I wouldn't be surprised to see the Falcons again. They're really good, very young and well coached.
If they were well-coached, they would have won. Field goal to put the game away, on the 23 yard line, all they had to do was take a knee three times! But they called 3 pass plays in a row and got pushed back out of field goal range...
Quinn's OK, I guess, but the NFL definitely has a coaching problem. Most refuse to make any half-time adjustments (another example is Tomlin in the AFC Championship). The Falcons, up by 25, did not manage the clock at all - they needed to run, run run - no passing! Use up time! Hike the ball with 1 second left on the play clock on every snap! etc. etc. They let the Pats back in the game by giving them plenty of time - a big mistake!
For the Falcons to return to the Super Bowl - I agree they are extremely talented - they need Quinn to take charge of the offense and whoever replaces Shanahan has to keep the same plays and system. They can't allow a new offensive coordinator to put a new system in place - they are an offensive powerhouse that needs to be left alone.
walrus