The Overrated Falcons

[TemeculaMike]

While its still early in the season, it should be pointed out that Atlanta Falcons have only beaten one team with a winning record. Of their 4 victories this year, three came against teams with losing records: 49'ers (1-4); Cards (1-4) and Panthers (1-3) - thats a combined 3-11. The one team with a winning record was the Rams (3-2), who only won in week 5 as a result of a miricle collapse by the Seahawks.

Contrast that with the Chargers with 2 loses to teams (Jets and Broncos) with a combined winning record of 8-1. The three teams that lost to the Chargers have records of 2-3 (Texans); 1-3 (Titans); and 3-2 (Jags), for a combined record of 6-8.

My point in all of this is the Chargers have played much stronger opponents during the first 5 games, whereas the Falcons have, on balance, played weak opponents. As we (the loyal Charger fans know) the Chargers are a much better team than the so-called-experts think.

What will be interesting is to see if Atlanta's No. 1 rush defense can maintain its numbers of only allowing 70.4 yrd/g against the NFL's 5th rated Rushing offense (137 yrds/g). To date, Atlanta has yet to be challenged by a top 10 rushing offense.

My prediction is the birds will get struck down by a bolt of lightning this Sunday. 31-17 Chargers Win

[Chargers]

Sounds good to me. Michael Vick has got to be one of the most overrated players of all-time (to this point, at least). He has been adequate as a QB, but this doesn't justify how much attention he gets. Sure, he had that one win in Green Bay. What else has he done? I expect a lot more things from a #1 overall pick (except Elisha Manning, of course. She's going to be the Queen of flops)

[Thunderstruck]

Well, one advantage we should have is that Wade Phillips should be VERY familiar with the Falcons' personnel.

[Localboy]

You da Man Temecula Mike, Lay that smack down boy. Dirty Birds dont want none of this .

[Bolts4Life21]

Oh, there done, no doubt about it. They don't have the means to beat this rolling thunderstorm of momentum that is the chargers. Go Bolts!

[jtzsd43]

Hungry anyone? Want some KFF (Kentucky fried FALCONS)?

[Chargers]

Originally posted by: jtzsd43
Hungry anyone? Want some KFF (Kentucky fried FALCONS)?



MMMMmmmmm Falcon Capital, USA!

[spysnipedis]

does the half-gallon pepsi come with it i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif

[BankerBird]

We've been hearing this "Atlanta hasn't played anyone" all season, and yet, the FACT of the matter is that we're no different than the Chargers - or any other NFL team for that matter. We've played the teams that are on our schedule - just as the Chargers have.

The Falcons didn't make the schedule, the NFL did. So why are we to blame if the combined record of our opponents is so bad? Is there some added virtue in being able to say we're 4-1 as a result of having beaten the Eagles, Jets, Colts and Chargers (as of Sunday), as opposed to having beaten the 49ers, Rams, Panthers and Cardinals? The only thing that could come out of that would be that we'd get more accolades and plaudits from the media, which has absolutely nothing to do with making the playoffs.

4-1 is 4-1 regardless of how you get there. I'm sure if the Chargers beat us this weekend, none of you will want to hear anyone criticize your team for having just beaten a team that hasn't really played anyone.

[TemeculaMike]

Originally posted by: BankerBird
We've been hearing this "Atlanta hasn't played anyone" all season, and yet, the FACT of the matter is that we're no different that the Chargers - or any other NFL team - in that we've played the teams on our schedule.

The Falcons didn't make the schedule, the NFL did. So why are we to blame if the combined record of our opponents is so bad? Is there some added virtue in being able to say we're 4-1 as a result of having beaten the Eagles, Jets, Colts and Chargers (as of Sunday), as opposed to having beaten the 49ers, Rams, Panthers and Cardinals? The only thing that could come out of that would be that we'd get more accolades and plaudits from the media, which has absolutely nothing to do with making the playoffs.

4-1 is 4-1 regardless of how you get there. I'm sure if the Chargers beat us this weekend, none of you will want to hear anyone criticize your team for having just beaten a team that hasn't really played anyone.

You are right - a win is a win, regardless of how you got it (unless you are the Broncos and you got it through Cheat'n (http://rockymountainnews.com/drmn/broncos/article/0,1299,DRMN_17_3188855,00.html)). The Falcons are a good team, no doubt about it. The Chargers are also a good team. As fans we get to endlessly debate the capabilities of our teams and generally approach the debate through rose colored glasses.

To answer your direct question, yes there is "added virtue" when you beat the upper echelon teams, such as the Colts, Eagles or Jets. Until the Chargers or Falcons can claim victories over these teams, each is merely a team with potential that can only be judged by its past victories. In this regard, the Chargers have played better quality teams than the Falcons. The only conclusion that can be drawn from this fact is the Chargers statistically should have also beaten the same teams the Falcons have beaten.

One other fact is the Falcons have new coaches with new schemes. While M.Vick is struggling with the west coast scheme, there is a dearth of intel on the Falcons, right now. This is a huge advantage to the Falcons because opponents are still guessing at the Falcons' tendancies. As the Falcons get deeper into the season, the playbook will have been more fully seen and the tendancies recognized.

[falconsbowl2k4]

One other fact is the Falcons have new coaches with new schemes. While M.Vick is struggling with the west coast scheme, there is a dearth of intel on the Falcons, right now. This is a huge advantage to the Falcons because opponents are still guessing at the Falcons' tendancies. As the Falcons get deeper into the season, the playbook will have been more fully seen and the tendancies recognized.

But the intel will hardly be effective. You have to remeber that we have a entirely new coaching staff. Hardly anyone that is there now was here last year. Wade Phillips will have a plan for Vick yes, but will the O be able to put up points on our D.

Bottom line this game will be won by the defense.

[rule12b]

Originally posted by: falconsbowl2k4

One other fact is the Falcons have new coaches with new schemes. While M.Vick is struggling with the west coast scheme, there is a dearth of intel on the Falcons, right now. This is a huge advantage to the Falcons because opponents are still guessing at the Falcons' tendancies. As the Falcons get deeper into the season, the playbook will have been more fully seen and the tendancies recognized.

But the intel will hardly be effective. You have to remeber that we have a entirely new coaching staff. Hardly anyone that is there now was here last year. Wade Phillips will have a plan for Vick yes, but will the O be able to put up points on our D.

Bottom line this game will be won by the defense.

LOL that is what the Titan's and Jaqg's fans said too! Get ready for a bloodbath Hawkboy, your team is about to get schooled in it's own house.

[falconsbowl2k4]

LOL that is what the Titan's and Jaqg's fans said too! Get ready for a bloodbath Hawkboy, your team is about to get schooled in it's own house.

Shall thier be a sig bet on this? Notice I have not talked any smack......Yet! Lets say "The Falcon's are my daddy!" In your sig for a week when you loose? If we loose I will do the same for the supa-chargers.

[rule12b]

Originally posted by: falconsbowl2k4

LOL that is what the Titan's and Jaqg's fans said too! Get ready for a bloodbath Hawkboy, your team is about to get schooled in it's own house.

Shall thier be a sig bet on this? Notice I have not talked any smack......Yet! Lets say "The Falcon's are my daddy!" In your sig for a week when you loose? If we loose I will do the same for the supa-chargers.

That is an interesting proposition. Here is a fun one to try with friends who support rivals. . .My friend who is a raider fan, is going to wind up with a Charger's license plate frame and window sticker for the entire off season if they finish below the chargers...

A sig bet seems light by comparison, plus, I can't seem to get registered on your guys board so I'm not sure I would even get to enjoy the spoils of the Charger's impending victory. However, if by some miracle, the Falcs pull off a win, you are welcome to return here to serve up some crow. If not though, come back and take your lumps like a man!

[falconsbowl2k4]

A sig bet seems light by comparison, plus, I can't seem to get registered on your guys board so I'm not sure I would even get to enjoy the spoils of the Charger's impending victory. However, if by some miracle, the Falcs pull off a win, you are welcome to return here to serve up some crow. If not though, come back and take your lumps like a man!

It's easy to get registered there. How about this. I will change my sig on the Falcons board to say that and you change yours on here to say it. That seems to meet in the middle. Also, you will get to enjoy it if you all win and come over to serve us our crow.

[SDRaiderH8er]

Originally posted by: falconsbowl2k4

One other fact is the Falcons have new coaches with new schemes. While M.Vick is struggling with the west coast scheme, there is a dearth of intel on the Falcons, right now. This is a huge advantage to the Falcons because opponents are still guessing at the Falcons' tendancies. As the Falcons get deeper into the season, the playbook will have been more fully seen and the tendancies recognized.

But the intel will hardly be effective. You have to remeber that we have a entirely new coaching staff. Hardly anyone that is there now was here last year. Wade Phillips will have a plan for Vick yes, but will the O be able to put up points on our D.

Bottom line this game will be won by the defense.Yes you are right, and with our Offense hitting on every Single Cylinder right now, its going to be hard to stop us, we have scored the second highes total in the NFL, Vick is going to have to have a great game to keep you guys in the Game,

[TemeculaMike]

Originally posted by: falconsbowl2k4

One other fact is the Falcons have new coaches with new schemes. While M.Vick is struggling with the west coast scheme, there is a dearth of intel on the Falcons, right now. This is a huge advantage to the Falcons because opponents are still guessing at the Falcons' tendancies. As the Falcons get deeper into the season, the playbook will have been more fully seen and the tendancies recognized.

But the intel will hardly be effective. You have to remeber that we have a entirely new coaching staff. Hardly anyone that is there now was here last year. Wade Phillips will have a plan for Vick yes, but will the O be able to put up points on our D.

Bottom line this game will be won by the defense.

This was my point. There is a dearth of intel (dearth is a fancy word for scarce, short supply). The new coaches and schemes create problems for opponents during the first half of the season due to the lack of film.

One thing that has helped the Chargers these last two games is Cam Cameron's (our Off. Coordinator's) new found ability to mix up his play calling by breaking some hard fast tendancies (e.g. Run-Run-Pass-Punt; Run-Run-Pass-Punt; etc.). Watch-out we might get crazy and punt on 2nd down i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif

The Titans and Jags had vaunted defenses, which the Chargers schooled. The Falcons will not be an exception and will experience for the first time what its like to play against a top 10 offense (2nd in Points/game; and 6th in Rush Yrds/game)

Don't get me wrong, the Falcons are good. Their offense and defense are currently ranked no.1 in a few categories; the big unknown right now is are the Falcon's statistically ranked higher because their really good or all but two of their opponents were terrible?

[yodafro]

The Falcons are not ready for what they are about to experience. The Mike Vick experience. On his back with his legs kicking

[falconsbowl2k4]

Well Rule12b and Yodafro, it is Monday and I have come back win, loose or draw. Now take your crow like real men and admit you were wrong!

[rule12b]

Originally posted by: falconsbowl2k4
Well Rule12b and Yodafro, it is Monday and I have come back win, loose or draw. Now take your crow like real men and admit you were wrong!

Wait, we lost?!?! I stopped watching after the third quarter so I could start composing smack for you! Oh, looks like our secondary stopped playing when I stopped watching. Oh well, I'll take my crow medium rare please.

Now, please paste our division rivals in upcoming weeks!

[TemeculaMike]

Originally posted by: falconsbowl2k4
Well Rule12b and Yodafro, it is Monday and I have come back win, loose or draw. Now take your crow like real men and admit you were wrong!

The Chargers played well for 3 quarters and should have won the game (10 point lead going into the 4th) EXCEPT for the fact that the Falcons run defense did not relent (was excellent) and Vick threw some pretty passes.

On whole the Falcons and Chargers are two evenly matched teams as evidenced by the game's statistics and score: 21-20, the Falcons were just slightly better on Sunday. As a Charger fan I was disappointed in the result, but encouraged by the fact that we lost to a very good Falcon team and played well enough to win (provided the mental errors did not occur)

There are a number of unknowns, such as, would the result have been the same if the Falcons were not playing at home on that damn carpet? If our starting reciever, Caldwell, had not twisted his knee within the first 5 minutes of the game? If the Chargers had not used all their time outs (see the home comment)? If the Chargers had fewer mental mistakes (i.e. penalties).

The only thing certain is the Falcon's won the game - and that is the only thing that matters in the NFL. Congratulations, your team is good and I will be rooting for Michael Vick and company this month (10/24 (KC) and 10/31 (Denver)) and December 12 (Oakland).

[PriestBaybee]

Who are the Falcons?

[PhillyFan]

Originally posted by: PriestBaybee
Who are the Falcons?

That's the team in Atlanta that somehow, and I still can't come up with a logical answer, beat the Chargers 2 weeks ago. After watching the Chiefs treat the Falcons like the speed bump that they really are, it baffles the mind that they won by 1 point over the better team.