(Welcome all! With the NFL becoming more of a passing league, the “Cover 9@9” blog will become all of the rage. You can read it here every Wednesday at 9 a.m. throughout the season. We’ll try to get to everything about the Atlanta Falcons from the Hometown Huddle to how the Falcons are going to try to defend Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his talented fleet of wide receivers. -– D. Orlando Ledbetter)
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
1. FALCONS PASSED ON CLAY MATTHEWS III: Instead of getting ready to face Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews III, the Falcons could have selected him back in 2009.
Passing on Matthews, the Falcons selected defensive tackle Peria Jerry with the 24th overall pick.
Two picks later, the Green Bay Packers selected Matthews. He has exceeded expectations early in his career in the NFL. His father Clay Matthews Jr. played 19 years in the league. He was with the Falcons from 1994 to 1996.
Jerry, who suffered a knee injury in his first NFL start, never fulfilled the promise the Falcons had for him. He retired during training camp on HBO's Hard Knocks show.
Matthews is a four-time Pro Bowler. He was named first-team All-Pro in 2010 and was the defensive player of the year in 2010.
This season, Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers is playing him inside on run downs and outside in passing situations.
Back in 2009, the Falcons were a 4-3 defensive team and Matthews was considered too light to play outside and his coverage skills were questionable. Also, the former wallk-on didn't have an extensive body of work. He had just 10 career starters at USC. Here's the NFL.com wrote after he draft:
The Packers add a versatile outside linebacker to their 3-4. Matthews' multi-dimensional game serves as the perfect complement to Aaron Kampman. As a credible rushing threat with underrated cover skills, Matthews gives Dom Capers the ability to mix and match rush schemes. Though he only spent one season as a starter in college, he has the potential to be a solid pro in the Packers' defense.
But the Packers saw something in Matthews that Falcons and 24 other teams missed. They made a mega-deal with New England to get the 26th pick and selected Matthews.
The Falcons didn't pass on a Matthews the second time around. They took selected Jake Matthews, Clay's cousin, with the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft.
2. WEATHER FORECAST: The Falcons are bracing for what promises to be a cold game against the Green Bay
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Packers at 8:30 p.m. Monday night.
Last season, the Falcons played the Packers on Dec. 8 in the day time. The temperature was nine degrees with the wind moving at 6 miles per hour. The wind-chill was minus-1.
The Falcons led 21-10 at halftime. Matt Flynn, who was playing for the injured Aaron Rodgers, rallied the Packers to a 22-21 victory.
“Lambeau Field at night in December, one word, cold,” Falcons coach Mike Smith said. “Cold and we’ll see a lot of orange jackets in the stands. That’s what I remember. I’ve played up there a number of times, but that’s what you’ll see.”
The Falcons are looking forward to the trip.
“It’s a great place, we’ve had the privilege and the opportunity to play up there two or three times since we’ve been here,” Smith said. “For some of our young guys it’ll be a neat experience for them.”
Smith doesn’t expect his players to be enthralled about playing in the legendary football shrine.
“That field’s 53 1/3 yards wide and 100 yards long; they’re playing for the same thing that we’re playing for,” Smith said. “They’re in first place in their division; we’re in first place in our division. It’s no different than this past week.”
The forecast calls for a high of 33 and a low of 18 on Monday with a 20 percent chance of rain.
3. DEFENSE RANKED LAST: Despite the respectable showing against Arizona, the Falcons remain entrenched as
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
the 32nd ranked defense in the league and appear to be a statistical mismatch for the Packers high-octane offense.
The Falcons give up 403.2 yards per game (32nd). The Packers average 377.9 yards per game (7th).
The Falcons give up 284.9 yards passing per game (32nd). The Packers average 269 yards passing (8th).
The Falcons give up 118.2 yards rushing per game (20th). The Packers, who are led by running back Eddie Lacy, average 108.9 yards rushing per game (19th).
The Falcons give up 24.9 points per game (22nd). The Packers, who have scored 38 points or more in five games, average 31.7 points per game (2nd).
The Falcons are the heaviest underdog this week. They are 11 ½ point underdogs against the Packers. Some Vegas sports books have the game at 12 points.
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
Credit: D. Orlando Ledbetter
4. PSL -- SAVE SOME CASH: The Falcons have stated that they will announce the costs for personal seat licenses for the new $1.4 billion stadium after the season.
The increase won't affect the amount of taxpayer money that goes into the project, leading the Georgia World Congress Center Authority board to approve the new budget by a vote of 13-1.
Dissenting board member Taz Anderson wondered how much the Falcons will attempt to pass along to fans through the planned sale next year of personal seat licenses.
The increase won't affect the amount of taxpayer money that goes into the project, leading the Georgia World Congress Center Authority board to approve the new budget by a vote of 13-1. But the higher cost raised questions at Tuesday's authority meeting. Dissenting board member Taz Anderson wondered how much the Falcons will attempt to pass along to fans through the planned sale next year of personal seat licenses.
"It would seem to me if you've got more costs, you might have to raise the (price) of those licenses," Anderson said.
The Falcons say PSL prices haven't been finalized, but insisted the higher stadium cost won't be the determining factor.
"I don't think anything has changed with our approach on our PSL program," Falcons executive vice president and chief financial officer Greg Beadles said in an interview. "We've got a wide variety of (revenue) sources."
5. MOST EXPENSIVE NFL STADIUMS
Stadium / Team / Cost
MetLife Stadium / New York Giants, Jets / $1.6 billion
New Atlanta stadium* / Atlanta Falcons / $1.4 billion
AT&T Stadium / Dallas Cowboys / $1.3 billion
Levi’s Stadium / San Francisco 49ers / $1.3 billion
New Minneapolis stadium* / Minnesota Vikings / $1 billion
* - under construction, not yet named
6. VICTORY MONDAY: In addition to getting "Victory Monday" off, the Falcons had their league-mandated day off on Tuesday and an additional day Wednesday. With a Monday night game, they'll return to practice on Thursday. They'll also practice on Friday and Saturday before leaving for Green Bay on Sunday.
7. COMMUNITY CORNER: The Falcons are pleased to announce Dennis Nelson as the Community Quarterback Award winner for December for his volunteer work at I CARE, Inc.
Nelson has been a volunteer driver with I CARE, Inc. for over seven years. He uses his own vehicle and pays for his own gas to provide free transportation to medical appointments for senior citizens in DeKalb County at least once a week, but will frequently take on a second or third ride if needed.
Not only does Nelson provide transportation, but companionship as he also volunteers to sit in the waiting room. He has had a strong impact on the seniors in his community, helping to improve their overall health, safety, well-being and allowing them to maintain their independence.
I CARE, Inc. is a DeKalb County based nonprofit that provides free transportation to medical appointments to low income or no income senior citizens living in DeKalb county using volunteer drivers. I CARE, Inc. has been providing this free service to seniors citizens for over 13 years. The purpose of I CARE (Interfaith Companion And Ride Express) is to provide free transportation and companionship for low income senior citizens of all faiths living in DeKalb county, especially in underserved areas to their medical appointments.
Each winner will receive a $1,000 grant from the NFL Foundation to support the organization served. Additionally, on Monday, December 15, each of the Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award winners will be recognized at the annual Atlanta Falcons Community Honors Dinner and the 2014 Community Quarterback Award Winner of the Year will be announced.
8. PLAYOFF PICTURE: The Falcons have a 54 percent chance of making the playoffs and need to win four of the remaining four games to virtually clinch a playoff berth, according to www.makeNFLplayoffs.com.
The Saints, who are tied for first place with the Falcons, have a 38 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In the NFC, eight teams control their own destiny with the Cardinals, Eagles and Packers only needing 3 wins in the final 4 games to clinch a playoff spot. The 49ers comes close to controlling its own destiny with a 99.7% chance of earning a playoff berth with four wins in their final four games.
Tampa Bay has a less than 0.000005 chance of making the playoffs. The Redskins and Giants were eliminated after Week 13.
In the AFC, eight teams control their own destiny with the Broncos only needing 2 wins to clinch a playoff spot. The Patriots have the best shot at the top seed due to their head to head win vs. the Broncos. Even 6-6 Houston comes close to controlling its own destiny with a 98.5% chance of earning a playoff berth with four wins in their final four games.
The Jets, Titans and Jaguars were eliminated after Week 12. The Raiders were eliminated after Week 11.
----Win-Division---- -Wildcard
TOTAL 1st Round 1st Round 1st Round Make Record to
AFC Team Name W--L--T BYE HOME ROAD Playoffs Clinch
-------------------- -- -- -- --------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
----Win-Division---- -Wildcard
TOTAL 1st Round 1st Round 1st Round Make Record to
NFC Team Name W--L--T BYE HOME ROAD Playoffs Clinch
-------------------- -- -- -- --------- --------- --------- -------- ---------
-1st-Round-BYE -Host-Wildcard- -Road-Wildcard- Make
Team Name Champ 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Playoffs
-------------------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Atlanta Falcons 0.00000 0.00001 0.00059 0.53985 0.00000 0.00001 0.54046
AtlFal Record Make 1st Round
Final 4 Games Playoffs Playoff Opponent Probability
-------------- -------- -------------------- -----------
4-0 1.00000 MISS PLAYOFFS 0.45954
3-1 0.93762 Arizona Cardinals 0.12412
2-2 0.59298 Seattle Seahawks 0.11589
1-3 0.08574 Dallas Cowboys 0.09864
0-4 0.00000 Green Bay Packers 0.06314
Detroit Lions 0.05778
San Francisco 49ers 0.05740
Philadelphia Eagles 0.02168
Saint Louis Rams 0.00109
Chicago Bears 0.00054
Minnesota Vikings 0.00018
BYE 0.00001
New Orleans Saints 0.00000
Rudy's Blog Player
9:DEPTH CHART: Here's the team's official depth chart for the game against the Packers.
OFFENSE
WR 84 Roddy White, 83 Harry Douglas, 14 Eric Weems
LT 70 Jake Matthews, 68 Gabe Carimi
LG 63 Justin Blalock, 69 Harland Gunn
C 62 James Stone, 69 Harland Gunn
RG 75 Jon Asamoah, 69 Harland Gunn
RT 73 Ryan Schraeder, 68 Gabe Carimi, 64 Jonathan Scott
TE 80 Levine Toilolo, 86 Bear Pascoe
WR 11 Julio Jones, 17 Devin Hester, 19 Drew Davis
QB 2 Matt Ryan, 13 TJ Yates, 12 Sean Renfree
RB 39 Steven Jackson, 32 Jacquizz Rodgers, 24 Devonta Freeman
FB 42 Patrick DiMarco
DEFENSE
DE 71 Kroy Biermann, 50 Osi Umenyiora, 90 Stansly Maponga
DT 99 Tyson Jackson, 77 Ra’Shede Hageman, 98 Cliff Matthews
DT 96 Paul Soliai, 91 Corey Peters
DE 95 Jonathan Babineaux, 94 Jonathan Massaquoi, 93 Malliciah Goodman, 54 Tyler Starr
LB 55 Paul Worrilow, 52 Nate Stupar, 97 James Anderson
LB 53 Prince Shembo, 59 Joplo Bartu
CB 23 Robert Alford, 28 Javier Arenas
CB 26 Josh Wilson, 27 Robert McClain, 28 Javier Arenas
S 25 William Moore, 36 Kemal Ishmael, 30 Charles Godfrey
S 20 Dwight Lowery, 41 Dezmen Southward
CB 21 Desmond Trufant, 28 Javier Arenas
SPECIALISTS
K 3 Matt Bryant
KO 5 Matt Bosher
P 5 Matt Bosher
KR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems
PR 17 Devin Hester, 14 Eric Weems
LS 47 Josh Harris
H 5 Matt Bosher
NEXT UP: The Falcons (5-7) play at the Green Bay Packers (9-3) at 8:30 p.m. Monday at historic Lambeau Field.
FALCONS FAN MAILBAG: We take your questions from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.
ICYMI: In case you missed it
GAME STORY: Falcons throttle Cardinals in a stunner
WATCH: D. Led -- Falcons throttle Cardinals 29-18
PLAYTIME CHART: Moore plays 100 percent of snaps in his return
NOTEBOOK: Jackson ends 35-game rushing drought
QUOTEBOARD: What the Falcons had to say . . .
SIDEBAR: Cards Peterson can't back up talk as Jones dominates
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