In this series of posts, I seek to find the answer to questions that are brought up around here or around the various sports conversation sites. I use a realistic, low-stat opinion to generate discussion about these topics, but I also encourage the use of stats in an argument.
I believe that there are still some people who question the legitimacy of this team. ESPN, however, is not one of them. It was reported that John Harbaugh submitted plays from the Ravens-Falcons game to be reviewed by the officials. I have no idea why he felt that was necessary or what good it would do, especially since Roddy's comments afterward were taken out of context by everyone.
My question today is simple. Despite our recent success, could we still manage to fly under the radar?
Follow me after the jump and let's talk about it!
We're sitting pretty on top of the NFC at 7-2, but when you think of the past week in football, what comes to mind? Naturally, the victory of the week should tell you the story.
Jason Garrett's first game as a head coach is a drubbing of the New York Giants with Jon Kitna of all people leading the Cowboys to victory. Big story, right? Super underachieving team beats overachieving team with a electric problems.
On another board, we have Michael Vick solo-destroying the Redskins, all the while accounting for 3000 yards of offense while delivering two babies at half time and serving as the local DJ for a homeless shelter. Did I mention this was Michael Vick?
And then we have our win against the AFC elite-level Ravens. A heart attack, controversial last second win. Yeah, that's not cool enough for the media.
Our quarterback is on pace for a 4000 yard season with an admirable 62.7% completion percentage. He has 16 TDs compared to just 5 INTs. In comparison, Peyton has 16 TDs with just 4 INTs which have largely come with Reggie Wayne and a bunch of hobbled college kids.
Michael Turner has 733 yards rushing, good for 11th in the league. Perhaps I should note that the running back with the 3rd highest total in the league, Ahmad Bradshaw, has 838 yards. Actually, CJ2K does too. Frank Gore clocks in at 5th highest with 778 yards rushing. So really, Turner is right there in the thick of things.
He's on pace for about 1300 yards rushing, which is solid considering the other half of Turnelling is on pace for 500 yards rushing.
Everyone knows about Roddy White aka The Bane of Chuck Norris's Roundhouse. He will likely not reach the 1878 yards needed to break Jerry Rice's single season yards record, and he will likely not be the MVP of the league this year even though I can tell you we'd be 2-7 without him. Roddy's controversial "OPI" put this team in the spotlight, but the team has remained quiet and gone about its business.
That being said, there are still people who believe this team isn't serious. For instance, the nfl.com crew. Look here at their picks for this week. Only Baldinger picked us to beat the Rams! Look, I know the Rams are an improving team, but come on now. We're the Falcons, we're fresh, and we're universally mad.
We continue to generate as little respect as possible among the talking heads. Only ESPN has really recognized us as "the shiz", but even then there has been little made about it. Sando even wrote about how we could be in for a letdown against the Rams. I think this Falcons team has found a confidence that will not be shaken for the rest of the season.
I genuinely believe this current Falcons team can play with anyone (Yes, even Vick and the dreaded Eagles. Past game be damned.) and can certainly beat anyone.
And yet...we're still somehow flying under the radar.
Yes, there are rumblings about the Falcons potentially being one of the best out there, but our win over the Ravens seemed to be more about how they were robbed instead of how we controlled them for the bulk of the game. The spin that gets used against us is crazy. Absolutely crazy, at that.
What do you all think? Can we get a little respect around here? Or can we continue to sneak around while glory mamas Michael Vick and All Your Rex Ryans steal the spotlight from our humble team? How much longer do you think it will be before the bullseye finally gets placed on our backs, if it happens? I look forward to discussing this with you all!