Thriller at the Dome - Again
By Don Stone - Football Atlanta
Falcons fans have developed a bit of a reputation
lately. Yes, its watching their team win at the Dome. But, its been noticed
that they arrive late and leave early. So much so that the Dome started
offering special discounts on souvenirs and food if you got them by a
certain time before kick off.
And, about seven or eight minutes before the game
ended, streams of fans would begin filing out of the building. A big reason
for that is the huge traffic jams that could be avoided.
But, lately, you leave early at your own peril. A lot
has been happening in those last seven or eight minutes. Some good, some
bad.
The defense definitely has something to work on. That
something is having a lead, then letting the opponent get back in it with a
drive that either puts the other guys ahead or ties the game. Usually this
is done with a minute or so left.
The good part is that Matt Ryan
has also picked up a habit. That would be calmly leading the team
methodically down the field, getting them inside the 40, then turning it
over to Matt Bryant, who proceeds to
kick a game winning field goal.
That happened once again Sunday as the Falcons knocked
off a very good Green Bay Packers team 20-17.
The Pack was 7-3 coming in with an impressive
undressing of Brett Favre and the
Vikings the previous week. Many (especially the numerous obnoxious
Cheeseheads occupying the Dome) see Green Bay as one of the best teams in
the NFC and a serious contender for the Super Bowl.
"The Packers beat you guys for four quarters today,"
one was heard to shout on his way out.
"What game were you watching?" said a Falcons fan. "Did
you notice that you lost?"
Last season, much was made of the fact that Atlanta
finally had back to back winning seasons for the first time in their history
going back to 1966. They got their ninth win in Tampa Bay on the last game.
Sunday, they reached that same mark going 9-2 and the
fact that a third straight winning season had been reached seemed
irrelevant. For their is much ahead to be accomplished. A three week road
trip lies ahead. The first, a return to Tampa Bay against a very different
team than the one beaten in Game 16 of 2009.
The Bucs lost at Baltimore Sunday to fall two games
behind Atlanta, but still a very respectable 7-4. They were one of those
teams that took the Falcons to the limit a few weeks ago in the final
minutes, only to lose to the Falcons late.
This will be an extremely important game for Atlanta.
With the revitalized Saints hanging just a game back, a Monday Night
Football matchup at the Georgia Dome looms as a possible make or break date
for both teams. A win Sunday against a division opponent will have the
Falcons in the driver's seat on that December 27 night. Their other three
games are against teams that are struggling, two with Carolina (1-10) and
one at Seattle (5-6).
Atlanta's hard work and early success has
built a foundation for what is becoming a very special season. It's all
there for the taking.
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