Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs Open Thread

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 8:00 AM EDT Comment 142 comments

If the Falcons are going to be favored in one game all year, this is pretty much has to be it. Fresh off a nasty loss against the Bucs o' Tampa Bay, the Falcons should come out swinging against a young Chiefs squad hamstrung by questionable coaching.

This week, the team will likely look to destroy the Chiefs on the ground with the help of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. I'll also be looking to see further progress from Matt Ryan and some good old fashioned quarterback smashing from the vaunted Falcons' front seven. This could be a fun one!

After knocking on wood and crossing your fingers, be sure to join me after the jump!

Who? Atlanta Falcons vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET

Where? Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Weather? Raining? I'm sorry, I can't hear because I live in a dome!

Fun Fact? Tyler Thigpen will be the third starting quarterback for the Chiefs this year. Brodie Croyle is hurt, Damon Huard got hurt and here we are.

Injuries? Sam Baker is probable after suffering a concussion last weekend. Unfortunately, Michael Boley, Grady Jackson, Alex Stepanovich, Todd Weiner and Tyson Clabo are all questionable. Jackson seems likely to play, but losing more than one lineman or Boley would be a killer. The Chiefs will be missing QB Brodie Croyle and CB Patrick Surtain. DEs Turk McBride and Tamba Hall are both questionable.

Odds? Atlanta over KC 6.0, Over/Under 36.0

Foe? You'll definitely want to check out Arrowhead Pride, a great Chiefs blog with one of the best communities out there. Chris will surely weigh in on the game as well, so be sure to ridicule him say hello!

GO FALCONS! Let's beat the Chiefs!

0 recs | Comment 142 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Chiefs fan here

Really looking forward to the test of stopping Michael Turner. We were burned for 3 hundos last week so I want to contain him.

But, on the bright side I guess the Chiefs don’t have to play in a dome 8 times a year :)

by primetime 07 on Sep 21, 2008 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome

Hope it’s a good game!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just FYI

I’ll be a little late to the party today, so start cheering the Falcons without me. I’ll be along.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good luck to both sides

And here’s to no injuries. Or dogs harmed during the filming of this game.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris on Sep 21, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice

by primetime 07 on Sep 21, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Start

Aside from the Abraham sack, this game is not looking so great. Both sides are looking a little flat to me.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Sep 21, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jennings

You suck!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 1:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Please get rid of him

He might be the worst player on the team.

In a way, each of us has an El Guapo to face.

by runningback on Sep 21, 2008 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Empty stands

A ‘sellout’ and the stands can’t be more than 60% full.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chiefs D

Looking fairly stout so far, or are the Falcons that bad?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Grimey

Dumb ass penalty blocking the guy out of bounds. Cost a bunch of yards there.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice call

Way to get the ball to Norwood in the open field.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 1:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Touchdown!

woot woot. good drive

by customsox927 on Sep 21, 2008 1:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, hey. So this is how this offense thing works.

by widderslainte on Sep 21, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Beautiful throw

on the TD to White. Film at 11.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 1:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

17-0

If a tree falls in a blog but no one’s there, does it make a sound?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Blog

makes a sound but the tree remains silent.

by VenomySnicket on Sep 21, 2008 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Grimey!

Nice pick and runback. Made up for the penalty.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm here....

Sorry I haven’t posted yet, but I’ve been eating my hot wings!

I’m starting the official petition. Any chance the NFL will let us alternate between playing the Lions & Chiefs each week of the season?!?

by newsome on Sep 21, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Chiefs

Are in total meltdown mode.

by primetime 07 on Sep 21, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If they don’t get Tyler Thigpen out of there, it’s only going to get worse. The guy’s a trainwreck right now. 2/13 for 12 yards and 2 picks. More attempts than yards is not a good thing.

by newsome on Sep 21, 2008 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chiefs look awful

Thigpen has a 0.0 passer rating for the game.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't think so

Saw him in the game earlier, unless he got hurt.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Out of Hand

Wow…. 24-Zip. This one’s getting out of hand for the Chiefs. I thought we would win this game, but I didn’t think it would be like this.

by newsome on Sep 21, 2008 2:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What it shows

is that we’ve got a fair team. Not ready to play with the big boys, but we can beat up those underachievers pretty thoroughly.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think

I may be a better luck charm when I’m not here. Wow.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Our good luck charm

is named Thigpen.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Getting caught up

What happened here?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kind of like Detroit

Thigpen’s been awful, Falcons playing ball control for most part.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He finally throws a decent pass

TD Dwayne Bowe, 24-7 Falcons.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Unreal

Say what you will about this team, but they’re clearly capable of beating down inferior teams. 32nd in power rankings my ass.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

About the only thing that didn't work

They tried Harry Doulgas on an end-around again, didn’t they?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well

I think the problem becomes more that looking at our schedule, there are only 4 bad teams on it. What do we do once the good teams start rolling in, look like we did against TB last week? That’s a nonstarter of an idea.

by blackertai on Sep 21, 2008 2:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

True

But at least we look like a good bet for 4 wins.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That sounded less pathetic

Before I typed it.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ugh

It does look bad when you read it, doesn’t it? Well, the only good news is at least it looks like we’re building a marginally compliant base from which to expand into the future. If this proves anything, it’s that with more experienced players and some better people on our lines (come on future draft picks!) we’d be at least marginally competitive. I’m liking those odds.

by blackertai on Sep 21, 2008 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Amen!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jennings Watch

Five returns for a robust 7.4 yard average. I’m impressed.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And that includes one horrendously sucky return.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I missed it

I was going to add it to my lowlight reel for him.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well now

That was a surprise. Larry Johnson still can run.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And still almost fumbled...

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Our unit needs to stiffen

Defensive unit, that is.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Boo!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But still

I agree.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crap

24-14 Falcons. A merciless TD drive here would help my spirits.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Crap

Chiefs have all the momentum now.

Do the Falcons play ball control now, or get more aggressive?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

More aggressive

I think you have to show them that you’re sure as hell not going to baby a lead against a team starting Tyler Thigpen at QB.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good point. If there’s a team you can be confident against, this is it.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's a return

I know they can’t all be great, but why does it seem like Norwood can get 20 yards without breaking a sweat?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Scary though

He’s a fine returner, but he’s so valuable as a RB I wish they’d use someone else.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yay Justin Peelle

7 yard reception!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tony Gonzalez lite.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Run, Matt, Run

Michael who?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

Did I just hallucinate that?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Roddy breaks 100 yards

I’m still amazed he’s turned out to be this good. Glad, too.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Roddy again!

It’s like the little light bulb came on last year all of a sudden.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Latka say

Turner strong, like mighty bull.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Turner's 3rd TD

Fantasy owners nationwide are swooning right now.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

There’s your merciless TD drive, too.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

You have to put the stake in.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And don’t forget to twist it around a little.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A stop here

And another score would pretty well wrap this up.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A defensive TD

would be more humiliating.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

C'mon, 3 and out

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thigpen moving it a little

I have to admire him for coming out a little more poised in the second half. Very Ryanesque.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

But as they get inside the 30

My admiration turns to anger.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

damm

I wish i could see or at least hear this game. I tried DaveFM but cannot get it to work

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

DaveFM on the internets?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Make them settle for a field goal

C’mon, Falcons!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeap

I live in portland oregon

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeap

all i got on it was music no game

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That sucks

Why would they not want to stream the game broadcast?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bless you, John Abraham

When he’s healthy, there’s few people better at getting to the QB.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They forget

Some fans have been transplanted around the world

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

On the Falcons website

There’s a link to ‘Dave FM audio call’. You have to PAY for the audio? Greedy bastards.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

missed field goal

and threat is neutralized

by customsox927 on Sep 21, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

C'mon Falcons!

Youv’e put the stake in, now vacuum up the ashes!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Pathetic

cant even it a 32 yarder

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised Michael Turner

….can run so fast with that cape on.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And the drive is stalling

Two straight runs to nowhere followed by a Roddy penalty. Wee.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

At least

KC will have to start at the 7 yard line.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sucks

watching the game with yahoo game channel. I get all the current stats and get to see a field with lines and ball placements and who did what last play but thats not like seeing or hearing it

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Guys at AP

Are saying they’re making Matt Ryan look good. Do you think that’s fair, or is he just doing well regardless?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Defense

needs to make a great stand now and end this game. I think Ryan is doing much better than even most of the atlanta fans predicted.

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Safety?

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Boo-yah!

Good pressure on 3rd down, QB threw it away.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jennings

You sorry piece of sh*t.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You said that after the 11 yard pass?

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy shit

what happened

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate

Adam Jennings

by customsox927 on Sep 21, 2008 3:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dont they have a mascot that can take jennings spot?

sounds like he isnt worth the powder to blow him up.

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jennings

If that doesn’t cost him his job, nothing will.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jennings

what kind of blackmail does he have on the GM?

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:40 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

jennings

6 returns 37 yards thats pathetic

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Chiefs

Absolutely frustrating that they keep grinding away here. Stop them!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

TB losing 42/14

carolina losing 20/10

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does KC go on 4th down?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

They should

I dunno if they will.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

TB

24/14

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Both

Losing

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would

but i am not a coach

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hold!

Is the party over?

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

mmph!

stopped them cold

by customsox927 on Sep 21, 2008 3:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Falcons

On the 1 yard line. I won’t be comfy till they move a little.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Turn out the lights

the party’s over

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just to play it safe

Give the ball to Jennings…

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm sorry

it’s in bad taste to make fun of the handicapped.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That wasn't nice

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hehe

TB field goal ..chicago 24 / 17 now

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah norwood

nice

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

OMG

awesome

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jerious

just wrapped it up there, I think.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Norwood!

Nice run by Jerious.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That's a wrap

Well done, Falcons.

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

upset in the makeing ....oakland 23/buffalo 14

who coulda seen that coming?

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Final

miami 38/ New england 13

by Funballad on Sep 21, 2008 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Parcells must be in heaven.

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Icing on the cake

Chris Houston TD!

"There's no such word as 'quit' in swamp buggy racing, Marigold"

by tom slick on Sep 21, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Holy shiz

Awesome!

by Dave the Falconer on Sep 21, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There

Are almost 0 people in the stands. What’s going on? I’d have thought this would have been a good game to go to, considering we were a lock to win with the 5th string QB playing for the Chiefs, as well as adding in Herm Edwards’ decision to hate on Larry Johnson.

by blackertai on Sep 21, 2008 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs