Super Bowl 2017: 5 reasons the Atlanta Falcons will win

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the third quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) congratulates wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) after a touchdown against Green Bay Packers during the first quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) congratulates wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) after a touchdown against Green Bay Packers during the first quarter in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

5) Super Bowl 2017 is the Atlanta Falcons’ moment

Similar to point four but different enough to warrant its own point, this season has felt like an ascendancy for the Atlanta Falcons. Joining the ranks of stalwart franchises like the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers is a long, difficult, arduous task. The Falcons are a relative upstart and need to prove themselves each and every game.

And Super Bowl 2017 is the opportunity to show they are worth it. Those other three franchises (all in the conference championship games) are perennial contenders. They are the franchises that all other franchises are measured against. The Falcons proved they can hang with them (and beat them) and now they are on their way to proving they can sustain that success.

That begins by beating one of those franchises in the Super Bowl. That begins by proving that the Falcons can win big in the big moment.

Next: On the other hand, the Patriots have plenty of advantages, too

2016 has felt like an ascendancy. Building off the quick start of 2015 that ultimately faltered, the Falcons have hung tough and shown resiliency through the season. They are ready to be considered a better franchise in the NFL, worthy of being considered among the best. Now, they have a chance to prove it.