2014 Falcons NFL Handicapping
Falcons Not Deep Enough To Expect Return To Playoffs In 2014
The Atlanta Falcons went from within one score of reaching the Super Bowl in 2012 to a four-win season in 2013. Injuries and a lack of depth at key positions exposed the Falcons’ vulnerabilities following a slow start that the team never really recovered from.
Heading in to the 2014 season there are some that feel last year was an aberration for a franchise that is too talented not to compete for an NFC title while others feel Atlanta didn’t do enough in the offseason to improve and will once again be stuck in the NFC South basement.
The Falcons will probably end up slightly improving last year’s win total but ultimately this team has too many flaws to be a legitimate contender.
2014 Atlanta Falcons Team Preview/Predictions
- 2013 Record: 4-12
- ATS Record: 7-9
2014 Falcons Futures
- Super Bowl Odds: +3300
- Conference Odds: +1600
- NFC South Odds: +275
- 2014 NFL Regular Season Wins: 8
Matt Ryan was sacked 44 times behind an awful offensive line a year ago and he ended up finishing with 17 interceptions. However, Ryan still threw for 4,515 yards and 26 touchdowns while completing 67.5-percent of his passes so there is reason to believe that with better support around him he can perform at an elite level in 2014.
Star wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White will have to stay healthy and the Falcons added Devin Hester to help in the return game and as a fourth receiver behind Harry Douglas.
Tight end Tony Gonzalez retired in the offseason leaving Bear Pascoe as the top option at the position and that will put more pressure on the receivers to perform. Atlanta spent its first-round pick on tackle Jake Matthews and signed guards Gabe Carimi and Jon Asamoah to push for starting jobs.
Matthews will begin on the right side with Sam Baker starting at left tackle while Carimi and Asamoah battle for a spot on what should be an improved offensive line.
CLICK to GRAB OUR BEST Expert Sports & Football Picks for 2014 GAMBLING!
The Falcons need running back Stephen Jackson to stay healthy enough to handle the brunt of the workload but that could be a lot to ask of the veteran after he spent most of last season dealing with injuries.
Atlanta drafted Devonta Freeman out of Florida State in the fourth round and he will battle versatile back Jacquizz Rodgers for snaps behind Jackson.
The Falcons have a chance to field an elite offense if they can stay healthy but the same cannot be said about a defense that finished near the bottom of the league in scoring and yards a year ago. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan prefers the 3-4 and it seems as though Atlanta will introduce more looks in 2014.
Rookie second-round pick defensive end Ra’Shede Hagemen will start right away opposite Jordan Babineaux with underrated free agent pickup Paul Soliai taking over at nose tackle. Osi Umenyiora is no longer an elite pass rusher and it will take time for him to adjust to the switch to outside linebacker in the 3-4.
[soliloquy id=”82219″]
Sean Weatherspoon should be a lock to start opposite Umenyiora in what will be a solid but unspectacular tandem but the Falcons are particularly thin inside where a pair of undrafted free agents is slotted to start in Joplo Bartu and Paul Worrilow.
Rookie fifth-round pick Marquis Spruill and seventh-round pick Yawin Smallwood will challenge Bartu and Worrilow for the starting jobs but there is a major lack of experience and depth at the positions.
Nolan liked what he saw from his young cornerbacks in Desmond Trufant, Robert Alford, and Robert McClain but they were exposed at times due to the lack of a consistent pass rush. Veteran Dwight Lowery was signed in free agency to start at free safety with William Moore back at the strong safety position.
Atlanta reached for rookie safety Dezmen Southward in the third round and he will struggle if pushed in to action early on.
The Falcons have plenty of talent on offense with Ryan, Jones, White, and Jackson and the offensive line should be better in 2014.
However, Atlanta did little to address its depth on both sides of the ball and it could end up costing them again this season. The Falcons are particularly thin at linebacker and safety and they don’t have any elite starters on the defensive side of the ball to begin with.
Improving on last year’s four-win total is expected but this Atlanta team still isn’t ready to challenge for a playoff spot in a very deep conference this season.
2014 Falcons Predictions
- Place they’ll finish in NFC South: 3rd
- Place they’ll finish in NFC Conference: 13th
- Over/Under Wins Prediction: UNDER
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TOP CAPPERS FOR NFL FOOTBALL BETTING THIS SEASON —–>
What are you waiting for use our insider knowledge today to gamble on all the NFL Football Futures in our top online sportsbooks today.
