You know what the experts say, "Don't look past the trap game"? Well, I'm here to say there are no such trap games. Teams might be better than other teams, and this is the NFL where any team can win at any given time. To me, it doesn't matter what the records are, if your team brings an A game, then that team can win no matter who they play. And that's exactly what happened two weeks back as the Carolina Panthers (4-9) rolled my Atlanta Falcons (11-2) up in Charlotte. The final score of 30-20 doesn't indicate the beat down the Panthers placed on the Dirty Birds of Atlanta.
Carolina came into this game talking smack all week leading up to the game. This just because Atlanta QB said an explicit after Atlanta beat Carolina back in week 4 in the Georgia Dome 30-28. Things get said during ballgames that wouldn't get said anywhere else. What I say Carolina, especially to DE Greg Hardy, get over it man, and move on!!! Hardy was crying foul play all week leading up to the game. I understand he was trying to pump up his team, but again, things get said during games, and just get over it. Grow up!!! You definitely are not a role model. But the point also needs to be said, his team responded and beat down the Falcons. Overall the Falcons are a better team (not according to Hardy though), but on that day, Carolina was better. I still laugh at a couple of things that happened after the clock ran to :00. Hardy was heard mouthing off at the Falcons, and as Carolina Head Coach Ron Rivera was going to shake Atlanta Head Coach Mike Smith's hand, Rivera overheard it and responded to Hardy to shut up and get off the field. Also, Hardy went over and was mouthing off at Atlanta kicker Matt Bryant, and Bryant's response was at least we will be playing in January. Classic response!!!!
The difference between the two teams is this, Atlanta is class and respectful. Though a loss is difficult, it's easily overcome by preparing for the next game. The Falcons take each loss with pride, lesson leaned. Just let's go out and win the next game. And that's exactly what happened.
All during that next week the media called Atlanta a Super Bowl fraud because the haven't beaten a quality Super Bowl team. Yes, that is true, they might not have beaten a Super Bowl quality team, but fraud, no. You don't go 12-2 for nothing. The media just doesn't like Atlanta sports teams in general. Wish someone would give me an explanation. But in reality, the Falcons could care less what the media says, and I like that approach.
So in comes the Super Bowl champs from last year, the New York football Giants to the Georgia Dome this past Sunday. And the game was over after the third snap of the game. NY QB Eli Manning drops back and passes right into Atlanta CB Asante Samuel's hands for the INT. That set up a 1-yard TD run by RB Michael Turner. At the half it was 17-0 Atlanta. And the Falcons didn't stop there. Along with a couple FG's, WR Julio Jones scored his first two TD's in the Ga Dome this year for a total of 10 for the season. The Falcons land blasted the Giants 34-0. QB Matt Ryan was 23-28 for 270 yards and 3 TD's with 0 INTS. But the team showed class and respect for the Super Bowl Champs from the year prior. With under a minute to play in the game, the Falcons had first and goal, and they decided to kneel and run out the clock. Good sportsmanship from a professional team.
This is something that the media didn't catch on too, or at least I haven't heard them say anything about it. And it really doesn't matter. Falcon's won fair and square against a good, quality football team.
I will be very disappointed if the Falcons go one and done in the playoffs. But this is a different team that takes the field than did in 2010, where they were the number one seed in the NFC. The Falcons can wrap up that number one seed this Saturday as they travel to the Motor City to take on the 4-10 Detroit Lions. The Falcons do not need any help from any other team. Falcons win and they are #1 in the NFC and have home field advantage throughout. Game time is set for 8:30 pm est. Rise Up Falcons and lets do this.
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.
Carolina came into this game talking smack all week leading up to the game. This just because Atlanta QB said an explicit after Atlanta beat Carolina back in week 4 in the Georgia Dome 30-28. Things get said during ballgames that wouldn't get said anywhere else. What I say Carolina, especially to DE Greg Hardy, get over it man, and move on!!! Hardy was crying foul play all week leading up to the game. I understand he was trying to pump up his team, but again, things get said during games, and just get over it. Grow up!!! You definitely are not a role model. But the point also needs to be said, his team responded and beat down the Falcons. Overall the Falcons are a better team (not according to Hardy though), but on that day, Carolina was better. I still laugh at a couple of things that happened after the clock ran to :00. Hardy was heard mouthing off at the Falcons, and as Carolina Head Coach Ron Rivera was going to shake Atlanta Head Coach Mike Smith's hand, Rivera overheard it and responded to Hardy to shut up and get off the field. Also, Hardy went over and was mouthing off at Atlanta kicker Matt Bryant, and Bryant's response was at least we will be playing in January. Classic response!!!!
The difference between the two teams is this, Atlanta is class and respectful. Though a loss is difficult, it's easily overcome by preparing for the next game. The Falcons take each loss with pride, lesson leaned. Just let's go out and win the next game. And that's exactly what happened.
All during that next week the media called Atlanta a Super Bowl fraud because the haven't beaten a quality Super Bowl team. Yes, that is true, they might not have beaten a Super Bowl quality team, but fraud, no. You don't go 12-2 for nothing. The media just doesn't like Atlanta sports teams in general. Wish someone would give me an explanation. But in reality, the Falcons could care less what the media says, and I like that approach.
So in comes the Super Bowl champs from last year, the New York football Giants to the Georgia Dome this past Sunday. And the game was over after the third snap of the game. NY QB Eli Manning drops back and passes right into Atlanta CB Asante Samuel's hands for the INT. That set up a 1-yard TD run by RB Michael Turner. At the half it was 17-0 Atlanta. And the Falcons didn't stop there. Along with a couple FG's, WR Julio Jones scored his first two TD's in the Ga Dome this year for a total of 10 for the season. The Falcons land blasted the Giants 34-0. QB Matt Ryan was 23-28 for 270 yards and 3 TD's with 0 INTS. But the team showed class and respect for the Super Bowl Champs from the year prior. With under a minute to play in the game, the Falcons had first and goal, and they decided to kneel and run out the clock. Good sportsmanship from a professional team.
This is something that the media didn't catch on too, or at least I haven't heard them say anything about it. And it really doesn't matter. Falcon's won fair and square against a good, quality football team.
I will be very disappointed if the Falcons go one and done in the playoffs. But this is a different team that takes the field than did in 2010, where they were the number one seed in the NFC. The Falcons can wrap up that number one seed this Saturday as they travel to the Motor City to take on the 4-10 Detroit Lions. The Falcons do not need any help from any other team. Falcons win and they are #1 in the NFC and have home field advantage throughout. Game time is set for 8:30 pm est. Rise Up Falcons and lets do this.
Don't forget to follow me on twitter @makirkley.
 |
| Mark A. Kirkley: twitter @makirkley Devoted husband and father of Team Kirkley. God and family are #1 in my life. Academic Librarian/Cobb Game Day Magazine Contributor/Sports Writer/Sports Blogger. "Your thoughts are better organized when they are written." |
No comments:
Post a Comment