There is really nothing bold about predicting the Patriots to go to the SB at this point. I'd imagine most would put that at 50/50 odds.
But, the Falcons look like a team looming and ready to put it together. Talented teams that underperform early in the season then get it together in November and December are dangerous.
Atlanta's defense is a big step better than it was last year. The offense hasn't really put it together yet, but all the pieces are there and they seem to be figuring it out. When you get to the playoffs, playing like a good offense THEN is much more important that what you played like over the course of an entire season. This offense has clearly been limited by transition and coaching, not talent, and adjusting to a new OC can take time.
They are 2 games behind the Saints and have 2 left with them, and I see a good chance they can sweep them.
They will also face Minnesota and Carolina. They will get battle tested over the next 6 weeks with little room for error and if they come through that they will be playoff ready.
The negative is that they were an 11-5 2 seed last year and the 1 was a fraud.
Getting to the 2 seed may be tough, even if they run the table and at 11-5 again, it seems unlikely.
Honestly, I would root against a rematch if they get from here to the NFCCG because they will be on a huge roll.