5 Bold Predictions for Atlanta Falcons in Week 3
Jan 20, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Asante Samuel (22) takes the field prior to the start against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
It is almost game time on this glorious Sunday morning. The Falcons will take on the Miami Dolphins at 1 PM EST time in Miami. This game will feature an injury filled Atlanta Falcons team, and a confident 2-0 Miami Dolphins team. This is one of those games nobody is sure what is going to happen, but I am going to try to predict a few things.
Bold Prediction #1- Tony Gonzalez Has Over 100 Yards Receiving
If you read my 5 Keys to Victory yesterday, you would know I am huge on the Falcons getting the ball to Tony Gonzalez as much as possible. The Dolphins haven’t done great against tight ends in the first two games of the season, allowing 199 total yards just to tight ends.
The likes of Jordan Cameron and Coby Fleener are talented young tight ends, but Gonzalez is the greatest to ever live. Book Tony in for a huge game.
Bold Prediction #2- There Will be Less Than 45 Points Scored
According to SportsBook.com, the over/under for points scored on this game is 45. With the Falcons high-flying offense on crutches, and the Dolphins young quarterback and poor running game, take the under on this game. I don’t see how these teams could manage to string together 45 points. If the Saints-Falcons game wasn’t a track meet, this game won’t be one either.
Bold Prediction #3- Ryan Tannehill Will Throw 2 Interceptions
News flash Falcons fans, Mike Nolan is still your defensive coordinator.
With Asante Samuel likely to play this week, this opens up a whole new gift for Nolan to play with. Their young cornerbacks are extremely talented, and Thomas DeCoud and Asante Samuel will feast on a young quarterback who is bound to make mistakes. Let’s not forget that Peyton Manning threw four interceptions in one game against the Falcons last season. We can all agree Tannehill is no Peyton Manning.
Bold Prediction #4- Matt Ryan Will be Sacked 5 Times
The loss of Sam Baker at the left tackle position is huge loss for an already mediocre Falcons’ offensive line. Lamar Holmes will move over to left tackle, and Jeremy Trueblood will play right tackle. There are going to be pocket breakdowns all game, and Matt Ryan is going to get hit a lot. The Dolphins are going to be constantly bringing pressure because of the loss of Sam Baker. It is going to be a rough day for Matt Ryan back there.
Bold Prediction #5- Mike Wallace Will Not Get More Receptions than any Falcons Receiver
The main force of the Falcon’s receiving core consists of Julio Jones, Tony Gonzalez, Harry Douglas and Roddy White. Mike Wallace is the big free agent signing of this offseason for the Dolphins who had one receptions in the first game against the Browns, and nine receptions in-game two against the Colts.
Without calling out the entire team, Wallace isn’t looked at a whole lot. Five targets in-game one, 11 in-game two is not what top receivers get. If there was an over/under for receptions made by Mike Wallace, I would take the under. Two receptions seem like a healthy number to roll with for the game today, and it is going to frustrate Wallace to no end.
Game Prediction: Falcons +2
The Falcons have already suffered a loss this season. Going down to Miami is going to be a tough task, but Mike Smith and Mike Nolan have to be in the refuse to lose mentality. The defense will ride the Falcons to victory over a young quarterback. Give me the Falcons winning 17-13.