Byline: Michael A. Lough; The Macon (Ga.) Telegraph
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- Ovie Mughelli sat on the stool in front of his locker at Atlanta's practice facility and shook his head.
'I can't even turn on the TV without somebody saying that we're going to be the underdog,' said the Falcons fullback. 'What, 13-3 underdogs every single week? I think most people think we're going to be underdogs at home, again, this Saturday.'
But maybe it fits. Mughelli talked of being an underdog his whole life. Several of the Falcons' stars didn't play at BCS schools, such as Roddy White (Alabama-Birmingham), Michael Turner (Northern Illinois), Kroy Biermann (Montana) and Brent Grimes (Shippensburg), among others.
Mike Smith, the approachable and personable but intense head coach, had never been a coordinator before taking over in Atlanta, and he played college football at East Tennessee State, which dropped the sport in 2003.
The top seed in the NFC is perhaps the low seed at times when it comes to attention or, certainly with the Falcons' fan base, a perceived lack of attention. One recent message board offering called the Falcons the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL.
'I love it,' said Mughelli, who played at Wake Forest. 'I love being the underdog. I love not getting all the credit, and force them to respect you when you get on the field by your play.'
Even owner Arthur Blank understands why there are skeptics out there.
'It's only the fourth time in our history we've won our division,' he said. 'Only the second time in our history we've been the No. 1 seed.'
And that history started with a 3-11 debut season in 1966 and includes now only 10 trips to the postseason and finally consecutive winning seasons, the current three-in-a-row run.
Fan perception aside, the Falcons are among the most respected teams in the NFL. Otherwise, they wouldn't have had a league-high seven selections to the Pro Bowl.
Of course, those seven will be busy this weekend in chilly Atlanta as Green Bay comes to town in the NFC divisional playoff game Saturday night in the Georgia Dome.
As it is, the Falcons are 2-1/2-point favorites, while two of the other three home teams remaining -- Chicago and New England -- are favored by around 10. Pittsburgh is a three-point favorite over Baltimore.
But the Falcons haven't won big or pretty this season, and the rematch with the Packers is certainly one they could lose, even at home, where they're 20-4 over the past four seasons and 21-2 when quarterback Matt Ryan starts in the Georgia Dome.
NOTE
* Falcons cornerback Brian Williams is listed as doubtful with an injured left knee for the divisional game against Green Bay.
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