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No rematch in New Orleans as Falcons head to New York

By Don Stone - Football Atlanta

    Fans tailgating in the Yellow lot outside of the Georgia Dome were quite a bit less enthusiastic than two weeks earlier before the Thursday night game with Jacksonville.
    A lot of that had to do with the Falcons' performance in New Orleans last Monday night. Before that game, there was some cautious optimism that Atlanta could pull off an upset at the SuperDome and go on to win the NFC South again. That result would mean that a win later against Tampa Bay and there would be a home playoff game next week.
    There were signs that led to that optimism. The Falcons had outscored their last two opponents 72-14 in their last six quarters. And the 14 were throwaway points. Granted, it was against the Panthers and Jaguars, but impressive nonetheless.
    And, for the first time in NFL history, two teams that played each other twice in a season had their last five games all settled by three points or less with the road team winning all.
    I quoted all of those shining stats to a friend in New Orleans as the game began. He texted back. "That's all about to end."
    And, it did as the Falcons were embarrassed 45-16.
    So, with all of that fresh in the memory of the tailgaters, the Falcons began the game hoping that Detroit would lose to a Green Bay team resting its starters. That would change Atlanta's first opponent to the winner of the Cowboys-Giants game.
    Fortunately, with the late 4:15 start, local fans would know the result of that game soon after kickoff. It would also mean that this game in the Dome would have some meaning and not be one where the result didn't matter with most of the starters resting.
    I was surprised to see a nearly packed house. Given what happened in New Orleans and the New Year's Day kickoff, a lot of people could have stayed home. But, they were here cheering enthusiastically as the game began. And, there was plenty to cheer for as Atlanta jumped up to a quick 21-0 lead.
    Those keeping track of what was happening in a snowy Green Bay saw Detroit up to their old tricks, falling behind early...something they had done far too many times. But, in most of those cases, they pulled off a miraculous comeback.
    At halftime, the Packers lead 24-19. As the fourth quarter began, Detroit came back going on top 34-31.
    After falling behind again, 38-31, they mount another comeback, pulling ahead 41-38. But the Pack backups would have none of that and put another touchdown on the board to win 45-41.
    Back at the Dome, the Falcons tacked on another score making it 28-0 A minute or so later, Curtis Lofton ran an interception back 26 yards. Make that 35-0.
    Suddenly, a lot had changed. This game still had meaning. A victory meant that there would be no rematch in New Orleans. Atlanta would be the #5 seed and travel next weekend to the winner of the Cowboys/Giants game. Fans would have to wait until Sunday Night Football to see which team would host the Falcons and which team would go home with nothing but a bad taste in their mouths.
    As it turned out, the bad taste would be for Cowboys' fans as New York won the NFC East. That's where the Falcons will be heading for a Sunday 1:00pm kickoff.
    But, a few bits of bookkeeping needed to be noted along the way. Quite a bit of history was being made on the field at the Dome.
    Matt Ryan passed Jeff George's 1995 team record for most passing yards in a season. He finished with 4,177 yards.
    When Michael Turner notched his 10th touchdown of the season, it brought his franchise total to 49. That passed Gerald Riggs' rushing record of 48, set between 1982 and 1988. The team record for overall tds is still owned by WR Terance Mathis with 57 total scores.
    But, Mathis had another record that wasn't as safe. Roddy White became the franchise's all time receiving leader with 7374 career yards, breaking Mathis record of 7,349. White became the first receiver in team history to post two seasons with 100-or-more catches.
    Turner ran 81 yards yards for his 25th career touchdown, tying another Riggs' record. He became the first running back in franchise history to post four consecutive seasons with 10-or-more touchdowns.
    At that point, as the Falcons went up 42-0, they were on pace to break a 29 year old NFL record for most lopsided score at the half. But, Tampa Bay finally put some points on the board, making it 42-7. The 42 points at the half did set a team record for a regular season game.
    Ryan came out after just nine passes, making way for Chris Redmond. Turner came out as well. The Falcons stopped scoring and the Bucs started. A bit of sloppiness and lack of motivation resulted in 24 unanswered points before the Bucs were put out of their misery.
    Apologies to the Colts, but this Buccaneer team may be the worst team football. They came into the game on a nine game losing streak. The last four were by scores of 38-19, 41-14, 31-15 and 48-36 with three of those against Carolina and Jacksonville. They were clearly running out the season along with the job of their head coach, who had guided them to ten wins a year earlier. The only thing that kept Tampa Bay from having the first pick in the draft was their hot 4-2 start with wins against playoff teams like the Falcons and Saints. Then, the wheels came off, losing their last ten games.
    So, now, its on to New York. The winner of the Falcons-Giants game moves on to San Francisco for a resting Giants team. A much better road than if Detroit had won. The Lions took the Falcons' place with a trip to New Orleans. Winner of that one moves on to play in Green Bay. I'll take our path over theirs any day.
    Here's how the playoff schedule shapes up:

WILD-CARD ROUND

Saturday, Jan 7

4:30 p.m. - No. 6 Cinncinati at No. 3 Houston (NBC)

8 p.m. - No. 6 Detroit at No. 3 New Orleans (NBC)

Sunday, Jan 8

1 p.m. - No. 5 Atlanta at No. 4 New York Giants (FOX)

4:30 p.m. - No. 5 Pittsburgh at No. 4 Denver (CBS)

DIVISIONAL ROUND

Saturday, Jan 14

4:30 p.m. - NO/NYG/ATL at San Francisco (FOX)

8 p.m. - DEN/PIT/CIN at New England (CBS)

Sunday, Jan 15

1 p.m. - HOU/DEN/PIT at Baltimore (CBS)

4:30 p.m. - NYG/ATL/DET at Green Bay (FOX)

 

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