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
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
1:12 pm
Bad read by Ryan on that short pass.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:12 pm
The Falcons do lead, however. But honesty compels me to say that I always believe a team that kicks a field goal on its opening drive is asking for it
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
Still can’t finish off drives
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
Blue “things” comes to mind with the 3 points.
phil
November 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
Oh well….
These damn FGs are killing us.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
Ryan was looking left, his initial read wasn’t open and I think he felt some pressure, so he just dumped it down to Rodgers that had no chance. Can’t wait to see the replay…I think if he looked up over the middle he had a tight end. There may have been some traffice in the middle of the line. Regardless, not a great decision. Play had zero chance of working, and could have been a turnover.
Ivan
November 25th, 2012
1:13 pm
Nice to them running the ball again. Bad decision on Ryan to throw it to Rodgers.
Lets see if D can actually play 4 quarters today
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:14 pm
Actually, I’m more interested in how the D plays today
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
1:14 pm
Great play calling all the way down the field until the time it counts. Ugh.
falconsrus
November 25th, 2012
1:15 pm
nice drive we have a plan
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:15 pm
dang, guess no additional replays. JSS, can you send me the all 22 once you splice it together?
falconsrus
November 25th, 2012
1:19 pm
D#####
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:19 pm
I could do that with no rush
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:19 pm
player for player on offense…compare the talent. You could argue Bucs have more.
Oh, and you may want to get some pressure on Freeman. SMH.
Ivan
November 25th, 2012
1:20 pm
Annnnd no. Defense is still.bad
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:21 pm
No, field goals aren’t going to Koetter it today.
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
1:21 pm
People running wide open in this secondary. Could be a long day.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:21 pm
Great-looking drive by the Bucs. Not even a third down as yet
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
1:21 pm
Going to be a long day if the falcons think field goals going to get the win
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:22 pm
Did somebody order some swiss cheese with their gritz blitz?
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:23 pm
Tough run by Doug Martin. Of Boise.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:23 pm
Turner does that move all the time, LOL
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:23 pm
Hmmm, adjustments required. Now.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:23 pm
Well. This just got interesting.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
way to shed those blocks…not.
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
We look slow on D out there…
I warned them about stuffing on the KFC before the game.
J.J.M.
November 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
Too easy
JSS
November 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
“Splice?” That is 1995 talk…
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
Weatherspoon appeared slow getting outside to make that attempted tackle.
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
1:24 pm
LOL. Take lessons Falcons. That is how you finish a drive. Oh my this is going to be a long day.
Sav FAN
November 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
Tampa wins this one easy.-could be a soothsayer
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
Josh Freeman looks like a totally different quarterback from the one we saw last season.
He also has a slew of better players around him.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
Dent is KILLING us, can’t cover, can’t tackle
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November 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
Martin may break A.P. rushing record today.
Rick Patel
November 25th, 2012
1:25 pm
Looks like a long afternoon for the faltering Falcons & their forlorn fans.
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
1:26 pm
Well, this game just ended. TB in a laugher.
Same old crap.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:26 pm
That was a good natured shot JSS. Apparently well over your head.
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
1:26 pm
7-3 ain’t the end of the game… let’s wait and see how it plays out.
Groundhogday
November 25th, 2012
1:26 pm
I hope Nolan makes some adjustments or we’re in for a long afternoon.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
1:26 pm
At least we’re leading in time of possession … and that’s worth something, right?
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
We never had them in 3rd down. Crazy.
Falcaints
November 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
Same old weak defense. One of these teams looks like a pro team and it isn’t Atlanta.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
ijonathan…
It’s actually Grey Cup Sunday… Mind is elsewhere…
Mr C
November 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
Looks like the Falcons are not playing the Cardinals today!!!
Hey Bradley, after today’s game, can u analyze Thomas dimitroff draft for the past 4yrs and compare it with the Bucs. U like to heap praise onto Dimitoff but i think the Falcons draft talent is empty with the exception of Julio Jones. Try looking at 2nd rd pick and onwards.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
Be glad you’re seeing the game. It’s blacked out here.
Your Comment is awaiting moderation
November 25th, 2012
1:27 pm
The redzone is not a strong suit with Ryan. Doesn’t he have like 9 picks in the last 4 or 5 games?
Falcaints
November 25th, 2012
1:28 pm
Tampa Bay has what the Falcons don’t, a real running game.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:28 pm
I’ll be watching later JSS…ARRRRRGOOOOOSSS!
mountain_jim
November 25th, 2012
1:29 pm
Need to draft/find a pass rush
JSS
November 25th, 2012
1:29 pm
Ricky Ray…