From stats to trends, there are plenty of facts, figures and numbers surrounding the Falcons. Each week, managing editor Jay Adams breaks them down in a feature called "Wing Tips." With the Falcons earning a playoff spot with a win over Seattle last week, Jay brings you a special playoffs edition of the popular feature
Postseason Basics
The Atlanta Falcons have played in 15 postseason games in their 44-year history. Of those 15 games, four were played at home, 10 were played away and one was played at a neutral site. The Falcons are 6-9 in the postseason, including 3-1 at home, 3-7 away and 0-1 at the neutral site.
All They Do Is Win
The 2010 Falcons have a chance to make some history with two games left in the season. The 1998 Falcons hold the record for most games won in a season with 16 on their way to the Super Bowl. The 2010 Falcons will have a chance to better that mark by winning the final two regular season games, two playoff games and, well, that final big game to set the new record at 17 wins. Behind the 1998 Falcons are the 1980 and 2004 Falcons teams, which each won 12 games — where the 2010 Falcons sit currently.
Vying for a Title
The NFC South title is on the minds of the Falcons right now, and they can claim it by simply winning one of the next two regular season games — either over New Orleans or Carolina. Should the Falcons claim the NFC South, it will be only the fourth division title in franchise history. The previous division title holders were the 1980, 1998 and 2004 Falcons. Those three teams, however, never went undefeated in their division. The 2010 Falcons — currently 4-0 in the NFC South — have a chance to do that for the first time in franchise history.
Familiar Foes
The Falcons have faced three quarterbacks twice in the playoffs — Danny White of the Dallas Cowboys, Donovan McNabb with the Philadelphia Eagles and Brett Favre with the Green Bay Packers. White and McNabb hold a 2-0 record over the Falcons in the postseason while Favre — a former Falcon himself — posted a 1-1 record in two playoff games against Atlanta.
Big Offense
The Falcons have only broken the 400-yard mark in total offense in the playoffs once — the NFC Championship win over the Minnesota Vikings in 1998. The Falcons racked up 427 total yards of offense in the 30-27 overtime win, and most of it came through the air. Quarterback Chris Chandler went 27-of-43 for 340 yards and three touchdowns while star running back Jamal Anderson amassed 100 total yards of offense on the ground and in the air. The Falcons won that day on the iconic 38-yard field goal from Morten Andersen.
Camp Curse?
Is there something about the Falcons' training facility in Flowery Branch? Prior to clinching a playoff berth last week, the Falcons had only been to the playoffs once when training camp was held at the current team facility. That was in 2008. The Falcons went to the postseason three times when camp was held at Furman (1978, 2002, 2004) and five times when camp was at the Falcons' team facility in Suwanee, Ga. (1980, 1982, 1991, 1995, 1998).
