Falcon Report

New Blood: It's Atlanta Falcons Playoff 'Turn,' Mina Kimes Explains

There exists an NFL trend that suggests maybe it's the Atlanta Falcons' "turn'' to make the playoffs - with ESPN’s bright-minded Mina Kimes seeing that particular light.

Mike Fisher

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It is part of the NFL's parity design. It's why the NFL Draft, the salary cap and now the balanced schedule exist: Good teams are supposed to get a little less good. Bad teams are supposed to improve. Everybody is supposed to meet in the middle. Everybody is supposed to have a chance, or even a "turn.''

And maybe it's the Atlanta Falcons' turn - with ESPN’s bright-minded Mina Kimes seeing that particular light.

There are X's and O's reasons to be a Falcons believer, and we will touch on that below. But there is also this: In every one of the last 33 seasons, "new blood'' times four changes the playoff field. It's true: At least four new teams have made the playoffs in each of the last 33 years.

Atlanta hasn’t participated in the postseason since 2017. That drought doesn't just end because it's a franchise's "time''; the franchise also has do so something about it ... and as Kimes (and millions of other Falcons watchers) notes ... Atlanta has done something about it.

The Falcons featuring rookie Bijan Robinson can run the football, lessening the load on young QB Desmond Ridder. Ball control will also aid a defense that needs great improvement ... and that improvement could be in place due to the moves that have brought to the roster the likes of Jessie Bates, Calais Campbell, David Onyemata and Kaden Elliss.

And one more thing: The NFC South is available for the taking. The Falcons already had offensive weapons. They made defensive moves that match anybody's in the in-transition division. It really can be Atlanta's "turn'' for the postseason ... if the off-field steps are matched in quality on Sundays.

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Mike Fisher
MIKE FISHER

Mike Fisher - as a newspaper beat writer and columnist and on radio and TV, where he is an Emmy winner - has covered the NFL since 1983, is the author of two best-selling books on the NFL.

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