Atlanta Falcons: 10 Bold Predictions for the Remainder of the Season

[RFlagg]

Original Article

Atlanta Falcons: 10 Bold Predictions for the Remainder of the Season

With a record of 7-2, the Atlanta Falcons have had a very successful season so far.

Their nationally televised victory over the Baltimore Ravens this past week opened the eyes of many who had not already taken notice.

Last season, the team fell short of expectations, but still managed to pull out consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

They are on track to post their third straight winning season and a return to the playoffs.

Here are 10 bold predictions for how the rest of the season will play out.

10. The National Media Will Continue To Show This Team No Respect

I'm looking at you, ESPN.

It seems that every time the Falcons have won a big game, the experts around the country have found a way to downplay it, often adding a "Yeah, but..." routine that is quickly growing old.

The best so far has been Trent Dilfer saying he doesn't believe in the team because they are "simplistic against the run."

We're going on style-points now?

The Falcons defense is seventh in the NFL, allowing 98.1 rushing yards per game. Why does it matter how they get it done?

To be fair, ESPN.com's power rankings had the team at No. 3 last week, the best in the NFC, and they could rise following their win over Baltimore.

When they discuss this team on television, however, they repeatedly bring up how Atlanta plays on the road, seeming to conveniently forget that the Falcons beat the Saints in New Orleans and beat a Browns team that is better than we thought in Cleveland.

Coaches love to fire up their squads with the "No One Outside This Locker Room Believes In Us" speech, so if you want to keep giving this team more motivation, be my guest.

At some point, you will need to pay attention to them.

9. Their Monday Night Game Against New Orleans Will Be a Classic

If you caught the game these two played in Week 3, you know what I'm talking about.

Over the past few seasons, the Falcons and Saints have played a number of games with a playoff, even Championship Game, type atmosphere.

They played on Monday Night Football in 2009, a game that was hotly contested to the final gun and again took it to the wire later in the season when Atlanta was without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner.

Their contest this season was an early candidate for Game of the Year.

It is highly likely that the Week 16 showdown will for the division and, possibly, home-field advantage.

If you weren't planning to already, make sure you watch that game.

8. They Will Go 8-0 at Home

Since Mike Smith arrived in Atlanta, the team is 18-3 at home and 18-1 with Ryan at quarterback.

You want teams to have the fear of God at the thought of having to win a playoff game at your place. The Georgia Dome is quickly becoming that type of venue.

With the ways the Falcons have been winning at home this season (receivers causing fumbles, last-minute touchdown drives and goal-line stands) it's looking like this team simply does not lose home games.

They will continue to do that for the rest of 2010, finishing a perfect 8-0.

7. They Will Finish No Worse Than 13-3

Atlanta's schedule is very favorable the rest of the way. They play two top-flight teams in Green Bay and New Orleans, but both of those games are at home.

They still play dreadful Carolina twice, travel to St. Louis and Seattle and will visit Tampa Bay in a divisional rematch.

It's always tough playing in Seattle, the Rams are improved and the Bucs will surely be seeking revenge, but the Falcons will likely be favored in all of their remaining games.

I already said they'd go 8-0 at home, do you expect me to say they'll lose at Carolina?

The Falcons have a good shot to run the table, but they won't be worse than 13-3.

6. They Will Win The NFC South

If 13-3 doesn't win you a division, I don't know what will.

The Falcons nearly won the South in 2008, and many feel they would have had Ryan and Turner not missed significant time last year.

They're playing better than any team in the division right now and have already beaten the Saints and Buccaneers.

Sorry, Tampa, there will be no worst-to-first team in the South this year.

5. Michael Turner Will Have a Monster Final Stretch

Turner had a huge year in 2008 before injuries slowed him down in 2009. He's been good this year, but hasn't broken as many long runs as we've grown accustomed to seeing.

That should be changing soon.

Once you get past St. Louis, who is currently sixth against the run, the Falcons' opponent with the toughest rushing defense will be Seattle, 14th in the NFL.

With what Ryan showed us against Baltimore, teams won't be able to stack the box anymore, freeing up major running room for Turner.

Look for "The Burner" to start gashing teams again.

4. They Will Finish With a Top-5 Defense

Atlanta's goal coming into the season was to have a defensive unit that ranked in the top five.

They are currently eight in the league in points allowed, but aren't exactly facing the best offenses in the world the rest of the way.

After giving up 39 to Cincinnati, the team allowed just 21 to both Tampa Bay and Baltimore, and seven of Tampa's points came on special teams.

The defense has been getting better as the year has gone on. That will continue the rest of the way and the team will attain its goal.

3. Roddy White Will Be The First Receiver To Win The MVP Award

White has made a habit of having huge games this year while making plays in clutch situations.

No receiver has ever won the MVP award, but if he continues to play this way, it will be hard to keep it away from him.

The Falcons would be nowhere near the 7-2 they are right now without him.

With the team looking to get him the ball more and more, the out-of-this-world numbers he will put up should help him make history.

2. They Will Get The No. 1 Seed

Besides the Falcons, no team in the NFC has a chance to finish better than 13-3, which is where Atlanta will be at.

The Giants and Eagles still play each other twice and will likely split those games. The wins Atlanta will get over Green Bay and New Orleans at home will be enough to launch them to No. 1.

This would certainly make Atlanta the favorite in their first playoff game, leading us to my final prediction.

1. They Will Play In The NFC Championship Game

If you're looking for someone to say they'll be in the Super Bowl, you've come to the wrong place.

I wouldn't jinx you that hard, guys.

If the other predictions fall into place, at least the ones involving the team's record, Atlanta will be hosting the NFC Championship Game for the first time.

We've already seen how tough they are to beat at home, so this could go down as the best season in franchise history. At the very least, it will be incredibly memorable.

[papachaz]

Hi Homer, how ya doin? LMAO

J/K i only disagree a little on a few of those....not so sure we go 13-3, i can see us losing a home game. not saying which one because this year the way things have gone, well who knows, it could be GB, it could be NO (ok, so i just threw up a little in my mouth) but it could happen.

i like your thoughts tho, hope they all come true and i'll be sure to come back and apologize if you won't waggle your finger at me, LOL

[Swift Is a Die Hard]

10- No clue what you are talking about ESPN has been saying we are the best team in the NFC us and Giants stop being one of those fans that care what analyst say
WE HAVE TO EARN RESPECT ...


9-agree it will be for division



8- tough test with Saints and Packers but very possible



7- 13-3 is a lil reach ...more likely 12-4 and lets not jinx our self the game vs St Louis is tricky and same with Sea ...plus Packers/Saints and a trip to Tampa



6-LETS HOPE ..we got 2 games lead right now with win over Saints


5- agree ..Turner plays vs some weak ass run defenses coming up


4- NO CHANCE IN HELL WE FINISH TOP 5 DEFENSE


3- Roddy should get some votes just to hard for wr to win MVP award

1)Rivers
2)Vick
3)Manning
4)White


2- Looks like us or the Eagles right now and they hold a win over us ..Eagles are best team right now ...will be close that loss could hurt us



1- LETS PRAY WE GET HOME FIELD cause I dont like the thought of going to Philly or NYG to win a game

[Peyton]

My first thought when seeing the "top 5" defense was "Wow....No freaking chance".

But in this year of extreme parity across the league, the Falcons have only given up 13 points more than the team currently in 5th.

So...with several games against pretty bad offenses still on the schedule, you never know.

Of course, there is a couple of games against some pretty good offenses as well.

[Tandy]

(11-16-2010 11:33 AM)Swift Is a Die Hard Wrote:  10- No clue what you are talking about ESPN has been saying we are the best team in the NFC us and Giants stop being one of those fans that care what analyst say
WE HAVE TO EARN RESPECT ...


9-agree it will be for division



8- tough test with Saints and Packers but very possible



7- 13-3 is a lil reach ...more likely 12-4 and lets not jinx our self the game vs St Louis is tricky and same with Sea ...plus Packers/Saints and a trip to Tampa



6-LETS HOPE ..we got 2 games lead right now with win over Saints


5- agree ..Turner plays vs some weak ass run defenses coming up


4- NO CHANCE IN HELL WE FINISH TOP 5 DEFENSE


3- Roddy should get some votes just to hard for wr to win MVP award

1)Rivers
2)Vick
3)Manning
4)White


2- Looks like us or the Eagles right now and they hold a win over us ..Eagles are best team right now ...will be close that loss could hurt us



1- LETS PRAY WE GET HOME FIELD cause I dont like the thought of going to Philly or NYG to win a game

We control our own destiny. Eagles are 6-3. We win out - take care of our own business game by game and the Eagles can't even compete.

So - the Falcons will determine if the game against the Eagles comes back to haunt us - not the Eagles.

We just have to take one game at a time, one opponent at a time and keep winning.

[Arkansas Falcon]

(11-16-2010 12:32 PM)Tandy Wrote:  We control our own destiny. Eagles are 6-3. We win out - take care of our own business game by game and the Eagles can't even compete.

So - the Falcons will determine if the game against the Eagles comes back to haunt us - not the Eagles.

We just have to take one game at a time, one opponent at a time and keep winning.

Exactly. I totally agree.