Atlanta, GA

What ‘Atlanta’ Gave Me

Published

2 years ago

September 17, 2022

In 2012, the visible artist Alisha B. Wormsley launched into a multiyear challenge in Homewood, one in every of Pittsburgh’s traditionally Black neighborhoods. Profoundly impacted by the teachings of Afrofuturism and the assumption that Black persons are the authors of their tomorrows, she started gathering objects from city residents. Of these she gathered, she imprinted on them an emphatic declaration: “There Are Black Individuals Within the Future.” Years later, in 2014, I got here throughout one in every of Wormsley’s “artifacts” on Tumblr; it was a window pane with the assertion in thick lettering, its edges rusted and chipped. At first look, the assertion gave the impression to be fading away. In reality, the alternative was taking place—the phrases have been coming into view. I bear in mind seeing Wormsley’s art work for the primary time and the sensation it gave, how I out of the blue and concurrently felt transported, empowered, and proud.

Atlanta, the FX darkish comedy created by and starring Donald Glover, has given me that very same feeling since its debut in 2016. Alas, it’s time to bid farewell. The present will culminate with its fourth season—it kicked off Thursday with a two-episode premiere—and bring to a halt an period in tv that embraced Black futurity head on.

In its last season, the outlines of the present stay as they ever have been: thrillingly intangible. The brilliance of the sequence was at all times in regards to the unsaid and the unseen (generally fairly actually; bear in mind the invisible automobile that charged by a membership car parking zone in season one?). To its profit, Atlanta discovered to talk between the strains. It was all within the understanding, in what didn’t have to be voiced or defined in nice element—as a result of what was understood was already understood. At its most transcendent, Atlanta was a head nod. In case you obtained it, you bought it. There was nothing else that wanted to be stated.

Which is perhaps sort of ironic when you concentrate on it. The present has by no means lacked for voice—though generally it struggled narratively from an extra of voices; season three was congested with thematic points—it has solely requested that we pay attention with open ears.

Afrofuturism insists that Black persons are the makers of their future. Atlanta’s central quartet—Glover’s Earn, Zazie Beetz’s Van, Brian Tyree Henry’s Paper Boi, and LaKeith Stanfield’s Darius—have tried, generally to hilarious impact, to steer their lives on their phrases. As characters they have been a putting examine in movement. In its 4 seasons, not as soon as did they cease operating to or away from the eeriness of the world, its darkness and marvel, and all of the questions inside.

Paper Boi—each the present’s north star and, as Doreen St. Felix noticed, additionally its “Odysseus determine”—greatest exemplified this distinct kineticism. A neighborhood rapper who finds fame, his story was as coloured by the volatility of profession maneuvering because it was interior strife. (Return and watch the episodes “Woods” and “New Jazz.”) That was a part of its radiance, too. Even when it dipped into the surreal, which it steadily did with Paper Boi, the present’s exhaustive creativeness was at all times sure to actuality. Atlanta was fiction solely in style; the organs of the sequence—its coronary heart, mind, and lungs—have been tailored from the derma of life.

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Atlanta, GA

Falcons Regain NFC South Lead, Control Playoff Destiny as Bucs Lose to Cowboys

Published

45 minutes ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Falcons Regain NFC South Lead, Control Playoff Destiny as Bucs Lose to Cowboys

ATLANTA — As if the Atlanta Falcons’ Sunday couldn’t get any better, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Daron Bland gave Atlanta an early Christmas present.

But only after stealing one from Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White.

Leading 26-24 inside of two minutes to play, the Cowboys’ defense needed a stand Sunday night — and Bland stripped the ball from White’s grasp, forcing a game-sealing turnover.

Tampa Bay entered Sunday leading the NFC South by one game over Atlanta, but the Falcons (8-7) dominated the Giants (2-13), taking a 34-7 victory Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Coupled with the Buccaneers’ loss, Atlanta and Tampa Bay now share the same 8-7 record — but since the Falcons swept the season series, they own the tiebreaker. Thus, Atlanta leads the NFC South through 16 weeks.

The Falcons controlled the division for much of the early part of the season before losing control in Week 14, when they reached the end of their four-game losing streak while Tampa Bay had won three consecutive games.

Atlanta, which led the NFC South by two games in mid-November and held the division lead entering December, now merely has to win out to secure its first NFC South title since 2016 and its first playoff trip since 2017.

The Falcons close the season with a Sunday Night Football road game against the Washington Commanders (10-5) on Dec. 29 before hosting the Carolina Panthers (4-11) in the finale Jan. 5.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, hosts the Panthers and New Orleans Saints (5-9, pending Monday night game) to finish the campaign.

The Buccaneers have a 52% chance to win the NFC South compared to the Falcons’ 48% chance, according to The Athletic‘s playoff projections model.

But ultimately, the only number that matters to Atlanta is two — the Falcons’ magic number, as any combination of their own wins or Buccaneers losses that equates to two sends Atlanta to the postseason.

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Atlanta, GA

Michael Penix Jr. shines in Atlanta Falcons’ debut victory over New York Giants | NFL on FOX Pod

Published

9 hours ago

December 23, 2024

Press Room

Michael Penix Jr. shines in Atlanta Falcons’ debut victory over New York Giants | NFL on FOX Pod

Video Details

Dave Helman sits down to recap the Atlanta Falcons’ victory over the New York Giants! Within the conversation, Helman reacts to Michael Penix Jr.’s debut and explains why he had an impressive performance for the Falcons!

1 HOUR AGO・the nfl on fox podcast・6:13

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Atlanta, GA

Falcons Risers, Fallers: Buy Stock in Michael Penix Jr. After Win vs. Giants

Published

17 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Falcons Risers, Fallers: Buy Stock in Michael Penix Jr. After Win vs. Giants

ATLANTA — After falling behind by a touchdown early in the second quarter, the Atlanta Falcons (8-7) scored 34 unanswered points to close out Sunday’s 34-7 victory over the New York Giants (2-13) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Atlanta has eclipsed seven wins for the first time since 2017, and it now enters the final two games of the regular season with a shot at the postseason — and with a jolt of energy from rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Here’s who’s rising and falling after the Falcons’ victory …

QB Michael Penix Jr.

The consensus from Atlanta’s side postgame on Penix: He played well.

Rookie quarterbacks can go either way in their debut. Penix was solid, completing 18-of-27 passes for 202 yards, no touchdowns and an interception that bounced out of tight end Kyle Pitts’ hands and into the arms of Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.

Consider Sunday a success for Penix, who provided no reason to stop dreaming.

OLB Matt Judon

Judon’s season overall hasn’t been what many expected when Atlanta sent a third-round pick to the New England Patriots for his services in August, but he’s turned a corner lately — and played his best game of the season Sunday.

The 32-year-old Judon collected one sack, two quarterback hits, a pass deflection and returned an interception 27 yards to the endzone for his first career touchdown.

Judon wore plenty of blame when he was struggling. He deserves similarly strong credit when he plays at the level he did Sunday.

ILB Kaden Elliss

Elliss is the only player in the NFL with a sack in each of the last four consecutive weeks, according to the Falcons’ communication staff. He was excellent Sunday, logging a team-high seven tackles and two quarterback hits.

The 6’2″, 238-pound Elliss notched one sack — a forced fumble that was recovered by outside linebacker Arnold Ebiketie and gave Atlanta’s offense the ball in plus-territory.

Since inserting Elliss into the pass rushing plan more frequently, the Falcons’ pass rush — and defense as a whole — has made considerable strides.

TE Kyle Pitts

Pitts was targeted only twice — one went for seven yards, and the other led to Penix’s interception on a pass that hit his hands.

After a four-catch game against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15, Pitts failed to carry that production back home. He now has one or fewer receptions in four of the Falcons’ last five games and five of their last seven.

Evidently, Pitts’ minimal production since the calendar flipped to November wasn’t solely due to quarterback Kirk Cousins.

There really isn’t much to complain about regarding Atlanta’s performance. Perhaps a slow start? A missed field goal from kicker Riley Patterson, who responded by making his other two field goals and all four extra points?

For the first time this season, there’s only one faller.

The Falcons return to action at 8:20 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, against the Washington Commanders inside Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland.

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