NFL 2018: Biggest obstacle each team must overcome
By Dan Parzych
Atlanta Falcons: Handling pressure of hosting Super Bowl
Last season, all eyes were on the Vikings to see if they would be able to become the first team in NFL history to play in their own stadium for the Super Bowl after earning the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the Philadelphia Eagles. Unfortunately, the Eagles crushed those dreams well before halftime of the NFC Championship could even roll around, as the Vikings would go on to lose the game 38-7.
As for the upcoming Super Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons seem to have a legitimate shot at becoming the first team to make this happen since they are fortunate to be this year’s hosts, and are looking to extend their playoff streak to three years in a row. Two years ago, the Falcons ended up on the wrong side of history by blowing a 28-3 lead in the big game to the New England Patriots, and the team even came close to defeating the Eagles last January in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
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Talent wise, there’s every reason to believe Atlanta will make another serious run at the Super Bowl, but whether the pressure of hosting the Super Bowl catches up to them is a different story. On a positive note, at least the team was able to work out an agreement with Julio Jones over his contract to put the Falcons in better position to make this dream become a reality.