Super Bowl 59 is set to take place in a few days. THREE-PEAT is on Chiefs fans shirts walking around the city of New Orleans while Eagles fans are riding their recent success hoping to claim their franchises second Lombardi Trophy. Between Dynasties and Unimaginable playoff runs 20 out of 32 teams have gotten to hoist that almighty trophy.
Atlanta has been to two out of the 59 Super Bowl’s, one being the upset victory against the Vikings propelling us to the big stage against the reigning NFL champions, Denver Broncos. That game ended in a 34-19 final score with John Elway and the -7.5 point favorite Denver Broncos taking away the chance for the Atlanta Falcons to triumph that great mountain for the first time.
After that Super Bowl, Atlanta had failed to return to the main event with their season ending twice in the NFC Championship game. Things looked a little different in 2016 though. The Matt Ryan led offense featuring prime Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Taylor Gabriel, Devonta Freeman, and tight end Austin Hooper was firing on all cylinders in the playoffs. The wildcard round started with a a first round bye. Then the divisional came where we hosted the Seattle Seahawks and the legion of boom. A 19 point second quarter and 422 offensive yards pushed the Falcons to a 36-20 win. The NFC Championship that year is undoubtedly my favorite Atlanta Falcons game of all time. The final game in the Georgia Dome was ELETRIC. A pure dismantling of the Green Bay Packers defense from Matt Ryan and others shot them into the Super Bowl riding high off of a 44-21 victory.
Super Bowl 51. Setting up to be one of the most dominate playoff runs from a team. The first quarter started slow but in the second quarter the Falcons offense picked up. They got some help from Cornerback Robert Alford late in the Second when he took a Tom Brady pick into clear space for a pick six. I was ecstatic. At halftime Falcons fans everywhere were clamoring for that end of game where they knew this was that real first chance to obtain all the bragging rights. Not only winning your first Super Bowl but taking down the almighty Tom Brady and the Patriots made it a even bigger feat. The score grew to a 25 point lead in the 3rd and as time ticked by it seemed to be surreal.
If it still stings it could be time to stop reading, or finally face the end of winning in this Falcons franchise. The Patriots kept fighting by making insane plays, strip sacks, and the Falcons refusing to burn clock. Julian Edelman’s catch can be one of those plays you see and argue they wouldn’t have been able to do it without a leg there and a prayer. Side note: Can you imagine the hype around Julio’s sideline toe tap catch if we had pulled it out. I mean one of the best catches in NFL history hides in oblivion due to the circumstances. Anyways, the Patriots kept scoring and the Falcons kept “choking”. The game was going into overtime and I think everyone knew whoever gets that ball first wins that game. The Patriots drive down the field and get a penalty call defensive pass interference that puts them at the two yard line. After that the impending doom seemed to seek through and hit our hearts and became real. The Patriots ran the ball to the right and James White reaches over the goal line. The most impressive comeback in Super Bowl history denies the Falcons that chance to be victorious.
2025 is upon us and besides the following year where we lost to the Eagles on an incomplete pass to Julio Jones in the Divisional, there has been no success. Who is to blame? Matt Ryan still had some good play in him but without the running game and defensive play, things just were not taking shape. Kyle Shanahan had left to take over the 49ers after the Super Bowl and it seemed we were still star struck of our past playoff “luck”. The defense has been a consistent problem for being incapable to generate sacks. As of today we have built a decent secondary with AJ Terrell and Jessie Bates being the stars of it. Grady Jarret is aging out and between injuries and not much other help along the way or scheme, his play has been mainly a run stopper or clogger. We have had good signings that just didn’t work out on that side of the ball. We have missed on draft picks especially not getting any real game changers picks in the middle rounds like some of the good teams you see today have hit on. But even when you do see the defense have a good game, that seems to be the week the offense is in self destruct mode.
Quarter Back play since Matt Ryan makes you regret the way the franchise pushed him out. They had to clear cap to rebuild though. Opting to take Desmond Ridder in the 2022 draft wasn’t a horrible choice. It just shaped up to be and all around weak QB class. (Outside of Mr.Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, who managed to take the 49ers to the Super Bowl.) Then came last offseason, the Falcons signed Kirk Cousins. Some thought it was an overpay and others were just happy to have a proven guy. No more QB roulette…. Rightttttt. Kirk played good until he didn’t. We looked like making the playoffs was a chance. The play dropped off and we got to see our mind baffling first round pick Michael Penix Jr. play some football. My oh my am I quite excited to see this guy in the future. He has zip, poise, and mobility when needed. He did miss some throws but they just seemed to be inexperience with the starters. We have arguably a Top 3 back in the league based on his ability in the running game, the ability to be a reciever, and maybe the best part out of it all if you tell him to block he is going to hit a **********. Drake London is further improving and Kyle Pitts is… well I can’t really say but I won’t be mad at trying to get one last year out of him. The Falcons o-line is aging some but still kicking.
What is your expectations as Falcon fans? I see a team that has key pieces and holes. A team that can beat Super Bowl teams then lose to bottom 5 franchises. This team has a weaker divison as of now but won’t capitalize until we get a solid season of QB play and a defense that can get to the opposing QB. Offense wins games Defense wins championships. With notable names possibly being available (Myles Garret, Maxx Crosby, and Joey Bosa) and the Falcons having the 15th pick in the draft we need to invest it into defense. Who knows whats going to happen because at the end of they day this is just the life of an Atlanta fan.
Life of an Atlanta fan 