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
Sid
November 25th, 2012
1:29 pm
preview of January….and it’s not impossible for Tampa to win the division.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:30 pm
First quarter ends after two drives and two plays.
It’s like a Tech game. Sort of.
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November 25th, 2012
1:30 pm
In what was once viewed as a runaway Falcons division, if the Bucs win this game, it will only be a 2 game lead, with another game with the Saints, Bucs, Detroit and the Giants.
The Hitman
November 25th, 2012
1:30 pm
Is Coach Smith stupid? Turner again! WTF!
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:31 pm
Is Falcons line not good or is the O just so predictable?
DawgPrint
November 25th, 2012
1:32 pm
Patience people….it’s a process. Arrrggggg!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
1:32 pm
Mark Bradley being all sly with the reference to the Clarke Co. massacre
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:32 pm
If we are going to run it…at least get the line moving, get some seal blocks, and create some lanes for Rodgers or, heck, even Turner. This running up the middle into a pile of 300+ pound bodies is just insane.
lees
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
Line is not that good. They are fair at times
mountain_jim
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
terrible run blocking run-play scheme
KenDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
I just don’t see how this running game is going to take us far into the post season
Falcaints
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
Today begins the Falcaints death spiral, a loss today and on Thursday to the Saints.
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
Canadian football is an oxysomething
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
JSS, I only started following them this year in the last couple of games. I was a much bigger fan in the Condredge Holloway/Joe Barnes era, and the Matt Dunigan/Rocket Ismail era, and a little bit in the Flutie era.
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
1:33 pm
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
11:31 am
This is the second game I’ve covered in this stadium this year. The first was on Jan. 2. Georgia slightly lost to Michigan State.
_________________
MUST you remind us?
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
The look off to Quiz will work EVERY down
dean
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
Hideous
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
What the heck was that run?
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
Turner loses three. Seen that one before.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
1:34 pm
Run blocking needs work.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
I guess that is Turner’s fault there?
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
How is this bum still our running back. Did anyone just see him turtle up instead of at least trying to push for a yard???
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
Must Turner be on the field?
Falcaints
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
Wow those Falcons have back with that Turner guy.
KenDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
Is it that Turner is slow to the line, or that the line just can’t open holes??
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
GET THE LINE MOVING.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
another FG?
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:35 pm
This is not the world’s greatest O-line. But you knew that.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
This O-line can, however, pass-block.
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
Newsflash…we don’t have Andre Gurode, Flozell Adams and Larry Allen up there. They aren’t road graders. Be innovative to open up lanes.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
I can see why the Bucs’ pass defense is ranked so low. I just hope to see ours do better through the rest of the game.
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
I smell another FG in the making.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
Now Rodgers loses three.
Actually four.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 25th, 2012
1:36 pm
Look pls just advance to 2nd down
KenDawg
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
I understand, Mark, but they seem to be able to pass protect far better than run block!
Kew
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
Our O-line is the worst
ijonathan
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
okay, maybe moving the line isn’t the answer.
JSS
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
I guess the was Rodgers fault?
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
Okay… so we can’t run-block. How about some old fashion options and toss-sweeps???
Mr C
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
Rodgers loses 4. Seen that before
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
Offensive INT?
FalconFan
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
Turner MUST have something in his contract about the number of carries per game??
Falcaints
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
Why run at all? Is it possible to finish a game with negative rush yards?
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
1:37 pm
More flags.
*sigh*
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
Nope. Just a nice scramble.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
Turner up the middle takes slightly longer than a double reverse.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
Can we get a yard?
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
Touchdown. Same play off the shotgun. Jacquizz scores.
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
1:38 pm
Yeah, like that.
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
1:39 pm
Crap!