Consecutive Winning Seasons Will Not Elude Atlanta Falcons' Offensive Attack

Can Matt Ryan lead the young Falcons to a second-straight winning season?  Perhaps the most difficult obstacle to overcome is the franchise’s own history, as Atlanta has never seen its team post consecutive winning seasons.

But with a plethora of offensive talent, Ryan has as good a chance as ever to break that streak.

Last season the Atlanta Falcons far exceeded preseason expectations by rattling off eleven wins en route to a playoff berth. Led by rookie standout quarterback Matt Ryan, the explosive Falcons offense carried the team through most of the season. 

This season it might be even better. Forget about how the young studs like Roddy White and Jerious Norwood are finally coming into their own, and how MVP runner-up Michael Turner is a freak out of the backfield—they just added Tony Gonzalez, the best tight end of all time. 

Gonzalez’s presence adds a whole other level to this already explosive offense.  He brings a secure option underneath and across the middle that did not exist last year (when they finished sixth in the NFL with 361.2 yards per game). 

Gonzalez also brings leadership to the young corps, imparting his 12 years of All-Pro experience to the up and coming stars. 

Expect a third straight year surpassing 1,000 yards receiving for Roddy White.  Expect another 1,400 yards rushing from Michael Turner.  Expect over 3,000 yards passing from Matt Ryan. Expect close to 400 yards per game from one of the league’s elite offenses, seemingly built overnight.

But is it enough to overcome one of the league’s toughest schedules? The numbers certainly show its going to be an uphill battle.

Last year the Falcons faced a mostly cupcake schedule, including five of the six worst defenses in the league (Oakland, St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City and Detroit). Teams on the 2008 Atlanta schedule allowed an average of over 24 points per game. The 2009 Atlanta opponents allowed just over 20. 

The only "cupcakes" this season are going to be New Orleans (although they have the best offense in the NFL) and San Francisco (with its 13th-rated defense). The schedule is just that hard.

However this is a team that averaged more than 24 points per game on offense; a team that has an improved, matured and more complete offense that’s capable of outscoring the best of teams on any given Sunday. They may have to average more than three touchdowns a game again, but its entirely possible with this kind of firepower.

Are Atlanta fans going to be blessed with another eleven win season? It appears unlikely.  Yet nine wins is completely within reach, based on the power of this young offense. Each week is going to be a shootout, no question, but Atlanta has as many weapons as any team in the league.

With Ryan at the helm, now is the time to push aside history and move forward into a new age of Falcons football.  In one year, the city will be focusing on more important franchise accomplishments than consecutive winning seasons—like winning Super Bowls.

Scott Miller is the creator of www.DirtySouthSports.com and also covers the Falcons for www.NFLTouchdown.com