These are the games where the challenge feels elusive. When, in the sessions leading into the weekend, you have to remind yourself to work. You have to prevent yourself from losing focus, even though, at times, you do. You have to notice when you’re going through the motions and be able to remember the joy of last week’s sessions, the excitement of knowing a plan is going to work, and be able to get your head in that space now.
Not tomorrow. Not on Friday. Not in the moments before you get step on the field. No matter the record of next to your opponent, no matter the impressions you’ve gotten from their results, on the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the game, you have to prepare as if it’s another Atlanta.