Atlanta Falcons Discussion: Is The Sky The Limit?

Only guaranteed losses I see are the Pats, Saints in NO on Monday Night (Have we ever won there on MNF??), and probably the Cowboys but God I hope not since two of my best buddies are Dallas fans. I could see us losing @Giants and maybe in week 17 @Bucs if we are resting our starters.

We should beat Philly as long as we don’t bring back Jennings to muff a punt.

Final Prediction barring injuries and unlucky bounces? Between 11-5 and 13-3

Why, 16 and 0, of course.

If you want a modest prediction, I’ll go 11-5.

I see Matt Ryan throwing VERY few interceptions this year, and being sacked very infrequently as well.

I see the defense as being stronger than most anticipate. They are fast and will get better as the season progresses. Our d-line has depth, and I think they will be rotated a lot to keep them fresh. This will result in more sacks and pressures which will help our secondary out a lot. I feel great about or LB core, and our safeties. I am a little worried about our corners, but I think they’ll hold their ground and make a few nice plays in the progress.

What can I say – I’m a homer!

I can see the Falcons going 11-5, give or take a win. The offense is strong and our defense is improving. As long as Matt Ryan doesn’t regress and Michael Turner isn’t affected by the workload last year the offense should roll. The addition of Gonzalez will certainly help. The defense is suspect but you never know what could happen, they might (hopefully will) step up.

Staying healthy and the tandem of Ryan to Gonzalez will be key. Gonzalez in the red zone could make for an incredible year. But I’d prefer we keep expectations low as the Falcons are still in a rebuilding process—-especially defense. I’d settle for 9-7 with a wildcard.

For 2010, I see Atlanta offense only getting stronger as we develop a couple more receivers and add debt to line. But again, we need to develop at least 3 Pro Bowlers off the Defensive unit. We have Abraham, but who else of the young guys will step up as an elite? Lofton? SIdbury? Owens? Moore? Their development is what will make watching the Falcons so interesting.

16 and 0 is technically possible. I’m calling 12-4 as the point where the bell curve goes flat on us though. The difference between losing and winning this year will be health.

I think will go 12-4, besides losing to the pats im not really sure who else will actually lose to. possibly saints on mnf. but i dont se us losing to the giants or the cowboys, maybe philly but i really hope we beat them i dont want vick to have bragging rights. we could possibly lose to carolina in carolina, we always have a tough time there, and prolly the bucs at week 17, since we never really win in tampa and also bc its week 17 i dont think our starters will be playing.

Bring my girlfriend roses, just to be nice. Then a few hours later she asks me not to play Madden today. What is it with chicks these days? Lol

Best case scenario, I think we could start off 6-0, but lose our divisional games on the road for 3 losses, and probably lose to an NFC east team on the road (NY). Maybe it doesn’t slice up exactly like that, but 12 wins is the loftiest we can go, and 10 seems more feasible.

For all the talk of our difficult schedule, I just have a feeling that our homefield advantage this year is going to be a real boost. When we score first I see our capacity to be an elite team in the league, and it immediately mitigates the pressure on our defense, as well as the strategy/style of our schemes.

Starting with MIA and CAR is tough, but at home I think we can start fast. NE will be mightily favored to take us out in Foxboro, which means that we could get overlooked and stun folks.
I don’t respect SF or DAL, even on their turf, bc our team is much more mature.
Hitting week 7 it gets tougher, but I just see our respite’s at home as real saving graces in this monstrous schedule (i.e. weeks 11-13)

Can anyone explain- we played CHI at home last season but what I’m looking at says they are coming to ATL again this year- is that correct?
I’d be scared to play them away.

Therefore, the ceiling is 16-0.

Do I believe that will happen? Of course not, we’ll PROBABLY lose to the Giants, Pats and a couple division games. I’m calling a division-winning 10-6, but the ceiling is obviously perfection.

The only games I’m not reasonably confident in us being able to win are:
Pats – Week 3: Too Much Brady
Panthers – Week 9: It is written in the Falcons by-laws that we must split with Carolina
Giants – Week 10: Too Cold

If we get off to a 2-1 start through the tough stretch to start the season I’m sticking with my 12-4 call for the year.

I saw the bucs live against the jags and their secondary looks horrible. Matt Ryan should have a field day. Their run D looked pretty good but I think we have a better offensive line than the Jags.

Their offense looked ok but nothing spectacular.

maybe i am the only one to think we can ….and will…beat the Patriots. Last year they had a putz of a schedule. This year they face the NFC South and the beginning of the end of their media hype. I think the patriots will be 9-7 at the end of season and the Falcons will be the media favorite when all is said and done.

everyone is picking on our secondary, what about our d-line, if we can’t get some to help john a. to get pressure on the quarterback, u can have the best secondary every put together and they still get burn, if the falcons can get pressure from the d-line, our secondary will make plays, i believe atlanta will win the south at 11-5 and make it to the nfc championship game, but after that i’m not sure, but if there d-line plays good and gett pressure on the quarterback, then i believe they can win it all

I think the Falcons will go either 10-6 or 11-5. They have some tough games on their schedule, but they are a good team which is only going to get better, they can handle it. I see their offense taking major strides again this year. Matty Ice will be better and Gonzalez will add another (needed) major threat to the team.

Matt Ryan – 3,600 yards 24 td’s 11 int’s 63 %
Michael Turner – 1400 yds 11 td’s
Jerious Norwood – 900-1000 total yards 5-7 td’s
Roddy White – 1200-1300 yds 7-9 td’s
Tony Gonzalez – 800-900 yds 5-7 td’s

That is my unbiased view on the Falcons this year. I believe those to be reasonable predictions.