Atlanta Falcons 2016 Season Preview

(photo credit: theboysareback.wordpress.com)

The Atlanta Falcons enter the 2016 NFL season with the knowledge that they have the talent to keep up with some of the best teams in the league, in addition to the reality that it is really difficult to win week in and week out in the NFL. Opening 2015 with five straight victories, the Falcons were 6-1 heading into their Week 8 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After overcoming a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to send the game into overtime, Tampa Bay prevailed. The loss was the first of six in a row for Atlanta, spiraling them to 6-7 and an eventual 8-8 season record. From exceedingly hopeful to disappointingly heartbroken in the span of two months.

Atlanta still boasts playmakers all over the field. Offensively, quarterback Matt Ryan enters his ninth year as one of the major workhorses in the league, having missed just 2 out of 128 possible games in his career and finishing no worse than seventh in passes attempted in each of the last six seasons. Running back Devonta Freeman continues to be one of the most explosive playmakers in the league. During one five-week stretch last season, he gained 578 yards rushing, 247 yards receiving, and scored nine touchdowns. And wide receiver Julio Jones consistently leaves no doubt that he is one of the best pass catchers of our generation. He tied Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown in leading the league with 136 receptions, the second-highest total in league history, and he lead the league all by himself with 1,871 receiving yards, also the second-highest total in league history.

Defensively, second-year defensive end Vic Beasley shifts to the second level and looks to make an impact as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant are consistent playmaking corners both entering just their fourth year in the league, with Trufant making a slightly larger impact having appeared in last season's Pro Bowl. Tyson Jackson and Adrian Clayborn are the headlining veterans on the defensive line.

If Atlanta hopes to have a good season, they'll have to get off to a fast start. Their first three games are against Tampa Bay, Oakland, and New Orleans, all of whom were below .500 last season. From there, four of the Falcons next five games are against the Panthers, Broncos (that's both Super Bowl teams from last season on consecutive weeks), Seahawks, and Packers. They then face Tampa Bay again and the Eagles before heading into their bye. That week off will be necessary before facing the recently-dominant and perennially playoff-bound Cardinals and Chiefs in back-to-back weeks. From there the Falcons' season ends with the Rams, 49ers, Panthers and Saints. With that schedule, a good season would wining all the games they're supposed to and stealing a couple from the top contenders, to finish at 9-7 or 10-6. They could very easily finish 6-10 or 5-11 if things don't go their way, though. They'll need to stay healthy and make some strides defensively to see the positive results they are hoping for.