These first 2 games are crucial for ATL

[vel]

At least 96.7% are. At least you're honest about it.

I see this game as being extremely tough.

This game should be more like the 2010 opener than the 2008 and 2009 openers.

Haha I like the % you found. But yea I just am not impressed by the Bears. They have a questionable secondary. Will Meriweather be ready in a week? Can Tillman and Tim Jennings handle Roddy and Julio all game? Can Corey Graham/Zac Bowman handle HD? Who covers Tony G: Nick Roach or Lance Briggs? Who outside of Peppers on that DLine is worth mentioning? Does Idonije really get you another 8 sacks (half came against WAS, BUF, CAR(2.5)?

Their offense scored 10, 13, 13 points in their first three preseason games against BUF, NYG, TEN. Yes it was preseason and they didn't play the whole game but our offense put up 30 points in the first two games.

[FalconFanSince1970]

As fans it really does not matter if we are over looking a game or not. The coaches and players will be properly focused on the first game of the season, us fans have no say in it.

You are so right. I mean think about it. Most of the fans thought we'd wipe the Packers in the playoffs and the coaches stumbled into that game and got their ases handed to em. If only they'd read the board.

The fans' opinions matter tremendously on a message board where we discuss and debate opinions.

[84White32Quizz]

Cant we just be excited for week one?We have waited all this time for the regular season and now that its here we are talking about week 2 as well. If we win game one wre are 1 and 0, we lose game one we are 0 and 1. Then we prepare for the first home game in the Dome on a Sunday night in front tof the nation. And will will be either 2-0, 1-1, or 0-2.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Haha I like the % you found. But yea I just am not impressed by the Bears. They have a questionable secondary. Will Meriweather be ready in a week? Can Tillman and Tim Jennings handle Roddy and Julio all game? Can Corey Graham/Zac Bowman handle HD? Who covers Tony G: Nick Roach or Lance Briggs?...

I think a better question would be "Can SackMakerBaker and the two virtual rooks handle their front seven"?

If they can't then the answer to your question is any secondary can cover Roddy, JJ, TonyG and HD if Matt Ryan is laying on his back looking at airplanes lining up for final approach into O'Hare.

I believe we will see a dog fight with both teams having some successes and failures. Much close to the opener in PIT than the openers against DET and MIA.

[JOKER2]

I wouldn't go so far as to say, the Bears and Eagles games are going to ride the hopes of our whole season. because if we win our division, the only thing that can really affect is possibly 1,2,3 seed depending on how they do as well if they beat us head to head.

Historically, we have never matched up well with Chicago, at home or on the road. Although we did beat them the last 2 times in the dome in 08 and 09. I remmember 02-04, they beat us a few times in some close FG decided games. When they came here in 98, They were not a very good team if I remember correctly and Chandler was injured around week 10-12, that was scary.

The Eagles are a whole different animal (literally speaking!), We have never matched up well with them either, especially in the Reid era. This will be a tough and an emotional game, with Vick and all the hype and it will be on Nat'l tv ESPN. I hope we win this one especially as our home opener, and not letting Vick come back to the GA dome and have his way with us.

My predictions:

FALCONS 31 BEARS 17

FALCONS 27 EAGLES 24

2-0 start against 2 very good NFC teams from last season, heading into the Bucs in week 3 to hopefully start 3-0 will be a nice momentum builder early on in the division and the conference overall.

[falconidae]

I honestly believe at least 96.7% of the Falcon Nation is taking the Bear game much too lightly. Lest not forget:

-They won their division in 2010

-They played in the NFCCG

-They played the Packers much closer than we did in the playoffs

-They gave us all we wanted in our last two meetings

-This is their home opener

-It's hard to win on the road

-Their front seven will give ShakyBaker and the two virtual rooks problems

-Cutler is not as bad as many claim he is

The PHI game will be a circus. The media will overhype it. Daddy's Home and the real Eaglet trolls will stir up the natives to no end. The Dome will be filled with transient Eaglets, traveling Eaglets and at least 10,000 Vickies. It will feel like a road game. Our defense will probably be tested.

I also think many are underating the Sucs. This is a division game, which is always tough. The Sucs are an up and coming team in my opinion. Ever since buddy took the defensive reigns over they have played much better. They have as many weapons on offense as we do. That game is also on the road.

The first three games could be trouble. Hopefully we win at least two. If we win one or get swept, we could have a long uphill battle trying to get what we need. Rest.

Seem to recall this post from you for most games the last 3 years.

Look at Chicago's Oline- Garza is the new center who's never played center, RG with 0 starts in his career, Webb moving from RT to LT and a rookie at RT. There is no way that group is an organized coherent group. Edwards, Abe, Babs, Jerry and the rest should eat their lunch- put pressure on Cutler and he'll give the ball to you.

Falcons should win that battle and that should win the game.

Eagles have just as much turnover on their Oline and a new Oline coach, may have 4 new starters on D and a new Dcoordinator as well- Again, Falcons should be more coherent than that bunch.

Very hopeful about both games.

[SYD]

You are so right. I mean think about it. Most of the fans thought we'd wipe the Packers in the playoffs and the coaches stumbled into that game and got their ases handed to em. If only they'd read the board.

The fans' opinions matter tremendously on a message board where we discuss and debate opinions.

Maybe but if you trying to caution us fans for over looking the bears what is really the point?

It doesn't matter if we over look them.

The fans opinions means squat int he grand scheme of things so it's is pretty silly to try and caution us to NOT overlook the Bears since we are not the ones suiting up on Sunday.

"Hey guys MAKE SURE not to overlook the Bears Sunday, if you do your vibes might effect the players on the field all the way in Chicago"

This is pretty much what your saying.

Edited September 6, 2011 by SYD

[Finally]

I rarely make assumptions before the first few games are played. According to the talking heads the Bears have lost the offseason and we did pretty well but that is all on paper. I guess the big question everyone would like to have answered is how big of an impact will the lockout be early on? I think that because we are, by all accounts, a disciplined team may be an asset.

[DD: Objective Elite]

The first 4/5 are crucial

This^^^

If we start out fast, the Saints will have to press to keep up. If we start out slow, we may never catch New Orleans.

[kschreck]

Nah.

The Falcons lost their opener last year, then lost their last big game of the year too.

Still managed to secure that number 1 seed.

If the Falcons lose their first two, then go 11-3, which is doable, the Falcons will be in and the first two games won't matter.

Exactly.

Important? Yes

Crucial? No

[DavyDmx]

Every Game Every Yard Every Down Every play is crucial.

GO FALCONS

Co-Sign

[Dabootyman]

The Bears game could basically be for a wildcard spot(I believe the division is ours but....) if not these games always have huge implications at the end of the year. Same with the Eagles games

(Giants win that division)

we really need to start fast and keep our foot on the gas and not let up. Not to mention we play the Bucs week 3 and I'm still not a believer they'll be as good as last year but then again who knows. Im confident that the Falcons will be ready. Thoughts???

Another delusional Falcons fan. We have own the Giants the last 3 years. SWEEPING THEM LAST SEASON! Just like we OWN YOU GUYS. The last decade Andy is 8-1 against the doo doo birds. You havent beat the Eagles since you had Vick. You havent won a playoff game since you had Vick and youre franchise QB has more weapons than Vick did.

You defense is suspect. LOL youre best corner is Grimes.He is no match for Djax and will get burned. Just Like Dunta got burned by Maclin. Your corners are no match for all 4 of our recivers.

Not to mention Atlanta still loves Vick so it will be like a home game for the Eagles.

[ebonymonk]

Totally disagree...

After losing 31-27 on December 19, 2010 at Gillette Stadium to the New England Patriots the Packers record was 8-6....Many people were writing them off in terms of even making the playoffs....They were racking up injured players on IR....

How'd that turn out?

You don't ever give up on or disregard your team's chances of making the playoffs until they're mathematically eliminated.

Last year's Packer season should be an example of that for everyone.

Pretty much sums it up.

[babybanks80]

Another delusional Falcons fan. We have own the Giants the last 3 years. SWEEPING THEM LAST SEASON! Just like we OWN YOU GUYS. The last decade Andy is 8-1 against the doo doo birds. You havent beat the Eagles since you had Vick. You havent won a playoff game since you had Vick and youre franchise QB has more weapons than Vick did.

You defense is suspect. LOL youre best corner is Grimes.He is no match for Djax and will get burned. Just Like Dunta got burned by Maclin. Your corners are no match for all 4 of our recivers.

Not to mention Atlanta still loves Vick so it will be like a home game for the Eagles.

So tell me DaAssman, what is the Eagles record in NFC championship games games with Vick? better yet period?

[Peyton]

If the Falcons lose to the Eagles, those thoughts will be some of the more pleasant around here.

Another delusional Falcons fan. We have own the Giants the last 3 years. SWEEPING THEM LAST SEASON! Just like we OWN YOU GUYS. The last decade Andy is 8-1 against the doo doo birds. You havent beat the Eagles since you had Vick. You havent won a playoff game since you had Vick and youre franchise QB has more weapons than Vick did.

You defense is suspect. LOL youre best corner is Grimes.He is no match for Djax and will get burned. Just Like Dunta got burned by Maclin. Your corners are no match for all 4 of our recivers.

Not to mention Atlanta still loves Vick so it will be like a home game for the Eagles.

Exhibit 1. We might as well surrender this board to the trolls for a couple of weeks if the Falcons lose that game.

[NEWF]

I think a better question would be "Can SackMakerBaker and the two virtual rooks handle their front seven"?

If they can't then the answer to your question is any secondary can cover Roddy, JJ, TonyG and HD if Matt Ryan is laying on his back looking at airplanes lining up for final approach into O'Hare.

I believe we will see a dog fight with both teams having some successes and failures. Much close to the opener in PIT than the openers against DET and MIA.

They have zero sacks in our last two games against them with "SackMakerBaker"

Im not a baker fan, but the bears aren't some unbelievable force when rushing the qb... they had 3 more sacks than us

[Atl/0]

If we start 2-0. the skies the limit

1-1....It's all good

0-2....season isn't over but how the team responds to that start will truly show their resolve.

I don't care what anyone says just like Georgia the first game is just a warmup for the opponent the next week.

[MountainFalcon]

This isn't usually like me but I actually expect us to beat the Bears handily. I say we jump out to a big lead and let them kinda climb back into a game they were never in from the get go.

31 - 21 Final

The Eagles game will have such a high level of emotion that I don't think anyone can make predictions.

[Andre5000]

I think we crush the Bears. Philly gonna be tough

[ltstorm2]

No. Half of the league will be losers week 1. I doubt any teams are going to look the same week 1 or 2 as they will week 16 and 17 when we will be facing the Saints in their place and Bucs here at home. Our LAST two games are more crucial to us going to the playoff's than our first two.

[UtahDirtyBird]

The Bears game could basically be for a wildcard spot(I believe the division is ours but....) if not these games always have huge implications at the end of the year. Same with the Eagles games(Giants win that division) we really need to start fast and keep our foot on the gas and not let up. Not to mention we play the Bucs week 3 and I'm still not a believer they'll be as good as last year but then again who knows. Im confident that the Falcons will be ready. Thoughts???

I think if we went 0-2 we'd still have a decent shot at making the playoffs. Heaven forbid if we go 0-3.

I predict we'll go 2-1 in the first 3 games. I definitely think we'll get over the hump against Philly and beat them at home. I think if we lose one of those first games, it'll be against Tampa at their place. They came close to beating us in both games last year. This year, they'll probably split with us--likely they'll win at home.

Someone should make a post on the LAST TWO games of the year on the Falcon's schedule. I think it's intriguing that we'll play the Saints in NO in Week 16 and against TB at home in Week 17. I think the game against the Saints has STRONG potential to be for the division title and that last game against the Bucs will be (if Atl loses to NO) an elimination game with the winner taking one of the 2 NFC wildcard spots.

OR the Falcons might need to win that game vs Tampa to win the division while the Bucs would need the win for a wildcard (with the potential being the Falcons could drop all the way OUT of the playoffs).

Edited September 8, 2011 by UtahDirtyBird