NFL Team Preview: 2020 Atlanta Falcons

BY ADAM GREENE

Key Additions: LB Edmond Robinson (free agent), TE Khari Lee (free agent), LB LaRoy Reynolds (free agent), OL Justin McCray (free agent), WR Laquon Treadwell (free agent), CB Blido Wreh-Wilson (free agent), S Sharrod Neasman (free agent), RB Todd Gurley (free agent), TE Hayden Hurst (trade with the Baltimore Ravens), OLB Dante Fowler Jr., (free agent).

2020 NFL Draft: CB A.J. Terrell, Clemson (round 1), DT Marlon Davidson, Auburn (round 2), C Matt Hennessy, Temple (round 3), LB Mykal Walker, Fresno State (round 4), S Jaylinn Hawkins, California (round 4), P Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse (round 7).

Projected offensive starters: QB Matt Ryan, RB Todd Gurley, WR Julio Jones, WR Calvin Ridley, WR Russell Gage, TE Hayden Hurst, LT Jake Matthews, LG Matt Hennessey, C Alex Mack, RG Chris Lindstrom, RT Kaleb McGary

Projected defensive starters: LDE Takkarist McKinley, LDT Grady Jarrett, RDT Tyeler Davison, RDE Allen Bailey, WLB Dante Fowler Jr., MLB Deion Jones, SLB Foyesade Oluokun, LCB A.J. Terrell, RCB Isaiah Oliver, SS Keanu Neal, FS Damontae Kazee

PK: Younghoe Koo

P: Ryan Allen

Head Coach: Dan Quinn

2019 record: 7-9, second place NFC South

A Look Back: Atlanta was a complete disaster to open the 2019 season and the real shocker to come out of it was that Dan Quinn didn’t get fired before Halloween. It was then even more surprising that he didn’t get shot out the airlock after Christmas.

The Falcons lost seven of their first eigth games last year including six in a row. They picked up their ninth loss by Thanksgiving and that should have been that. But, by sheer luck and team talent Atlanta won its final four games, including a 28-22 overtime victory that ended Jameis Winston’s tenure with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Of their nine losses, five were within a score, but more telling is they were to quality opponents. In fact, of their nine defeats, only two came against teams that finished with a losing record. They also had the misfortune of playing the AFC South in 2019 which meant games against the Houston Texans and AFC runner up Tennessee Titans. It was a perfect storm.

2020 Projection: Atlanta is getting no help with its schedule again this year, drawing the AFC West and a sure loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 27. Their own division is, on paper, considerably tougher with the addition of Tom Brady to the Bucs. How good will the New Orleans Saints be? There’s a real chance that team could implode after Drew Brees inserted his foot into his face at the worst possible time. He’s attempted to make amends and everybody seems happy now, but who knows what’s under the surface?

The addition of Todd Gurley to the offense should make the whole thing run better if he’s healthy. Frankly, if they can get 10-11 games out of him at around 85-90 percent it will absolutely make a difference in the win column. The team was close last year and came out of an early season tailspin to finish strong and save their coach’s job. This looks like a potential playoff team to me.

Projected 2020 Final Record: 10-6. What the Falcons are capable of hasn’t slipped by the books and their payoff at over 7.5 wins sits at -130. It’s that double-digit victory prediction that could land you some cash, currently at +250.

Follow our BetOnline Twitter account for the latest sports news and betting odds, and stay tuned on the Instagram feed for more good information too.