guess i gotta learn the saxophone now— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) January 22, 2017
The Packers might not have any defensive backs left. What is this chant? That’s very close to a first down. Oh, they gave it to him. I mean, not seeing the fullback isn’t that surprising. Another third down converted. I think the Falcons have used everyone on this drive. Sanu almost dropped that pitch but it’s a touchdown nonetheless. Nelson starts for the Packers.
if i'm jordy, only out routes for me.— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) January 22, 2017
I don’t understand that time out. You know who’s good is Deion Jones. Crosby MISSES.
That is the first missed field goal of the NFL playoffs, by anyone.— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 22, 2017
Everyone’s hurt on January 22. Gabriel, then Sanu. Falcons spreading the ball around. Direct snap to Sanu now. Someone tell Kyle Shanahan to stop showing off — he’s already got the job. Packers are lucky to only give up a field goal.
Green Bay is in major trouble - Atlanta's offense is too fast for them.— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) January 22, 2017
Apparently Atlanta teams have strict 25-year mortgages. Goodell in the house! Because he CERTAINLY isn’t going to Foxboro(ugh). Cobb! Montgomery limping off? Uh-oh. More fullback action. Fumble! Falcons ball! Is this a touchback? Because smart job by Collins rolling into the end zone if it is.
That was 100 percent an intentional roll from the 1-yard line to the end zone. Now the question: Mark at end of forward progress or safety?— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 22, 2017
Wait, is that not legal? Apparently it’s a touchback. Let’s see this. I guess it’s fine.
Gained possession with left leg touching the goal line so it is a touchback. Momentum and ball at 1-yd line if body part not in EZ.— Dean Blandino (@DeanBlandino) January 22, 2017
The Packers can’t cover Julio Jones. 51 years of Falcons football. Steve Bartkowski’s hair, though.
Wait a cotton-pickin second.— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 22, 2017
They just did that whole vignette on notable #Falcons, had Dan Reeves doin Dirty Bird, but no Jamal Anderson?
Alex Mack’s down? That’s not good. But he only misses one play, which is good. Might want to put a man on No. 11, Packers. MATT RYAN JUST RAN 12 YARDS FOR A TOUCHDOWN.
did that dude get shaken out his jock by matt ryan? that really happened?— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) January 22, 2017
Shouldn’t the Packers have gone for it here? They’re down 17-0 and it’s not really “early” any more.
Going for it on 4th and 2 is the risk-seeking strategy.— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) January 22, 2017
Up to you whether an underdog trailing 17-0 should be risk-averse or risk-seeking.
Falcons got lucky to keep that ball after the fumble on whatever that was. Hey, a stop! Packers not doing a lot right on offense or defense. Rodgers just got taken down by the toe of his shoe. Then he throws a bomb that gets intercepted. It’s basically a punt but it’s not. Then Ryan throws up a bomb (and gets hit) and nobody can come up with it. Gabriel with a nice catch for a first down on third and 10. Freeman! Ryan running again. Touchdown Jones! Not sure why the official took so long to make the call, since he nodded his head immediately. 24-0 at the half. Who had this?
Everyone's piling on the Packers, but not TOO much. That's the definition of respect/fear for Aaron Rodgers #GBvsATL #ChampionshipSunday— Joshua Mann (@jdmann) January 22, 2017
Aaron Rodgers is going to need a Hail Mary second half.— Norman Chad (@NormanChad) January 22, 2017
packers had two chances to get the ball back on that drive and blew em. it'd take more than a collapse for the falcons to lose.— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) January 22, 2017
Not a good series for Jared Cook. JONES!! Nice hold by Gunter on the guy who scored a 73-yard touchdown. I know the Falcons are also getting pressure on Rodgers but the Packers can’t call any more running plays. Lot of Cook on this drive. Aikman noticing Rodgers’ unusually poor accuracy. Even the touchdown to Adams was low. Also, I’m not sure why they kicked the extra point. What the hell is going on here? Delay of game on the KICKOFF? Christ. GOOD LORD THAT CATCH BY JONES. Got hit with Total Elimination and still held on. Ryan wants the short route but goes deep and gets a pass interference flag in the end zone. Jump ball between Freeman and Burnett. It’s ruled Falcons ball at about the 1-foot line and the Falcons challenge.
That's a TD!— mark schlereth (@markschlereth) January 22, 2017
Touchdown! They said the ball was over the plane after all. I still want to know how the new place isn’t named Home Depot Stadium. Rodgers with the Packers’ biggest play of the day… a run. Lang is still down. Interception? No, it's not, actually. Rodgers runs for it on fourth and 2. Touchdown and the over is still in play. THERE’S STILL A QUARTER TO GO. More Jones. Touchdown Coleman.
Quinn isn’t challenging this because it’d be petty to do so. (McCarthy would, and would somehow lose.) Aikman notes the lack of urgency with the Packers and I’d be wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. Nice flop by Alford after Rodgers brushed past him. Also, that may be the first time I’ve ever seen a face mask penalty on a quarterback. Touchdown Packers, if you’re still wondering. There’s still 6:45 left.
Toddler commentary: "oh no he felled. He upside down. Number 2! Why yellow team crash! And crash and CRASHH! They gonna crush em!" #GBvsATL— Linz DeFranco🙊 (@LinzDeFranco) January 22, 2017
Yeah, better just punt this. Rodgers out.
Just sitting here thinking ... "The Eagles beat this team."— Reuben Frank (@RoobCSN) January 22, 2017
I also just realized we’ve got Clay Matthews and cousin Jake in this game. Little early for the Gatorade shower, isn’t it? That description of Dan Quinn makes him sound like the Pete Carroll disciple he is.
All things considered, this is the most resounding victory in Falcons history. Just dominant.— Michael Silver (@MikeSilver) January 22, 2017
(Falcons 44, Packers 21)
Pats prez Jonathan Kraft deflects question on Ryan Grigson firing, before saying, "That game might have been Ryan's pinnacle, I don't know."— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) January 22, 2017
SHAAAAAAAADE. They dug up Edwin McCain for this? This a Trump rally? That was good but I’ll almost always prefer instrumentals these days. Edelman jumping over people. Field goal is… good? OK. That looked dicey off his foot. Roethlisberger misses Coates and that’s a play you can’t afford to miss up here. Steelers get a stop of their own. Butler almost intercepted that but Brown may have prevented it by himself.
Another one. WE ARE AT 10 #talkedabout 7:30 left in the first. #PITvsNE— Phil Simms Quotes (@philsimmsquotes) January 23, 2017
Look at Chris Hogan getting all this run. This shouldn't be surprising anymore — the Patriots love to take guys you've never given a second thought and turn them into people who matter. Especially from division rivals. Touchdown Hogan. Bell hobbling off? That could be a problem. They got help from everyone else on this touchdown drive, and they may need more of that. More Hogan. Flea flicker! Touchdown!
chris hogan is really showing out today for the White Receiver Culture— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) January 23, 2017
"The Patriots have run this flea flicker for years! This was a different formation though." - So not really. #PITvsNE— Phil Simms Quotes (@philsimmsquotes) January 23, 2017
The Steelers don't need to go for a big play here but it'd be good for them to get one. As it is, they're working their way down the field pretty well. Touchdown Steelers. Or… not?
One of the worst things the NFL does is go to commercial after a challenge instead of showing replays.— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) January 23, 2017
No. This’ll get overturned. And now the Steelers can’t get into the end zone. Hell of a stop by the Patriots. NO first-half penalties? Kudos to all involved.
Brady sneak gets it. Fumble? The Steelers think so but the refs disagree. This is a bad challenge. I’m not sure what’s happening. Mitchell can’t get both feet inbounds. Field goal is good. 20-9. We’re really seeing Bell’s absence hurt the Steelers. That’s pass interference by Chung. Why are the Steelers punting?
It’s 4th-and-7 for the Steelers from the Patriots’ 39. I would go for it.— NYT 4th Down Bot (@NYT4thDownBot) January 23, 2017
Two bad decisions by Tomlin here in the last few minutes. Someone left 46 uncovered. Jesus, Blount. He fought all of those guys. Then he finishes it off and this game feels like it’s over. Did Rogers catch that? Yep, which makes it a fumble and now this game is probably over. Edelman somehow ends up completely open in the end zone and now this game is over. Get that man a handkerchief. My God.
The Steelers can’t even score touchdowns correctly any more. Fourth down and… no. And there’s an interception. THERE’S STILL TEN MINUTES LEFT. Steelers hold them to a field goal like it matters. Garoppolo ought to get some run here at the end. He won two starts!
the john lewis bowl is gonna be a doozy.— El Flaco (@bomani_jones) January 23, 2017
just know, there's a 30% chance the Falcons go to John Lewis' crib instead of the White House if they win— Rembert Browne (@rembert) January 23, 2017
When’s the last time the Steelers scored a touchdown? Oh, there’s one. Finally.
"Ben Roethlisberger is playing a really good game if you ask me." - This graphic goes up. A+ producer. #PITvsNE pic.twitter.com/a06VVmip7W— Phil Simms Quotes (@philsimmsquotes) January 23, 2017
Nantz giving us updates on the elder Bushes shows you how far gone this game is.
So will Kraft HAVE to give Putin the ring this time?— katiebakes (@katiebakes) January 23, 2017
Boat rides & Facebook fiascos don't impact play.— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 23, 2017
But man, they gave trolls all the ammo in the world to rub salt in your wounds if you lose
Bob Kraft is TURNT, y’all. (Patriots 36, Steelers 17)