2016 Atlanta Falcons: Why they are Super Bowl Contenders

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Oct 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) celebrate the win over the Denver Broncos in the second half at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Falcons defeated the Broncos 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2016 Falcons are off to a fast start like last year. Here’s why 2016 will be different.

The Atlanta Falcons have been here before. In fact, it was just last year that the Falcons were 5-0 and sitting atop the NFC South. So why should fans believe 2016 will be any different?

Well for starters, the level of competition the Falcons have defeated in 2016 has been drastically more impressive than in 2015. Per Mike Conti, Atlanta possesses the highest strength of victory of the top nine contenders in the NFL.

Win percentage of defeated opponents:#Falcons .555
MIN .478
PIT .444
OAK .368
DAL .350
PHI .333
DEN .333
NE .300
SEA .200
@JohnMichaels929
— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) October 10, 2016

In contrast, the Falcons of yesteryear “boasted” wins against the entire NFC Least (division winner Washington finished at 9-7) and the AFC South juggernaut Houston Texans, who also finished at 9-7.

But it’s okay if you’re still not convinced. That was just the appetizer on why the 2016 version of the Atlanta Falcons are contenders, unlike their 2015 pretender self. The following slides will break down exactly why you should believe in this model of the Dirty Birds.

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