DALTON, Ga. — There’s been an epidemic sweeping across the area in recent weeks. Some of the symptoms include trouble focusing on tasks at work, wardrobe changes and nearly uncontrollable bursts of excitement.

Falcons fever has taken hold.

“I’m so excited I can hardly work,” said Maureen Rogers, who along with her husband Rolf owns Hamilton’s Food and Spirits and the Crescent City Tavern. “We love the Falcons. We had season tickets for close to 20 years until the last couple years and we just weren’t able to go. But now they are going to the Super Bowl and they are going to win it!”

The Falcons defeated the Green Bay Packers 44-21 in the NFC Championship game last month to secure a berth in Super Bowl LI against the New England Patriots on Sunday. It’s the franchise’s second trip to football’s biggest spectacle, with the other coming in 1999 against the Denver Broncos and quarterback John Elway. They lost that game 34-19.

Falcons fans appear to feel better about their chances this time around thanks to a prolific offense that scored the seventh most points in NFL history during the regular season.

“I am way more confident now because our offense can’t be stopped,” Chris Gregg of Dalton said while sporting a Falcons hat. “We belong there now. Back in (the ’98 season) we just kind of lucked up and got in the Super Bowl and weren’t worried about winning it. They was just happy to be there.”

Northwest Whitfield High School Principal Britt Adams attended the NFC Championship game, which was the final football game in the Georgia Dome prior to its demolition later this year.

“It was electric,” Adams said of the atmosphere. “I have never been to a game in the Dome that had that much electricity. It was rocking from the opening kickoff to the end. Absolutely, it was a great way to close down the Dome.”

Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is expected by some to be named the NFL’s most valuable player Saturday night as he has already received numerous accolades including being selected to The Associated Press All-Pro team. During his past six games he has averaged 310 yards passing per game while throwing 18 touchdowns and no interceptions.

“I love Matt Ryan, he’s such a great guy and he’s been on his game and has great receivers,” Rogers said. “It’s just been so exciting to watch and brings so much energy. I think people that aren’t Falcons fans are going to be now. We’re going to be America’s team in the Super Bowl.”

This will be New England quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick’s seventh trip to the Super Bowl together, four of which they have won. The challenge of the Patriots just adds to the eagerness of the Falcons fans for Sunday’s game.

“If you have to pick someone to go against, let’s go ahead and pick the best,” Adams said. “Absolutely that makes it more exciting. Let’s get Brady and Belichick and let’s go!”