Atlanta Falcons: 10 Bold Predictions for the Remainder of the Season

With a record of 7-2, the Atlanta Falcons have had a very successful season so far.

Their nationally televised victory over the Baltimore Ravens this past week opened the eyes of many who had not already taken notice.

Last season, the team fell short of expectations, but still managed to pull out consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

They are on track to post their third straight winning season and a return to the playoffs.

Here are 10 bold predictions for how the rest of the season will play out.

10. The National Media Will Continue To Show This Team No Respect

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 09: Matt Millen (C) works on the set of the pregame show for ESPN's Monday Night Football as his co hosts Stuart Scott (L) and Steve Young (R) work on their personal electronic devices as the Pittsburgh Steelers face the Denver Broncos

I'm looking at you, ESPN.

It seems that every time the Falcons have won a big game, the experts around the country have found a way to downplay it, often adding a "Yeah, but..." routine that is quickly growing old.

The best so far has been Trent Dilfer saying he doesn't believe in the team because they are "simplistic against the run."

We're going on style-points now?

The Falcons defense is seventh in the NFL, allowing 98.1 rushing yards per game. Why does it matter how they get it done?

To be fair, ESPN.com's power rankings had the team at No. 3 last week, the best in the NFC, and they could rise following their win over Baltimore.

When they discuss this team on television, however, they repeatedly bring up how Atlanta plays on the road, seeming to conveniently forget that the Falcons beat the Saints in New Orleans and beat a Browns team that is better than we thought in Cleveland.

Coaches love to fire up their squads with the "No One Outside This Locker Room Believes In Us" speech, so if you want to keep giving this team more motivation, be my guest.

At some point, you will need to pay attention to them.

9. Their Monday Night Game Against New Orleans Will Be a Classic

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NEW ORLEANS - SEPTEMBER 26: Thomas DeCoud #28 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after making an interception against the New Orleans Saints at the Louisiana Superdome on September 26, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images

If you caught the game these two played in Week 3, you know what I'm talking about.

Over the past few seasons, the Falcons and Saints have played a number of games with a playoff, even Championship Game, type atmosphere.

They played on Monday Night Football in 2009, a game that was hotly contested to the final gun and again took it to the wire later in the season when Atlanta was without Matt Ryan and Michael Turner.

Their contest this season was an early candidate for Game of the Year.

It is highly likely that the Week 16 showdown will for the division and, possibly, home-field advantage.

If you weren't planning to already, make sure you watch that game.

8. They Will Go 8-0 at Home

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 07: A general view of the Georgia Dome before the Atlanta Falcons and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 7, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Since Mike Smith arrived in Atlanta, the team is 18-3 at home and 18-1 with Ryan at quarterback.

You want teams to have the fear of God at the thought of having to win a playoff game at your place. The Georgia Dome is quickly becoming that type of venue.

With the ways the Falcons have been winning at home this season (receivers causing fumbles, last-minute touchdown drives and goal-line stands) it's looking like this team simply does not lose home games.

They will continue to do that for the rest of 2010, finishing a perfect 8-0.

7. They Will Finish No Worse Than 13-3

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ATLANTA - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate after their 16-14 win over the San Francisco 49ers at Georgia Dome on October 3, 2010 in Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta's schedule is very favorable the rest of the way. They play two top-flight teams in Green Bay and New Orleans, but both of those games are at home.

They still play dreadful Carolina twice, travel to St. Louis and Seattle and will visit Tampa Bay in a divisional rematch.

It's always tough playing in Seattle, the Rams are improved and the Bucs will surely be seeking revenge, but the Falcons will likely be favored in all of their remaining games.

I already said they'd go 8-0 at home, do you expect me to say they'll lose at Carolina?

The Falcons have a good shot to run the table, but they won't be worse than 13-3.

6. They Will Win The NFC South

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons runs off the field after their 26-21 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

If 13-3 doesn't win you a division, I don't know what will.

The Falcons nearly won the South in 2008, and many feel they would have had Ryan and Turner not missed significant time last year.

They're playing better than any team in the division right now and have already beaten the Saints and Buccaneers.

Sorry, Tampa, there will be no worst-to-first team in the South this year

5. Michael Turner Will Have a Monster Final Stretch

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons waits to enter the field during player introductions before facing the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Turner had a huge year in 2008 before injuries slowed him down in 2009. He's been good this year, but hasn't broken as many long runs as we've grown accustomed to seeing.

That should be changing soon.

Once you get past St. Louis, who is currently sixth against the run, the Falcons' opponent with the toughest rushing defense will be Seattle, 14th in the NFL.

With what Ryan showed us against Baltimore, teams won't be able to stack the box anymore, freeing up major running room for Turner.

Look for "The Burner" to start gashing teams again.

4. They Will Finish With a Top-5 Defense

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Brian Williams #29, Curtis Lofton #50 and Stephen Nicholas #54 of the Atlanta Falcons tackle Anquan Boldin #81 of the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta's goal coming into the season was to have a defensive unit that ranked in the top five.

They are currently eight in the league in points allowed, but aren't exactly facing the best offenses in the world the rest of the way.

After giving up 39 to Cincinnati, the team allowed just 21 to both Tampa Bay and Baltimore, and seven of Tampa's points came on special teams.

The defense has been getting better as the year has gone on. That will continue the rest of the way and the team will attain its goal.

3. Roddy White Will Be The First Receiver To Win The MVP Award

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons waits before player introductions before facing the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

White has made a habit of having huge games this year while making plays in clutch situations.

No receiver has ever won the MVP award, but if he continues to play this way, it will be hard to keep it away from him.

The Falcons would be nowhere near the 7-2 they are right now without him.

With the team looking to get him the ball more and more, the out-of-this-world numbers he will put up should help him make history.

2. They Will Get The No. 1 Seed

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Jonathan Babineaux #95 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after a defensive stop against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Besides the Falcons, no team in the NFC has a chance to finish better than 13-3, which is where Atlanta will be at.

The Giants and Eagles still play each other twice and will likely split those games. The wins Atlanta will get over Green Bay and New Orleans at home will be enough to launch them to No. 1.

This would certainly make Atlanta the favorite in their first playoff game, leading us to my final prediction.

1. They Will Play In The NFC Championship Game

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 and Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons react after White's touchdown reception in the final seconds against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevi

If you're looking for someone to say they'll be in the Super Bowl, you've come to the wrong place.

I wouldn't jinx you that hard, guys.

If the other predictions fall into place, at least the ones involving the team's record, Atlanta will be hosting the NFC Championship Game for the first time.

We've already seen how tough they are to beat at home, so this could go down as the best season in franchise history. At the very least, it will be incredibly memorable.