Can the Atlanta Falcons re-open the Super Bowl window?
By Joe Beasley
In 2016, the Atlanta Falcons came close to winning the franchise’s first Super Bowl against the best dynasty in the history of professional football.
No need to remind people of how that ended for the Atlanta Falcons.
Since then, the Atlanta Falcons have been in a rut. The franchise has had numerous issues that have prevented them from reaching the pinnacle of the NFL. After back to back losing seasons in 2018 and 2019, can they re-open their Super Bowl window?
Matt Ryan isn’t getting any younger (he turns 35 on May 17th) and Julio Jones isn’t exactly aging like Benjamin Button. The team has struggled with a pass rush, ground game and protecting the quarterback. They seemed to have addressed these areas this off-season but limited team activities make it difficult to know for sure.
The window for this team can re-open with Ryan and Julio, but that window may not stay open for long under general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
Will Matt Ryan be able to stand upright for more than three seconds? Can the Falcons produce enough on the ground enough to make life easier on Ryan? Will Calvin Ridley take the next step? Can Julio stay healthy this season?
These questions need to be answered this season and if most of them turn out the way the Falcons hope they do, that window will be open again
If Ryan is sacked 40-50 times this season, if they can’t produce on the ground or if the opposing quarterback can take a vacation before he throws the football 2020 will produce the same outcome that 2018 and 2019 did.
If that happens, there will be a lot of turnover in the Atlanta Falcons organization starting with the head coach and general manager. This will signal a complete rebuild, which some fans are currently asking for due to their disdain for Matt Ryan.
Next. Falcons run defense will be the key to a successful season. dark
The opportunity for the Falcons to win that elusive super bowl championship is still there but time is ticking away. If they want to make the jump, they better do it now because there won’t be a later for quite some time.