As a part of ESPN+ (ESPN’s subscription-based service), Bill Barnwell made a case for every team to win Super Bowl 56… even the Falcons. Now, I like to consider myself a bit of an optimist, at least as far as my sports teams go. I can usually convince myself just about anything when it comes to the Braves, Hawks, or Falcons. But even I have to admit, thinking the Falcons can make a Super Bowl run this season is borderline insanity. However, while Barnwell doesn’t give the Falcons much of a chance, he does seem a little more bullish on Atlanta than I am.
Here’s how Barnwell believes a path to the playoffs could open up for the Falcons:
This might not be the right division or the right circumstances. Atlanta is the only team in the league with seven home games, which will hurt its chances of winning a top seed in the NFC. It’s also in a division with Tom Brady, who is unquestionably hungry to win the division title after failing to do so last season for the first time since 2002. (I guess winning a Super Bowl made up for the disappointment.) Brady seems ageless, but Father Time has come for every other quarterback before him. If that happens this season, the South will be wide open, leaving the Falcons a window to pursue their own division title.
That sounds pretty simple, right? After winning the Super Bowl, the Bucs return everybody in Tom Brady‘s quest for his eighth ring. They have every right to be the favorites in the NFC South, but Barnwell is right — eventually, Father Time haunts every quarterback. Could this be the year for Brady?
Even if it is, the Bucs have enough talent around him on offense and an imposing defense to win the division, and I’m not even sure they are the most talented team in the NFC South. People are sleeping on Jameis Winston and the New Orleans Saints. That’s still an incredibly loaded roster, and everybody is aware that Winston has talent. Under an offensive mastermind like Sean Payton, I could see Winston making a Pro-Bowl and leading the Saints to another NFC South title.
With improved coaching, I’m hopeful the Falcons can be much better than they were a year ago. However, they still have one of the most top-heavy rosters in the NFL and are one injury away from fighting for last place. If everything goes perfectly in the health department, perhaps this team can surprise the nation. Still, a division title — let alone a Super Bowl — is a long shot.
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What do you think has to happen for the Falcons to win the Super Bowl?
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