The Atlanta Falcons came awfully close to winning the Super Bowl to close out the 2016-17 season. They followed it up with a 10-6 record last season, which is still really good, but didn’t meet the high expectations placed before them. The pieces are in place for this team to make another deep playoff run, but a few things have to fall into place in order for that to actually happen. Here is our preview of the upcoming season for the Atlanta Falcons.
1st Down: Can Matt Ryan get back to his 2016 NFL MVP form?
Sports Illustrated
In 2016, the Falcons had the most prolific offense in the entire NFL. That was, in large part, due to the stellar play of their signal-caller Matt Ryan. The man nicknamed “Matty Ice” threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 38 touchdowns to just seven interceptions. He also boasted a 69.9% completion percentage. The Falcons offense took a dip in terms of production last season, as too did Ryan. Atlanta is counting on him to get anywhere close to where he was during that historic season. Despite some regression in 2017, Ryan was rewarded with a contract extension, making him the highest paid quarterback in the league. He will need to have a big season to justify that big payday.
2nd Down: How does the addition of Calvin Ridley impact the success of the Falcons offense?
Julio Jones is an All-Pro and one of the most physically gifted wide receivers in the league. He had a down year in 2017 in the touchdown department, by his standards, but still enjoyed a productive year overall. Mohamed Sanu enters as the No. 2 receiver yet again and has shown a knack for getting open. Now, Matt Ryan will have a new toy to play with — former Alabama wideout Calvin Ridley. Ridley, who nabbed 19 touchdowns in his career with the Crimson Tide, is a legitimate deep threat and is highly capable of making the big play. Playing alongside Jones and Sanu could truly be something special. Combine this receiving corps with the two-headed monster of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman in the backfield, and the Falcons could put up big numbers again this season.
3rd Down: Which defender will have the biggest breakout season?
Dale Zanine/USA TODAY Sports
Last season, it was linebacker Deion Jones. Jones was named to the Pro Bowl in just his second NFL season, after posting 91 tackles, to go along with 10 pass breakups, three interceptions and a sack. In 2018, expect edge-rusher Takkarist McKinley to take a major leap. The UCLA product registered six sacks and two forced fumbles a season ago. McKinley has a strong burst off the football and displays the combination of strength and quickness that coaches love to see from a player at his position. Playing opposite Vic Beasley, Takk McKinley should see plenty of one-on-one opportunities and given his skill set, he should be favored more often than not. If he can take his game to the next level in 2018, it would be a great help to this budding defense.
4th Down: Can the Falcons legitimately compete for an NFC Championship?
Yes, the Falcons can compete for an NFC Championship. They were six points away from beating the Super Bowl champion Eagles in the Divisional Round last season, so there’s no reason they won’t be competitive in 2018. With Ridley now in the fold and hopefully a bigger role for Austin Hooper in the works, the offense should be extremely high-octane again. Atlanta’s defense is far from perfect, but it’s starting to take shape. They return their entire starting secondary. McKinley and Grady Jarrett are rising stars, while Deion Jones and Vic Beasley are established game-changers on that side of the ball. It will be interesting to see if offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian came come into his own. That could have a profound effect on how this season goes for the Falcons.
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