The NFL Thread 2015: Denver Broncos win Super Bowl 50

[theRepublic]

Tyritorious said:

So the Cowboys were able to score 28 points in the first half, then weren't able to score anything in the 2nd half.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta offense was on a tear in the 2nd half. This is usually a sign of good adjustments and coaching, as they were able to completely dominate the 2nd half of this game. I really liked the hire of Dan Quinn and he seems to be doing a pretty good job as first year head coach. To be fair, almost anyone would have been better than Mike Smith (if anyone watched 4th quarter one possession Falcons games last year, you know exactly what I mean). After reviewing the Falcons remaining schedule, it looks relatively easy. They have games against the AFC South (nothing's a given in the NFL but it's the weakest division in football); their toughest games from a glance are 2 against CAR, vsMIN, and @SF.

The Eagles weren't the dumpster fire I thought they were. I let 'em off the hook...

I don't really follow the Falcons that closely, but I feel like Mike Smith got a bad rap.  He was too conservative as a coach, but so are most NFL head coaches.  They had been pretty good in the fourth quarter with him as coach before, especially 2012.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/comeback.cgi?player=RyanMa00
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/comebacks_career.htm

From 2008 to 2012, Mike Smith had them at a 56 - 24 regular season record.  That is damn good.  Two losing seasons in a row plus that awful 1 - 4 playoff record made him an easy scapegoat.

I feel like that team just ran out of talent in 2013 and 2014.  Do they still have the same GM?  That is what I would be more worried about.