I picked the Atlanta Falcons to suffer the great grandmother twice removed of all Super Bowl hangovers last season and for a while it seemed like they were heading right to the porcelain alter to pass out next to a plunger and toilet brush. But a funny thing happened around midseason. The Falcons took a couple of Advil, drank some pickle juice, ate a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and pulled themselves out of it.
For three quarters of the Super Bowl two football years ago, the Falcons looked like a juggernaut before gagging away the final quarter of a championship like Melania Trump walking into the Oval Office after Donald just downed his fourth Taco Bowl. The oddsakers at BetDSI Sportsbook think the Falcons should be for real this season again. Here’s what they’re offering in over-under odds.
Atlanta Falcons 2018-19 Regular Season Win Total
Over 9.5 (-118)
Under 9.5 (-112)
The Falcons sent notice in April that this whole explosive offense thing wasn’t something they were willing to drop. Atlanta selected Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley in the first round of the NFL Draft and he should slide right into a starting slot position with Mohamed Sanu and All-Universe wideout Julio Jones still holding down the outside spots.
Matt Ryan got his whole money situation taken care of this offseason and unless the record contract (at least until Aaron Rodgers signs his new deal) was paid out in cash he has to carry on his body at all times, don’t be surprised to see another Pro Bowl season out of one of the Top Five QBs in the league in 2018.
https://twitter.com/SleeperAthletes/status/1001928115004821505
In the backfield, the Falcons should have the tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman together for at least one more season. Freeman is probably a Top Five back himself and Coleman is in the Top 10.
Of course, the real hiccup in Atlanta’s offense last year was the playcalling of Steve Sarkisian. Has he learned anything since to help him improve his gameplans and game strategies? I don’t have a lot of faith, but this group is so talented they can cover up a lot of coaching staff flaws.
With the rest of their draft picks, Atlanta continued to build up its defense. This is becoming a sneaky talented unit, with tons of depth on the back end and solid pass rushers up front.
Sark on the next steps in his and Matt Ryan's relationship… pic.twitter.com/yJH0rCG5XK
— Andy Bunker (@TBM929) June 6, 2018
Checking out Atlanta’s schedule, the NFL hasn’t made a return trip to the playoffs easy. The Falcons’ first three games are on the road at the Philadelphia Eagles, hosting the Carolina Panthers, then hosting the New Orleans Saints. The get a break in Week Four with the Cincinnati Bengals, then it’s right back in the fire pit with a trip to Heinz Field to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The fact is, the Falcons with a healthy Ryan at QB have the capability of beating anybody. But Sark’s playcalling and a defense that can disappear at times will keep it interesting all year long. I still like this team to be standing with double-digit wins heading into the postseason. I say take the over.
