Expect to hear about the Falcons’ “Super Bowl hangover” for a while

NFL.com put together a list of its biggest questions for every NFL team. There are questions about young players who seem to be busts, backfields in flux, and defenses with weaknesses.

There are very few questions that are as large as this one, however.

Atlanta Falcons: Is the Super Bowl hangover real?

Everyone is ready to move on from the blown lead, poor play calling and the like. Going beyond that, though, remember that making the Super Bowl is the culmination of the offseason program, training camp, preseason, 17-week regular season and postseason. The disappointment of wading through all that muck -- with a little luck -- only to lose on the last day of the season has translated to awful follow-up seasons for past runner-ups. Of the Super Bowl losers since 2000, only eight have even made it back to the postseason. None found their way to the big dance, and only two were in the conference championship game. That said, Thomas Dimitroff's staff did a solid job in the draft, while the front office acquired Dontari Poe and Jack Crawford in free agency. Still, the NFC South will be tough. Prediction: Atlanta wins the division again. Super Bowl?

I’ve said before and will repeat that I think the Falcons are about as well-equipped to avoid the next season funk as any team in the NFL. Dan Quinn seems to be a master motivator, this team is stocked with talent, and if the team can survive a tough division, they’ll be well-equipped to fight through the playoffs. There are ifs there, but unsurprisingly, I feel good about their chances.

So it’s a fair question, and it’s one that you can expect to see asked over and over again as we get closer to the season. Here’s your first chance to consider it and then file it away until we get the answers we’re looking for.