Flying under the radar

by Grayson on Dec 2, 2008 10:46 PM EST Comment 19 comments

Every year people have teams pinned in certain areas heading towards the playoffs. This year the Falcons are in the hunt, are they flying Under the radar?

TO, get your popcorn ready because you'll be watching the playoffs from home.

Looking at how the playoffs shape up;

1. New York Giants	11-1
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	9-3
3. Minnesota Vikings	7-5
4. Arizona Cardinals	7-5
5. Carolina Panthers	9-3
6. Atlanta Falcons	8-4

7. Dallas Cowboys	8-4
8. Washington Redskins	7-5
9. Philadelphia Eagles	6-5 (1 Tie)
10. Chicago Bears	6-6

So it is clear that we are currently in the top 6. However it seems that the Falcons are still socially, "On the outside, looking in." People assume, rather think that we still have to earn our spot into the playoffs. I am one of those people. However giving it greater thought I asked myself, does it benefit the Falcons? Are teams going to think that these guys have "flunked it" to 8-4 and really aren't what our record proclaims. I think Tampa could be one of those teams. Yes we are still in the edge of the playoffs but I mean Carolina can't keep winning games, right? We beat them nicely yet they still seem to be walking to victory lane without any challenge what so ever. That pis..I mean angers me greatly.

This is probably how the Media looks at what the top 10 should be.

1. New York Giants	11-1
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers	9-3
3. Carolina Panthers	9-3
4. Arizona Cardinals	7-5
5. Minnesota Vikings	7-5
6. Dallas Cowboys	8-4

7. Washington Rediskins	7-5
8. Atlanta Falcons	8-4
9. Philadelphia Eagles	6-5 (1 Tie)
10. Chicago Bears	6-6

Dallas has an extremly tough run in. They have:

DAL @ PIT---NYG @ DAL---BAL@DAL---DAL@PHI

The assumption or how things look for the boys is Loss, Loss, Win, Win. BUT! I can see them lose to the Ravens easily and I can see them losing all four.

The Redskins I think have an easier run:

WAS @ BAL---WAS@CIN---PHI@WAS---WAS@SF

I rekon that this is how the 'Skins will go about the last four games. Win, Win, Win, Win. I really think that the 'Skins should win all four of their games. They could lose to the Ravens but its hard to see that happening.

In conclusion the team to really focus your eye in on is not only the Falcons (DUH!) But the Redskins because other than us they are the one also flying under the radar.

This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.

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Whose radar?

I’m not sure if the Falcons are being overlooked by other teams, which may be the most important ‘radar’ out there. Nobody seems to have taken us lightly recently. If they do so, it’s at their own peril.

On the other hand, there is such a thing as an uninformed sportswriter (GASP, it’s true!). Though there are plenty of diligent, smart writers out there, I grant you that there is no shortage of blithering idiots who know absolutely nothing about our fine team, and they happily spread their ignorance far and wide. I wouldn’t lump all media into that category though, tempting as that may be. Cheers!

by tom slick on Dec 2, 2008 11:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

With ya

Yeah, if anything, I think we’re dangerously close to becoming everybody’s Cinderella team. If we get “The Narrative” in our backfield, then suddenly we’re the darlings everybody wants to throw in the mud.

Speaking as a Georgia Bulldog fan, I know what can happen when hype runs rampant. And do not ask me about it.

by Cerbera on Dec 2, 2008 11:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As an Alabama fan,

I support this message. Underdogs = better position to be in. Trust me :-D

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by tlozwarlock on Dec 2, 2008 11:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Georgia Tech alum

We’re not too familiar with ‘high expectations’ lately, unlike some of youse guys!

The Falcons WILL have to manage the hype properly next year. Not to sound negative, but our best teams ever (1998, 1980 and more) all crashed the next year. It’s a common phenomenon that good teams have to deal with.

In that sense, 2009 will be an even more revealing season regarding the Falcons’ braintrust and coaching. If we make it through next season and continue to improve on the field, hang on tight for the ride of your freakin’ lives!

by tom slick on Dec 3, 2008 12:59 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If 09 goes well and said ride begins,

would it be the very first in franchise history, one that has only seen 10 winning seasons (going to be 11 with win against the ’Aints) and none of them back to back in 42 years?

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by tlozwarlock on Dec 3, 2008 1:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Well

I mean its not only that but the article was really also about who we should be looking at heading towards the playoffs. I think the Redskins are more dangerous than the Cowboys. I also think that the Panthers get more respect than the Falcons despite us beating them they still manage to win and I think come playoffs we might make more of a move than them.

by Grayson on Dec 3, 2008 2:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Redskins have the best shot

if Dallas falters. The Cowboys indeed have a much tougher schedule, informative point there. Personally, I don’t care for owners like Jerry Jones who hire people like Switzer, T.O. and Pacman in their myopic win-lust. Hail to the Redskins!

The only other NFC team with a chance might be the Bears, if they can get hot and run the table against a mediocre schedule. Philadelphia, though a half game ahead of Chicago, has an absolutely brutal schedule ahead.

by tom slick on Dec 3, 2008 3:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Bears

Despite my love affair with the Bears looking at them I don’t think they have what it takes. Orton did not play well and I think that his ankle injury is affecting him severly. I dont think he’ll have that bad a performance again this year, however I dont think he will be the same guy he was at the beginning of the year.

In regards to why I say the Falcons are under the radar. Most people think that because we are behind Carolina and Tampa that we should falter at some time. There are a tonne of skeptics out there who think that a Rookie QB will tumble eventually. I dont think it was a bad post of mine beacause I am merely trying to say that the Falcons will sneak up on teams like the Cowboys and the Panthers. I really feel like we are much better than the Panthers because of how we beat them a couple of weeks ago. Granted it wasn’t my best post but I am trying to justify why I think the Falcons are fighting the UNDERDOG tag.

by Grayson on Dec 3, 2008 4:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Naaah

I doubt the Bears will do it, either. You never know, though! IF someone tanks, the likely beneficiaries appear to be the Skins or Bears IMO.

Perhaps I misunderstand you, but I’m not sure that our future, professional opponents are underestimating us. The uninformed teeming masses, perhaps, but who cares what a bunch of idiots think? Go Falcons!

by tom slick on Dec 3, 2008 6:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yup!

Exactly. The masses should be against us but fans will be jumping on us due to their teams being eliminated from the playoffs.

by Grayson on Dec 3, 2008 6:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

No one

Has mentioned the scenario of:
1. Carolina beats Tampa
2. Atlanta beats Tampa
3. Giants beat Carolina
4 Falcons win out and win the division.
If we win out that is a 12-4 record. What i wonder is with that record and a division championship what seed does that put us in?
Sure looks like a first round bye week to me. Second seed with home field against all except the Giants.
Is that a pipe dream or do i see the Falcons as better than they really are?
Can they win out?
It isn’t a bad run left if this is a team of destiny that Smitty has gotten them to believe that they are.

by Funballad on Dec 3, 2008 6:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Very Optimistic

You have to remember this isn’t the Patriots or Colts or any other powehouse team that can close out the season 4-0. But I mean this team IS different to previous generations. Hopefully that happens, but most likely it will not. We could easily lose to the Saints, Tampa, I can see us losing to the Vikings and the Rams, nah maybe not the Rams. So with that, it’s 1-3 and we finish the season 9-7, which is great but we would probably miss the playoffs…..=[…Our big games are the next two, Saints and Bucs, if we win 1 of the 2 we can still contend but if we win both it makes like a hell of a lot easier.

by Grayson on Dec 3, 2008 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

DOWN, you goosebumps!

A division title is certainly our best case scenario, and it’s not impossible by any means. It will take a heroic run to win it, but winning 11 or 12 games probably does mean a first round bye and at least one home game, agreed.

I’m a little reluctant to get too jazzed about the prospect, though. I feel kind of like a lottery winner asking for a few million extra dollars! It’s been such a great year so far, that I guess I’m superstitious about wanting more.

Is it Sunday yet? Go Falcons!

by tom slick on Dec 4, 2008 12:30 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What i meant was

The schedule remaining is tough but not as tough as most other teams running to the playoffs. Tampa is the pivotal game to the division championship. I think the saints will be feeling down knowing it is improbable for them to be anything other than spoilers. Tampa we play at home and we played them tough in Tampa. That leaves the vikings as the team i am most worried about unless the loss of the Williams boys effects them terribly. The road to a division championship depends on Carolina winning against Tampa this week. Without that then a wild card is the best we can do. I for one never want to settle for second best so i have to root for Carolina this week.
I wasn’t meaning that all of this will happen. I was saying that until that possibility is gone I wont look for second best case.

by Funballad on Dec 4, 2008 12:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

apparently...

Minnesota haven’t lost the Williams boys because a court has ruled they can play till they face trial which is likely to be in the offseason.

go hard or go home

by TO falcon on Dec 4, 2008 1:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We'll still beat the Vikes anyway

"The nice thing about supporting a bedraggled-cum-decent team? Watching all those analysts eat their words."

by tlozwarlock on Dec 4, 2008 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sucky news

but not totally unexpected. Either way, Minnesota will probably be fighting for their division just like us. Right now it’s easy to overlook how tough that game may be. Hope the coaches have the players thinking ‘one game at a time’.

by tom slick on Dec 4, 2008 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I really think they do

I get the sense that humility is abundant in the Falcons locker room.

"He's getting better, but he's not there yet ..."

by FrankyWren on Dec 4, 2008 3:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Awful Decision

Contract law is truly dead in this country. I’m shocked that the court granted the injunction. I didn’t think there’d be a snowball’s chance in hell, but I’d like to look at the pleadings and see what the argument was.

We’ve heard that a million monkeys at a million keyboards could produce the complete works of Shakespeare; now, thanks to the Internet, we know that is not true.

by iRonin on Dec 4, 2008 8:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs