Atlanta Falcons tend to play well during election years
By Matt Siegman
Since 2004 the Atlanta Falcons have made the playoffs every U.S. presidential election year. As the Falcons enter the 2020 NFL season their odds are looking good at making the postseason.
The Atlanta Falcons made an appearance in the NFC Championship game during the 2004 NFL season. They ended up losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 27-10 with Jim Mora as head coach and Michael Vick as a quarterback. They had an 11-5 record that year winning the NFC South and destroying the St. Louis Rams in the divisional round 47-17.
During the 2008 season, the Atlanta Falcons made the playoffs with Matt Ryan as a rookie quarterback and Mike Smith with his first season as head coach. The Atlanta Falcons came off a 4-12 season shocking everyone winning eleven games. The Atlanta Falcons lost in the wildcard round to Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals who went on a deep postseason run making a Super Bowl appearance.
During the 2012 NFL season, the Atlanta Falcons had a 13-3 record and had the number one overall seed in the NFC. They made an NFC Championship game appearance and ended losing to the San Francisco 49ers 28-24. Matt Ryan won his first playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round.
Fast forward to the 2016 NFL Season, the Atlanta Falcons made a Super Bowl appearance making a postseason run that came out of nowhere. During this season Matt Ryan won MVP and a historic season. Dan Quinn was in his second year as head coach. The Falcons biggest accomplishment this season was destroying the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers in the playoffs moving on to the Super Bowl.
What is going to happen during the 2020 NFL season? The Atlanta Falcons are coming off two straight 7-9 seasons and need to have a big bounce-back year. Arthur Blank decided to keep Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff another year so hopefully, this move will work in the Falcons favor.
The Falcons have the talent of a playoff-caliber team it all depends on if players can reach their potential. The offensive line needs to greatly improve and they need to find a pass rush if they want any shot at the postseason.