NFL record predictions for the 2018 regular season
By Ian Cummings
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a better team than their record will suggest. The NFL is a tough league, and the NFC South is a particularly competitive division. The Falcons are in a similar situation to the Titans. They have the talent, but will they be able to put it together consistently?
Consistency has always been a minor problem with Dan Quinn’s teams. If the Falcons can put together a complete season, then they could be one of the best teams in the league. Matt Ryan is a former MVP, with the talent at his disposal to direct a league-best offense. If anything is going to hold the Falcons back, it’s their defense.
It’s not because their defense is bad. In the NFL, the smallest differences make the biggest impact. The Falcons’ defense has a number of talented players. Deion Jones, Keanu Neal, Desmond Truant, Vic Beasley, Takkarist McKinley, and Grady Jarrett are all players worthy of recognition. But aside from these players, the Falcons lack proven payers. And especially on the defensive line, they lack depth. Deadrin Senat will help with this, but having a rotational unit is valuable in today’s league, and it’s clear that the Falcons do not have that, even after signing Terrell McClain.
The NFC South is not as weak as it has been in the past. All four teams have the chance to cause trouble on the playoff stage. The Falcons will be fighting with three teams for a piece of the pie. They’ll win some battles. They’ll lose a comparable amount.