NFL Preview Atlanta Falcons: Falcons Set for Super Season in 2010

2009 Recap: The Falcons registered a 9-7 record in 2009 is impressive considering they faced one of the toughest schedules in the league.  It was the first time in franchise history that the Falcons posted back to back winning seasons and that has the team, and its fans optimistic about 2010.

BetMania has released the 2010 Odds on the Atlanta Falcons to win the NFC South, the NFC, and Superbowl XLV. Here are the following odds for the Atlanta Falcons for 2010.

Atlanta Falcons Odds to win the NFC: 10 to 1

Atlanta Falcons Odds to win the NFC South: 2 to 1

Draft: The Falcons drafted admirably this year, filling holes on defense with players that are ready to play at the next level.

The number one pick, Sean Weatherspoon, is slated to start in his first year and make an immediate impact at the linebacker position. Defensive Tackle Corey Peters will add depth to a defense that struggled last year and the remaining picks have a shot of staying with the Falcons for a long time.

Key Personnel Change:

In 2009, the Falcons ranked near the bottom of the league in terms of passing yards allowed, and set out to fix that problem in the free agency market. This is an area the Falcons need to improve on if they want to compete with the pass happy offense of the New Orleans Saints.

Enter cornerback Dunta Robinson.

Robinson is a shutdown corner that will automatically improve a pass defense that struggled against passing offenses. He will step in as a starter and a leader in the secondary and was a great signing for the Falcons.

Atlanta Falcon Offense

The strength of this Atlanta Falcon team is the offense.

In just his third year, Matt Ryan is quickly becoming known as one of the better signal callers in the league. He is accompanied by a stall full of elite weapons.

Michael Turner is a workhorse running back capable of getting the tough yards or breaking one for a big gain. Jerious Norwood gives the Falcons depth in the backfield and provides them with a quick and agile alternative to Turner.

With three straight seasons of 80 or more catches and 1,100 or more yards, Roddy White has emerged as a top ten wide receiver, and Tony Gonzalez offers veteran leadership in the huddle and is a big target at the tight end position.

If all of the key pieces are healthy, the offense can score against any defense in the league.

Atlanta Falcons Defense

The defense is the X-factor for the Falcons, and its improvement may be the difference in the number of wins the team ends up with.

Free agent Dunta Robinson is an instant upgrade in a suspect secondary. Robinson will line up on the across from last year’s interceptions leader, Brent Grimes. Robinson has a unique ability to shadow a receiver, and that will free up other personnel to attack the offense in other areas, most notably the pass rush.

Jonathan Babineaux is a solid pass rusher but will need a resurgence from veteran John Abraham in order to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Peria Jerry returns from injury and will bolster the front line along with draft pick Corey Peters. The front line will benefit from an improving linebacker core.

Curtis Lofton mans the middle of the defense and he will get help in coverage from first-rounder Sean Weatherspoon. All three defensive units will complement one another very well. The Falcons finally have the personnel on defense to make serious strides this year.

Schedule Breakdown with Projected Results

Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (Win)
Week 2 vs. Arizona (Win)
Week 3 @ New Orleans (Loss)
Week 4 vs. San Francisco (Win)
Week 5 @ Cleveland (Win)
Week 6 @ Philadelphia (Win)
Week 7 vs. Cincinnati (Loss)
Week 8 Bye
Week 9 vs. Tampa Bay (Win)
Week 10 vs. Baltimore (Loss)
Week 11 @ St. Louis (Win)
Week 12 vs. Green Bay (Loss)
Week 13 @ Tampa Bay (Win)
Week 14 @ Carolina (Win)
Week 15 @ Seattle (Loss)
Week 16 vs. New Orleans (Win)
Week 17 vs. Carolina (Win)

Circle Your Calendar

Week 15 @ Seattle (Loss)

This is a tough scheduling spot for the Falcons. This will be the third road game in a row and they will travel to the west coast to play Seattle. The Seahawks have a ferocious home field advantage and Atlanta will be looking ahead to a home game against the Saints that could decide the division.

Play Against: Atlanta as a road favorite in week 15

2010 Final Prediction

Mike Smith is doing a wonderful job as head coach, instilling a positive, winning attitude in the locker room.

The Falcons will benefit from playing a tough schedule last year and Matt Ryan has the potential to have a MVP type of season. The improved defense will be opportunistic and improve on the paltry numbers from a year ago.

The enhanced Falcons will overtake the Saints for the division title and have a realistic shot of playing in the Superbowl.

2010 Projected Record: (11-5)1st in NFC South

Best Bet: Falcons to win the NFC South at 2 to 1

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