A Look Ahead and the Gilded Drinking Cup of Must-Win
by tlozwarlock on Nov 24, 2009 12:55 PM EST
in Editorial
49 comments
You know what I hate? The fact that, with a scant six games left, every single one of our remaining contests is an absolute must win for the playoffs. Know what's worse? That we have to end the year with a 4-2 run just to get those back-to-back winning seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday November 29th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business. Duh.
Notes: We get the lackluster Bucs at home after the second two-game losing skid of the season. Sure wouldn't want to be wearing a burgundy and pewter in the Dome on Sunday. Here's hoping Norwood's back in the lineup.
The Falcons win if: at least one of our banged up players returns and the team plays with a huge, Stone Mountain-sized chip on their shoulder.
The Bucs win if: Josh Freeman suddenly turns into Eli Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Tony Romo, or the Good Jake Delhomme.
Prediction: Falcons win.
Philadelphia Eagles
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 6th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Because Eagles and Falcons are natural enemies.
Importance: Serious Business. Duh, again
Notes: I still say the Eagles are as inconsistent as we are. Suffice to say, this one will be close.
The Falcons win if: they show up to the Dome as determined to destroy their opponent as they did back in October at Candlestick Park.
The Eagles win if: they air it out and run hard, which they're likely to do.
Prediction: Falcons win, perhaps by a, gasp, Elam field goal (tm).
New Orleans Saints 2: The Season Definer
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 13th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business.
Notes: If we win this, I will seriously (and I mean it) walk outside of my apartment in nothing but boxers and my Ryan jersey and chant Here We Go Falcons at the top of my lungs.
Prediction: Falcons lose.
New York Jets
Where: Giants Stadium
When: Sunday December 20th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Because New Yorkers couldn’t get enough of us the first go round against the Giants.
Importance: Serious Business
Notes: Really, really, really hoping the crappy Sanchez shows up. Also, hope we show up as well.
Prediction: Falcons lose
Buffalo Bills
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 27th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: CBS
Why: The Bills aren't looking too good. Uh oh...
Importance: Serious Business
Notes: The Bills' passing attack is almost as abysmal as the Bucs'. Here's hoping it stays that way for this game.
Prediction: Falcons win
Tampa Bay Buccaneers With a Vengeance
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Sunday January 3rd, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business
Notes: Tampa may have more to gain from this game than we would, and it's in their stadium to boot. We better bring our A game.
Prediction: Falcons win, barring any miracles for the struggling Bucs.
Current season record: 5-5 (Wins against MIA, CAR, SF, CHI, WAS; losses against NE, DAL, NO, CAR, NYG)
Current season prediction: 9-7 (Wins: MIA, CAR, SF, CHI, WAS, TB, PHI, BUF, TB; Loss: NE, DAL, CAR, NO, NYG, NO, NYJ)
tlozwarlock's Current Prediction record: 8-2 (Sometimes, it sucks to be right.)
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well
I still dont know why you think we lose to the Jets. I mean, they suck really. And I still think we beat the Aints at home.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Nov 24, 2009 1:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Two toughest games remaining...
are against the Saints and Philly (at least on paper). I agree that we can take the Jets. Less confident about the Saints and Philly, but that can be done. You’ve got to think we’ve got great chances against the Bills and Bucs – just don’t make any huge mistakes and we can and should win those.
by TomQ on Nov 24, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
my main worry about the Jets game
is that the team will be coming off of an emotional, hard fought game against NO. if we beat NO, the emotional intensity carries over and we torch the jets. otherwise, i hope the team can muster up some grit and determination on the road to pull it out.
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 24, 2009 3:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We have to beat the Jets
Their offense is crumbling like bricks made of cheese during a heat wave.
Sign up for a free account today to join the discussion about all things Atlanta Falcons!
by Dave the Falconer on Nov 24, 2009 3:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
same could be said for our secondary
know what you believe in and why you believe in it
by MentallyMIA on Nov 24, 2009 4:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
swiss cheese anyone?
Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that. - Bill Shankly
by armchair quarterback on Nov 24, 2009 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
... sounds delicious
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Nov 24, 2009 4:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Jets are playing like Cessna 172’s at the moment…
by falconplanet on Nov 24, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Piper Cub.
or that plane that required the dude to pedal a bicycle pedal to get it going.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 25, 2009 1:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn't that be melting? o_O
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 25, 2009 1:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
They’ll beat the Jets. Have Faith. my friend!
by falconplanet on Nov 24, 2009 7:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I totally agree. I’ve been saying for the last month, that the Falcons will put an L on the Saints, and they can beat the Jets.
by falconplanet on Nov 24, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Week to week, who knows
what will happen? Its fun to project though. Beating the Saints and losing to the Jets is entirely possible. I’m not looking past Tampa right now but assuming we win, Philly will be make or break. Lose that one, and the most optimistic among us will be packing it in for the year (playoff wise anyway)
by zooker on Nov 24, 2009 2:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Completely agree with you -
Philly is an inconsistent team, NO is a special case, and let’s not forget that the Steelers thought they had a guaranteed win against KC when they looked at the schedule, and so did the Eagles before travelling to Oakland. Just to remind – Tampa (barely) beat Green Bay and Buffalo won @Carolina.
The real outcome will depend on which Falcons show up for each game – if they’re clicking in all three phases like in the SF game, they can even go 6-0. conversely they might as well end up going 2-4.
so we’ll have to take it one game at a time.
by Gemini-RU on Nov 24, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
"we have to end the year with a 4-2 run just to get those back-to-back winning seasons"
The offense looked better this past weekend, and I think they played well given the injuries on that side of the ball. However, for us to make it we’ll have to win 38-35 shootout games. Given our defensive woes I just don’t see that happening.
The sad part is that missing this opportunity to get that monkey off the franchise’s back means we have to listen to a minimum of another two years with commentators reminding us of this ignominious record.
by Samuel L. Bronkowitz on Nov 24, 2009 3:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If lose to the Aints and Philly (assuming those are our two losses) ...
What other shootout games are you referring to? I mean, I know our secondary is struggling, but you really think the Bills, Bucs, and Jets will hang 30ish points on us? I doubt that.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Nov 24, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with your comment. But, have some faith. This season is starting to look like the 1981 season…
by falconplanet on Nov 24, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
1981?
When the Falcons went 7-9? I don’t understand the comparison.
by tom slick on Nov 24, 2009 8:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
5-5 after ten games?
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Nov 24, 2009 10:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm probably overthinking
Perhaps I’m confused by all the optimism around here! I can’t help feeling very apprehensive. It’s hard for me to rationalize how the Falcons are going to suddenly start playing well with the same personnel that now have us at 5-5.
by tom slick on Nov 24, 2009 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure they'll start playing better overall
… but the little things (like Elam shanking every other kick) could flip for the better. And maybe lady luck will favor us a bit more. In other words, maybe we’ll get lucky. Oh the life of a Birds fan.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Nov 25, 2009 12:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Been a fan for over 30 years, its nothing new to me, but it can’t go on forever, you know.
by falconplanet on Nov 25, 2009 1:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Cubs fans would disagree.
However, we aren’t suffering from their terribad luck. We’re just in the dumps right now due to various injuries and kickers. We’ll be fine.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 25, 2009 2:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you keep thinking that way, it will stay that way. I’m an optimist and always keep a positive outlook on things, regardless of the situation. In the NFL, you never know. Remember the Chargers last year at 4-8? I live here in SoCal, and their fans were throwing the team under the bus, they had every right to. I told them that the Chargers would win the rest of their games, and the Broncos would choke, as they are now, and they did. I also realize it was a crap division. We won’t catch the Saints, and I really dont give a hoot about them anyway, lets take care of business starting Sunday.
by falconplanet on Nov 25, 2009 1:34 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
we
lost 2 games that should have been wins. we could easily be 7 – 3.
Life is a garden. Dig it!
by Hardcore Falcon on Nov 25, 2009 7:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The Falcons should be 7-3 right now…
by falconplanet on Nov 25, 2009 1:53 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The 1981 Falcons were a prime example of a major disappointment. This team scored 426, gave up 355, and lost to the Eagles by 3, both games to the Rams by a combined total of 7, the Niners by 3, the Giants by in OT, the Bengals by 2 (missed FG to win) the Bucs by 1 , and the other two games were a combined 25 (Browns and Steelers) this team could not close anybody out. They were 7-6 with three to go, and needed to win all three, and lost these games by a total of 8 points. This team was coming off a 12-4 season, and WAS expected to go to the Super Bowl. What comparison I’m making here is personal for me, is that it is starting to feel like we need to win these games 41-38, and that’s not good for us fans going through this every week. They were inconsistent after the 3-0 start.
by falconplanet on Nov 24, 2009 11:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Got it
Your other posts in this thread fairly oozed optimism, I somehow thought that was your intent here. I’m dangerous when I think too much!
That whole ’81 season, not just the ending, sucked. The Falcons never could get on a roll like they did the year before. I still think the 1980 team was the best the Falcons ever had.
by tom slick on Nov 25, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. The 1980 team was one of the best teams they had, and I think it cost Leeman Bennett his job in the long run for being conservative in that playoff game. Changed the whole landscape of the NFL for years.
by falconplanet on Nov 25, 2009 1:37 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
My dad's been following the Birds for years.
To this day he said Leeman Bennett was their best coach, if I recall right. He could probably name that whole team if he wanted.
I most definitely wasn’t around during that era, but I guess if we were supposed to be Super Bowl bound, he couldn’t have been that bad, eh?
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 25, 2009 2:10 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's the past 3 road games that are making you think that way
and I can understand that – losing by single digits in the games when we first dig ourselves in a hole, then come back (like in NY) or almost come back (CAR & NO) and still leave unfinished business on the field.
and one of the reasons for this, aside from poor passing defence (where its unclear who’s to blame – secondary/ pass rush or coaching) and major failures of Elam, they have not been able to play a consistent game for 4 quarters. even in the SF game they were dangerously close in the beginning until SF completely fell apart. It seems as if something keeps pressuring the players until they see the game is nearly out of hand, at which point they really start playing well.
by Gemini-RU on Nov 25, 2009 5:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
call miss cleo
hey tloz
es posible
that we could get a post on the schedule ahead for our remaining wildcard combatants, creating ever new avenues on which to rest our hopes?
just a thought.
by dirtyburs on Nov 24, 2009 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
My take on this is...
The playoffs start on Sunday. Lets take these games one at a time. The Falcons just came off what I think was a brutal two months from Sept. 27th through Nov. 22nd. Played four teams that came off bye weeks (who po’d the schedule maker?) Played two games at home (not counting this coming Sunday) in two months which was bad enough. Should of would of could of won three of those road games, but it is what is, and you move on. Key injuries, we’re beat up, but, there’s nothing like home cooking to get the consistency and the fires burning. Looks like Matt is back, and we need the RB’s to get back sooner than later, and the defense if it plays half way decent, will put us right in it. The kicking game better get its collective heads out of rear ins, or else. We can put an L on the Saints, come on now, The Jets look like Cessna 172’s at this point, come on now. ALL of these games are winnable, for crying out loud! It’s up to the Birds to get it done. The fans going to these four home games, better be loud and proud. Make the dome an absolute hell for the Bucs, Eagles, Saints, and Bills. I’m aiming for the number 9, being 9 wins to get that back to back winning season. They get it, we’ll go from there, Let’s take care of our own business, and not worry about other teams. It will play out, and, there’s a lot of football left! Have Faith!!!
by falconplanet on Nov 24, 2009 7:03 PM EST reply actions 5 recs
THIS!
REC’D LIKE WHOA!
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Nov 24, 2009 7:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Completely agree...
If we have the same matt that ended that game in NY for the rest of the season and our RBs back, I like our chances….our schedule look easier than the other teams we’re battling for a spot in the playoffs with…
"If lessons were learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." -Murray Warmath
by NaGaNole on Nov 25, 2009 9:47 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tloz, if we beat the Saints...
I fully expect you to take a video of you screaming or some pictures or something.
(Pics or it didn’t happen. Now everyone knows my life is failure.) :P
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 25, 2009 12:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tloz's Bold Statement
I’ll pay to watch tloz go outside and do his thing when the Falcons beat the Saints!
by falconplanet on Nov 25, 2009 2:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I just realized what we need.
We need……….
wait for it…..
……
A guarantee.
Can you imagine the hoopla it would cause if Matty Ice came out and said “We’re not losing again this season.” and we won the Super Bowl??!?
Oh, wait. This isn’t the irrational thought thread….oops.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 25, 2009 2:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
tloz I could be the schwami too if I changed it every week...
I mean, I remember 3 weeks ago your current SEASON prediction was 12-4, now it is 9-7, and your current prediction record was 6-1, now it is 8-2. So then you went 2-1 the last three weeks while the falcons went 0-3, so then you predicted 2 of those losses? I remember you saying we would beat carolina AND the giants, neither happened. So now you change your rest of the season predictions AGAIN. Your supposed to predict at the start of the season and base your prediction record off of those predictions from the beginning of the season. So if you said 12-4 at the begining of the season then you couldn’t be no better than about 7-3 right now, more like 6-4. Hell We could all have really good SEASON prediction records if we got to change our predictions every other week!! LOL
You see I started the season saying 10-6 , maybe 11-5, and have not budged from that yet, and even though I am close to what they might do, my game by game prediction record isn’t that great cuz we lost some games I thought we should have won, carolina, dallas, and the giants. So I guess you could say i am 7-3. so that mqakes me as good as espn guys and I didn’t even change a thing!!
I’m just screwing with ya man, I enjoy reading your posts!!
Oh yeah if nobody heard, trent dilfer of espn, said the falcons were still contenders in the NFC!! yippee!!
by ATLsince1972 on Nov 25, 2009 1:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I don't know man ...
He is making a prediction every week in an objective manner, which is not easy when you’re a fan. I like it Tloz, keep it coming.
Reporter: How will you address all of the dropped passes?
Mike Smith: I don’t think that we were as sharp as we have been catching the football. It’s something that is very fixable. It’s VERY fixable.
by FrankyWren on Nov 25, 2009 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
they're all saying we're contenders
based on the second half of the Giants game and the remaining schedule. in 9 days we will know for sure – beat the Eagles and it’s clear that the stars will favor us. lose – and it will be a very long shot, even if win all of the remaining games.
by Gemini-RU on Nov 27, 2009 5:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Tloz.
We will beat the Jets. The Jets are a miserable team. They started hot but now everyone knows how to beat Sanchez and they’re just a decent team at best. I think the Jets game really shows us where we’re at. It’s on the road in potentially inclement weather. Hostile crowds, playoff race tightening, and the ever elusive win #9 could ride on that game. The Jets will know what their role is in this season, as will we (pretender or contender) and unless both teams are pretenders, one will try to play spoiler to the other (them playing spoiler to us, I reckon)
Inclement weather favors us. We have the superior run game and NYJ won’t be able to exploit our secondary nearly as easily, also favoring us. We also have a much better short passing game. Realistically, I just can’t see us losing. Then again, who knows.
If we lay a Road Game Egg, of course we’ll lose, I just don’t see that happening against the Jets, or even again in the regular season.
"Ryan, under center. Single receiver set, time on his side. Ryan, gonna throw. First professional pass.....CAUGHT!! Jenkins! 30! 25! 20! 15! 10! 5! He lives in Atlanta!!!"
by Zippo729 on Nov 26, 2009 12:43 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
and that's alarming...
because we heard the same before the Carolina game. and may I disagree with your statement that we have the superior run game – the Jets still have #2 rushing offence, as far as I know. their problems really started not when Sanchez turned into a rookie but when Kris Jenkins went down.
I agree that this games shows where we are in terms of being able to win on the road in tough weather (which also means long term prospects), but in terms of our playoff chances I’d prefer the Falcons winning the Philly game and losing @Jets than the opposite.
by Gemini-RU on Nov 27, 2009 5:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kinda of alarming...
Don’t give the Jets too much credit now. I do agree with you about Kris Jenkins, but, one player is not the whole team. The Jets have a lot of gaps they need to fill to build a team around Sanchez. Let’s be a little optimistic here about the Jets game. Let’s start on Sunday with the Bucs, because that’s the most important game right now.. I see the Falcons winning those two road games…
by falconplanet on Nov 28, 2009 1:26 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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