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
Georgia
December 30th, 2012
5:26 pm
We’re lucky the Giants are out of it. Worried about the injuries today. Jimmy Johnson said Smith was angry at the Falcons and made starters play longer than they should have. Smith thought the Falcons were ‘cakin’ it. If the Falcons are to have any chance at all we need them healthy. I stay positive, well I have to because I’m dating two of the cheerleaders. Go Falcons!!!
Eric C.
December 30th, 2012
5:26 pm
In 2004, resting starters and enduring a couple of losses in meaningless games at the end of the regular season had no impact on the #2 seeded Falcons and their first playoff game…there is really no excuse for these injuries.
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 30th, 2012
5:29 pm
GEORGIA DOME!!!!!!!!AND EVERY ONE IN IT SHOULD BE THE 12TH MAN IN 2 WEEKS!!!MAKE IT UNBEARABLE WITH SO MANY PENALTIES FOR THE OPPONENTS DELAY OF GAME PENALTIES…WERE GONNA NEED IT!!!!BRING ON THE NOISE..GET BEHIND THE ATLANTA FALCONS…WE WILL BE THE DIFFERENCE..AFTER SPENDING 3500 DOLLARS FOR TICKETS ME AND MY FAMILY WILL DO OUR PART!!
All I'm Saying Is....
December 30th, 2012
5:29 pm
I’m sorry but Mike Smith made a dumb decision today. He should have told the team that we are going to play to win during the first half to keep sharp but then rest key personnel in the second half such as John Abraham.
in any case, what’s done is done so let’s move on, get healthy,stay out of jail, and get ready to win.
LET’S GO FALCONS!
JSS
December 30th, 2012
5:31 pm
Hope you like giving away money…
rip
December 30th, 2012
5:32 pm
It jsut goes to show how dumb coach Smith is, you only have one pass rusher and a player that does so many things on defense and you have him in the game in the 4th qtr. of a meaningless game. So dump, now you have no edge rusher and you will be ONE AND DONE, FALCON RISE DOWN
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:33 pm
lol……….thats what I was thinking too JSS
Pigskin
December 30th, 2012
5:35 pm
Our season just ended today. It’s over.
Rick Patel
December 30th, 2012
5:36 pm
Well, at least it will be two more weeks before the Falcons lose again at home.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
5:39 pm
JSS
Haven’t seen much of them but it doesn’t surprise me. The league is pass happy but you have to be able to run, to win, consistently, in my opinion. Plus you risk fewer turnovers.
Joe 12-Pack
December 30th, 2012
5:39 pm
One more game and Gonzo is gone. Good luck big fella.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:40 pm
Get out that Falcon kool-aid……………………………………….
Growler
December 30th, 2012
5:41 pm
Michael M. and JSS: We’ll see. It’s a week-to-week league and an overreaction league and a match-up league. Truth is, you know as much about what’s going to happen in two weeks as anyone else does: which is nothing.
Pigskin
December 30th, 2012
5:42 pm
o-v-e-r
We had a good year……right?
MTSeats
December 30th, 2012
5:42 pm
Heart warming, the way this team ‘rose up’ for it’s coach, last game of the season. Hope no playoff team plays ‘insipred’.
WC
December 30th, 2012
5:42 pm
@Michael M.
I wonder if the Falcon players ever read these blogs in a dark corner of their million dollar homes…………………………hehehehe
That would explain why Michael Turner looked so mad today.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
5:43 pm
Maybe if the Falcons had gone out and taken control of the game in the first half, the starters would’ve been pulled in the 3rd quarter. That might of been Smith’s plan and maybe the players messed that up.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:43 pm
You are so right, we know the same thing about the Falcons in the playoffs just like the points the Falcons will put on the board which is nothing………………………………..
FalconPride66
December 30th, 2012
5:44 pm
Really? “Punish” your starters by keeping them in longer? Have a plan and stick to it! Pull everyone before the game … or after 1 or 2 series … or after the half … no matter the score … don’t “PUNISH” these guys who have been busting their butts. We had some fundamental problems (poor tackling, Ryan’s passes were off) but face it … Tampa outplayed us in every phase of the game!! We were trying out there, we just got beat.
Bad Newz Bart
December 30th, 2012
5:44 pm
JSS
December 30th, 2012
3:24 pm
The Falcons have played 5 post-season home games, 78, 80, 98, 2004, and 2010… 2-3
JSS, you are a moron! Falcons are actually 3-2 in those games. I was at two of them – in ‘78 we beat the Eagles in the first ever NFL wildcard game, my first Falcons game. In 2004 we crushed the Rams (I was at that one too). In ‘98 we beat the 49ers.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:44 pm
Seriously, I hope the Team does well in the playoffs but I know nothing so there it is…………………………………………
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
5:46 pm
AP is the MVP.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
5:48 pm
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.
_________________
Don’t know about Blank; we’ll find out in 2 wks–IF we’re one and done. But the rest of your post is on
the money.
Great Falconi
December 30th, 2012
5:49 pm
This game meant nothing and the team played like it. I have no clue as to why the starters played so much. I think Smitty worries too much about micromanaging things at this point of the season. If I’m the head coach, I’m thinking that my team has won 13 games, has clinched homefield, and that my starters don’t need much playing time. So what if we lose in front of the home fans? I’d love to win, but I’d rather protect my guys. Instead, most of them played, Abe and Dunta (maybe not such a big loss) got hurt, and we looked like garbage. Again, the game meant nothing. I’d rather see the backups look like crap than the starters.
Anyway, we have a week off and we’ll wait to see who we will play. We earned that homefield advantage. It’s time to get some postseason wins.
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
5:52 pm
The loss today may be the best thing that could’ve happened.
We should be one fired up football team in 2 weeks.
Absolutely no excuses.
Hillbilly D
December 30th, 2012
5:52 pm
I said back during the week that I thought they should play the starters, to avoid a 2 week layoff and coming out flat in Round 1 of the playoffs. I’ll stand by that, I still think it was the right thing to do.
FalconUGAFan
December 30th, 2012
5:56 pm
@Dawgnole-I gotcha. Pure speculation on my part (should have skipped the guarantee part), but thats the difference between me and others here. We all are a bunch of observers and all we can do is speculate. Truth be told, if I were a betting man, I wouldn’t put money on this team. Too inconsistent but they are still my Falcons and I don’t bet!
Timmy
December 30th, 2012
5:57 pm
Falcons seemed to be unsure of what they were doing today … the result of 3 one and dones IMO … a friend texted me that they need to get their s… together … I think that sums it up … I remain cautiously optimistic but nervous as $@&!
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
5:57 pm
Insightful post at 4:36, extremus.
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
I was hoping they lost today so they at least win a playoff game and get the jinx off their backs and they did so on the first part ” successfully “, ………………I look for them to win next week in the playoff game against anyone they want to throw at them but then cough it up in the NFC title game but hope they prove me wrong there………………………………
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
6:00 pm
Everyone(Phil) worried about the NFC west teams — looks like Minn will win today.
Watch out!! Minn. will upset SF in the playoffs.
Seattle(who can’t shake the Rams) will lose to Dallas/Wash next week also.
BravesFan79
December 30th, 2012
6:00 pm
The Falcons have played great after every loss this season, today we looked like crap, but i predict success in the playoffs! Go Falcons!
CRASH CRADDOCK
December 30th, 2012
6:00 pm
SAME OL FALCONS. ONE AND DONE BABY!
O-lineweak
December 30th, 2012
6:02 pm
Peter Konz is too weak to play guard. He can’t single block a good D-Tackle. Other teams have seen this and blow the falcons up inside. Perhaps the Falcons will scheme around this. I hope so. I am a long time falcons fan and do want them to succeed. Konz needs help!
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
6:04 pm
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.
___________________
Was Green Bay impressing anybody two years ago? Nope. How’d that turn out for the Falcons?
MTSeats
December 30th, 2012
6:04 pm
@Bad Newz Bart, my brother and I were there is ‘78, in the rain and just above the TV folks. The right team, Bartkowski could have been great. This is deja vu. Ryan’s a very good QB, but laking an o-line and run game. Falcons are building for 2+yrs, don’t think TD/MS have that long. This team didn’t show up for Smith today.
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
6:07 pm
Nice tackling Vikes!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
6:08 pm
lmao………………….they gave the Pack that touchdown
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 30th, 2012
6:09 pm
FALCONS WILL GET IT TOGETHER IN 2 WEEKS…. YOU WILL SEE A DIIFERENT TEAM THEN TODAY..AND WILL WIN IT ALL BY A SMALL EDGE…YES I SAID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
UGA ECONOMICS MAJOR
December 30th, 2012
6:09 pm
FALCONS WILL GET IT TOGETHER IN 2 WEEKS…. YOU WILL SEE A DIIFERENT TEAM THEN TODAY..AND WILL WIN IT ALL BY A SMALL EDGE…YES I SAID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
6:11 pm
a small edge?…………………….on a wings prayer ?……………………………..
Big Crimson 75
December 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
I really disdain Clay Mathews, Jr.
Liked his Dad, though.
Remember when we brought our version of the over-the-hill gang here in the mid-90’s?
Clay Mathews, Daryll Talley, Biscuit Bennett, Pierce Holt, Jumpy Geathers……did I miss anyone?
JSS
December 30th, 2012
6:12 pm
Bad News…
Inverted numbers genius….
I was at every home playoff game excluding 2010, and I was at the 1982 debacle at Metrodome, 1992 games in Super Dome and RFK, 1995 implosion in Green Bay (on crutches), and both of the Philly losses…
THAT should tell you how much I USED to like the Falcons
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
6:13 pm
Georgia
December 30th, 2012
5:26 pm
We’re lucky the Giants are out of it. Worried about the injuries today. Jimmy Johnson said Smith was angry at the Falcons and made starters play longer than they should have. Smith thought the Falcons were ‘cakin’ it. If the Falcons are to have any chance at all we need them healthy. I stay positive, well I have to because I’m dating two of the cheerleaders. Go Falcons!!!
___________________
Hell, who wouldn’t “stay positive” dating two Falcons cheerleaders? Tough job there, bud.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
6:14 pm
D.J. Johnson and Doleman
Mark Bradley
December 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
Here’s the game column, if you’re inclined.
Mike "CHOKE" Dogs To Death
December 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
The Falcons beat every team they played this season at least once. They split with the teams in their own division, and beat everyone else. They swept the AFC West, the NFC East and the Manning brothers. If you’d have said at the beginning of the season that this is what would happen, any Falcons fan would have taken it.
SWAT Native
December 30th, 2012
6:15 pm
Dan Reeves made a good point on the pregame show today. All of the Falcons losses came in the division, which means they can’t beat the same team twice. 13-3 and .500 in their division. Doesn’t bode well if they get Dallas or Washington in the playoffs.
DawgNole
December 30th, 2012
6:16 pm
Michael M.
December 30th, 2012
5:58 pm
I was hoping they lost today so they at least win a playoff game and get the jinx off their backs and they did so on the first part ” successfully “, ………………I look for them to win next week in the playoff game against anyone they want to throw at them but then cough it up in the NFC title game but hope they prove me wrong there
__________________
Hate to disappoint ya, MM, but they’re NOT going to “win next week in the playoff game . . . .” Of course, they’re not going to lose either since they’ll be off.
But I hope they prove you wrong to in that NFC title game–IF they make it that far.
JSS
December 30th, 2012
6:16 pm
Crimson, you just hate Southern Cal…