A TDW Observation: It feels different, doesn't it?

[TheDirtyWord]

Noone needed a slide rule to figure out that yesterdays game was important. Even those who disagreed with me as to it being a big deciding factor in our SB hopes knew and understood that it meant a whole lot.

But here is what I feel today, that I didn't feel yesterday at this time:

1) A Saints team that didn't lose until December last season, lost in September this season - and it has them worried. The questions are being asked "why are we only winning our games by a close margin?"..."what the heck happened to our kicker?". You hear Tony Dungy unequivocably state - this is SB hangover. I said this during the summer, but when you taste the level of success the Saints tasted last year, even the adversity tastes good in retrospect. But now when faced with it in actuality, it's a punch in the mouth - provided by your Atlanta Falcons. Their next 4 game schedule is a cream puff, so I doubt they'll fall apart, but now they know. moral victories are no longer enough for the Falcons.

2) We can NOW beat any team in the NFL ANYWHERE. We all believed that as fans and observers, but the Falcons had yet to prove this on the field. NOW they have. For the first time since 1994, the Falcons have defeated a defending SB Champion. Last year in our third game, we went into NE thinking that game was a measuring stick and we had our hats handed to us. We were never a contending team after that again IMO. We were an OK team...a team that could get some things done. But at the upper echeleon, we were not feared. The Falcons will say this wasn't a statement game...but it most certainly was. Sometimes luck is necessary - that luck played into NO's favor earlier in the game when Morestead's punt bounced off DeCoud's heel. But there was no doubt about it that the game that was played yesterday was played on the Falcons terms.

3) That win was worth 3 in the standings. This I knew going into the game. What I didn't know was how huge that feels with that win in hand. Lose and the Falcons are playing catch up for the remainder of the season - looking at what's happening in other NFC Divisions to get a clearer picture of their fate...chomping at the bit to get another chance at their chief rival and defending champion. A loss would have hovered over this team for 3 months. A loss meant no dogfight in the division. For the Saints, that loss represents a chink in the armor. No matter what happens for the remainder of the season, they'll still be defending champs. The weight appears to be starting to show. It's one they'll carry for their remaining 13 games. The Falcons - we get to continue to RISE UP with no such baggage (baggage being a relative term; I'd give my left nut for their baggage - but baggage it is).

4) That we may indeed have a playmaking secondary. Facing Dennis Dixon and Derek Anderson...well, you're supposed to intercept those guys. Drew Brees? He threw more than 1 INT in a game twice last season. Doesn't happen often. But Brent Grimes was dynamite on that failed flea flicker attempt and Thomas DeCoud was opportunistic on Brees ill-advised shovel pass. So we now have 6 INT's on the year. 5 members of our secondary have gotten into the act and none earned a $57M contract in the off-season. Did they give up a big play here and there? Sure, but we're talking about Drew Brees - he does that. We're still only 2-7 against him as the Saints QB, but that 2 seems much bigger now.

What it comes down to is this - every day, we come to these boards with our opinions and views on the Falcons. They range from extreme optimism to over the top pessimism. Some our well thought out views, others are off the cuff ramblings. But before yesterday, none of us REALLY knew if the Falcons could do what they did. Could we go into a hostile environment against an elite team and pull out a big win? Do the Vikings in 2008 and Jets in 2009 count? Perhaps at some level, but be honest - this win is MUCH bigger.

I'm on record as saying that a win yesterday meant a SB appearance. I believe that even more today than I did when I said it this summer. There is obviously work to be done, games to be won and fortune to smile upon us. If Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Roddy White and Curtis Lofton go down...so do the Falcons so we need to stay healthy. But all things being equal - this is now the year. The opportunity is ours for the taking.

Dallas here we come.

[Tandy]

You know what I think of this post? I think it is one of the most beautiful, well thought out, heartfelt posts I've ever read - and I couldn't agree with you more.

[swanlee]

Yep pretty awesome. This is why we are fans, this franchise has been hell to be a fan of for 25 years but it is days like yesterday that make it worth it.

[mcsupersport]

Only thing I will dispute is the 2-7 mark, yes, it is against Drew Brees in his entire time at the Saints, but this Coach and his team are 2-3 against the Saints, and too me that is more important than the years before Smith and TD got here.


But all in all a really good post, and I feel very happy to be a Falcons Fan after the game they just played.

[theProf]

TDW mucho kudos! Insightful post and very well written.

[Peyton]

As would be expected, completely oustanding post.

This will sound funny to people, but one of my favorite things about yesterday is that the Falcons got some good luck to go there way.

When DeCoud had that ball bounce off his leg, it looked like the Falcons might revert to being that team that always gets the bad break.

Then Hartley missed that chip shot.

Every single NFL Champion gets a little luck. Whether it's the tuck rule, or Rams getting a legitimate chatch overturned against the Bucs in 99, or the Saints last year getting a few balls to bounce their way, most all teams that win a Super Bowl get some luck.

Maybe, in addition to being a very good team, the Falcons are going to get some breaks this year.

[Knight of God]

It does feel different!

[Tandy]

(09-27-2010 12:25 PM)Peyton Wrote:  As would be expected, completely oustanding post.

This will sound funny to people, but one of my favorite things about yesterday is that the Falcons got some good luck to go there way.

When DeCoud had that ball bounce off his leg, it looked like the Falcons might revert to being that team that always gets the bad break.

Then Hartley missed that chip shot.

Every single NFL Champion gets a little luck. Whether it's the tuck rule, or Rams getting a legitimate chatch overturned against the Bucs in 99, or the Saints last year getting a few balls to bounce their way, most all teams that win a Super Bowl get some luck.

Maybe, in addition to being a very good team, the Falcons are going to get some breaks this year.

Yes, I've stated this a million times. It takes the play of the players, the bounce of the ball and the luck of the call to win it all!

[TeamPlayer1]

Eloquently said! Feels different.......hmmmm. Feels like a winner!

[Knight of God]

I definately don't feel the need to complain. This feels good.