NEW YORK (AP) – Comments on the Atlanta Falcons by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):
ATLANTA FALCONS (13)
John Lynch (Fox Sports, 7): A model organization from Arthur Blank to Mike Smith to Matt Ryan on down, and it now has to man up in playoffs.
Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 8): Falcons are hoping change of offensive and defensive coordinators leads to first playoff win under head coach Mike Smith.
Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 10): Bounty scandal means Falcons move to top of division.
Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 10): Wait continues on QBs Matt Ryan of Falcons and Joe Flacco of Ravens to elevate their teams from playoff to Super Bowl contenders.
Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 10): Have no problem winning in regular season (43 victories over four years). Can they win in postseason with their pass rush and pass protection?
Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 11): Falcons will improve on D with Mike Nolan at helm.
Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 11): That seat under Mike Smith is getting a little toasty.
Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 11): Could be year Matt Ryan takes his game, and his team, to another level.
Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 12): We know Falcons can win in regular season. Need to prove they can handle postseason.
Bob Glauber (Newsday, 13): Great regular season team that fizzles in playoffs. Matt Ryan hopes story line is different in `12.
Chris Berman (ESPN, 13): Must figure out playoffs are different than regular season.
Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 15): Mike Nolan and Dirk Koetter are new coordinators. Will it take time?
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