Falcons fan confidence rises with the season finished and the future ahead

Welcome to the final edition of SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Each week, we send out questions to the most plugged in Falcons fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.

The 2020 season has come to an end for half the NFL. While the league’s top teams prepare for the playoffs, much of the rest of the league is forced to decide who will be leading their team going forward.

There are currently six open head coaching jobs in the NFL. According to the most recent SB Nation Reacts survey the Los Angeles Chargers have the most desirable job opening, with 56 percent of the vote. On the other end of the spectrum, the Atlanta Falcons earned only eight percent of the vote while neither the Jets nor Lions job received more than five percent.

While it’s still mostly unknown who the Falcons – or any other team for that matter – are interested in, fans were clear who they think the top choice should be.

NFL fans from around the league were asked which of the top names being talked about is the best available option. According to 51% of fans, Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is the man to get, and thus far he’s interviewed or will be interviewed by every team with an opening except the Texans.

Despite the difficult season and the low regard for the open job around the country, confidence among Falcons fans is actually slightly on the rise. According to Falcons fans, 36 percent believe the team is headed in the right direction. That’s up from just 27 percent a week ago and eight percent two weeks ago.

The teams that have reached the playoffs, with the exception of the top seeded teams in each conference, are preparing for a souped-up Wild Card Weekend. That includes one game that will be broadcast on the children’s network Nickelodeon, along with other viewing options.

That decision was clearly made in hopes of attracting a younger fanbase. But the general fanbase is far less excited. Only 20 percent of fans said they will watch any of the Nickelodeon broadcast of the Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints game. Similarly, only about one-third of fans even think the concept is a good idea.

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