Atlanta Falcons Blogs

Are you exhausted yet? There was TOO MUCH DRAMA! (That’s a lie. There’s never too much.) Both nights of Wildcard weekend ended in tremendous excitement, wrapping up with a dramatic overtime ending that didn’t even warrant explanation of the new rules. I’m still appalled. Let’s just get The Final Drive started.

Continue reading "The Final Drive: 2012 Wildcard Weekend"

If Saturday’s games were any indication, then Sunday’s remaining Wildcard action should be entertaining as hell. Who’s got time for lengthy introductions though? Let’s break down this action!

Continue reading "The Opening Drive: 2012 Wildcard Sunday"

It was a Christmas Eve of meaningful NFL action as all the remaining playoff spots were nearly filled and draft orders are beginning to finalize. Miss any of the action? No need to worry, because the Final Drive starts right now!

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

Thursday Night Football is back to start week 15 off right with the Falcons and… Jaguars? That’s right, the Jaguars, who dropped a season-high 41 points last week, albeit against the lowly Buccaneers. Atlanta is always a tough out at the Georgia Dome behind Matt Ryan, who just tossed four touchdowns in their comeback win over the Panthers.

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

After the Big Ben-flavored drama on Thursday night, week 14 in the NFL season keeps on trucking in Sunday’s slate of games. While some will take a first glance at most of the games and shrug them off as meaningless, there are some hidden contests that could be much better than fans may expect. Plenty of options for “Trap of the Week.”

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

The weeks are rushing by in the NFL with the playoff picture beginning to take shape. Two 11-game streaks could push their way to 12 and an NFC contender tries to get by without one of their biggest stars.

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

After the (eventually) thrilling start on Thursday night, week 11 continues with a number of exciting games to keep your eye on this weekend, including several divisional match-ups with playoff implications. What else do you need? Time to start The Opening Drive!

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

Back in the NFL saddle for week two action! We saw a few shocker squads jump to a 2-0 start while one QB continued his insane stat-racking. The Final Drive starts now!

(2-0) Detroit Lions 48

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

Week one was insanely awesome. Can week two of the NFL season follow it up? We’ve got a shoot-out preparing in New England and Michael Vick night on Sunday Night Football. What else could you need? Here are some of the games to watch for in week two.

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

Let it be said, when the Bears play well, they can compete wiith anyone, and today, they not only competed but won a game handily against the Atlanta Falcons.  Many observers predicted big things for the Falcons this season, and placed the Bears out of playoff contention.  That might change.  Then again, this is the NFL, where season outcomes change from week to week.  Look at the Colts.  Peyton Manning was out of the game, and the Colts lost big time.  Actually, their game was more lopsided than the Bears game.  But give credit to a focused Jay Cutler, and a reborn Brian Urlacher.  Urlacher and Julius Peppers played like 30 year olds on defense today as they forced a strip of the QB.  Urlacher returned the fumble for a TD, which is just a big as Devin Hester flying down the sidelines for a TD on a punt return. 

Continue reading "Bears Fleece Falcons, 30-12 in Opener"

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"

It’s finally here. After lockouts, crazy free agency preseason games and everything else, the Chicago Bears are taking to Solider Field today for regular season action. 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?

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

In one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, the NFC South’s quarterbacks are all worth watching this season. Will Matt Ryan and the Falcons recover from their loss to Green Bay in the playoffs? Can Drew Brees get New Orleans back to the Super Bowl? In Tampa Bay, Josh Freeman is an up-and-coming star at quarterback, but is his supporting cast good enough? After beating out Jimmy Clausen for the starting job, is Cam Newton ready for the NFL spotlight? Your answers start here! 

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

 So that was a fun weekend, right? After some delicious divisional round fun, the stages are set for Conference Championship Sunday in the NFL. Before that, let's take a look at how this weekend's games went down.

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

After the fantastic endings and upsets from the Wild Card round, the NFL playoffs are back with the Divisional round! We get two division rivalry rematches in the AFC while we get another pair of regular season rematches in the NFC. Let’s delve into some football!

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

The Patriots haven’t lost to the New York Jets in the playoffs. I did not know that. N.E. is 2-0 thanks to a 26-14 win back in 1985 and a 37-16 blasting in 2007. Naturally these results have no bearing on what happens on Sunday, but I find these facts interesting.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Divisionals"

It’s the final week of the 2010 regular season and there are division match-ups everywhere you look! Who needs to win and who looks prime for a loss? Let’s get the Opening Drive going!

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

With the NFL regular season on its last legs, the playoff picture is coming into focus. Who stepped up in week 16 action and who fell flat? Let's start the Final Drive! 

(7-8) St. Louis Rams 25

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

Drama! Week 15 saw one team return to dominance over a division opponent while an epic comeback was mounted at the Meadowlands. I've got your NFL recap right over here!

(8-6) Indianapolis Colts 34

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

Week 12 in the NFL featured some tremendous 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

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

Are the Patriots the best team in the league?

 

Depends on who you ask. Some shout out yes from the highest mountaintop. Others say no, it’s the Atlanta Falcons. Power rankings might suggest. Bottom line is these opinions and polls are subjective.

Continue reading "Best In the League?"

In lieu of drafting an entire Opening Drive article that would surely need revising come Sunday morning anyway, I've decided to get bizay and create an entirely new article series! Welcome to the Quickie. I promise it will be good for you too. The first Thursday night game of the 2010 season might also be the best. Let's break it down!

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

The drama didn't stop in week nine in the NFL. One coach lost his job on Sunday, while another may have earned another week on the job. Here's the best and worst of week nine!

(6-2) Atlanta Falcons 27

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

Let’s stop the whining and crying about how the National Football League is being to comforting of injured players, and too strict on head hunters. Yes, this goes out to Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and countless others.

Continue reading "Helmet Hits Warrant Fines, Suspensions"

It's week nine in the NFL season. Teams are beginning to fall from contender to pretender while other squads are starting to fight for postseason slotting. Let's kick off the Opening Drive!

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

A not-really-forgotten superstar returned to be cheered by his home crowd, Tom Brady trash-talks and someone had to lose the Panic Bowl. Here are the highlights of week six in the NFL!

(3-2) Miami Dolphins 23

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

Nice to meet you week six. Is that a Vikings-Cowboys game in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Oh, it's the former? Fine, whatever. I didn't like you anyway. ...Okay, that's a lie. I'm sorry. Let's just get to my analysis. 

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

 

After an offseason of hold-outs, firings and signings, the NFL season is back in full force and so is my Opening Drive! Here are the games to watch for during this first weekend of football. (I'm not bothering to put their records down. They're all 0-0.)

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

 

You almost never know what you're going to get in the NFC South. With a "worst to first" story each year, are things finally settling in the South? Can the Saints repeat or are the Falcons ready to fly high? Here's my NFC South preview! 

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

Because I’ve been immersed in my mock draft and inspired to write a few articles, I haven’t posted for a while. During this time, a lot of news regarding the Patriots crossed the news wire. I should had said a little something about every bit of news, but I was distracted.

Continue reading "Steps Behind"

With a gaping hole at tight end, the Patriots decided not to wait until the draft to begin addressing the problem. They signed four-time Pro Bowler Alge Crumpler from Tennessee.

 

Unfortunately this is a signing that sounds better than it actually is. The 32-year-old Crumpler is three years from his last Pro Bowl season in 2006. Since then his receiving yards have steadily dropped year after year. Today Crumpler is a blocking TE with receiving skills well beyond the average blocking tight end.

Continue reading "A Block of Alge"

The New York Jets lost an utter heartbreaker to the Atlanta Falcons 10-7 Sunday afternoon at the Meadowlands in New Jersey.

 

“We’re obviously out of the playoffs, and that’s unfortunate,” Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan incorrectly stated to the

Continue reading "Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis is ..."

     Sunday’ s lackluster Saints performance encouraged devoted Saints onlookers to do their best Fred Sanford impersonations (grabbing their chest, sensing “ The Big One” ), while the Saints struggled, but held off those rotten “ Dirty Birds” . The Saints surpassed another milestone in this magical 2009 season. Previously, 12 wins stood as the team record for the most wins in any season, which they achieved under Jim Mora in 1987 and 1992, led by Bobby Hebert and the awesome “ Dome Patrol” . As the pressure mounts on the ’ 09 players to stay perfect, Big Daddy believes the double-time formula will reduce Saints fans’ unbearable stress to a manageable level. If you normally drink one beer a quarter, make it two and everything will be all right. For those fans who don’ t drink, you better find Dr. Feelgood before the playoffs start. In this week’s edition of the

Continue reading "Big Daddy Embraces Lucky 13"

After three quarters of a boring contest, we finally got some action late in Thursday's Miami v. Carolina game. To anyone who had Ricky Williams on their fantasy team, good job. Now, we look to the weekend in the week 11 edition of the Oepning Drive!

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

With all of the surprise upsets, there’s no way I can take the time to properly address them all. I’ll hit the best and worst of week 10 in this edition of the Final Drive! 

(3-6) Tennessee Titans 41

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

Just like the Patriots addressed the secondary with defending tall receivers in mind, the Miami Dolphins did the same in the off-season. The difference was the source of the remedy.

 

New England signed free agent veteran cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Leigh Bodden. Miami went the younger route and drafted Vonta Davis and Sean Smith.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

     Big Daddy's spectacular Halloween weekend could not have ended any better than with a Darren Sharper pick to clinch the victory against the hated Dirty Birds on Monday night. Don’ t you feel sorry for people around the country living in cultureless gated communities whose neighbors are from anywhere USA, half of which will move within a year chasing a more lucrative job to fulfill the false illusion of sprawling malls, 401(k)s, mortgages, car payments, and college funds which define success in today’ s misguided America? In this edition on the

Continue reading "Big Daddy’s Unforgettable Halloween:"

Alright, Tom Brady. The grace period is over. Now it’s time to be yourself again. That means the accurate surgeon capable of lighting up the scoreboard with few errors should finally be back. You’ve had enough time to work out the kinks. No more excuses.

Continue reading "The Real Tom Brady"

 

This weekend Denver faces yet another stiff challenge, and four division match-ups make the Opening Drive! Oh yeah, and some guy named Favre returns to the second team he played for. No big whoop. Let’s analyze! 

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

Wow, it was blowout city this weekend. 11 of the 13 NFL games in week 7 were decided by ten points or more. That’s just ridiculous. Maybe it was good I was moving furniture on Sunday… wait, no it still wasn’t. To the Final Drive of week 7! 

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

Hopefully RB Laurence Maroney doesn’t think he’s off the hook after rushing for 123 yards (7.7 average) and a score. If anything, the expectations have gone up. It’s nice to see you blow up in one game as the undisputed primary ball carrier. But can you do this week after week after week?

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

Um… I struggled to find six games with real significant drama. Bob Sanders will return to the Colts, but it’s against the lowly Rams! The Packers face the bumbling Browns, New England faces winless Tampa Bay in London, and Buffalo takes on Carolina. *shudder* Here’s the best of week seven in my Opening Drive! 

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' ..."

The Bears lost a tough game to the Atlanta Falcons, 21-14 Sunday night in Atlanta.

This game reminded me of the Jerry Senfeld comedy show.  Nothing happened.  The Bears scored in the 4th quarter to tie the game, only to see Atlanta move down the field at will, and score late with just over 3 minutes in the game.

Continue reading "Bears Lose To the Falcs, 21-14."

Still love me some NFL. Josh McDaniels kicked Bill Belichick’s Patriots right out of Denver while Matt Ryan picked apart a supposedly stout San Francisco defense. Oh, and Peyton Manning is still awesome. I wrap up week five in the NFL in the Final Drive! 

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

 

With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four! 

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

I’ve been high on safety Brandon Merriweather since his second-year breakout season. He finished 2008 second on the team in tackles, led the team in interceptions with four, and forced two fumbles. What really stood out was the significance of the turnovers, as twice they were the difference in wins.

Continue reading "Killer B's"

Plenty of drama in a weekend that saw one team break a 19-game losing streak and another keep their undefeated streak going. Let’s start the Final Drive of week 3! 

(1-2) Detroit Lions 19 (1-2) Washington Redskins 14 

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

This is why the Patriots got them for, right?

 

Shortly after the Patriots signed veteran CBs Leigh Bodden (6’1”) and Shawn Springs (6’0”), I couldn’t help but notice their size and how they didn’t fit the profile of the typical Pats corner. So I did some research.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 3"

The Patriots offense was virtually shut down by the New York Jets. QB Tom Brady was unable to get the offense into the endzone and was constantly rushed by a relentless New York blitz. It got people saying the Jets had the blueprint for beating the Patriots and with the rest of the league as witnesses, every opponent will follow suit.

Continue reading "The Blueprint"

Over the last two years, the Patriots invested a lot of their time turning over the cornerback position. It started with allowing Asante Samuel to leave as a free agent. New England took action to replace him by drafting Terrance Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite in the 2008 draft.

Continue reading "Very INTeresting"

 

In week three, two early unbeatens face off at the Metrodome while numerous 0-2 teams try to avoid the near-insurmountable playoff climb out of the 0-3 hole. Let’s get started with this week’s Opening Drive!

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

Week 2 is behind us and it's on to Minnesota next...

We are 2-0...undefeated...I have to say I would love to go further undefeated but, after a while you start thinking about it so much, you can't concentrate on the task at hand...playing the game.

Continue reading "WEEK 2"

Hello, and welcome to week one of the NFL season.

 

No, I haven’t been in a cave for the week. But like the Patriots, I’m forgetting about the season opener.

 

Was the home team that bad? No, not really. There were a couple of highlights (QB Tom Brady and the secondary), but everywhere else there was plenty of room for improvement: inability to gain first downs on short yardage runs, dropped passes, lack of a pass rush, etc.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

 

With 16 games in the regular season, losing your first two isn’t a cause for panic, but it is a cause for concern. In the Week 2 edition of the Opening Drive, here are some teams who need to avoid an 0-2 start.

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

Suicide Pick.

The Lions travel to the big Easy. Saints have high hope this year after Drew Brees awesome season last year. One more Touchdown drie and he would of had a new record. Now to the Contest. The Lions have won outright the last 2 times they where dogs against the Saints. The under is 8-2 last 10 times these teams meet.

Continue reading "Week 1 NFL Season!!!!!!! Sweet!"

Philadelphia Does Not Deserve a Class Act Like McNabb

The Philadelphia Eagles signed banished quarterback and convicted canine killer Michael Vick last week to a one-year contract worth $1.6 million.  

Continue reading "Philadelphia Does Not Deserve A Class ..."

Peanut Butter and Jelly, Woodward and Bernstein and Batman and Robin are all synonymous with good pairings. Unfortunately, the coupling of Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles may be synonymous with nails on a chalkboard.  

Continue reading "Michael Vick and The Eagles make a bad pair."

It's that time of year again folks. Time to start predicting the unpredictable. Will any of the Denver Broncos running backs get enough carries to warrant a spot on your roster? Can Michael Turner replicate last season's performance and warrant the second overall pick in your draft? What will Terrell Owens's numbers look like now that he is in Buffalo? And how does that impact Trent Edwards value as the Bills' QB? Who am I taking if I get the first pick? What if I get stuck at the end of the first round? Do I snatch up two running backs? Or should I go one running back and also nab a top tier receiver?

Continue reading "Fantasy Footbal is Upon Us"

OK, now I’m sold.

 

Since the end of the regular season I’ve been waiting for the Patriots to get a rush linebacker I could believe in. Whether it was a rookie day one draft pick, a free agent, or by trade, I wanted someone that could get to the quarterback better than Mike Vrabel did in 2008. His trade to Kansas City made the need urgent.

Continue reading "A Burgess Believer"

As long as everyone else is throwing in their two cents about disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick's next career move, I thought I should chime in because the answer is just common sense.

Mike -- can I call you Mike? -- this is what you should do: Forget about a return to pro football for 2009 and contact dog whisperer Cesar Millan about becoming his sidekick.

Continue reading "Two Words of Advice for Vick: Reality Series"

 

  There's a saying about every sport that goes "Love the game first, the league second, your team third, and the players last". This saying poignantly displays that all fans are interconnected by their love for the game, no matter which team they support. I'm going to identify 3 teams that every NFL fan should be rooting for this season (of course unless they face your favorite team) and 3 you should be rooting against (unless they are your hometown team).

Continue reading "3 NFL teams to love (and 3 to hate!) this season"

Dave Dameshek, an ESPN.com podcaster gave kudos to Andre Agassi today, ( http://sports.espn.go.com/stations/player?context=podcast&id=4352192) on his podcast for his infamous mantra “ Image

Continue reading "James, Vick, Manny, and Beckham take ..."

If Michael Vick Can’t Play in the NFL, How Can He Become a “Different Person?” 

Disgraced football superstar Michael Vick completed his prison sentence under house arrest Monday at his home in Hampton, VA.  

Continue reading "If Michael Vick Can’t Play in the ..."

Disgraced football superstar Michael Vick completed his prison sentence under house arrest Monday at his home in Hampton, VA.

Vick, 29, who had been caged in a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas since December of 2007 for serving as the kingpin of an illegal dog fighting operation, was released by the Atlanta Falcons this past June and he is currently a free-agent suspended from playing in the NFL.

Continue reading "If Michael Vick Can't Play In The ..."

With just one month left in his prison sentence, Michael Vick must endure his last thirty days under house arrest. We know what that means: tons and tons of tv watching. Here are the Top 10 tv shows Vick is most likely to watch:

Continue reading "Top 10 TV Shows Michael Vick's most ..."

Now that the Falcons traded for their 2nd round pick in 2010 draft, they get gonzalez. I think it will improve their passing game this yr. Matt Ryan will have a get to go guy on the field. If the Falcons draft Pettigrew he will probably be the 2nd string tight end. Now the Falcons never had a back to back winning seasons. Its time for that to change. If they go under .500 or finish at .500 this year, it will be the same old falcons all over again. Lets hope it will break the streak.

Continue reading "falcons get gonzalez"

To no surprise, the Patriots attached the franchise tag to QB Matt Cassel. And in even less of a no-brainer, Cassel accepted the one-year tender of $14.6 million.

Don't go shopping for that fleet of candy apple red Hummers yet, Cassel. You'll get paid, just don't expect the sum you signed for.

Continue reading "Cassel, Your Tag is Showing"

After the 49ers 2008 season concluded with back to back wins over the Rams and Redskins interim head coach Mike Singletary was rewarded with a new 4 year contract as the teams new permanent fixture at head coach. For Singletary it was a moment that many saw coming for quite awhile. The former Super Bowl champion and Ravens assistant guided the 49ers to a 5-4 finish after a very rocky 2-5 that saw the firing of former coach Mike Nolan. First on the new coach's to do list was to address offensive coordinator Mike Martz. At times the 49ers were very inconsistent and the chosen one (by Martz anyway) by the name of J.T. O'Sullivan was quickly benched after Singletary took over. So it wasn't much of a surprise then when the 49ers fired Mike Martz after just one season. Now the team is looking for yet another play caller, for the 7th time in as many years in fact. One could certainly point at the 49ers failure to have a long term coordinator as one of the many reasons the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2002. Many names have surfaced for the position including several current NFL assistants and former head coaches (one, Scott Linehan, turned the 49ers down several days ago to accept the same position with the Detriot Lions).

Continue reading "49ers and Mike Vick Close to Marriage?"

When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?

I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.

Continue reading "Stray Votes"

It is weekends like the one we just had that make me glad I don’t make actual predictions in my blog. I would have been at best two for four, and maybe even one for four if I had gone with the Dolphins as a sentimental favorite. Showcasing its parity, each day of the NFL’s Wild Card Weekend followed different themes. On Saturday, the home teams pulled out the close victories, while on Sunday the road teams won in a more lop-sided manner. Let’s take a look at the weekend that was in this Wild Card edition of the Final Drive. 

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

Continue reading "Motivation for this weekends games."

 

           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?"

Continue reading "The Arizona Cardinals Win!!!!!"

The playoffs are finally here, and not a moment too soon. After a crazy regular season, twelve teams are left with their eyes on the Super Bowl. Let’s get you ready for this weekend with a wild-card edition of the Opening Drive.

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

  

           Each week, I will look into my (never wrong, just misinformed) crystal ball and give my predictions for that weekend’s games.  I will prognosticate on all the playoff games each week.  Keep in mind, that this is for entertainment purposes only, and that I do not endorse any sort of legal or illegal gambling.  That being said…let’s see what’s in my crystal ball!

Continue reading "Predictions Wildcard Weekend"

Continue reading "Wild Card 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"

Before previewing the big Vikings/Eagles matchup that will cap off the NFC Wild Card playoff round, I would first like to give my "official" (meaning they are most likely completely wrong!) predictions for the other three wild card games:

Continue reading "NFL Playoffs: Wild Card Preview"

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

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

Continue reading "Atlanta Falcons"

Who'd of thunk it? When the season began, people everywhere were dissing the Dirty Birds saying they would only win 3 or 4 games, or that they had given away all their "good" players. Truth be told, they had given away all their troublesome, individual Vick supporters, with the exception of Roddy White, who, with the addition of an incredible young QB whom we will discuss in moments, kept his mouth shut throughout the season.

Continue reading "Falcons Clinch Playoff Berth"

I'm not going to analyze this game a whole lot, as it is pretty simple why the Vikings fell to the Falcons.  Despite dominating in nearly aspect of the game, turnovers (four fumbles in all) doomed the Purple in their quest for the NFC North Division title.

Continue reading "Falcons 24, Vikings 17: I Should ..."

Some things in this world are complicated. Not many people can describe all those fancy high-risk investments in Wall Street that have caused so much devastation.

But sometimes it doesn’t take much to understand the devastation at the Metrodome on Sunday. The Vikings had four turnovers against the Atlanta Falcons, and that’s it. When you’re minus four in the turnover battle, forget it.

Continue reading "Vikings in holiday spirit, give game to Falcons"

To me, this Sunday's Minnesota Vikings-Atlanta Falcons matchup is very even: On defense, the Vikings are clearly the better squad.  Offensively, though, the Falcons have more star talent (Michael Turner, Matt Ryan, Roddy White) than the Vikings, so, again, a big effort from Adrian Peterson will likely be the key to victory.

Continue reading "Vikings/Falcons Preview: An Even Line"

Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings is a crucial one to say the least. Both teams have playoff berths on the line, and both teams' playoff hopes could be severely hurt with a loss. Both these teams have met or exceeded expectations, as they are each 9-5. And both teams have star running backs, so this game will also affect fantasy football championships everywhere.

Continue reading "What the Falcons Need to do to Beat the Vikings"

Week 15 featured some tremendous divisional games with major playoff implications, while the AFC East contenders all won to reach 9-5, ensuring superb action down the stretch. Last weekends outcomes set up two tremendous contests in week 16 that will be for the top seeds in each conference. The Final Drive of week 15 fills you in.

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

So I was 4 points off in my prediction last week as the Cardinals clinched the NFC West and with it a playoff birth. With the red birds in they’ll be looking for a favorable match up during wild card weekend, as it is unlikely the Giants will be dethroned as conference champions and one member of the South will undoubtedly take slot 2. The rest of the race is completely up in the air. Arizona can help shape their destiny today going against Minnesota, who is narrowly holding down a playoff spot in the NFC North.  The Cardinals looked poised to take the number three spot and judging by the strength of their remaining schedule they can as long as they topple the Vikings. With a difficult game against New England next week Arizona should have an easier going week 17 against the Seahawks.

Continue reading "Sizing up the playoff competition"

The Atlanta Falcons have to be the surprise team of the 2008 season and Mike Smith deserves to be Coach of the Year whether the Falcons make the playoffs or not.  However, their reality will come crashing down on them in the final three games of the season.

Continue reading "Surprise Falcons 8-5, on cusp of ..."

     As the NFL reaches the last quarter of the season, fantasy owners are positioning themselves for the playoffs. AS the fantasy playoffs begin, quality free agent pick-ups could be the boost that your team needs to climb to the top of the mountain. So, as we do each week, we are providing fantasy football players with the best information in the most interesting format possible. So, enjoy your viewing of this video that is sure to bring you what you need and remind you of things that you want.

Continue reading "NFL Injury Report by the Fantasy Sportsgirls"

So week 13 is in the books, and after a satisfactory win at San Diego, it's on to Cajun Country for the Falcons. In their last meeting with the Saints(6-6), the Falcons literally dominated from the first snap, picking off Drew Brees's first pass from scrimmage. They scored first, and never looked back.

Continue reading "Game Preview; Falcons vs. Saints"

Coach of the Year candidate Mike Smith continues to transform the image of the Atlanta Falcons. A franchise once mired in (at best) mediocrity used to wilt under pressure and succumb to other teams fighting for their playoff lives. Now the Falcons take care of business in workmanlike fashion at home and on the road. Mora's team would have flown out west to San Diego and found a way to lose to a team that is in shambles. Smith has instilled a pride in the locker room that will not allow the defense to falter and the offense to fumble away chances at football in January.

Continue reading "Falcons Strengthen Their Playoff ..."

Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers was a must-win for the Falcons. Of course, every game is a must-win if you're in the NFC south. The Falcons didn't disappoint as they defeated San Diego 22-16. However, the score was not indicative of the game.

Continue reading "Falcons Return East With Big Win"

     So here we are. One week before the end of the NCAA Football regular season the BCS has already claimed a victim. As Oklahoma leapfrogged the University of Texas to claim the number 2 spot in the BCS, Longhorn fans have gone looking for a nice padded room.

Continue reading "I told you it was nonsense-the BCS"

The upcoming game between the Atlanta Falcons and the San Diego Chargers is a huge one for both teams. For the Falcons, they are playing in an extremely tough NFC south division, and need every win they can get. For the Chargers, a loss could mean the end of a playoff run, as they would fall to 4-8.

Continue reading "Game Preview; Falcons vs. Chargers"

Last week's blowout win against the Carolina Panthers got me thinking, can the Atlanta Falcons win it all?

It starts with their remaining 5 regular-season games, which are against teams with a combined 26-29 record. Their toughest game, against Tampa Bay(8-3), will come at home in Week 15. Their final game of the season against St Louis(2-9) will also be a home game. The other three games are on the road against San Diego(4-7), New Orleans(6-5), and Minnesota(6-5). All of these games can be won, but 4 out of 5 should get the Falcons into the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

Continue reading "Can the Falcons Win it All?"

Week 11 is in the books as we roll onto Week 12 in the National Football League. I went 3-1 last week in my picks (picking without any assistance by the Crypt Keeper). With the success of last week, I've decided to go at it alone again this week. I'm feeling confident with my picks this week. Not 'cocky' confident, but...'determined' confident. So with that said, without any shenanigans again, let's get these predictions rock and rollin!

Continue reading "NFL Week 12 Predictions"

1. NY Giants: Their only loss came to the Browns, who proved once again this week, that they can win big games every so often without reason. The Giants dominated a stellar Ravens defense, doused a red hot offense, and the scary part is, is that Eli Manning didn't even need to throw two TD's.

Continue reading "NFL" Top 10, Week 11"

Division races in the NFL became much clearer in week ten's action. While some teams are completely out of the picture, others have made things very interesting. Let's take a final look at week ten in the 2008 NFL season.

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

Continue reading "Vet's Picks for Week 10"