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
Roy
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
FINISH Falcons! FINISH!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
Dodged another bullet
me
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
OK, time to gain the tough yards. Lets see who is running the ball. A couple of years ago, this would not be an issue.
jo
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
dodged a bullet. If we don’t score again, we will lose this game anyway.
Dt
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
Hope we don’t turn it over to turner
falconinduluth
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
It’s true when they say DBs are receivers that can’t catch!
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
Do NOT run on first down!
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
Can we run the ball now? We’ll have to to win
me
November 25th, 2012
3:41 pm
Rodgerssssssssss
dean
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
This is a helluva football game
FALKONFAN13
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Dont get conservative! No stretch PLays!!!!!!!!
Mr C
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
No more Turner please
phil
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
We’re not beaten…
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Can’t we hold on to a pick–ever? And WHEW on that FG miss.
Roger
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
As flavo flav once said….let me hear you say year boyyyyeeee
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Unless it’s a first down
david
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
This team is insane if Rodgers isn’t named the starter after this week. He’s very similar to a Ray Rice-type, a guy who can be deadly in the passing game and also run between the tackles.
jo
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Wow, this Rogers guy is good. Where has he been all year!
Bill
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Go Roger
tmc
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
that play right there is exactly why Quiz should be starting!
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Who put a #33 jersey on?
Bill
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
don’t fumble turner
Growler
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Mark B, agreed on TB’s stategy. Gutsy to try a 56-yarder there. If you miss, trouble….
falconinduluth
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Slowing it down by putting Turner in.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Two minutes.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
If the offensive line can get some push, any of our running backs can get positive yards.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Who ARE these guys? “
nodefense
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
I will say it again Rogers is the BOMB!
phil
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Yet.
tmc
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
let’s hope the end of the game clock management is better than the end of the half clock management.
me
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Why didn’t Tampa save the 30 secs by caling a TO? Wow
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
That is pretty terrible clock management by TB.
Section 212
November 25th, 2012
3:43 pm
Now finish this game with Turner and Rodgers. Don’t forget about the pass. one pass completion willl win the game
lees
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
Watching the Falcons play with different degrees of difficulty each Sunday is still 10 times better than watching a bunch of men and a woman turn left for 500 miles.
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
We caught a huge break there.
me
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
Nice run by Turner. Nice blocking. Maybe the Falcons OLine is sick of hearing about it…
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
Bucs with three timeouts
me
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
3 would be huge here.
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
jo
November 25th, 2012
3:42 pm
Wow, this Rogers guy is good. Where has he been all year!
_________________
Playing behind Turner–believe it or not.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
I’d never thought I see someone butcher quoting Flava Fav, but dang the AJC blogs never ceases to amaze!!!
dean
November 25th, 2012
3:44 pm
Lol @ lees. Good point.
nodefense
November 25th, 2012
3:45 pm
Here we GO!
tmc
November 25th, 2012
3:45 pm
Go for a touchdown here… not 3!
stephen
November 25th, 2012
3:45 pm
time for the o-line to own the line of scrimmage
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
3:45 pm
And it’s third-and-5
phil
November 25th, 2012
3:46 pm
First down now or get beaten. Period.
Growler
November 25th, 2012
3:46 pm
Okay a first down here with the play in bounds almost ices it…..
Dt
November 25th, 2012
3:46 pm
Falcons won’t get any credit if they win this one…I am pulling for the 49ers today
me
November 25th, 2012
3:46 pm
For several years, Ryan would boot leg here…….
playmeortrademe
November 25th, 2012
3:46 pm
Terrified the defense will have to come out again.