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
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,049 comments Add your comment
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
Where was Blair Walsh last year? He just hit a big time kick for Minn.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
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.
____________________
NO loss is a good loss, but you’re right about the importance of being mentally prepared, which the Falcons weren’t today.
Wow
December 30th, 2012
4:33 pm
What concerns me is the Falcons lack of run defense in the last part of the season. That will hurt them in the playoffs. They better focus on that between now and their first playoff game.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:35 pm
I suppose Smitty is going to give the players the whole week off now and then get ready for the first playoff game………..if he has his head on right he will have them out their this Wednesday practicing and doing drills and keeping the team on track but knowing the past he probably give them the whole week off to lay around getting fat and out of shape……………………….
FalconUGAFan
December 30th, 2012
4:35 pm
@SouthernDem…I think you are mistaking team support for smitty apologists. Many of us have a wait and see attitude with Smitty rather than apologists. So far he has brought a winning attitude in the regular season but now its time to win some playoff games, so yea we support him but we have higher expectations for this year. And I guarantee Blank has the same expectation despite his public pronouncements.
FalconsWillWIn
December 30th, 2012
4:36 pm
This game means nothing. Abe will be back in two weeks, but I would have sat the starters at least at halftime. Who cares about the Bucs? We should have just conceded this game at the beginning. Matt Ryan passes Bartkowski for most TD passes in a season with 32 and with 4700 yards passing. That’s the only good from today. Plus WE NEED A RUNNING BACK PLEASE! Although I do believe the Falcons who played the Giants two weeks ago will show up for the playoff game!
Big perry
December 30th, 2012
4:36 pm
Here we go agian this is not the time for the falcons to get real soft because it one and done time agian.This team is not hungry this team think regular season with a 13-3 record is good enough; trust me when i tell all falcons fans this they think the playoff is where you just show up to have fun like the pro bowl.I want my falcons to do good in the playoff but when you got the ball 3 min left and long passes down field before getting a first down why in the hell are you quitting that why i say this team is not a super bowl team they are a one and done team why in the hell arthur blank spent his money on this first class clown of a want to be good football team because the falcons and the coches will panic on you if i am lieing make me wrong by winning a playoff games by not going into that panic stsge.
Wow
December 30th, 2012
4:36 pm
Walsh was with UGA Bulldogs last year.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:36 pm
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:06 pm
Falcons will be inspirted in two weeks…….not today. Simple as that.
__________________
“Inspirted,” eh? So THAT’S the problem? I was wondering.
extremus
December 30th, 2012
4:36 pm
It really wouldn’t matter if the Falcons had blown the Buccaneers out today; there would still have been “the questions”. The same questions sportswriters asked after the 1998 Superbowl run (”Are the Falcons really THAT good?”), to which the answer came early the next season when Jamaal Anderson blew out his knee. The same questions that were asked after Smith and Ryan’s inaugural 11-5 season…and the year after that…and after they got blown out at home against the Packers in 2010, after they got shut down against the Giants last year, and after pretty much every game this season regardless of the outcome.
Show me another 13-3 team that people wouldn’t be piling on the bandwagon for; not these Falcons. Partly because of recent history, and just maybe partly because this is Atlanta and not New York, Green Bay, or some other major market that would give the highest Superbowl rating returns (and hence money, which is what the NFL and the media are all about). Partly because, like with the Braves, we’ve seen far, FAR too many promising seasons go up in smoke with a spectacularly disastrous playoff showing. Partly because these Falcons are so schizophrenic; you don’t know from one half to another which side of this Jeckyll and Hyde bunch you’ll be facing.
All of that to say this: scouting the Falcons must give opposing coordinators fits, especially this year, precisely BECAUSE they’re so inconsistent. What worked for them flawlessly last week may be utterly neutralized this week, but then again they could do what they didn’t do last week and that could make up for the slack. And whether he was truly “playing to win” or not today, I can pretty much guarantee that Mike Smith had no intention of showing his best hand to whomever the Falcons will be playing in two weeks. No guarantee they’ll win two Sundays from now, but you can bet he will have them FULLY motivated for that game.
If the Falcons win that first playoff game under Smith and Ryan, let’s face it: there will still be “the questions”. But if they win their next THREE games, we’ll finally have exactly the answer needed to silence the skeptics for good.
jlew
December 30th, 2012
4:37 pm
I am getting tired of seeing Konz getting push to the ground on his back by a defensive tackle. Gruden kept saying he has to get stronger. I guess he’s right. That makes it extremely difficult for Ryan to setup in the pocket.
Wow
December 30th, 2012
4:39 pm
jlew……You are right. He needs replaced in the off season.
Mark Bradley
December 30th, 2012
4:39 pm
The Falcons seem to think Abraham and Robinson will be able to play two weeks hence. They were encouraged that Abraham’s ankle didn’t swell.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:39 pm
TampaGator
December 30th, 2012
4:07 pm
In Mike Smith’s five years…..the Falcons have had their greatest years in their history.
______________________
And ZERO playoff wins during the “greatest years in their history.” That says it all.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
4:40 pm
Well, that was ugly.
FALCANTS DO IT AGAIN
December 30th, 2012
4:40 pm
Once again the FALCANTS showed up – this is not a Super Bowl Caliber Team. One and Done will be their life story.
tom
December 30th, 2012
4:40 pm
DeCloud should apologize for his non-tackle as Martin roars in for a TD. He turned his back to the ball carrier rather than meet him head on with arms extended. Martin in turn bounced off his back and kept going. Also #22 the only person close after McCloud’s miss gave up at the 10 yard line. Stopped running full speed. Anyone on the coaching staff watching this? Falcons have been so inconsistent this season despite a great record will be one and done in their first play-off game regardless who it is.
FalconFreak
December 30th, 2012
4:41 pm
I caught some of the post game interview in the car. It didn’t sound like Smitty doing the interview but whoever it was sounded like a dumba**. “We only know how to play to win even if the game doesn’t count in the big picture scheme of things.” “No, we don’t play our second stringers, we play to win.”
Win what? Obviously the players were playing not to get hurt which always results in injuries. Why not start and play 2nd and 3rd stringers and let them play to win. Whoever was talking couldn’t step back and deduce that what they are really aiming for are for some post season victories. Sometimes these coaches sound really, really stupid and this was just that kind of interview.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:42 pm
“Show me another 13-3 team that people wouldn’t be piling on the bandwagon for?”
Com’ on, ask any Chiefs or Chargers fan, there were plenty of room on those bandwagons (multiple times)…
FleaBitten
December 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
One and Done!!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
I just don’t feel good about the playoffs even playing at home…………….that game today was terrible…………Falcons should have took it to the Bucs with the starters in there and it was like they have just started playing the regular Season again…………..two weeks until a playoff game?………….they will be in trouble if they didn’t take the loss today seriously and get to work as soon as the New Years holiday is over……………………….
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
Abe’s ankle was caught under him but hopefully it didn’t get twisted too bad. He probably acted like it was worse than it was thinking “these fools won’t get me out of the game so I’ll get myself out”.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:46 pm
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:44 pm
I just don’t feel good about the playoffs even playing at home…………….that game today was terrible…………Falcons should have took it to the Bucs with the starters in there and it was like they have just started playing the regular Season again…………..two weeks until a playoff game?………….they will be in trouble if they didn’t take the loss today seriously and get to work as soon as the New Years holiday is over……………………….
__________________________________________________________________________
The Bucs were playing inspired because it was their last game. The Falcons knew they were playing again it 2 weeks. That’s all it was.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:46 pm
@ phil…
When did we become intertwined so much in the apologists minds? You actually support the Falcons!
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:47 pm
Minn. is running up and down the field right now on the Packers. I wonder if the Packer fans are sounding like Falcon fans on their blogs right now.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:48 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?
________________________
ONE championship for ATL pro teams in 156 seasons of competition. Do you not understand that?
And you’re blaming the fans?!
Please! Spare us.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
4:52 pm
jlew
December 30th, 2012
4:15 pm
Trying to find the word inspirted in dictionary, but having no luck.
___________________
Same here (lol). As I noted earlier, “So THAT’S the problem?”
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:52 pm
Lynch, Peterson, Gore, Morris, or Forte This will not be a playoffs for the running game averse to come mildly towards…
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
The Seahawks beat the living crap out of the 49ers last week. I wonder if 49ers fans sounded like Falcons fans on their blogs last week?
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:54 pm
@ kerryb, yes… Packers fans know their teams weaknesses…
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:55 pm
Vikings are giving the Pack a whipping right now 10 – 0……………………….
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:56 pm
If we had to play GB again I think I will not watch it……………….lol
JSS
December 30th, 2012
4:57 pm
They (49ers fans) sounded worse, you guys need to get out more…
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:58 pm
In fact I don’t think my heart can stand to watch the Falcons play anyone in the playoffs…………………………..
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
4:59 pm
To probably nobody’s surprise, I think the Falcons got beat in line play, on both sides of the ball. If they want to do anything in the playoffs, they’ll have to tighten that up. The opposing lines will get better, every week you play from now ’til the Super Bowl (for whatever teams get there).
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
5:01 pm
Watching the NFC games this season their is no one in the NFC the Falcons can’t beat. They have looked more consistent week in and week out than anyone else.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
5:02 pm
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
4:56 pm
If we had to play GB again I think I will not watch it……………….lol
________________________________________________________________
Why? Is Green Bay really impressing you right now? Turn on the TV.
kerryb
December 30th, 2012
5:03 pm
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
4:59 pm
To probably nobody’s surprise, I think the Falcons got beat in line play, on both sides of the ball. If they want to do anything in the playoffs, they’ll have to tighten that up. The opposing lines will get better, every week you play from now ’til the Super Bowl (for whatever teams get there).
____________________________________________________________________________
The Falcons line looked really good the last 2 weeks against the Giants and the Lions who have very good D-lines.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
5:05 pm
playmeortrademe
December 30th, 2012
4:25 pm
Today the Falcons had two options: “lose” in the loss column and go into the playoffs rested and healthy….or “LOSE” by playing starters trying to give meaning to a meaningless game, and getting starters hurt.
_____________________
I see you’ve conveniently left out the third–and by far the most important–option: WIN the damn ballgame!
Why am I not surprised?
Freddie
December 30th, 2012
5:06 pm
Sorry guys, but you all should realize by now that the Falcons are not a championship team………
Cornbread
December 30th, 2012
5:08 pm
The Falcons are in big trouble!Has no running game,no pass rush & the main thing no strong head coach.
jo
December 30th, 2012
5:09 pm
Being “inspirted” or not was the reason for the loss today, I am still trying to find that word in the dictionary but at least we have a cause.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
5:13 pm
Lions and Giants have good rush lines, they are not necessarily good stop the run lines…
JSS
December 30th, 2012
5:16 pm
Martin gashed them for 142 behind a makeshift line… Speaking of that, where are all of those “we stuffed Martin” bloggers?
superdawg
December 30th, 2012
5:17 pm
SAME OLD ONE AND DONE FALCONS. DON’T KID YOURSELF. FALCONS AREN’T EVEN
CLOSE TO BEING GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN A SUPERBOWL
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:19 pm
This is the pick on the other fan blog…………………….yeah, maybe the Falcons will win their first home playoff game in years but in the NFC Title game they will most likely have their buns handed to them by the likes of the Niners or the Seahawks………………………..
Checkdown Charlie
December 30th, 2012
5:19 pm
This game – while it “means nothing” set a tone of December/January football for the Falcons. The defense spends way too much time on the field – Bucs, 7 of 16 on 3rd downs…
The offense?? Well, we’ve see this before as well….Multiple 3 and outs, 3 of 14 on 3rd down, and 2 poor throws/series in the RZ to score TDs…While Ryan put up record numbers this year – he averaged 5 yds per pass today, which is similar to his post-season routine….
I want to be positive, but I’m just waiting for another meltdown.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
5:21 pm
@ Hillbilly D…
Even though they are getting beat, do you think it is a coincidence that Green Bay has turned to their running game?
Checkdown Charlie
December 30th, 2012
5:23 pm
This is a QB league – look at who is hot right now — Rodgers, Brady, etc.
Matt Ryan matches up as a Eli-Manning type, number wise…I think Ryan is more consistent. Before Eli got his ring(s) he started (0-3) in the post-season.
I just don’t like how we risked our starters today, lost both corners and Abe in the process. Why send Ryan out to check down to Quizz the whole game. McCown can do that for you.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:25 pm
I wonder if the Falcon players ever read these blogs in a dark corner of their million dollar homes…………………………hehehehe