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Stay classy, Jets fans. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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It's the season for giving, the season for miracles, the season for sharing, the season for eating, and apparently the season for throwing snowballs. Yesterday, in an eerily desolate stadium wheezing through its last few breaths of air before it is decommissioned in favor of a younger, more accommodating sibling, snowballs fell like bombs to the earth. One icy torpedo nearly hit recently returned wunderkind Matt Ryan as he barked out what was destined to be his final snap count of the day. A white bundle of chill exploded near the right hash-mark on the six yard line, mere inches from the very same foot that had kept the 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year sidelined in sweats during a two game home field losing streak. Unfazed by the disgruntled Jets fans' attempts to throw him off his game, Ryan hiked the ball and somehow managed to squeeze a perfectly spiraled ball between four Jets defenders and into the waiting hands of master catchman Tony Gonzalez.

The gutsy, last-possible-moment score defines this Falcons team: all heart, regardless of the outcome. A week ago, they nearly beat the Saints, needing a last-possible-moment score of any kind to take away the W. The week before that, they were thoroughly dismantled by the Eagles, though saved from a complete shutout by a last-possible-moment touchdown. A week before that, they were, what else, scoring a last-possible-moment touchdown to eek out a win against the Buccaneers. These Falcons, though eliminated from the playoffs, are getting good at the last-possible-moment and are, despite what the Jets players and other analysts would have you believe, playing for something: pride, fun, and to rid Atlanta and its fans of that ever present elephant in the room.

Despite a previously porous defense and a overwhelmingly underperforming offense, the Falcons turned in as complete a defensive game as they have since the Candlestick Beatdown earlier this season. Brent Grimes, the Mighty Mouse of the at-times woeful Falcons secondary, picked off two of greenhorn quarterback Mark Sanchize's three interceptions. Spiderman jumped in the fray early on, accounting for an athletic if not telegraphed INT. The front defensive line may be to blame for this out-of-the-norm performance of our defensive backfield, as the previously MIA John Abraham made his presence known via a key sack with the Jets dangerously close to the goal-line.

Nothing, and yet everything went the Falcons' way yesterday. Despite the Jets' best efforts to stop them, they scored. Against all statistical odds, Jay Feely shanked one fieldgoal, had his holder bobble a snap, and had Mount Davis block his last effort to put points on the board. All of this luck/skill/madness combined to create a sitaution where the boys in red and black needed only seven points to pull off the upset. Oddly enough, an offense that had all but been dominated all game had enough spark, enough tenacity, enough drive to take the ball down the field and on its last gasp, haul in the win. The proof is in the pudding, most say. I say it's in the heart; and this Falcons team has plenty of it.

This ode to old school football journalism brought to you by Nostalgia (tm). Remember the good old days? Us neither.

Follow the jump to find a more modern take on the game.

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The heart of Atlanta beats in the Georgia Dome. I should know. I’ve been a part of that heart all season. It has seen triumph, heartache, and bitter disappointment. It’s been broken, healed, shattered, and mended again, all within the span of a few months. It stands up and damages its vocal chords on every first down, third down, and touchdown. It emphatically jeers its rivals as they enter the field for warm-ups. It proudly (even if off-key) sings along with the national anthem and waves its hat/helmet/hand when the word "brave" is held out across a lengthy, wavering note. I ask you, what heart is braver than that of Atlanta? What heart can withstand the trauma of the 2007 season? What heart can witness the pain of a lopsided loss and then come back, confident as ever, loud as ever, the very next weekend to watch its object of affection fight, severely weakened by injury, to the bitter end with a more talented rival? Atlanta’s heart has.

That bravery is felt throughout the city. I feel it when I get a cheery wave and a welcoming honk when I head down Andrew Young. I feel it when I turn onto Centennial Olympic and into a sea of red and black. I feel it when I park my car and hear the anxious whoops and hollers of Atlanta’s heart echoing, reverberating, shaking the concrete I tread upon. I feel it when I walk back down Walton, passing the jubilant tailgaters as they eat, chat, and toss the pigskin. I feel it when I pass the CNN Center and get hearty waves and smiles from brethren dining before kickoff. I feel it as the arrival of a loaded MARTA train shakes the steps above the station between Phillips and the Dome. I feel it as I near the party that is Falcons Landing, its loud music and vibrant atmosphere contagious, pulling in the fan and nonfan alike. I feel it as I enter the hallowed Dome and ascend the escalator, taking in the tried and true scents of gameday: popcorn, pizza, beer, nachos, pretzels. I feel it as I find my seat, watching every step go beneath me, as if without seeing them, I wouldn’t believe I was lucky enough to be climbing them. I feel it as I sit down and get the familiar claps, pats, handshakes, "How ya doin’"s, and hugs from the faces I’ve come to recognize and respect. I feel it as we all stand as one, a Falcon Nation, the heart of Atlanta, to welcome our team onto its home turf.

What are we, as Falcons fans, if not brave? Bravery has defined the makeup of Atlanta from its inception, and it is only fitting for the fans of its pro football franchise to be just as brave as those monumental and world changing individuals who have called Atlanta their home. Atlanta’s heart may falter. It may get hurt, trod upon, shattered, sickened, or stressed; one thing it will never do is abandon. Atlanta’s heart loves its pigskin warriors. Why else would a scrappy group of message board goons gather around in defense of the coach they hold dear and bring about a fanbase altering result? We love our team, America. We, Atlanta’s heart, love our team and don’t, for one blasted minute, think we will ever abandon it. We’ve already been through the mill. We’ve already been through the ringer. We are better for it. We are stronger for it. We are Atlanta’s heart and on gameday, no matter the result, we will stand, for better or for worse, by our team.

Included with today's Look Ahead is a look back at the original predictions I made back in September. Oh joy.

New York Jets 
Where: Giants Stadium
When: Sunday December 20th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Because New Yorkers couldn’t get enough of us the first go round against the Giants.

Importance: MUST WIN

Notes: Simply put, they've got a great defense and a terrible offense. We will need every key part of our offense to take home a W here.

The Falcons win if: the injury bug takes the day off.

The Jets win if: Sanchez comes to play.

Prediction: Falcons lose, seeing as they're 1-6 on the road.

Buffalo Bills
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 27th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: CBS
Why: Heck if I know.

Importance: MUST WIN

Notes:  The Bills are the Bills and the Falcons are the Falcons. As this is the Falcons' last home game and we might even be lucky enough to have a certain player back, I think we come out swinging in this one.

The Falcons win if: they can pressure the QB and keep TO in check.

The Bills win if: our defense fails to do the above.

Prediction: Falcons win a close one.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers With a Vengeance
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Sunday January 3rd, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game

Importance: MUST WIN

Notes: Tampa Bay is terrible and Josh Freeman has looked absolutely horrendous lately. However, against our suspect secondary, Freeman looked like the second coming of Aikman. Let's hope that's not the case this time around.

The Falcons win if: the defense plays a solid 60 minutes of football

The Bucs win if: our offense can't keep up with theirs.

Prediction: Falcons win, if only by an eyelash.

Current season record: 6-7

Current season prediction: 8-8

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Remember when all those kooky Falcons fans decided to help pay Mike Smith's fine for the "sideline brawl" that occurred during the Redskins Dome game? Well, the effort raised a hefty $3503.63 and inspired ring leader Hal Moore to start the Falcon Nation Charity Organization.

Here's the info on the new endeavor:

The Falcon Nation is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to organize charity and fundraising events to support Falcons related charities. We will be organizing the fan base to work directly with players, coaches, cheerleaders, officials, and the Blank Foundation to raise support and funds for their charities. There will be opportunities throughout the year to show your support for our team and have the opportunity to work alongside folks from the Falcons organization.

 

From what we are told, there is not another organization like this in pro sports in America. Everyone from the Falcons and the Blank Foundation are extremely excited about what we as fans will be able to do, and they are doing all they can to help this organization get off the ground.

You've all heard about the Falcons' charitable endeavors. Now we as fans are going to be making a difference, too.

This Saturday at 7:00pm during Falcons Face to Face on 11Alive news, Falcon Nation will be presenting the Atlanta Falcons Youth Foundation with the donations from the Smith Charity drive. If you're not in Atlanta, video of the event will be available on the charity's official website shortly afterword.

via tclakin.files.wordpress.com

I'll be interviewing the Falcoholic's own Greatest Falcons RB of All Time, Mr. Jamal Anderson, very soon. I figured I'd ask you guys for some questions. Drop your questions in the comments and I'll grab the best ones and ask away!

Preface:

Now that I've set the tone...

New Orleans Saints 2: The Season Definer
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 13th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game

Importance: Serious Business. 

Notes: See what 'Bama did to ol' Timmy Tebow last Saturday? Yeah, that's gonna be Brees this weekend. GET READY TO CRY, DREW.

The Falcons win if: ... there ain't no if's anymore. Falcons have been to the bottom of the barrel and they're going to be blasting their way out.

The Saints win if: ... no ifs here, either. Saints have about as much chance to win as I've got to win Miss America.

Final Score: Eleventybillion to two. Yeah, John Parker gives them a mercy safety by sitting down in the endzone willfully at the end of the game. Just to let them leave with an teensy bit of pride.

New York Jets 
Where: Giants Stadium
When: Sunday December 20th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Because New Yorkers couldn’t get enough of us the first go round against the Giants.

Importance: Serious Business

Notes: Sanchez, manchez. Matty Ice turns the field into an ice rink and plays hockey the only way he knows how: forechecking the defense.

The Falcons win if: ... What did I say about "if" 's? There ain't none. It's all gravy, baby.

The Jets win if: ... Peyton Manning, in a maniacal fit of fail, dresses up like Sanchez for his latest Direct TV commercial.

Score prediction: 255 to 17. The stadium is so old it only counts up to the max hexadecimal numerical value, ala old school Madden. Falcons' TDs stop scoring points midway through second quarter.

Buffalo Bills
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 27th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: CBS
Why: The Bills aren't looking too good. Uh oh...

Importance: Serious Business

Notes: If you think for one minute that the Falcons' forgot your Christmas present, think again. It's just a little late comin'.

Prediction: Falcons win.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers With a Vengeance
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Sunday January 3rd, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game

Importance: Serious Business

Notes: Tampa rolls over on this one, desperately wanting to have been only the second team to ever go 1-15

Prediction: Falcons win

Current season record: PUSH

Current season prediction: WIN

tlozwarlock's Current Prediction record: WIN

...

I drank up. What's your excuse?

Ok, gang. You're going to get a side of me you may not enjoy, a side many of you will not agree with. That's fine. You have your opinions, I have mine. And now I'm going to share them. Dave may have minced his words, but I will not. I'm in no mood to coddle.

Yesterday, I took my father, the man I respect most in this world, to see his first professional football game. He's always been a college football guy and yesterday, I made it my mission to convert him to Falcoholism. Through thick and thin, best and worst, my father has stuck by his Alabama Crimson Tide all his life. I've done the same for my Falcons since 1995. I convinced him, regardless of the storylines attached to the Eagles/Falcons game, that the fans around us were going to root on our Falcons and stick by them through the good and bad.

Yesterday, I left the Dome early for the first time ever. I have never turned off the TV or left my seat ever before yesterday afternoon. No, I did not leave when the Falcons were down two scores. No, I did not leave when Redman threw a pick-six. No, I took my father by the arm and left when the entirety of the remaining Dome crowd cheered on the opposing team when it went up thirty-four to zero. The "fans" in the stands were cheering on the wrong uniforms. Fans I had long since come to respect and pal around with. Fans I thought who had shelved their "love" of a certain player for their love of the team.

I was dead wrong and I am utterly and completely angered, disgusted, and saddened by that fact. I have lost some faith in the Falcons' fanbase. There is nothing more disheartening than hearing and watching red and black clad individuals cheer on the enemy. I don't care if Tommy Nobis and Steve Bartkowski unretired and suited up for the Saints or Eagles or whomever. If they aren't in a Falcons uniform, they are the enemy and should be treated as such. 

I am more disappointed in my fellow "fans" than I am the team's "performance" yesterday and that is unbelievable. I'm getting off my soapbox now. Just know this: because of the "fans'" behavior, I highly doubt my dad will even watch another NFL game the rest of his life.

From the bottom of my broken heart, thanks.

More photos » by John Bazemore - AP

It'll be up to the backups, so let's hope they only get better from here. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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I did a little soul searching and some number crunching and found out that the Falcons are actually 8th in the NFL in total points/points per game scored. Not a bad little stat. We also happen to be a dismal 19th in points allowed. That humbles it a bit, but so far (at least at home), we've been able to outscore our opponents by at least a field goal in each win. It's also become apparent to me that we've managed to win each our of home games by a margin of nine points or better. Not too shabby. On the road, that changes a bit, where we're a maddening field-goal or less under our opponents. Yes, you read right, in our road games, we usually lost by an average of three points. Puts that kicker change into perspective, huh? Purely a football decision? Bingo.

So here's what I did: I took our opponents' average Points Scored, subtracted their average Points Allowed, and compared that differential to the Falcons positive 3 differential between the same two stats. Here's the rundown:

With that in mind, I then took a look at the Falcons Road and Home PS/g and PA/g to adjust the Falcons' differential. For the record, I didn't do this for the other teams (I don't have that much free time). Here are those numbers:

Which, before rounding, gives us a -2.8 points on the road, so -3 it is.

That gives us a +9, give or take a tenth or two, at the Dome.

Next, I took a look at how our backups performed in the last game after Ryan, Turner, et al left the game. The team ended with a +3 differential. I'll use that as a negative to adjust for the fact that we'll have backups in key positions.

Here's everything put together:

Yes, these are merely numbers and do not factor in any intangibles, but it still appears as if I was a bit hasty calling for a 7-9 season. With a 3-2 record in the remaining five games, we'll end the season out of the playoffs but grasping that ever important first-ever back-to-back winning seasons. And really, that's all I'm asking for at this point.