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
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
1,048 comments Add your comment
Falcons: Play 60!
November 4th, 2012
9:20 pm
ok enough of the field goal game, it’s touchdown time
CrankMyWren
November 4th, 2012
9:21 pm
Ryan is about to cut them up on this drive. Gotta have Turner break a couple of decent ones though
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:21 pm
Spread the field.
Don’t let Dallas play strong up the middle.
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 4th, 2012
9:19 pm
@DawgNole … me thinks you take this game a bit too seriously. I hope there’s more to your life than Falcons (or Dawgs, or Noles) football.
___________________
Nah. Just tired of a half-century of Losersville.
FALCONSRUS
November 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
ahh-ight lets march it down and rise it up
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
If I’m a Dallas fan, I’m hating the way this is going. Cowboys have had the better of it, but they’re one play from being behind.
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
If I were the opposing QB, I would throw at Dunta every single play
CC
November 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
Got this ugly feeling number 23 Robinson is going to cost us the game. Or close to it. Sit his butt down.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:22 pm
Chokens
we get it, you don’t like the Falcons…
CrankMyWren
November 4th, 2012
9:23 pm
Wow Turner has his longest run to the outside of all places
me
November 4th, 2012
9:23 pm
Turner tiptoeing even with a huge opening.
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:23 pm
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:20 pm
Why aren’t calls going against the Pokes???
______________________
Because they’re the Pokes–and we’re ATL.
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:23 pm
Ryan hammered. Fumbles. Falcons get it.
Ryan looks shaken.
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:23 pm
Wow, nice protection.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:24 pm
Baker….wow.
Falcons: Play 60!
November 4th, 2012
9:24 pm
the leading sac man is unblocked? How stupid can you get?
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:24 pm
Who had Ware?
Sid
November 4th, 2012
9:24 pm
Baker is crap
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:24 pm
Nobody had Ware, obviously
The Hitman
November 4th, 2012
9:24 pm
come on Baker
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:25 pm
Baker, another clown who should leave town.
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:25 pm
Quizz could have chipped him or something. Ryan is lucky he still has his head attached.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:25 pm
Bradley
What gives with your filters???
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Baker has actually had a decent season. He hasn’t been an issue so far.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
@DawgNole
“Nah. Just tired of a half-century of Losersville.”
You think a local team winning a championship will change your life? Dude, that is sad. Get a life.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Ryan took a shot. Hope hes alright.
CrankMyWren
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Those are the kind of hits that lose the trust the trust in the line from the QB..hopefully Ryan can forget that play quickly or we’re gonna see some picks
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Ryan should have seen that coming though.
With Baker on his blind side…he needs to be more aware.
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Meanwhile, the Hawks go to OKC and win. Whodathunk it?!
Alright, Falcons, uphold your end now, and make this city a winner–even if only for a night.
dean
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
Baker was tangling with another player
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:27 pm
And then Ryan gets up and completes a pass for a first down. Tough guy.
me
November 4th, 2012
9:27 pm
So much for Ryan not being tough.
kingdaddy
November 4th, 2012
9:27 pm
Im playing nice tonight…
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:27 pm
Ware smacked Ryan again. But Ryan completed it to Julio.
CrankMyWren
November 4th, 2012
9:28 pm
Our O-line is still crap
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:28 pm
Better bring Turner in to block Ware.
Mark Bradley
November 4th, 2012
9:29 pm
Punt.
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:29 pm
O Line held that time. Ryan ran out too soon.
Jimmy
November 4th, 2012
9:29 pm
Beautiful.
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
Did the offense practice this week?
Falcon James
November 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
Nice Punt. Pin’m Deep!!!
BobDawg
November 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
This is the type of team we will see in the playoffs… We better start smacking them in the mouth back…
me
November 4th, 2012
9:30 pm
Rodgers fell down coming out of the backfield. No one was near him and Ryan was looking right at him. That play was there…..dang.
playmeortrademe
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
Zones can be picked apart eventually. Just quit pretending Turner will run the ball effectively tonight and win or lose with Ryan and the receivers.
Augusta
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
Offense just can’t get going…Turner is useless…Matt needs a little help upfront…
Great special teams play inside the 5…
Augusta
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
Offense just can’t get going…Turner is useless…Matt needs a little help upfront…
Great special teams play inside the 5…
80sFalcons
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
nice punt coverage
Falcons: Play 60!
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
still can’t get anything going ….. a slow start like this in the playoffs will kill them
Chokeins
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
Falcons in the playoffs, one and done.
DawgNole
November 4th, 2012
9:31 pm
me
November 4th, 2012
9:26 pm
@DawgNole
“Nah. Just tired of a half-century of Losersville.”
You think a local team winning a championship will change your life? Dude, that is sad. Get a life.
___________________
You still on here worrying about my life, loser? Why don’t you go beddy bye since you obviously don’t care about the game.