fuego Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 They might have crept up on you, but the Atlanta Falcons, after an 11-5 record, finished the season as one of the two best teams in the NFC this year. Yes, those Falcons. That means a first-round bye and a Divisional Round home game in the Georgia Dome. The Falcons have an MVP candidate, the NFL's sack leader, a balanced and prolific offense, and have been in every game they've played this year. So why not the Falcons? Here are three reasons the Dirty Birds are going to go 3-0 this postseason and claim the team's first Super Bowl crown: 1. They have the best offense in the NFL It's not even that close, really. Led by Matt Ryan and a criminally underrated offensive line, the Falcons led the NFL in scoring this season, averaging 33 points per game, while amassing fifth-most rush yards and second-most passing yards per contest. With Julio Jones, a bevy of excellent secondary options and two strong running backs in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman, this Falcons offense is hoarding talent. Oh, and Ryan was the first quarterback in NFL history to start all 16 games and average more than 9.25 yards per pass attempt, a fact which becomes more incredible the longer you think about it. The Falcons offense is one of the best in NFL history (seventh in all-time points per game), and in this modern NFL, where defense comes second, that cannot not be overlooked. 2. Vic Beasley is the X-factor they were missing The Falcons play with the lead often, and that allows them to unleash the NFL's leader in sacks, Beasley, onto opposing quarterbacks with relative impunity. The Falcons do not have the best defense in the NFL — far from it, in fact — but the emergence of Beasley as an elite pass rusher has given the Atlanta defense some bite that can keep opposing offenses under four touchdowns per game. And that's more than enough room for Ryan and company. Beasley injured his shoulder in the season finale against New Orleans but he did return to that contest. The bye week is a massive advantage for the Falcons, if for nothing else than to give Beasley an extra week to heal. 3. They have a coach who takes risks In a league where plausible deniability and conservatism are the hallmarks of head coaches, Dan Quinn is a risk taker. Only the Saints threw the ball more on first down this year than the Falcons and Quinn has developed a reputation for trusting his offense in fourth-and-short scenarios and to go for two. (The Falcons went for the end zone six times after touchdowns this year.) Some might see that resume as cause for concern, but Quinn knows what he's playing with on his team — an elite offense and an average-at-best defense — the more aggressive he is, the better chance he has of highlighting the former and mitigating the negative effects of the latter. And in a postseason where competition will be tight, a coach who understands his team's strengths and weaknesses without delusion or true fear of repercussion is an advantage that can turn the balance of a contest. http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/gallery/atlanta-falcons-playoffs-super-bowl-li-matt-ryan-mvp-010317 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Jigsaw Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 I love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theDIRTYcode Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 "Well I guess there is only one thing left to do.....Win the whole....fcking...thing." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realsurfin Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 ALL THE WAY! GOOOOoooooooooooooFalcons! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navin Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Sooner or later Fox had to have that 'oh ****' moment when they realized that they are going to have to promote the Falcons for the Superbowl broadcast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconsIn2012 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 1 hour ago, theDIRTYcode said: "Well I guess there is only one thing left to do.....Win the whole....fcking...thing." One of the great sports movies...lol. At least 20 classic quotes from that movie. "Are you trying to tell me Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball..." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theDIRTYcode Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 7 minutes ago, Falconsin2012 said: One of the great sports movies...lol. At least 20 classic quotes from that movie. "Are you trying to tell me Jesus Christ can't hit a curveball..." Whats that shyt on your chest? Crisco...bardol, vagisil, any one of them will give you a 2 to 3 inch drop on your curve ball and if the umps are watching me close I just rub a little jalapeño up my nose, and wipe my nose.....you put snot on the ball? I aint got an arm like yours kid, gotta put anything on it I can find....someday you will too. My favorite sports movie ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Mazetti Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 Humm. Nice read. This is special folks. Eat, drink and be merry. Wow, after all these years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuego Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 I would be surprised if we didn't make it. Well I would and I wouldn't. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Since1990 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 4th reason - Atlanta Falcons have played top defenses ALL YEAR and are well tested. No team in the playoffs have a defense as good as they've faced this season! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Since1990 Posted January 4, 2017 Share Posted January 4, 2017 The next 3 games will show us who we really are! //purple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuego Posted January 4, 2017 Author Share Posted January 4, 2017 7 hours ago, Since1990 said: The next 3 games will show us who we really are! //purple Seriously, this has gone on every game this year. Even against Carolina, our next to the last game of the year, I actually heard Chris Berman say "This game will tell us a lot about the Falcons." smh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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