Has the Falcons’ Super Bowl Window Now Opened?

On most days, I would say I’m an optimist. Even as a child, I was sure that Han Solo would eventually be rescued from Jabba’s Palace and thawed out from his carbonite prison. This sentiment also applies to my experience watching Falcons football over the years. 

When Morten Andersen kicked a field goal for an early 3-0 lead in Super Bowl 34, I didn’t see it as just ‘settling for a field goal’ but rather as ‘we’re winning, and the game has just begun!’ You can only imagine how thrilled I was 17 years later when we had a 28-3 halftime lead against Brady and the Patriots. I often tell my colleagues that there’s no disgrace in losing to Elway and Brady, two Hall of Fame quarterbacks on the grandest stage. It’s with that same excitement that I look forward to training camp later this month. Why couldn’t Michael Penix Jr. rise to fame and secure a championship?

Who would have guessed last October that the Oklahoma City Thunder would clinch an NBA title? Anything is possible in sports. A Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup in over 25 years. The hockey capital of the world is Sunrise, Florida, home of the Panthers. It only takes one extraordinary season to change the record books. Just ask the rival Saints fans who managed to turn things around after being largely viewed as the NFL’s laughing stock, thanks to Drew Brees. 

The fact is, within the NFC South, every team has made it to the big game, with the Bucs and Saints having won it a total of three times between them. The Falcons are one of twelve teams that haven’t sealed the deal. However, I believe that aside from the Lions and Bills, who share this unfortunate history, the Falcons are in a better position with the young core of their current roster. 

Whether optimistic or not, the Falcons might just be closer to success than many expect.