Live from Falcons-Bucs: A mighty tough game to manage
Were I coaching, this Falcon stalwart would do a lot of watching in Game 16. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Mike Smith, who coaches the Falcons, says he’s playing to win Game 16, even though Game 16 means absolutely nothing. The Falcons know when (two weeks hence) and where (here) they’ll be playing next, and they know they don’t have to leave town to qualify for the Super Bowl.
As much as you can say that winning sets a tone, I’d suggest that tone has been sounded in Games 1-15. And there’s no compelling history on whether winning a Game 16 that doesn’t matter makes one smidgen of difference come the playoffs.
In 2007 the Patriots won their final regular-season game to get to 16-0 … but a month later they lost the Super Bowl to the team they’d beaten in Game 16. Last year the Packers won Game 16 behind their backup quarterback Matt Flynn to get to 15-1 … and lost their first postseason game.
If the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 45-24 today — that was the score in Game 16 last season, whereupon the Falcons went to the Meadowlands for the playoffs and lost 24-2 — it will make no different when next the Birds play. That game will matter. This one doesn’t. Me, I’d probably play the starters a half and let the JV’s finish, but that’s just me. And Mike Smith hasn’t dropped a hint as to his plans.
Whatever happens, I’ll be here to observe and report, and I’d appreciate your company. And let me wish one and all a belated Merry Christmas and a heartfelt Happy New Year.
By Mark Bradley
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1,049 comments Add your comment
phil
December 30th, 2012
4:03 pm
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
3:59 pm
I see negative Phil is still here.
********
yep. And still right.
As I will be when we get blasted in two weeks.
Robert
December 30th, 2012
4:03 pm
Turners long run for the day….17 yards, His total yards…….18. He sucks
me
December 30th, 2012
4:03 pm
Ivan
December 30th, 2012
4:02 pm
Now thats out of the way
…
LETS GET READY FOR SOME PLAYOFFS
I think you just saw a preview.
1990_Champs_GT
December 30th, 2012
4:03 pm
Sorry coaching. Jimmy Johnson’s right, and so is Strahan and Long. That made no sense at all.
Falconsfan0125
December 30th, 2012
4:03 pm
I am utterly disgusted in Mike Smith today.
WC
December 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Better that we lose this type of game now, than to lose this type of game later in the playoffs. This game will force the Falcons to understand what it means to be mentally prepared for a game.
I hate to say it but this was a good loss.
Jimmy Crack
December 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Could we sneak in a parade down Peachtree before the playoffs?
SouthernDem
December 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Unbelievable. Ankle? He could easily be done for the season. This starter decision made no sense at all and it just may have cost us the postseason.
If the Falcons lose in first round again, I think its time for Smitty to pack his bags and find a new job.
phil
December 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Turner can’t run when no one blocks….
WE suck.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:04 pm
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
4:02 pm
After the playoff loss this year,
“Ladies & Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce our our new Coach: Nick Saban”.
_________________________________________________________________
Another dumb comment. Arthur Blank will NOT fire Mike Smith after a 13-3 season. He would look stupid around the league. Besides, All of you Bama people would jump off bridges knowing that you are a mediocre team again.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:05 pm
After the playoff loss this year,
“Ladies & Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce our our new Coach: Nick Saban”.
I didn’t know Saban was going to Chicago?
jo
December 30th, 2012
4:05 pm
Boooooooooooooooooo!
stephen
December 30th, 2012
4:05 pm
smitty’s job is safe. Atlanta doesn’t measure success with championships only playoff appearances.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:05 pm
All the Smitty pack your bags comments are really stupid.
Falcon Flap
December 30th, 2012
4:05 pm
That was just weird!!!! What the hell did we just try to do out there!???
Mikey D.
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Pretty pathetic performance by the Falcons today. RYan was off all afternoon. Just didn’t seem as sharp as usual. Also, if Dunta is out for the playoffs, he has only himself to blame. He went high on that play, looking for the big hit as usual instead of playing sound fundamental football and wrapping up for a tackle. If he goes for the wrap-up, then he’s not leaving the field seeing stars.
phil
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
What does Jimmy Johnson know about playoffs?
Lol
Robert
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
In mike smiths 5 years have we ever had a pass rush besides Abe?
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Falcons will be inspirted in two weeks…….not today. Simple as that.
ldog75
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Falcons=perennial losers
Reebok
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Whoever gets to come to Atlanta after the Wild Card round is going to be licking their chops. They will have the nearest thing to a sure win in the playoffs this year. The Falcons will be remembering 3 straight playoffs one-and-dones and will have 2 weeks to stew on the fact that they tried to win this game and couldn’t.
Bleed red
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Never happen OLD NICK IS a proven loser in the NFL better stay we he can win and SMITH is a winner ……………………………
NFC South Champs
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
The Bucs move to 7-9, so what?
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
Robert….
In Mike Smith’s five years…..the Falcons have had their greatest years in their history.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Falcons will be inspirted in two weeks…….not today. Simple as that.
________________________________________________________
right
phil
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
Fire Mike Smith!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…………………….lmao…………………ty for making thew 13-3 regular season correct Falcons……………………
david
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
For everyone that says we can’t fire Mike Smith because of a 13-3 season, look no further than Marty Schottenheimer in San Diego. If Mike Smith loses that first game, coupled with some very interesting choices in today’s game, I think he could be on a sheet of thin ice.
I liked the idea of playing starters… for a half. Matt Ryan was getting killed in the pocket, Asante avoided an injury, Duntae got injured, and I thought people should’ve been pulled at that point. The way Abe left, I can’t imagine he’ll be good to go in two weeks. He’s a notoriously slow healer, and best case scenario looks like a high ankle sprain.
Todd grantham
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
Smittys in no danger, but he messed up trying to punish his starters for a poor first half effort.
Brent
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
The Falcons are 3-3 in their own division and have the best record in the NFC. None of the other teams in their division are what you’d call particularly good, either. What a bizarre season. It wouldn’t surprise me if they lost their playoff game by double digits or if they won the Super Bowl.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
Reebok
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Whoever gets to come to Atlanta after the Wild Card round is going to be licking their chops. They will have the nearest thing to a sure win in the playoffs this year. The Falcons will be remembering 3 straight playoffs one-and-dones and will have 2 weeks to stew on the fact that they tried to win this game and couldn’t.
__________________________________________________________
Another dumbell
majordawg
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
When you clearly look like absolute crap, why leave the starters in for the second half?
If the Falcons’ organization was purposely trying to look awful to make everyone else in the NFC overconfident, would it have looked ANY different than that!?
This is why no one takes the Falcons seriously. Thanks for helping me get ready for the playoff loss.
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
I am convinced that Atlanta sports fans are the worse sports fans in America….at least concerning pro sports. Your Falcons have the best record in the NFC…..do you people not understand that?
Frank
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
lost the game.
quite probably lost a key player or two necessary for a chance in postseason.
after the first half, if starters were pulled and we lost, it would be slightly understandable.
and would give the bench some playtime. and would protect the first string.
so what happened.?
NFC South Champs
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
Good practice game for the Super Bowl, Abe will be o.k.
Buckeroo
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
If the falcons has a quarterback, running back, a defense, a coach and new owner…they could have a good team
FalconUGAFan
December 30th, 2012
4:09 pm
Kingdaddy you are right about the trolls…The would have skewered Smitty if he didn’t play the starters. Just they way they roll. I’ve supported them since the 60’s and always will win or lose.
Robert
December 30th, 2012
4:09 pm
Mikey D,… Also, If he keeps his head up
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
4:09 pm
Falcons were 3 & 3 in the South this Year.
Thankfully, the NFL only allows 6 Division Games!!
jo
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
To me, keep the starters in and play to win. Otherwise, play the scrubs and play to lose but don’t try and play the starters if you aren’t playing to win. Pathetic.
phil
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
Why even watch in 2 weeks?
I guess I will but how sad it will be.
FalconUGAFan
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
TampaGator…yep we do…these sorry few trolls don’t speak for all of us.
jlew
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
checklist for the day: 1) play to win the game- starters-sleepwalked lose the game. 2) keep players healthy- 2 starters hurt in a meaningless game. 3)gain momentum for playoffs-no
0-3 good job coach.
Dumb. I hope that doesn’t cause a “one and done” again. Like I said a week ago, should have played subs and worst case, you lose and keep players healthy. Instead, we still lose with starters and get key players hurt. Dumb. Dumb Dumb.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:08 pm
I am convinced that Atlanta sports fans are the worse sports fans in America….at least concerning pro sports. Your Falcons have the best record in the NFC…..do you people not understand that?
___________________________________________________________
I think most of them are idiot fans of other loser teams.
kingdaddy
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
Jss
Frontline work for you?
falconcritizer2012
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
You know thwesad truth is I believe the falcants were really trying to win this game and coach smitz who has no clue nor influence on the game really wanted it for bragging rights; you know because of one and done in the playoffs.
Samuel
December 30th, 2012
4:10 pm
Mike Smith was bent on starting Players all game long. Now Abe’s ankle is hurt and it’s something the coach has to live with. Let’s hope this is a one week injury.
NFC South Champs
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
Still the best record in the NFL.
MSU mother
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
I was kind of hoping they’d lose today–because they play a lot better after a loss. And if I’m corrected, they haven’t had back to back losses in the last couple of seasons or at least, the lowest percentage in the NFL.
RISE UP!
Ivan
December 30th, 2012
4:11 pm
Falcons have beaten every team on their schedule.
No one wants to play them in ATL for the playoffs.