Independent voices from the TWT Communities
The Atlanta Falcons replaced Michael Turner with another proven, productive running back.
The Falcons have some big holes at the start of free agency. Tight end isn't one of them.
Fear the dreadlocks, San Francisco.
Make way Joe Montana and Steve Young. Colin Kaepernick is leading a brash new group of 49ers to the Super Bowl.
The two kids from Northern California burst from NFL afterthought to championship contender in eerily similar fashion a decade apart.
The old pro was on the sideline, resigned to the fact that this would turn out like so many games of the past. In the 16 years Tony Gonzalez has played tight end in the NFL, so many seasons ended early that he couldn't expect this one to be any different.
One game is a rematch. The other might feel like one _ at least to one of the teams.
Matt Bryant kicked a 49-yard field goal with 8 seconds left and the Atlanta Falcons bounced back after blowing a 20-point lead in the fourth quarter, defeating Russell Wilson and the gutty Seattle Seahawks 30-28 in an NFC divisional playoff game Sunday.
Aaron Rodgers has won a Super Bowl and an MVP award. Joe Flacco has been to the playoffs in all five of his pro seasons.
The sneers and snickers are decreasing. The contempt and ridicule are fading. Skeptics are becoming believers, and pessimists are becoming fewer.
The joke running through Jacksonville these days carries the same punch line as the one in Kansas City:
The Atlanta Falcons have earned home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The Atlanta Falcons wanted to make a statement.
Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy promised "payback" and "punishment" for the Atlanta Falcons last week, and he and his Carolina teammates delivered on Sunday.
Al Davis would've loved these Atlanta Falcons.
"We don't worry about it," quarterback Matt Ryan said. "We try not to think that far ahead. One of the things I've learned in my five years is that if you're worrying about what you're going to do in January in September, October, November and December, you're wasting your time."
"They are playing with a lot of confidence," said Ryan, who has won seven of his past eight starts against the Bucs. "It's always been a tough place for us to come play. They play with great effort, and I think they have a good football team."
