2011 Atlanta Falcons NFL Expert Predictions, Picks, 2012 Vegas Super Bowl Odds and Schedule – Atlanta Falcons NFL Football Season Preview: The Atlanta Falcons made a huge jump last season, going 13-3 and winning the NFC South. Although they fell to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers in the playoffs, the progression of this relatively young team was impressive. Seeing the opportunity to win now, the front office acted as such in the draft and during free agency. Adding what it hopes are the missing pieces to a championship puzzle, Atlanta has its sights set on a title in 2011-12.
The move that everyone is talking about is Atlanta’s decision to trade a handful of draft picks to move up and select wide receiver Julio Jones in the first round of April’s draft. Jones is a big, fast target that should give the Falcons the deep threat they were missing last season. He will immediately line up across from Roddy White, who is led the NFL in receiving yards and receptions last season. Throw in the now healthy Harry Douglas in the slot and Tony Gonzalez at tight end, and the Falcons should have one of the most prolific passing attacks in the league.
Leading the attack will be quarterback Matt Ryan. He has had the makings of a franchise QB since entering the league, and he has thrown more touchdowns and fewer interceptions in every season he has played. Last year, he threw 28 touchdowns and nearly topped 4,000 yards. With Jones coming to town and Douglas returning from a knee injury, Ryan should easily top 30 touchdowns in 2011-12 as he continues to establish himself as one of the elite signal callers in the league.
The scary thing for opponents is that, Atlanta is a balanced offense. As good as Ryan and the passing game have been in recent years, the ground attack has been just as potent thanks to Michael Turner. He has averaged just under a touchdown per game since joining the Falcons, and he has been an absolute battering ram around the goal line. Atlanta had the fifth-best scoring offense last year in large part because of Turner’s ability to finish of scoring drives. Throw in rookie versatile rookie back Jacquizz Rodgers, and the Falcons can beat opponents in a variety of ways.
While the addition of Jones got all the attention, Atlanta’s upgrades on defense could be the key to a Super Bowl run. Defensive end Ray Edwards was signed as a free agent, teaming with John Abraham along the defensive front to give the Falcons two excellent pass rushers. The added pressure on opposing QBs should help a pass defense that struggled at times last season. Even with the issues in the secondary, the unit still gave up the fifth-fewest points in the NFL. Jones will make the highlight reel, but Edwards could turn this defense into a championship-caliber unit.
A few years from now, the Falcons’ front office could end up regretting giving up all those draft picks. However, a Super Bowl victory would erase any doubts. This Atlanta franchise is loaded with talented stars on offense and is armed with an underappreciated defense. With a year of playoff experience under their belts, Ryan and company should be better equipped to handle the postseason pressures this year. Make no mistake, the Falcons should contend with the Saints for the NFC South title and make the playoffs regardless. This team is built for deep playoff run.
Preseason 2011 Atlanta Falcons NFL Odds:
Odds to Win 2012 Super Bowl: +1615
Odds to Win 2011 NFC Championship: +825
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2011 Atlanta Falcons NFL Football Schedule
1 Sunday Sep. 11 1:00 PM at Bears – – –
2 Sunday Sep. 18 8:20 PM Eagles – – –
3 Sunday Sep. 25 4:15 PM at Buccaneers – – –
4 Sunday Oct. 2 4:05 PM at Seahawks – – –
5 Sunday Oct. 9 8:20 PM Packers – – –
6 Sunday Oct. 16 1:00 PM Panthers – – –
7 Sunday Oct. 23 1:00 PM at Lions – – –
8 Bye Week
9 Sunday Nov. 6 1:00 PM at Colts – – –
10 Sunday Nov. 13 1:00 PM Saints – – –
11 Sunday Nov. 20 1:00 PM Titans – – –
12 Sunday Nov. 27 1:00 PM Vikings – – –
13 Sunday Dec. 4 1:00 PM at Texans – – –
14 Sunday Dec. 11 1:00 PM at Panthers – – –
15 Thursday Dec. 15 8:20 PM Jaguars – – –
16 Monday Dec. 26 8:30 PM at Saints – – –
17 Sunday Jan. 1 1:00 PM Buccaneers – – –
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 NFL Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 NFC South Odds and Predictions articles.
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