michaelgee Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-5-7/...-Raiders-0.htmlRapid Reaction: Falcons 24, Raiders 0 November 2, 2008 7:00 PMPosted by ESPN.com's Pat YasinskasLet's go ahead and get this out there. The Atlanta Falcons are playoff contenders.The team that was supposed to be the worst in the NFL is not. At the halfway point, their 5-3 record is better than Indianapolis, Minnesota, Green Bay, San Diego and New Orleans, teams that were talked about as Super Bowl contenders back in the summer.Sure, the kids from Peachtree Street are young, they don't have the most talented roster in the league and they're led by a guy who had never been a head coach at any level and, as recently as a year ago, was an obscure assistant for Jacksonville. They've also been very lucky at times, like drawing Detroit and Kansas City in two of the first three weeks.But let's stop looking for ways to shoot holes in the Falcons' very impressive half season. Let's look at why they are where they are and how they can get even better. We all know plenty about rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner. They each have a shot at the Pro Bowl, but what we see them do on Sundays doesn't tell the whole story.The Falcons have one of the best coaching staffs in the league and offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey and quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave deserve as much credit for what Ryan and Turner have done as the players do. And don't forget an offensive line that's not especially talented, but has been coached to perfection by Paul Boudreau, one of the league's most underrated offensive line coaches.It's tempting to not even think about Atlanta's defense because Ryan, Turner and receiver Roddy White are the stories. But you wouldn't be telling the whole story of the Falcons if you ignored the defense. Veteran John Abraham, who got his 10th sack Sunday, is a candidate for defensive player of the year, and rookie linebacker Curtis Lofton is a perfect fit in Smith's system and could be a candidate for NFC defensive rookie of the year. Oh, and how about that secondary that was supposed to be without any talent after unloading former first-round pick DeAngelo Hall in the spring?It's held up quite nicely.The Raiders threw for 31 yards -- all day. Ryan passed for 220 against a defense that includes Hall.Yes, the schedule is about to get a lot tougher. The Falcons host New Orleans next and follow that with two more home games (Denver and Carolina). They go on the road to San Diego and New Orleans. They host Tampa Bay before making their final road trip to Minnesota and finishing the season at home with St. Louis.Think about it? At 5-3, the Falcons could be in the playoffs if they win four or five of their next eight games. Yeah, it would help if they won their first NFC South game and a couple more.When you look at Atlanta's schedule, it's a pleasant change from the preseason. Back then, the argument was if the Falcons could squeeze out three or four victories. Nowadays, the question is: How many more wins do the Falcons need to reach the playoffs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaud Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 It's safe to say we are no longer a fluke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossFALCON™ Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 good article. do we have anymore room on the bandwagon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killamane Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Falcons are THE REAL DEAL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTCrunkler Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 It's held up quite nicely.yeah, but not so much vs eagles Think about it? At 5-3, the Falcons could be in the playoffs if they win four or five of their next eight games. Yeah, it would help if they won their first NFC South game and a couple more.thats what im saying^^ no playoffs without winning division games.When you look at Atlanta's schedule, it's a pleasant change from the preseason. Back then, the argument was if the Falcons could squeeze out three or four victories. Nowadays, the question is: How many more wins do the Falcons need to reach the playoffs?^ yep, a lot of doom and gloom..beggining of season Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 good article. do we have anymore room on the bandwagon?I'm sure there is plenty of room. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelgee Posted November 3, 2008 Author Share Posted November 3, 2008 good article. do we have anymore room on the bandwagon?good teams dominate bad teams, Detroit, KC and Oakland today, were truly dominated. The stats for this game are as lopsided as I have ever seen in an NFL game.week one NE barely beat KC, same today for the Bucs. If you can't beat the doormat teams by more than a field goal, you have problems that are not yet addressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaud Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm sure there is plenty of room. We know your a closet Falcons fan Falcman I meant Bucman.You sleep with a "I heart Matt Ryan" tanktop :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossFALCON™ Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 I'm sure there is plenty of room. you'd be surprised bucman.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucman™® Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 You sleep with a "I heart Matt Ryan" tanktop :PYea, A pink one... How did you know!?! :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azinine Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 good teams dominate bad teams, Detroit, KC and Oakland today, were truly dominated.Detroit and KC WERE NOT dominated. In fact, they both should have won. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattryan222222 Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 he was implying that we dominated those teams and they almost beat the bucs and the bears Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-DirtyBird- Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 good article. do we have anymore room on the bandwagon?For the record I've been a Falcons fan since Bartkowski was taking the snaps... I just haven't gotten around to registering on these forums until tonight.I was going to last year but then we imploded. Glad to be able to show my face again... LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vabchbirdlover Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Detroit and KC WERE NOT dominated. In fact, they both should have won.Are you serious???? We are talking about when they played the Falcons, not today Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaG FactorY EnT Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Good read thnx for posting Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bossFALCON™ Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 For the record I've been a Falcons fan since Bartkowski was taking the snaps... I just haven't gotten around to registering on these forums until tonight.I was going to last year but then we imploded. Glad to be able to show my face again... LOLi wasnt really referring to the MB posters, moreso to the media lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRUNKuno Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 boy, that schedule is about to get gritty gritty gritty. I dont see any games that we cant win though. We just gotta keep playing our kind of football. Tha Dome will be bananas next week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.