Live from New Orleans: The Falcons will lose – but not today
Just another example of how the Saints afford us Atlantans no respect. (Photo by M. Bradley)
New Orleans – Father Peter P. Finney delivered the homily at the 8 a.m. Mass at St. Clement of Rome in Metairie, La., this morning, and here we note: Father Finney is the grandson of Peter Finney, the gentlemanly sports columnist of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, and Father Finney actually gave no homily at all. It’s a St. Clement tradition to do without one during its annual Oyster Festival, which is ongoing this weekend. (There was carnival paraphernalia all over the parking lot.)
Father Finney noted that today’s Oyster Festival session is set to commence at noon – “when the Saints kick off,” he said. Then he noted: “The Saints’ game will be shown on television.”
Our rather roundabout point being: Even when the Saints stink, they’re still the talk of the town. (Metairie is a suburb off Lake Pontchartrain, of which my hotel affords me a half-scenic view.)
I’m on record — if you have three minutes and 32 seconds, you can hear me say it to Bill Littlefield of NPR’s Only A Game — that the Falcons won’t go undefeated. (My quote: “I don’t think anybody really seriously believes the Falcons are going to go 16-0.”) But there’s CineSport proof of me picking the Falcons to reach the Super Bowl and, via the Internet and the print AJC, I’m also on record as predicting that they’ll sweep the Saints.
That belief probably won’t win me many friends among the Oyster Fest folks, but it is, for better or worse, how I feel. I don’t think a lousy defensive team can beat the Falcons, and the Saints are on course to be the lousiest defensive team ever. I believe the Falcons’ first loss will come two weeks hence, at Tampa three days after Thanksgiving. I do not believe it will happen today.
But I have, as we know, been wrong a time or two. Whatever occurs, I’ll be here to watch and comment, and I implore you to join me. And I thank you, as ever, in advance. (Oh, and if you missed it: Read the fine print on the seat card depicted above.)
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
1,785 comments Add your comment
Kennesaw David
November 11th, 2012
4:31 pm
Wow trashy saints trolls everywhere. Trashy team, trashy fans, trashy city, trashy state. I actually feel sorry for you losers.
stein
November 11th, 2012
4:31 pm
Now keep whining about everything failcon morons
Paul
November 11th, 2012
4:31 pm
We lost for one reason: There’s still an insistence to give Michael Turner the ball in critical situations near the goal line, and he always fails. This complete wasting of crucial downs close in cost us the game. If the Falcons continue to do that, they will continue to lose.
okeetee
November 11th, 2012
4:31 pm
To the aint fanz out there…..your boys have NO chance of catching us in the division…and virtually NO chance of making the playoffs this year! So enjoy this win, it may be the last one you get for a while!
stein
November 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
Lol….so much fun watching failcon pu****** fans whining
whodat70816
November 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
How can you take a team seriously when they can’t even beat a team that lost their head coach and has the worse defense in the history of the NFL?
WHO DAT!
Can’t wait to watch the repeat in 18 days!
Jay Dubu
November 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
Falcons spent the week talking about pedigree to go undefeated, the lack of
respect / attention from the media, instead worrying about what needed to be done to beat the Saints.
Respect is earned, and mostly by what a team does in the playoffs…so, as of yet, the Falcons are being treated just as they should by the media.
If they want respect, they will have to earn it on the playoffs.
Not, go get it done, and stop talking.
kerryb
November 11th, 2012
4:32 pm
11-2 suckas!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2012
4:29 pm
Time to realize Falcons fans…. Saints OWN you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
_________________________________________________________________
Maybe they can relish the thought of that while they are sitting home in January.
Kennesaw David
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
Hey, see you in the playoffs Saints. Oh, wait, sorry. Never mind.
stein
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
TIME TO REALIZE FAILCONS WERE JUST HYPHED UP PLAYING BAD TEAMS EXCEPT BRONCOS….. SORRY TO BURST TO YOUR BUBBLE.
11-2 suckas!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
No class? lol what did Brees do other than state the obvious? The Saints OWN you Falcan’ts fans…. Thank you, try again
phil
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
Ryan blew it at the goalline with 2 late passes….
Throw em on the break, TD…..
Choke ryan returns…..pathetic
cybo
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
@ MT seats
Mike Smith chastised Asante Samuel after the interception.
Just sucked the life out of the defense
must loosen up
stein
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
PLAYOFFS…LOL
WIN A PLAYOFF GAMES FIRST.
HAHAHA
CrankMyWren
November 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
I don’t really care about going 16-0. First, because it was unlikely to happen anyway. And because I don’t like the odds of winning 19 games. Also, Drew Brees is a goober.
whodat70816
November 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
Ha….Bucs gonna beat this team twice and the Saints will beat ‘em in 18 days.
Bucs might just end up division winners!
LOL
kerryb
November 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
stein
November 11th, 2012
4:33 pm
TIME TO REALIZE FAILCONS WERE JUST HYPHED UP PLAYING BAD TEAMS EXCEPT BRONCOS….. SORRY TO BURST TO YOUR BUBBLE.
_______________________________________________________________________
At least we didn’t lose to bad teams like the Saints did.
Brent
November 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
Look quit blaming the o line. Turner gets hit by a finger and he falls down. The point is this has been happening with him for 2-3 years now. Get the ball to a shifty player like snelling or quiz who can get a friggin yard. Same ol Same ol. Need one yard and can’t get it and champion teams are able to do that.
Hillbilly D
November 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
Football comes down to line play. Always has, always will.
officefalcon
November 11th, 2012
4:34 pm
1. why was this a big game besides the rivalry aspect? The saints had a losing record coming in. It was an afternoon game. All the hallmarks of your basic game.
2. The D has got to step it up. We should be able to win with 27 points. The saints ran all over us today. Brees will obviously get some great passes but we cannot let teams run the ball like they did today.
3. Red zone offense is a problem. Because we don’t have much of a run game for multiple reasons (I’d say turner is the biggest problem and then the line) we have to pass the ball. It’s very predictable and also tough to pass with such a short field to play with.
4. We are 8-1. The NYG are 5-4. The saints are 4-5. NE is 6-3. We are fine. Ryan is overall extremely effective this year. We also didn’t have our entire defense today (spoon) and lost Jones for a while during the game. We were also on the road and we still only barely lost and mostly due to our own mistakes (not really penalties though a few hurt our field position). It’s ok to lose one because then we don’t have that hanging over our heads. So buck up people 7 more games to go.
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
How embarrasing. Getting beat by the Crappy Aints.
IlliniDawg
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
@K-David: I agree totally. Thing is, the comments and behavior of the NO fans that come on here remind me of the vomit, urine, prostitutes, and bums that are everything one hates about the city. Rather than being classy and making me think of great restaurants, beautiful ante-bellum homes, and the best WW2 museum in the world.
Kennesaw David
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
Today was the season for the Saints fans. But it is over now. Enjoy your January. You will have plenty of free time on your hands then.
okeetee
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
You can’t put this loss on the offensive line by any stretch of the imagination! There run blocking leaves a lot to be desired……but they keep Ryan protected very well and that’s the most important thing in a passing league! I think the conservative “off tackle” plays is more the problem.
phil
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
We always blow it….
Always.
Remember that. History doesn’t lie.
don
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
WHO DAT! THAT “LOUSY” DEFENSE SURE DID LOOK GOOD ON THE GOAL LINE. 11-2 IN LAST 13 GAMES…… WE OWN YA”LL
just sayin'
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
@cmw…typical atl ‘trash’ mouth…atl has the same ‘conditions’ as NO..reign in 22,25 and 84, and their actions, and atl may get some respect…
kerryb
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
Brent, were you blind, you didn’t see the line getting pushed back on EVERY short yardage run?
MTSeats
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
Remove TG, RW, and MR, and there’s not much left. Very mediocre.
================
Buy your seat license now !
11-2 suckas!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
and another thing… whether Saints fans will be “watching” the playoffs or not, 1 thing is certain we will be “watching” the dirty birds LOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MFranklin
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
Okay… we negotiated the big ugly. We have one (1) loss. Maybe now we can get back on with the season.
The S.aints fans and players will boast and yowl and slabber and drool… but we still own the NFC South and we have a chance at get-even when they come to OUR house. Hopefully, we’ll be up for a full game and kick their arrogant, perverted butts.
Mookie
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
The Falcons will not win a playoff game with Michael Turner. The Falcons should have cut him before the season started. I hope the media thrash this team because they deserve it. LOSERVILLE FOR LIFE!!!
phil
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
Kennesaw David
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
Today was the season for the Saints fans. But it is over now. Enjoy your January. You will have plenty of free time on your hands then.
**********
and so will we…..
dave
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
Whether if it’s pee-wee, high school, college, or pro football. If you have the ball on the 1 yard line and can not fall forward 1 yard 1 inch in four plays you do not deserve to win.
Yo Vince
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
Turner must go. Turner must sit. Turner is done. Repeat……………. It’s the ONLY reason we lost. Period. I’m 48 yrs old and white, I can get 1 freakin yard with our line. Bench Turner.
longsufferingatlantasportsfan
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
There was also that totally blown call on that last pass to roddy. the d-back clearly grabbed his hands right in front of the referee. what a joke!
kerryb
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
don
November 11th, 2012
4:35 pm
WHO DAT! THAT “LOUSY” DEFENSE SURE DID LOOK GOOD ON THE GOAL LINE. 11-2 IN LAST 13 GAMES…… WE OWN YA”LL
______________________________________________________________________________
But they will still be sitting home in January
Tn Dawg
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
A lot of thing went wrong today. I am amazed no one is commenting enough on how many passes were knocked down by safeties and linebackers, especially on goal line at the end of the game. Matty Ice was not leading the receivers. MT takes a beating on the blog again. On top of all else,Matt was not sharp today.
nfcchampsliveinga
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
To all my fellow falcon fans, 8-1 isnt a bad record. Its still on of the best in the league. They lost one game, and it was close. Taking a loss sucks, but it happens. They play again in the GDome in about 2 weeks, chill out about this 1 and done crap. It hasn’t happen! We have a very good football team, with a 4-1 road record. The Saints played a good game, and it worked out for them. Hats off to them. Don’t let one game, alter your view on the Falcons. Again this is a very good football team. Next up Arizona. Rise up or Shut up!!
CrankMyWren
November 11th, 2012
4:37 pm
All you nerdy Saints fans who spend your Sunday afternoon in an Atlanta blog should have your fun now since you only have 7 more weeks of entertainment.
We’ll look into seeing if AJC will open a Saints thread so you guys will be able to enjoy your misery watching the Falcons through the playoffs.
who dat in da dirty dirty
November 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
Falcon fans no matter what happens this season; when you look and see a blemish in the right column; you wont have to wonder WHO DAT Team that dirtied ur season
Man....
November 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
I heard Steven Jackson is a free agent at the end of the year……
Fred Macmurray
November 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
Not impressed with the Aints. They barely held on. Falcons will be ok. however Michael Turner is done. They need to bench his slow fat a$$. And again i ask why didnt we go for 2 after that TD.
kerryb
November 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
11-2 suckas!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2012
4:36 pm
and another thing… whether Saints fans will be “watching” the playoffs or not, 1 thing is certain we will be “watching” the dirty birds LOSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
__________________________________________________________________
Because you say so? You’re an idiot, what do you know.
CrankMyWren
November 11th, 2012
4:38 pm
All you nerdy Saints fans who spend your Sunday afternoon in an Atlanta blog should have your fun now since you only have 7 more weeks of entertainment.
We’ll look into seeing if AJC will open a Saints thread so you guys will be able to enjoy your misery watching the Falcons through the playoffs.
phil
November 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
All talk, as usual, in Atlanta….
Chipper…..talk
Roddy….talk
Josh…..talk
End result always? Defeat.
Bobby
November 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
Relax Falcon fans; despite being a Saints fan and living in enemy territory (Atlanta burbs) I still think you’ll make it into the playoffs and your QB is a class act and very capable of winning the Superbowl. But I’m betting at least one more loss for you season coming up in a couple of weeks in the Georgia Dome.
GEAUX SAINTS GEAUX!
Kennesaw David
November 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
Hey Phil, Leave and go somewhere else. Anywhere. Delta is ready when you are, crybaby.
Ryan
November 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
Ryan was not sharp? You are an IDIOT
Answer This
November 11th, 2012
4:39 pm
@ skeeterleg
you my friend are my frigging hero! Thank you for putting phil in his place!