Atlanta Falcons could prove good underdog bet in NFC
Nobody is talking about the Atlanta Falcons.
This is largely because they went 7-9 last year, a season removed from missing the playoffs in 2018. The Atlanta Falcons have been scuffling since blowing a 28-3 lead in Super Bowl LI, making the Divisional Round the following year before missing the postseason altogether in the following two.
However, there were signs in the second half of 2019 the Falcons could be turning a corner. After head coach Dan Quinn gave up the defense to secondary coach (and now defensive coordinator) Raheem Morris, Atlanta had one of the league’s best units. In fact, the Falcons went 6-2 over the seconds of the campaign, including a clean sweep of the final four games. In that stretch, Atlanta allowed 30 points once after doing so three times in the season’s first eight contests.
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The roster remains talented, led by quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan, 35, threw for 4,466 yards and 26 touchdowns last year, utilizing receivers Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones. Now, the Falcons have Todd Gurley in the backfield to replace Devonta Freeman. On Friday, Ryan told reporters he’s happy with what he’s seen from the new addition, per ESPN:
“I’ve gotten to work with Todd and he’s awesome. Really, really good guy. A hard worker. He’s super-smart. The stuff I was telling him one day, the next day he had it done. I was really impressed with his ability to retain information. You don’t have to tell him twice. He’s on it.”
Gurley struggled last season with the Los Angeles Rams before being released this offseason. The veteran back only averaged 3.8 yards per carry while notching 857 rushing yards, although he did amass 12 touchdowns on the ground.
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If Gurley can bounce back a bit, the Falcons’ offense should be one of the league’s most versatile and explosive.
While the NFC South is tough with the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers looming, the Falcons have the talent to give both a serious run. New Orleans and Tampa Bay both have future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterbacks, but they’re combined age come September is 83. Ryan is a youngster comparatively. There’s a chance both fall off significantly, and even if there’s only a minor slip, Atlanta could take advantage.
In a year when everyone is focused on the Buccaneers’ resurgence and the Saints’ last great chance to win with Brees, it could be the Falcons who end up crashing the party.
