Falcons don't belong in such elite company? Guess again
If you're wondering what the Falcons are doing in the NFL's version of the Final Four with the Patriots, Steelers and Packers, you aren't alone.
While recent history has belonged pretty much to New England and Pittsburgh in the AFC, and Green Bay is a usual suspect in the NFC chase to the Super Bowl, Atlanta seems like an interloper.
[...] there are the Falcons, who got to the NFC title game in 2012, losing at home to San Francisco.
Coach Dan Quinn is a Pete Carroll disciple, and his unit looked just as physical as the Seahawks, who usually beat up every opponent.
New England's run of success since Brady became its starting quarterback in 2001 is almost unparalleled in the NFL.
In three of their Super Bowl victories, the Patriots were helped by John Kasey's kickoff out of bounds, Donovan McNabb's fourth-quarter meltdown and Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's decision to pass from the New England 1 with Marshawn Lynch in his backfield.
[...] worth considering are some intangibles that, as we've learned so many times with the Patriots, Steelers and Packers, do play a role in chasing a championship.
Another would boost his career achievement above the measuring stick in Titletown, Brett Favre.