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
DawgPrint
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
Geez!!
Walker the Infant Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
Well, that play really stunk.
stephen
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
why cant Ryan feel the pressure?
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
Ryan has to sense that guy
Mr C
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
That’s what happens when u can’t RUN the ball
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
Thanks Dirk. That stupid play running the ball up the middle with Turner. Might have cost us the game.
Roy
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
BALLGAME! All this because our O-line sucks azz!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
I saw that unfolding.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
how does ryan not see that in his face?
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:19 pm
E.J. Biggers with a big hit. And the Bucs have the ball. Here’s the game, folks.
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
All because Turner cannot get a yard. How many times does that have to fail?
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
shotgun on 3rd and 1…game over
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
Ryan never saw him coming.
Sav FAN
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
Wait-this will catch them sleeping-give Turner the ball
Eric C.
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
Can’t run, can’t win the big games…what else can you say
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
Ahhh the hell with it….I’m going to the range
me
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
First play, TB holding on 2 rushers. No flag.
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
Blame play calling. You put the team in a obvious passing down allowing them to bring the house. Wasted second down on running into a brick wall, if you pass on second down that does not happen.
Your Comment is awaiting moderation
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
Ryan has turned into a turnover machine. He is becoming a bigger liability.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
2 turnovers for the elite QB
Saints R.E.A.M.
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
The team is not as good as their record
SOS Falcons
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
God I hate Turner. Why dont the coaches?
Dt
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
D needs to show up
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
He was staring at a receiver on the left side, to be fair.
jerry
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
You know, I don’t think Turner calls his own number.
FALKONFAN13
November 25th, 2012
3:20 pm
So Matt Ryan stand there with a blitz coming and gets bulldozed! On 3 and 1 we cant run the ball and get that 1 tough yard! A good football team but not championship caliber!
me
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
@I_Hate_Saints
You clown.
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Got to see that heat Matt
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
I have said no abusive language
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Would be a nice time for a take-away by the defense….
nodefense
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
This is why the Falcons don’t get any respect.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Huge. Three-and-kick for the Tampa men
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Thank heaven for drops!
Dt
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
We got away with one there
Mr C
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Falcons get a break – Should have been offside
FalconsNP
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Wow
JSS
November 25th, 2012
3:21 pm
Dodged a bullet
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
Still in it, those Falcons are. Defense is bailing out the offense.
SOS Falcons
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
Of course they can make it.
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
Caught a break on that drop. But deficit is widening.
Hummon
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
Koetter thought Turner could get that yard because . . . ?
me
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
So the 1st half missed chip shot field goal will be the difference?
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
Still alive!
Your Comment is awaiting moderation
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
That’s 7 turnovers in 2 games.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
Still in it may not be good enough
dean
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
No. He was not offside
Pogo
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
NO CBs…Looking bad now.. No Pass rush…
2 Straight losses ..The Saints next..
Might be good..Maybe the staff will finally make some changes..
Falcons..Atlanta teams always fall-through…Never-fails..
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
3:22 pm
MB, are you trying to channel Yoda today?
Roy
November 25th, 2012
3:23 pm
Falcons don’t get any respect because of games like this. They may be 9-1 but they are not ready to win a Super Bowl and will struggle to win a playoff game vs. the likes of 49ers, Bears, Giants, Packers, etc.
stephen
November 25th, 2012
3:23 pm
maybe Tampa could give us their unused running back Blount for Turner