Can Matt Ryan do what Peyton Manning did a couple of seasons ago? That is to lose the Superbowl, but then make it back to the big game the following season and win it? That’s what many online sportsbooks believe so without further ado we review the Atlanta Falcons Superbowl chances going into Superbowl 2018.
The Atlanta Falcons won the NFC last season and were a quarter away from winning the Super Bowl, but were unable to hold on to their lead, eventually losing to the New England Patriots.
After the first five games of the season, the Falcons are 3-2, and have lost their last two games. Their current odds to win the Super Bowl is +1400, but with Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers suffering a potential season ending in jury, the NFC is wide open, and the Falcons have a legitimate chance of returning to the Super Bowl.
Atlanta’s offense hasn’t been as explosive as it was last season, but the Falcons are averaging 24.2 points per game, which is the 12th most in the league this year. Their defense has actually been better than it was last year, and opponents are scoring 21.8 points against them, which is 13th in the league.
The problem the Falcons have had in their past two games has been their inability to score in the second half, which has allowed teams they were beating to come back against them.
Despite their recent losses, the Falcons are a very dangerous team, especially when Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are on the same page. Unlike last season, Jones and Ryan haven’t been consistent, but the two will eventually find their groove and will wreak havoc on a lot of defenses.
The Falcons have a lot of competition in their division this season with the Carolina Panthers currently leading the NFC South with a 4-2 record, and the New Orleans Saints, who have the same 3-2 record as the Falcons hoping to make the playoffs this season.
The Falcon’s path to the Super Bowl will be difficult with games against the Saints, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and Carolina Panthers still on the schedule. If they can survive and make the playoffs, they might just be the toughest team in the playoffs.