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Atlanta Falcons: Playoff berth better suited for 2017, not 2016

By Colin Hubbard

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) warms up before the start if the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) warms up before the start if the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s never fun to doubt your favorite NFL team, but sometimes it’s needed. Sure, everyone wants to see their favorite team make it to the playoffs and compete for a Super Bowl, but we also need to be realistic.

The Atlanta Falcons have not been a good team the past three seasons. We all know that. And unfortunately, they may not be overly that great in 2016 either.

Atlanta has pretty much gutted their defense in both the 2015 and 2016 off seasons. It’s rather remarkable to look back at what the starting lineup looked like in 2014 compared to what it will look like just two seasons later.

Now, that’s both a good and a bad thing. Its good in the respect that Dan Quinn and company are trying to give the defense a completely new identity. They’re reshaping it into a fast, physical group that will be able to play with the best of them.

But by doing so, it also puts the team in some bad positions as well. Look at what the 2016 defense will look like. On paper it’s looking like it will be one of the youngest groups in the league. It may even wind up to be the absolute youngest and that’s not necessarily a good thing. It’s good to have youth, but having a defense with a lot of inexperience comes with some downsides.

This Falcons’ team is going to be a better team than it was last year, but it might have a worse record. How is that possible you ask? Well, look at the schedule compared to the one they faced last season. Atlanta will face almost every single playoff team from a season ago including both teams that played in the Super Bowl.

Sure, strength of schedule isn’t something you should pay a ton of attention to because teams change, but looking at teams like the Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs, non of those teams got any worse.

The offense will not be the issue in 2016. This may be the best offense the Falcons have had in quite some time. They have a much-improved offensive line, they have a great quarterback in Matt Ryan, a great wide receiver in Julio Jones and a great running back in Devonta Freeman. And to help balance those three beasts, they have a collective group around them ready to keep them heading in the right direction.

The Falcons’ success if going to come down to the defense. Can this collectively young group play at a high level? Can they overcome not having a ton of veteran leadership on the team? Can someone step up and surprise us?

This team is better set up to succeed in 2017, not 2016. This team is very close from being right back in the NFC Championship game, but it’s most likely not going to be this year. This will be the year that everyone gets a taste of what its like to be dominant, but won’t quite get there.

It’s not negative, its being realistic.

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