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Atlanta Falcons: 5 Defensive and Special Teams Musts for a Super Bowl Victory

By W. M. Lawson

Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) scores on a 21-yard fumble recovery in the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Atlanta Falcons outside linebacker Vic Beasley (44) scores on a 21-yard fumble recovery in the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 27, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons defense in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 27, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons defense in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

 

Plus-2 Turnover Differential.

                                                 

In this writer’s mind, whatever is left of it, this might be the most flashing of the indicators for victory. For the 2016 regular season, the Falcons were (+11) in turnover differential. That is certainly a good stat, and a dramatic improvement over 2015. But it was dispersed over a 16 game season. In the 2016 post-season, thus far, Atlanta is (+4) in turnover differential. Basic math extrapolation shows that is a better average.

You know what else happened in the post-season versus the regular season? That’s correct: Easy wins vs. heart thumping escapes, and lots of close wins and losses. Atlanta held a lead in all 16 regular season games, and won 11 of them. Of those 11 wins only six were won by two touchdowns or more. Of those six, Atlanta won the turnover battle in all of them. For some reason, that plus-2 turnover differential, with Atlanta’s Offense, is a big difference. Atlanta will need it against New England more than ever.

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