Image Source: Atlanta Falcons via Facebook.
With three wins from their first three games, the high-flying Falcons are quickly stamping their name on the National Football Conference as the team to beat. Points have been flowing easily for the attacking minded side, much to the delight of the supporters who are eager for their team to use the momentum from last year’s Super Bowl push.
It was a day that most Atlanta fans would rather forget, or at least push into a back corner of their mind never to be seen again. They blew their 28-3 half-time lead and eventually went down to New England in extra time, after an incredible master class performance from Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady.
It was their second chance at winning the trophy after losing to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII.
However, last year’s tragic result has motivated the team to try and go one better this season and head coach Dan Quinn feels it has made the team stronger and more determined than ever.
Their opening wins are a nice change of fortune, and fans can breathe a sigh of relief, after a disappointing preseason which saw them lose all four of their games. These match-ups are often used for experimenting with second-team players but it can be a good indication of a side’s squad depth and an important test for youth players and rookies also.
Source: Julio Jones via Facebook.
Another positive that was taken out of the preseason games was the fact that Atlanta was able to start the regular season with minimal injuries and a much clearer idea of how to run their key pieces.
This seems to be working heavily in their favor now, and they are looking like a real threat to bring home their maiden Super Bowl this season. The latest NFL odds still have the New England Patriots as favorites to win consecutive trophies at +350, however, the Falcons and Green Bay Packers are right behind them with both the NFC Conference sides currently sitting at +800.
What is even more positive for Atlanta is that they had a hugely convincing win against the Packers in the second round, a team that is likely to be one of their toughest opponents. The 34-23 victory could have been even worse for Green Bay, after they were down 34-10 in the third quarter. They did manage to muster a small comeback effort, although it was too little too late and the Falcons deserved the comfortable win.
Atlanta was extremely impressive early on, and one of the major highlights was wide receiver Julio Jones racking up his 36th hundred yard game as he continues to dazzle out on the flanks.
Against the Detroit Lions in their third straight win there were some more alarming issues brought to the surface. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw three intercepted passes, and there were also a number of other simple errors. Fortunately the Falcons commanding start to the game was enough to get them through to the final whistle and they led the match from start to finish despite not performing as well as their previous two outings.