The Atlanta Falcons are entering Year 3 under head coach Arthur Smith, and expectations are higher for them this season than they were the previous two. Although they’re far from a Super Bowl contender, it wouldn’t shock anyone to see them make the playoffs in a weak NFC South this season.
The biggest question mark for the Falcons is at quarterback. Will Desmond Ridder prove to be their long-term answer this season? We analyze the Falcons’ upcoming season with a preview breaking down their betting lines, a best bet, and more.
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Atlanta Falcons Futures Odds
All odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook unless noted otherwise.
Super Bowl Odds: +6000
Want to make a bet on this year’s Super Bowl winner? Click on the widget below!
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NFC South Odds: +215
Win Total: 8.5 (Over -120/Under +100)
To Make/Miss the Playoffs: +105/-125
Atlanta Falcons Offense Breakdown
Despite ranking second-to-last in passing yards per game last season, the Falcons’ offense was very efficient a year ago, ranking 11th in success rate and fourth in expected points added (EPA) per run.
This season, their offense should be even better. Ridder should be a more effective passer than Marcus Mariota was, even if he’s still very much unproven.
The biggest addition, however, was No. 8 overall draft pick RB Bijan Robinson, even further strengthening a dangerous Falcons rushing attack. Robinson is so talented that he will also be a weapon as a receiver in the passing game.
The ceiling of this offense obviously hinges on the development of Ridder. He has plenty of weapons on offense, with Robinson, WR Drake London, and TE Kyle Pitts, plus a dynamic play-caller in head coach Arthur Smith, but it remains to be seen if he is a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL.
Atlanta Falcons Defense Breakdown
This defense had its struggles last season, ranking 27th in yards allowed per game. Luckily for them, they’ll be facing one of the easiest schedules in the NFL this season, with six games against first-year starting quarterbacks and two games vs. Baker Mayfield/Kyle Trask.
The biggest offseason addition for this defense was former Bengals safety Jessie Bates III, who signed a four-year deal worth over $64 million. Bates was a standout safety in five seasons in Cincinnati, including being named a second-team All-Pro in 2020.
The biggest weakness for this defense last season was their pass rush, which only recorded 21 sacks. To fix this, they signed veteran DE Calais Campbell and pass rusher Bud Dupree.
Still, Campbell will be 37 years old this season, and Dupree has had trouble staying on the field recently, missing a combined 17 games in the last three seasons.
One Betting Trend To Know
The Falcons covered in six of seven games last season against top-10 scoring defenses, per Inside Edge.
Best Bet for the Falcons in 2023
Wingo: The only constant in the NFL is change. For the last seven seasons in a row, at least five teams made the playoffs that didn’t make it the year before, and in the last three, seven teams have made in that didn’t make it previously.
So which teams may surprise us in 2023? Let’s start with the Falcons. The NFC South is kind of a hot mess with no real dominant team, so all things are possible.
I have no idea what Ridder can be as a QB, but I do like what the Falcons have done with giving him a lot of weapons. The drafting of Robinson continues a pattern of selecting offensive marvels for Atlanta, beginning with Pitts an London.
Add in the versatile Cordarrelle Patterson, and Ridder has a ton of options at his disposal. Whatever Ridder might become should be on display in 2023, and it might just end up in a playoff appearance for the Falcons. Atlanta Falcons to make the playoffs (+105).
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