As for the Falcons’ game itself: It was pretty crummy, too
The Falcons stopped Doug Martin the first time around, but not the second. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
This post is an adjunct to the game column, which can be found by clicking here.
1. Offensively, the Falcons were offensive. Matt Ryan’s longest completion — in 44 throws — was for 28 yards, this against an opponent that ranked last in the NFL in pass defense. Their longest run was a 17-yard touchdown burst by Michael Turner, who finished with only 18 yards on six carries. They converted three of 14 third downs. They managed but 278 total yards, their second-lowest yield of the season, and 17 points, a seasonal low. Good thing they played the starters, eh?
2. Defensively, they weren’t much better. The Falcons didn’t muster a sack. They intercepted only one pass by Josh Freeman, who’d thrown eight in the past two games. After holding the smallish rookie Doug Martin to 50 yards in a narrow victory in Tampa on Nov. 25, they saw him rush for 142 yards on 28 carries Sunday, including a rather galling 40-yard touchdown ramble. Good thing they played the starters, eh?
3. About his contingency plans for those starters, coach Mike Smith was vague. It wasn’t clear whether his plan was to stick with them for the duration or to lift them if the Falcons got a lead, which they didn’t. “I can’t say (he’d have played them) all the way through,” Smith said, and then: “If we felt the game was won, then we would make the decision to take players out.” What happened was close to a worst-case scenario: The Falcons played their starters, lost anyway and saw John Abraham and Dunta Robinson injured.
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
196 comments Add your comment
FANtastic
December 31st, 2012
8:53 am
First?
Ostrich Racer
December 31st, 2012
8:55 am
Hard to decide who you want to pull for next week — the team with the quarterback no one can stop, or the team with the running back no one can stop.
In losing a nothing game, the Falcons risked losing far more | Mark Bradley
December 31st, 2012
9:00 am
[...] Further reading: As for the game itself, it was pretty crummy, too. [...]
renova
December 31st, 2012
9:02 am
If the game meant nothing, why didn’t smith put in all second string guys to get some experience instead of guys who might well be playing hurt now.
Screwball
December 31st, 2012
9:05 am
Among the six playoff teams, even playing at home, the Falcons right now would probably be favored only vs. the Vikings. Sorry, it just is. They have a perception problem that won’t go away until they get that first win.
Mark Bradley
December 31st, 2012
9:06 am
FANtastic is kudo’ed.
TommyP
December 31st, 2012
9:08 am
Only the Pack worries me.
But if our DBs are fully healthy, we can take care of business.
Dawgdad (The Original)
December 31st, 2012
9:09 am
They surely now have doubts in their mind about ability to protect Ryan and ability to stop the run, not things you want to be thinking about going into the playoffs. I thought Smith made the right decision to play his starters and try to win, but when he did that, he set himself up for the worst outcome possible, as you said Mark. Give him credit for not playing it safe, but that will also be used against him if they lose.
Their opponent is surely going to take advantage of the things the Bucs did successfully.
The old balls coach
December 31st, 2012
9:09 am
This isn’t college with 90 man rosters. With 45 guys, there aren’t enough to play “all” second stringers. I agree with resting your “skeels” players. As Strahan said, when your line isn’t motivated, it’s time to get the QB out of the game. McKown should have played the 2d half and thrown to the backup tight ends.
Dawgdad (The Original)
December 31st, 2012
9:10 am
If I am the Falcons opponent, I am going all in on pressure on Ryan. TB demonstrated that pressure works, if he has time, with those talented receivers, he is going to complete passes. TB demonstrated that the only way to stop Ryan is with pressure.
AD
December 31st, 2012
9:13 am
Not worried at all provided Abe is ok. For whatever reason, georgia teams need some sort of extra motivation to play well (see the dawgs with the def callout etc). We never lose back to back, we will be at home following a bye (smitty is typically grwat following one) with the place rockin like the giants game, not the snooze fest that was yesterday. We will have willymo back, and frankly there was no way we were winning that game. The teams were playing at different speeds. None of these teams are all that good. To borrow from the sports guy( horrible I know), but we will be playing the nobody believes in us card and the win one for Gonzales card. I think we definitely get the divisional win. The NFC championship is another ball game.
The Root
December 31st, 2012
9:14 am
That was the poorest job of coaching in a very long time. Time to remember A B’ s comments from a year ago. Time to start theSmith watch
McNasty
December 31st, 2012
9:16 am
The Know it All Knuckleheads are striking AGAIN! No one got seriously hurt!
Have all you second guessers even considered that it may have been supreme confidence and (maybe a little arrogant!) that the Falcons used HALF a game plan on both sides of the ball and still expected to beat the Bucs. They know what they have after showing it to the Giants. Look for those Falcons the 13th.
4DaBirds
December 31st, 2012
9:19 am
On to the playoffs.
Yes the game yesterday was lack luster and boring. Yes, the fans were uninspired and couldn’t be bothered with cheering. Yes, we could have done better. Who cares? The game meant nothing. You’ll of forgotten about it by this time next week.
The Falcons are the number 1 seed in the NFC, and all you hear and see are people complaining. News outlets complaining, and running commercials about the stadium debate. Just shut up and enjoy the fact that we have one of the better teams in football. Instead of trying to create drama by casting a dark cloud, maybe you should find a way to be positive about a positive situation.
Rob
December 31st, 2012
9:21 am
As a life long Falcons fan, I definitely want them to get to the Super Bowl. But, please just win at least one playoff game to quiet the critics and put the talk to bed. We are all tired of hearing it.
Charles Jackson
December 31st, 2012
9:26 am
From what I saw yesterday, the Falcons may well be one and done again in two weeks.
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
9:27 am
Seattle scraped by St. Louis yesterday IN A GAME THAT HAD A CHANCE TO EFFECT SEEDING. What if we’d scraped by the Rams in similar circumstances? The media would’ve demanded we be excluded fom the playoffs. But because Seattle has a rookie QB and they are the flavor of the month, you won’t hear anything about it.
Buckhead Benny
December 31st, 2012
9:32 am
Mark,
One of the worst Falcons games i have ever watched- Watching Matt Ryan get beat like that on almost every play and play the whole game and lose was very painful- like being tortured as a fan watching your starters go down to for a meaningless game such a painful and gut wrenching game to watch-
In addition, Mark why doesn’t anybody ask Smitty why let the clock run down the first half and leave a time out left going into half time when you were inside Tampa’s fifty yard line and we run down the clock to try a hail mary like we are in fear of their great defense then Matt Ryan gets pummeled going into half time? I thought right there that meant we were taking our starters out.
I thought that signanled us waiving the white flag going into half time and almost felt like Arthur Blank encouraged this playing the starters the whole game to try a different concept than years past- I think we had a good chance with our new coordinators since they are less predictable than Mularkey and Van Gorder going into this playoffs thats why this was so puzzling to see.
Your right this was like worst case scenario you could draw up for a team as a first round bye and number one seed- hurt your confidence, hurt your starters, and now you know the starters have to be questioning the football intellect of their coach now.
single white dove
December 31st, 2012
9:33 am
Look, if the offensive line cant do their jobs…gee whiz, the defense was not at fault. being out in the game for such a long time. Shame on the Falcons offense, not even a sub par play performance. We could have still won that game with two minutes left….
Big Al
December 31st, 2012
9:35 am
Falcons are rounding into post season form. They will not be around the playoffs for long.
Confused but not scared
December 31st, 2012
9:36 am
Good (and true) comments AD and Buddy Landel. As frustrating as yesterday was, think back to the Carolina game and how we came out the following week. We will blow doors on the Skins or Vikings, and will handle Seattle — it doesn’t matter who we face in that game. It couldn’t be set up better for us to get to the Super Bowl. Two wins in the Dome against NFC teams that all (including GB and SF) have flaws and we’re in. It’s now or never for the Smitty regime.
Crappy start time for the divisional game – Sunday 1pm, but we all need to get there early and make the Dome rock.
Flo- Ri - Duh
December 31st, 2012
9:37 am
Bradley – quit your whining. The only way you would have been satisfied is a 40 point blowout at half time and resting the starters the way. Tampa has a pretty decent team – not like they are Cleveland.
jw
December 31st, 2012
9:37 am
So – EZ chair coaches – what were you supposed to do yesterday? Do you have the league gripe and fine the team for not playing the starters? Do you have the fans gripe and complain because they paid money to see the starters, not jw at tight end and Mark Bradley at QB? Do you have the Falcon Nation gripe and complain because you threw in the towel at halftime? Do you try to win an ugly game to shut up the fickle fan base and media?
To me, yesterday looked like one of those scrimmages that the Falcons do at your local high school each year – all yesterday did was create fodder for you guys, the press and everyone else that refuses to take a seat on the Falcons bandwagon. Bet that changes if we make it to the Super Bowl – and that stinks – either all in or go away -
Worse thing – it’s Monday and deja vu’ all over again –
The Falcons can’t do anything that is satisfactory to the fans in this town. Y’all are a fickle bunch – its a no win situation – guess the only pleasing you would have been a 50 to 0 shellacking with the final score coming with no time on the clock and Ryan running it down their throat. Probably still would have fussed about starters playing too much in that scenario – they can’t win no matter what.
How about supporting this team? – it’s a pretty good one – the Smith (as coach) that is attached to the current Atlanta Falcons has done a whole lot more for the team than the Smith (as owners) that used to be attached to the Falcons – come on – all in or all out – quit the whining and complaining.
At least there is a 17th game – and now it’s expected every year – the fans of the past never saw many 15 or 17 game seasons. Come on – let’s get on board with this bunch. It could be a special year – stick your neck out there and stick up for this team.
Charles Jackson
December 31st, 2012
9:38 am
And from what I saw yesterday and read about the other NFC playoff bound teams, I’d rank the Falcons dead last: 1. SF, 2. Seattle, 3. Green bay, 4. Washington, 5. Minnesota 6. Atlanta.
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 31st, 2012
9:39 am
ANY playoff caliber opponent should worry Falcons fans.
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 31st, 2012
9:40 am
Not sure you can put Minnesota obave Atlanta…
SirReal
December 31st, 2012
9:41 am
I still think it was stupid to have your starters in for that long in a game where we truly had no stake. Dumb coaching decision. As long as Abe and Dunta can go then I guess we’ll be ok…..Kudos to the D overall. This “high-powered” offense better rediscover its voltage…
Mark Bradley
December 31st, 2012
9:42 am
Buckhead Benny, they ran the clock down to five seconds because it was fourth down. Had the Falcons called timeout at, say, 15 seconds, and gotten sacked on fourth down — which is what happened — the Bucs would have taken possession and, with one completion, kicked a field goal.
Go Vols
December 31st, 2012
9:44 am
I’m not normally a big Falcons supporter, but I don’t see another team in the NFC that’s good on both sides of the ball. SF and Seattle are strong on defense but not consistently good on offense (yes, I know Seattle had that huge outburst recently). GB’s D looked awful last night. Falcons should be able to score enough to win in the playoffs. Super Bowl seems achievable to me.
bama52
December 31st, 2012
9:44 am
Didn’t watch the game because we didn’t need it. Our road to glory is on Matt Ryan,the offensive line and who we starts in the backfield. I’m not against Turner but J Rodgers is our best Running Back right now. Our coaches decision will also effect how far we go, yesterday decision is behind us, with the bye we may have time to recover. It’s time to play championship football and we must be aggressive.
KC
December 31st, 2012
9:45 am
This is great. We had the same negativity after the Carolina game, and responded by demolishing the Giants. Maybe it’s the gameplan! Besides we don’t lose two in a row, remember! Be positive folks! Enjoy this ride. There are worse things in life.
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
9:48 am
Charles Jackson- If I hadn’t seen a game all year until yesterday, I’d think the same. But most of us have been following the season since the start and most objective people would rank them much differently than you. Be reminded that San Fran couldn’t beat the lowly Rams this year (and were recently destroyed by Seattle who you have ranked below them), Atlanta already defeated Washington this year, Seattle was gifted a win vs the Packers on that Hail Mary fiasco and have lost to the Cardinals, Lions, and Dolphins this year and are 3-5 on the road. Troll on!
Ted M
December 31st, 2012
9:54 am
Maybe it was for the best and will light a fire under their butts. I still think Smith should have played the starters. But if I’m the Falcons opponent why even bother with the run just go after Ryan.
I fear the 17 yard TD run is gonna cause Smith to call MT’s number too much. I can’t think of a worse starting RB in the NFL. Can any one else?
LKW4
December 31st, 2012
9:56 am
All you Ryan lovers tell me how ghood he was last night! He still stinks! If we weren’t going to play to win why did we play the first string? They play like this in post season we can kiss it! Maybe they will get rid of Ryan if we lose post season – AGAIN!
Jimmy Crack
December 31st, 2012
9:58 am
Coach Smith has a doctor’s appointment Monday with the “20/20 Hindsight Proctology Office”.
Ted M
December 31st, 2012
9:58 am
I think Adrian Peterson will set the record for playoff rushing yards if they play the Falcons.
Confused but not scared
December 31st, 2012
9:59 am
KC – exactly!
Ted M – there are MANY worse starting backs: Stephens-Howling (or whoever carries for the Cards), the Steelers RBs, Jags RBs, Leshoure (Lions), Shonn Greene, Patriots trio of RBs, just to name a few. When the line lets four defenders get into the backfield before Turner gets the ball he doesn’t have much of a chance. I agree that he’s lost a step (or ten), but he’s not getting much to work with. While Quizz shows flashes, he’s gobbled up in the backfield more often than not, too.
steve brown
December 31st, 2012
10:00 am
My biggest concern is that this staff and management is not as bright as I thought they were.
1) Yes they got beat the last 2 times in the playoffs but they were beaten by the ultimate Super Bowl Champ so why they buy into the national media’s BS is beyond me.
2) This is not tennis, golf, etc. You do not risk key players in a meaningless game you let them heal from 15 prior games of violence. Three starters on defense went down and if anyone has the audacity to gloss over the stupidity of the thinking that went into this scenario unfolding they just aren’t very bright. Period.
D man
December 31st, 2012
10:03 am
I guess they didn’t learn in Carolina. I was at the game and it felt as if they were just going through the motions. They didn’t have that spark. I’m not worried because they have shown several times this season that hey can turn it on when it matters most.
GTT
December 31st, 2012
10:04 am
On the bad side, this looked like a Carolina kind of effort from four weeks ago. On the bright side, they almost never lose two in a row and maybe the next game will look like the effort against the Giants three weeks ago.
Ted M
December 31st, 2012
10:05 am
Maurice Jones-Drew is 10 times better then MT so is Rashard Mendenhall for the Steelers
Ted M
December 31st, 2012
10:07 am
Shonn Greene ave. 3.9yds/carry and broke a 1000 yds for a crappy team.
okeetee
December 31st, 2012
10:07 am
Ok, Falcon fans, here’s the bottom line: We’ve beaten some very good teams at home this year, including the Bronco’s, the Giants and the Saints! We lost one meaningless game at home to the Bucs, who we beat on the road in a VERY meaningful game to them! We have shown the ability to rise up for the occasion when a win was absolutely necessary! Yesterdays loss was mystifying in many ways. Seemed like Smith wanted to win the game but many of our starters said “what for?” Trouble was most of those not interested in winning the game and not playing hard were on the offensive line and since we were playing tackle football….it almost got our quarterback killed! We lost two starters and that was not good! But it is what it is. NOW our defensive coordinator must come up with a game plan to derail a rookie quarterback coming into OUR house and playing only the second playoff game of his life! Seattle or Washington, no matter who wins, will bring in a rookie quarterback to our house! Even if the Vikings upset the Packers, that kid is a rookie quarterback, too, right? We rest up this week and hope our coaches can come up with a plan to accentuate our talents and minimize our flaws! EVERY team in this tournament is FLAWED! Let’s just hope they are more flawed than we are!
D man
December 31st, 2012
10:08 am
LKW4 – really? Please explain why Ryan is a terrible QB without saying anything about the 0&3 post season. Keep in mind, all of the great QBs started out slower than Ryan… I’m listening…
colelinski
December 31st, 2012
10:10 am
The Falcons make any low ranked team look like Super Bowl champs. I heard Kory b say they
came out flat. Someone else said they did,t come to play. What in Sam Hill do these grown men
get paid for. It sure looks like another one and out.
If your o-line can,t block, you get beat. And yes the defense played well enough to win. Ihave been a Falcon fan since 1966 and it just seems there is a curse on this franchise. No matter the players or
coaches or GMs, it always seems the Falcons are inept. Could’nt beat their grannys when it gets to the nitty gritty. I am not sure the Falcons can beat anyone in the playoffs.
Falcon James
December 31st, 2012
10:13 am
The starters should have played maybe one quarter. There was nothing to gain by playing them the whole game. The players were going through the motions yesterday and I didn’t really see a game plan. Why was this the first game all season that our receivers could not out run the CB’s? My guess is that they were running half speed. Everything the Falcons did was vanilla. It has been a great season, but the real game is in 2 weeks. No doubt in my mind that we will see them at there best and crush the other team.
Turtsnap
December 31st, 2012
10:16 am
The end to this season mirrors 2010. In 2010, the “experts” didn’t get behind the Falcons, but the fan base felt confident in our team….. and then late in the season, we lost – at home – against the Saints, and the doubts began….. Now this year, same story, and we lose in week 17 to a very inferior team, at home…… and now the doubts begin!! Since it was pretty obvious to me that the players were playing, not to get hurt, more than to win, why did we play them?
"Chef" Tim Dix
December 31st, 2012
10:19 am
Now with all the posturing over, we have reached the point that both organization and fans will have the important questions answered.
DP
December 31st, 2012
10:20 am
Uh oh, I sense the perenially front running Mark Bradley is starting to backpedal on his declaration that the Falcons will win the Super Bowl. But maybe whoever beats them will win the Super Bowl and Bradley can declare if not for that game the Falcons would have won the Super Bowl, like they would have won the Super Bowl 2 years ago if Green Bay hadn’t routed them 48-21 in the Georgia Dome.
Vegas has Atlanta and Houston tied for 7th among the 12 playoff teams on the odds to win the Super Bowl at 7:1. They have Seattle ahead of the Falcons at 6:1 even though Seattle probably has to win 3 games on the road to the get to the Super Bowl and the Falcons only have to win 2 at home.
VinceVanGo
December 31st, 2012
10:20 am
Kontz has been dominated by the defender on him for the past 2-3 games. Have the Falcons got anybody decent to replace him? How about Hawley?
truthbtold
December 31st, 2012
10:22 am
This was another opportunity to show that our coaching staff still doesn’t have any idea how to use our offense. With all of the weapons we have, playing this late in the season against the worst defense in the league, this is all of the scoring we could muster playing at home? The entire league sees that all you need to do is put a little pressure on Matt Ryan and you neutralize the Falcons. Getting hot at the right time is the key to winning a Super Bowl, not win/lose, win/lose. Check out the Broncos!!!!
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
10:25 am
Ted M
December 31st, 2012
10:05 am
Maurice Jones-Drew is 10 times better then MT so is Rashard Mendenhall for the Steelers
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
MJD has been hurt. I think he was referring to the other Jax backs. Mendenhall of 2012 may be about the same as Turner, but 10x better he’s definitely not. He was de-activated for a few games this year due to fumble-itis and is 3rd on their depth chart
MontanaDawg
December 31st, 2012
10:30 am
How does a supposed ‘Championship calibre’ team lose to one of the worst teams in the entire league in this fashion – and with all the starters playing? I’ll tell you how: it’s the Falcons. The regular season schedule wa pretty weak overall and the Birds skated by. Now they assume they will coast to the finish. Best record in the league means nothing right now. Everyone is back to 0-0 once the playoffs start. We are just lucky to get a bye next week. Pitifully embarassing performance. And the folks wonder WHY most Falcon fans are non-believers.
Kurtis
December 31st, 2012
10:30 am
If Mike Smith played to win the game yesterday, like he said he was gonna, then be prepared for another one and done in January. But, if yesterday meant nothing, like we all know it REALLY didn’t mean a thing, then WHY, WHY, WHY leave ALL of the starters out there for the entire game, risking devastating injuries in a MEANINGLESS game? BTW, I sure hope JA55 is OK.
I sure don’t understand what I saw yesterday. I saw a team with the best record in the entire NFL get dominated, AT HOME, by a divisional opponent coming in on a 5 game losing streak. WTH??
I’ve always been a Mike Smith supporter, i think he’s a good man, but if we flop in the playoffs AGAIN, Arthur Blank needs to seriously consider going in a different direction.
Blue Flame
December 31st, 2012
10:32 am
Our right guard (Kontz?) needs help on every passing play. Where’s Garrett Reynolds (cringe)?
Also consider…Ryan has no playoff wins. Griffin, Wilson, or Ponder will have one when they come to the Dome.
Still, I’m optomistic and expect the Falcons to win.
Cajun1
December 31st, 2012
10:32 am
Boids can’t beat the cellar dwellers. Super Bowl, BWAHAHAHA !
Who dat !
Ted M
December 31st, 2012
10:35 am
Perhaps the Falcons will have one of their signature late game miracle comebacks…its been a while since they’ve had one of those.
NORRIS CHUCK
December 31st, 2012
10:35 am
The problem i see is both the defensive and offensive line. Michael Turner 6 carries for 18 yards is un-acceptable. Then, they dont have a pass rush. So come Jan 13th, somebody is gonna take advantage of either or both the offensive blocking or the lack of a pass rush.
ONE AND DONE FOLKS
Cornbread Earl
December 31st, 2012
10:39 am
Let’s make this clear the Giants wasn’t the great team everybody thought they were.Of all the NFC teams that made the playoffs, guarantee you one thing they all wish to play the Falcons because of our weak coach!
Roger
December 31st, 2012
10:43 am
Running Turner is worse than having Ryan spike the ball(lose a down without a loss of yardage).
Forget the “we have to keep the defense honest” BS. If we threw the ball deep each time a normal M Turner run was called, I am sure we could get a much better outcome(and maybe a few touchdowns).
Not sure its all Turners fault as I think we have a run blocking O-Line nearly as bad as the Eagles(and pass protection not terribly better), but when you know your running gam SUCKS, why keep doing it?
And why dont they find more ways to get J Jones involved, via screens, reverses, sweeps etc.
Mike
December 31st, 2012
10:43 am
Yep falcons a lot like uga. Played a soft schedule. When they meet a top team they lose. Funny how uga whiners complain about uf’s bowl when uf played a scheule much harder than ga. 5 top 15 teams reg season versus 2 for ga. seems fair to me for uf to go. Does anyone really think ga would have beaten fsu lsu and tex am? That’s what i thought.
If the falcons were a college team, they would be in a bcs bowl but not the nc playoff–using next years model. Cause they just aren’t a reliable group. San Fran and GB are both head and shoulders above them. that is obvious. If the falcons are lucky enought to beat seattle minn or wash, then will certainly get pasted by gb or sf. with the idiot coach we have, that’s a given.
Dwayne C
December 31st, 2012
10:45 am
I’ve enjoyed reading all the comments. Obviously some folks believe the Atlanta Falcons can win two playoff games and get to the Super Bowl. I don’t.
Same issues keep popping up with this team. The Falcons are “one and done” again in the playoffs. Look for another article from owner Arthur Blank in the AJC recapping a “great” year and offering an apology(of sorts) for the Falcons falling short in the playoffs.
The Atlanta Falcons are well on their way to becoming the Atlanta Braves of the NFL: good regular season team but lousy postseason team.
Stiffneck
December 31st, 2012
10:45 am
How can a team look so good against the Giants and so bad against TB??? I really doubt this team will venture far in the playoffs. But hey, aleast they are better than the ‘birds of old.
Real championship calibre teams...
December 31st, 2012
10:45 am
…like Denver and New England, dispose of lesser teams like, well, like they did yesterday – but not Atlanta, and they get two key players hurt, to boot!
One and done, just like the Braves – and they did not even win their division; good thing they are not in the NCAA’s…
falconsnut
December 31st, 2012
10:49 am
I have no problem with playing the starters, it’s how the starters played that is disturbing. All the other teams we may face are coming in to the playoffs hot, like a team should. Washington has won 9 in a row, Seahawks have won 7 of 8 and mauled the Niners who at least bounced back and beat a lesser team this week like they should. Minn has won 4 in a row and beat the Texans and GB. Then here come our birds stumbling in like Foster Brooks to a Dean Martin roast, losing 2 of their last four. But I will be there, cheering them on and hoping they bounce back and finally win a playoff game.
Jay
December 31st, 2012
10:54 am
Really?xcllent offense? No NE has an excellent offense. 17 points against tb isn’t excellent. And matt ryan is overrated. Packers qb was getting a lot of pressure too but managed 34 points yesterday. He knows how to scramble and make plays. Ryan is a slow footed weak arm patsie. This will be seen again when he throws 2 pics in a game and they get behind 21-3.
Whopper Dawg
December 31st, 2012
10:59 am
If they ran the clock down to 5 seconds because they were scared of getting sacked, TB completing a pass and then kicking a field goal, then we are truly lost. That is the definition of playing not to lose and not having any confidence in your team. And what about the third and one, where we eschewed the run? I would have sent in the jumbo package and run it twice.
If you believe in signs, there are enough of them coming out of this game to think this team isn’t going very far. Can’t run, can’t stop the run, can’t pass rush, can’t pass block is not a good combination in general and certainly in the playoffs.
TDs work on the lines is atrocious, the best players on both lines were here when he arrived, and he has offered up the likes of Hawley, Johnson, Reynolds, Baker, Jerry, Peters and now Konz, marginal players all.
And it shows on the field, and it shows in the coaching staffs decisions. When your coaching staff is afraid to compete due to a fear of a sack, that speaks volumes.
alphadog
December 31st, 2012
11:00 am
The game demonstrated why Atlanta gets no respect, and deservedly so. Champions consistently take out lesser opponents. In spite of their record the Falcons will not be favored against anyone throughout the playoffs, and goodness knows what damage to their legacy will occur with an early exit.
The Dude
December 31st, 2012
11:01 am
Prepare yourselves Falcon Fans! One and done! The Falcons are the most average 13 – 3 team in league history!
Confused but not scared
December 31st, 2012
11:04 am
Ted M – what Buddy Landel said.
I think the doomsayers are inevitable the morning after a performance like that, but I think everyone is delusional if they think we aren’t a better team than MIN, WAS, and SEA, ESPECIALLY at home. I had a feeling we would drop that Carolina game, then a feeling we would bounce back against the Giants. Had the same bad feeling about yesterday, whether or not we “played to win.” Now I have the same good feeling about this divisional game. It’s all situational and what’s going through the minds of our team — they’ll be ready for the “second season,” as Smitty calls it. I’m not predicting anything about NFC Champ. or SB, but I guarantee the Falcons will emerge victorious a week from Sunday.
realitycheck
December 31st, 2012
11:05 am
The regular season is now over and Mike Smith will put his Bobby Cox cape on and we all know what’s gonna happen next. Falcons season ends January 20th at the very latest, and that’s assuming they win on Jan 12th or 13th. Book it!
Falcon Old Timer
December 31st, 2012
11:08 am
From someone who welcomed the franchise to town in 1965 and was a season ticket holder for many years – past experience tells me – One more game – maybe two if they get lucky.
DO NOT GET YOUR HOPES UP WITH THE FALCONS – ANY TIME OF ANY YEAR!!
The ONLY thing they know how to do – and have done consistantly since they became a franchise is CHOKE.
The only time they did make it to the Super Bowl – what did they do? CHOKE! The only fans who hold out hope and think this franchise has what it takes to win on a consistant basis – are the “new” fans who ignore this teams history. Good luck with that. I’m just thankful I no longer live in the Atlanta area where I’ll have to pay for a new facility for these guys.
GameReviewer
December 31st, 2012
11:15 am
The Falcons were saving their BIG PLAYS for the playoffs. They wanted to put this sorry A** performance on TAPE for their playoff opponent to drool over. Just like the Panthers and then Giants game. The only problem was that they let the BUCS beat us in OUR HOUSE. That can’t be allowed even if the game is not important.
Rick James
December 31st, 2012
11:20 am
One and done in the playoffs?
Peter
December 31st, 2012
11:20 am
No pass rush…. a repeat from a few years ago, we get hammered by a very mobile Arron Rogers.
some day we will get a defensive line that can rush the passer, but by then Turner, Gonzales, and White will be gone.
Always a bridesmaid.
Just Asking?
December 31st, 2012
11:22 am
Can anyone see that that Matt needs to start throwing short passes? He used to be great at that but has gotten enamored with throwing the long route. The touchdown bomb will be open if he starts by throwing to the open guy underneath.
Peter
December 31st, 2012
11:22 am
Let’s make this clear the Giants wasn’t the great team everybody thought they were
Let’s make it clear..they can rush the passer, and that is how they beat New England.
Reebok
December 31st, 2012
11:23 am
One & done yet again. This is like watching the Braves under Bobby Cox…the team has enough talent to make it to the playoffs each year but lacks the guts to man up & beat good teams when it has to.
ctfalconfan
December 31st, 2012
11:31 am
As a diehard fan I was not happy with yesterday’s game however looking back on it, it’s the best outcome we could have wanted heading into the play-offs..
If we had rested the starters, win or lose we would be thinking “No big deal, we are the number 1 seed and we’ll be ready in the PO.”
Start the starters and win, same as above, ” we are the best team, etc..”
Start the starters and lose against the sorry bucs and it’s a good slap in the face to this team and their coaches that they need to wake up and work hard over these next 2 weeks otherwise they will be 0-4 in the PO..
Tarryuga
December 31st, 2012
11:31 am
What in the hell was that?!!
Playoffs?!
Right. They looked really ready for’em.
Ummm, Go Falcons?
4DaBirds
December 31st, 2012
11:33 am
I’ve never seen so many dumbasses that think they know football. I’ve never seen so many naysayers predicting the demise of the Falcons. JUMP OFF THE BANDWAGON! You are the ones stinking it up with gloom, doom and idiotic rants.
d-man
December 31st, 2012
11:36 am
Quite a few on here have blasted the Falcons offense for the loss yesterday. They certainly did their share (especially the O=line) to contribute to the loss. However, after the Falcons intercepted and the offense scored, the defense turned right around and let the Bucs score almost immediately and easily. Then there was the blocked punt on special teams, so this was a TOTAL team loss. I think the biggest negative from the game (aside from possible injuries) was it once again showed the potential opponents that if they can dominate our offensive line then they can win the game. No big secret I guess but it probably makes game planning a lot easier.
WhatNoOneWillSay
December 31st, 2012
11:37 am
I don’t think the Falcons will do well in the playoffs. And the reason is the people who run the Falcons are simply not very smart.
Point 1- Smith and Blank have never understood that the playoffs are like playing a different sport. During the regular season teams are not playing at MAXIMUM effort and you get the luxury of playing mediocre teams. This is where Smith’s no turnovers / low penalties create a lot of wins.
But in the playoffs there are only good teams who REALLY want to win and the old Falcon predictability made that easy for opponents to do.
Point 2 – Smith WILL get conservative in the playoffs because that is who he is. Smith is a very nice man who has never understood that ALL great battles are won with boldness, NOT with being conservative. Washington attacked the British when they least expected it. MacArthur attacked an Inchon which was a huge risk.
The Falcons are a very good football team with a very good QB and lots of talent.
But “Management” playing the starters in a meaningless game because “resting” the players in previous years shows they are too dumb to understand why they failed before and so risked the entire season.
What if Ryan had been hurt for the rest of the season. That alone would have meant end of season.
What if Abraham had broken his ankle? Why not let Assante rest that injured arm?
Again, Smith is a nice guy, I like him but he can’t be very smart in that he kept MaLarky for four seasons. Not only did MaLarky’s predictable offense spell doom for the Falcons against good teams, look what MuLarky did for Jacksonville. Jacksonville went from 5 and 11 to 2 and 14.
In their 18 year history this was their worst season (they were 1 and 7 at home).
Boldness wins and intelligence wins. Smith does not have boldness and playing already injured starters in a meaningless game shows real stupidity.
JSS
December 31st, 2012
11:39 am
“Lowly Rams” you can tell who never watches the other games in the league… The Rams get off the field on 3rd downs… Still, the Seahawks ran the ball down their throats, only two teams have done that to them, the Vikings and the Seahawks… Keep on dreaming… It is finally the playoffs!!!
mock1
December 31st, 2012
11:40 am
The lack of pressure from a pass rush and no running game will lead to another early exit i am afraid,but I hope they can Rise Up!…SMH!!!
Finklestein
December 31st, 2012
11:47 am
The Falcons played like a bunch of girls. Did you see the Green Bay-Minn. game yesterday? Both teams played great. Now that’s how teams should play and look going into the playoffs.
Finklestein
December 31st, 2012
11:47 am
Man up Falcons! Man up!
optimistic
December 31st, 2012
11:48 am
The o line was wooped, but it was a meaningless game. Divisional opponents are built to match up against the Atl – NO type offenses, 3 losses against division, none against anyone else. I sure hope TD is scouting hard for a power RB. Another Alfred Morris type in the late rounds would be nice.
Anyway 2 weeks and forward is all that matters for the birds. Go get ‘em.
ctfalconfan
December 31st, 2012
11:50 am
We can beat MN, SEA or WAS so don’t everyone start panicking….
We will host GB or San Fran in the Championship!!
Now, whether or not we can beat those 2 team i a different story..
Go Falcons!
jbill
December 31st, 2012
11:53 am
Pretty Crummy too…is mild for damn right sorry. How do you earn RESPECT playing like crap on both sides of line.
Meaningless—without significance or purpose…then why play the damn game and charge for it..Tell that to the Buc’s who played their a@@ off to win. Senseless.yea right.
You play the game to win…every game!
Happy New Year all fans, reporters and good Americans.
truthbtold
December 31st, 2012
11:54 am
Why have the Falcons not picked up another defensive end? We cut Ray Edwards, and have a spot on the roster open and money to pay a top player. Lord knows we need one! The brain trust on this team just defies logic. Why do we keep taking the opening kickoff at the beginning of games when we obviously need to have the kickoff to start the second half because we play so tight? Does it take a genius to figure out that this team has a severe handicap at play calling? The defense demonstrated effective play calling against Denver early in the season, and hasn’t used that tactic since. I don’t think we know what a blitz is? And every team in football sees that if you continually rush Matt Ryan, you completely shut down the Falcons. They become a 3 and out team. Special teams hasn’t scored all year, and the defense still has fundamental tackling issues. Get it together Falcons – It’s playoff time!!!!!
teetyme
December 31st, 2012
11:54 am
Why did we let the last minute or so go without using the three time outs? Stranger things have happened. Smith is so erratic, always changing his mind or not…who knows what he is thinking. Time for him to go. I cant see the Falcons winning anything. We have absolutely no pass rush, no stunts, no kick blocking ability, we never get close to a block. Cant stop the bull rush when we punt. Have no special teams coach who can set up returns, etc, etc, etc. You think we’ll win…good luck. And I have been a Falcon fan from the beginning. Sickening. We have hit a plateau, just like we did with Leamon Bennett.
ctfalconfan
December 31st, 2012
11:56 am
jbill – The bucs played their @$$ off since this was their Super Bowl..lol..
- They were playing and coaching as if their livelyhoods depended on it which they did…
david
December 31st, 2012
12:01 pm
Confused but not scared,
You really think the Patriots’ RBs are worse than Ryan? Have you seen Stevan Ridley play this year? He has 1,300 yards, is averaging 4.5 per carry, and has 12 touchdowns. Please don’t tell me Turner is having a better year than that.
This team is majorly flawed in two areas (they’re flawed in more than two, but these are the biggest weaknesses): Offensive line and running back, in that order. And the offensive line, unfortunately, is very flawed on the interior — Konz and McClure are getting pushed around, which doesn’t allow Ryan to step up in the pocket, and puts the pressure right in his face on every snap. Having watched what Arizona, Oakland and TB did to us, I can’t imagine a team not just sending people up the middle at us — it’s very effective, and it doesn’t matter how good Roddy, Tony and Julio are if we don’t have time for the routes to develop.
jbill
December 31st, 2012
12:04 pm
I believe the Falcons can win..the players just did like MARK kept preaching its Meaningless and didn’t show up! Coach Smith had said all week we’ll play to win..well the players didn’t get the memo!
jbill
December 31st, 2012
12:06 pm
ctfalconfan..I agree…they deserved to win.
ctfalconfan
December 31st, 2012
12:07 pm
truthbtold – the team is still paying for Edwards every though they cut him.. Also once the season starts there aren’t extra DE (who could make an impact) bagging grocies that you can just go sign.
Teetyme – Agree, I was beside myself as to why we weren’t calling our 3 time outs at the end of the game, then force TB to kick a FG. We would get the ball back with ?? 20-30 sec. down by 8. I know the odds of us scoring and getting a 2 pt conversion would be slim but it’s a shot.
Same at the end of the half. We run the clock down to 5 sec? Why? We could have called a TO with 30-40 sec left try to get a first down then we would have time to move into FG range or try a shot or 2 into the endzone.
Smitty on 4th downs last year. The 2 point conversion he didn’t go for that cost us the game in New Orleans this year.
Also I HATE 3RD AND ONE OR TWO and we ALWAYS ine up in a shot gun formation with no back in the backfield?? Ryan is no threat to run so you are telling the defense 101% chance of a pass, even if you are going to pass put a RB in just to keep the defense guessing.
I like Smitty but he needs to step up big time if we are to reach te next level.
falconsOdor
December 31st, 2012
12:15 pm
This team lacks killer instinct…unfortunatley this looks alot like 2010 with a one and done…hopefully in the offseason some changes will be made…starting with mike smith having some fire in his belly and get a real running back…turner is washed up..
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
12:22 pm
JSS
December 31st, 2012
11:39 am
“Lowly Rams” you can tell who never watches the other games in the league… The Rams get off the field on 3rd downs
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yes, the lowly Rams. They had a losing record including losses to teams like Miami and NYJ. Apparently, they get off the field on 3rd down on OFFENSE too much.
senior falcon
December 31st, 2012
12:23 pm
I realize that Kontz was drafted as a center but if he is to play guard(or even center)he is going to have to put on AT LEAST 20 lbs of solid muscle. He has been run over more times than road kill on 285.
Bull Butter
December 31st, 2012
12:26 pm
Get ready Falcon fans,its playoff time again,time to get your hearts broke again! Atlanta Falcons,wooping boys of the NFL in the playoffs!
Never First, Just the Best!
December 31st, 2012
12:28 pm
The best we can hope for is what we all really saw in the CR and TB games. One team wanted it worst than the other. I think we can safely say the Falcons should want to win the next three games worst than any meaningless division game. Go Birds. This will be my last year to watch so win it all.
NFC South Champs
December 31st, 2012
12:39 pm
Happy 13-3 New Year !
cdog
December 31st, 2012
12:39 pm
even though the officials allowed the bucs secondary to hold the falcons recievers all the way down field, matt ryan needs to step up his game if the falcons are to get to the superbowl. hes holding the ball too long and when he does throw it, every throws goes 2 or 3 yards or short of the 1st down markers. hes not attacking the defense any more.this is the year he should be boyond those mistakes.thomas decoud is scared to tackle.as the free safety noone should never get past him but he constantly missed tackles against the bucs.the falcons defense need to correct all mistakes now.there is no more excuses, its superbowl this season.michael turner is a waste.if jacqiz rodgers had his size, he would be unstoppable.turner need to let go of all of his bad habits now.if he shows up in the playoffs, no one will beat the falcons.its now or never for the falcons. all games are in the dome so there is no reason the falcons shouldn’t win the nfc and go to the superbowl.the fans should be electric in the dome and fire the falcons up in both games.
Gman
December 31st, 2012
12:51 pm
Falcons went .500 in the division and the 3 wins could’ve gone the other way. Teams that know them well don’t have much trouble with them.
Big Ray
December 31st, 2012
12:58 pm
May as well get ready to fire Mike Smith.
Likely as not, he’ll carry his stupid decision-making into the postseason.
captguitarman
December 31st, 2012
1:09 pm
What a dissapointment. At 13-2 it was still not safe to bet your ranch on which Birds would show up for the game, and now even less safe at 13-3. After the New York Giants game, it seemed to safe to finally, at long last, go “all-in” with the Birds, but (there is always a “but” isn’t there?) after yesterday, who knows what the play offs hold?
Clearly, ambivalent fans (even those who don’t wan’t to be ambivalent) are the product of teams ambivalent about winning and who don’t show up to win . . . every time . . . all the time . . . as the great teams do. Had they played the entire game with the heart they showed at in the fourth quarter, and still gotten beat, that would be one thing. But they woke up from their inexplicable coma three quarters too late – a sure way to lose a play off game. So, why ever even go there, no matter who you are playing?
Watching Green Bay, Minnesota, New England, and Washington (yes, even Washington) and highlights of Denver (watch out for Denver!) and New England, Minnesota and San Francisco, it just makes you wonder what those teams are drinking that the Falcons are not drinking.
Yeah, yeah, yeah . . . meaningless game, end of year, bye and home field secured, etc. If that was the case, then it was a great day to rest the starters and give the back ups a chance to see what they could do rather than let the starters just walk around out there and get hurt. The coaches are responsible for yesterday’s fiasco too. Bet the subs would have played with more inspiration and determination than we saw.
So the Birds will sit for a week and get ready for their first play off game at home. But we won’t know until kick off which team has shown up. Let’s just hope it’s not the one that played yesterday.
jo
December 31st, 2012
1:10 pm
Yesterday was pathetic. Either play to win with the starters or sit them down and play to win with the scrubs. Yesterday looked more like going through the motions……
jo
December 31st, 2012
1:12 pm
agree with captguitarman’s summary of the situation….
L.A.Mont
December 31st, 2012
1:27 pm
I was at the game yesterday. Let’s not overreact to a meaningless loss to the Bucs. You know after the Falcons beat the Lions and clinched everything, they would relax, and they did. Everone else in the NFC had something to play for and they played like it, and the Falcons didn’t. Even in the AFC, the top three seeds had something to play for and they played like it. Look at this way, they played relaxed and poorly and lost by 5, with the ball and a chance to win in the last two minutes. Just get Abraham and Robinson ready, and they’ll be ready Jan 13th.
JSS
December 31st, 2012
1:28 pm
You mean like the “lowly” Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers? Half a game from .500, like those teams that were the meat of the Falcons lofty record…
You’d die to have Chris Long and their MLB…
mgm
December 31st, 2012
1:35 pm
Why is it that this team gets little to no respect nationally. Because they strike no fear in anyone. They have played a very easy schedule. NFC East, AFC West, (played Denver when Manning was still rusty). Three loses in their own division. Struggled against some really bad teams, Oakland, Arizona, Carolina. Have no running game. God forbid they have a 3rd and 1. What they do do is give up a lot of yards and take advantage of turnovers so the score doesn’t reflect that teams move the ball on them. They don’t make penalties. They have a great passing game when they protect the quarterback. Unfortunately, in the playoffs, all the find balance, opportunistic plays, and defense when needed. Also, they haven’t won in the previous 3 tries. No record or experience of winning to draw from. Tony Romo last night was a broken man at the end of the game. His history is becoming well established. Can this team shrug off the mantle of history and take that next step. This season feels like anything short of a Super Bowl is failure.
kelley
December 31st, 2012
1:37 pm
It will be 0-4 after next week. Wait and see
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
1:50 pm
Yes, I would love to have Long, Laurinitis (sp?), and Dunbar from that defense, but they are still not a playoff caliber team. Thus, the “lowly” label I dubbed them.
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
1:53 pm
I’d also like to add RBs Richardson and Jackson. Hell, Isaiah Pead might even be an improvement over Turner.
Sean
December 31st, 2012
1:53 pm
We kept everything vanilla for yesterday’s game. He played the starters to keep them gametime fresh, but that wasn’t even close to our aggressive game plan style.
Stop panicking, everyone. We’re fine. Smitty played Week 17 perfectly. The injuries are minor, from what we’re told. We’re ready. Let’s do this!
Frank
December 31st, 2012
1:59 pm
I hate to say this, but I concur that a key weakness is our head coach. We have alot of talent on the team. Several superstars. I just don’t hear anyone comment what a smart, cutthroat winner coach we have or even comment what a brilliantly coached game we had. Do other playoff team coaches fear the ferociousness of our coach?
The excuse about ‘doing it right’ by playing starters until several were hurt … i mean, what the hell does that mean?
Which game was more important in the big picture, Tampa Bay or the first playoff game? You go from there.
JSS
December 31st, 2012
2:02 pm
“Lowly” is still the wrong word, they are not the Chiefs, the Raiders, Cardinals, Bills, or the Jaguars… Those are “lowly” teams… No offense, no defense, and horrible special teams…
The Skins, Niners, and Seahawks all knew how tough they are…
James Laurinaitis is great in calling that defense once teams audible…
Moreover, they went South offensively the month that Danny Amendola went down… 3 straight losses, simple as that…
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
2:08 pm
I agree they are not with the other teams mentioned. I’ll give them middling.
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
2:10 pm
Until the Rams get a consistent downfield threat, I don’t see that offense improving much.
Decatur Falcons
December 31st, 2012
2:11 pm
Playoffs: Atlanta Falcons had a tough schedule in the regular seasons, I don’t care what anyone says about it. Atlanta Falcons got hot at the right time and took advantage winning 13 of 3 games. The Atlanta Falcons need work and when you see a team like the Dallas Cowboys with a quarterback like Tony Romo who is a great quarterback come up short it breaks your heart. NFL is cruel ladies and gentlemen; therefore, if you can’t manage the game and manage your players putting them in the right situation to win a game then it is time to go home. Coach Mike Smith got to look at his quarterback Matt Ryan, because you live or die by your quarterback in this NFL (Lovie Smith and Jay Cutler), what can we do to make you better. Coach Mike Smith has been on this rode before with all three phases and if he and the coaching staff of the Atlanta Falcons can help Matt Ryan to get over the hump and play like a Troy Aikman, Tom Brady, Joe Montana, and so on then the Atlanta Falcons have a fighting chance to get to the Super Bowl. People have to undersand it is hard to win in the NFL and to get all 53 man to play as one heart, mind, and soul on game day. Coach Mike Smith has two weeks to get his act together to get Special Teams, Offense, and Defense to play hard on January 13, 2013. It starts now ladies and gentleman; time is cruel just like the NFL is cruel we all saw when the Redskins beat the Cowboys Sunday Night. Atlanta Falcons don’t be like the Cowboys and Coach Mike Smith don’t be like the Cowboys Coach looking crazy in front of the media. RISE UP!!!! GO FALCONS!!!!
Farnsworthy
December 31st, 2012
2:14 pm
If they can’t beat really awful teams like the Bucs/Panthers/Saints, how are they going to beat any of the other NFC teams in the playoffs? Right now, I don’t see them even beating the Vikings – the lowest seed.
….Pathetic!
Ivan
December 31st, 2012
2:15 pm
Lots of firings today in the NFL.
Oh look…coach killer got another one! LOL
steve brown
December 31st, 2012
2:18 pm
My kingdom for 1 yard on third down! They can’t figure this out so no wonder they miss-managed this game. We don’t need drug tests we need I.Q. tests.
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
2:19 pm
Someone that says “miss-managed” is calling for someone else to get an I.Q test?????
Farnsworthy
December 31st, 2012
2:22 pm
………….try mismanaged next time.
Heard it here first!
December 31st, 2012
2:24 pm
Ryan will asked to be traded after one and out this season.
cloudodust
December 31st, 2012
2:28 pm
If one buys into the adage ‘Trap Game’, then the Bucs provided it. Might could say the same for the Panthers, too. From here on out, it really is a new ballgame.
Never First, Just the Best!
December 31st, 2012
2:31 pm
Ivan
Lots of firings today in the NFL.
Oh look…coach killer got another one! LOL
LOL ….YA HE DID…… LOL
Never First, Just the Best!
December 31st, 2012
2:34 pm
I hope it was just a vanilla game plan for yesterday’s game. Because I could draw better plays in the dirt with a stick and have.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
2:44 pm
@ZERO: So Harlequin what does it take for Falcons to be a winner with you? They must need to play and defeat someone to prove your sorry ashes you are dead wrong. I guess they need to play: 1st) Seatlle 1/13th —- 2nd) GB or SF 1/20th or 21st whoever survives right, and then your sorry ashes will say “well they were just beat-up” to bad from the previous games. Once the Falcons beat those teams “RIGHT”? Harlequin, “you are a joke”, why do you waist your time on this blog? Jus take your 14D botox rimmed mouth and go away, don’t you have a bed pan to clean-up along with that drooling mouth? What a “DRIP”!
Get your sorry ASHES back in that GROTTO with the GRIFFINS……Those demons will listen to your botox lip service, plus you could slap’em around all your desires……….
Go Falcons
JSS
December 31st, 2012
2:47 pm
What did Bob Bratkowski or Gregg Knapp get Mularkey or Dennis Alen canned?
Ryan Fitzpatrick got his 4th (Martz, Jauron, Fewell, and Gailey)… Bunch of deflectors
Buddy Landel
December 31st, 2012
2:57 pm
what just happened there? Harlequin? peria Jerry? Chuck Wepner? someone connect the dots.
JSS
December 31st, 2012
2:59 pm
DeCoud needs to practice actually tackling, show that you’re a “true fan” and volunteer to be a tackling dummy… The dummy part won’t take much of a reach… Dang, he’d even whiff on that too…
Real Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
3:25 pm
I’ve heard interviews from Mike Smith, Tony G., Roddy, Matty, and even A. Blank and none of them are happy with yesterday performance, but some of you (supposingly bigger fan than us realist) question our loyalty because we also criticize that piss-poor performance. Get a grip, the Falcons are not going to win because we all are not drinking out of the same fan cup. As a loyal fan, I have higher expectations than those of you who always look at the bright side of a loss.
doggoneit
December 31st, 2012
3:26 pm
It’s hard to get up for a game that is meaningless. I would have played my starters for one quarter then took them all out. Mike Smith was an idiot for playing them!
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
3:30 pm
@3:25 “YOU MUST BE TALKING TO — 3:27 the ZERO
Falconetti
December 31st, 2012
3:49 pm
The betting line SB favortie is a team we already beat.
We have the best possible schedule for the playoffs. It is impossible for us to have to play both GB and SF, the two other good teams in the NFC. It’s suddenly very fashionable to like Seattle, but they barely won yesterday, have been beaten by four weak teams, and haven’t played well on the road.
My guess is we play and beat get Washington, another team we already beat, here in our first game. Then we will play the SF-GB winner in round three for a trip to the SB.
Go Falcons..!!
December 31st, 2012
3:50 pm
Every Year this team Gets Better..Falcons. Thanks for 13-2. I remember the lean years.. when 13-2 would have been unheard of.
They will regroup and play Balls to the Wall…you’ll see. It’s what they do.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
3:51 pm
Well — you are the “ONE” that knows ALL about bedbugs, also my guess is another expertise/specialty of yours is bed pans, adult dappers & linens etc., — who knows whatelse — “The self proclaimed walking book of knowledge”!!!
Get your ashes back in that grotto and stay there………..
j
December 31st, 2012
3:53 pm
Dumbest coaching decision ever to play starters all game.
inkspot
December 31st, 2012
4:13 pm
Sunday Jan 13th. This will be where the new OC and DC earn their money (or not.) I think we’ll see the Falcons win in a blow-out, and then advance to the Superbowl.
Farnsworthy
December 31st, 2012
4:14 pm
Uh, they are 13-3.
jlew
December 31st, 2012
4:17 pm
I have to admit that change at the coordinator positions did make us better without any positive change in personnel. (loss of Lofton hurt) But it did not work on O line. We fired O line coach because we couldn’t convert short yardage runs against Saints and Giants last year among others. Well, we corrected that. We don’t even try to run in those situations, anymore. 3rd and inches now is a passing down. We have to improve O line personnel in off season. I hope they can at least keep Ryan protected in the playoffs even if it can’t run block. Konz will need some help to hold up.
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
4:18 pm
No comment! See you guys in two weeks! Please all of you naysayers and those that follow the Mayan Calendar show up in two weeks on Sunday the 13th after the game and lets hear your insight then. Until, Happy New Year!
sflanagan21
December 31st, 2012
4:19 pm
If anyone in their right mind thinks that game yesterday will dictate how the Falcons will play in the playoffs then your either an idiot, a Packers fan or not a TRUE Falcons fan. Yes we all wished the game and the tempo would have been different but that game meant absolutely nothing to everyone that padded up and unfortunately it showed in their performance! But fortunately nobody got seriously injured!
Believe the media BS if ya want, but the Falcons are the real deal and there is NOT a team in the NFC that worries me at all. Now the Broncos and the Pats are a different BEAST, but I still like our chances of winning it all this year!
Poor Tackler
December 31st, 2012
4:22 pm
One thing I noticed, the defensive tacklers could not tackle a girl if thet had been running with the ball,lol.
jlew
December 31st, 2012
4:23 pm
Can’t take a great regular season away from them. They have done everything they needed to do. However, we need a strong showing in playoffs. Hopefully, we could out focused like the Giants game this year and not last.
Farnsworthy
December 31st, 2012
4:26 pm
Bears fire Lovie Smith? The Bears win 10 games and he gets fired? Must have been something going on behind the scenes.
jlew
December 31st, 2012
4:29 pm
Any update on injury to Abe? Nothing since the comment by CMS “thinking” it wasn’t serious. I would still like to confirm something. Mild sprain, day to day, etc.
Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
4:36 pm
Lovie got fire for not getting the job done. He’s fortunate to have gotton nine years. How long we gonna give Mike Smith? Jim Mora Jr took the Falcons to the NFC Championship and look where he’s at.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
4:36 pm
Like i said in my 3:10 message to you “Lil” Spanky — You got the message!
JSS
December 31st, 2012
4:37 pm
There wasn’t anything going on behind the scene in Chicago… Lovie has been on notice that not making the playoffs was not acceptable… Moreover, they could not beat the Packers regularly… Unlike Mike Smith (see his record against the Saints), that generally gets you the boot!
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
4:42 pm
Amazing how much “knowledge” some of these bloggers think they have!? Incredible and just pompus! Would love it if some of these people on here would show some humilty! Not to mention incredible to see so many non-fans that want to bash the Falcons. Wonder why they show up to tell us how bad a 13-3 #1 seed team is if they dont like the Falcons? Go figure cause for 16 weeks I just cant!
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
4:50 pm
As the saying goes ” a hit dog will holla” dont think I was talking to.anyone particular but you can tell the all knowing ones on these blogs. Happy New Year, be aware of posers and the likes! Lol. They sneak up in you with all this jargon about the NFL yet they go back to community service hours on Wednesday!
JSS
December 31st, 2012
4:54 pm
They must have been “hit dogs?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmpv2i02JNc
Those leaving must need to report to their PO’s?
steve brown
December 31st, 2012
4:58 pm
Buddy – good one – you got me
Answer This
December 31st, 2012
5:01 pm
JSS you the greatest, I have nothing to say to you yet you feel you need to respond to me. Dont waste your breath on a Falcon Fan, you are way to intelligent for that. You have much more knowledge than I do. I have nothing to say to you. I am only hear to speak with other Falcon fans. Your knowledge outweighs my brain. Please continue to post with out wasting all of your knowledge on a Falcon fan like me. I dont deserve to talk to or at you. Happy New Year
gabugman
December 31st, 2012
5:02 pm
You can all blame me for the poor performance yesterday. I promise not to wear the cursed jersey my brother gave me for X-mas last year ever again. It is a 100% loss guarantee. Win the SB and I’ll burn it!
4DaBirds
December 31st, 2012
5:21 pm
Will any of you naysayers who say the Falcons will be one and done be back to comment after the Falcons get to the Super Bowl. I certainly hope that none of you call yourselves fans. Weak bunch of sissy’s
JSS
December 31st, 2012
5:33 pm
14 years later, that is one that “naysayers” have grown old awaiting the so-called judgment day…
monty
December 31st, 2012
5:36 pm
Inexperienced QB picks us apart after throwing 8 interceptions last 2 games or whatever. Ryan and receivers didn’t even look like they were on the same page. As much as I want to believe in this team, Aaron Rogers or whatever top ranked QB will pick us apart. Matt and recievers will lay an egg. One and done!
Falcon Guano
December 31st, 2012
5:47 pm
Here we are at 13-3
and we look like one of if not THE weakest team in the playoffs.
We’ve got a bye and we’ll still be lucky to even GET to the NFC championship game – let alone even have a chance in h3ll to win it.
Weakness is a symptom of bad coaching.
JSS
December 31st, 2012
5:49 pm
I know Najeh Davenpoop will appreciate this one… TFF, not so much…
http://www.mercurynews.com/raiders/ci_22288273/oakland-raiders-fire-offensive-coordinator-greg-knapp
chuck
December 31st, 2012
6:02 pm
Peope paid money to watch that crap?
Great Falconi
December 31st, 2012
6:06 pm
I wouldn’t worry too much about that game. We had nothing to play for and played like it. If nothing else, it will leave a sour taste in our mouths heading into that first playoff game. Given the way we’ve shown up for the last two, that’s not a bad thing.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
6:14 pm
Greg Knapp — really no opinion, he’s probably as good as the OC in Jacksonville, your old buddy that once coached your ole ideal Carson Palmer, boy he really looked good this year. I’m sorry i really shouldn’t say anything adout Carson, i really always admired his play. It was unfortunate he got his knee tore up in the playoff game with Steelers way back when.
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
6:15 pm
Go Falcons!
Falcons: Play 60!
December 31st, 2012
6:17 pm
“rush for 142 yards on 28 carries”
unfortunately this isn’t a new problem this year, they might be screwed if they have to face a team with a good runner (ie Minnesota)
True Falcon Fan
December 31st, 2012
6:20 pm
Until tomorrow ALL
“Happy New Year” Everybody, even to you JSS
I promise, I will be nice at least one time to ZERO, no it’s JSS “Lil Spanky”
Go Falcons!
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:33 pm
and you want some respect.
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:36 pm
Ha,HA.HA,HA,
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:36 pm
LOSERs AGAIN.
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:38 pm
STUPID BIRDS,and still want some respect.
Skeptic
December 31st, 2012
6:44 pm
The Vikings are coming to collect for ‘99. Tick-tock, tick-tock
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:46 pm
Hey Birds,you got all respect your:e going to get.Cause you have not earn nothing but being a loser You should win a certain game but lose it anyway.The games you suppose to lose you just dont lose you lose big time shameful thats how you get NO respect STUPID
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:47 pm
stupid and nonrespectful birds.LOser
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:54 pm
FOLKS do you relies if we had a ARRON rogers type QB and a sure enough head coach we would still be undeafed and no question ask on the way of winning the super bowel.
techmule
December 31st, 2012
6:59 pm
With this much Tialant on offense how can you lose? i can tell you why ! (ALTANTA) thats it
Tom
December 31st, 2012
7:01 pm
The Falcons are the number one seed. That is the best any team can do so far. Give them some credit and support. The rest of you are idiots!
falconcritizer2012
December 31st, 2012
7:34 pm
okeetee, pleaseeee don’t drink that much kool-aid and then get on blog….who has little enough sense to offer yon ecouragement. you just have to be scarred man..
okeetee
December 31st, 2012
7:55 pm
falconcritizer2012
…I’m being realistic! All these teams are flawed. Flaws generally manifest themselves when you play on the road! We will be playing at home! Rookies make mistakes. Quarterback rookies generally make lots of them on the road! We are in good shape….for the shape we are in!
falconcritizer2012
December 31st, 2012
8:03 pm
okeetee just kidding with you you had written such an elequent blog. i am really impressed with it. I do hope you are right and i yield to your wisdom. And i appreciate your steadfastnes and passion. God bless you and your family and Happy New Year.
Birdhouse
December 31st, 2012
8:08 pm
How do you go 13-3 with no pass rush? Playoffs are gonna be tough…
phil
December 31st, 2012
9:03 pm
We’re doomed!!!
Falcon Old Timer
December 31st, 2012
11:43 pm
4DaBirds – You bet your sweet a$$ I’ll be back here giving praise to the Birds – BUT – the real question is will YOU be back on this blog after the Birds blow it again in the play offs and don’t make the SB to admit to those of us who have a long history of supporting this team – that you were wrong??
Bull Butter
January 1st, 2013
8:19 am
Phil—Take a pill,and chill! The Falcons are going to be allright. That loss to TB was the best thing that could have happen,they had something to play for,we didn’t! Jan 13 starts a new season for the falcons,so lets all rise up,and stand behind our team.GoOOOOOOOOOO Falcons
Rick Patel
January 1st, 2013
8:40 am
One & done, over & out. Maybe next year?
Jesse Tanner
January 1st, 2013
8:42 am
If the offensive line had worked in MAG -12 bomb dump duing the 68 Tet Offensive, Khe Sahn would have been over ran by the NVA. This group of duds have a heart problem.
DSHASETH
January 1st, 2013
9:55 am
Falcons didn’t look good, but my friend won a car during halftime.
Eric C.
January 1st, 2013
11:57 am
Maybe
Matty Bicep
January 1st, 2013
2:26 pm
JSS @ 4:37 what reality do you live in? MS beat New Orleans this year, he got the #1 seed, I am pretty sure had Lovie Smith done that, he might still have a job.
Sue Georgis
January 1st, 2013
8:42 pm
The only problem I see with game Mike Smith wanted to win it BADLY and lost anyway
Why else when your losing and you go for 4 and 10 with less than 2min left. Oh right it was just practice for when we get to the playoff
spencer
January 1st, 2013
9:17 pm
Could someone please answer me this: If we have another first round flameout, this time against a QB not named Warner, Rodgers or Manning but Griffin, Wilson or — perish the thought — Ponder, then what? Didn’t Mr. Blank say just making the playoffs won’t cut it? Are heads gonna roll on a team that finished with the best regular season record in the league?
Fred Garvin
January 2nd, 2013
11:13 pm
Hey Mark, you need to tell your pal JS that he needs to lose the JSS dude from his blog,, just sayin
Fred Garvin
January 2nd, 2013
11:15 pm
oh, and you too.