Atlanta Falcons

p>My results so far: 1-1
Back on the horse baby.

(10-7) New York Giants 24
(10-7) Atlanta Falcons 2

Atlanta just could not get anything going today. Though for a while it seemed as though no one would score. It took over a quarter for anyone to get on the board, and that was on a freaking safety. Without production from Michael Turner, the Falcons had to try and air it out, which makes Ryan uncomfortable. The Giants only sacked Ryan twice, but they racked up seven QB hits. Atlanta only tallied 247 yards of total offense! They couldn’t get anything to go their way in the redzone (or in Giant territory at all), failing to convert two fourth downs on which Mike Smith decided to not go for three points. He does not manage these situations well. But let’s give a ton of credit to the Giants, who absolutely shut the Falcons down and got a huge day from Hakeem Nicks (115 yards on 6 catches) and backs Jacobs and Bradshaw, who combined for over 150 yards. Now let’s see if those 24 points is enough to beat Green Bay.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2012 Wildcard Weekend"

lengthy introductions though? Let’s break down this action!

 


(10-6) Atlanta Falcons at
(9-7) New York Giants
1:00 PM ET, FOX

Even more of a toss-up than Texans-Bengals, this game seems like it could go either way. Matt Ryan and the Falcons have been hot of late, winning five of their last seven games. However, all of those wins except one (Tennessee) came against sub .500 teams. Atlanta’s been kicking the crap out of crappy teams in 2011. Ryan hasn’t looked as sharp against quality defenses, but he hasn’t been getting help from receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones in those outings. Too many drops in an inconsistent passing attack. As always, the key to their success is the production of Michael Turner. The Falcons have a very aggressive offensive line that excels at run blocking, but their pass blocking hasn’t been as dependable. Defensively they’ve struggled to produce any sort of pass rush, even with Ray Edwards. John Abraham needs to have a big day.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 Wildcard Sunday"

And if you didn’t notice, Aldon Smith is scary good.(12-3) New Orleans Saints 45
(9-6) Atlanta Falcons 16

Kudos to Drew Brees and the entire Saints organization for breaking one of the most esteemed records in the NFL. It’s a testament to Brees’ dedication and hard work… and super mega-f*ck-accuracy. Aside from his two picks on Monday night (one of which was a crazy tip in the air), Brees set the all-time yardage record in near-perfect fashion. Atlanta, have fun dealing with that in the playoffs. 

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 16, 2011"

hdowns in their comeback win over the Panthers.

 

(4-9) Jacksonville Jaguars at
(8-5) Atlanta Falcons

Hey Jacksonville fans, Blaine Gabbert didn’t look like a frightened turd last week! Huzzah! Seriously though, it’s an improvement you should be pleased with. But what really caused the drastic improvement was the commitment to running Maurice Jones-Drew all over a crappy Buc defense. Atlanta won’t be as porous, but the script should remain the same. Maybe they finally turned the corner? (Probably not.)

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Thursday Night Preview: ..."

Have fun Mike.
(7-5) Atlanta Falcons at
(4-8) Carolina Panthers

In what would be a TOTW winner in most weeks, this game has all the makings of an upset. The unimpressive Falcons are on the road against a young and explosive division rival that has a Rookie of the Year hopeful at quarterback. I don’t like the 2011 Falcons on the road. They’re just not that good.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 14, 2011"

Green for the entire game.(7-4) Atlanta Falcons at
(8-3) Houston Texans

Uh… who’s Houston starting at quarterback again? T.J. Yates? …It would be REALLY hard for me not to take Atlanta here. I’m not saying Yates is awful, but first starts are hardly ever stand-out performances. The Falcons are quietly winning but need a noisemaker for anyone to start taking them seriously.(11-0) Green Bay Packers at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 13, 2011"

Green more. (5-4) Tennessee Titans at
(5-4) Atlanta Falcons

Yeah. What am I supposed to expect from these teams? The Titans are the definition of average, trading off decent wins for sucky losses several times throughout the year. Since they’re in Atlanta, I have to give the Falcons the edge here. (3-6) Philadelphia Eagles at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 11, 2011"

So I can’t waste any time in starting The Final Drive!(7-3) New Orleans Saints 26
(5-4) Atlanta Falcons 23

I’m squarely in the camp that wanted Mike Smith to punt that ball away in overtime. Punting would have at least given your defense (which had stopped Brees before) a chance to get you the ball back. Failing to convert so deep in their own territory just locked them into a loss.(7-3) Pittsburgh Steelers 24

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 10, 2011"

ect from the weekend’s slew of games!

 

(6-3) New Orleans Saints at
(5-3) Atlanta Falcons

It seems like we get a match-up with the NFC South lead on the line every other week. Atlanta’s been charging up the standings as of late, putting pressure on the less-than perfect Saints. Falcons at home? I like ‘em.(6-3) Pittsburgh Steelers at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 10, 2011"

Rex Ryan keeps his good squad in the AFC East race for another week.

(5-3) Atlanta Falcons 31
(0-9) Indianapolis Colts 7

Why hasn’t Peyton Manning fired Jim Caldwell and promoted himself to head coach yet? This is getting out of hand.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 9, 2011"

I still loved every minute of it. Let’s start The Final Drive!(4-3) Atlanta Falcons 23
(5-2) Detroit Lions 16

Apparently you shouldn’t taunt Matt Ryan when he’s injured… because he’ll come back two plays later and smoke you. As for the Lions; dropping two in a row and Matthew Stafford is “day to day” with ankle and knee injuries? Zoinks Scoob.(4-3) Houston Texans 41

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 7, 2011"

I know. So odd.) The Opening Drive gets you ready for the day’s action!

(3-3) Atlanta Falcons at
(5-1) Detroit Lions

Atlanta’s in danger of falling WAY behind in the South if they drop another game this early in the season. No Jahvid Best for the Lions means Maurice Morris starts for the Lions. Which in turn means NO running game whatsoever. So that Falcons D has to think about covering Calvin Johnson. It’s a good idea.(3-3) Houston Texans at

Continue reading "The Opening Drive, Week 7, 2011"

Now they slip below .500 and look out-of-sorts.(5-0) Green Bay Packers 25
(2-3) Atlanta Falcons 14

After getting jumped on early 14-0, the Packer defense manned up and shut down the Falcons offense for the final 42 minutes of action as their offense heated up. Aaron Rodgers kept his unbelievable play going as the Packers climbed to 5-0. There aren’t a lot of possible losses on Green bay’s schedule, so stay tuned… 

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 5, 2011"

Get your fantasy team ready.

(4-0) Green Bay Packers at
(2-2) Atlanta Falcons
The Sunday nighter features a rematch of last year’s NFC Divisional round when the Packers absolutely demolished the Falcons on national television. I’m not seeing a reason to envision anything different this season. The Falcons won’t be able to keep Jermichael Finley under wraps and Brent Grimes can only cover one of these prolific receivers. Aaron Rodgers should be in for another fantastic day. 

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 5, 2011"

Snap.

(2-1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16
(1-2) Atlanta Falcons 13

Wow. The Bucs still bore me and the Falcons aren’t exactly lighting it up lately. The NFC South is wide open for business. This next Monday night I’ll finally get to watch Josh Freeman in action, so maybe I’ll get the chance to be impressed… or take a nap.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 3, 2011"

Brady’s on a wicked tear right now.

(1-1) Atlanta Falcons 35
(1-1) Philadelphia Eagles 31

Did not see that surprise ending coming? Sunday Night Vick ended without Michael Vick! TWIST! Losing Vick is killer for the Eagles, despite Mike Kafka’s decent showing while filling in. Good for the Falcons and Matt Ryan, who avoid dropping to 0-2 and win a game everyone says is significant. (But kind wasn’t.) 

Continue reading "The Final Drive: Week 2, 2011"

Wait, am I rooting for Tom Brady again? DAMMIT!(1-0) Philadelphia Eagles at
(0-1) Atlanta Falcons

This Sunday-nighter will have way too much drama for two players that won’t face each other on the field AT ALL. It’s close to a must-win for Atlanta, but the rest of the NFC South is in a 0-1 hole too, so they won’t fall behind far if they lose. Eagles are probably getting to 2-0.

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: Week 2, 2011"

It was a complete victory at Soldier Field Sunday afternoon as the Bears dominated the visiting Atlanta Falcons 30 to 12. In a game where the Bears were underdogs, they sent an early message to the rest of the NFC, intimating that they will not be overlooked. Chicago took the NFC’s best team in 2010 and made them look sloppy and unpracticed.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Recap: Bears 30, Falcons 12"

They’re welcoming in the Atlanta Falcons, whose 13-3 record was the best in the NFC during 2010. Let’s get to some match-ups, shall we?

(0-0)         

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Falcons at Bears"

usen for the starting job, is Cam Newton ready for the NFL spotlight? Your answers start here! Atlanta Falcons

For a team that racked up an impressive 13 wins in 2010, to exit the playoffs routed by the Packers was a tough pill for Matty Ice and company to swallow. In an aggressive move to regain top dog status, the Falcons traded away a sizeable ransom in order to draft receiver Julio Jones. Say what you want about the price they paid, Jones may be a break-out star in his first year. He excels in the short passing game but has the burners to stretch the defense to take defenders away from Michael Turner and fellow receiver Roddy White. Tony Gonzalez is still a nice piece at tight end, but his prime is long since passed and I’m not sure how much of a weapon he can still be. Re-signing Jason Snelling was integral to keeping this running game operating at a high level. The Falcons made one of the most understated moves of the offseason when they signed defensive end Ray Edwards to play opposite John Abraham. An instant pass-rushing upgrade, Edwards should thrive on the outside. Coach Mike Smith will unleash Abraham and Edwards on the QB’s of the NFC South, which is absolutely necessary in a division with such talent. They could use a better safety pairing, but Brent Grimes is the best corner in the league that no one talks about. They’ll take a slight step-back in terms of their record, but they should be a much improved ballclub.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Season Preview: The NFC South"

Vikings fan should get used to this image.Atlanta Falcons

I get it. You wanted to trade up for A.J. Green and missed out. But when he went off the board you panicked and traded away five picks (including your first next season) to move up in the first round to get Julio Jones, clearly the second best receiver in the draft. Though what you’ve really done is mortgage both drafts to get a player at a position that is the most difficult to make an impact as a rookie. If Jones isn’t outstanding, he won’t live up to the expectations.

Continue reading "The Best and Worst Classes of the 2011 NFL Draft"

Still, going out to the Seahawks? Bad form.

Atlanta Falcons

My prediction: 9-7
What actually happened: 13-3
My result: **

That Georgia Dome advantage reared its head this season…until of course the Packers came in and decimated them on national television. Though the Matt Ryan is a choker arguments don’t hold water until the dude actually gets to the playoffs on several occasions.

Continue reading "How Much I Effed Up: The NFC Edition"

(12-6) Green Bay Packers 48
(13-4) Atlanta Falcons 21

Everything that made the Falcons the top seed in the NFC was lost on Saturday as the Packers tore them apart and blew them out in primetime. Matt Ryan threw two costly interceptions, they fumbled twice, they only ran for 45 yards and their defense only managed two sacks on Aaron Rodgers on the night. The Packers came in hot and smothered the Falcons on both sides of the ball. Even after a fumble by Greg Jennings on Green Bay’s first drive led to a Falcons score, the Packers responded with a long drive of their own and put up 7. Then the Falcons returned a kickoff for a touchdown, which was promptly answered by a John Kuhn run. That was the start of a 35-point spree from the Packers, who never took their foot off the gas.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Final Drive: Divisional Round"

Such a great douche.

8:00 PM ET, FOX

(11-6) Green Bay Packers at
(12-3) Atlanta Falcons

The Breakdown:

If it weren’t for Jets-Patriots… or Ravens-Steelers, this would be the game of the weekend. Still, don’t overlook the drama that will come tonight when Aaron Rodgers heads to Atlanta to take on Matt Ryan. Two of the best young quarterbacks in the league lead dynamic offenses, but it will be the defenses that decide this one. Green Bay has been one of the best scoring defenses in the NFL all season long. Linebacker Clay Matthews will be moved all over the field Saturday night in an effort to get more pressure on Ryan. As good as the Packer defense is, they’re geared to stop the pass, especially when they throw out their 5-DB sets. Michal Turner could give them fits if he gets going early. Rodgers is going to need similar help from James Starks if they’re going to keep Ryan and Turner on the sidelines and off the scoreboard. If I were the Pack, I’d set Tramon Williams on Roddy White and let Charles Woodson do anything and everything.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Opening Drive: Divisional Round"

rime for a loss? Let’s get the Opening Drive going!

(2-13) Carolina Panthers at
(12-3) Atlanta Falcons

This game could not be more of a mismatch… but it still holds the fate of the NFC’s all-important number one seed. If the Falcons lay an egg, then the Bears or Saints can take the top spot. I don’t see the makings of an upset here at all. The Falcons are coming off a tough loss and will be looking to rebound against a team with all sorts of problems. There shouldn’t be any drama at the top today.(11-4) Pittsburgh Steelers at

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 17"

ut the coaching and their preparation.

Getty Images(11-4) New Orleans Saints 17
(12-3) Atlanta Falcons 14

When the Saints needed a score, Drew Brees made sure it happened. Well, it happened after two interceptions (one of which was a pick-six), but you get the idea. Atlanta’s offense couldn’t get anything going almost all night, being shut down through the air and on the ground. The Falcons defense faltered late, but I don’t think anyone would object to seeing a rematch in the post-season. The only question is who gets home field? (Spoiler: It’ll be Atlanta.)

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Final Drive: Week 16"

Just look out.

Getty Images(12-2) Atlanta Falcons 34
(6-8) Seattle Seahawks 18

Guess what? The Seahawks are 6-8 and still have a share of the lead for the NFC West title. Hilarious. In other news, the Falcons are still legit.(10-4) New York Jets 22

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Final Drive: Week 15"

Getty Images/ Where was this offense eight weeks ago?

(10-2) Atlanta Falcons 28
(7-5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24

So close. So very close. You have to feel bad for these Bucs, who have come within minutes of sweeping Atlanta this season. It’s not their year, but the Bucs are vastly improved and are still learning how to win. Unfortunately for them the Falcons are done learning and are on their wait to home field in the playoffs. Look out NFC.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 Final Drive: Week 13"

NFC match-ups as well as a brawl in Houston. Here are my highlights of week 12! 

(9-2) Atlanta Falcons 20
(7-4) Green Bay Packers 17

Thanks to a catch that wasn’t correctly reversed (or even challenged), the Falcons have risen to the top of the NFC. Matt Ryan is ridiculously accurate and benefited from Michael Turner’s 110 yards on the ground. They look on pace for a first-round bye and home field advantage, which would be huge for this team. And now the Packers have lost as many games as I thought they would all season. Snap.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 12"

Let's break it down!

(6-2) Baltimore Ravens at
(6-2) Atlanta Falcons

This inter-conference match-up has far-reaching implications across the top of the NFL power rankings. Baltimore, fresh off a trouncing of the Dolphins, heads to the Georgia Dome to take on the Falcons who just cemented their first place status in the NFC South with a win over the Bucs. While the Ravens own two of the best wins of 2010 (Steelers, Jets), the Falcons are 4-0 at home this season, setting up a Thursday of epic proportions. Matt Ryan excels in front of his home crowd, but his best weapon Roddy White won't be 100% after dealing with a knee injury and Ed Reed is healthy and patrolling the secondary for the Ravens. Against the Falcons' decent defensive backfield, Joe Flacco should have some open targets. I'm leaning towards Baltimore but I won't be surprised by anything... unless there's a blow-out.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Thursday Night Quickie: Week 10"

Here's the best and worst of week nine!

(6-2) Atlanta Falcons 27
(5-3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 21

It's odd to say, but this loss puts the Buccaneers on the map for the 2010 NFL season. Losing to the Falcons at home is nothing to be ashamed of, especially when you have a chance to win the game late. One of the best teams in the NFC, the Falcons are quietly asserting themselves in the NFC South.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 9"

Let's kick off the Opening Drive!

(5-2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at
(5-2) Atlanta Falcons

Tampa Bay. For realsies or fakesies? Today's match-up with their division rivals will go a long way in establishing the Bucs as a legitimate NFC threat or a young team with a deceiving record. Atlanta's offense would appear to have the advantage over a soft defense that gave up all sorts of points in its two losses. Michael Turner and Roddy White should each have 100-yard games today. As good as Josh Freeman has looked this season, that offense just isn't good enough to hang with the Falcons yet.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 9"

Here are my highlights (and low-lights) of week seven!

(5-2) Atlanta Falcons 39
(2-4) Cincinnati Bengals 32

One of these teams is living up to the hype they garnered going into the year. Atlanta is balanced on both sides of the ball and has earned victories during a very tough opening schedule. Roddy White's 201 yards through the air secured a much-need win and some extra breathing room heading into their bye week. In Cincy, things are about to a'splode. At 2-4, the Bengals are all but out of the AFC North race. With all of these un-met expectations, can Marvin Lewis save his job?

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 7"

 

(2-3) Cincinnati Bengals at
(4-2) Atlanta Falcons

This would have been an awesome game... last season. Instead, the struggling Bengals are about to get a large helping of a good team. Michael Turner could go off against their defense, but I'm looking for Roddy White to have a big day. Behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the standings, these Bengals are running out of time. Carson Palmer circa 2005, where are you?

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 7"

It's like he's cheating somehow...

Getty Images

(4-2) Philadelphia Eagles 31
(4-2) Atlanta Falcons 17

So we've got another quarterback controversy in Philly. This is my shocked face. Andy Reid has a favorable dilemma on his hands but he's going to have another hard decision as well. Do you ride the hot hand in Kolb as he did with Vick or do you return the "starter" to the position he held before an injury took it away? At 4-2, they're in the thick of the NFC East race in a year where they were supposed to be rebuilding. Atlanta loses a tough one on the road, but I'm not overly surprised. There's no dominant team in the NFC.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 6"

an take advantage of a suspect Patriot defense, they can repeat last post-season's success.

(4-1) Atlanta Falcons at
(3-2) Philadelphia Eagles

Well, unless there are two injuries, Michael Vick won't get on the field to play against his old team. The Eagles and Falcons are playing solid football through five weeks of the season, making for an intense game today. With a full week of preparation as the starter, Kevin Kolb showed off his skills last week in an impressive win. Today he'll be under pressure from John Abraham, who is finding new energy in Atlanta. The Falcons have great balance on offense and defense, so the Eagles are going to have problems finding ways to stop them.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 6"

Here are my takes on the stories of week four.

(3-1) Atlanta Falcons 16
(0-4) San Francisco 49ers 14

This may be blasphemous for a boy from Chicago to say, but I'm not convinced Mike Singletary is prepared or smart enough to be a head coach. Not book smarts, but football smart. He's a great motivator for the right kind of player and he'll draw the media's attention away from his team, but as far as coaching decisions go? He's iffy. The guy's never been a coordinator in the league and now he's trying to meet lofty expectations with a mediocre level of talent. Even up 14 points they couldn't hold onto a lead. Credit Falcons WR Roddy White with the strip of Nate Clements that likely saved a touchdown and let Atlanta keep pace with New Orleans.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 4"

Grr. Here are the storylines to look for this weekend.

(0-3) San Francisco 49ers at
(2-1) Atlanta Falcons

They've fired their offensive coordinator, but that won't help the struggling Niners this week in Atlanta. The Falcons proved to be a legitimate contender by beating New Orleans last week in overtime and now Matt Ryan can take advantage of a defense that isn't playing with the intensity of their head coach. I expect to see the Falcons win and win big.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Opening Drive: Week 4"

That's exactly what they needed. (That gadget play was pretty fun too.)

(2-1) Atlanta Falcons 27
(2-1) New Orleans Saints 24

It was exactly the type of game we expected from these NFC South contenders. The Falcons proved they aren't going anywhere with this overtime win, but Saints kicker Garrett Hartley missed a 29-yarder in the extra period, giving Atlanta the opportunity they needed. Following a few solid performances, the Saints defense couldn't generate enough turnovers to make up for their offense's. Drew Brees uncharacteristically tossed two picks in the loss. Matt Ryan wasn't spectacular, but he avoided the big mistakes.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 3"

With Shaun Hill, they don't have a shot.

(1-1) Atlanta Falcons at
(2-0) New Orleans Saints

Not winning as prettily as they're used to, the New Orleans Saints welcome in the team that's supposedly primed to take over the NFC South. The Falcons just bowled over the Cardinals in week 2, but they won't get the same luck against the Saints. The Saint offense won't be as dynamic without Reggie Bush in the backfield, but Sean Payton will have a few tricks up his sleeve as always. This should be one of the best games of the day.

Continue reading "Joe's NFL Opening Drive: Week 3"

e touchdowns out of only four receptions proves it. 

(1-0) Pittsburgh Steelers 15
(0-1) Atlanta Falcons 9

It has to be extremely disappointing that the Falcons couldn't take advantage of Big Ben's absence on Sunday. Keeping up with the Saints will be no easy task. While the Falcons were one-dimensional through the air, the Steelers found great balance on offense, throwing 26 times and rushing 31. Dennis Dixon only threw one interception on the day, instilling Mike Tomlin with a bit of confidence in the young quarterback's ability and decision-making. They just need to go 2-2 in these first four games, and Dixon has them halfway to happy hour.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 1"

ow them down early, don't be surprised if the Panthers sneak out of the Big Apple with a victory.

Atlanta Falcons at
Pittsburgh Steelers

A month without Big Ben begins today as the Falcons come to town. Dennis Dixon has more mobility but can't win games on his own. Rashard Mendenhall will see a ton of carries as Mike Tomlin avoids putting too much pressure on his quarterback. His defense is good enough to slow down the Falcon offense, so ATL QB Matt Ryan has to ensure that his team scores touchdowns and doesn't just settle for field goals.

Continue reading "Joe's NFL Opening Drive: Week 1"

Easy win.

 

Atlanta Falcons

Last season the Falcons under coach Mike Smith and second year QB Matt Ryan (who was injured a few games) completed their second straight winning season for the first time in franchise history. This season expectations are riding high from within the organization as well as from the rest of the NFL. Michael Jenkins is dependable at the wide-out spot and Roddy White is an emerging star in the league. Add in another year of Tony Gonzalez and the dual-threat of Jerious Norwood and Michael Turner at running back and this offense should pick up right where it left off last year.

Continue reading "Joe's 2010 NFL Season Preview: NFC South"

(Though how classic and awesome would a tie be?

(5-4) Atlanta Falcons at (5-4) New York Giants

After solid starts to their seasons, both of these squads are heading in the wrong direction and are in serious danger of missing the playoffs altogether. Tom Coughlin's Giants have lost four straight while the Falcons have dropped three of their last four. Big Blue's vaunted defense has failed in recent weeks, but the offense is the real culprit. They've strayed from the running game and Eli Manning has turned the ball over with regularity. Atlanta's Matt Ryan is in a similar boat, with more interceptions through nine games this season that he had all of his rookie year. Whoever loses will almost certainly miss the postseason.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 11"

, who need to rally this season to be credible again. 

(4-5) Carolina Panthers 28
(5-4) Atlanta Falcons 19 

Simply did not see that coming. Jake Delhomme not sucking, I mean. Atlanta’s lost some tough games and is in trouble of losing out on the playoffs entirely. Odder things have happened I guess. 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 10"

(My Bears need help!) 

(4-2) Atlanta Falcons at (6-0) New Orleans Saints 

Monday Night Football will be rocking at the Superdome! The offensive juggernaut that is the Saints welcome Matt Ryan and the Falcons for an important NFC South division showdown. If Atlanta is going to make a push in this race, now is the time. They can’t afford to fall another game behind the streaking Saints. If Sean Payton’s team can make it to 7-0, they have to be the clear favorites to win the NFC. With a remaining schedule that includes Tampa twice, Carolina twice, Washington and St. Louis, they have a great shot at 12-14 wins. Look out everyone else. 

Continue reading "Joe’s NFL Opening Drive: Week 8"

eating a hot dog on the bench was amusing enough though. 

(4-2) Dallas Cowboys 37
(4-2) Atlanta Falcons 21 

Well holy crap, someone is looking like T.O.’s replacement in Dallas, and it isn’t Roy Williams. Miles Austin snagged six Tony Romo throws for a whopping 171 yards and two scores. Romo has found his stride these past two games, this time leading his team to a win over a solid Falcons squad. Don’t look now, but at 4-2 these Cowpokes aren’t out of the NFC East mix yet.  With the same 4-2 record, the Falcons are in danger of falling behind the undefeated Saints.

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 7"

Hasn’t looked like it to me. Oh Oakland, keep on suckin’!  

(4-1) Atlanta Falcons at (3-2) Dallas Cowboys 

Hey, did you notice last weekend there wasn’t an ounce of Cowboy news? Thank goodness for bye weeks. The ‘Boys are back this week as they welcome the Falcons into their behemoth of a stadium. I’m still not a believer in these Cowboys’ chances. Their running game is key to their success, but Falcons’ defense is stout on the ground, as evidenced by their game against Chicago. Matt Ryan should have a big day against a Dallas defense that has had trouble rushing the passer.  

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 7"

So that happened. After threatening on several occasions in the red zone and leading a possible game-tying drive to the five-yard line, the Chicago Bears rightfully lost a game they had no business winning.

Continue reading "Missed Opportunities Lead to Bears' ..."

Carson Palmer should be back on his way to the cream of the quarterback crop. 

(3-1) Atlanta Falcons 45
(3-2) San Francisco 49ers 10 

Hm. I can’t for the life of me figure this game out. Matt Ryan and the

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 5"

that swarming defense will try to make a statement at the expense of their division rival. 

Atlanta Falcons (2-1) at San Francisco 49ers (3-1) 

Fresh off of a bye week, the Falcons need to ramp it up a notch if they’re going to leave San Francisco with a win. Their running game has failed to produce at last season’s high level and Matt Ryan has not been getting the ball downfield. The Niners, on the other hand, just blanked St. Louis 35-0 in week four. Mike Singletary’s team is persevering despite a low-powered passing attack. Throwing safe passes, running the ball and not being afraid to punt have been the key to success in San Fran.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 5"

rrible call from a good coach.

  
Bunk.

(2-1) New England Patriots 26
(2-1) Atlanta Falcons 10 

Regardless of their wide receiver troubles (Brady yelling at them was fun), New England racked up plenty of yards on the ground on their way to beating a solid Falcon squad. Moss caught another ten passes for 116 yards while veteran Fred Taylor rushed for 105 yards. If this Patriot offense can find balance, look out. 

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 3"

ingletary’s defense needs to go above and beyond if they’re going to stay undefeated.

Atlanta Falcons (2-0) at New England Patriots (1-1)

Matt Ryan has a chance to prove he’s an elite quarterback this Sunday, and there’s no better way to do it than to out-duel Tom Brady. The Patriots are struggling on defense, but Wes Welker’s return to action should do wonders for Brady and their underneath passing attack.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 3"

ars!) Let’s take a look at the week that was in my Week 2 edition of the Final Drive!

(2-0) Atlanta Falcons       28
(0-2) Carolina Panthers   20

Continue reading "Joe's Final Drive: Week 2"

the Opening Drive, here are some teams who need to avoid an 0-2 start.

Carolina Panthers (0-1) at Atlanta Falcons (1-0)

What’s the over / under on Jake Delhomme interceptions in this NFC South match-up? I’m going to set that line at 2. Though after 9 picks (and 2 fumbles) in his last two games, I’m being generous. His leash could not be shorter. If Atlanta takes down the Panthers, they could share the division lead (or own it outright) after only two games. Expect heavy doses of both teams’ running attacks.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 2"

running game must be the propeller of they are to make it back to the playoffs.

Miami Dolphins at Atlanta Falcons

In a meeting of 2008 shockers, the Miami Dolphins are out to prove they can repeat as division champions. No one should be caught off guard by the “wildcat offense” this year, but with rookie QB Pat White taking the “cat snaps,” defenses will be forced to guard against the pass as well. Unfortunately, in such a difficult division, the Dolphins have their work cut out for them if they are to repeat. If they can only turn it over 13 times like last season, I’d give them a fighting chance. With a returning Jason Taylor, their defense is primed to pressure the quarterback.

Continue reading "Joe's Opening Drive: Week 1"

at the weekend that was in this Wild Card edition of the Final Drive. 

Arizona Cardinals 30, Atlanta Falcons 24

In much the same vein as Miami, it was hard not to root for Arthur Blank’s Falcons as they traveled to Arizona to take on the reeling Cardinals. Unfortunately, they must have misplaced their identity in transit. The normally accurate and poised Matt Ryan threw two costly interceptions and dropped back to pass a staggering forty times, while Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood only racked up 54 yards combined on their twenty carries. Contrast that with the Cardinal’s performance, as Kurt Warner completed 19 for 32 with two touchdowns and only one interception. Even more surprising was the re-emergence of Edgerrin James, who found an unusual amount of running room against the Atlanta defensive front, rushing for 73 yards on only 16 carries. While they only averaged a little over three yards a carry, Arizona ran the ball 28 times, which is a drastic change of tactics for their normally pass-happy offense. Cardinal receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin each had lengthy touchdown receptions early, giving Ken Wisenhunt’s team the lead. Atlanta appeared to have regained the momentum going into halftime after scoring 17 points in the second quarter. That momentum was derailed when Antrel Rolle recovered a Ryan fumble for a touchdown within the opening minute of the second half. The Cardinals shut out the Falcons in the third quarter while tallying sixteen points of their own, securing the victory and propelling them into a match-up with the Carolina Panthers next weekend.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

 

           Wildcard weekend had an interesting lineup of games this year.  All four road teams (wildcard teams) were favored to win over the home teams (division winners).  That’s unusual, but this year it actually makes a lot of sense.  Many of the wildcard teams had better records than the division winners.  In the end, the underdogs won two of the four games (both 6th seeds defeated the 3rd seeded teams).

Continue reading "Where Are All The Nay Sayers Now?"

Let’s get you ready for this weekend with a wild-card edition of the Opening Drive.

Atlanta Falcons (11-5) at Arizona Cardinals (9-7)

Arizona made the playoffs simply by beating up on the NFC West. No other team in their division was over .500, and Seattle and St. Louis are two of the worst teams in the NFL. The Cardinals went 6-0 against their NFC West rivals and 3-7 against the rest of the league. That statistic doesn’t bode well for Arizona as they’ve lost four of their last six and welcome the surging

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Wild Card Weekend"

Playoffs:  0-0 

Overall:  33-26-1  

Atlanta @ Arizona:  The Atlanta Falcons (11-5) will travel to Arizona to play the Cardinals (9-7).  It’s a quirky nuance in the rules where the team with a better record must travel to play a team with a worse record in the playoffs.  The Cardinals won their division, so by rule they get the home game.  The Falcons have been a huge surprise this season, but the NFL is well aware of them now.  The Cardinals played in a sub-par division, but they won enough games to earn their way into the tournament.  Unfortunately for the Cards, they will be one and done.  The Falcons are clearly the better team, and the Cardinals have been playing poorly as of late.  The Falcons are the real deal and should win easily.  Atlanta 34, Arizona 23.  

Continue reading "Predictions Wildcard Weekend"

So, evidently Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson is surprised he isn’t the Offensive Rookie of the Year. 

I don’t have the exact quote, but he said something like, “I found out yesterday that I am not the ROY.” 

Continue reading "Chris Johnson and the Rookie of the Year"

Thin-slicing. It is the act cutting through all extraneous information and getting to the key items that characterize something. Malcolm Gladwell wrote an entertaining and informative book on thin-slicing called Blink.

Continue reading "Thin-slicing Week 1 of the NFL Playoffs"

ets and Dolphins playing 2 and 3-win teams this weekend, New England has the tougher road to hoe.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at Minnesota Vikings (9-5)

Shocking as it may sound; the Atlanta Falcons

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Week 16"

The Final Drive of week 15 fills you in.

Atlanta Falcons 13, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10

If the Falcons are going to make it into the playoffs, this will be the win that propelled them. Matt Ryan played one of his worst games of the season, throwing two interceptions against a hard-nosed Tampa defense. Coming to his aid was running back Michael Turner, who posted 152 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Atlanta abused Tampa QB Brian Griese by sacking him four times, three of which came from defensive end John Abraham. Griese filled in for the injured Jeff Garcia, who sat out with a calf injury. If Garcia is out for any significant period of time, it could spell doom for the Bucs’ playoff chances after being in the driver’s seat only a few weeks ago.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week 15"

quo;s get to the best of week 14 in the latest edition of the Final Drive.

New Orleans Saints 29, Atlanta Falcons 25

The Saints aren’t exiting the NFC South playoff hunt without a fight. Matt Ryan of the Falcons may have been the better quarterback on the field, but Drew Brees had a better running game backing him up. New Orleans racked up 184 yards rushing thanks to 102 yards from Pierre Thomas and 80 from the now healthier Reggie Bush. Atlanta still has a shot at a wild card spot since Dallas lost, but they didn’t do themselves any favors.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week 14"

(albeit mixed with the Bengals and 49ers); they’ll need some help to make it into January.

Atlanta Falcons 22, San Diego Chargers 16

Anyone who predicted that the Atlanta Falcons

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week 13"

k, and if he can’t make a go of it the Redskins will be beaten before the game even starts.

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at San Diego Chargers (4-7)

Among a glut of improved teams in the NFC, the Falcons are without a doubt the biggest surprise. Being a surprise doesn’t have to be the whole story in 2008 though, as Atlanta still has a chance at the division as well as a possible wildcard spot. Matt Ryan will get strong consideration for Rookie of the Year, and Michael Turner may have been the best free agent signing of the off-season. Turner departed the Chargers, who are fighting for their lives in a less-than-stellar AFC West. A loss would ensure San Diego goes no better than .500, but with a strong possibility to end up with a losing record. That won’t be enough for a team with all this supposed “talent.”

Continue reading "Joey A's Opening Drive: Week 13"

Cardinals may get a rematch in the playoffs, so they’ll need to learn from their mistakes.

Atlanta Falcons 45, Carolina Panthers 28

With the Panthers having a tough stretch through the final five weeks, the Falcons have an inside track to the division title. Their remaining schedule is a difficult one, but they have another divisional game against Tampa Bay (8-3 at the top of the NFC South) that will factor heavily come January. At the least one wildcard team could easily come out of the South, and Atlanta has a great chance to take that spot. Carolina’s defense was overmatched by Matt Ryan and Michael Turner, never stopping the Falcon offense from marching down the field. Jake Delhomme is now unquestionably the worst quarterback in the division.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week Twelve"

uld roll in this one.

Winners - Dallas Cowboys

3) Carolina Panthers @ Atlanta Falcons

The Carolina Panthers are 8-2. Yes 8-2. Their 6-0 when playing at home and they took out the Falcons 24-9 in Week 4. Now the Panthers head into the Georgia Dome to play the 6-4 Falcons. My gut is telling me to pick the Falcons here. They lost a close one to the Broncos last week and I think they'll bounce back this week against a good Panthers team. If this game was in Carolina, I would not pick Atlanta, but it isn't. It'll be interesting to see how Matt Ryan plays against a decent defense in the Panthers. It's been a impressive season for the Falcons so far. I'll take them to win this week.

Continue reading "NFL Week 12 Predictions"

game may prove they're not ready to ascend to greatness just yet.

Carolina Panthers (8-2) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4)

No one’s really hopped on the Panther bandwagon. I suppose struggling against two of the worst teams in football will do that to your expectations. Jake Delhomme has put together a string of awful performances that were saved by an outstanding ground attack. Jake’s going to need to pull it together for these final games, or Carolina might not be able to hold off the nipping Falcons and Buccaneers. Defeating Atlanta on the road would be a welcome confidence boost for John Fox’s squad.

Continue reading "Joey A's NFL Week Twelve Preview"

ome of their teammates quit during the game, the Browns’ woes may not be over anytime soon.

Atlanta Falcons 34, New Orleans Saints 20

Matt Ryan is the real deal. A frontrunner for rookie of the year through nine games, Ryan out-dueled MVP candidate Drew Brees to put his Falcons at 6-3. Unfortunately that puts them tied for second place in a cutthroat NFC South. If they can’t overtake the Panthers, it is possible they could sneak in as a wildcard in the NFC. Even if they don’t make the playoffs, this year has been an unequivocal success for owner Arthur Blank.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week 10"

so Cutler won’t feel the pressure to make as many plays. 

New Orleans Saints (4-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3)

The Saints will be missing Reggie Bush for another week, even as they come off a bye. Though they managed to defeat San Diego without Bush, the longer he is out the more a playoff spot slips away from the Saints. Drew Brees has been simply amazing this season, but without a steady running game and Bush’s threat on special teams, he might not be able to keep up this pace. 

Continue reading "Joey A's NFL Week Ten Preview"

Brees is the Saints’ only hope this Sunday, but the odds are against him.

Atlanta Falcons (4-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-3)

It’s looking to be a regular madhouse in Philadelphia this weekend. Game three of the World Series is on Saturday, followed by Falcons v. Eagles Sunday afternoon and game four Sunday night. Thankfully, Philadelphia sports fans have enough emotion to go around. Though if their teams go 0-3 for the weekend, there could be a riot. They’ll have a little more hope for the Eagles, as Brian Westbrook is probable for Sunday’s action. The bad news is the Pro Bowl guard Shaun Andrews had surgery on his back Tuesday, and won’t be expected to return for six weeks. With that timeframe in mind, Andrews would barely be back in time for the playoffs, if the Eagles make it that far. Donovan McNabb doesn’t have any room to maneuver, as any mistake in the next few games could cost them a trip to the postseason. The pressure is on, and Coach Andy Reid has to be ready to bear the brunt, so he can keep the spotlight off his star QB.

Continue reading "Joey A's NFL Week Eight Preview"

That one hurt. The Bears had no business winning that game, and after taking the lead with eleven seconds left, they proved that ideology correct. There are plenty of issues to be taken up with Lovie Smith and his coaching staff regarding the decisions made late in that game, but the blame must be shared equally with the players on the field. Their execution (or lack thereof in the case of the defense and special teams) let the Falcons steal back their victory from the Bear jaws of defeat.

Continue reading "Bears and Falcons get Crazy in Atlanta"

troit, the Chicago Bears are facing some stiff competition this Sunday in the form of the resurgent Atlanta Falcons. Each team sits at 3-2, but while Atlanta is looking up at Carolina in the standings, Chicago is perched alone at the top of their division. Both are coming off of impressive victories against NFC North opponents and need to continue building momentum towards successful seasons.

Continue reading "Joe's Gameday Preview: Bears at Falcons"

has found his old self after returning to Carolina, finding the end zone on a 47 yard reception.

Atlanta Falcons 27, Green Bay 24

The Falcons may not win the NFC South, but they’re definitely keeping pace thus far. Matt Ryan has been a pleasant surprise for Atlanta after their gamut of quarterback issues over the past two seasons. However, the real shock has been the play of newly acquired running back Michael Turner. He’s leading the NFL in rushing after five weeks, which does nothing but help rookie Ryan as he tries to avoid making the big mistakes. Wide receiver Roddy White is continuing his ascension from last season as he caught eight balls for 132 yards and a score. Green Bay has gone in the opposite direction, dropping three straight after impressively winning their first two. Aaron Rodgers has played well in spite of these losses, as the Packer defense has failed to play their best. Missing cornerback Al Harris is starting to show its true effect, as Charles Woodson now takes the responsibility of covering the offense’s best receiver, formerly Harris’ role in the defense. Green Bay could be in trouble, and it has nothing to do with missing Brett Favre.

Continue reading "Joey A's Final Drive: Week 5"

s.

Falcons 27 Packers 24

Matt Ryan kept his composure and he and the Atlanta Falcons went to legendary Lambeau Field and defeated the Green Bay Packers. I had a feeling this could be an upset with Rodgers questionable for the game, but I still went with Green Bay in my pick ems to be safe. Should have went with my gut! Anyways Matt Ryan completed 16 out of 26 passes, 2 for touchdowns along with 1 interception. Aaron Rodgers played through pain and had quite a game going 25-37 for 313 yds along with a trio of touchdowns and a single interception, but it wasn't enough to beat the Falcons who went to 3-2 on the season. RB Michael Turner had a good game rushing 26 times for 121 yards scoring once. The thing that intrigues me with the Falcons is that no one had high expectations for them entering the season. If they lose, it's not like the Dallas Cowboys losing for example (exaggeration, but you get my drift)they have flexibility. They can take risks without suffering the harsh media scrunity of the media after losing a game unlike the top tier teams who are suppose to win week in and week out. Atlanta will be a fun team to watch for the remainder of the season. As a NFL fan hopefully they can compete better on the road and if they play like they did in Green Bay then they could finish with a pretty decent record for their expectations.

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Fallout"

First off, I want to introduce myself. My name is Jake, I live in Houston. I'm glad I found this place. I've read a lot of bloggers material today from predictions to their favorite teams' rants, it's great. I enjoyed it. Sports, baby sports!

Continue reading "NFL Week 5 Predictions"

its rhythm with Ryan Grant; otherwise Aaron Rodger’s solid play won’t mean anything.

Atlanta Falcons (2-1) at Carolina Panthers (2-1)

An early season meeting of two division leaders could help shape the landscape of the NFC South. Carolina lost their last game against Minnesota, dampening the spirits from Steve Smith’s awaited return. Atlanta, on the other hand, pummeled the defenseless Chiefs in their last contest. While Tampa Bay is facing a tough game against Green Bay, one of these teams could hold the division lead after this weekend. It’s too early to crown anyone, but it is never too early to start building a lead. Atlanta will look to run the ball as they always do, keeping rookie QB Matt Ryan from making unnecessary mistakes. The Falcons defense is underrated, but might not be able to keep track of Steve Smith. Carolina should return to the game plan they employed while Smith was out, which is a healthy dose of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Smith will get his opportunities out of the play action pass, which needs a set-up from the running game.

Continue reading "Joey A's NFL Week Four Preview"

“With the 3rd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Matt Ryan, Quarterback, Boston College.” The stain of Michael Vick has finally been dissolved. With the drafting of Matt Ryan, the

Continue reading "32 Teams in 32 Days, Team #13: The Atlanta Falcons"

Matt Ryan, the Atlanta Falcons’ first round pick, has not played a single down in the NFL. Matt Ryan is making more money then Tom Brady. Its ridiculous. There must be something done abou

Continue reading "NFL: Lynch, Pac-Man, & Rookie Contracts"

*Editor's Note: This piece was written Tuesday night but, due to Internet problems, is being posted just now.

Only the NFL can make headlines with the release of its regular season schedule. Granted, there are only a handful of games for fans to absorb, so the attention given to each week is natural. However, this speaks increasingly to the booming popularity of the league.

Continue reading "Bears Schedule Analysis"

His future was limitless. Sure, he was a bit undersized, but Oregon's Joey Harrington could throw the football. Joey Heisman had a billboard in Times Square for goodness sake.

And now, here he stands a free agent.

Continue reading "Atlanta Falcons Release Joey Harrington"

Football and the NFL have transformed into an American game of Roman proportions since the Atlanta Falcons decided it would be a smart idea to shop Favre. His retirement officially signifies the end of a football era.

Continue reading "Green Bay Packers Bret Favre Takes ..."

seems useful to examine an oft-repeated alibi that "everyone does it." According to Atlanta Falcons team president Rich McKay this is decidedly not the case. McKay's exact words and the full text of the New York Times article on this subject appear in the link below. Just click and read:

Continue reading "Videogate - An Atlanta Falcons Perspective"

utside and there are no donkeys flying but it has been a bit cold…

This game against the Atlanta Falcons was vintage Buccaneer defensive football! With the first touchdown coming courtesy of a Rhonde Barber interception, the D continued to cause turnovers and embarrassment for the Falcon offense. It was quite an emotional game that had the players duking it out on a few occasions! More importantly, the Bucs clinched the NFC South title.

Continue reading "A streak-breaking day for Florida NFL teams!"

The Atlanta Falcons are a very interesting football team indeed. Bobby Petrino has resigned to take the head coaching job at Arkansas and now Emmitt Smith is the interim coach of the Falcons. This franchise has fallen a long way down and I guess that blame can be passed around to many different people. If you listen to people it's Arthur Blank the owners fault, toss in Michael Vick and maybe even poor draft choices can be to blame. After looking over the situation though this franchise lacks direction and that starts at the top.

Continue reading "Atlanta Falcons Need To Make Some Tough Decisions"