2015 Atlanta Predictions
The Atlanta Falcons enter the 2015-16 NFL Season looking to continue redeeming themselves for the disappointment they’ve put on display the past few seasons. Although last year was hardly able to make up for failing to exceed recent expectations, it was a step in the right direction — a step that this franchise will look to build upon this year.
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NFL Futures
2014 Record: 6-10 – Falcons
Falcons Odds to win the 2016 NFC South Division: +200
Falcons Odds to win the 2016 NFC Conference: 22/1
Falcons Odds to win the 2016 Super Bowl: 40/1
It wasn’t long ago that this group looked as if it were not only going to be a Super Bowl contender, but a perennial one at that. The team almost made it to the game’s biggest stage in 2012, but since then, it’s gone just 10-22.
That’s a trend in the wrong direction if I’ve ever seen one, and a speedy one at that.
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This season, the Falcons have a new head coach running the sideline. Former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is on board. Although that should be a step in the right direction, it’s tough to say whether or not that move alone gets this group much closer to contention — at least in Year 1 under the new lead man.
The Falcons’ most significant area of necessary improvement is defense. Hence the move to bring in Quinn, a coordinator who has help get the Seahawks to back-to-back Super Bowls over the past season seasons.
Atlanta averaged 23.8 points per contest last season, which was good enough for 12th in the NFL. However, it allowed 26.1 per contest at the same time, which for you mathematicians is a net value of 2.3 in favor of Falcons opponents.
Along with Quinn, the Falcons are hoping Vic Beasley, the eighth-overall pick in this year’s draft, and Jalen Collins, a second-rounder, firm up production on that side of the ball.
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Offensively, this team is going to have to make up the difference, assuming the defense isn’t miraculously turned around this summer. Matt Ryan can certainly help, as he tossed for 4,694 yards, 28 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions last season.
Julio Jones makes numbers like that possible, as he caught 104 passes for 1,593 yards and six scores
The catch here is that Ryan will be throwing to Jones and not much else. At this stage in the game, Roddy White is losing the allure he once had. Then guys such as Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki haven’t shown much bust-out potential
There’s also the question of who will step up and become a consistent option in the running game. That, combined with a questionable offensive line, is going to cause problems, which is unfortunate considering how much this defense needs an offense to rely on.
Falcons Betting Outlook:
The Falcons should be improved, but the question is: Are they improved enough to compete for an NFC South title?
At this juncture, that answer has to be no. There’s just not enough reliability on either side of the ball.
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With teams such as the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers looking to battle at the top of the conference, Atlanta appears to be a second-tier group among the bunch. It’s certainly possible that this soft division presents an opportunity for the Falcons to steal a game or two along the way, but it just doesn’t seem as if there’s enough wiggle room to make a big difference once the regular season has come to a close.
With training camps under way the NFL betting season is here at Cappers Picks. NFL Football handicappers have been hard at work putting out the team by team 2015 Football Predictions and NFL Season Previews for those of us who can’t wait.
The 2015 NFL futures betting season is right around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting.
CappersPicks.com has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well.
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