SSOG
Moderator
New Orleans' SB appearance got me thinking tonight about some of the league's real tough-luck marks when I suddenly realized that my favorite mark of futility came to a close this season without any fanfare whatsoever. That's right, ladies and gentlemen, the Atlanta Falcons have officially posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in their 44 year franchise history. The 11th winning season in franchise history came just one short year on the heels of the 10th winning season in franchise history.
To put their mark of futility into some perspective, the Detroit Lions (the only team that has existed continuously since the advent of the SB that has yet to reach the big game) have, since the birth of the Falcons, posted back-to-back-to-back winning seasons *AND* back-to-back-to-back-to-back winning seasons over that span. The Cardinals have posted back-to-back winning seasons twice in addition to back-to-back-to-back winning seasons in that span.
For some more perspective... with Atlanta finally getting the monkey off their back, Carolina takes up the flag as the oldest franchise without back-to-back winning seasons. The Panthers would need to go another 29 seasons in order to match Atlanta's mark. At that point, Steve Smith will be a couple of months away from his 59th birthday.
It truly was a remarkable streak while it lasted, but like all streaks, it had to eventually come to an end. Congratulations, Falcons!
To put their mark of futility into some perspective, the Detroit Lions (the only team that has existed continuously since the advent of the SB that has yet to reach the big game) have, since the birth of the Falcons, posted back-to-back-to-back winning seasons *AND* back-to-back-to-back-to-back winning seasons over that span. The Cardinals have posted back-to-back winning seasons twice in addition to back-to-back-to-back winning seasons in that span.
For some more perspective... with Atlanta finally getting the monkey off their back, Carolina takes up the flag as the oldest franchise without back-to-back winning seasons. The Panthers would need to go another 29 seasons in order to match Atlanta's mark. At that point, Steve Smith will be a couple of months away from his 59th birthday.
It truly was a remarkable streak while it lasted, but like all streaks, it had to eventually come to an end. Congratulations, Falcons!