Tag: Atlanta Falcons (Page 29 of 66)

      Early 2011 Super Bowl odds plus five sleeper NFC teams

      February 9, 2010 /

      According to theSpread.com, the Colts are 6/1 favorites to win the 2011 Super Bowl. Ironically enough, the team that beat the Colts in this year’s Super Bowl, the Saints, is 8/1 to win in 2011.

      Seeing as how no NFC team has made back-to-back appearances in the Super Bowl since the Cowboys Packers did it in the late 90s, there is value on throwing some change on a couple of sleeper teams for next season.

      For example:

      Dallas Cowboys 12/1
      The odds on the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl may never be better. Wade Phillips had their defense playing outstanding football at the end of the year and if Jerry Jones can find Tony Romo another playmaker to go along with Miles Austin and Jason Witten in the passing game, then the Cowboys will be dangerous again next season. This team got the playoff monkey off its back last year and assuming they have another solid offseason, they could easily win the NFC East again and possibly earn one of the top two seeds in the postseason.

      Green Bay Packers 12/1
      The Packers averaged almost 30 points a game last year thanks to an explosive passing attack that featured quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. If they can find a way to upgrade their offensive line in the offseason, they could have a top 5 offense again next season and be even more explosive than they were in 2009. And assuming the defense grows more comfortable in Dom Capers’ system, they should be improved in that area as well. If Brett Favre doesn’t come back and the Vikings don’t find a capable replacement for him under center, then the Packers will be the team to beat in the NFC North.

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      Falcons’ Gonzalez to play in 2010

      January 20, 2010 /

      The Falcons’ official website confirmed on Wednesday that Tony Gonzalez will be back in 2010, which is obviously good news for Atlanta. Gonzo caught 83 passes for 867 yards and six touchdowns in the Falcons’ run-heavy offense this season, proving that the 34-year-old can still play at an elite level.

      Atlanta traded a second round pick in this year’s draft to acquire Gonzalez from Kansas City last offseason. He’s under contract for the next two seasons but I imagine that the veteran is taking things year by year now. The Falcons would love for him to finish out the remainder of his contract in Atlanta, but who knows what his decision will be after next season.

      Due to injuries to Michael Turner and Matt Ryan, the Falcons’ offense wasn’t as explosive as many thought it would be entering the season. Turner also got off to a slow start, forcing offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to rely more on the passing game instead of beating teams with a balanced approach. That was fine until Ryan started to struggle, then inconsistency became a huge problem for Atlanta. The offense also had to deal with injuries to the receiving corps, as Roddy White was hobbled all season (although he never missed a game) and promising youngster Harry Douglas suffered a knee injury in training camp and never played a snap.

      Now that Gonzalez is committed to 2010 and assuming Ryan, Turner, White and Douglas can return to full health, things once again look promising for the Falcons’ offense. Now GM Thomas Dimitroff must concentrate on adding more talent to a young defensive squad so Atlanta can challenge for a playoff spot again next season.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Several people had long days in East Rutherford yesterday

      December 21, 2009 /

      There were so many fails in the Falcons-Jets game yesterday that I had to put them all into one collective post. So here it is!

      – After Matt Ryan found Tony Gonzalez in the end zone with just under two minutes remaining to give the Falcons a 9-7 lead, play-by-play announcer Dick Stockton immediately uttered, “And Atlanta comes within a point of tying the score with 1:38 in regulation.” Uh Dick, the Falcons are the ones that are up.

      – The best part is, Stockton’s partner Charles Davis never corrected him. Instead, he broke down the replay of the Gonzalez’s touchdown and never went back to Stockton’s gaff.

      – As kicker Matt Bryant lined up for the extra point, Stockton then said, “And this is a very important point after by Matt Ryan.” I know the Falcons have had kicking issues this season, but I didn’t realize things were so bad that they had Matt Ryan attempting extra points.

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      NFL

      Jets blow three field goal attempts, choke in loss to Falcons

      December 20, 2009 /

      What in God’s name is going on with all the blown field goal attempts in the NFL these days?

      The Jets’ chances of making the playoffs entering Week 15 were slim, but at least they still had a shot. And with the Falcons officially eliminated from postseason contention with the Cowboys’ win over the Saints on Saturday night, one would have thought that the Jets would have taken advantage of the situation on Sunday and get a win over a depleted team. (Matt Ryan and Michael Turner both started for Atlanta, but Turner left the game after just one carry.)

      But thanks to three blown field goal attempts, New York will likely be home for the playoffs this season as the Falcons beat the Jets, 10-7. Holder Kellen Clemens dropped a snap on the first attempt, kicker Jay Feely missed a chip shot before half on the second, and Atlanta blocked the Jets’ final kick with just under four minutes remaining to set up their game-winning touchdown drive.

      The best and the worst of Mark Sanchez were on full display today. He threw an absolutely beautiful 65-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Edwards in the first quarter to give the Jets a 7-3 lead, but he also turned the ball over three times, including on New York’s final possession. He took command of the Jets’ offense and moved the ball the entire game. But the turnovers killed him today, which has been the case so many times this season.

      Give the Falcons credit, after they were eliminated last night they could have rolled over on a cold day in East Rutherford. But their defense played inspired and with a lot of help from the Jets, they were able to notch their third win of the year. If they can beat the Bills and Bucs the next two weeks, they’ll finish with back to back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. (Breaking one of the most embarrassing records in sports.)


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      NFL

      Coaching staff not getting enough credit for Saints’ run at perfection

      December 13, 2009 /

      Do you know why the Saints are currently 13-0 right now? No, it’s not because of their high-powered offense, Drew Brees or their remade defense. It’s not because of their outstanding receiving corps, Darren Sharper’s playmaking ability or a trio of running backs.

      Actually, it’s because of all those things. But one thing that seems to be taking a backseat in the Saints’ run at perfection is their coaching staff, and I’m not only referring to coach of the year candidate Sean Payton either.

      There were two plays in the Saints’ 26-23 victory over the Falcons in Week 14 that had more to do with coaching and less to do with the players on the field.

      The first play came early in the third quarter when the Saints were up 16-9. The Falcons had been getting pressure on Brees by sending multiple defenders throughout the game, and with the Saints facing a 3rd and 19 from Atlanta’s 21-yard line, the Falcons decided to blitz a bevy of players in order to disrupt the play. But the Falcons played right into Payton’s play call, because Reggie Bush took a 21-yard screen pass into the end zone untouched.

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