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
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
4:17 pm
Prophesy:
1. The AJC will lambaste our team because they didn’t lambaste an improving Bucs team.
2. The major sports media will hammer the Falcs for not winning with ’style’.
3. Critics will point out all the bad things in this game and completely neglect the good things, including the final score.
4. Someday, the Falcons will move to a new location and they will be appreciated… like they used to be in Atlanta.
Stevereeno
November 25th, 2012
4:17 pm
Falcons need to improve BIG TIME in the red zone.
Go Rogers!!! You made my day!!!!
Great Falconi
November 25th, 2012
4:18 pm
I have no confidence in this team’s ability to be great, but I have an immense amount of confidence in this team’s ability to find a way to win regular season games.
agent7g
November 25th, 2012
4:18 pm
@JSS The Seahawks, Bucs, Vikings & the Cowboys let themselves down. The Falcons are playing for home field. Not wildcards. Add your ridiculous comment below.
me
November 25th, 2012
4:19 pm
Keep hating you clowns. Your ignorant opinions earned you what they were worth today. Zero
me
November 25th, 2012
4:20 pm
So the “concern” about the Falcons after winning on the road against a red hot team. But the “Bears” have it going after beating a pathetic Vikings team. The Bears haven’t beaten a team with a winning record.
marc
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
nICE….The Falcons take another huge step toward losing in the 2nd game of the playoffs…I’m pumped!!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
Those penalties on that play were away from the actual screen the ball was already going the flat… You’re just pecking for blog fight…
Eddie Ray
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
The offensive line was impressive! Clearly, they are blocking well with a back with a faster pace. I am encouraged going into the Saints game Thursday. Both of these games are statement games that can end the playoff chances for Tampa and NO.
Groundhogday
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
The talking heads on FOX are practically shaking their heads over the Falcons……just keep winning and shut them up.
ln29576
November 25th, 2012
4:24 pm
America’s game of the week, America’s darlings, Wooo Hooooo, go Saints.
me
November 25th, 2012
4:24 pm
SS
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
Those penalties on that play were away from the actual screen the ball was already going the flat… You’re just pecking for blog fight…
The hold was called on the center after our tackle blew by him headed for the QB. Stop making excuses. It was an obvious penalty.
Kramer
November 25th, 2012
4:25 pm
Don’t know what the haters are saying on here and don’t care. This was supposed to be our second loss today according to the “experts” and the afore mentioned haters. Instead it was our 11th win. Does this team have weaknesses? Hell yes it does and so does every team in the NFL. There is no clear favorite going into this late of the season which is why home field advantage is sooo important. Nice win and GO FALCONS!!!
Post-It
November 25th, 2012
4:25 pm
You must not have been watching the play, JSS. Those penalties happened right next to Martin. They showed them on the replay. I’m just curious why you spend every Sunday watching a team that you hate so much.
Man....
November 25th, 2012
4:25 pm
We won.
Move on.
Saints on Thursday night.
Win that one, we got the division, and the media will witness it in prime time.
Mora less Petrino
November 25th, 2012
4:26 pm
Hard fought road win in a tough venue. What’s the problem? 10-1. If 49ers take the Saints, the South is pretty much in the bag.
me
November 25th, 2012
4:26 pm
Groundhogday
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
The talking heads on FOX are practically shaking their heads over the Falcons……just keep winning and shut them up.
The only guy on that show that has a clue is Jimmy Johnson. The other guys have never coached or made team related decision. Just blow hards. They are insignificant.
1990_Champs_GT
November 25th, 2012
4:26 pm
Just win, right? Gotta take the trash out Thursday at the dome!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:27 pm
And here comes Post-It with his unnecessary post of the day…
Michael M.
November 25th, 2012
4:27 pm
Ha ! Ha ! you right Groundhog……….those idiots can’t stand it the Falcons are on top of the NFC ! What bothers them is they always coming from behind to win games and to be number one that is what you have to do…………………..Just keep on winning these ballgames Birds and they will have to come through the Dome to get a win over us to get to the Super Bowl.
The Cain’ts are next come Thursday night…………………Atlanta is going to remember that 1 point loss to them a few weeks ago !
me
November 25th, 2012
4:28 pm
“You must not have been watching the play, JSS. …Those penalties happened right next to Martin. They showed them on the replay. I’m just curious why you spend every Sunday watching a team that you hate so much.”
ROTFLMAO.
Because he is miserable. And based on his opinion of that play, clueless.
falconsrus
November 25th, 2012
4:28 pm
10 and one and its getting fun thnx MB for a nice eyes on the scene report and the yoda yoda yoda yoda yada yada yada
Once Recent Reader
November 25th, 2012
4:29 pm
I missed that play JSS. But, in the end, penalties count . . .plays / yards from penalties don’t. If it was a screen pass then it still would not have added to his Rushing Yards. It would have helped the Bucs I’m sure. I missed your contain comment in my initial question to you. I’ll live with contain over shut down. But, from the way folks were talking about the Bucs rushing game, and the “weakness” of Falcs rushing D, I’ll have to call it a Big Contain.
me
November 25th, 2012
4:30 pm
ln29576
November 25th, 2012
4:24 pm
America’s game of the week, America’s darlings, Wooo Hooooo, go Saints.
White guilt gave them a Katrina super bowl. I’ve never seen NFL refs go in the tank so obviously as they did for the Saints that season. Since then, I view the NFL refs in a entirely different way.
Falcon228
November 25th, 2012
4:31 pm
Al said it best. “Just win baby.”
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:31 pm
It was a release slip screen, the “center” had hands to the face… The tackle had the hold, Martin had already released to the flat (3 to 5 feet out on the right) in the backfield (not right next to them)…
JK
November 25th, 2012
4:33 pm
Haters can hate. Falconsare now 10-1 after going on the road with a banged up team and beat a good, hot team. I was listening to it on the radio and had to wonder which Buc that Fox interviewed first after the game.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:34 pm
And the 4:30 post speaks volumes…
George
November 25th, 2012
4:37 pm
A win is a win, but they better pick it up as the season progresses and the wins get tougher
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:38 pm
And ORR…
Of course, but that is count your blessings situation… They would have been in prime position… Self-inflicted wound…
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
4:41 pm
marc
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
nICE….The Falcons take another huge step toward losing in the 2nd game of the playoffs…I’m pumped!!
___________________
At least that would be progress.
Tallulahfallsfool
November 25th, 2012
4:41 pm
Just win baby!!!!!
Eric C.
November 25th, 2012
4:42 pm
There was nothing ugly about this game aside from the two missed FGs.
This was a win against an up and coming Bucs team that desperately wanted to get back into the division race…you take these wins and run with them no matter how “ugly” you think they look!!!
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
4:43 pm
@Dawgnole….
the positive was when I posted we are 10-1….
stfu mutt!
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
4:43 pm
Groundhogday
November 25th, 2012
4:22 pm
The talking heads on FOX are practically shaking their heads over the Falcons……just keep winning and shut them up.
___________________
That’s what it’ll take–and NOT just winning in the regular season.
Man....
November 25th, 2012
4:45 pm
The Saints are gonna get pounded by the 9ers today.
We just needs to beat them come Thursday, and the division is ours!
Tallulahfallsfool
November 25th, 2012
4:46 pm
Why is my post being awaiting moderation? it was nice?
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
4:48 pm
Kramer
November 25th, 2012
4:25 pm
Don’t know what the haters are saying on here and don’t care. This was supposed to be our second loss today according to the “experts” and the afore mentioned haters. Instead it was our 11th win.
___________________
Actually, it was our 10th win. Maybe you should care more about those haters–even “Answer This” knows what the team’s record is.
Michael M.
November 25th, 2012
4:49 pm
Some folks just can’t get over a winning Falcons Franchise……………..get over it already !
Game balls to Rodgers and Jones and Samuels gets one for playing in pain.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:49 pm
@ DawgNole…
But that is that one who screams about tone…
Michael M.
November 25th, 2012
4:53 pm
For the haters…………..You know if the Falcons keep winning these so called ugly games and or coming from behind they will wind up winning it all and that’s no joke………………..the wins keep on coming and the experts keep on shaking their big heads !
air of mendacity
November 25th, 2012
4:54 pm
good win for Falcons – made some good runs when we needed them. Played with heart – not perfectly. TB is for real. Hope SFO beat Saints and division is ours.
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
4:54 pm
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
4:43 pm
@Dawgnole….
the positive was when I posted we are 10-1….
_______________________
I said “contribute” something positive, Mr. Crapforbrains. We (except for Kramer) already know our record is 10-1–whether or not your whiny posts appear on here.
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
4:55 pm
Here is a treat for you Dawg Nole…..although every one is saying Bama will crush your beloved dogs…..i dont believe it…..its old news that the Dawgs cant win the big game……now get back in your dawg house and pipe down…..do you have another name because you sound similar to another person on here. What happens when they win in the playoffs and make a deep run? You back on the wagon……stop it man…..or should I say COME ON MAN!!!!!
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
4:57 pm
You win Dawg nole you are the know it all….wont address you anymore you not worth the sh!$ UGA leaves on the field…..keep being who you are miserable.
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
4:57 pm
JSS
November 25th, 2012
4:49 pm
@ DawgNole…
But that is that one who screams about tone…
___________________
He’s a screamer–no doubt about it–week after week after week after week . . . .
vesaversa
November 25th, 2012
4:57 pm
I am not impress with this team on either side of the ball. Can Smith
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
4:58 pm
Michael M.
November 25th, 2012
4:53 pm
For the haters…………..You know if the Falcons keep winning these so called ugly games and or coming from behind they will wind up winning it all and that’s no joke…
______________________
That’s a big ol’ IF, but it is the truth. We can only hope.
Jack Mitnitsky
November 25th, 2012
5:03 pm
Falcons running is game is awful y don’t we give to Jacquiz more….?
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
5:05 pm
Answer This
November 25th, 2012
4:55 pm
Here is a treat for you Dawg Nole…..although every one is saying Bama will crush your beloved dogs…..i dont believe it…..its old news that the Dawgs cant win the big game……now get back in your dawg house and pipe down…..do you have another name because you sound similar to another person on here. What happens when they win in the playoffs and make a deep run? You back on the wagon……stop it man…..or should I say COME ON MAN!!!!!
_______________________
Sure hope you’re right about “them Dawgs”! Best thing they have going for them is that, as you’ve noted, everyone is saying they’ll be crushed.
As far as the Falcons, I’ve NEVER jumped off the wagon. You simply need to get it through your thick skull that just because someone criticizes the team when it’s playing poorly doesn’t mean that same someone can’t be a passionate fan of the team. Why is that so hard for you to understand?