NFL Record Predictions: Where do the Redskins end up in the pack?
By Ian Cummings
Atlanta Falcons
Look at Matt Ryan’s eyes. Those are danger eyes.
Part of me wanted to just end the description there. But that’s not what a responsible writer does. Instead, I’ll refer you to this quote from our own Jacob Camenker, who ranked the Falcons as one of his Super Bowl contenders in his recent NFL power rankings.
"More from Riggo's Rag What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders? Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft Commanders News: Chase Young trade, draft day, CB riser and Sam Howell This may be a surprise to some, but the Falcons are a sneaky-good Super Bowl contender. They are playing 13 regular season games indoors, which Matt Ryan loves. Their offensive weaponry (Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu, et al) is excellent. They upgraded their offensive line with first-round picks Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. And best of all, their defense is fully healthy after dealing with numerous key injuries last year."
I’m not quite as high on the Falcons as Jacob; their offense has always been exceptional with Matt Ryan, but ever since Kyle Shanahan left, the unit hasn’t been efficient enough on a consistent basis to rise above the best teams. The depth of the defense is also a modest concern on all three levels. Those factors bump the Falcons below the deeper Saints for me, and it was a coin toss as to whether the Falcons or the Panthers took the NFC 6-seed in this prediction.
Ultimately, Matt Ryan is a borderline-top five quarterback who always has his team in position, and as long as Dirk Koetter can keep Ryan comfortable, and as long as the defense stays healthy, the Falcons do have the potential to make another run at the Lombardi.