.
______________________
If you’re not playing that game, then pipe down and beat it.
It’s losers like you that are satisfied with never having won a championship.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:13 pm
Robinson beat again.
Augusta
November 4th, 2012
9:14 pm
don’t know why dallas bothers to run when they can throw against robinson all night long…
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:14 pm
How’d that turf taste???
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:14 pm
We need to smash Roma to make some sauce.
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:14 pm
How many holds is Dallas getting away with?
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:15 pm
Dez Bryant catch. Smitty and Dunta wanted a pushoff.
Falcons: Play 60!
November 4th, 2012
9:15 pm
dunta again ……
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:15 pm
Robinson beat again.