Live from Tampa Bay: The Falcons seek to Buc(k) a trend
I'm not exactly sure what this evocative image evokes, except a thirst for Gatorade. (AP photo)
Tampa — The Falcons are 9-1, but by my reckoning they’ve played one really good game in their past seven. (The one: At Philadelphia ahead of Hurricane Sandy.) Then again, they’ve won five of those six not-really-good games, so what’s the problem?
This: A team wants to be playing well in December, so as to keep playing well into January/February. The Falcons know this better than anyone, having seen consecutive seasons ended by teams that weren’t, as of Thanksgiving, anywhere near locks to qualify for postseason fun and frolic. We know already that these Falcons will make the playoffs. What we don’t know is if they’ll fare any better once there.
Today marks Game 1 of a loaded (and shortened) week. They play the Buccaneers, who’ve won four in a row, and then they play the Saints, who’ve won five of six, on Thursday night. Sweep the week and we won’t be quibbling, at least not so much. Get swept and the carping will be unconfined.
Confession: A couple of weeks back, I suggested this would be the venue for the Falcons’ first loss. As we know, the Saints interceded. Part of me thinks the Falcons are pointing toward this game as another checkpoint, same as they were the game in Philly. Then again, they wanted badly to win in the Superdome, and they didn’t. So here’s what I’m saying, kind of:
If the Falcons are as good as they (and I) think they are, they’ll win this one. But they can’t beat Tampa Bay by half-stepping, or by turning it over six times. They’ll have to play well, and it has been a while since they’ve managed that.
Whatever happens, I’ll be here to watch and comment, and I’d appreciate the company. And I thank you, as ever, in advance.
By Mark Bradley
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1,274 comments Add your comment
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:48 pm
Now that’s the way to respond to adversity! Nice!
phil
November 25th, 2012
2:48 pm
Yes!!!
Jo
November 25th, 2012
2:48 pm
well said MB…….that play showed heart (for an heartless team until that play)
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
And Bryant makes the 20-yarder
Augusta
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
Big time throw and catch…way to go, guys…
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
Take that back…a semi tough catch
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
I was kidding about the Falcons being heartless. This team plays hard — not always well, but hard.
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
2:49 pm
Like turning a light on a room full of cockroaches… they all run for cover
Riggins
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
That’s what I’m talkin bout!!! Why can’t we play like this on every offensive series? Throw that conservatism out the window!
phil
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Dean, of no brains, that’s one TD pass to 6 INTs…..
Haters? You’re a moron.
Nice play, boys!
Big Daddy
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Falcons really showed what they can do. They can do this.
DawgPrint
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Julio!!!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Nothing funnier than a AJC blog!
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
Like tuning a light on in a room full of roaches… they all run for cover
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
A championship team gets a 3 and out here……
Charles Davis
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
I should be quiet. I’m making a fool of myself.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:50 pm
But when it does play well, it’s pretty darn good. And it manages to win even when it doesn’t. That’s why it’s 9-1.
Man....
November 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
Matt Bryant, come on man!
Shoulda been a 7 point lead, at least.
Go Birds, air it out.
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
Nice!
Riggins
November 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
The Falcons should be up by 28 points-if we stop the “playing not to lose” mentality.
Big Daddy
November 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
Go Julio!!!! Go Matt!!! Go FALCONS!!!!
Growler
November 25th, 2012
2:51 pm
ijonathan, I think most people here are true fans. I LIKE Mike Smith, but he has this season shown a history of time management/game management/play calling/challenge-flag throwing issues. MarkB wrote about the gaffe in N.O. (and got blasted for it, btw).. but it’s true. I just hope these[repeated] gaffes don’t happen in the playoffs….
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
I would NOT want to play for that prison warden they have for a coach in tb
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Dropped INT
Roger
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Dang Asante
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Another lost opportunity.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Catch the freakin’ ball!!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
WOW asante!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Can’t catch it if he ain’t jumping the route
DawgPrint
November 25th, 2012
2:52 pm
Asanti!!!
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
damn it catch the ball!
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
Samuels could have called for a fair catch…still dropped it.
Jay Dubu
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
Hands of iron!!! DB has to catch that.
Jo
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
big missed interception…
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
Damn man.
Angry Dave
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
Bam!
dean
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
check yourself phil. There are realist and haters. I know the difference.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
Big 3rd down!
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
The Bucs are short of a first down. And they’re punting.
Groundhogday
November 25th, 2012
2:53 pm
I know Assante would like to have that one back.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
2:54 pm
Bobby Mac
tyler
November 25th, 2012
2:54 pm
Ha- wouldn’t been a fake
Dilla
November 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
I hope they sit Julio, next play he’s going to have a hamstring injury.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
Ok now a true to goodness championship team scores on this next drive and takes control of the game…..do the Falcons have it in them?
JSS
November 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
Got lucky there
tyler
November 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
meant wouldv’e
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
Now’s the time to make this a 2-possession game.
Jo
November 25th, 2012
2:55 pm
gotta score again…..keep the bucs on their heels
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
2:56 pm
Ok now a true to goodness championship team scores on this next drive and takes control of the game…..do the Falcons have it in them?
I highly doubt it.
DawgPrint
November 25th, 2012
2:56 pm
Go long Julio!