2017 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Dan Quinn
2017 Offensive Ranking - 8th (365 ypg, 22.1 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 9th (318 ypg, 19.7 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Coming off his MVP season of 2016, quarterback Matt Ryan saw his numbers dip last season to 4,095 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Matt Schaub backs him up.
Running backs are Devonta Freeman (865 yards, seven TD) and Tevin Coleman (628 yards, five TD).
The wide receivers are led by Julio Jones, who caught 88 passes last season for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns. Others include Mohammed Sanu (67, 703, five TD) and Justin Hardy (20, 221, three TD) along with top rookie pick Calvin Ridley (Alabama). The tight end is Austin Hooper, who had 49 receptions for 526 yards and three touchdowns.
DEFENSE - The defense lost sacks leader Adrian Clayborn to free agency, but will see Vic Beasley return to his normal position on the end spot. Beasley had five quarterback sacks last season, but led the NFL with 15 1/2 take downs two years ago. Also up front is end Takkarist McKinley (six sacks) and DT Grady Jarrett, who had four sacks. Duke Riley, Deion Jones (three interceptions) and De'Vondre Campbell are the linebackers.
In the secondary is Desmond Trufant (two picks) and Robert Alford at the cornerback spots. Rookie Isaiah Oliver (Colorado) and Brian Poole are also available. The safeties are Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal.
OUTLOOK - After a heart breaking Super Bowl loss two years ago, the Falcons got back to the playoffs last year, beating the L.A. Rams in the wild card round before losing a tight game to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
Therefore, heading into the 2018 season, Head Coach Dan Quinn knows there is reason for optimism once again as Ryan and the offense look to get back on track when they led the NFL in scoring in the 2016 season.
The running game needs to step up and outside of Jones, the other receivers must improve for the offense to be effective enough to keep opponents honest. The Falcons had a top ten offense last season, but the running game was down from the year before.
The defense held opponents down as far as yardage and scoring was concerned, but improving on takeaways is a must. In 2017, the Falcons had only eight interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
Playing in the strong NFC South makes things even more difficult. Three teams (Atlanta, Carolina and New Orleans) made the playoffs last year, so it will be a challenge for the Falcons to regain the division title they had two years ago.
Four of their first five games are against playoff teams (including the season opener at Philadelphia, the reigning Super Bowl champions) so a good start would be a huge plus for Atlanta.
If Ryan and company get it going again, another Super Bowl appearance could happen. The likelihood is another 10-6 finish this year, which could be enough to get back to the playoffs for a third straight season.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Philadelphia
Week 2 - vs. Carolina
Week 3 - vs. New Orleans
Week 4 - vs. Cincinnati
Week 5 - at Pittsburgh
Week 6 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 7 - vs. NY Giants
Week 8 - Bye
Week 9 - at Washington
Week 10 - at Cleveland
Week 11 - vs. Dallas
Week 12 - at New Orleans
Week 13 - vs. Baltimore
Week 14 - at Green Bay
Week 15 - vs. Arizona
Week 16 - at Carolina
Week 17 - at Tampa Bay
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