Are you arriving a little late to the NFL playoff party and you’re finally ready to jump onto the Falcons’ bandwagon?
Don’t feel bad -- you’re not alone. Although you’ve waited until the next-to-last weekend of football to get excited, it’s still not too late. Here are five quick things to know about Sunday’s Falcons-Packers game -- a few things that might help you feel comfortable during football talk with your friends.
> What time is the game and where can I see the game on TV? Seems like a simple question, but it's one that has been asked all week. Kickoff is set for 3:05 p.m. (not 3 p.m. or 3:30, 3:05) and will be televised nationally on Fox.
> What happens if the Falcons win? With a win, the Falcons become NFC champions and will play the AFC champion in the Super Bowl. And before you ask, NFC stands for National Football Conference and AFC stands for ....you guessed it, American Football Conference.
> The Super Bowl huh? Falcons ever been there before? The Falcons played in Super Bowl XXXIII following the 1998 season, losing to the Denver Broncos 34-19 in Miami.
> If the Falcons make it, who will they play in the Super Bowl? And what's up with the Roman numerals? The Falcons would play the winner of the AFC (Pittsburgh or New England) in Super Bowl LI in Houston Feb. 5. The NFL began using Roman numerals in the 1970's to add an air of pomp and circumstance to its big game.
So .... this year’s game will be the 51st Super Bowl - and the Falcons-Broncos game was the 33rd Super Bowl.
> OK, I've heard some Falcons fans say 'Rise Up'. What does that mean? It's a marketing slogan originated by the franchise in 2010. It's evolved into a huge brand that's visible on signs, billboard, towels, everywhere.
> Bonus tidbit: If someone in your watching party mentions 'Matty Ice' and 'A-Rod', they are talking about the two quarterbacks: Matt Ryan of the Falcons and Aaron Rodgers of the Packers.
> Bonus tidbit II (in keeping with the Super Bowl numerical theme): This will be the final game at the Georgia Dome. The new Mercedes-Benz Stadium (the other big stadium you see under construction next to the Dome) will open in time for the 2017 season.
