Can the Falcons Win it All?

Last week's blowout win against the Carolina Panthers got me thinking, can the Atlanta Falcons win it all?

It starts with their remaining 5 regular-season games, which are against teams with a combined 26-29 record. Their toughest game, against Tampa Bay(8-3), will come at home in Week 15. Their final game of the season against St Louis(2-9) will also be a home game. The other three games are on the road against San Diego(4-7), New Orleans(6-5), and Minnesota(6-5). All of these games can be won, but 4 out of 5 should get the Falcons into the playoffs with an 11-5 record.

If the Falcons do not win the division, they would face either Arizona, the NFC south winner, or the NFC north winner in the first round on the road. All of these opponents would be tough, but the Falcons are an improving team and they might be able to pull off a win, even in Tampa or Charlotte. If they win the division, their first game would be in Atlanta. Assuming they don't have a performance like they did against Denver, they should move on to the divisional round.

If they don't get a first-round bye, the Falcons will be forced to play on the road against Arizona or New York on the road if they win the division. Throw in Tampa Bay or Carolina if they don't. Personally, I'd like to see them go to Phoenix to face the Cards, because that would be a shootout I wouldn't want to miss. If they play the Giants, they may be in a world of hurt. But then again, they did put 45 on a very physical Carolina defense. A defense that only gave up 9 points in their first meeting. Granted, the game in which they put up 45 was at home. So are the Falcons just that good at home? Or have they improved that much from Week 4? I'd say they could give the Giants a run for their money. After all, they could have beat Philly if not for a missed call late in that game, and the Giants only beat the Eagles by 4 in their last meeting. So, I've pretty much covered what would happen if the Falcons play just about anybody. Except the Giants. You just never know there. Honestly, the Falcons would probably have to hope for some help from another team to avoid playing the Giants.

So let's just say that the Falcons get that help, and they go on to beat the team that beat the Giants. Who would they face? Well, the obvious answer after last week might be the Jets. But is any team in the AFC good enough to win the Super Bowl? I'd say, if the Falcons can make it to the Big Game with the competition they would face on the way, there's no doubt in my mind they would win.

The Falcon's easiest path to Super Bowl XLIII: Win at least 4 of your remaining 5 games, assuming you beat Tampa Bay, get a first-round bye, hope that one of the other teams defeats the Giants, and you should have no trouble making it to the Big Game.

So can the Falcons win it all? It won't be easy. But in the NFL, anything can happen. Just ask last year's Super Bowl champion.