The Atlanta Falcons are doing everything they can to not fall victim to the slump that occurs for most Super Bowl-losing teams. We saw what happened last year to the Carolina Panthers, who lost in a squeaker to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50. They took a serious tumble and finished dead last in the NFC South, winning just six games.
Making matters potentially even more difficult for Atlanta, they lost Super Bowl LI in history-making style, allowing the New England Patriots to overcome a 25-point deficit in the second half. It was a meltdown unlike any other on the game’s biggest stage, but it’s one the Falcons are trying to embrace.
Speaking of which, the team’s motto this offseason was sported by head coach Dan Quinn, who sported a wristband on each wrist this past weekend that read “Embrace The Suck.”
This motto isn’t just in reference to the team’s epic meltdown in the big game. It’s also a reminder that it’s insanely difficult to get back to the Super Bowl after a team has lost, Quinn told Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
“Eat a crap sandwich with a smile,” Quinn said. “This is going to be hard. Your choice: It’s a victim’s mentality or a warrior mentality. It’s like, ‘I know this run is going to be long, and it’s going to be really hard. But here I go again.'”
Now, “Embrace The Suck” isn’t the catchiest motto, but we understand where Quinn is coming from. It’s going to be fascinating to see if Atlanta can avoid the fate that befell Carolina last season, especially after losing offensive mastermind Kyle Shanahan and most of the offensive staff that helped Matt Ryan and Co. to such success in 2016.