Would the Falcons be getting nitpicked if they were 6-2?
Noah Coslov of CineSport posed an intriguing question today: Would the Falcons be better off — profile-wise if not record-wise — at 6-2 than 8-0? (I attempted to answer, and the semi-coherent result can be viewed above.)
At 6-2, the Falcons would be seen as one of the NFL’s half-dozen best teams and folks would be calling them one of a handful of Super Bowl contenders. At 8-0, the emphasis has fallen on their perceived weaknesses (as opposed to their considerable) strengths, and the national media has fallen all over itself to tell us that the NFL’s lone undefeated team isn’t a Super Bowl lock.
I’m not blameless. I critiqued the team after the narrow victory over Oakland andwasn’t effusive in my findings, and the next day I noted that the Falcons’ stats weren’t half as impressive as their record. But at some point — and I’d submit we’re getting pretty close to it — doesn’t the record become the only stat that matters?
This isn’t to suggest the Falcons are a Super Bowl lock. They aren’t. No team is. But they’re the only team that’s 8-0, and by sticking their head above the field they’ve become a target. Not sure that’s fair, but what ever is?
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112 comments Add your comment
DawgNole
November 7th, 2012
12:32 pm
Ryder
November 7th, 2012
11:11 am
It’s what you do in January that matters, and what I like about Atlanta is that they are breaking the mindset which plagued Georgia sports teams for ages, which is just be good enough to make the playoffs…
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We won’t know if they are breaking that playoff mindset in the Smith regime until they actually WIN in the postseason.
Super Cool
November 7th, 2012
1:03 pm
For all of the people that said the Falcons have not played a team with a winning record, here is something that might shed a bit of light on this winning record crap. The Birds first game was KC. All was even 0-0. The Birds thrashed the and gave KC a losing record. Denver 1-0 winning record at that time, Falcons gave them an even record of 1-1. San Diego 2-0 at that time, gave them a loss. Carolina 1-2 ok. Skins 2-2 Falcons gave them a losing record. Raiders and Dallas were handed loses too. The Falcons beat everyone that was scheduled for them. They don’t make the schedules. Even records are just that….even, not losing. At the 8 week mark of the season, who cares when you look back and say, well the Falcons have not played anyone with a winning record. At the point which they played their opponent, they WON.
Bird to the Brain
November 7th, 2012
1:16 pm
Two quick points while I’m munching on my PB und J.
One, can’t we get a running back like Joe Addai (used to be), Arian Foster or the guy from the Vikings, you know, someone who can get through the “hole” in UNDER 3 seconds. I’ve got to believe that with the success Mike Turner’s had, the Falcons would have had GREATER success with a somewhat more fleet-of-foot back. Just sayin’ and thinkin’ about next draft/trade.
Second, only just a few years ago, the Falcons had not put together TWO winning seasons in a row. Now, we’ve done that (and then some) and nothing more is said – we’re expected to win yearly. It only stands to reason that WHEN we gain some playoff victories, and we will soon, then the media talking heads will move on to why haven’t we won the SB. Then, we’ll win the SB and they’ll wonder why MB hasn’t been scooped up by ESPN (which in my opinion would be a step down…)…and so on…..
Love these Dirty Birds
November 7th, 2012
1:18 pm
I love the logic that “Jay” puts out there. Noting that the falcons have only beaten one team with a winning record. Unbelievable and so easy to point out. You have to understand that this is not Atlanta’s fault! At the beginning of the season EVERYBODY was looking at this schedule and going Wow – Carolina sure was improved last year – Cam Newton’s gonna be tough. The Eagles, Cowboys, those are going to be tough games. Denver’s gotta good defense and now they have Peyton (we all knew what that meant). It is SO hard to win in this league against any team and you can’t schedule Green Bay and New England every freaking week. Give these boys some credit I’m begging you. When you start picking apart the schedule your just a spineless armchair quarterback that states the obvious. No offense “Jay” the media does the same damn thing every week!
Could the Falcons really go 16-0? Nobody seems to think so | Mark Bradley
November 7th, 2012
1:28 pm
[...] Further reading/viewing: Would the Falcons be getting nitpicked if they were 6-2? [...]
beebee
November 7th, 2012
1:31 pm
I typed up two full paragraphs of pure sports opinion excellence about an hour ago.
Wha’ happened to it???????????????????????????
bee
beebee
November 7th, 2012
1:39 pm
ah, never mind.
PlanB
November 7th, 2012
1:43 pm
Mask – I moved from Ga. to Durham, NC about 5 years ago. Before moving, I found out that I could get the Football package thru Directv. I see all the Falcon games and can tape many more on my DVR. The cost was about $53+/month for 6 months a year = $320 tyo $350/yr. This past year I found out I could get the games for about $29/month for 6 months = $180 but it doesn’t incl extras like red zone etc. I didn’t use those anyway. After changing to the $29 plan they told me they have no way to deny the extras. They have a monopoly but it’s still a good deal to me and I find them to be as good a provider as anyone I have used before.
Mask of False Bravado
November 7th, 2012
2:30 pm
I am a regular at a local watering hole down here, and the only Falcon there now, because my buddy KEVIN LEE of CANTON, GA moved back to our home state. I don’t mind going because it’s close, but I was just musing that they choose to show the Bengals-Giants game.
Doom and Gloom
November 7th, 2012
2:49 pm
Also, outside of the giants, green bay, 49ers, bears, and maybe the seahawks…. who else would be considered “elite” for the Falcons to play???? So isn’t it fair to say 80% of teams in the NFC haven’t consistently played “elite” talent this year?????
DawgNole
November 7th, 2012
4:48 pm
Mask of False Bravado
November 7th, 2012
2:30 pm
I am a regular at a local watering hole down here, and the only Falcon there now, because my buddy KEVIN LEE of CANTON, GA moved back to our home state. I don’t mind going because it’s close, but I was just musing that they choose to show the Bengals-Giants game.
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The NFL Sunday Ticket package might be cheaper than the ol’ watering hole.
jo
November 7th, 2012
10:55 pm
The falcons need a consistent running game to be a truly feared team. Its spotty so far. Lets hope burner shows up on Sunday again!