Falcons: My 2011 Season Predictions

[RFlagg]

Week 1: @ Chicago
Opening at the team that lost the NFC Championship game the previous season would normally be a formidable challenge, but let's examine the Bears post-season run. The had a first round bye, then played a Seattle team that, despite beating the Saints the week before, really didn't deserve to be in the playoffs. After that they ran into the same buzz saw that took down the Falcons in the Green Bay Packers. Closer analysis shows that the Bears had the #30 ranked offense and 21st ranked scoring offense in 2010. I don't think they did anything to help that offense this season, Marion Barber be damned. I don't see the Bears being a #2 seed again, in fact I don't think they'll make the playoffs. I'm betting on the Falcons in this one.
Record: 1-0

Week 2: vs Philadelphia
"The Dream Team", according to Vince Young, visits the Georgia Dome in Week 2. It's Mike Vick's (2nd) return to Atlanta. How will he play? Better question, how will the fans react? Let's look at the Eagles who, on paper, appear to be one of the best teams in the league. They added as many as 7 new starters on Defense and those players will have had exactly 45 days to learn and gel into what is going to be a very good defense in the future. With only 4 preseason and 1 regular season game, I don't think they'll be there yet. I think the Eagles win the NFC East, but the Falcons will win this very tight game, shaking a problem team from their backs in the process.
Record: 2-0

Week 3: @ Tampa Bay
A surprise team for many last season the Buccaneers are young and hungry. Josh Freeman is a good QB that has shown flashes of becoming great. Also, the Falcons will be coming off of 2 very tough games in a row and, coupled with this being a road game for the Birds, I think that's enough for the Falcons to lose their first game of the season.
Record: 2-1

Week 4: @ Seattle
Last season the Seahawks shocked (and shook) the world in defeating the Saints in the playoffs. This season, the Seahawks will start a new QB & WR. The Seahawks aren't world beaters, and will most likely suffer another losing season this year. However, they won't make the playoffs despite that. The Falcons will be angry after a loss at the hands of Tampa Bay, and will come out firing on all cylinders. Falcons win this one going away.
Record: 3-1

Week 5: vs Green Bay
The Falcons may have the toughest 5 game opening stretch in the NFL this season, and the final opponent in the stretch will be the World Champions, the team that drubbed the Falcons out of the playoffs, the Green Bay Packers. This team will look very different from the last one that Atlanta played. They'll have a bunch of players back that we're injured last season and did not lose many players in the offseason. Green Bay is also a veteran team and Aaron Rodgers may just be the best QB league right now. I've got the Packers doing extremely well this season and winning this game. Albeit much closer than the last time these two teams played.
Record: 3-2

Week 6: vs Carolina
The Panthers brought in Cam Newton to be the franchises savior at QB. They seem to think he canbe like Donovan McNabb was in Philadelphia. A few problems with that. 1, did not play in 4 games his first season, only started 6, and won 2 of those. 2, Cam Newton seems to rely on his legs much more than his arm to try to make plays, while McNabb was actually interested in learning his position. I don't think Newton's game will translate well to the NFL and, while I think the Panthers will be better in 2011, I think they still have a ways to go before returning to being a good team. Falcons win.
Record: 4-2

Week 7: @ Detroit
Here's a question for you, when's the last time you we're playing Detroit and thought they might be good enough to make the playoffs? I think the Lions might just squeak in this season if all the pieces fall into the right places. However, I think the Falcons are the better team and will win this game, though I won't be surprised if it's close.
Record: 5-2

Week 9: @ Indianapolis
What is the best case scenario for playing the Colts? You're coming off of a bye, they're coming off a road game, and you're the home team. Well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad. Here's a chance for the Falcons to prove that they really are one of the best teams in the NFL, by beating one of the best teams in the NFL. One snag in this is Peyton Manning, who should be back and just getting his wheels back under him. While the bye week helps get the Falcons rested, Peyton proves why he's one of the best QBs to play the position and leads a close victory.
Record: 5-3

Week 10: vs New Orleans
Those pesky Saints will be at it again. They'll come into Atlanta in a game that pit #1 in the NFC South vs #2. The Saints have a bye week after playing the Falcons and will be coming off of their 2nd game against Tampa Bay. Look for Atlanta to avenge last seasons late loss to the Saints and increase their record to 6-3.
Record: 6-3

Week 11: vs Tennessee
Kerry Collins - Colts Backup. Vince Young - Eagles Backup. QB for 2011 - Matt Hassleback. Unless it's Jake Locker, which this late in the year it might be. Especially with how bad I'm thinking Tennessee will be. Don't Expect the Titans to challenge for the AFC South crown. Or for a playoff spot. Or for the lead in this game. Falcons win and close in on their 4th consecutive winning season.
Record: 7-3

Week 12: vs Minnesota
Brett Favre is out, Donovan McNabb is in. 1/2 the Vikings defense line has changed (including Ray Edwards coming to Atlanta). How will that affect the Vikings overall defense? One thing that's sure to be the same, Adrian Peterson will continue to run, run, run the ball. However, the Falcons defense will step up in this one and make the plays necessary to win. The only thing that would be better is getting to watch the Falcons win on Thanksgiving Day instead of the Sunday after.
Record: 8-3

Week 13: @ Houston
The Falcons do not have to leave the state of Georgia at all the month of November, which is nice. 3 out of 4 on the road in December, not so nice. But their is a silver lining in this December road run, all 3 teams are in "Warm Weather Cities". In Fact, the Falcons only have to games against "Cold Weather Teams", Chicago in September and Seattle in early October. Every other road game is either against a team in a warm city or in a dome. That's nice. Here's a nice tid-bit for this game: Last seasons top rusher in the AFC was Arian Foster. In the the NFC, it was Michael Turner. What do you want to bet their's a lot of rushing in this game, unless Foster's nagging hamstring slows him down. But what about the Texans suspect pass defense (Last in the league last season). Well, expect Julio, Roddy, HD, and Matt to take advantage of that a few times as the Falcons win a Thrilla in...Houston.
Record: 9-3

Week 14: @ Carolina
3 of the Falcons last 4 games are against division opponents, and 2 of those are on the road. A slight spoiler for later weeks: I don't think the Falcons will sweep those games. A spoiler for this game, this won't be the one the Falcons lose.
Record: 10-3

Week 15: vs Jacksonville
Could this be the final season David Garrard mans the helm for the Jacksonville Jaguars? That will depend on his and the teams play. If the Jags play well and can muster a winning season and/or a playoff bearth, he might stick around a bit longer. If not, He may get dropped by the Jags in favor of top 10 pick Blaine Gabbert. What do I think? I think that when the Jags move to LA in a few years, Gabbert will be the man in charge. And he'll take the starting job in 2012, if not late in 2011. Falcons win against a Jaguars team that will appear to have given up.
Record: 11-3

Week 16: @ New Orleans
Falcons-Saints, Monday Night Football, it doesn't get any bigger than this. Except one problem, the Falcons lead in the NFC South at this point may be insurmountable. Possible, yes. But it's still the Saints, and the Falcons will still play to win. Call me a downer here, but I don't think that they will. Quick fact, the Falcons haven't beaten the Saints on a Monday night since 2005. I think that streak (unfortunately) continues, as the Falcons lose their 4th game of the season.
Record: 11-4

Week 17: vs Tampa Bay
While matching last season's record will be gone, the Falcons could still repeat as #1 seed with a win and a little luck. Tampa Bay will be playing for their playoff lives, needing a win to at least have a chance at the post season. The Falcons will eliminate the Bucs from the playoffs, but will still fall short of the #1 seed.
Record: 12-4

Falcons final record: 12-4, #2 Seed.

NFC Playoff Picture
#1 Green Bay (12-4)
#2 Atlanta (12-4)
#3 Philadelphia (11-5)
#4 St. Louis (9-7)
#5 New Orleans (11-5)
#6 Dallas (10-6)

[phocis850]

Great post but I see us losing to Philly.

[Hit Stick]

I have us at 12-4, but I don't have us losing to Tampa, and I do have us losing to Philly. Everyone should post one of these, it's really cool, nice work.

[markdzul]

I have no arguement with that record and those finishes, interchange the philly and tampa game would be my vote, possibly one more loss in there.... 12-4 or 11-5... The only issues for me are can we stay healthy and or get healthy at the right time and get everybody clicking at the same time, much like Green Bay did last year...