What a weird season this has been for the Falcons, and I absolutely mean that in a bad way. Any hope we had early on was choked out weeks ago. Nothing this team does makes sense, whether it’s getting shut out entirely by the Carolina Panthers or beating the Bills. And normally in a lost season, in a season where we’re looking ahead to 2026 with several weeks left in THIS season, we’d be talking about the Falcons draft position.

Not this year! This year we’d be talking about the RAMS’ draft position in the first round, because the team traded that pick away last year to trade back up into the first and select James Pearce Jr.

I loved the pick. I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me there. We’ve been begging for a pass rush for years, and the defensive rookies on this team have impressed me. And that trade did net the pick that the Falcons used on safety Xavier Watts, who looks to be a very solid addition. But what they gave up are key roster-building picks. And it’ll be a couple of years before we fully know the impact.

This week is going to look slightly different around The Falcoholic because of the short week with the Thursday night game, but there’s still plenty to talk about around this team — including the best case scenario for Thursday night’s game.

On one hand, a win would be less embarrassing for the Falcons and for all of us. That’s always a good thing. It would also be kind of funny if the Buccaneers got knocked out of the postseason by the Panthers. If I can’t enjoy the Falcons I’m going to root for chaos, and a Panthers team that pretty much came out of nowhere to be competitive this season fits that bill. Plus, it’s not like it impacts the Falcons’ draft position for reasons mentioned above.

But on the other hand, I know a lot of fans are on the “Fire Everyone” train and I can’t say I blame y’all. A win on Thursday night would almost certainly delay that, if not derail it entirely. I’ve said all this time that, based on Arthur Blank’s history, I expected Raheem Morris would get another season primarily because of the Falcons’ injuries. Candidly, I hate talking about potential firings. I like and respect these coaches as people. I know Arthur Blank does too, and consistency of leadership is often a hallmark of successful teams so I can understand the thought process of not diving into another coaching staff shakeup this offseason. But the results are the results, and with each loss I feel less and less confident that there’s any path forward here for Raheem Morris and just about everyone else but Jeff Ulbrich.

Scroll down to the comments and let us know what your best case scenario is for Thursday night’s game and why.

ATLANTA – The grills will soon go cold at several iconic Atlanta hotspots over the next few weeks. 

The owner of Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt in downtown Atlanta says the landlord plans on selling the building, as the cost of doing business has soared.

Other Atlanta restaurants announcing closures include Agave, Eats on Ponce, Dantanna’s in Buckhead, and Alma Cocina’s Buckhead location.

Timeline:

This past Saturday, Dantanna’s in Buckhead closed after two decades.

On December 20, Alma Cocina’s Buckhead location will close their doors.

Eats on Ponce closed on Oct. 18.

Daddy D’z will close at the end of the month after a 35-year run at the intersection of MLK and Memorial Drive, but the owner hopes to eventually re-open at a new location.

Up the road from Daddy D’z, Agave in Cabbagetown says its last day will be January 31.

What they’re saying:

The family that owns Agave cited the “current economic climate and unsustainable conditions.”

Christianah Coker-Jackson, who has owned Daddy D’z for the last eight years, said the landlord who owns the building is looking to sell.

But she also points out running a restaurant has gotten much harder.

“It’s bittersweet. I’m heartbroken,” Christianah Coker-Jackson, owner of Daddy D’z said.  “We do see that the prices have increased. We do see that inflation has affected everything.”

The backstory:

Reshma Shah, a marketing professor at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, said small restaurants face an uphill battle with inflation sending costs up.

“You’ve got restaurants with labor costs going up, rent costs going up, food costs, of course, going up,” Reshma Shah, Emory marketing professor, said. “And the last thing you want to do is cut quality.”

She said patrons are also tightening their belts this holiday season. 

“Consumers are really having to make a decision between do we want to go out? Do we want to buy presents?” Shah said.

What’s next:

Daddy D’z is in negotiations to open a new location, but nothing is final.

“I’m sad. Now I have to find someone else to go with mom. And to get some good barbecue!” Bertitta Marshall, Daddy D’z regular, said. “Where can you find that type of interaction, a family atmosphere that’s welcoming?”

The last day of business in the current building will be New Year’s Eve.

“They always say when God closes one door, he opens up the ceiling. So I’m just waiting for my celing” Coker-Jackson said.