Atlanta Falcons Preseason: How They Match Up Against the NFC South

The Atlanta Falcons won the NFC South in 2010 after finishing with a record of 13-3, their second best in franchise history.

They beat the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers twice last season and split two games with the New Orleans Saints.

Every team in the NFC South looks like they improved since last season, including the Falcons. A lot of new talent has been brought into this division, and plenty of veteran players still remain. 

It is without a doubt one of the toughest divisions in football. Looking toward the 2011 season, how will the Falcons fair facing their division foes?

Falcons vs. Panthers

While the Atlanta Falcons were having their second best season in franchise history last year, the Carolina Panthers faced their second worst.

The Panthers, marred by injuries and attempting to rebuild, finished with just two wins in 2010. Their fans believe they were better than their record showed, but how much better will they be this season?

Cam Newton was selected by the Panthers as the number one overall pick in this year's draft. He won the Heisman trophy last year at Auburn and led his team to a national championship. He is certainly a gifted young player. But as the Panthers saw last year, a rookie quarterback doesn't always work out the way you want it to.

The Panthers, as mentioned previously, dealt with several big injuries to their team in 2010, and 2011 is already looking oddly familiar. Defensive tackle Ron Edwards is out for the season with a triceps injury. The Panthers defensive line needed help even with Edwards. 

They allowed an average of 123.8 rushing yards to opposing teams this past season. The Panthers drafted two defensive tackles with their third and fourth round picks this year, so they will hope to add some young talent to stop the run.

Carolina has some bright spots on defense. Linebacker Jon Beason has been a monster for four straight seasons. Unfortunately, he may not even be ready for the season opener, though. Beason had some minor work done on his Achilles tendon. And although he isn't expected to miss much time, the Panthers still aren't sure if he will be ready for their first game.

Cornerback Richard Marshall left the Panthers for Arizona this offseason, so now the tiny Captain Munnerlyn will take over playing on the other side of Chris Gamble, who is aging.

When you look at the Atlanta Falcons, you see a sound team. They have plenty of returning Pro-Bowlers. They have a quarterback who is becoming an elite passer in the league. They have a lot of weapons—a lot more than Carolina. 

The Falcons' defense was torn apart during their playoff game against the Packers last season, but still they only allowed 18 points per game, which is fifth best in the NFL. The Panthers allowed 25 points per game with only six teams allowing more. Their defense was certainly fatigued because of the poor offensive display. But they have another rookie quarterback, so things may not change completely.

Overall, the Falcons are a better team. They have a better quarterback and leader in Matt Ryan and a better defense in general. They finished fifth in points scored last season, also fifth best in the league. Who finished last in scoring? All right, let's not put them down any more.

Prediction: The Falcons will win both games against the Panthers this season and in convincing fashion.

Falcons vs. Bucs

When the Atlanta Falcons played the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, both games were great to watch. The Falcons came away with a win in the two games, but they only won by a combined 10 points.

This season is sure to bring more of the same. Tampa Bay has some young stars on offense. Josh Freeman, Arrelious Benn, Mike Williams and LeGarrette Blount will lead the Bucs into 2011 after turning things around in 2010.

The Bucs finished 3-13 in 2009 but had a huge turnaround last season finishing 10-6. What changed?

Freeman didn't throw 18 interceptions in 2010, so that might have been a big help. After his rookie season in 2009, Freeman threw for 25 touchdowns and just six interceptions in his second year. He finished 2010 with a 95.9 passer rating, which is sixth best in the NFL. He's big, he's mobile and he is still getting better.

Blount didn't start at running back last season, but he certainly won the spot for the upcoming season. In 13 games he racked up just more than 1,000 yards and six touchdowns. Blount can be tough to bring down. He's 6'0'' and weighs 250 pounds, so he has no problem running right through defenders.

The Bucs added some big names to their defense during the draft in April. They took Adrian Clayborn in the first round and Da'Quan Bowers in the second. After allowing 132 rush yards per game to their 2010 opponents, the Tampa clearly want to improve here.

They faired much better against the pass, much better than the Falcons did. Ronde Barber is in his fifteenth year with the Bucs, so he might be a weak spot if they leave him in. Seriously, how long can this guy go for?

So who's going to win the series this year?

The Falcons have more experience than the Buccaneers. Roddy White, Michael Turner, John Abraham and Dunta Robinson are just a few of the veterans the Falcons possess. They also have nine returning Pro-Bowlers, did I mention that yet?

While the Falcons are just as good as last year, it seems that Tampa is going to be an even more challenging opponent.

Prediction: Falcons win at home, Bucs win at home. I don't think the Falcons can sneak both wins out again. 

Falcons vs. Saints

Of course I saved the New Orleans Saints for the last slide.

If Garrett Hartley hadn't missed a 29-yard chip shot in overtime last season, the Saints would have swept the Falcons. Instead, Matt Bryant nailed his 46-yarder to give the Falcons the win.

Atlanta has lost or split every series with the Saints since 2005. They just haven't figured out a way to beat them consistently. But when you look at the Saints starters you can probably see why.

Drew Brees will be leading New Orleans again in 2011. He has already delivered one Super Bowl title for the city and will be looking to do the same this season. Brees has been to the Pro-Bowl for three straight years. He also has thrown for 30+ touchdowns the past three seasons. I give the edge at QB to the Saints, but Matt Ryan continues to make great strides in his game.

Both teams have their share of offensive weapons. The Saints have Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore and Jimmy Graham. They may not be the best picks for your fantasy team, but they get the job done with Brees under center. The Falcons' Roddy White is clearly the best receiver between the two teams. But after White the Falcons are not so even with the Saints.

Julio Jones is going to be a star in the minds of Atlanta fans, but he is still a rookie this year. Harry Douglas is explosive, but he only played two full seasons. Tony Gonzalez is aging. He is sure-handed, like always, but he isn't going to put up the same numbers.

Defense will be a key in the two games between these two teams. 

The Falcons had the better run defense last season, but with the crazy blitz schemes the Saints throw at opponents, they came out on top in passing defense. New Orleans allowed just 193 yards to opposing quarterbacks last year. So what do you think they worked on in the offseason?

Sure enough the Saints brought in several new faces for the defensive line. They drafted Cameron Jordan out of California in the first round and also signed several some big names, including Shaun Rogers and Turk McBride. 

The Falcons brought in Ray Edwards to bolster their defensive line. They looking to be promising in the run defense again. 

We know these teams have plenty of talent. They are experienced, and they are two of the best teams in the NFL. What will it come down to?

Turnovers might help. The Falcons picked off four our Brees' passes in two games against the All-Pro last season. If they can continue to keep pressure on him and force a couple turnovers, the game can easily go in their favor.

Prediction: Split series 1-1. I don't see either team giving up two games to their biggest enemy. Maybe Hartley will miss another easy one, though.