Falcons’ odds to win NFC South suffer blow following Bucs’ signing of Tom Brady

It’s been an eventful first week of free agency. The news of signings, both big and small, has been coming in fast and furious. Not only are we getting a clearer picture of the state of the Falcons roster before the draft, we’re also starting to see how rosters may round out league-wide. One signing you probably took note of was Tom Brady’s decision to take his talents to Tampa Bay. Let’s talk about that.

Because Brady plans to play football until he’s eligible for monthly social security payments, he inked this new deal with Buccaneers last week. Who knows if he can turn that hot mess into a competitive football team, but this is a free country, and he’s allowed to trot his avocado-infused noodle arm out there every week if he really wants to.

It should come as no surprise that the addition of Brady to the NFC South has impacted the oddsmakers’ 2020 predictions. The Falcons had the second-best odds of winning the NFC South (+300); second only to the Saints (-155). The Bucs had the third best odds (+500). Their addition of Brady, however; well, it changed things. Now the Saints are facing slightly steeper odds (-110) and the Buccaneers (+170) have leapfrogged the Falcons (+600). That speaks volumes about what oddsmakers think Brady can still accomplish, albeit while playing for a team that isn’t coached by Bill Belichick.

I’m not saying these odds will ultimately prove to be inaccurate, but I wouldn’t count the Falcons out either. Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff are clearly willing to take big swings this off-season, and that’s still their prerogative.

Your thoughts, Falcoholics?