Matt & Mindi: Are fans and analysts underestimating the Falcons?
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The Atlanta Falcons may be the most underrated No. 1 seed in a long time.
Transcript
Now Malcolm anybody it would give the 49ers new stadium being built right next in the facility the team is -- on its way to Atlanta and and a C championship game Matt this week. They have less time prepared to prepare for team that they haven't seen. Unlike. Their preparation for Green Bay but the team feeling very good about their practices this weekend. In preparation for Atlanta but the good news conference they had one more -- one more day to prepare for the Falcons at the Falcons had to prepare for them for an -- one on Saturday. Of course say big. It kind of formulate their game plan they invited -- to do anything. Advancing for Seattle in case they want because there you know them very well but I -- good week of practice according to Jim Harbaugh when things that he said that position -- was it. On the practice field. On Friday. That they -- if you do overs because the defense of players wanted a different a new look or a second look at the same play. So they feel better prepared for that places maybe on some of those plays that they see the Falcons running there's a little bit of indecision about what the assignments are so. They are covering their bases in -- of the temple practices have been very good in. And I think their every from all indications are very well prepared for this game at the end Carlos Rogers about. As well I said well this is the only team they face that he feels has. Two hall of fame receivers are possible hall of fame receivers in the potential to be that out of future hall of fame tight end. He said that not only that he's at like the packer and like the Packers however he's thinking that if they could stop the Packers -- game that Aaron Rodgers did it take to be here he doesn't think that with the Falcons he says you might be able to stop mark Michael Turner. They said they're more balanced he feels like they do that every game is and that's going to be a challenge for this Falcons team EC's panel that receiving game with his three big target. But he does feel that they're more balance of that ranking. Yeah I mean there's no question you have a guy like Michael Turner who's thirteen hundred yard. Back last season. And I mean who did the the Packers didn't have anybody like that and at a guy who's selling cars are trying to sell cars early in the season so I don't think there's any doubt about it that I mean in my mind that the Falcons. Are almost the most under rated number one seed that we've ever seen. In I think there's this perception nationally. I think maybe more locally that the for answers is gonna steam roll over the Falcons and yes it. I picked the 49ers. To win the -- all I did before the season I've seen nothing throughout the season that made me change my mind and come off that. Even though I expected to happen it doesn't mean that I expected to just roll right over them on the doctors are good team and they're here for reasons. But one thing that sticks with me is when you look at that game against Green Bay it was 2424. In the third quarter the biggest thing the 49ers did in that game in my mind. Is forced two turnovers they got the two turnovers that led to fourteen points for them. And that allowed the offense to control the time of possession. And you really saw that benefit near the end of the game -- the -- defense is just gas and calling cap for -- Harris the offense got to really take advantage of them hit some big plays some big numbers. So I think the turnovers are gonna be keyed by that defense against Atlanta Falcons offense and I nearly had a chance to ask Javaris didn't. How do you forces -- I get those special teams and he said you can't force it that you have to go out play hard play sound. He's at and have fun he's got to play like you're ten years old music that's what we all wanna do is have fun and enjoy this not not read too much that as -- championship game. And even notice again in you know like like I said earlier this week you know the motto that the coaching staff has been telling to the team is expect to be lucky. And that's the only it's kind of a potted. -- to have that it since the absolute truth it's. You know how many times do you see a defender may be out of position and all of a sudden this past comes to a home and whether they having only in Texas he had defender dropped the ball I mean it happens. Almost every week that the -- defender gets surprised that the ball is coming his -- well that's a lucky play to have a pass come your way or it's a lucky play. In a lot of ways to have steal a muffed punt and a ball landed two feet as a Gunner. But what you have to do you have to expect it to happen you have to expect the ball to come your way in -- capitalizing on those. Mistakes that the other teammates. And the team that does that is gonna win now the Packers did it once last week he -- the past is that Sam Shields intercepted to the other wave at the 49ers. Did it let that bog him down happening bounce back from it and so you gotta have a certain amount of resiliency to in these types of games. This is also going to be a battle resiliency like -- that I am reading a lot of articles about the Falcons and the players right right certainly not happy that they let Seattle back in the game they felt like he took that. Their foot off the pedal I guess you can say at the second half of the game and they're not. Wanting to do that against the 49ers and all they wanna hit the 49ers hard 49ers on the same thing in return because they saw what happened. When they went to the Patriots. And that they had a huge lead and saw that I raced in the second half so each of these teams aware that -- at halftime lead doesn't mean anything you've got to. Finished the game you view it William Moore said about how it ends of the safety for the Falcons. And cutting. If you have an opportunity to blow up the quarterback you've got to blow the quarterback has gone government about that Friday before he took off. And he said yeah that's that's football doesn't affect how he plays the game needs any any team. Any defense of player who has an opportunity to make a big hit on the quarterback. Is going to do so so intently to Donte -- -- top last year and the Saints game that set the tone early in the game I think that's what. These playoff games are out for defense after singles another 101000 dollar fine by -- One yeah Harris from the -- anyway yeah I know it's gonna be. A big hit. Fumble and interception. That's how these things -- in and night. I think foreigners are gonna win I think they should win but that doesn't mean that. And it's don't expect Baltimore to mean the Broncos in that Denver and a colleague of mine degrade our Ira Miller once told me that's why they've played the game. And see -- Ira Miller. One more note on which was a little bit unexpected I guess just because of mine and of it is or not Jim Harbaugh and if -- -- as a -- seen. Kicker Billy Cundiff shortly announce before they got on the team buses so David Akers is indeed the kicker. From here on out of the 49ers can make a few more news this post season if they wanted. And there's no reason for that to another but a big move for something that. -- apply just to date for the first time was talking about Ravi Moss his future. Randy Moss of course and a one year contracts only enough to see Randy Moss and everyone grew up. Watching and admiring. Running down the field that's in the -- nine routes but Jim Harbaugh said that he wants him back. I don't know if I'm surprised by that are not. I think that I don't know how -- exactly -- it and you know I don't think Randy Moss is going to be getting any better next season. And I think if you if you bring him back what does it say about a guy like AJ Jenkins. You know they got some some young guys -- like cattle a practice I don't know they wanted to give him a chance but. Maybe it says more about. Mario Manningham who just underwent surgery this week. Kyle Williams coming back on the knee injury I think they expect to have both those guys ready for the regular season opener. Next season. Crabtree will be back so I'm I'm not sure exactly how Randy -- fits into the equation for 2013. Maybe that's a better question for the off season. It's easy to see Brady Moss wants to come back -- -- at his -- does he wanna be. It's playing catch a year guy like he was this year and also if the foreigners in the Super Bowl he might just decide I got into the sunset. I'm not to be pessimistic about that the last your -- bosses at the same thing about Joshua -- and I mean different situation and he ended up signing a long term. I contract for the Washington Redskins for a lot of money so I think this is -- your recourse you can say that you're practicing no I don't want -- back right now. It does of entitlement to things I'm not putting too much stock in that at all right now the difference I'd say is that he knew that Josh Morgan was going to be in the league. Next year in the Josh Morgan would have some negotiating power I basically. Jim -- saying we want rain must act and no other team. Wants him back or wants him which I can't imagine another team would would want to sign Randy for even a million dollars next year. And it kind of puts. -- on the foreigners and of that spot because if Randy says he would like to play them. I'm sure that they would have to take him back and you'd think at first in an NFC championship dance. So we're gonna wrap up here that I about going to Atlanta as his range -- Iowa have complete coverage there yeah on on CSN Bay Area -- hot hot as well as the Comcast sports net Bay Area were have a long postgame -- him tons of sound everything Saturday Sunday and will be back here Monday out of the room with Brad and doing. You know idea aren't as you from that many right out and it clear we will see you in Atlanta on Sunday.


















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