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Dirty Bird Daily: What winning the NFC title game means for Atlanta

By John Follett

Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons fans cheer during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff against the Seattle Seahawks at Georgia Dome. Atlanta won 36-20. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons fans cheer during the fourth quarter in the NFC Divisional playoff against the Seattle Seahawks at Georgia Dome. Atlanta won 36-20. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tomorrow’s NFC Championship Game is too big for the Atlanta Falcons to fail. Another trip to the Super Bowl means the world to a city with no NFL title.

The Atlanta Falcons are a game away from the second Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. I actually hate using the term “appearance” as it creates the illusion they don’t belong. This was likely the case with the 1998 team. Those Falcons knocked off a high-power Vikings team that history remembers as beating themselves. In any event, things are different with the 2016 Atlanta Falcons.

These Falcons aren’t a team that will embarrass the city of Atlanta in the Super Bowl.

We can’t downplay what a win over Green Bay today means for Atlanta. To become NFC Champions simply confirms what we already know, the Falcons are the best team in their conference. The Packers won’t have beaten themselves or fallen victim to some fluke. Atlanta is the best team in the NFC and would rightfully head to the Super Bowl.

Atlanta has been the punchline for many jokes and of course, there’s no shortage of haters. This all changes with a win over the Packers. We’re talking a situation that is as explosive as the 2001 New England Patriots or the 2013 Seattle Seahawks. The narrative on both franchises completely changed after they hoisted their first Lombardi Trophy. A giant weight was lifted and both teams went from ‘laughing stock’ to consistent NFL contender.

No city deserves a pro sports championship more than the city of Atlanta. The Braves brought a World Series to Atlanta back in ’95 but the Falcons and Hawks remain title-less. I would mention the Thrashers but that would be hitting below the belt.

Next: Why the Atlanta Falcons will win the NFC Championship

Think about it, what will New Orleans Saints fans brag about if the Falcons win the Super Bowl? I don’t mean to get too far ahead of ourselves, but all the championship talk puts today’s game in perspective. It’s simply too important to the city for the Falcons to fail.

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