Many “experts” assumed the 2022 Atlanta Falcons had a bottom three roster in the NFL coming into the season. These same people and publications picked the Falcons to finish last in the NFC South and end up with a top five draft pick.
Two games into the season and one could say things were going as planned. Week 1 was a heartbreaking loss to the Aints followed by a failed but valiant comeback against the world champion Rams. According to Tankathon, the Falcons sat with the #1 pick in the draft and could have their pick of the litter. But if you were paying attention to Arthur Smith in the post-game press conferences, you felt like these guys would eventually rally and win some games.
The Falcons have since won three of their last five games, and if there hadn’t been a completely idiotic moment from Jerome Boger, they may have entered last week’s game against the Bengals on a four-game winning streak. Cincinnati crushed the Falcons and their beat up secondary on Sunday 35-17, but Atlanta is still perched on top of the division at 3-4 following Tampa Bay’s third consecutive loss to the Ravens last night. The upcoming schedule is also extremely favorable for the Falcons. So, are you buying this team as a playoff contender?
The Falcons have four divisional games left against the putrid NFC South. At this rate, eight wins may be enough to win the division. Atlanta is such an interesting case. Statistically, the team is only good at stopping the run and running the football. In a pass happy NFL, this isn’t supposed to be a winning formula. But when looking around the NFC, which quarterback could beat up the Falcons like Joe Burrow did Sunday? The best quarterback in the NFC might be… Kirk Cousins?
Father time and bad supporting casts are catching up to Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. The Seahawks are in first place in the NFC West, and the Falcons have already beaten Geno and the gang. I have never in my life feared Dak Prescott, and I’m not going to start now. The Eagles are the hottest team in the league, but what they do best on offense is what the Falcons stop the best on defense. Do you fear Jalen Hurts dropping back 35 times and beating you?
The defense is paper thin and treading water right now, and the offense must find ways to get the ball to Kyle Pitts and Drake London. In no way am I saying that these Falcons are contenders to win the NFC. But the NFC South? They can absolutely win this division.
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Photographer: Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire
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