1. Atlanta Falcons: 5 Cost-Effective Moves the Falcons Can Make This Offseason

    On the heels of the Atlanta Falcons ' NFC Championship Game loss to the San Francisco 49ers , the offseason may be the last thing fans are thinking about. But as slow as time may be passing right now, March will soon be upon us...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 4 months ago 5,173 reads 29 comments

  2. 49ers vs. Falcons: 10 Keys to the Game for Atlanta

    The time for the Atlanta Falcons to celebrate last week's 30-28 divisional round win over the Seattle Seahawks has come and gone. It's now time for the Falcons to face their next challenge: the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 4 months ago 5,025 reads 24 comments

  3. Seahawks vs. Falcons: Instant Grades, Analysis for Atlanta

    Fourth Quarter Seattle 28 Atlanta 30 The Seahawks saw momentum shift in their direction after scoring two touchdowns on back to back drives to start the quarter, one a 1-yard run by Russell Wilson and the other a 3-yard pass to Zach Miller...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 4 months ago 4,213 reads 17 comments

  4. Seahawks vs. Falcons: How the Falcons Can Contain Marshawn Lynch

    On Sunday, the Atlanta Falcons defense may be tasked with their biggest challenge yet this year: containing running back Marshawn Lynch...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 4 months ago 1,524 reads 16 comments

  5. Seahawks vs. Falcons: Mike Smith Should Be on the Hot Seat If the Falcons Lose

    Atlanta Falcons team owner Arthur Blank said head coach Mike Smith wasn't on the hot seat at the start of the season ( via NBCsports.com's Pro Football Talk )...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 4 months ago 2,123 reads 28 comments

  6. Atlanta Falcons: Blueprint to Super Bowl Run Lies in Past Playoff Failures

    The Atlanta Falcons may have a bye week heading into their opening playoff game on January 13, but there will be little resting taking place...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 3,459 reads 11 comments

  7. Atlanta Falcons: Grading Every Starter's 2012 Season

    Many believed the Atlanta Falcons were headed for a solid 2012 season after naming Dirk Koetter and Mike Nolan coordinators in the offseason. But few predicted they would finish 13-3 and have the NFC's top seed heading into the playoffs...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 3,489 reads 34 comments

  8. Atlanta Falcons: Lack of Defensive Pro Bowlers Works in Falcons' Favor

    With the way the Atlanta Falcons have stifled opposing offenses all season long, one would think at least a few of the team's defensive players would be rewarded with Pro Bowl nods...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 2,486 reads 10 comments

  9. Atlanta Falcons: Why the Falcons Have the NFL's Best Receiving Trio

    With wideouts Roddy White and Julio Jones, the Atlanta Falcons unquestionably have one of the NFL 's best wide receiver tandems. Add tight end Tony Gonzalez to the mix and you have arguably the league's best starting receiving group...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 2,324 reads 13 comments

  10. Atlanta Falcons: Running Game Isn't Necessary to Super Bowl Run

    The Atlanta Falcons ' sluggish running game has been heavily scrutinized this season. It's a trend that has continued into December, as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution 's Michael ...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 2,491 reads 34 comments

  11. Atlanta Falcons: Why Falcons Shouldn't Rest Starters vs. Buccaneers

    Here we are, once again. The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a Week 16 win which clinched them the NFC's No.1 seed. It ensures them a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 3,845 reads 36 comments

  12. Falcons vs. Lions: Final Report Card, Player Grades for Atlanta

    The Atlanta Falcons (13-2) defeated the Detroit Lions (4-11) 31-18 Saturday night to clinch the NFC's No. 1 seed, ensuring home-field advantage throughout the playoffs...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 3,453 reads 33 comments

  13. Atlanta Falcons: Defensive Turnaround Assures 2012 Won't Be Repeat of 2010

    The Atlanta Falcons have been headed down this path before. With an impressive 12-2 record heading into Week 16, the Falcons have dominated the 2012 regular season just like they did in 2010, when they finished 13-3...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 2,735 reads 13 comments

  14. Atlanta Falcons: Assessing John Abraham's Chances at Making the Hall of Fame

    A 13-year NFL veteran, defensive end John Abraham undoubtedly has had himself quite the decorated career—so much so that he likes his chances of making the Hall of Fame ...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 1,853 reads 7 comments

  15. Atlanta Falcons: Win over Giants Shows Falcons Have Turned the Corner

    Defeating the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants is an impressive achievement. Even more impressive is when it's done the way the Atlanta Falcons did it...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 2,043 reads 28 comments

  16. Atlanta Falcons: How the Falcons Can Manufacture a Running Attack

    It's no secret: the Atlanta Falcons ' ground game is struggling. A team who had once consistently depended on Michael Turner's bruising-yet-explosive running style for 20, 30 ...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 1,845 reads 9 comments

  17. Atlanta Falcons: Sky Isn't Falling Despite Ugly Loss to Panthers

    Let's be clear: The Atlanta Falcons lost an ugly game last Sunday. Defenders missing tackles left and right. The defensive line giving Cam Newton all day to throw. The offense unable to convert a third down until late in the third quarter...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 1,264 reads 15 comments

  18. Falcons vs. Panthers: Final Report Card, Player Grades for Atlanta

    The Atlanta Falcons (11-3) lost 30-20 to the Carolina Panthers (4-9) at Bank of America Stadium Sunday in a game that wasn't as close as the score indicated...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 5 months ago 1,757 reads 24 comments

  19. Atlanta Falcons: Biggest Disappointments of 2012 Season so Far

    As a team, the Atlanta Falcons are experiencing one of the best seasons in franchise history. The same can't be said for the Falcons individually, however...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 912 reads 5 comments

  20. Atlanta Falcons: Prime Time Success Shows They're Ready for Playoffs

    It’s a year of many firsts for the Atlanta Falcons . This season marked the first time that they got off to a perfect 8-0 start. Third-year veteran Sean Weatherspoon recorded his first career interception...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 1,373 reads 5 comments

  21. Saints vs. Falcons: Final Report Card, Player Grades for Atlanta

    The Atlanta Falcons (11-1) marched past the New Orleans Saints (5-7) 23-13 at the Georgia Dome Thursday night in a game that wasn't nearly as close as the score suggests...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 5,742 reads 20 comments

  22. Saints vs. Falcons: Time for a Statement Game from Atlanta

    Last week, I described how proud I am of the Atlanta Falcons for being able to win in more ways than one this season...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 2,526 reads 28 comments

  23. Falcons vs. Buccaneers: Live Game Grades and Player Analysis for Atlanta

    It once again came down to the very last play of the game for the Atlanta Falcons (10-1), who were able to knock down a Josh Freeman hail mary for a tight 24-23 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5)...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 3,298 reads 30 comments

  24. Julio Jones: Why the Atlanta Falcons Would Be Wise to Sit Him This Sunday

    Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones is listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , still hampered by a lingering ankle injury...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 2,328 reads 13 comments

  25. Atlanta Falcons: Sloppy Win Better Than a Blowout Would've Been

    Like many other Falcons fans, I expected the Atlanta Falcons to bounce back from last week's heartbreaking 31-27 loss to the division rival New Orleans Saints by crushing the Arizona Cardinals at the Georgia Dome last Sunday...

    Justin Blanchard Written by Justin Blanchard about 6 months ago 1,971 reads 7 comments