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
FALKONFAN13
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Roddy went back 2 yards!
nodefense
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Rogers is the bomb!
Andy
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Rogers is a weapon. I think the Falcons are just now learning how to use him.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Yeah, this drive sucks, much better to run the Burner up the middle.
SOS Falcons
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Now. Wanna bet that Turner gets it up the middle?
FALKONFAN13
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Ok now monitor these red zone calls! they better not run a stretch play!
stephen
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
lets see of Koetter can call some effective plays now
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Yes….uh ho, first n goal….
me
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Like I said, give Ryan time and he will kill you.
But now the lack of run blocking will show up.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
3:28 pm
Amazingly, the Falcons lead the Bucs in rushing yards by a margin of 67 to 48. Who’d a thunk it?
Roy
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
The offense goes so much faster when Rodgers is in the game.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Licks, licks
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Tired of the Falcons “showing us something”. This team has the pieces to contend for a title, except they continue to run the ball with Turner and are soft on defense. I said before, if an 8-0 start does not produce at least an NFC title, it will be disappointing. Losing to a supposedly rebuilding team with a rookie coach is unacceptable.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Here we go again….RED ZONE!
Dt
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Haven’t heard from gonzo lately
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Broken up
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Oopsies
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
WTF Julio
me
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
my god right through Jones hands……
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:29 pm
Not broken up
Dropped
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Julio, Julio
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
We are the worst down here
FALKONFAN13
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Julio with a drop
Roy
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
If we kick a FG here I’m gonna scream!
stephen
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
jj just cant make the critical catches\
Bill
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Here we go again””
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Broken up!!! MB, that was a drop.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Defensive holding.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
the game here
jo
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
That drop could be the difference today.
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
falcons cant score when everyone is all bunched up like this they need open field
me
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Mr Davis, the ball hit Juiio in both hands.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Wow! They baled us out!
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:24 pm
Turner keeps getting called because he’s the No. 1 RB. They get called.
____________________
But he’s clearly NOT a No. 1 RB. CLEARLY!
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
3:30 pm
Bailed out.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Thanks Ref! But pathetic Falcons!!
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
JJ shoulda had that one.
Dt
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
I fear it is turner time
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
what a new chance
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Touchdown. Turner.
dean
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Uh, Falcons lead.
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
okay…again
Bill
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Falcons TD……………..about time.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Finally
stephen
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
did I just see Turner run in the endzone?
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Thank you. Nice blocking by the offensive line.
jo
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
thanks TB for that gift!
me
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
Turner is my favorite player
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
will he make the extra point?
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:31 pm
TD