Atlantafi.com is bringing you the latest on the coronavirus pandemic, which has the state of Georgia and the city of Atlanta under a state of emergency.
-
The NBA playoffs are here. What better time to grab a group of pals and head to your favorite local bar? Don’t know where to go? Here the best sports bars in Atlanta:
. That’s means it’s time get in front of a TV, grab a beer and food and watch Steph Curry and the other NBA superstars go to work. But where? Here are the best Atlanta sports bars to watch the NBA playoffs.
Although our beloved Hawks aren’t in the playoffs this year, we can still show hometown support by repping those ATL Jerseys.
Here are the top Atlanta sports bars to watch the NBA playoffs
To find out where the Atlanta sports bars are that have huge TV screens, good drinks, great food, accommodating servers, hip bartenders and more, we culled numerous reviews from our friends at Yelp, Google and TripAdvisor. This is what we came up with.
Here are the best Atlanta sports bars to watch the NBA playoffs.
STATS Brewpub
300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313, (404) 885-1472The go-to sports bar in downtown Atlanta, STATS is a short walk from the Omni, CNN Center and College Football Hall of Fame. Inside the brewpub, customers can try their hand at tabletop beer taps and exquisite food with screens all around to watch the NFL playoffs.One Google reviewer says: “This place was incredible! Service was excellent, food was amazing! There were so many delicious looking things on the menu that my waitress had to help me out with a recommendation. I’m glad I listened to her, the BBQ Brisket Burger was out of this world. The fries were really good too. And then she talked me into getting the key lime pie, it was every bit as good as everything else was. I will definitely go back whenever I’m in Atlanta again.”El Super Pan at The Battery
El Super Pan at The Battery is the perfect place to enjoy some Cuban-inspired dishes while watching your #1 sports team.Here’s why one Google reviewer says it’s the best sports bar in Atlanta: “The flavor in each dish, AMAZING! The agua tropical is refreshing and they always have a different variety based upon the season. Try them all! The decor is vibrant and the music uplifts your spirit. The staff here are awesome and Chef Hector is very engaging. He usually makes great recommendations in case you find yourself unsure of what to order. This restaurant is def my fav!”Dugan’s Restaurant
Dugan’s has been a reliable go-to spot in Midtown Atlanta about as long as its nearby neighbor, the Clermont Lounge. Lively entertainment, a constant dancefloor and all the chicken wings and beer you could want make this place a great sports bar.Here’s why this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta: “Great dive bar complete with sassy bartender, interesting cast of characters at the bar and great wings. The wings have subtle differences from traditional wing sauces like Anchor Bar sauce. The drinks are poured strong. Their wings are better than their tenders. (They have a tendency to overcook). It’s a great respite for lunch compared to the chaos of Ponce City Market.”Ponce Sports Lounge
3924 E Ponce De Leon Ave Clarkston, GA 30021
Ponce Sports Lounge has hookah, live music and pool tables, but the chef-prepared food is the best in all of Clarkston. Although it is not a restaurant, you can order food up until 3 a.m. on the weekends.
Here’s what one Google reviewer says: “Was our first time at this venue and it was a GREAT experience. the server was pleasant and knowledgeable about the menu. The Chef bought out our entrees and was very personable
Food/drinks/ambience.”The U Bar
3515 Camp Creek Pkwy #50-70, East Point, GA 30344, (404) 349-2301The premiere sports bar at Camp Creek, the U Bar features cool music, wings specials in a club environment that is packed on the weekends.One Google reviewer says: “Pretty lit. Moreso a place to socialize, eat and watch games. Music was good . You can dance but Its not a club. Hoped this helped. Oh and 10 for women 20 for me. I heard they have good wings.”Popular party spot with sports, DJs & dancing, with drink specials & a full menu for dining.The Tavern
3560 Camp Creek Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30344, (404) 349-9285The Tavern, known as Camp Creek’s OTHER sports bar, has events almost every weekday night, including karaoke, drink specials and more.One Google reviewer says: “The lemon pepper and hot mixed wings are AMAZING. I also enjoy their karaoke nights which are live and many patrons participate so it makes me feel okay because I can’t sing to save my life. I’d definitely recommend checking them out on Wednesday night and enjoy the atmosphere.”Hudson Grille
942 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (404) 892-0892Hudson Grille has three locations in Atlanta, one downtown, one in Midtown and the other one in Brookhaven. Huge TV screens at every turn and good food make this one of the best Atlanta sports bars to enjoy the game.One Google reviewer says: “Food is always great along with service and overall atmosphere. I personally come here frequently during football season because it is home to Raven Nation South, located in the upstairs area of the bar. I love the sports atmosphere that Hudson Grill provides.”Yard House
261 19th St NW #1100, Atlanta, GA (404) 815-8990Thanks to an awesome Midtown location (there’s another one at The Battery next to SunTrust Park) and above-average beverage program, Yard House at Atlantic Station has a devoted following among sports fans. The stylish sports bar’s patio is a great people-watching spot and the burgers, steaks and tacos on the menu make this place a must-visit to watch the NFL playoffs.
One Google reviewer explains why this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta: “Happening place with excellent food! You just can’t go wrong with Yard House. We visit Atlanta every year at Christmas time, and Yard House has become a family tradition. The menu is extensive and everything we’ve tried has been delicious! They have an excellent Happy Hour … that includes a HUGE selection of 1/2 price appetizers. I think we have literally ordered everything on the happy hour menu! You can’t beat the price!”
Topgolf
1600 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318, (404) 475-4000Topgolf caters not to the golf fan so much, but the sports fan. With flat-screen TVs at every station, you can swing clubs or sit back and enjoy your game when you want it. Inside at the bar, you can see multiple screens from several vantage points while you eat and drink.
Here’s why one Google reviewer says this is one of the best sports bars in Atlanta:: “This is a really fun place for all age groups. If golf is not your thing, they also offer table tennis or ping pong upstairs and pool tables downstairs. The putting area is spacious. Of course it is outdoors, but they offer large heat lamps directly over the seating area. There are two levels to the seating area. The first is a high bar with chairs. The second is a u-shaped outdoor sofa with a center table. All food and drink orders can be placed from your bay. For each game, each player gets 20 chances to “put the ball in the hole”. You can take all 20 swings in a row or rotate players as you’d like. If you aren’t interested in playing any of the game options, you can also dine in or have a round at the bar. Enjoy!”
Taco Mac
933 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, (678) 904-7211With eight locations in Atlanta, including in Midtown on Peachtree and in Dunwoody, Taco Mac is a sports fan’s favorite place to watch the NBA playoffs or any sports event. Featuring the most expansive beer menu of any Atlanta sports bar, Taco Mac is the perfect place to enjoy a craft beer, malt, ale or IPA with your buffalo wings.One Google reviewer says: “Fast and delicious food. Live music on Friday night. Very personable servers. Really great fajitas. They are very open to accommodate changes to menu. One of my favorite places to eat.”Here is the first round NBA playoffs scheduleNBA playoff schedule 2019
First round schedule
TIME GAME ROUND NET Saturday, April 13 12:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1ESPN 3:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1ESPN 5:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1ESPN 8:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1ABC Sunday, April 14 3:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1ABC 5:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1TNT 8:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1TNT 10:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 1TNT Monday, April 15 8:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 2TNT 10:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 2TNT Tuesday, April 16 8:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 2TNT 10:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 2TNT Wednesday, April 17 7:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 2TNT 9:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 2TNT Thursday, April 18 7:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3TNT 9:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3TNT Friday, April 19 7:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3ESPN 8:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3ABC 9:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3ESPN Saturday, April 20 2:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3 or 4TNT 4:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3 or 4TNT 8:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3 or 4ESPN 10:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 3 or 4ESPN Sunday, April 21 1:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 4ABC 3:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 4ABC 7:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 4TNT 9:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 4TNT Friday, April 26 7:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 6*ESPNEWS 8:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 6*ESPN 9:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 6*ESPNEWS 10:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 6*ESPN Sunday, April 28 1:00p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 7*ABC 3:30p tbd
tbdFirst round
Game 7*ABC Read more: 40+ free things to do in ATL
Best new Atlanta restaurants for 2018-2019
The post Best Sports Bars in Atlanta: Where To Watch The NBA Playoffs appeared first on AtlantaFi.com.
Source: AtlantaFi
-
The newly christened AAF debuted in February to much fanfare, but uncertainty about the future remains.
A new report from the SportingNews says that the American Football Alliance is suspending operations.
What does the future hold for the AAF & Atlanta Legends?
The Atlanta Legends, who play at Georgia State Stadium, continue to pull in a modest crowd but have struggled on the field.
The Legends have a 2-6 record and have been eliminated from postseason contention.
But it’s not just the Legends, the league is struggling for an identity.
Is the AAF a development league for the NFL or a competitor? It’s hard to tell. There is much speculation that the AAF may not even finish the season.
But that’s not the concern of everybody. Steve Spurrier, head coach of the Orlando Apollos, told the Orlando Sentinel that he is confident the league will finish strong.
“I think we’re definitely good to finish out this year,” Spurrier, whose Apollos are a league-leading 7-1, recently, told the Orlando Sentinel. “But after that, who knows? We’re not thinking about anything but trying to win a championship. That was our goal and we’re sticking to it.”
Majority investor Tom Dundon, who put $250 million into the league, reportedly is not bullish about the league’s survival.
“It’s pretty fluid. It’s day to day, I would say,” Dundon told SportsBusiness Daily days ago.
Spurrier said the league began with a clear focus, but things have definitely shifted a bit.
““The Alliance was started under the pretense of signing players who aren’t in the NFL and giving them a chance to play in our league,” Spurrier was quoted as saying. “And if they play well enough in our league, then maybe they’ll get the opportunity to play in the NFL. That was the original plan, but obviously the plan has changed.”
Then again, all of the talk about the AAF’s future could just be tough talk by Dondon to get a better deal from the NFL players union, which wants better protections for athletes on the field.
“If the players union is not going to give us young players, we can’t be a development league,” Dundon, who in February pledged to incrementally invest $250 million into the AAF, told USA Today. “We are looking at our options, one of which is discontinuing the league.”
Here are highlights from the Atlanta Legends vs. Birmingham Iron
Read more: See the Atlanta Falcons 2019 opponents
-
The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2018 season with a losing record, missing the playoffs just two years after starring in the Super Bowl. As the Falcons approach the 2019 season, they look to get healthy and get back to winning football.
The 2018 season had many highs and lows and it’s only appropriate that we show you how it transpired.
What was the Atlanta Falcons record last season?
The Falcons finished the 2018 season with a 7-9 record. Here is their record over the last five seasons:
Year Record Finish (Regular / Post Season) 2016 11-5-0 1st — NFC South 2015 8-8-0 2nd — NFC South 2014 6-10-0 3rd — NFC South 2013 4-12-0 3rd — NFC South Here is the Atlanta Falcons 2018 season game-by-game
Eagles 18 – Falcons 12
The Falcons looked to avenge their 15-10 playoff loss to the Eagles earlier in the year, but it wasn’t to be. The loss to the Philadelphia Eagles during Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season set the tone for a mediocre year.
Falcons 31 – Panthers 24
The Falcons looked to slow down Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Atlanta was too strong for the Panthers and the Falcons won their first game of the season.
Saints 43 – Falcons 37 – OT
The bitter rivals always play a close game and this one was no different. Badly needing a stop in the fourth quarter, two Falcons defenders collapsed on New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees at the 2-yard line and he managed to spin out of it and score a back-breaking touchdown.
Rookie Calvin Ridley would have a breakout game, scoring three touchdowns for Atlanta.
Bengals 37 – Falcons 36
The fan base was starting to get noisy now. A Week 4 showdown against the Bengals was just about a must-win, but it didn’t happen. A touchdown in the closing seasons lifted the Bengals to an improbable win.
Steelers 41 – Falcons 17
The season was showing ominous signs of falling apart when the Steelers faced off against the Falcons. The already besieged defense continued to lose key members as Pittsburgh’s Antonio Brown and Ben Rothlisberger played throw and catch all over the field.
Falcons 34 – Buccuaneers 29
Desperation took hold as the Falcons and Bucs squared off with both teams needing a W. The Falcons finally found some offense and made just enough stops.
Falcons 23 – Giants 20
In Week 7, the Falcons strung together back-to-back victories for the first time all season with a rebuke of the New York Giants.
Falcons 38- Redskins 14
The Falcons started to click on offense against the Washington Redskins, enough to earn their first blowout of the 2018 season. Could this turn the momentum?
Browns 28 – Falcons 16
The Falcons look lost and confused on defense as the Cleveland Browns, young at every skill position, plaster them. Former Georgia Bulldog Nick Chubbs breaks a long run to put a nail in the Falcons’ coffin.
Cowboys 22 – Falcons 19
In a battle of two inefficient offenses, the Falcons fall to the Cowboys in a lackluster performance in Week 11.
Saints 31 – Falcons 17
The Falcons traveled to New Orleans to ruin the Saints’ win streak, but they couldn’t stop Brees and Alvin Kamara when it mattered.
Ravens 26 – Falcons 16
The Falcons needed a win at this point, but injuries on defense overwhelmed their best efforts against the Baltimore Ravens.
Packers 34 – Falcons 20
The Falcons, especially Julio Jones, usually enjoyed great success against the Green Bay Packers, but on this day, everything went wrong.
Falcons 40 – Cardinals 14
With playoff scenarios whizzing over their heads, the Falcons played their best game of the season in a route of the Arizona Cardinals.
Falcons 24 – Panthers 10
With Cam Newton sidelined by injury, the Falcons bested the Panthers for a season sweep.
Falcons 34 – Buccaneers 32
In the Falcons season finale, the Bucs almost spoiled it but couldn’t score in the final minutes as Atlanta hung on for the victory.
How many times have the Falcons played in the Super Bowl?
The Atlanta Falcons have played in two Super Bowls, losing both times. The first time was during the 1998 season in Super Bowl XXXIII. They played the Denver Broncos, losing 34–19.
In the Falcons’ second appearance in the Super Bowl, they were defeated in overtime 34-28 by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. The Falcons at one point led that game 28-3.
In the second was eighteen years later, a 34–28 overtime defeat by the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI.
Read more:
-
If you want to know how Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones can turn on the burners after a catch, it’s because he used to play running back.
Jones sat down with former NFL coach Tony Dungy and told him how his love for football originated — and how fast he used to be.
Atlanta Falcons Julio Jones says he used to play running back
What few people know, is that Jones used to be a running back in high school.
“I love to block in the running game probably because I played running back and it’s very important for your receivers to block. You can spring [running backs] so I love blocking,” he said.
Julio said he used to be super-fast in high school. “I think I ran a 4.3 in high school,” he said.
He said he began to really excel when he got new coaches in school. “Joe Williams and Ty Watson (from Hoover) came in and Ty moved me to wideout,” he said. “I moved out to receiver and everything else became history.” True indeed.
Jones has become the premiere wide receiver in the NFL.
He is the first player in NFL history to record five consecutive seasons of gaining at least 1,400 yards. And if you know Jones and the Falcons, there’s a lot more to come.
Read more: See the Atlanta Falcons 2019 opponents
-
Ready for some (more) football? The Atlanta Legends are city’s hometown team in the Alliance of American Football. The league was started by veteran NFL General Manager Bill Polian.
The Atlanta Legends are one of eight teams in the Alliance of American Football. The AAF doesn’t see themselves as competition for the NFL, they see themselves as a developmental league or pipeline. Still, the Alliance of American Football is a professional league.
Everything you need to know about the Atlanta Legends of the AAF
The coach of the Legends is Kevin Coyle, who has never been a head coach. Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was previously announced as offensive coordinator, but the team walked it back. Vick does have a consulting role with the team though.
“We are excited to have Michael as a part of our organization and part of our staff,” Coyle told WSBTV. “He’s had a number of commitments that he’s been fulfilling, Fox and the broadcasting end of things. So he hasn’t been able to be with us full-time as we would have liked him to be. As this NFL season has come to an end, hopefully we are going to be together as we move forward and we are going to carve out the role that he is going to take that’s going to help us the most that he possibly can. It’s a very valuable resource that we have in Michael, and we are going to try to utilize him to the best of his abilities so he can help our players each and every day.”
Where do the Atlanta Legends play football?
The Atlanta Legends play at Georgia State Stadium on the campus of Georgia State University. The stadium’s address is 755 Hank Aaron Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. The capacity of GSU Stadium is 24,333.
The Legends’ first game was Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019 against the Orlando Apollos at Spectrum Stadium in Florida.
How to buy tickets to Atlanta Legends games?
If you want to see the Atlanta Legends in person, buy a ticket! You can purchase season ticket seat deposits for $50 on a first-come, first-served basis on AAF.com or by calling 1-833-AAF-2019. Click here to be taken to the Atlanta Legends website.
The home season opener of Atlanta Legends football begins Feb. 24 at Georgia State Stadium against the Birmingham Iron. Click here to be taken to the Atlanta Legends website.
Here is the full 2019 schedule for the Atlanta Legends
Week 1
Saturday, February 9, 2019
Atlanta Legends at Orlando Apollos
Sunday, February 17, 2019
Atlanta Legends at San Diego Fleet
Week 3
Sunday, February 24, 2019
Birmingham Iron at Atlanta Legends
Week 4
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Atlanta Legends at Arizona Hotshots
Week 5
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Memphis Express at Atlanta Legends
Week 6
Sunday, March 17, 2019
San Antonio Commanders at Atlanta Legends
Week 7
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Orlando Apollos at Atlanta Legends
Week 8
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Atlanta Legends at Birmingham Iron
Week 9
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Salt Lake Stallions at Atlanta Legends
Week 10
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Atlanta Legends at Memphis Express
Read more: Another Whole Foods is popping up in Midtown -
The New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams, 13-3 in a defensive struggle in downtown Atlanta before more than 70,000 fans. Super Bowl LIII, known as Super Bowl 53 was played Sunday, February 3, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This was the first time Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosted the big game. The last time Atlanta hosted a Super Bowl was 19 years ago in January 30, 2000 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Atlanta Super bowl 53: Everything you need to know
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance-Bottoms and other city leaders rolled out the red carpet for fans and visitors coming to Super Bowl 53. Tickets were going for upwards of $7,000. Speaking of big money, Atlanta homeowners were renting their homes on Airbnb for some nice change.
Road closures around the Super Bowl venue in downtown Atlanta began on Monday, January 21 and will run through Friday, February 8. All road closures are subject to change.
Chloe X Halle sing ‘America’
superbowl is cancel but Chloe x Halle can SING!!! pic.twitter.com/PvB5DAVbaW
— yasmin (@leighsvelvet) February 3, 2019
To get the festivities started, Beyonce protogees Chloe X Halle sang a stirring rendition of “America” as the players stood respectfully.
Gladys Knight sings the national anthem at Super Bowl
The NFL has confirmed that Motown maven Gladys Knight will sing the national anthem for the Super Bowl, part of a litany of star-studded celebrities who have been tapped to participate at the Feb. 3 event inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Here’s @MsGladysKnight entire National Anthem looking up through the roof-appropriately-into the heavens. Atlanta’s own nailed it! #SBLIII pic.twitter.com/dCp0A0XREG
— FOX 5 Sports (@FOX5Sports) February 3, 2019
Knight announced that she is “coming home” for the Super Bowl. The Georgia native also said along with performing for the big game she is involved in the NFL’s new social justice initiative.
Who played in Super Bowl LIII?
The Los Angeles Rams played the New England Patriots in a battle for NFL championship, the Lombardi Trophy.
The Patriots were stopped early and often and even survived a first-quarter interception, taking a 3-0 lead for three quarters.
Tom Brady’s first pass of Super Bowl LIII…PICKED (via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/D15Ncd8Hqv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 3, 2019
Eventually, the Patriots defense came out on top as the Rams failed to score a touchdown. The final score was 13-3.
After the game, New England quarterback Tom Brady threw footballs to fans at the Hyatt, the team’s hotel.
Tom Brady is currently throwing footballs to Patriots fans at the postgame party. pic.twitter.com/cOYPd8buZD
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) February 4, 2019
Super Bowl venue supreme: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Super Bowl LIII took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, home of the Falcons. It’s the first Super Bowl hosted at the stadium, which opened in 2017. However, this was the third Super Bowl played in Atlanta. Previously, the Cowboys topped the Bills in the Georgia Dome in Super Bowl XXVIII, played in 1994, while the Rams topped the Titans in 2000 in Super Bowl XXXIV.
Here are 5 things about Mercedes-Benz Stadium you probably didn’t know
Who performed the Super Bowl halftime?
A number of artists have declined to perform for the Super Bowl halftime show, but major artists Maroon 5, Travis Scott and local legend Big Boi signed on and gave a rousing show. Scott reportedly only agreed to perform if the NFL vowed to donate to a social justice cause.
The best part of the entire #SuperBowl tbh #M53 #AdamLevine #Maroon5 pic.twitter.com/9GndR74kzn
— 🍻⛸ (@brolensky) February 4, 2019
What are some good things to do in Atlanta Super Bowl weekend?
If you’re hanging around the city for a bit, Atlanta has many cool sites, landmarks and places to visit in downtown, Midtown and farther out. Here is a list of 40+things to do that are CHEAP.
What are some good restaurants in Atlanta Super Bowl weekend & beyond?
Ditto for Atlanta restaurants. Here are some of the top restaurants to eat at Super Bowl weekend.
SUPER BOWL LINKS -
More than 30 years ago, Boston Celtics forward Larry Bird scorched and torched the Atlanta Hawks, scoring a season-high 60 points. Larry Legend started off hot and got unconscious in the late third and fourth quarters.
The Celtics won the game, which was played when Hawks icon Dominique Wilkins was a young player finding his identity in the hard-scrabble NBA. Take look at the shot selection, scoring plays and oohs and aahs from the crowd.
That time Larry Bird scored 60 against the Atlanta Hawks (VIDEO)
It’s a cliche, but this is “one of the greatest performances ever.
Bird was already an NBA superstar at the time. The French Lick, Indiana native was the fuel that powered the mighty Celtics in the league’s hey day. Bird was always a great all-around player, but this display against the Hawks is when he made it look easy.
Glad we don’t have to relive those days in ATL. Besides, ATL’s Dominique Wilkins later went toe to toe with Bird and the Celtics in a number of memorable battles at the Omni as well as in Boston Garden.
Now we have super rookies like Trae Young to swish threes on opposing players. Y’all ready for the 2018-19 Atlanta Hawks?
Read more: The essential bars in Little 5 Points
Food & drink specials: How to eat for cheap in Atlanta EVERY DAY
-
The Atlanta Falcons put on an offensive show Sunday afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but it was not enough as the New Orleans beat them in overtime, 43-37.
Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan passed for 374 yards and five touchdowns, while rookie Calvin Ridley broke loose for a career high 146 yards and four touchdowns.
Here are 5 reasons why the Falcons lost
- A depleted defense: The Falcons were already down Pro Bowl defensive linebacker Deion Jones, safety Keanu Neal (out for the season), defensive lineman Takk McKinley, reserve Derrick Shelby, Corey Nelson but they also lost free safety Ricardo Allen who went down on a non-contact play. The losses were too much to overcome, no matter the Falcons’ valiant efforts.
“Don’t want to speculate too much, but it was serious enough that he was down for the game,” Quinn said of Allen after the game.
2. Trading field goals for touchdowns: After marching down the field to score a touchdown, the Falcons blinked in the second half. More disconcerting was the fact that the Falcons, who moved the ball pretty much at will for most of the game, had to punt with 44 seconds on the clock.
3. A Ridley-less fourth quarter: Ridley had managed his best game ever by scoring three touchdowns in the first three quarters alone. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons didn’t get the ball to the rookie, who absolutely torched the Saints secondary. “We had chances to finish the game today and we didn’t do that,” Ryan told reporters after the game. “That’s disappointing.”
Ridley's …. believe it or not!?
TOUCHDOWN! pic.twitter.com/IAEmbtAVcz
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 23, 2018
4. Poor tackling: Nothing illustrates the Falcons’ sudden lack of sure tackling than the Brees rushing touchdown. There’s no way a 39-year-old man should be able to evade two careening defenders, Brian Poole and Robert Alford, five yards from the end zone. There were other tackling lapses throughout the game, but that one, with less than 1:15 left in the game, was a big one.
Drew Brees with the spin move and RUSHING TOUCHDOWN #NOvsATL pic.twitter.com/2OLbbm69Dk
— FlurrySports (@FlurrySports) September 23, 2018
5. Lack of a running game: With Devonte Freeman on the sidelines, the bulk of the carries went to Tevin Coleman. Last week, against the Carolina Panthers, Coleman rushed for more than 100 yards and a score. But Sunday, things were different. The Falcons only managed 48 on the ground, 33 by Coleman (2.2 yard average).
There are other reasons why the Falcons came up short, such as offensive lineman Wes Schweitzer and the questionable schemes of coach Quinn.
The Falcons are now last in the NFC South, but hope to rebound next week. In the NFL, you must have a short memory.
The Falcons will again play in front of the home crowd next week when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They need to win two out of the next three games (the Steelers and Tampa Bay) to have a shot at returning to the Super Bowl, which will be in Atlanta.
Read more: The essential bars in Little 5 Points
Food & drink specials: How to eat for cheap in Atlanta EVERY DAY
-
The Atlanta Falcons were victorious in their first home game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown Atlanta against the Carolina Panthers. The Falcons beat Carolina not because of anything special, just solid execution all the way around.
Running back Tevin Coleman started in the place of Devonta Freeman and rushed for over 100 yards and made it into the end zone.
The Falcons moved to 1-1 for the season, but more importantly, they got a much-needed win in the NFC South.
2nd career 100-yd rushing game and a W?
Tevin Coleman has a reason to be HYPED. pic.twitter.com/L8q3nefoh5
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 16, 2018
kQuarterback Matt Ryan said that the difference in this game and what happened in the first game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles was that the Falcons made it into the red zone. “The execution was better than it had been the week before, so I’m proud of the way our guys worked all week,” Ryan told reporters after the game. “I thought the execution was great and that was kind of it,”
Our execution in the red zone can't get any better than it was today.
Matt Ryan explains ⤵️
📝 – https://t.co/vS21OOidjV pic.twitter.com/j386oIRoCk
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 17, 2018
Next up for the Falcons are the New Orleans Saints.
Read more: The essential bars in Little 5 Points
Food & drink specials: How to eat for cheap in Atlanta EVERY DAY
-
The Atlanta Dream evened the playoff series against the Washington Mystics on Tuesday night, beating them 78-75. The Mystics lost their best player, Elene Delle Donne, in the fourth quarter.
McCamish Pavilion was electric as the Dream scratched and clawed their way to hang on for the victory.
“Really, really proud of our toughness,” Dream coach Nicki Collen said after the game. Collen had double reason to celebrate: She was named WNBA Coach of the Year earlier in the day. “We turned over the ball too much, but to get stops when we needed them says a lot about our team. Early in the season, we had a lot of grind-it-out kind of games, and tonight was another one of those.”
The series is now tied at 1-1 and will head to Washington for game 3 on Friday night. In game 1, the Dream couldn’t find any momentum on offense, losing 87-84 at home on Sunday. Their ace shooter, Tiffany Hayes, was cold for most of the night.
Delle Donne told fans that she will be OK, saying “the swelling isn’t terrible.”
Elena Delle Donne shared her thoughts with us via Mystics’ media relations: “I mean, I’m walking. The swelling isn’t terrible. I’ll go home tomorrow and see our doctors, and see what they say. But I’m hopeful to be back in the lineup Friday.”
— Mechelle Voepel (@MechelleV) August 29, 2018
On Tuesday, Hayes scored 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Center Elizabeth Williams (10 points, 11 rebounds) had a solid game as well as Atlanta had an 18-rebound advantage.
Game 3 will be Friday, August 31 at 8 p.m. ET at Charles Smith Center, George Washington University. The contest will be simulcast on WNBATV and ESPN2.
Read more: 5 metro Atlanta places to ride horses
The post Atlanta Dream Beat Washington Mystics, Even Playoff Series appeared first on .
Source: AtlantaFi