5 reasons not to panic over the Falcons just yet - AJC sports columnist (1 Viewer)

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5 reasons not to panic over the Falcons just yet
10:31 pm October 27, 2009,
by Mark Bradley

Two of his five reasons:

...3. Jason Snelling looked good against Dallas. And that’s a major consideration, seeing that Jerious Norwood is still hurting (hip flexor this time) and Michael Turner is beginning to resemble a one-year wonder. Turner is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, down a full yard off last season’s yield. Put simply, that yard is the difference between second-and-four and second-and-five. Either the Burner gets it going or Snelling gets a longer look...

...5. Remember when we kept saying this might be a better team with a worse record? It still might. The aggregate record of the Falcons’ six opponents is 19-18. Their first six opponents last season were 14-20. There haven’t been any Detroits or Kansas Citys on this schedule, but things will get easier in December. The Falcons are going to lose more games — they’ll lose Monday night in the Superdome — but they’ll manage that breakthrough winning season and they’ll make the playoffs. Keep the faith.
More...
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/10/27/5-reasons-not-to-panic-over-the-falcons-just-yet/
 
I think he's also right that they could well wind up making the playoffs. One big problem for them, though, is that Dallas has the tiebreaker over them for one of the wildcard spots. And with Green Bay and Philadelphia also in the mix, that's two teams fighting for four spots. I'm not sure the Falcons come out on top in that race. They could easily win 10 games and miss the playoffs.
 
Dallas will choke as always...the Falcons will get a string of wins together at some point...its out of them and Green Bay for the wildcard.. Is it me or are the Eagles just not that good at all...
 
Jason Snelling did look good, and looked huge out there against Dallas.
 
I think he's also right that they could well wind up making the playoffs. One big problem for them, though, is that Dallas has the tiebreaker over them for one of the wildcard spots. And with Green Bay and Philadelphia also in the mix, that's two teams fighting for four spots. I'm not sure the Falcons come out on top in that race. They could easily win 10 games and miss the playoffs.

I agree that it's a possibility, although I have to admit that I get a little disgruntled about a team winning 10 or 11 and wins and missing the playoffs. As much as I think the NE Patriots have their fill of success I can see a NE fan being a bit peaved at staying home last year. I don't have any suggestions for fixing it, just an observation.
 
Assuming that we take the lead early, I do not believe that Matt Ryan has ever won a game when trailing. Could anyone confirm this? I believe that I read this somewhere.
 
I think he's also right that they could well wind up making the playoffs. One big problem for them, though, is that Dallas has the tiebreaker over them for one of the wildcard spots. And with Green Bay and Philadelphia also in the mix, that's two teams fighting for four spots. I'm not sure the Falcons come out on top in that race. They could easily win 10 games and miss the playoffs.

I agree. They could win 11 & miss the playoffs like the Pats last year. GB, Minny., PHI & NYG will be battling for their divisions. So who knows how it plays out. All I know is the NFC West teams is sending 1 to the playoffs, everything else is up for grabs.

they’ll lose Monday night in the Superdome

I like that and the comment ATL 24 Saints 42, Go Falcs. LOL
 
I agree that it's a possibility, although I have to admit that I get a little disgruntled about a team winning 10 or 11 and wins and missing the playoffs. As much as I think the NE Patriots have their fill of success I can see a NE fan being a bit peaved at staying home last year. I don't have any suggestions for fixing it, just an observation.


It happens. How do u think the late 80s saints teams felt when we would go 12-4 and miss the playoffs because SF was 14-2? IIRC, the wildcard started or an extra 2 spots were added in 1990 or so.

For the 1990 season, a third wild card team for each conference was added, expanding the playoffs to twelve teams. The lowest-seeded division winner was then "demoted" to the wild card week.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_playoffs
 
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This is some pathetic math to be in print: "Turner is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, down a full yard off last season’s yield. Put simply, that yard is the difference between second-and-four and second-and-five."

Ummmm....10 minus 3.4, even rounded up to 4, would be second-and-six; 10 minus 4.4, even rounded up to 5, would be second-and-five.
 
This is some pathetic math to be in print: "Turner is averaging 3.4 yards per carry, down a full yard off last season’s yield. Put simply, that yard is the difference between second-and-four and second-and-five."

Ummmm....10 minus 3.4, even rounded up to 4, would be second-and-six; 10 minus 4.4, even rounded up to 5, would be second-and-five.

He's not basing 3.4 yards off 10 yards for a first down only on a 1st & 10 run. He's basing 3.4 yards per carry (ypc) as compared to his 4.4 ypc last year. Its a yard off. So he is correct in saying last years 2nd & 4 is this year's 2nd & 5 since he is averaging less than a ypc. :hihi:
 
It happens. How do u think the late 80s saints teams felt when we would go 12-4 and miss the playoffs because SF was 14-2? IIRC, the wildcard started or an extra 2 spots were added in 1990 or so.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League_playoffs

We made the playoffs the only two times we won 12 games in 87 and 92. We missed the playoffs in 88 at 10-6, and made the playoffs in 90 at 8-8. Like I said, I'm not suggesting playoff format changes, they should be made sparingly and only after great foresight, but if a lot of 10-6, 11-5 teams starting missing the playoffs there is going to be a call for changes just like in 1990.
 

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