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Last Year's Rank: 119
Title Track: 59
Ownership: 40
Coaching: 18
Players: 28
Fan Relations: 49
Affordability: 52
Stadium Experience: 90
Bang for the Buck: 57

If real estate is all about location, location, location, then sports is all about decisions, decisions, decisions. After arguably the worst year in franchise history, including a drop to the dregs of our Standings, the Falcons made three of the best and boldest choices in the biz. Small wonder they not only climbed back to relevance but also made the largest overall ascension in our rankings. Decision No. 1: hiring Mike Smith. The first-year headman (Coaching: up 104 places) turned the negativity surrounding the abrupt and cowardly exit of his not-to-be-named predecessor into the franchise's second-ever (since the merger) COY award. Decision No. 2: Drafting Matt Ryan. In displaying his poise and command of the huddle from Day 1, the 2008 No. 3 overall pick ran away with the Rookie of the Year and helped fans forget their former franchise QB. Decision No. 3: Signing Michael Turner. But forget his numbers (1,699 yards and 17 TDs rushing as a first-time starter). The coveted free agent RB chose to come to the Falcons, proving that even in the wake of turmoil, the franchise could still attract big-time talent. The result of these wise choices was an 11–5 record and a playoff spot. Said owner Arthur Blank: "To see things come around this year as well as they have, it's just a tribute to the men involved who are making these decisions." What he said.