FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Considering the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers met twice in prime time over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, including once in the playoffs, the NFL's decision to put their Week 14 clash on national TV seemed like a no-brainer.
At least back in April.
Alas, with the Falcons at 2-9 and the Packers (0-3-1 in their last four games) muddling through during Aaron Rodgers' injury absence (collarbone), the league announced on Monday that Atlanta's Dec. 8 trip to Green Bay would be "flexed" out of the Sunday night slot on NBC and into a standard 1 p.m. start (EST) on FOX.
Since the Falcons hired general manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith (prior to the 2008 season), a stated goal of the franchise has been to be "relevant."
In the regime’s first five seasons, they have mostly accomplished that through playoff four playoff berths — and two separate stints as the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs (2010, 2012).
Getting flexed was an unpleasant reminder of just how irrelevant the Falcons have become this season in an unforeseen nosedive.
"Our season's been disappointing," Smith said on Monday. "We know that there is the potential to have a flexible schedule at the end of the season. We're going to play the game when the league tells us to play the game, but we are disappointed in the way we've played through the first 11 ballgames, which I think I’ve stated many times — too many times."
Incredibly, Atlanta finds itself in the running for the top overall draft pick next spring. On a five-game losing streak, the Falcons begin the week as one of three teams with a league-worst record.
Houston, which has lost nine in a row, and Jacksonville — synonymous with losing football in recent seasons — are the other 2-9 clubs.
With a number of fans and media writing off the Falcons weeks ago, Smith fielded numerous questions on Monday about player evaluation for next season. He struggled to keep the conversation about the upcoming game and continues to repeat the team's mantra: Win games.
For example, with tight end Tony Gonzalez set to retire, Smith was asked how he would evaluate Atlanta's other tight ends — Chase Coffman and rookie Levine Toilolo — in the final weeks with Gonzalez (toe injury) topping the depth chart.
"Tony Gonzalez is going to be very productive player for us," Smith said. "He’s been very productive and, again, our No. 1 goal is to win the games and having Tony Gonzalez on the field gives us the best opportunity to win. ...
"We're not going to not try to win the football game and go into complete evaluation mode."
With the Falcons currently in a three-way race to collect (or not collect) the No. 1 pick, Smith was asked if trying to avoid the ignominy of that fate would be a motivating factor in the last five weeks.
"Guys, our focus as players and coaches is on the Buffalo Bills and it's on the next game," he said. "I know that people have a different approach and a look to a season at different points in time. But I can assure you of this: We’re not concerned about our draft status. We're concerned about winning our next game and putting a string together for next season."
It's Dimitroff's job — and not Smith's — to look into the draft. On the Falcons' broadcast partner, 790 The Zone, Dimitroff was asked about the 2014 prospects.
"Moving forward into '14, there are some really hot positions out there right now with a number of football players, interestingly enough along both fronts, which is rare to have two seasons in a row that there are a number of defensive linemen out there, as well as other offensive linemen, that are going to be difference-makers so that’s a positive," Dimitroff said.
"... It’s going to be up to us ... to discern which are going to be the best fits for us and how many in fact we do take."
