Atlanta Falcons: 5 Reasons Matt Ryan and Company are a Playoff Lock

The Atlanta Falcons front office have recently made multiple moves trying to put their team over the edge in hopes of not only make the playoffs, but also advancing far in the playoffs. After three straight winning seasons and having the best record in the NFC in 2010 there are high hopes in Atlanta for something special. Here are five reasons to why the Falcons are essentially a lock for the playoffs.

5. A Relatively Young Defense is Maturing

It is no secret that the Achilles heel of the Atlanta Falcons is their defense. Just look at the last game they played against the Green Bay Packers in which they lost 48-21. In the NFL, you’re not going to win many games letting the opposing team score 48 points, let alone in the playoffs.

Now, with another year under the belts of a young line backing core and secondary, including Sean Witherspoon and Brent Grimes, look for the Falcons to finish in the top ten in total team defense this year instead of their 2010 result landing them 17^th overall in team defense.

4. Acquisition of Ray Edwards

The Falcons defense was in dire need of a better pass rush after former number eight overall pick DE Jamaal Anderson was cut due to his dismal performance on the field. John Abraham now has a pass rusher on the other side of the line that is going to pressure the quarterback just as much as he does and potentially even more.

Ray Edwards is a physical specimen and after posting eight sacks each of the past two seasons, he is poised to get double digit sacks for his first time in his career leading the defense and propelling the Falcons into the playoffs.

3. NFC Is Weaker Than the AFC

The NFC South includes three teams that are legitimately considered to be playoff contenders: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons have their work cut out for them, but with the playoffs including two wild card teams it is feasible that all three of these teams make the playoffs.

The NFC as a whole is simply weaker than the AFC. Outside of Green Bay the NFC really has no other team that is considered to be in the top echelon comparable to the AFC. The NFC cannot compete with the likes of New England, Indianapolis, New York, Pittsburgh, and Baltimore. Fortunate for the Falcons, they do not have to compete with any of these teams for a playoff spot.

2. Trading Up to Draft Julio Jones

In the 2010 season, the Atlanta Falcons posted an NFC best 13-3 record only to lose in the divisional round of the playoffs. GM Thomas Dimitroff felt that the team was one piece away from truly taking the next step towards contending for the Super Bowl Title.

They felt that this person was 6”3’ 220 lbs wide receiver Julio Jones out of the University of Alabama. The Falcons paid a hefty price for him giving up a total of five draft picks including their first and fourth round picks next year. Many people have criticized the trade saying that they gave up too much.

Julio Jones is only going to add to one of the top offenses in the league.

1. Matt Ryan

In his short career, Matt Ryan has quickly become one of the premier quarterbacks in the NFL. The NFL is a quarterback driven league in which almost all top tier teams have a proven quarterback. The Falcons are no different.

Ryan proved he could win in college and now he is proving that he is a winner in the NFL. He has rightly earned his nickname of “Matty Ice” for his numerous clutch performances and next season will be no different. He will be a Pro Bowler and will lead the Falcons to the playoffs once again.