Fansided

One reason every team can win Super Bowl 52

By John Buhler

Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) looks on after losing 41-48 to the New Orleans Saints at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan before a game against the Washington Redskins at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons: unless Kyle Shanahan leaves, the offense will be elite

The Atlanta Falcons can definitely win Super Bowl 51 this season. They aren’t a favorite to come out of the NFC, but Atlanta is more than a dark horse contender at this point. Should Atlanta fail to get to or win Super Bowl 51, what are the chances the Falcons rebound and win it all in 2017?

Decent, but losing offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to a head coaching gig won’t help at all. Shanahan has unlocked what has been arguably the best offense in Atlanta since quarterback Matt Ryan went No. 3 overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. Together, there isn’t anything Ryan and Shanahan can’t do.

Falcons head coach Dan Quinn has to realize Shanahan will eventually become a strong NFL head coach, much like his father Mike Shanahan was for the Denver Broncos. Quinn is a strong defensive coach, but does have a keen eye for offensive coaching talent. Atlanta can contend again in 2017 even without Shanahan, but the Falcons’ ceiling lowers significantly with his departure.

The Falcons can contend for Super Bowls as long as Ryan plays at an elite level and Quinn’s defense continues to improve. Having Shanahan for one more year would make Atlanta a serious Super Bowl 52 contender next year. Going from a championship contender to a massive rebuilding project, likely in Jacksonville or Los Angeles, is something Shanahan has to seriously consider.

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