Lifelong Falcon fans Stephen Hargis and Lindsey Young discuss the Super Bowl

Sports editor Stephen Hargis, right, and sports writer Lindsey Young, both lifelong Falcons fans, are ready for tonight's Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.
Sports editor Stephen Hargis, right, and sports writer Lindsey Young, both lifelong Falcons fans, are ready for tonight's Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

Times Free Press sports editor Stephen Hargis and veteran sports writer Lindsey Young have been lifelong fans of the Atlanta Falcons - yeah, yeah, we're homers, get over it. That's meant a lot more frustration than reasons to celebrate, though, because if the Falcons were known for anything through the years, it's for teasing fans with hope, only to break their hearts in the end. Not much was expected of the team when this season began, but now, as the world prepares to watch tonight's Super Bowl, we - along with all the other long-suffering Falcons fans - believe this time it will end differently.

Favorite Falcons memories

Lindsey: "This one's easy. The 1998 NFC championship game was glorious in every aspect. Jamal Anderson's bruising runs, Chris Chandler's sharp passes, Gary Anderson's improbable 38-yard missed field goal, Morten Andersen's winning field goal in a 30-27 masterpiece to utterly shut Cris Carter and Randy Moss up in the Metrodome."

Stephen: "The first game I ever went to was at the old Fulton County Stadium, and that was pretty cool. But I'd have to say by far my two best memories were the playoff games in the Georgia Dome against Seattle (2012 and this year) because my son Riley and I were there for both and got to celebrate together."

Falcons memories we'd like to forget

Lindsey: "For me, it's the 1981 NFC championship game. Up 10 in the fourth quarter and lose as Danny White, of all people, drove the Cowboys to a pair of late touchdowns with the assist of a no-call on Ed 'Too Tall' Jones. That was absolutely my favorite Falcons team, with the 'Polish Bomber' Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews, Alfred Jenkins, the best O-line in team history. It still hurts because this was the best team in the NFL for that one season.

Stephen: "Oh yeah, that '81 loss was tough. I was 10 years old and loved that team. I cried when it was over. But the most painful loss for me was the 2012 NFC championship because the Falcons were up 17-0 on the 49ers, at home, and had everything going their way. Driving inside the 10-yard line late but not scoring, that was just brutal."

Favorite Falcons

Lindsey: "It has to be William Andrews. The man was one of the toughest running backs in NFL history and came into the league with very little fanfare. He probably didn't break 5 flat in the 40 and didn't possess many moves. What he could do, though, was run through tacklers to the point that late in games they didn't want any more."

Stephen: "I got a red Steve Bartkowski No. 10 jersey for Christmas when I was a kid, and I think I wore that thing until it just fell apart. That was my favorite player growing up, but I'd have to say now it's Matt Ryan. You just feel like every pass Matty Ice makes now is going to be a positive play and there isn't a third down that's not makeable with him back there."

Falcons will win if

Lindsey: "The pass rush at least makes Tom Brady uncomfortable, just as it did against Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. They can't be afraid to blitz every now and then (just ask the Steelers how sitting back and letting Brady pick you apart works), and when they get an opportunity to get a hit in on Brady, make the best of it."

Stephen: "They just keep playing the way they have been – with confidence. So long as the jitters don't get to them and force them into stupid penalties or turnovers or mistakes they haven't been making, then I believe this offense is unstoppable, and the defense, which is so young, has really been getting better and better every game."

Bad news for the Birds if

Lindsey: "They can't run the ball. The run game hasn't been as productive in the playoffs, though it hasn't hurt the Falcons. That won't be the case today. If the Patriots can play six defensive backs and not get hurt by the run, it could be a long night. A good bit of the Falcons' pass game is based on play-action, which won't work if they can't run it some."

Stephen: "They can't get to Tom Brady at least a few times early. The defense has to get a rush in his face, because if Brady's allowed to get in a rhythm early, it'll be a long day."

Score prediction

Lindsey: "Falcons 30, Patriots 27. I see a back-and-forth game with several big plays and momentum turns. The Falcons drive late and Matt 'Money' Bryant ends it with a field goal. (Hey, boss, if I'm right, don't count on me making the Monday meeting.)

Stephen: "I'm going with the Falcons winning 34-23. Atlanta is healthier going into the game than the Patriots, who are missing some key guys, and this Falcons team doesn't seem to be bothered by any scenario. I don't think the stage is going to be too big for them, and I just believe the offense is playing with a ton of confidence and the defense will create a couple of turnovers and stops and we'll all be partying at the parade down Peachtree Street next week."

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