Proven Pats hold all the aces

Falcons facing tough task in Super Bowl LI

The brotherhood did its job methodically, pleasing Atlanta owner Arthur Blank so much that he was last seen dancing into the night on the victory podium after the Falcons thrashed the Green Bay Packers to win the NFC championship on Sunday.

Blank could be excused for his exuberance. The Falcons have only been this far once before, long before their second-year coach, Dan Quinn, won his players over with a message of unity, love and toughness that landed them in the Super Bowl.