2015 NFL Football – Falcons Analysis
The Atlanta Falcons begin play in the most wide-open division in football September 14 with typically huge expectations. New Head Coach Dan Quinn has been tasked with turning around one of the worst defenses in the game – his work in Seattle cannot be overstated.
Falcons Odds
2015 Atlanta Falcons Odds to win the 2016 Super Bowl: 40/1
2015 Atlanta Falcons Odds to win the 2015 NFC Conference: 22/1
2015 Season Win Total: Falcons 8 wins (OVER -120 , UNDER -110); 2014 wins: 6
***2015 BONUSES***
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If the defense improves Atlanta could be a threat in the NFC South – we know that Matt Ryan and Julio Jones will do their part on offense.
The Falcons won just six times last season – Vegas has set their win Total at eight this year. Can they achieve that goal or is another disappointing season on the horizon? An easy schedule leaves zero excuse for futility.
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Let’s take a look at every game on Atlanta’s schedule and determine whether or not Vegas has it right.
Week 1: Monday, Sep. 14, Philadelphia, 7:10 p.m.
A tough Monday nighter kicks off the schedule – at home against the revamped Philadelphia Eagles. Something tells me that Sam Bradford takes a few games to get going and without Shady McCoy in the backfield the Eagles won’t be potent early on. Atlanta catches Phili at the right time and starts their season off in style.
Week 2: Sunday, Sept 20, New York Giants, 1 p.m.
A home game against the optimistic Giants is second on the schedule. The Giants won this matchup last year 30-20 and my guess is that Odell Beckham beats the Falcons all by himself. The G-Men are poised to be one of the surprise teams of the year – they squeak out a win here.
Week 3: Sunday, Sep. 27, at Dallas, 1 p.m.
There are still a few kinks for the Falcons in Week 3 particularly on defense. Just as Odell Beckham terrorized them the week before expect Dez Bryant to go off in Week 3 as Dallas takes care of business in their own yard. The Falcons head into Week 4 with a 1-2 record.
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, Houston, 1 p.m.
The Texans bring names like JJ Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Vince Wilfork to town in Week 4. But you have to score in order to win in this league – I can’t see the Texans doing enough offensively to beat Ryan and Jones here. Atlanta scores more and moves to the .500 mark.
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, Washington, 1 p.m.
Does anyone have any real faith in Washington? At home the Falcons should be able to take care of a schizophrenic Redskins team!
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 15, at New Orleans, 8:25 p.m.
Huge game in prime time in Week 6 – on the road against divisional foe New Orleans.
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The Saints have been absolutely money at home but the Falcons actually dominated there last season. Although on paper the Saints look as though they have taken a major step back I like them to take care of business in their own building and drop the Falcons to 3-3.
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
The Titans won just two games last year and Marcus Mariota will still be going through some growing pains by Week 7. This is a road game that Atlanta should win. After all Tennessee won just once in their own building last season.
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Another easy game against a team with a rookie QB. To make things more interesting is Atlanta’s offensive coordinator from last year will be running the Tampa offense. There’s no excuse for the Falcons to not expect what’s coming here – they are 5-3 after eight week!
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
Atlanta’s good fortune continues when they face another below average team. But this is a week in which they struggle against Colin Kaepernick on the road. In a close game I think Atlanta falls to 5-4 while handing San Francisco one of their few wins on the season.
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, Indianapolis, 1 p.m.
Yikes – Indianapolis after their bye! This is the toughest game on the schedule. It should be high scoring – in that case I have to go with the better offense Indianapolis. Despite having the extra week to prepare the Colts are just too strong.
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Minnesota, 1 p.m.
The Vikings won this matchup 41-28 last year when Teddy Bridgewater was still green as the grass! Bridgewater is a year older and wiser and the Vikes should have Adrian Peterson in the backfield. Translation – Minnesota is a dangerous team. Atlanta drops their third straight and moves to 5-6.
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.
Nothing like a little Buccaneer to snap a losing streak!
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Carolina, 1 p.m.
Both teams will likely be fighting for a playoff spot here. I like Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart to be the difference here as the Falcons defense isn’t quite to the level expected. In a physical battle take the Panthers to make a statement in Week 14 at home and for the Falcons to drop to 6-7.
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m.
Ahhh, Jacksonville. The Jags have averaged under four wins per season the last four years and don’t look much improved heading into 2015.
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Atlanta keeps their playoff hopes alive with a win here.
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, Carolina, 1 p.m.
For the second time in three weeks the Falcons play the Panthers – this time Coach Dan Quinn has something up his sleeve for Cam and the boys. Take Atlanta to hold serve and to move to 8-7.
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, New Orleans, 1 p.m.
Quite a way to finish off the Regular season! With a playoff spot on the line I like the Falcons to take care of business against the disappointing Saints. My guess is that New Orleans has little to play for in the final week and that the Falcons rise to the occasion and qualify for the playoffs.
The Atlanta Falcons will be an improved bunch this season – they will challenge for a playoff spot in their weak division. By my count the Falcons finish 9-7 and exceed the expectations that Vegas has set out for the team.
2015 Falcons NFL Prediction
Improved defense and a typically strong offense will go a long way as Atlanta starts to turn the corner. Will they win the division? No – I think this is Carolina’s to lose. But a playoff spot is possible and so is an early exit from the postseason.
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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