ON THE FALCONS BEAT
ON THE FALCONS BEAT

Florio on Falcons: ‘One of the most dangerous six seeds the NFL playoffs have ever seen’

**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before FRIDAY 3 a.m. ET JAN. 5, 2018. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.** Dave Stanley, top right, who is part of a group of die-hard Los Angeles Rams fans who wear hollowed-out watermelons on their heads when they sit in a section at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum known as the Melon Patch, with fellow fans in Los Angeles, Dec. 24, 2017. A new stadium is under construction for the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood. (Jake Michaels/The New York Times)

Credit: JAKE MICHAELS

Credit: JAKE MICHAELS

**EMBARGO: No electronic distribution, Web posting or street sales before FRIDAY 3 a.m. ET JAN. 5, 2018. No exceptions for any reasons. EMBARGO set by source.** Dave Stanley, top right, who is part of a group of die-hard Los Angeles Rams fans who wear hollowed-out watermelons on their heads when they sit in a section at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum known as the Melon Patch, with fellow fans in Los Angeles, Dec. 24, 2017. A new stadium is under construction for the Rams and Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood. (Jake Michaels/The New York Times)
By
Jan 6, 2018

Just how dangerous are the 2017 Falcons, the defending NFC champions, who open the playoffs against the third-seeded Los Angeles Rams at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum?

"With (Matt) Ryan, (Julio) Jones, and an array of other offensive weapons, the Falcons could be one of the most dangerous six seeds the NFL playoffs have ever seen," wrote Mike Florio of NBC and Pro Football Talk earlier this week.

Who’s on the hot seat? Who’s the X-factor?

Here are the links to all of the FALCONS GAMEDAY preview package:

ExploreThe X-factor: #Falcons linebacker Deion Jones
ExploreOn the hot seat: The #Falcons’ offensive line vs. #Rams All-Pro DT Aaron Donald and his mates.
Explore3 key matchups: Falcons at Rams
ExploreWhat #Falcons QB Matt Ryan had to say about the #Rams
ExploreAnalytics: Jared Goff is starting to blossom in his second season 

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the Falcons in a 27-24 loss to the Jets, running for 142 yards and catching five passes for another 51. (Adam Hunger/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ report card: Low marks for clunker against Jets

The Falcons season has all but slipped away after an awful loss to the Jets, and almost every facet of the team bears some responsibility for it.

27m ago

By not fixing special teams flaws, Raheem Morris undermines game, Falcons’ season

The Falcons have struggled on special teams all year, and those issues haven't been fixed. That came back to haunt them against the New York Jets in an inexcusable loss.

42m ago

Falcons didn’t have ‘mental stamina’ to close out Jets

The Falcons blew a fourth-quarter lead for the third time in the last four games in their loss to the New York Jets on Sunday.

54m ago

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was one of the few bright spots for the Falcons in a 27-24 loss to the Jets, running for 142 yards and catching five passes for another 51. (Adam Hunger/AP)

Credit: AP

Falcons’ report card: Low marks for clunker against Jets

27m ago

By not fixing special teams flaws, Raheem Morris undermines game, Falcons’ season

42m ago

Falcons didn’t have ‘mental stamina’ to close out Jets

54m ago

Featured

Inventor Lonnie Johnson stands with his Super Soaker water guns at JTEC Energy on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, in Atlanta. Johnson, a former NASA engineer, is currently working on a new energy technology through his company’s JTEC device that turns thermal heat into usable energy. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Earth needs more energy. Atlanta’s Super Soaker creator may have a solution.

The legendary inventor of the Super Soaker, Lonnie Johnson, is refining technology in Atlanta that he thinks could help the planet reduce energy waste.

Teen GOP activist steps down from party leadership post

Greene County native and University of North Georgia student Ja’Quon Stembridge, 19, had run on boosting youth involvement in the party.

2025 SEC championship game: Kickoff time, TV channel, participants, ticket info

The 2025 SEC Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 6. Below you can find information on game time, TV channel and particpants for the game.