NFL Playoff Predictions: Why Underrated Falcons Could Make a Super Bowl Run

The Atlanta Falcons are flying high under the NFL's radar in 2011.

The Falcons are one of the most well-balanced teams in the league and are highly dangerous if they make the playoffs. They are currently ninth in passing, 18th in rushing, 17th against the pass, and fourth against the rush.

Atlanta's overall rankings are quite deceiving. The passing game includes the likes of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez. Matt Ryan and all of these targets can be lethal. When you add on Michael Turner, the NFL's fourth leading rusher, and the Falcons' running game, the Atlanta offense is one of the best in the country.

The defense of the Falcons has drastically improved in 2011. They are capable of shutting down any opponent's run game, and can play well against the pass.

The coaching in Atlanta is led by Mike Smith, and he has one of the best staffs in the league.

With all of these tools, the Atlanta Falcons could easily make a Super Bowl run. Let's look at six reasons why the Falcons could be Super Bowl XLVI Champions. 

The Running Game

Michael Turner is still one of the best running backs in the National Football League, and the Falcons need to take advantage of him.

The Falcons can ride Turner all the way through the rest of the regular season and on their way to the Super Bowl. Turner and the Falcons can establish the run in any game, and if they do that successfully, they could be playing in the big game come February.

Atlanta is capable of running the football for 150 yards in any game. They have not done it much this season, but the offensive line is good enough to open up holes—and Turner is the definition of a workhorse.

The Falcons run game is definitely good enough to carry them to the Super Bowl.

The Offensive Weapons

The Falcons' offensive roster is loaded with talent.

The have young, speedy receivers in Harry Douglas and Julio Jones. Roddy White has been playing very well lately, and Tony Gonzalez is still one of the most reliable tight ends in the country. We have already talked about how valuable Michael Turner is to the Falcons.

This Atlanta team is capable of scoring quick, or methodically driving down the field and wearing down a defense.

The Falcons have a good amount of weapons on their offense, and they have the ability to win a shootout if it comes down to it. In the playoffs, the Falcons will more than likely have to meet a team that they have to outscore, and they will need all of these weapons to show up and perform well.

When compared to other offenses in the NFL, the Falcons have more talent than the majority of teams in the NFL. There have been times when Atlanta does not seem to click on offense, but as of late they have been able to impose their will on defenses.

This Atlanta roster is stacked well enough to make a Super Bowl run in 2011, especially since no one is expecting the Falcons to be a contender.

The Balance

Another reason that this Atlanta team is dangerous is because of how balanced they are on offense.

Unlike other teams in the NFC, the Falcons will commit to the run first, and let it open up the passing game. However, the Falcons are also capable of throwing for 300-plus yards or running for 200-plus in any game. They can be however balanced, or unbalanced, that they want to be.

Atlanta is scary because they can run all over a defense, or throw all over them. They may not be the best passing attack in the NFL, and they may not be the best rushing attack either, but they do both well. There are not many teams like that in the league.

Atlanta's balance on the offensive side of the ball can help them get to Super Bowl XLVI.

The Defense

The Atlanta Falcon's defense has really stepped its game up in 2011.

This is a roster that has had talent for the past few seasons, but they have not performed very well. However, this season the Falcons have the best defense in the NFC South, and one of the better ones among NFC contenders. That will be huge come playoff time.

If the Falcons make the playoffs, then they will have to get by teams like New Orleans and Green Bay. If Atlanta plays either of those teams it will probably be on the road, and they will need great defense to take down one of the NFC juggernauts.

Sean Weatherspoon is probably Atlanta's defensive MVP in 2011, and he is only a second year player. John Abraham is having another great year as a pass rusher, and he has helped the Falcon's defense stop the run all year. Atlanta is fourth in stopping the run, and 17th against the pass.

The Atlanta secondary has talent, and has performed well at times this year, but I believe their best is yet to come.

This Falcons defense is one of the better units in the NFC, and if they step up in these last few weeks of the regular season and in the postseason, then we could be calling the Atlanta Falcons "champions" at the end of the 2011 season.

The Coaches

Mike Smith is one of the best coaches in the NFC, and in the NFL.

Since coming to Atlanta in 2008, the Falcons are 32-20, including their current record in 2011. They have not had a losing season while under Smith. However, they have yet to win a playoff game, but that can all change this season.

Smith is a coach that has a Super Bowl title under his belt. He was one of the assistant coaches for the 2000 Baltimore Ravens team that went all the way. Smith has been to the big game before. Granted, it was not as a head coach, or even a coordinator, but that experience definitely helps him.

The coaching staff surrounding Smith in Atlanta is a great one as well. From position coaches to coordinators to Smith himself, this team has the right guys in place.

There has been frustration with Mike Mularkey at times in 2011, but he is still considered a top candidate for a head coaching job after the season, and that says a lot about how good he is. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has been nothing short of incredible, and it helps that Smith comes from a defensive background.

This Atlanta team has all the pieces in place on offense, defense, and in coaching. Now they have to put it all together and get to the Super Bowl.

The Leadership

There is one thing that sets any team above the rest. It is imperative to a team's success, and no football organization can win without it. The "it" is leadership, and the Falcons have it.

Matt Ryan is the unquestioned leader on the offensive side of the ball, and guys like Sean Weatherspoon, John Abraham and Curtis Lofton provide great leadership for the defense. Mike Smith and the coaching staff contribute leadership from the top down.

If you take a scan through the most recent Super Bowl champions, every team that won has had great leadership throughout their organization. The Packers, Saints, Steelers, Giants, and Colts are teams filled with great leaders and coaches that lead by example.

Teams with questioned leadership are more than likely the ones picking in the top ten of the next year's NFL Draft.

However, this Atlanta team has leadership, and that alone can carry the Falcons to Super Bowl XLVI.