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
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1,785 comments Add your comment
SRF
November 11th, 2012
4:52 pm
Falcons will not be mentioned by national media again until playoff time – and then it will just be an afterthought – they are now irrelevant.
stendek
November 11th, 2012
4:52 pm
HGi Mark. IT WAS TODAY! Should not have been but was. Two Falcons are liabilities. Michael Turner and Duante Robinson. Both are totally worth. Matt Ryan passed for over 400 yards. Whoop dee doo! Blueprint for failure occurred when Matty Lice choked aftrer interception. Field goals do not get it done. Not against Drew Brees!How the Hell could MR miss a wide open Tony Gonzalez in end zone? What the Hell was Roddy White thinking? Premiere receiver? My backside! TG is my fav Falcon so drop at end no biggee. MR had given up already anyway. Very disapopointed. Championship teams can get a damn yard. This not a Super Bowl caliber squad!
Bench Turner NOW
November 11th, 2012
4:52 pm
NO MORE MICHAEL TURNER.
Ctfalconsfan
November 11th, 2012
4:53 pm
In NOLA, very disappointed as Defense played terrible.
Offense moved the balk but couldn’t punch it in.
DOL does Smitty not have a chart as to when to go for 2 points??,
That was a TERRIBLE decision to kick PAT and go down by 4 why not try the 2 point conversation.
When they stopped us at the 1 yard we could have MAYBE kicked a FG to tie.
Also why did we run on 3rd and goal when we could run all day.
Coaching grade should be a D-…
Shamefull performance against a bad team today
Ben
November 11th, 2012
4:53 pm
How is anyone surprised by this? The Saints are still an offensive powerhouse, and the Falcons havent beaten a decent team all year. The Falcons are still better than they have been in years, but some of you guys need to reevaluate expectations. We will lose at least 2 more division games. Look, it took Cam Newton giving away the game in the final seconds for us to beat a lousy Carolina team at home, and you think we are gonna sweep NO and Tampa Bay? Get real. This team has at least 4 losses by seasons end, and thats fine. The question is whether or not they can take care of business when it really matters.
BradleyRuinsAnotherSeason
November 11th, 2012
4:53 pm
\Hey Mark start posting all your picks evey week. All I would have to do is the exact opposite and I’ll be the next Donald Trump in less than a decade. Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks
rc35
November 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Hey…I know the standings don’t really work that way. I was just venting over the fact that (a) we lost to the most detestable team in the NFC and (b) they do technically have a better division record than we do. I’ll hush now and let the smart folks have at it.
Buzzman
November 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Come on everyone, look back, when has the Falcons been 8-1? Never been 8-1, let’s give the Team the support they deserve. Anyone on a given day can beat anyone. Look what happend to Alabama yesterday. I agree with most everyone on finding a new running back. Turner has lost it, he just doesn’t have it anymore. But let’s not cut the Team, they just had a bad day. Everyone has a bad day sometime. We will regroup next week and win. Again Thanks Mike Smith and the team, best start ever.
DawgNole
November 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Michael M.
November 11th, 2012
4:05 pm
its okay…………….we loss our first game but those Caints were sweating bullets out there ! and we Still own the Division !
____________________
NO loss is “okay.” Only losers think like that.
don
November 11th, 2012
4:54 pm
Hey kerry b, hows that playoff record looking?
bigperry
November 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
this comment is for mike smith you set there and wacth film and i know you are not that dam to know you need a running game give antion smith #35 some touches hell the falcons already cannot run the ball the team is to good not to be able to run the ball.
James Landry
November 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
You guys got punked today. Saints take away Turd Birds undeafeted hopes. Makes me wonder why you people cheer for them. After all they haven’t won anything.
Bench Turner NOW
November 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
Once we get a decent running back not named TURNER, we will become scary.
Pigskin
November 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
Playoffs?? Fo real??
We may make them but,
We’re still a couple years away from a playoff win.
Whiznot
November 11th, 2012
4:55 pm
Roddy is great when he keeps his mouth shut. How could he have played Ryan’s perfect touchdown hail mary pass any worse. STFU and play!
Hocice
November 11th, 2012
4:56 pm
Turner should be terminated, no effort. Have another drink.
Anothe year of one playoff game and out.
Hocice
stendek
November 11th, 2012
4:57 pm
Hello Mark. IT WAS TODAY! Should not have been but was. Two Falcons are liabilities. Michael Turner and Duante Robinson. Both are totally worthless. Matt Ryan passed for over 400 yards. Whoop dee doo! Blueprint for failure occurred when Matty Lice choked after opening interception. Field goals do not get it done. Not against Drew Brees! How in blazes could MR miss a wide open Tony Gonzalez in end zone? What in the wide world of sports was Roddy White thinking? Premiere receiver? My backside! TG is my favorite Falcon so drop at end no big deal. MR had given up already anyway. Very disappointed in overall effort. Championship teams can get a miserable yard in four snaps or less. This not a Super Bowl caliber championship squad! Utterly disgusted.
Glenn
November 11th, 2012
4:57 pm
Congratulations to Turner for a nice game of two hand touch. Thats all it took to bring him down. The most uninspired running ever. HE MAKES NICE RUN’S WHEN THER IS A 5 FOOT HOLE TO GO THRU.
Are we really looking at 8-8...
November 11th, 2012
4:58 pm
…as mentioned earlier this week, these are not your “father’s Falcons”, but they are still the “Atlanta Falcons”…playing against the worst pass defense in the league and still cannot score with 3 plays from the 2 yard line…
CGD..
November 11th, 2012
4:59 pm
Well Mr Blank, your investment has not won a playoff game in 8{2004} years since the great MV7 took you to the NFC Championship..Got news for you, this team will not win a playoff game this season. The streak will continue.
0-4 with Coach {Deer In Head lights}
Pretenders is the operative word today
Bench Turner NOW
November 11th, 2012
5:00 pm
PLEASE for the love of the fans, BENCH MT33 NOW.
DawgNole
November 11th, 2012
5:00 pm
15-1
November 11th, 2012
4:07 pm
No big deal—the falcons were flat—they’ll win out and win the NFC—book it!
O’Ventbrel
November 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
Tough loss, but oh well. The Giants got crushed by the Bangles today so we should maintain some perspective.
_____________________
“No big deal”?
“Oh well”?
No wonder they call this city “Losersville.”
I knew the game was lost when Asante got the penalty after the interception...
November 11th, 2012
5:00 pm
…to start the game – it cost Atlanta 4 points, and what did Atlanta lose by?
hit a single
November 11th, 2012
5:01 pm
Thank you Roddy White!
Go Jackets
November 11th, 2012
5:01 pm
I think we win two playoff games this year, then get bounced. No O line, no running game and no pass rush = recipe for disaster.
CGD..
November 11th, 2012
5:01 pm
Irrelevant..Cant beat a team 30th in rushing?
0-4
DawgNole
November 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
3d
November 11th, 2012
4:08 pm
Samuel should be fined for acting like a bro on the street corner. Didn’t we have enough of that crap with Meangelo Hall.
That look at me moment costs 15 yards and a possible TD.
When will these guys learn that you have to back it up and win before acting like a hot dog.
____________________
When will they learn? NEVER! It’s in their DNA.
john
November 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
So much for you fine, spiritual prediction. Saints gave the Falcons hell and they went home with singed feathers.
ls1z28chris
November 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
Hopefully the Failcant’s take a page out of the Brave’s playbook and completely fall apart now that they know they’re hacks.
Mark Bradley
November 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
Obviously, I was wrong. The Falcons did lose today. And we’ll have more on this in a bit.
Dilla
November 11th, 2012
5:02 pm
Turner is done, time to move on. You have to pass on cause you can’t get 1yard. Nobody cares if you break 20 yards when it don’t matter.
RASTA
November 11th, 2012
5:03 pm
I LOVE IT!! DIRTY BIRDS EATING CROW… HOW DOES IT FEEL TO TALK ALL THAT SMACK AND THEN GET SPANKED.. HAHA WHO DAT!!
stendek
November 11th, 2012
5:04 pm
Saints sweep! Pray they do not reach playoffs. Or a third defeat awaits. Falcons lacked heart and courage today. Not to mention common sense.
Cpt Kirk in Arkansas
November 11th, 2012
5:04 pm
What message does it send to your O line when you cannot punch it in from 2 yards on 3 plays, and you try seeral cut pass plays. What no QB sneak, no toss sweep, no trap or combination block play?
Gotta be able to punch it in from 2 yd out IF you plan to go deep in the playoffs. Gotta have a FB who can lead block ang gotta hafta have a more creative short yardage run game and it aint there, hasnt been there all season and now its cruch time, whewn you MUST keep defenses honest.. Tony G cannot, all by himself, get every short yardage TD..
Mark My Words
nfcchampsliveinga
November 11th, 2012
5:04 pm
This is one of those lesson learned losses. I agree on the D needing to do a better job against the run. That’s an area that you have to clean up against a top 5 offense. I was glad to see some improvements in the 2nd half against the run. Goal line offense is a must improve. Penalties are going to happen, the team has to fine a way to persevere. I thought they played hard until the end. No excuses. Mike Smith will have this team ready to play come next week. Definitely some areas to clean up. In reality, New Orleans has a lot of ground to cover, with very little room for error. I like were Atlanta is as a team, just need to keep working toward goal one, which is winning the NFC South.
CGD..
November 11th, 2012
5:04 pm
The Saints look like the 8-0 team against the cooked birds…Sheesh!
Hurst
November 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
So the best team the Fowl-Clowns will beat this year is Denver. That’s with Manning still learning the team at that point. You’ll probably go 13-3, maybe even 14-2. But everyone will be salivating at getting the Fowl-Clowns in the divisional round, cuz it’ll be another Fowl-Clown splat in the playoffs. Green Bay, Chicago, San Francisco, even Seattle, all are way better than Atlanta. The Saints will also be clearly better by the end of the season, they’re still coming together.
playmeortrademe
November 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
Everyone’s just mad because the Falcons looked like they were going to romp leading 10-0. But the running game is a problem. Not so much in the middle of the field, but redzone and goal line. I believe that if Smith told Ryan to call all the plays and use the weapons he has, they would be unstoppable. I’ll save criticism of the defense until after Spoon gets back, but the authorities just put out a BOLO on Ray Edwards in a big game….again. Is there no better option than him?
MTSeats
November 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
Show some ba$$’s Bradley. Challenge MSmith!
=============
here since van brocklin
DawgNole
November 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
What a bunch of whiners
November 11th, 2012
4:09 pm
They lost. Big deal.
_________________
Another loser.
DaculaJones
November 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
I was afraid of this. It wasn’t that they lost, but how they lost.
This team is no different from past Falcon teams.
This seasons only difference was a gravy schedule.
Connor
November 11th, 2012
5:05 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDAmPIq29ro
take it from me.
November 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
hey we mite go 0-8 in the second half ,if we don’get a real running back!
MTSeats
November 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
This is like Philly with Reid.
dawgnation1
November 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
@CDG. Are you a saints fan? Because “you can’t beat the team with the 30th” blah, blah, blah. THAT MEANS YOUR TEAM IS LAST IN RUSH DEFENSE. AND HAS A LOSING RECORD. DUMMY.
Pedigree of LOOSAHS
November 11th, 2012
5:06 pm
FAILCANTS have beat teams with a combined .370 win percentage…EXPOSED….who dat, we dat, we got dat SB ring…you got nothing but failure…lmao…
Turner Round
November 11th, 2012
5:07 pm
You cannot win championships if you cannot run the ball. In the final minutes of the game last night Alabama had 1st and goal from the six yd line and could not run it in. Today, the Falcons have 2nd and goal from the two yd line for the win and cannot punch it in. It was Groundhog Day, ir as Yogi Berra used to say, Deja Vu all over again – Turner stutter steps into the rear ends of his own linemen, who have had their collective posteriors pushed off of the ball on the snap. You cannot win without a dependable runnning game to handle the short yardage situations and to eat upo the clock, and we do not have one. Without it you cannot realistically think that we will go too deep in the playoffs. We do not make it very far and the Gonzales retires and we are really screwed.
CGD..
November 11th, 2012
5:08 pm
Giants 48
Fal-cons 17
Oh the Humanity.
Hey dawgnation redneck...
November 11th, 2012
5:08 pm
Your team just lost to the worst defense in the NFL…FAILCANTS are the pedigree of LOOSAHS…perennial LOOSAHS…fact…saints own you…11/14 times, Saints win…fact…now go away…
Bench Turner NOW
November 11th, 2012
5:08 pm
@Cpt Kirk in Arkansas, There was a moment during the game when MR2 had to run a QB sneak on third down, and was successful. THIRD down. That is clear indication that the problem is far from being the line. It is the running back. Everyone else seems to be gaining positive yardage behind the same line, except the featured back. Go figure.