NFC South has been dominated by Atlanta Falcons in Presidential election years
The Atlanta Falcons have owned the NFC South during election years.
Going back over the last 20 years and five prior Presidential election years, the Atlanta Falcons have dominated the NFC South and it hasn’t been particularly close.
Sure, we might be looking for any ray of sunshine to grasp at after back to back losing seasons but it is hard to ignore the dominance that the Falcons have flexed over their conference rivals during Presidential election years.
New Orleans Saints
- Regular Season Record: 40-40
- Playoff Record: 1-1
- Record vs Atlanta Falcons: 5-5
Presidential election years have not been kind to the New Orleans Saints. Of the five seasons we are looking at, they have just one winning season and that was in 2000 when they went 10-6. That is also the only playoff appearance that the Saints have during 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 NFL seasons.
Carolina Panthers
- Regular Season Record: 39-41
- Playoff Record: 0-1
- Record vs Atlanta Falcons: 2-8
Like the Saints, the Panthers have just one playoff appearance during the Presidential election cycles since 2000.
However, unlike the Saints, the Panthers have had one great year in which they went 12-4 (2008) and then had four seasons in which they went 7-9 or worse. Given the roster moves the Panthers made, they are clearly all-in on tanking for Trevor Lawrence and the 2020 election cycle season won’t be any better than four of the last five.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Regular Season Record: 40-40
- Playoff Record: 0-1
- Record vs Atlanta Falcons: 5-4
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have actually had three winning seasons during three of the last five Presidential election cycles – 2000, 2008, and 2016, though they have just one playoff appearance (2008) despite those winning seasons.
Prior to 2002, the Falcons and Bucs played in different divisions and did not play every year, which is why there are just nine matchups instead of ten.
Atlanta Falcons:
- Regular Season Record: 50-30
- Playoff Record: 4-4
- Record vs NFC South: 17-12
The Atlanta Falcons have clearly been the better team during the last five Presidential election cycles. Their lone non-winning season came in 2000 which was the year they went 4-12 in Dan Reeves last season as head coach.
Michael Vick led them to the playoffs in 2004 and then Matt Ryan led them to the playoffs as a rookie in 2008 and then as well in 2012 and 2016. In addition, they are the only NFC South team to make at least one NFC championship game and they did it twice in 2012 and 2016.
Next. Michael Turner was the real 2008 MVP. dark
If the last five Presidential election cycles are any indication, the Falcons will have massive success in 2020 and just maybe they can end the cities drought and finally win a Super Bowl.