Why you should root for the only team left that's never won a Super Bowl
The NFL frequently touts its parity, but while it's true that any team can win on any given Sunday, 19 of the NFL's 32 franchises have accounted for every Super Bowl title. Of those 19, the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Green Bay Packers have amassed 21 appearances and 14 wins.
That's not parity, that's oligarchy.
The Atlanta Falcons have just one appearance in the title game - a blowout loss nearly two decades ago in Super Bowl XXXIII.
This version of the Falcons can end the drought, however. They boast the NFL's highest-scoring offense, budding superstars on defense, and represent the kind of fresh voice the NFL needs right now.
This is the team you should root for to win Super Bowl LI.
It all starts with Matt Ryan, who in a few weeks may become the most unheralded NFL MVP in memory. All year long we heard arguments for why Tom Brady should or shouldn't win the award after missing four games under suspension, and then Aaron Rodgers became a trendy pick as the Packers surged to end the season.
Yet, it was Ryan all along. He led the NFL in yards per attempt by a full yard, led in passer rating, and threw just two fewer touchdowns than leader Rodgers' 40, on 76 fewer pass attempts.
Around Ryan is a group that includes superstars like Julio Jones and a cast of little-known players. Thirteen different Falcons caught a touchdown pass this season - an NFL record - and 10 players caught at least two of them. Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman have become lethal weapons out of the backfield.
Frankly, it's absurd that no NFL team had the patience to wait for the Falcons' playoff run to end to hire offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan as head coach (with the possible exception of the San Francisco 49ers, who seem to have no plan). Those teams will regret it.
On defense, the Falcons are young, fast, and fearsome. You probably know the name of Vic Beasley, the NFL's sack leader, but what do you know about rookie studs Deion Jones or Keanu Neal? Study up and get ahead of the curve, or don't - they'll be household names soon enough either way.
Still not convinced to root for the Falcons? Consider the bigger picture: Donald Glover's TV show, "Atlanta," just won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy, while Migos sits atop the Billboard charts. The city is red hot.
There's nothing wrong with rooting for the Patriots, Steelers, or Packers, but they've had their time in the sun. If you're a neutral fan looking to jump on a bandwagon for a few weeks, the Falcons are your best option for a fun and fresh ride.