Will the Atlanta Falcons Go 16-0
By Ikaika Hall
Atlanta Falcons fans, our team is 3-0. Are we going to pretend that we are not thinking about a possible undefeated season?
I took my wife (Mrs. Hall) to her first Atlanta Falcons game in 2012. The Falcons were in San Diego taking on the San Diego (now Los Angeles) Chargers. She had a great time. First row seats, the Falcons won, and former Atlanta Falcons linebacker Sean Weatherspoon gave her his game worn gloves.
The Falcons would go on to win five more games and achieve a franchise historic 8-0 record. Then on November 11th, 2012, the Falcons lost their first game of the season, falling to the New Orleans Saints 27-31.
Dreams of going 16-0 in 2012 were dashed.
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We are three games into the 2017 season and the Atlanta Falcons are sitting atop the NFC with a 3-0 record. Of course, one may argue that the Falcons could very well be at 1-2 for the year after narrowly escaping losses against the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions.
Nonetheless, here we are Falcons fans. Atlanta is undefeated thus far in 2017, a year that some discussed could be plagued by a Super Bowl hangover.
The only thing remotely close to a hangover that I have observed thus far in 2017 is the determination the Falcons have shown to “hang” a championship banner “over” a rafter beam in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
I can almost hear you yelling at me through your screen, “Ikaika! You just jinxed us!”.
First of all, if you believe I’m jinxing the Atlanta Falcons by bringing up the possibility of going 16-0 this year, you are highly overestimating my abilities. One writers opinion is not going to derail a team’s hard work, talent, and determination.
I’m a good writer, but not that good.
The Falcons will play against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday in Atlanta, receive a bye week for much needed rest and recovery, then face the Miami Dolphins at home on October 15th.
After the Dolphins, the Falcons will face off against the New England Patriots in a nationally televised Super Bowl rematch.
Following the game in New England, Atlanta will close out the month of October against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium.
Folks, I believe the Falcons have a great chance of remaining undefeated throughout the month of October. The Patriots, my only real concern, have already lost at home once this season and almost lost again in New England this past weekend.
While one should never underestimate an opponent (e.g. the Bills defeated the Denver Broncos this past Sunday), I like the fact that the Falcons next two-out-of-four games will be at home.
Aside from a week of rest in October, I also like the fact that every game Atlanta will play next month will be on artificial turf. This bolds well for a team built on speed.
We saw how slippery and challenging it can become for our players after a week one matchup on Chicago’s natural grass field.
So I am hereby declaring my prediction, the Atlanta Falcons will at least remain undefeated throughout the month of October.
Once we get into November and December and we are still undefeated, I will pick this conversation up again. In the mean time, enjoy your 3-0 start Falcons fans. You have every reason to be optimistic about October.
Lastly, I did not forget about the Falcons 5-0 start in 2015. I am aware that shortly after their hot start, the Falcons went on a six game losing streak.
However, here is something to consider. My wife and I did not attend a Falcons game in 2015. We did however attend the first game in Chicago this season.
Mrs. Hall attended a Falcons game in 2012, and the team started 8-0 and made it to the NFC Championship game. Mrs. Hall attended a Falcons game in 2016 and the team ended up going to the Super Bowl.
Mrs. Hall flew to Chicago for the 2017 season opener, met Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones, and the Falcons have started the season 3-0.
Next: The Atlanta Falcons Have Nothing to Apologize for
I may not have the ability to jinx a team, but it certainly seems like my wife has the ability to bring some good luck!
Look for the Falcons to be 8-0 at the end of October. If I’m wrong, blame my wife.
If you would like to send Ikaika fan mail, please address it to “The Hall’s living room sofa”. This is Ikaika’s new address and where he will be sleeping as a result of the previous sentence [see above sentence].