Falcons win the Super Bowl! (or so says Sports Illustrated)
If Peter King is correct, Arthur Blank and Mike Smith will celebrate a Falcons Super Bowl win. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
The Falcons ended last season with a 48-21 playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers. They will end this season with a 24-20 win over the San Diego Chargers . . . in the Super Bowl.
That bold prediction comes from neither a season ticket holder nor owner Arthur Blank but rather veteran NFL writer Peter King of Sports Illustrated. King’s column in Sports Illustrated’s NFL preview issue doesn’t yet appear online, but S.I. publicists sent out a link to his predictions. You can click it and see his division predictions in entirety, but here are the highlights:
♦ NFC division champions: Philadelphia (East), Green Bay (North), New Orleans (South), St. Louis (West). NFC wild cards: Falcons and Detroit.
Peter King had the Super Bowl teams right (but the winner wrong) in last year's S.I. preview issue.
♦ AFC division champions: New England (East), Pittsburgh (North), Indianapolis (South), San Diego (West). AFC wild cards: Baltimore and N.Y. Jets.
♦ NFC playoff results: First round: Falcons over St. Louis; Philadelphia over Detroit. Divisional: Falcons over Green Bay; New Orleans over Philadelphia. Conference championship: Falcons over New Orleans (26-17).
♦ AFC playoff results: First round: Baltimore over Indianapolis; Pittsburgh over N.Y. Jets. Divisional: Baltimore over New England; San Diego over Pittsburgh. Conference championship: San Diego over Baltimore (22-16).
♦ Super Bowl XLVI: Falcons 24, Chargers 20.
S.I. has six regional covers for its NFL preview issue. The one in these parts pictures Falcons middle linebacker Curtis Lofton.
For what it’s work, King correctly predicted Green Bay and Pittsburgh would reach the Super Bowl last season. But he had the Steelers winning.
So how realistic do you think this is?
By Jeff Schultz
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237 comments Add your comment
LOLOLOL
August 30th, 2011
3:59 pm
LOL….Boise State will win 2 National Championships before the Falcons even SNIFF another Super Bowl!
headley lamar
August 30th, 2011
4:00 pm
Vick’s contract has $40 million guaranteed and if he keeps out of trouble, he will show them he is worth every dollar.
He is that much in debt.
Michael Vick(notes) paid his debt to society. Now he’s trying to pay back his massive debt to creditors.
Despite earning $4.1 million since signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, Vick lives on a shoestring budget set for him by a court-appointed trustee. Most of his salary goes toward paying back creditors Vick owed before entering federal prison. Those creditors, which include banks, former business colleagues and former endorsement partners, were protected because of Vick’s 2008 filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
• Two-thirds of every dollar Vick earns goes to creditors and taxes.
• The rest of the money is strictly controlled. Think of it as an allowance.
• Vick can spend $4,250 per month on rent and utilities and $472 per month on a car. His mother, who was on Vick’s payroll during his headier, pre-prison days, can receive $2,500 per month.
• Other obligations Vick owes include mortgages, child support, fees for his agent (who gets $800,000 through 2015) and for his tax lawyers (who will eventually receive a total of $2.6 million). The allowance does allow for Vick to pay $1,355 per month for private school for the two children he has with his fiancee, Kijafa Frink. (Munson calls it a “rare bit of extravagance.”)
• His creditors stand to receive $12 million through 2015, provided Vick continues to receive a multi-million dollar salary.
Yeahsure
August 30th, 2011
4:01 pm
Michael Vick will not make it through a full season. He will only get slower and more injury prone. 6 years? Philly will trade him long before that time comes.
Stafford also hasnt shown that he can make it through an NFL season. Fairley will also probably reinjure something once he takes real NFL snaps.
THE BIG R
August 30th, 2011
4:02 pm
NO TOP NOTCH DEFENSE, AND CANT GO TO SUPER BOWL. DON’T TRY TO BE A OLD CHARGERS TEAM FROM LONG AGO ANF TRY TO OUTSCORE EVERYBODY. PLEASE EVERYONE AND LOOK AT FIRST 7 GAMES. HOME FIELDDIDN’THELP LAST YEAR. WILD CARD AND LOSE IN 2ND ROUND
JR
August 30th, 2011
4:04 pm
ted: who is GT and WC?
Michael
August 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
I love the love Sports Illustrated. I agree
Yeahsure
August 30th, 2011
4:05 pm
Before anyone posts some sob story about MV7’s creditors and debt. Please search AJC’s article about his cash shopping sprees he went on before going to prison. He intentionally and deliberatley screwed over a lot more people (not just dogs and fans) than you think.
THE BIG R
August 30th, 2011
4:09 pm
VERY INTERESTING! 3 STRAIGHT ROAD WINS IN PLAYOFFS. GO AHEAD AND SIGN SMITTY AND T.D. TO LIFETIME CONRACTS RIGHT NOW
windu
August 30th, 2011
4:09 pm
. . . LOL . . . these Falcons beating those Packers, without the injuries they had last season . . . LOL . . . in the NFC title game, at Lambeau . . . I’m a die-hard fan, but I can’t stop laughing at that one . . . ROFL . . . can’t stop . . .
DrJ
August 30th, 2011
4:13 pm
Wow! I guess that means the Falcons are getting some more defensive backs, some help at center and a srong legged kicker. Great.
falconfanriseup
August 30th, 2011
4:13 pm
Look i need all the Fair weather Falcons Fans to get off of this blog you have no Faith. Plus the Falcons are a elite club like the Steelers, Pats and the Colts yes we are that good we went 13-3 last year we had a bad outing in the playoffs but this is still a young team but i beleive we can win the Superbowl this year. Plus someone has to win it all so why not us?
Yeahsure
August 30th, 2011
4:14 pm
Windu is obviously a lifelong fan. He must be have been born a few years ago because he doesnt remember when we went into Lambeau and knocked off the Packers when no one gave us a chance.
MagicWand
August 30th, 2011
4:14 pm
With the signing of Vicks contract, michael DOGFIGHTER EXTRAORDINAAIRE vick HAS DONE TWO THINGS in the NFL that NO ONE HAS EVER DONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE LEAGUE: #1:SIGNED TWO 100 MILLION $ CONTRACTS; #2:RUSHED FOR 1000 YARDS AS AN NFL QUARTERBACK. Thats what makes michael unique. When Vick flashes greatness, NO ONE ELSE CAN COMPETE WITH HIM and he’s the only one who can do it.
Yeahsure
August 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
@falconfanriseup
I feel ya. Whats worse than Saints fans on this blog? Fake Falcons fans.
Larry Falcon
August 30th, 2011
4:16 pm
The FALCONS winning the Superbowl? I guess the “Sun is Bound to Shine on a Dog A….once in a Lifetime”????
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2011
4:18 pm
People like to bash the Falcons DEF based on the Packer playoff gm, and where they finished in pass DEF rankings. However, we were very good, and ranked near the top, when it came to pts allowed, which is the only stat that really counts in the end. Our DEF, including our pass DEF, was good enough to allow us to tie for the league lead in win, with 13gms, as well as win our division and the NFC’s #1 seed.
Unlike last yrs defending NFC South, NFC, and Superbowl champion AINTS, our DEF, including our pass DEF, didn’t prevent us from having an outstanding season. This yr our rushing and passing OFF, as well as our overall OFF, will be even stronger. The addition of DE REdwards, and the return to full health of DT’s PJerry and TLewis, will make both our inside and outside pass rush and run DEF better, as well as our overall DEF.
The additions of RB JRogers and WR JJones, as well as the return to full health of slot receiver HDouglas, will make our rushing and passing OFF much more potent. Our DEF won’t likely dominate anyone, but it proved last yr to be good enough to keep teams out of the endzone. With the improvements that have been made to an OFF that averaged over 25PPG, we definitely have the potential to do what the Packers did last yr.
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2011
4:22 pm
MAGICWAND-Former Bears QB Bobby Douglas was the 1st NFL QB to ever rush for 1000yds in a season.
beebee
August 30th, 2011
4:26 pm
Hey Potter, Tech may not get much television action, but it’s better than getting our a.z.z.e.s totally destroyed on National Telly like you all’s Dawgs will come Saturday, the next Saturday, and a few other Saturdays thereafter!
Go Jackets!
Ken Strickland
August 30th, 2011
4:26 pm
Why take such a negative attitude at the idea of the Falcons winning a Superbowl. The Saints set a never to be broken NFL record in futility by going 25 consecutive yrs without a winning season, and they managed to win a Superbowl.
There’s no doubt about the Falcons having Superbowl talent and being a Superbowl caliber team. We just have to get some Superbowl caliber coaching from our OFF and DEF coordinators.
GO PACK GO!
August 30th, 2011
4:30 pm
Didn’t we hear all of this last year when the Packers demolished the Falcons in the playoffs? Defense wins Super Bowls and the Falcons D is average.
ohhhhYEAH
August 30th, 2011
4:31 pm
hmmm. maybe Peter King, someone with actual football knowledge, understands this is only PRESEASON, where you mostly arrange games and schemes around evaluating your BACK UP players, and still understands that the falcons have a very good team. morons
Rawdog
August 30th, 2011
4:36 pm
Screw King and his psychic predictions. Falcons and pedestrian Ryan will be lucky to go 6-10. Plus Green Bay has all their starters back from their Super Bowl team. A beter article and picture appears in ESPN the magazine title “What if Michael Vick Were White”. This is the funniest pic I have seen in a while. It’s like dressing up in black face, but reverse.
David
August 30th, 2011
4:51 pm
Although King pick the SB contenders last year (with the Steelers over the Packers)- I must say that he’s off the mark on this.
With the Chargers going to the SB? That kills his prediction already. Besides, the Falcons will split with the Saints & Bucks, and lose to the Packers, Eagles and Colts. You clowns keep concerning yourselves with Mike Vick, but the Eagles has two of the best corners in the game! The Texans @ home is another possible lost. I see them @ 10-6 with the NFC (East) sending two teams to the playoffs.
Rufus1
August 30th, 2011
4:58 pm
Haters like to have a bad taste in their mouths…..
Every team has problems equal to the falcons….NO TEAM IN THE LEAGUE IS PERFECT!!!!
David
August 30th, 2011
4:59 pm
For the clowns who are concerning themselves with Mike Vick, you better take a look @ the Eagles starting corners! With the exception of Derrell Revis, these two are the best. Besides, the Falcons will split with the Bucs & Saints and lose to the Eagles, Packers and either the Colts or Texans. They’re lucky to limp into the playoffs @ 11-5!
As for the Chargers in the SB….. Bwaahahahahahahah…Norv Turner? LOL
King predicted the Steelers vs the Packers last year, but, I say he has this completely wrong.
For the record, “the Steelers over the Eagles in the title game (27-17)…..or vice-versa
Rufus1
August 30th, 2011
5:17 pm
Falcons are going to the SB….
If I didn’t believe that I wouldn’t own season tickets….
There is only only team that anyone can say is better than the Falcons……Packers
The Eagles need to sign an offensive line, Payton better get a new NECK and the AINTS can’t stop the run….Go Falcons
MagicWand
August 30th, 2011
5:27 pm
Ken Strickland: you are WRONG about Bobby Douglas. Its true that Douglas had the RUSHING QUARTERBACK record before vick, but douglas NEVER CRACKED 1000 YARDS. LOOK IT UP IN THE RECORD BOOKS AND YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM RIGHT. I dont remember the exact number for douglas, but I think it was about either 968, 972, or 978 something like that. Douglas fell short of 1000. vick is the FIRST and ONLY 1000 yard rushing quarterback. It is a proud record that vick has and now vick has also signed another 100 million $ contract. Lets just hope that vick doesnt have a relapse and announce that he has been fighting dogs since he was released from prison. THAT WOULD BE A DEVASTATING BLOW TO THE FEW AND SCARCE VICK FANS THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE.
BigHittas
August 30th, 2011
5:39 pm
@ Ken S,
I’d love to agree with you re: the Falcons rushing attack, but the truth is I think we’re not gonna be as good there due to losing our RG. To me that was a really big tactical mistake made be the front office. Time will tell, but I think S Jackson will have a better year that the Burner due to that.
BigHittas
August 30th, 2011
5:41 pm
@ Rufus,
I don’t really believe the Eaglets will be able to stop the run either. At least not early in the season.
JSS
August 30th, 2011
5:44 pm
@ MagicWand and Ken Strickland
Douglass rushed for 968 in 1972 for the Bears. He never went over 525 again in his career. He was 25 then. Those Abe Gibron led teams could thrown the ball to save their life… He had a 38% completion rate and made Bubby Brister look like Otto Graham he was so bad of a passer!
JSS
August 30th, 2011
5:54 pm
And before somebody brings up the old 14 game season, Douglass had 141 rushing attempts back in 1972. Vick on the other hand had 123 carries over the 16 games he started in the season that he rushed for 1,039 yards (2006).
JoFo
August 30th, 2011
5:56 pm
Hey!! I think “SeenThisB4″ wrote this article!!! LOL!
Stiffneck
August 30th, 2011
6:06 pm
Yeah, the Falcons will win the Superbowl right after I win the Lottery!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 30th, 2011
6:10 pm
Rod Paradise
August 30th, 2011
1:55 pm
Vick will be hurt this season. 100 million yeah right.
I agree. And he’s 2 games away before that whole city turns on him. And they will !
M&M
August 30th, 2011
6:11 pm
Eagles deserve
August 30th, 2011
2:38 pm
what they pay for…..trash
M&M
August 30th, 2011
6:21 pm
Realist
August 30th, 2011
3:10 pm
Silly southerners, Atlanta teams ALWAYS choke in the playoffs. Everyone knows this.
Ah, We have a World Series Trophy in this city ?!
And I know you are a who dat ! You also have a SuperBowl Trophy in your city ?! So, What’s the difference ?! 
What esle you can say your raggedy city has to offer ?!!, Huh ?! 
htwoorider
August 30th, 2011
6:49 pm
I might believe it if this guy was able to play.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBnVK1VhwX0
Mike
August 30th, 2011
6:52 pm
Last time a prediction came out that the Falcons would play San Diego in the Superbowl I was 8. Those were the days of Air Coryell, Fouts, Joiner, Winslow, Bartkowski, Andrews, Jenkins, and the Gritz Blitz….I remember the season ended with Drew Pearson going off in the second half to lead one of the greatest NFL comebacks in history to beat the Falcons and eliminate them from the playoffs. In the AFC title game the Chargers were upset by the AFC’s wildcard. Let’s hope SI has this one called right.
JSS
August 30th, 2011
7:06 pm
Mike
August 30th, 2011
6:62 pm
“In the AFC title game the Chargers were upset by the AFC’s wildcard.”
“Upset?” The 1980 Raiders had already defeated the Chargers in Oakland by 2 touchdowns. They lost by a touchdown San Diego in OT. They finished one game out in AFC West to SD. Upsets are for pretend college football and the 1963 Thanksgiving Day game when the Packers were beat by the Lions. Now that was a upset!
JSS
August 30th, 2011
7:09 pm
*1962 Packers
Creolegrl
August 30th, 2011
9:09 pm
I beg to differ Mr. Schultz……WHO DAT!!!
Mike
August 30th, 2011
9:14 pm
JSS in the eyes of every “expert” it was an upset…like I said before I was 8, so all I remember about the Chargers was whaty everyone was saying. I just remember seeing them that season in a Monday night game against Pittsburgh, and everyone saying how the Chargers air attack was unstoppable. Other than that the only time I saw them play again that season was in the AFC Championship…
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 30th, 2011
9:16 pm
DID YOU KNOW:
Mike Vick was a ripe 22 year old when he won his 1st playoff game.
CHOKE is already 26.
You do the math
WTF?
August 30th, 2011
9:27 pm
the falcons cannot win when it counts. they are no better this year than last year, so if you’re a diehard falcons fan get ready for more heartbreak. There will be NO superbowl for an Atlanta team ever again.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
August 30th, 2011
9:28 pm
The Falcants have about the same odds of winning the Superbowl as KEN getting facts straight
Get Real
August 30th, 2011
9:33 pm
Take it from an Atlanta native…..the Falcons will not win the Super Bowl next year. Maybe I should consider being a sports writer?
macfleetwood
August 30th, 2011
10:30 pm
NO WAY!!!! I want what peter is smoking!!
Mike
August 30th, 2011
10:36 pm
Matt Choke… did you know that as a starter Ryan owns a mediocre 7-8 record against teams with 10+ wins…which is nothing to brag about, however as a starter for the Falcons Vick managed to post a 4-16-1 record against teams with 10+ wins….please someone challenge that stat!
dmcnya
August 30th, 2011
10:48 pm
u people are funny didnt learn anything from last year same talk before play n green bay superbowl talk stop it already t he falcons are overrated last year they lucked out win n five games they should have not won there a 9 and 5 team if no injuries occur they wont win against the bears or eagles then u will c the fair weather falcons fans complain bout everything but mat ryan
Mike
August 30th, 2011
10:54 pm
And please do not get me wrong…I am happy for Vick, for him turning his life around, and I feel now that he is a complete QB. He made a mistake paid his debt to society, and worked hard to get his life back. It is great to see someone get a second chance and make the most of it. I have been as critical of Matt Ryan as anyone, but I feel my criticism has been warranted and not out of bias or hatred. Many people want him to fail because they somehow feel that he screwed over Mike Vick, it that the Falcons turned their backs on Vick. The fact is you idiots that this team invested their future in Vick, and he spit on his team, his city, and flipped off his fans (and not just in a literal sense). 2007 may have been the worst year in any NFL history for any franchise. Vick is getting his redemption and many of us fans are happy for him. However us true Falcons fans, the ones that have loved this team with all their heart and sould since they knew what a football was wants to see our redemption. I am tired of the so called fans who come on here and have to take punches at Ryan because he happened to be the guy that the Falcons chose to move their franchise forward after the mess that Vick left them with. I will conitnue to be critical of Ryan when I feel that he can play better, however that is because I love my team…not because I am wanting him to fail due to who he replaced.