The Oakland Raiders play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, and they largely serve as a team worth examining as how to build a sustainable winner.

"They've got the right formula for winning football games," Dennis Allen said of the Falcons. "They understand their personnel, they understand what they're looking for and what it takes to win. In some respects, that's a team we try to emulate."

Reggie McKenzie was a candidate to become general manager of the Falcons, along with eventualy hire Thomas Dimitroff.

"They play with energy, they play with passion, they enjoy playing the game, they create an up-tempo situation both offensively and defensively," Allen said. "When they play that way, it keeps the crowd into it, keeps the crowd excited. It's a good home-field advantage."

Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith have a similar relationship as what McKenzie is attempting to create with Allen.

"You've got to be collaborative, and collaboration is more important than communication," Smith told Bay Area reporters by conference call last week. "Communication can be one way, and collaborating is two-way communication. Thomas is forward-thinking, very intelligent and a good talent evaluator, and it's been a great working relationship for us."