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
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
That was classic Mike Smith at the half. I am glad he help turn around this franchise, but I am ready to get over the hump. I fear we never will with him at the helm.
Rick Patel
November 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
Let’s look past this game.
Sonny Clusters
November 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
That field goal attempt reminded us of a ground ball to Brooks Conrad in the playoffs – or maybe one to Uggla with a bobble and a throw wide of first base.
Jo
November 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
It should be 17-7 now….what is wrong with the falcons? I dont understand it…
Man...
November 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
Time management for ya…………..
Waste time on purpose, run out of time for one more shot, and miss the FG.
Deserved that miss for sure.
Forget any crap this team gives you about scoring TDs in the redzone.
Ryan threw a pass to Quizz on 3rd and goal the first drive, which went nowhere.
Didn’t even try to find anyone downfield.
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
2:25 pm
Coach Smith apparently agrees with me–his D isn’t playoff caliber. Or even middling.
Sonny Clusters
November 25th, 2012
2:25 pm
Mark, can you see Mr Blank and was he putting some English on that ball Bryant kicked? We predict next week he’ll break out his holiday sweater collection unless he lost them in the divorce.
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
2:25 pm
Brooks “Raw Dog” Conrad could start for this sad team.
MFranklin
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
For your halftime entertainment, please enjoy a brief scrimmage between the 1976 Tampa Bay Bucs (0-14) and the 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16).
JSS
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
I’m being quiet before my stalkers start changing user-names!
me
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
The clock ran 2 secs after Julio’s catch that was ruled incomplete. The clock ran 2 secs after the ball landed in the stands when Ryan threw it away.
Your Comment is awaiting moderation
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
6 picks in 6 quarters = a pick per quarter.
I_Hate_Saints
November 25th, 2012
2:26 pm
Not to keep beating a dead horse, but by running that time off the clock, he showed zero trust in either the offense to get the yards needed or the defense to stop the Bucs with 30 seconds on the clock.
Terrible terrible coaching.
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
vesaversa
November 25th, 2012
2:23 pm
The Atlanta Falcons is not a playoff team , i will always be a fan but this guy missing a 32 yard field goal is enough already .
_____________________
It was 22 yards–WAY more than “enough already.”
me
November 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
@vesaversa “The Atlanta Falcons is not a playoff team ”
Stopped reading after that sentence.
mark
November 25th, 2012
2:27 pm
Falcons usually end the 1st half on a positive note. Not this time.
Bucs get the ball first in 2nd half.
Bill
November 25th, 2012
2:28 pm
are chipper throwing the ball in RF on DP attempt….
DawgNole
November 25th, 2012
2:28 pm
Jo
November 25th, 2012
2:24 pm
It should be 17-7 now….what is wrong with the falcons? I dont understand it…
_______________________
What’s not to understand? Same thing’s been happening for 46 years.
team
November 25th, 2012
2:29 pm
We have only beaten one team with a winning record–Denver. And that was one of Peyton Mannings first games back after missing an entire season and playing for a new team after 12 seasons with the Colts. The Falcons are starting to look like pretenders again, which is why the media gives them no respect.
vesaversa
November 25th, 2012
2:29 pm
The Falcons coach is pathetic he need to be fired along with Tunner and their old man linebacker crew .
Riggins
November 25th, 2012
2:29 pm
Let’s see what M. Turner did in the offseason: In the news for baby mama drama: Sitting on that fat posterior of his and not getting those extra pounds off-so he’s slow: Hanging out and getting plastered at Magic Ciy and getting a DUI. and the lists goes on. How long will Arther Blank put up with this? I hope Mike Smith is on the hot seat-because I thought he’d be gone this year. The Falcons got new o-line and d-line coaches, but they’re playing and reverting to how they played last year. That’s the definition of insanity: doing the same thing and expecting different results. That king of attitude and play is going to cost them this game and the next two games in the L column. It doesn’t have to be this way, but I blame the whole team for this-including Matt Ryan.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:29 pm
Bucs were outgained 239 yards to 105 but are tied.
me
November 25th, 2012
2:30 pm
@Sonny Clusters
Did you get fired from Home Depot? What does Mr Blank have to do with this.
Idiot.
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
2:30 pm
The Falcons are most definitely a playoff team. They’re just not a playoff WINNING team. No run game, no pass rush, no defense. Not a playoff winning combination.
The Real Falcon
November 25th, 2012
2:30 pm
Anyone who thinks we should change the head coach is drunk ot stupid. Please be drunk!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
2:31 pm
I dont understand why Smith is more worried about running the clock down than scoring. This conservative nonsense wont get it done in the playoffs.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
2:31 pm
For all the missed opportunities, I still like our chances. The Falcons’ defense has been able to stop the Bucs, but so far they haven’t stopped us … we’ve stopped ourselves. I believe the guys in the Birds’ locker room have both the talent and the confidence to win. This coaching staff has demonstrated an ability to call the right plays to make that happen … and 9 times out of 10, the guys on the field have executed well enough to pull it off. No reason to think that won’t happen today.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:32 pm
Lack of running game and passive Red Zone offense will be the downfall of the Falcons in the playoffs…..just so disappointing when I see a back like Martin and we stay in denial that Turner is our answer….frustrating!
Lil' Barry Bailout
November 25th, 2012
2:32 pm
There aren’t all that many sub-.500 teams in the playoffs for the Falcons to beat.
Riggins
November 25th, 2012
2:32 pm
Every time the Falcons runs Turner on first down up the middle-is a loss of down for the Falcons. So-instead of 1st and 10, they are handicapped as 2nd and 10 on their very first plays.
Great Falconi
November 25th, 2012
2:32 pm
I don’t have a problem with kicking a 22-yd FG with :04 left in the half. I have a problem with missing it. I also have a problem with Matt Ryan getting picked by Barber and killing an opportunity we had to truly put some distance between the two teams. Ryan has 10 INTs in the last five games. We all know he had five last week, but it isn’t as if he hasn’t been handing out gifts in some of the other games. It has to stop now or this team will not secure homefield.
Tareq
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
Patience…well get them in the second half.
Go Dawgs, Go Falcons!
JSS
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
Dang, Kid-N-Play!!!
tmc
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
:38 wasted just before the half…
FG attempt was on 3rd down…
Missed FG and a completely botched time management by the head coach.
= no points and plays left on the field where we could have scored.
The real question will be if any media member in the ATL will even ask Coach Smith to be held accountable for this!
atlfalconsfan0125
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
Smith is becoming the next Jim Mora and its not a good thing. Mora went 0-4 in the playoffs with the Saints before they canned him.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
I understand why the Falcons wanted to run the clock down. I just think they didn’t leave enough time in case of a conversion that didn’t yield a touchdown, which is what they got.
They still had two timeouts remaining, though.
Your Comment is awaiting moderation
November 25th, 2012
2:33 pm
Matt Ryan is now 2 picks shy of leading the NFL.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:34 pm
FG attempt was on third down because there were five seconds left. You couldn’t take a chance of time expiring without getting points.
Although time did expire. And they got no points.
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:35 pm
Red Zone….Red Zone……Red Zone
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:36 pm
Missed a get-off-the-field chance. As you probably just witnessed.
Chuck
November 25th, 2012
2:36 pm
Ok Mike Smith who is taking names on your stupid decisions ? Not having confidence in offense to score 7 or defense to hold em ? What a surprise your team chockes in big plays / games ! Reflection of non agressive coaching !
Pigskin
November 25th, 2012
2:36 pm
To Mike Smith fan bois:
Ahem, he won’t be around next year….thank goodness.
phil
November 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
Nice celebration Babineaux, you dimwit…..celebrating a first down tackle…..moron.
"Chef" Tim Dix
November 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
Omkin = Audio only
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
Tampa Bay ran 17 plays in the first half.
Flowery Branch Yellow Jacket
November 25th, 2012
2:37 pm
The Falcons defense is averaging just over one interception per game. Now would be a good time to get this week’s pick out of the way.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
I mean, they had 17 offensive snaps, total.
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
That’s Dallas Clark. Looks funny in this uniform, doesn’t he?
Randy14
November 25th, 2012
2:38 pm
3rd down defense is so weak……
Mark Bradley
November 25th, 2012
2:39 pm
Falcons are stacking the line against Martin. Another third and long at hand