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Falcons Schedule
Miami
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Sun 09/13 | W 19 - 7 |
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Carolina
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Sun 09/20 | W 28 - 20 |
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@
New England
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Sun 09/27 | L 10 - 26 |
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San Francisco
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Sun 10/11 | W 45 - 10 |
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Chicago
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Sun 10/18 | W 21 - 14 |
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Dallas
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Sun 10/25 | L 21 - 37 |
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New Orleans
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Mon 11/02 | L 27 - 35 |
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Washington
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Sun 11/08 | W 31 - 17 |
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Carolina
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Sun 11/15 | L 19 - 28 |
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New York Giants
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Sun 11/22 | 1:00 PM EST |
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Tampa Bay
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Sun 11/29 | 1:00 PM EST |
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Philadelphia
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Sun 12/06 | 1:00 PM EST |
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New Orleans
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Sun 12/13 | 1:00 PM EST |
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New York Jets
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Sun 12/20 | 1:00 PM EST |
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Buffalo
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Sun 12/27 | 1:00 PM EST |
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Tampa Bay
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Sun 01/03 | 1:00 PM EST |
Saturday News And Notes: Tackling The New York Giants
by Dave the Falconer on Nov 21, 2009 8:15 AM EST
in Falcons News
8 comments
Biggest game of the year? Biggest game of the year.
It's gotten to this point thanks to our up and down season, but a loss to the Giants here would deal a blow to our bid for a winning season and would make it an uphill battle for a playoff spot. A win here, which would leave us at 6-4, would keep us in the thick of the wildcard race and would leave us with only three wins for that elusive 9-7 season and such impressive opponents as the Tampa Bay Bucs and Buffalo Bills still on the slate. A lot hinges on this game.
With that in mind, let's take a crack at a few storylines leading up to the game and, just maybe, a couple that have nothing to do with anything.
- Aaron Ross is coming back. After missing the entire season to this point with an injury, the Giants will get back one of their better cornerbacks just in time to play us. It doesn't sound like he's going to be at full capacity or anything, but adding another obstacle for a shaky Matt Ryan to overcome isn't something I welcome.
- Linebacker Antonio Pierce, however, is out for the rest of the season. Ain't that just like the NFL?
- I don't know about road confidence, but a better performance on the road in the Meadowlands would be huge. Teams that can't win on the road don't got to the playoffs, generally speaking.
- Michael Turner's doubtful. As in, no chance in hell he's playing. As in, something all of us knew before the end of the Panthers game. Coaches have gotten really secretive about their injuries, haven't they? Brian Finneran isn't getting quite the same treatment, as he's definitely out. Might be a good chance for us to re-discover Marty Booker and Eric Weems.
- The Falcons and Giants both kind of did this to themselves, what with the headfirst dives into empty concrete pools. How they got there, though, iis a little similar.
- At least Tom Coughlin has a sense of humor.
8 comments | 0 recs |
A Look At The Falcons Red Zone Performance: Week 10
by Dave the Falconer on Nov 20, 2009 5:18 PM EST
in Falcons News
6 comments
This post is sponsored by Comcast and their NFL RedZone channel. If you're looking to check out red zone action as it happens, then you need Comcast's NFL RedZone. Comcast....where dreams come true!
We're back with this week's edition of Why-Does-This-Team-Not-Win-When-They-Do-So-Awesome-In-The-Red-Zone. This previous week, against the Panthers, we managed to convert four of five chances, though two were for field goals, and then Jason Elam whiffed on another kick. That's still nothing to sneeze at, and it continues the Falcons' preposterously good streak inside the 20. That should mean success for us, but lately it hasn't.
Why, you ask? Because on our other drives we do absolutely nothing. Against the Panthers, Ryan threw two costly, drive-killing interceptions. On another, we got to the Carolina 39, just out side of reasonable field goal range, and promptly threw two short passes (both incomplete and to Tony Gonzalez) and Jason Snelling mustered a two yard run. Boom! Punt. On yet another, the Falcons actually went for it with three straight deep passes right before the half, only to see all of them fall incomplete.
In essence, we're an inconsistent team, something that was expected of us on defense but certainly not with this weapons-grade offense. Matt Ryan's slow decline over the last few games has had a lot to do with it, but certainly the loss of Harry Douglas seems to be hurting more than ever before. In the red zone, we have big targets with good hands who can make things happen by out-muscling everyone else. When the field's a little more open, no such luck.
Thoughts?
6 comments | 0 recs
Norwood returns to practice
What? Good news? Sounds like a shot in the arm for our beleaguered offense.
2 days ago
tom slick
13 comments
0 recs
Remaining Schedule: It's Gotten "Easier"
by tlozwarlock on Nov 19, 2009 12:15 PM EST
in Editorial
11 comments
Take the "easier" in the title very lightly. A lot of our remaining opponents lost last weekend (save those on a BYE) but don't be fooled. Each and every last game of this season will be a fight. The injuries are mounting and the competition, though looking less scarier by the week, will want a win against us. The time for complacency has passed. The Falcons either fight until not a man is left standing or they can go ahead and look to next year.
No real changes to the trend of the graph, but the records are getting worse. As far as I can tell, none of our remaining opponents (that were not on a bye) won last weekend save those dastardly Saints.
The real change is in my projected week-of-game opponents' records. Check this out.
Notice how the number of projected winning record opponents has dropped from four to three. After the Jets managed to lose to the Jaguars, I had to change my line of thinking on them. We still get a 1 loss Saints team (thanks to the New England Patriots) and we're still having to face a Philly team that will come into the Dome after winning against the Bears and Redskins.
After we face the Giants, we get three straight Dome games. I'm holding out for the crowd to be a key factor in our wins against the Bucs and Eagles. That Saints matchup, though, I dunno. I swear I think we should wear something different for them. The throwback, the all-black alt, maybe just the red helmets. Something to signify the importance of it...
11 comments | 0 recs |
Talking Giants With Big Blue View
by Dave the Falconer on Nov 19, 2009 8:15 AM EST
in Editorial
7 comments
Those of you who tuned in for my chats with Saintsational from Canal Street Chronicles will have a basic idea of how this goes. A couple nights ago I sat down to talk with Ed Valentine, the head blogger over at Big Blue View, our network's Giants blog, in an effort to find our more about our erstwhile opponents.
Strictly football for this dialogue, which features two grown men transformed into statues of negativity. Will we each pick against our own team because of the recent woes of the Falcons and Giants? You'll just have to read through to find it, so join me after the jump.
7 comments | 0 recs |
A Review Of Peter King's New Book "Monday Morning Quarterback"
by Dave the Falconer on Nov 18, 2009 12:39 PM EST
in Editorial
8 comments
I'm a bit late to the party here, but I wanted to take the opportunity to gloat about free stuff review a copy of Peter King's book which was sent to me by Sports Illustrated Books. King is a guy I've read infrequently over the years in Sports Illustrated—mostly in doctor's office and at the dentist's, because I never had a subscription—but I liked his columns enough to sit down and read through the the book in a few sittings.
While much of this book is made up of classic columns with added commentary and tidbits, most of it was new to me, and that made for an enjoyable read most of the way through. While they're not all truly classics in that sense of the word—nothing against a high school girl's field hockey team, but I found myself speed reading through that bit a little—but the football stuff is great. I especially enjoy some of the older stuff, where King takes a look at where he nailed his predictions and where that crystal ball might've been broken.
His top 100 players list is also an interesting read, even if it's decidedly light on Falcons. That might have something to do with our history, but who knows? I'll concur with fellow bloggers who have reviewed it that it gives you a behind-the-scenes look at football journalism that's usually frank and entertaining. Even the non-football stuff, is usually worth your time, dealing as it does with the military, charity and (why not?) airports. One column, where King recounts having to put down the long-time family dog, is refreshingly free of cliche and a tough read for anyone who loves their pets.
In that way and many others, it's a different sort of football book. You're not reading it for cohesion or a logical progression of columns; you're reading it for the writing and to get a sense of King's career and snapshots of the NFL landscape during the times he covered. I'd definitely recommend giving it a read.
If you're interested in a once-read copy of the book, I'll be giving it away for free raffle-style. Just indicate your interest in the comments.
8 comments | 0 recs
A Look Ahead and the Shrinking Schedule
by tlozwarlock on Nov 18, 2009 8:00 AM EST
in Editorial
24 comments
Everything is now Serious Business. If we want a winning season, we have to become a consistent team.
New York Giants
Where: Giants Stadium
When: Sunday November 22nd, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: To be the best, you have to beat the best, which seemingly no longer pertains to this contest.
Importance: Serious Business. Both teams are 5-4 and looking for redemption.
Notes: Falcons are 1-4 on the road. Think about that long and hard. Now look up. See this matchup? Are you scared? Me too.
The Falcons win if: No more injuries occur and Norwood is back and Ryan settles down and Michael Turner somehow miraculously heals in one week and our defense suddenly all grow three or four extra arms and
The Giants win if: The team that won five in a row at the start of the season shows.
Prediction: The Falcons lose.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday November 29th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business.
Notes: At least it's in the Georgia Dome, where the Falcons are 4-0.
The Falcons win if: they get healthier and don't make too many mistakes.
The Bucs win if: they take advantage of any and all opportunities Falcons mistakes give them.
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. Let's avenge 2004's playoff loss.
Notes: The Eagles are looking so wishy-washy I doubt they can come into the Dome playing their strongest ball. And hopefully, we'll have a calmer Matt Ryan and a healthy Jerious Norwood.
Prediction: Falcons win.
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: I just don't see us winning here, even in our own Dome.
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: The Jets are, as Don Banks has said, imposters. Hopefully our Falcons aren't.
Prediction: Falcons win.
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: Even hampered by injury, I think we can win this one.
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: Hmm...
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: 5-4 (Wins against MIA, CAR, SF, CHI, WAS; losses against NE, DAL, NO, CAR)
Current season prediction: 10-6 (Wins: MIA, CAR, SF, CHI, WAS, TB, PHI, NYJ, BUF, TB; Loss: NE, DAL, CAR, NO, NYG, NO)
tlozwarlock's Current Prediction record: 7-2 (The pitfall came. And it sucked.)
24 comments | 0 recs |
If Michael Turner Is Out, Let's Discuss Our Other Options
by Dave the Falconer on Nov 17, 2009 12:00 PM EST
in Falcons News
45 comments
There's a lot of reports swirling around about just what's going to happen to Michael Turner this weekend, and almost all of them are a cause for concern.
Pretty much everyone seems to agree that Turner has sprained his ankle, but the severity of that sprain seems to be in doubt. If you listen to Dr. Roddy White, Turner will play this weekend. Listen to Mike Smith and that's a little less specific "confident" that he'll play again in 2009. And everything in between.
I would personally put the likelihood that Turner plays this week at like 25%, which leaves us to sort through our remaining options and figure out who we'll be trotting out against the Giants. The obvious choice for a feature back is Jason Snelling, who runs like an angry bull and can even catch a pass or two. Given the health and talent level of everyone else on the roster, he's pretty much the default. It's also a really cool thing to see a former seventh round pick who has battled epilepsy his whole life getting ready to start for the Falcons. Here's hoping he has a good week.
Beyond that, health really is going to play a role. Aaron Stecker has been re-signed and is available to go, but he's not exactly an elite option and will chiefly be useful for spelling Snelling. If Jerious Norwood is healthy, he could easily get ten touches and make an immediate impact with his speed, but I'm not sure he's going to be up for the game on Sunday. Unless we're willing to drop someone else off the roster to make room for another back, we really don't have any other options.
Now that we've established that, feel free to take a crack at predicting how this will all go down and how well our rushing attack will fare against the Giants.
45 comments | 0 recs |
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NFC South Standings
| W | L | T | PF | PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New Orleans
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9 | 0 | 0 | 331 | 197 |
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Atlanta
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5 | 4 | 0 | 221 | 194 |
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Carolina
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4 | 6 | 0 | 193 | 239 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
1 | 8 | 0 | 157 | 256 |
(updated 11.20.2009 at 4:42 AM EST)
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