Niner Noise
FanSided

The biggest question facing each NFL team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (left) reacts with injured linebacker Sean Weatherspoon against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons linebacker LaRoy Reynolds (left) reacts with injured linebacker Sean Weatherspoon against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons

Can the Falcons overcome the hangover from a gut-wrenching loss in Super Bowl LI?

Remember that 28-3 lead the Falcons had over the Patriots?

Yeah, that was in the third quarter. And Atlanta would have seemed to be in good shape if fans could have known those would be the last points the Falcons would have scored during Super Bowl LI.

OK, so no one should ever count out quarterback Tom Brady and any Bill Belichick-led Pats squad. Ever.

Still, that loss will wind up haunting the Falcons for a long, long time. And the only way to rectify it will be for Atlanta to win a Super Bowl here soon.

But it’s possible, perhaps likely, the gut punch experienced from this heartbreaking loss extends into this season. Remember the Carolina Panthers after Super Bowl 50? Yeah, their subsequent regular-season campaign didn’t go so well.

While the Falcons offense — with quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones — looks as potent as ever, combined with an improving defense, all eyes will be on whether or not Atlanta can put its Super Bowl loss in the rear-view mirror as quickly and easily as possible.