NFL Futures: It was the season from hell for the Atlanta Falcons as they entered the 2013 season as a favorite to make the Super Bowl after they lost a close 28-24 NFC championship game to the San Francisco 49ers in 2012 and were coming off their third consecutive playoff appearance. But last year the Falcons imploded with a catastrophic 4-12 record as they ranked dead last in rushing and 27th for overall defense. Now the question is whether or not that was a temporary step back or a portent of things to come. The Atlanta Falcons opened as a +3613 choice at BetDSI to win the Super Bowl and at +1900 to win the NFC championship. Atlanta had an over under win total of 8.5+110 over and -130 under.
Ryan’s Hope
An injury battered offensive line allowed QB Matt Ryan to be sacked 44 times last year. OL Coach Mike Tice arrives to tighten up the line and OL Jake Matthews was Atlanta’s top draft pick to further address the problem. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is quietly shifting to a 3-4 alignment. Most of the key components of Atlanta’s playoff teams still remain.
Handicapper’s Notebook
The Falcons have covered the spread in just seven out of their last 17 games at home in the Georgia Dome with seven out of their last ten home games going over the total. Atlanta has covered the spread in just four out of their last 12 road games with five out of their last nine away games going under the total. Atlanta has covered the spread in five out of their last 14 games as a favorite with seven out of their last ten games as a favorite going over the total. The Falcons have covered just five out of their last 12 games as a dog with six out of their last nine games as a dog going under the total.
Our Prognosis
Owner Arthur Blank completely flipped this franchise from being a perennial loser to among the most respected in the NFL. Mike Smith has been far and away the most successful head coach in the history of the Falcons and both the defense and the rushing game should improve from their rock bottom status of last year. They have enough offensive weapons to make for a bona fide NFC contender in 2014.
