1 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:10,240 Speaker 1: What's up, everybody, and welcome to another edition of the 2 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: Falcons Final Whistle Podcast. I am Scott Baer, joined as 3 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:17,240 Speaker 1: always by Tory mclanny and Chris rim We are coming 4 00:00:17,239 --> 00:00:21,160 Speaker 1: to you live from high Mark Stadium in Orchard Park, 5 00:00:21,239 --> 00:00:23,759 Speaker 1: New York. There is snow on the ground. For a 6 00:00:23,800 --> 00:00:26,680 Speaker 1: long time. There was a big sign that said playoff 7 00:00:26,720 --> 00:00:29,720 Speaker 1: bound because the Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth at 8 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: the exact moment that the Atlanta Falcons were mathematically eliminated 9 00:00:33,920 --> 00:00:37,440 Speaker 1: as clocks struck zero following a twenty nine to fifteen 10 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:40,560 Speaker 1: victory by the Bills. We are going to break this 11 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 1: thing down in so many different ways as we always 12 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:46,239 Speaker 1: do on the Final Whistle Podcast. On the Final Whistle Podcast, 13 00:00:46,360 --> 00:00:48,839 Speaker 1: if I can say that right, tongue twister, it is 14 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,839 Speaker 1: so many fs. And really we're gonna follow the same 15 00:00:51,880 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: format that you guys always know, and we're gonna address 16 00:00:55,360 --> 00:00:57,760 Speaker 1: four different topics over the course of five minutes each 17 00:00:58,240 --> 00:01:00,960 Speaker 1: and we are going to break down, obviously, that pivotal 18 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:05,640 Speaker 1: fourth quarter sequence of events involving Matt Ryan not getting 19 00:01:05,640 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: into the end zone and then getting called for a taunting. 20 00:01:08,520 --> 00:01:10,399 Speaker 1: We are going to talk about Kyle Pitts's day and 21 00:01:10,520 --> 00:01:14,880 Speaker 1: his absence. We're going to talk about the defensive takeaways 22 00:01:14,880 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: that are really kind of skyrocketing right now, and we're 23 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:20,360 Speaker 1: going to look forward to the season finale against the 24 00:01:20,480 --> 00:01:24,040 Speaker 1: New Orleans Saints. Before we start all that, Tory mclaney, 25 00:01:24,080 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 1: biggest takeaway for you after the Falcons drop one to 26 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: Buffalo outside of me not hating Buffalo question mark, I 27 00:01:32,640 --> 00:01:35,120 Speaker 1: actually I okay. So the last time you heard me, 28 00:01:35,240 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 1: I was incredibly distraught about coming to Buffalo, New York 29 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:42,840 Speaker 1: on January first. However, now that we've been here for 30 00:01:42,880 --> 00:01:45,720 Speaker 1: almost forty eight hours, I don't hate it. We've had 31 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 1: a really good trip. We ate some bomb Wings at 32 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:53,320 Speaker 1: this place called Gabriel's Gate. Chris would have loved them. 33 00:01:53,560 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: And also got to see my first like Snow game, 34 00:01:57,840 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 1: which was really fun because honestly, like I feel like 35 00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 1: that's a staple of coming to Buffalo, New York for 36 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: a Buffalo Bills game. So I was actually pretty pleased 37 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:09,799 Speaker 1: with the ambiance of all of this. Now the game itself, 38 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:15,240 Speaker 1: which is a just pivotal downturn from where I was 39 00:02:15,280 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 1: feeling coming into this game. There were so many things 40 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:20,280 Speaker 1: that I kind of took away from this game is 41 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:24,720 Speaker 1: super difficult for me to pick just one. I think 42 00:02:24,720 --> 00:02:27,200 Speaker 1: it was just most And I know Chris wrote about 43 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:29,800 Speaker 1: this post game, but to me, the biggest takeaway was 44 00:02:29,840 --> 00:02:33,520 Speaker 1: the fact that this offense didn't have its weapons and 45 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:37,679 Speaker 1: we really saw how important some of those weapons are, 46 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:42,239 Speaker 1: I e. Kyle pitts Ie Hayden Hurst. I would even 47 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:44,480 Speaker 1: go as far as to say this game could have 48 00:02:44,520 --> 00:02:48,359 Speaker 1: potentially been different if Calvin Ridley's out there. You take 49 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:51,440 Speaker 1: some of the pressure off of Cordarrel Patterson. So that 50 00:02:51,520 --> 00:02:54,640 Speaker 1: to me was I think my biggest takeaway for this game. Yeah, 51 00:02:54,680 --> 00:02:58,000 Speaker 1: and what about for you, Chris, Yeah, I would just 52 00:02:58,040 --> 00:03:03,200 Speaker 1: say missed opportunity, Well, miss missed opportunity maybe the one 53 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,720 Speaker 1: that I'm thinking about that we'll talk about later, But 54 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:08,880 Speaker 1: I thought that Latre said would also be a takeaway 55 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:10,280 Speaker 1: for me. But just to not do the same thing. 56 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 1: I think in addition to that, you know, you you 57 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:16,079 Speaker 1: don't have you lose so many weapons, but you still 58 00:03:16,120 --> 00:03:18,919 Speaker 1: have an opportunity to be in the game or a 59 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:23,080 Speaker 1: chance to potentially win the game. So you can't miss 60 00:03:23,120 --> 00:03:25,760 Speaker 1: out on opportunities when you have so many things pinned 61 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,000 Speaker 1: against you. So that would be my biggest takeaway, just 62 00:03:28,040 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 1: missed opportunity. Yeah, and it was. It was a very 63 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:36,400 Speaker 1: entertaining game. Obviously, if you're not invested in the outcome 64 00:03:36,440 --> 00:03:38,320 Speaker 1: and a Falcons fan, you obviously don't like what the 65 00:03:38,320 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 1: final score was. But that first half was packed, oh yeah, 66 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:43,200 Speaker 1: and there was plenty of drama in the fourth quarter 67 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:44,760 Speaker 1: as well, a lot of things happen. We are going 68 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:46,800 Speaker 1: to break all of that down, but before we do, 69 00:03:47,360 --> 00:03:49,760 Speaker 1: we have to give a big thank you to our sponsor, Microsoft, 70 00:03:49,800 --> 00:03:52,600 Speaker 1: Windows eleven, the official operating system of the NFL in 71 00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:55,240 Speaker 1: the Atlanta Falcons. The all new Windows eleven is here 72 00:03:55,280 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: to bring you closer to what you love. Like this 73 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 1: Falcons Final Whistle Pod all about the awesome new features 74 00:04:01,600 --> 00:04:07,840 Speaker 1: of Windows eleven at Windows dot com. And we're starting 75 00:04:07,960 --> 00:04:11,000 Speaker 1: quarter number one talking about a sequence of events that's 76 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:13,680 Speaker 1: as strange as it gets and actually prompted Tory and 77 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:16,800 Speaker 1: night It to really examine the NFL rulebook. And we're 78 00:04:16,839 --> 00:04:20,440 Speaker 1: talking about what happened in the fourth quarter. The Falcons 79 00:04:20,440 --> 00:04:25,039 Speaker 1: were down two scores. They were mere inches really from 80 00:04:25,080 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 1: cutting it to one score. Matt Ryan is deemed to 81 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:31,400 Speaker 1: have given himself up just before the goal line and 82 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:35,119 Speaker 1: therefore is left out of the end zone after being 83 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:38,520 Speaker 1: after the play being called on the field as a touchdown. 84 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,440 Speaker 1: Then he talks some trash or says some things that 85 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:45,040 Speaker 1: the referee doesn't like, gets a taunting flag. Then it 86 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,279 Speaker 1: goes under review, the touchdown or the touchdown is removed, 87 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 1: but the penalty remains. So then they go from the 88 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:55,440 Speaker 1: one inch line to the fifteen yard line because of 89 00:04:55,440 --> 00:04:58,000 Speaker 1: that personal foul. The Falcons try to get in twice 90 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:00,919 Speaker 1: on third and goal from the fifth, can't do it, 91 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:02,839 Speaker 1: can't do it on fourth and goal from the fifteen, 92 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:05,920 Speaker 1: and then the game was kind of over at that 93 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:10,080 Speaker 1: point to where you wrote about this extensively on the website, 94 00:05:10,480 --> 00:05:14,640 Speaker 1: including what Matt Ryan had to say about the entire 95 00:05:14,720 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: sequence of events, the entire endeavor. Yeah, and I'm going 96 00:05:18,040 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 1: to try my very very best to talk this through 97 00:05:22,160 --> 00:05:24,840 Speaker 1: in a way that's not as convoluted as what it 98 00:05:24,880 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 1: actually is, because it's a very convoluted, honestly like argument, 99 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:33,679 Speaker 1: and then also understanding the rule. And I would definitely 100 00:05:33,720 --> 00:05:36,760 Speaker 1: suggest to you that you go not to plug this, 101 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,200 Speaker 1: but it's gonna be It'll be better if you read 102 00:05:39,240 --> 00:05:42,120 Speaker 1: the story that I wrote post game because I think 103 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:44,279 Speaker 1: it'll be better than me talking it through. But what 104 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:50,480 Speaker 1: I'll essentially say is that, in all honesty, the officiating 105 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:55,560 Speaker 1: crew actually called this the right way. Yeah, yeah, they 106 00:05:55,600 --> 00:05:58,360 Speaker 1: got it right per the rules. And I think that's 107 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:00,960 Speaker 1: where you kind of get into the convoluted and honestly 108 00:06:01,000 --> 00:06:06,200 Speaker 1: the vagueness of the NFL rule itself, because you know, 109 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:09,839 Speaker 1: first off, will call call, you know, the call short. 110 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,960 Speaker 1: His knee is obviously down. However, there was a lot 111 00:06:13,960 --> 00:06:16,880 Speaker 1: of argument like, oh, well, he's a runner, like you 112 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:22,039 Speaker 1: have to be down by contact, not necessarily for the rule. Further, 113 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:25,719 Speaker 1: a quarterback, it's any part of his body down, then 114 00:06:25,800 --> 00:06:31,480 Speaker 1: he's down that eighteen yes, and so that in and 115 00:06:31,560 --> 00:06:33,600 Speaker 1: of itself, And then there was a no call on 116 00:06:33,640 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 1: a potential light hit that I think, just from my 117 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,680 Speaker 1: vantage point, I think that was what Matt Ryan was 118 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:43,760 Speaker 1: kind of mad about, was that there was that light 119 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:45,720 Speaker 1: hit in the end zone and he gets up and 120 00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: says something, you know, talking trash as somebody does, and 121 00:06:49,880 --> 00:06:53,359 Speaker 1: that's when he gets the taunting penalty. And what's really, 122 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:55,280 Speaker 1: like what you were saying, what's really kind of the 123 00:06:55,400 --> 00:06:59,120 Speaker 1: vagueness of the rule is that even though chances are 124 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:01,640 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan, doesn't it called for taunting if he's down 125 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:06,680 Speaker 1: on the one yard line? And then like it's it's 126 00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:10,000 Speaker 1: like the timing of it doesn't matter when it would 127 00:07:10,040 --> 00:07:12,440 Speaker 1: have mattered in the live game scenario. Again, this is 128 00:07:12,440 --> 00:07:15,560 Speaker 1: a really really convoluted, tough topic. That's why I suggest 129 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 1: you go read it, because I do a better job 130 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: of explaining it there. But at the end of the day, 131 00:07:20,640 --> 00:07:22,960 Speaker 1: the rules are the rules, and and Matt Ryan was 132 00:07:23,400 --> 00:07:25,480 Speaker 1: he was like, it's very disappointing. He was like, I 133 00:07:25,520 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: was very surprised that what I said was called taunting ever, Yes, 134 00:07:31,440 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: first taunting call ever. And he was like, it honestly 135 00:07:33,840 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 1: surprised me. And I get that too, because I don't 136 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:38,720 Speaker 1: know what you can say that hasn't already been said, 137 00:07:38,720 --> 00:07:41,559 Speaker 1: and like the heat of the moment on a football field. 138 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: Trust me, we've been around football players and coaches enough, 139 00:07:44,480 --> 00:07:47,120 Speaker 1: like we know what's said. Like, I don't know what 140 00:07:47,160 --> 00:07:49,160 Speaker 1: Matt Ryan could have said in that end zone that 141 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,480 Speaker 1: was big enough for him to be called for a 142 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:54,800 Speaker 1: taunting And that's exactly kind of what Matt was saying 143 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:56,680 Speaker 1: post game. But at the end of the day, he said, 144 00:07:56,920 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 1: it doesn't really matter what what's called was called it's 145 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:02,840 Speaker 1: the rule. Yeah, of course, what was your takeaway? Just 146 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 1: just just kind of watching this whole sequence unfold, what 147 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:11,480 Speaker 1: it meant and what happened. Yeah, I think I think well, 148 00:08:11,520 --> 00:08:14,480 Speaker 1: I think, like Tory said, the rules the rule, he 149 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 1: was down. But I did think the late hit. I 150 00:08:18,200 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 1: thought the late hit was what a lot of people 151 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,560 Speaker 1: pointed to. If he was he was giving, he was 152 00:08:22,560 --> 00:08:25,280 Speaker 1: giving himself up and then he was hit after he 153 00:08:25,280 --> 00:08:27,720 Speaker 1: gave himself up, then there should have been a different 154 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: kind of flag there. But I thought the taunting flag 155 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:33,240 Speaker 1: was was fair. Um. I think that that's how it's 156 00:08:33,240 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: been called all year. I don't know, stood over him 157 00:08:37,000 --> 00:08:39,160 Speaker 1: and he kind of like tossed the ball towards him 158 00:08:39,160 --> 00:08:41,120 Speaker 1: a little bit. Yeah, I don't. I don't know what 159 00:08:41,240 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 1: he It doesn't really matter what he said. I'm sure. 160 00:08:43,600 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: I'm sure he didn't say anything, you know it. I 161 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:49,200 Speaker 1: don't only make seem like we know him, but we 162 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 1: know we've we've talked to him enough to know that 163 00:08:52,559 --> 00:08:55,079 Speaker 1: he probably did well, Actually we don't. I want to. 164 00:08:55,160 --> 00:08:56,960 Speaker 1: I would like to assume that he didn't say anything, 165 00:08:57,640 --> 00:09:00,120 Speaker 1: you know, super offensive. I imagine he was just I 166 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,120 Speaker 1: did and he might have screamed or something like that. 167 00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:05,280 Speaker 1: But in general, how they've called it this year is 168 00:09:05,320 --> 00:09:08,719 Speaker 1: that you can't talk directly in front of someone, or 169 00:09:08,760 --> 00:09:11,000 Speaker 1: you can't you know, whether it be you're yelling. Like 170 00:09:11,040 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 1: we saw a Chicago Bears player was, you know, half 171 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,480 Speaker 1: the field from the Steelers sideline and he just looked 172 00:09:17,520 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 1: in their direction and I think said something and he 173 00:09:20,559 --> 00:09:23,280 Speaker 1: was penalized for it. So if that's a penalty, then 174 00:09:23,400 --> 00:09:25,600 Speaker 1: then what Matt did today has to be a penalty. 175 00:09:25,880 --> 00:09:28,800 Speaker 1: So I think I think the call was fair. It 176 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:31,480 Speaker 1: was just just a tough time for it to happen. 177 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:34,640 Speaker 1: And like you said, the rule is so complicated, um 178 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:37,080 Speaker 1: and and just the situation was odd. Yeah, it was. 179 00:09:37,120 --> 00:09:39,320 Speaker 1: And going back to kind of that late hit call, 180 00:09:39,400 --> 00:09:41,839 Speaker 1: like that's not something that you can review. If it's 181 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 1: not called on the field, you can't go back and 182 00:09:44,280 --> 00:09:46,080 Speaker 1: be like, oh, well it was late hit, Like that's 183 00:09:46,120 --> 00:09:48,360 Speaker 1: not something that's reviewable, So that I think that also 184 00:09:48,440 --> 00:09:51,520 Speaker 1: adds to that. It's like, well, dang, like the whole 185 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:54,800 Speaker 1: sequence is just kind of so the timing of it 186 00:09:54,800 --> 00:09:57,520 Speaker 1: at all. It's also weird, Yeah, especially because there's no 187 00:09:57,520 --> 00:10:00,559 Speaker 1: way that he taunts anyone if if they don't throw 188 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:02,760 Speaker 1: their hands up that it's a touchdown. He's not taunting 189 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,480 Speaker 1: someone by a fur landing at the one yard line, right. 190 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:09,680 Speaker 1: So it's a sequence of events that somebody decided to 191 00:10:09,760 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: chop up the timeline, edit it in like in essence, 192 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:15,440 Speaker 1: and apply certain things and to gate other things. Um, 193 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 1: I know they were over time here. I just think 194 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:22,440 Speaker 1: Chris Jeffson, no, nob, Yeah, I agree what you're saying. Yeah, no, 195 00:10:22,520 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 1: And I just think that we don't know if the 196 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:27,240 Speaker 1: Falcons would have come back and won that game. It 197 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:30,160 Speaker 1: didn't win or lose them that game. Well, I guess 198 00:10:30,160 --> 00:10:32,720 Speaker 1: it did sort of lose it because they were down 199 00:10:32,760 --> 00:10:35,120 Speaker 1: two scores with not enough time to come all the 200 00:10:35,160 --> 00:10:38,120 Speaker 1: way back. But it was a very odd sequence. Arthur Smith, 201 00:10:38,200 --> 00:10:40,959 Speaker 1: clearly not wanting to get fined, really stayed away from 202 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: it as much as possible. To be honest with you, 203 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 1: I really would have liked to have heard his take 204 00:10:45,559 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 1: man too. Maybe we'll hear more about it on in 205 00:10:48,559 --> 00:10:52,960 Speaker 1: his Monday presser. But it was a very strange sequence, 206 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,600 Speaker 1: not something that you see every day. Again, go back 207 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 1: read Tory's story about it. Fascinating pivot moment in this 208 00:11:00,920 --> 00:11:03,440 Speaker 1: game that played out right in front of us and 209 00:11:03,520 --> 00:11:06,640 Speaker 1: left a lot of fans and media members really scratching 210 00:11:06,679 --> 00:11:12,720 Speaker 1: their heads. We're onto quarter number two and talking about 211 00:11:12,760 --> 00:11:15,840 Speaker 1: the number four overall draft pick, the record breaker, the 212 00:11:15,880 --> 00:11:20,600 Speaker 1: record setter Kyle Pitts, who eclipsed a thousand yards. It's 213 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,560 Speaker 1: four digits, and Kyle even said last week he never 214 00:11:23,840 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 1: really thought he thought that number was so big that 215 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:29,160 Speaker 1: he would never get there. He also set the Falcons 216 00:11:29,200 --> 00:11:32,520 Speaker 1: franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie, beating out 217 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:35,080 Speaker 1: a certain guy will probably wear a gold jacket one 218 00:11:35,120 --> 00:11:37,760 Speaker 1: day named Julio Jones, So that's another big thing. He 219 00:11:37,840 --> 00:11:41,400 Speaker 1: had an amazing sixty one yard catch and run down 220 00:11:42,200 --> 00:11:45,400 Speaker 1: down the sideline, pulled up with a hamstring issue. Later 221 00:11:45,480 --> 00:11:48,840 Speaker 1: didn't play much at all. Was in the second half, 222 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:51,120 Speaker 1: I think just the first series, and then he wasn't 223 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:54,480 Speaker 1: able to continue. This is one of those things where 224 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:58,480 Speaker 1: in that great play, Kyle Pitts shows what he can 225 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,880 Speaker 1: do and his value to the team, and then once 226 00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: he's not able to continue anymore, you really see his 227 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:08,679 Speaker 1: value to the team, especially when Hayden Hurst is unavailable. 228 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:11,640 Speaker 1: I'm very curious to see Lee Smith snap count. Yeah, 229 00:12:11,720 --> 00:12:14,480 Speaker 1: me too. We didn't see Lee Smith at all hard 230 00:12:14,640 --> 00:12:17,320 Speaker 1: or hardly at all, I don't really remember. There was 231 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:20,360 Speaker 1: a lot of I'm very curious about that too. Yeah, 232 00:12:20,360 --> 00:12:22,040 Speaker 1: because we didn't see him a lot. It was so 233 00:12:22,160 --> 00:12:26,079 Speaker 1: it was it was the Parker Hess Show actually kind 234 00:12:26,120 --> 00:12:29,320 Speaker 1: of the last man standing, a practice squad guy who 235 00:12:29,400 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: was called up yesterday. Wow, yesterday. There's a lot going 236 00:12:33,679 --> 00:12:36,840 Speaker 1: on there. Yeah, for him. But nonetheless, Chris said, you know, 237 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:41,760 Speaker 1: losing pits, how much of an impact did that have? Yeah, well, 238 00:12:41,800 --> 00:12:44,240 Speaker 1: I think, well, I think it has a big impact 239 00:12:44,240 --> 00:12:46,680 Speaker 1: when you already look at what they were coming into 240 00:12:46,720 --> 00:12:51,320 Speaker 1: the game with without Hayden. Calvin goes without saying but 241 00:12:51,600 --> 00:12:54,000 Speaker 1: in last week, the game that he had, it seems like, 242 00:12:54,640 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 1: I know, I say this, I think whenever someone has 243 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:58,720 Speaker 1: a good game, But it seemed like Matt was really 244 00:12:58,720 --> 00:13:00,480 Speaker 1: going to him a lot last week, and then the 245 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: first play of this game they went to him, and 246 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,120 Speaker 1: it was a design play to go to him. So 247 00:13:04,160 --> 00:13:06,920 Speaker 1: it seemed like they were going to go to Kyle 248 00:13:07,000 --> 00:13:09,280 Speaker 1: today and then when he wasn't there, you have to 249 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:13,240 Speaker 1: adjust and post game, Matt kind of made it seem 250 00:13:13,240 --> 00:13:15,520 Speaker 1: like it wasn't a big thing, which which maybe it wasn't, 251 00:13:15,800 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 1: but I think, you know, it still has some some 252 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,520 Speaker 1: effect on you when you're you're swapping out um, Kyle 253 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 1: Pitts and it's not it's it's not Hayden, but it's 254 00:13:23,800 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 1: it's Parker has who just got caught up. He didn't 255 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,760 Speaker 1: have in its higher week to adjust to, you know, 256 00:13:28,800 --> 00:13:31,800 Speaker 1: maybe put in certain packages that he's comfortable with, which 257 00:13:31,880 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 1: is making this big adjustment, and then you're asking more 258 00:13:34,120 --> 00:13:37,480 Speaker 1: from other guys like Gauge and Alama Day and and 259 00:13:37,480 --> 00:13:39,800 Speaker 1: and they did a step up. But I think his 260 00:13:39,960 --> 00:13:42,440 Speaker 1: absence played a big role. We saw that, you know, 261 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:45,280 Speaker 1: even on that third and sixteen Um that that's one 262 00:13:45,320 --> 00:13:47,000 Speaker 1: of the that's one of the reasons why he was 263 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,480 Speaker 1: drafted for to be that red zone guy who can 264 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:52,120 Speaker 1: go up and get the ball like a basketball player 265 00:13:52,160 --> 00:13:54,360 Speaker 1: in the in like a rebound in the end zone. 266 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:57,160 Speaker 1: And he wasn't able to do that there. So I 267 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:02,800 Speaker 1: think his presence was definitely missed. His ad I absolutely agree, 268 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:05,720 Speaker 1: and I also agree with kind of what you're saying 269 00:14:05,720 --> 00:14:09,439 Speaker 1: about how potentially I think and this is my opinion, 270 00:14:09,480 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: but I think Arthur Smith and Matt Ryan incredibly downplayed 271 00:14:14,120 --> 00:14:17,319 Speaker 1: when they were asked about Kyle Pitt's absence, And I 272 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:22,280 Speaker 1: say that because I asked. I asked both Arthur and Matt, 273 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:26,320 Speaker 1: like how not having not just not having Kyle, but 274 00:14:26,440 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: not having Kyle, not having Hayden, not having Lee for 275 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:33,280 Speaker 1: some reason or another, how that impacted things? Because they 276 00:14:33,480 --> 00:14:36,920 Speaker 1: run so many multiple tight end sets. That's been a 277 00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:40,960 Speaker 1: marker of this offense for this entire year, So to 278 00:14:41,120 --> 00:14:44,960 Speaker 1: not have multiple tight ends to go to, I mean, 279 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:47,160 Speaker 1: I was just kind of curious, like, you know, how 280 00:14:47,160 --> 00:14:49,720 Speaker 1: does that affect play call and what you kind of 281 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:52,040 Speaker 1: hung your hat on to a certain degree of having 282 00:14:52,080 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 1: these guys, even if they're not making huge impacts in 283 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:59,000 Speaker 1: the receiving game, they do have an impact on the 284 00:14:59,000 --> 00:15:01,920 Speaker 1: field every single time that you throw out two, sometimes 285 00:15:01,920 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 1: even three tied ends out there. So I was just 286 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:07,520 Speaker 1: very curious, and I know that you know, when I 287 00:15:07,520 --> 00:15:10,080 Speaker 1: asked him at that question, he was just kind of like, well, like, 288 00:15:10,120 --> 00:15:14,400 Speaker 1: you can't really account for what Kyle Pitts brings to 289 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 1: this offense. You can't really replicate it because he's so 290 00:15:17,440 --> 00:15:20,400 Speaker 1: special and different. But he was like, you know, our 291 00:15:20,480 --> 00:15:22,680 Speaker 1: wide receivers stepped up and we've been able to move 292 00:15:22,720 --> 00:15:25,720 Speaker 1: the ball down the field with our receivers and we 293 00:15:25,720 --> 00:15:27,520 Speaker 1: were running the ball pretty well, and all of that 294 00:15:27,880 --> 00:15:29,880 Speaker 1: was true. I thought the Falcons ran the ball pretty 295 00:15:29,920 --> 00:15:34,040 Speaker 1: well today. But I also think that it wasn't one 296 00:15:34,040 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 1: of those things that you could really I just felt 297 00:15:37,440 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 1: like there was a downplay of not having Kyle Pits 298 00:15:40,120 --> 00:15:42,320 Speaker 1: out there. Yeah. I think what it comes down to 299 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:44,479 Speaker 1: is they don't want to seem like they're making excuses. 300 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 1: They're saying, oh, we're hurt or we're dealing with COVID 301 00:15:46,760 --> 00:15:49,480 Speaker 1: situations or whatever the case may be, and therefore that's 302 00:15:49,480 --> 00:15:52,040 Speaker 1: why we lost. I think that's admirable, but I think 303 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:56,520 Speaker 1: that there's room within the answers to say, yeah, that 304 00:15:56,600 --> 00:15:59,440 Speaker 1: impacts the play calling. That is a scientific fact that 305 00:16:00,040 --> 00:16:02,520 Speaker 1: if you look at it. And I'm not trying to 306 00:16:03,880 --> 00:16:06,560 Speaker 1: throw shade at the names that I'm about to say, 307 00:16:06,680 --> 00:16:10,120 Speaker 1: but on fourth and fifteen, Matt Ryan throwing to Christian 308 00:16:10,120 --> 00:16:12,840 Speaker 1: Blake yea on a shot down the field down the 309 00:16:12,880 --> 00:16:14,960 Speaker 1: sideline to try to get back into it. He's throwing 310 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:20,320 Speaker 1: to Frank Darby. Yeah, that's different than ridley Hurst, Pitts gauge, 311 00:16:20,360 --> 00:16:23,920 Speaker 1: the full compliment that you would want to have going 312 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: into a gotta win it game and they didn't have it. Now, 313 00:16:27,800 --> 00:16:29,520 Speaker 1: is that a reason why they lost or not? No, Like, 314 00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:31,000 Speaker 1: we're not going to go down that road and make 315 00:16:31,040 --> 00:16:35,240 Speaker 1: excuses for them either. But it's a factor. It just is. 316 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:37,360 Speaker 1: And when you're trying to keep up with a Bill's 317 00:16:37,400 --> 00:16:40,800 Speaker 1: offense that's running the ball so well, is scoring twenty 318 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:44,200 Speaker 1: nine points, getting to twenty nine points without that many 319 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: skilled players is very difficult, especially against a defensive unit 320 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 1: that can scheme against Patterson without Pits in there. Pitt's 321 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:56,840 Speaker 1: value is immense. This kid is I mean, you all 322 00:16:56,920 --> 00:17:01,200 Speaker 1: have seen it. He's incredible and they definitely need him 323 00:17:01,200 --> 00:17:03,640 Speaker 1: on the field. His hamstring injury will be something to 324 00:17:03,680 --> 00:17:06,760 Speaker 1: watch as we move forward throughout the final week of 325 00:17:06,760 --> 00:17:13,720 Speaker 1: this regular season. We're starting quarter number three talking about 326 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:15,919 Speaker 1: the Falcons defense, which is really starting to take the 327 00:17:15,960 --> 00:17:19,960 Speaker 1: ball away on a regular In a very odd drive 328 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 1: chart for the Buffalo Bills, they didn't punt a single time. 329 00:17:23,080 --> 00:17:26,919 Speaker 1: They either scored a touchdown or Josh Allen threw an interception. 330 00:17:27,800 --> 00:17:30,600 Speaker 1: That's a wild stat. Now, of course I'm gonna say 331 00:17:30,600 --> 00:17:33,280 Speaker 1: this other stat and then I'll get fact checked down. 332 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:36,280 Speaker 1: But I think Josh Allen threw three interceptions in like 333 00:17:36,359 --> 00:17:39,080 Speaker 1: four or five passes. It was very quick. Bang bang 334 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:42,760 Speaker 1: bang yea and Dron Harmon got one in the end 335 00:17:42,800 --> 00:17:46,360 Speaker 1: zone that led to a touchdown, and then I'm blanking 336 00:17:46,359 --> 00:17:49,199 Speaker 1: here on aj Trail got one that led to a 337 00:17:49,320 --> 00:17:52,600 Speaker 1: field goal, and then Foyer got one to start the 338 00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,199 Speaker 1: second half that led to a three and out that 339 00:17:55,359 --> 00:17:57,879 Speaker 1: I think in the grand scheme of things will get 340 00:17:57,960 --> 00:18:02,600 Speaker 1: forgotten because it was in Bill's territory. The Falcons came 341 00:18:02,640 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 1: away with nothing there. Yeah, and I think that that 342 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:08,119 Speaker 1: was a big swing. They were taking advantage of these takeaways. 343 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:11,200 Speaker 1: The defense has been doing good things getting the ball 344 00:18:11,520 --> 00:18:14,000 Speaker 1: back for their offense, and for the offense to not 345 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:16,439 Speaker 1: turn that one around in a game like this, I 346 00:18:16,480 --> 00:18:21,640 Speaker 1: think was costly. But yeah, defense has been better creating turnovers. 347 00:18:21,680 --> 00:18:23,880 Speaker 1: It's been big and it's been impactful. You know, You're 348 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:26,399 Speaker 1: absolutely right that it has. And something that I was 349 00:18:26,480 --> 00:18:29,400 Speaker 1: very interested in is they were so impactful in these 350 00:18:29,440 --> 00:18:33,080 Speaker 1: turnovers that it really made Buffalo reevaluate what they were 351 00:18:33,119 --> 00:18:36,240 Speaker 1: doing offensively. It did. That was something that I thought 352 00:18:36,440 --> 00:18:38,879 Speaker 1: was really really interesting is that you saw in that 353 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:42,160 Speaker 1: first half. You saw Josh Allen slinging the ball left 354 00:18:42,200 --> 00:18:45,560 Speaker 1: and right, and then the Falcons come up with these 355 00:18:45,640 --> 00:18:48,639 Speaker 1: three picks and they're tipping balls and they're kind of 356 00:18:48,680 --> 00:18:53,120 Speaker 1: getting in Josh Allen's throwing lanes and kind of just 357 00:18:53,560 --> 00:18:57,720 Speaker 1: essentially creating wreaking havoc in a way that I thought 358 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:01,440 Speaker 1: was really impressive for this defense to do. But then 359 00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:05,320 Speaker 1: you get into the second half and like a good 360 00:19:05,320 --> 00:19:08,880 Speaker 1: team does, Buffalo adjusted and they go to the run 361 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:11,720 Speaker 1: and they're just running the ball. I think they ended 362 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:14,080 Speaker 1: the I'm looking at this, they ended the game with 363 00:19:14,160 --> 00:19:17,800 Speaker 1: two hundred and thirty three rushing yards. Wow, that is 364 00:19:17,840 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: how many attempts. How many attempts forty four and an 365 00:19:22,240 --> 00:19:26,800 Speaker 1: average of five point three. That's the difference is Like 366 00:19:26,840 --> 00:19:30,480 Speaker 1: the falcons past defense I thought was as good as 367 00:19:30,480 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 1: maybe we've seen them all year. I think, despite being 368 00:19:33,600 --> 00:19:37,679 Speaker 1: down several guys, Yeah, despite Jalen Hawkins not being out there, 369 00:19:37,800 --> 00:19:40,240 Speaker 1: Fabian Moreau not being out there, I mean, they were 370 00:19:40,240 --> 00:19:42,679 Speaker 1: really piecing it together. And the fact that they were 371 00:19:42,720 --> 00:19:44,120 Speaker 1: able to do what they did in the first half 372 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:48,239 Speaker 1: and and cause Buffalo to reevaluate what they're doing and 373 00:19:48,280 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 1: go go away from the past in order to be effective. 374 00:19:52,520 --> 00:19:55,679 Speaker 1: Just offensively, I thought wasn't really good. But it's like 375 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:58,560 Speaker 1: when they make that turn, they're needed to be an 376 00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:02,199 Speaker 1: adjustment offensively as well to account for how much they 377 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:07,119 Speaker 1: were running the ball right. This defense, I do think though, Chris, 378 00:20:07,119 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: I'm curious if you agree with me. I think that 379 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:13,520 Speaker 1: they've really made some significant strides down the stretch. The 380 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:17,160 Speaker 1: defense is really impacting games a lot more than they 381 00:20:17,160 --> 00:20:20,879 Speaker 1: were earlier in the year. Yeah, yeah, for sure. I 382 00:20:20,880 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: think you saw that today in terms they may they 383 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,320 Speaker 1: I think they confused Josh Allen today, and you saw 384 00:20:25,359 --> 00:20:28,280 Speaker 1: that with the in the red zone. He the one 385 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:31,240 Speaker 1: play he threw, he was running to his right and 386 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:34,960 Speaker 1: he just threw into like a sea of Falcon's defenders. 387 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,400 Speaker 1: But I thought, um, but I thought they adjusted today 388 00:20:38,440 --> 00:20:41,840 Speaker 1: early on too, because early on Diggs was getting open 389 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,879 Speaker 1: often and it was it seemed pretty easy, and it 390 00:20:45,080 --> 00:20:47,840 Speaker 1: and and then they adjusted and and he wasn't. But 391 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:50,720 Speaker 1: then in the second half, the bulk of those yards 392 00:20:50,800 --> 00:20:53,680 Speaker 1: from the Bills came from Josh Allen. Yeah, so I 393 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:56,320 Speaker 1: don't really know how we're not the bulk of them. 394 00:20:56,320 --> 00:20:58,240 Speaker 1: The bulk of them came from Secletary at one hundred 395 00:20:58,240 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: and ten. But Josh Allen had eighty two yards. And 396 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 1: your quarterback is getting eighty two yards when your QB 397 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:06,040 Speaker 1: thirst for one hundred and twenty yards and three interceptions, 398 00:21:06,080 --> 00:21:08,520 Speaker 1: I think it's QBR was like a fifteen or seventeen, 399 00:21:09,040 --> 00:21:11,800 Speaker 1: like on paper, that's a good day. But if the 400 00:21:11,840 --> 00:21:14,800 Speaker 1: guy has two touchdowns on the ground, I believe, and 401 00:21:15,040 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 1: eighty two on the ground, that's difficult. And I feel 402 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:21,920 Speaker 1: like it was. It's so because the way it looked, 403 00:21:21,920 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 1: it looked like the field, it looked like no one 404 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:25,920 Speaker 1: could grip the ground on the field. The field was icy, 405 00:21:26,160 --> 00:21:29,000 Speaker 1: and then you just have this huge six to five 406 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:33,199 Speaker 1: all right dude running at you in the cold, and 407 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:36,840 Speaker 1: he's just chunking away yards, chunking away yards and killing 408 00:21:37,200 --> 00:21:39,520 Speaker 1: killing your killing you on the inside like it's a 409 00:21:39,600 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 1: third down and he's coming down. He's chunks of yards 410 00:21:42,119 --> 00:21:44,760 Speaker 1: and running you over when you've done everything and coverage 411 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:46,840 Speaker 1: to make sure that doesn't happen. So I thought that 412 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:50,040 Speaker 1: was really the difference on defense today and figuring out 413 00:21:50,040 --> 00:21:52,200 Speaker 1: a way. It kind of reminded me of what Sam 414 00:21:52,280 --> 00:21:55,679 Speaker 1: Donald did when they played the Panthers, except the running 415 00:21:55,880 --> 00:21:58,560 Speaker 1: people over part just to scrambling. Yeah, And I'm glad 416 00:21:58,560 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: you brought up third down too, because that was also 417 00:22:01,000 --> 00:22:03,679 Speaker 1: I feel like with this defense they were having a 418 00:22:03,720 --> 00:22:05,879 Speaker 1: hard time getting off the field on third down. They 419 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:07,680 Speaker 1: were even on third and long. Even on third and 420 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:10,360 Speaker 1: long there were seven for twelve, which I realized it's 421 00:22:10,440 --> 00:22:13,639 Speaker 1: fifty eight percent. They're just over half. But there was 422 00:22:13,680 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 1: a point in time where it was like there are 423 00:22:15,840 --> 00:22:19,440 Speaker 1: five for six on third down. It was in that 424 00:22:19,520 --> 00:22:22,800 Speaker 1: to me was really tough, and a lot of it 425 00:22:22,840 --> 00:22:26,040 Speaker 1: I do attribute to Josh Allen running the ball the 426 00:22:26,040 --> 00:22:28,719 Speaker 1: way he did. He was getting big chunks when he 427 00:22:28,760 --> 00:22:32,199 Speaker 1: took off. Yeah, And I think one thing that the 428 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,560 Speaker 1: Falcons are going to have to improve on moving forward 429 00:22:34,640 --> 00:22:38,159 Speaker 1: is dealing with mobile quarterbacks. Now, sometimes they scramble and 430 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 1: cause problems. Sometimes there are design runs and they cause problems. 431 00:22:41,680 --> 00:22:44,240 Speaker 1: But going back to Jalen Hurts in Week one, that 432 00:22:44,400 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: was identified early on as a problematic issue. They got 433 00:22:48,040 --> 00:22:51,959 Speaker 1: better in some games and in some instances, but clearly 434 00:22:52,000 --> 00:22:55,320 Speaker 1: not good enough over the course of this season. Got 435 00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 1: to wrap that up. Mobile quarterbacks are not going away. 436 00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:59,800 Speaker 1: They are coming in more and more often. You gotta 437 00:22:59,800 --> 00:23:05,120 Speaker 1: show that up. And we're going to quarter number four 438 00:23:05,640 --> 00:23:07,920 Speaker 1: trying to play this thing forward and take a look 439 00:23:07,920 --> 00:23:10,359 Speaker 1: at what this game means in the context of the 440 00:23:10,400 --> 00:23:13,520 Speaker 1: season and what the Falcons have to do to kind 441 00:23:13,520 --> 00:23:15,560 Speaker 1: of rebound from it or continue on from it. Well, 442 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:18,679 Speaker 1: there's only one game left, season finale next week against 443 00:23:18,680 --> 00:23:21,439 Speaker 1: the rival in New Orleans Saints. They're coming off of 444 00:23:21,880 --> 00:23:25,560 Speaker 1: a victory against the Panthers. Now, it's about the response 445 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: right now that they've been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. 446 00:23:29,800 --> 00:23:32,159 Speaker 1: And you can say what you want, you can fire 447 00:23:32,280 --> 00:23:35,439 Speaker 1: Jim Morra gifts at us all day about their worthiness 448 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:38,640 Speaker 1: for being in the playoffs. An undisputed fact is that 449 00:23:38,680 --> 00:23:42,760 Speaker 1: this team was motivated by the postseason. Yeah, they just were. Yeah, 450 00:23:42,920 --> 00:23:47,040 Speaker 1: they were playing meaningful games in December and now January, 451 00:23:47,440 --> 00:23:50,040 Speaker 1: and you can't it doesn't matter how they got there. 452 00:23:50,440 --> 00:23:54,879 Speaker 1: They were in the conversation. There's no denying now. Yeah, 453 00:23:54,160 --> 00:23:57,120 Speaker 1: and I think that that is an important thing now, 454 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:00,240 Speaker 1: how they rebound with less to play for that will 455 00:24:00,280 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 1: be something of interest against the Saints. Fans will care 456 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:05,760 Speaker 1: a ton about that game, especially with the Saints having 457 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:09,320 Speaker 1: a possibility of making the postseason on the Falcons home field. 458 00:24:09,320 --> 00:24:12,200 Speaker 1: The rivalry is always felt more in the stands than 459 00:24:12,240 --> 00:24:15,160 Speaker 1: on the field, but nonetheless that's something that the Falcons 460 00:24:15,160 --> 00:24:17,919 Speaker 1: are going that they will want to do and the 461 00:24:17,960 --> 00:24:21,199 Speaker 1: Falcons fans will will really care about. Yeah. I actually 462 00:24:21,240 --> 00:24:25,200 Speaker 1: think that this upcoming game is going to be pretty intense. Yeah, 463 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:27,560 Speaker 1: just because you think, if you're the Falcons coming into 464 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:29,400 Speaker 1: it's like, what do we have to lose, Like, let's 465 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:31,800 Speaker 1: just throw the kitchen sink at them and you know, 466 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:34,400 Speaker 1: try and ruin something for him. If that's your it's 467 00:24:34,440 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 1: your rival. And I know that that's how fans probably 468 00:24:36,560 --> 00:24:38,800 Speaker 1: feel about it too. And honestly, there are a lot 469 00:24:38,800 --> 00:24:43,040 Speaker 1: of guys on contract years, you know, who have to prove, 470 00:24:44,080 --> 00:24:48,400 Speaker 1: you know, have one final chance to prove that they 471 00:24:48,600 --> 00:24:52,040 Speaker 1: deserve a good chunk of a paycheck in twenty twenty two, 472 00:24:52,320 --> 00:24:54,560 Speaker 1: you know. Like that's also I feel like, you know, 473 00:24:54,600 --> 00:24:56,760 Speaker 1: even though the playoff motivation isn't there, there are some 474 00:24:56,760 --> 00:24:58,800 Speaker 1: guys who are playing for their jobs, sure, And I 475 00:24:59,280 --> 00:25:02,600 Speaker 1: absolutely think that that along with it being the Saints 476 00:25:02,640 --> 00:25:05,040 Speaker 1: at home, with the Saints having something to play for, 477 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:08,320 Speaker 1: a postseason to potentially play for, I think all of 478 00:25:08,320 --> 00:25:11,720 Speaker 1: that kind of meshes together to create this environment that 479 00:25:11,760 --> 00:25:14,200 Speaker 1: could potentially be pretty intense. I hope it's I hope 480 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,080 Speaker 1: it's intense. That's what good rivalries are. Yeah, and I 481 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:20,640 Speaker 1: ultimately think that it will. Now Now let's let's let's 482 00:25:20,680 --> 00:25:25,480 Speaker 1: let's get let's read, let's expand it beyond Sunday, Right 483 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:30,920 Speaker 1: that again, they carry over between January and July or August. 484 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:34,600 Speaker 1: Oh gosh, yeah, right, like that seems crazy to try 485 00:25:34,600 --> 00:25:37,680 Speaker 1: to assume that. But I would say that for as 486 00:25:37,760 --> 00:25:40,399 Speaker 1: much as we've lauded the Falcons for their performance in 487 00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:42,400 Speaker 1: one score games, they're seven and two. They were two 488 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:45,600 Speaker 1: and eight a year ago. That's been key to them 489 00:25:45,640 --> 00:25:49,360 Speaker 1: being in contention late. Right. Their inability to get over 490 00:25:49,400 --> 00:25:51,560 Speaker 1: the hump, I think has a lot to do with 491 00:25:51,600 --> 00:25:55,399 Speaker 1: their performance against top teams. Yep uh. They have every 492 00:25:55,400 --> 00:25:58,240 Speaker 1: team that they've played this season, the Bucks twice, forty 493 00:25:58,320 --> 00:26:01,920 Speaker 1: nine Ers, Cowboys, Patriots, and these Bills and the Eagles, 494 00:26:02,320 --> 00:26:07,600 Speaker 1: who currently occupy a playoff seed. They lost too by 495 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,440 Speaker 1: double digits, all of them, every single one offer over 496 00:26:11,480 --> 00:26:13,520 Speaker 1: the course of the season. They have no wins against 497 00:26:13,560 --> 00:26:17,960 Speaker 1: teams with with winning records right now, and that has 498 00:26:18,000 --> 00:26:21,880 Speaker 1: to get better. Now the way, that's a here, that's 499 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:23,840 Speaker 1: kind of like a two way thing, right that the 500 00:26:23,880 --> 00:26:27,440 Speaker 1: Falcons need to do better against top competition. They've also 501 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:29,680 Speaker 1: checked the box of taking care of teams below them. 502 00:26:29,920 --> 00:26:33,040 Speaker 1: So if they can increase their talent level, and I 503 00:26:33,400 --> 00:26:35,720 Speaker 1: think with the good coaching that they have that they 504 00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:38,359 Speaker 1: can compete with with better teams. If they get more talent, 505 00:26:38,520 --> 00:26:40,880 Speaker 1: it's going to be a major off season I think 506 00:26:41,040 --> 00:26:44,640 Speaker 1: for the Falcons to achieve that aim, and that's an 507 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:47,760 Speaker 1: area where they're going to have to get better. Yeah, Chris, 508 00:26:47,800 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 1: I mean when you try to look at what they've 509 00:26:50,520 --> 00:26:53,320 Speaker 1: done this season and what they need to do, maybe 510 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:55,439 Speaker 1: you know, to reach the playoffs next year or just 511 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:58,359 Speaker 1: to take that next step in the evolution, are there 512 00:26:58,400 --> 00:27:01,520 Speaker 1: any kind of keys that you've seen from this game 513 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:04,720 Speaker 1: or from this team in general about how they can 514 00:27:04,720 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 1: take those next steps. Yeah, well, I think I know 515 00:27:08,040 --> 00:27:12,280 Speaker 1: you said that. I know you said that, you know January, 516 00:27:12,640 --> 00:27:14,480 Speaker 1: how is January going to help you for August and 517 00:27:14,560 --> 00:27:16,320 Speaker 1: next year and things like that. But I do think 518 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:20,639 Speaker 1: there's value in the way players respond on Sunday, the 519 00:27:20,680 --> 00:27:23,280 Speaker 1: way not only players, but the way coaches respond, and 520 00:27:23,320 --> 00:27:27,000 Speaker 1: also that builds trust between a player and a coach 521 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:28,960 Speaker 1: or a coach and a player. You know, depending on 522 00:27:29,320 --> 00:27:33,359 Speaker 1: how Arthur Smith approached this approaches this week or DMPs 523 00:27:33,560 --> 00:27:36,320 Speaker 1: or whoever you name it. Um the players will recognize that. 524 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:38,199 Speaker 1: The players who will be here recognize that, you know, 525 00:27:38,200 --> 00:27:40,680 Speaker 1: how serious is the coach taking this or they taking 526 00:27:40,680 --> 00:27:43,520 Speaker 1: stuff off? And then vice versa, how serious are these 527 00:27:43,520 --> 00:27:46,000 Speaker 1: players taking this? Are they? You know? And that and 528 00:27:46,040 --> 00:27:48,240 Speaker 1: I'll lead into next year. But also I think what 529 00:27:48,240 --> 00:27:50,800 Speaker 1: what better party to ruin than than the Saints party 530 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:54,640 Speaker 1: on Sunday? You know, if I think even without the playoffs, 531 00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:56,919 Speaker 1: and like we said, we knew that the that the 532 00:27:57,720 --> 00:27:59,480 Speaker 1: that they were playing for the playoffs and that this 533 00:27:59,560 --> 00:28:01,760 Speaker 1: team really believe that they were going to get in. 534 00:28:02,040 --> 00:28:05,120 Speaker 1: And you could tell that by how defeated they sounded 535 00:28:05,119 --> 00:28:07,520 Speaker 1: after losses, Like I just have that image of darn 536 00:28:07,600 --> 00:28:10,520 Speaker 1: Harmon at the podium and San like he was like 537 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 1: he was defeated, like he like, So this team really 538 00:28:13,920 --> 00:28:15,920 Speaker 1: believed that they had a chance at the playoffs. But 539 00:28:16,600 --> 00:28:19,399 Speaker 1: the great now they have a chance to ruin somebody 540 00:28:19,400 --> 00:28:22,480 Speaker 1: else's fun and it's the Saints, And I think that 541 00:28:22,520 --> 00:28:26,119 Speaker 1: matters a divisional matchup arrival, it's something to play for. 542 00:28:26,240 --> 00:28:28,920 Speaker 1: And I do think while it's not momentum you can 543 00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 1: build off, but the way that the players and the 544 00:28:31,840 --> 00:28:35,440 Speaker 1: coaches approached. I think this week and this game can 545 00:28:35,600 --> 00:28:39,680 Speaker 1: have a lasting impact while it might be over five 546 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 1: months however much my map's not right right, Yeah, so 547 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:48,520 Speaker 1: I think it can have some impact, albeit so so 548 00:28:48,560 --> 00:28:52,360 Speaker 1: long from January. Yeah, it's I think it's gonna be 549 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:55,680 Speaker 1: as as Tory said, it's gonna be intense, I hope. 550 00:28:55,720 --> 00:28:57,640 Speaker 1: So I think that that is a good term for it. 551 00:28:57,880 --> 00:29:00,400 Speaker 1: I know Falcons fans are going to want the home 552 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:04,040 Speaker 1: team uh to a beat their rival, and we are 553 00:29:04,080 --> 00:29:08,000 Speaker 1: going to break that game down in the season finale. Oh, 554 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:11,480 Speaker 1: it's gonna be the last of the final of the 555 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:15,320 Speaker 1: Falcon schedule and of the Falcons Finals. A podcast coming 556 00:29:15,400 --> 00:29:17,800 Speaker 1: up next week, But before we get there, you should 557 00:29:18,880 --> 00:29:20,440 Speaker 1: I was gonna say, we gotta do something special for that. 558 00:29:20,440 --> 00:29:22,800 Speaker 1: I don't know we'll be able to do. Maybe we're 559 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,920 Speaker 1: getting we should play a game, Yeah, a game we 560 00:29:25,920 --> 00:29:29,560 Speaker 1: could get fans involved. Who knows. Yeah, we'll figure something out. 561 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:32,760 Speaker 1: We'll figure something special out for you guys, and definitely 562 00:29:32,880 --> 00:29:35,920 Speaker 1: let you know before we get to that pod. Do 563 00:29:36,000 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 1: what we always like you to do, which is give 564 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,560 Speaker 1: us a five star rating and a review. Be sure 565 00:29:41,600 --> 00:29:44,120 Speaker 1: to do the same thing for Falcons Audible with Dave Archer, 566 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:48,959 Speaker 1: DJ Rackley and DJ Shockley. UM subscribe and of course 567 00:29:49,640 --> 00:29:54,280 Speaker 1: stay tuned next Sunday for another drop of the Falcons 568 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:56,960 Speaker 1: Final Whistle and we will talk to you then talk 569 00:29:57,000 --> 00:30:29,960 Speaker 1: to you next week. Bess Possess