FLOWERY BRANCH, GA. (AP) - Almost to a man, the Atlanta Falcons insist they don’t care who they play in the next round of the playoffs.
Leave it to Roddy White to say what most of them are probably thinking.
The outspoken Pro Bowl receiver made it clear he’d like to get the Seahawks next weekend _ not surprising, given Seattle (7-9) is the first losing team to win its division.
“You really don’t want to play a really consistent quarterback or anything like that,” White told reporters. “Does that answer your question?”
Indeed it does. Rule out Green Bay, which has Aaron Rodgers, and defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans, led by Pro Bowler Drew Brees. The Seahawks’ QB is Matt Hasselbeck, who has thrown 17 interceptions, just 12 touchdowns and might be on the way out in Seattle.
The top-seeded Falcons (13-3) have a bye this weekend and will face the Packers if they win their opening-round game at Philadelphia. If the Eagles win, Atlanta gets the winner of New Orleans at Seattle.
At least one other Falcons player is pulling for the Seahawks, but that’s because of family ties. Defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux’s brother, Jordan, plays for the Seahawks.
Three weeks ago, the brothers faced each other during the regular season. Jonathan scored on a fumble recovery, Jordan made an interception and their mother cheered them both wearing a half Falcons-half Seahawks jersey. Atlanta won 34-18.
“To have two brothers in the playoffs, and to be able to play each other for the second time in the same year, that would be an awesome thing,” Jonathan said.
The Falcons also played New Orleans and Green Bay this season, with much closer results.
Atlanta pulled out a 27-24 overtime victory against the Saints in the first month of the season, then lost the return match against its division rival 17-14 at the Georgia Dome two weeks ago _ the team’s only home loss. The Falcons topped the Packers 20-17 in another thriller, winning on a field goal with 9 seconds remaining.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.