The Atlanta Falcons and 2017 Predictions
The Atlanta Falcons won the NFC South and made the Super Bowl last season. How will 2017 shake out for them and the entire NFL?
The Atlanta Falcons won the NFC South and rode that to a Super Bowl appearance. Will there be a hangover, or can they repeat as champions in their division. Here is a prediction for them, and all other NFL teams in 2017:
AFC East
New England
Miami
Buffalo
New York Jets
AFC North
Pitttsburgh
Baltimore
Cincinnati
Cleveland
AFC South
Tennessee
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
AFC West
Oakland
Kansas City
Denver
Los Angeles Chargers
AFC Playoff seeding: NE, Pit, Oak, Ten, KC, Hou
Wildcard round: Oak over Hou and KC over Ten
Divisional round: NE over KC and Pit over Oak
AFC Championship game: NE over Pit
NFC East
Dallas
Philadelphia
New York Giants
Washington
NFC North
Green Bay
Minnesota
Detroit
Chicago
NFC South
Atlanta
Tampa Bay
Carolina
New Orleans
NFC West
Seattle
Arizona
Los Angeles Rams
San Francisco
NFC Playoff seeding: GB, Atl, Sea, Dal, TB, Phi
Wildcard round: Sea over Phi and Dal over TB
Divisional round: Atl over Sea and GB over Dal
NFC Championship game: GB over Atl
Super Bowl LII: NE over GB
If the NFC title game were to be played in Atlanta, I’d give the Falcons a much better chance of winning it. However, beating the Pack in Green Bay in January in the playoffs is a very tall order for any team (only five of their 22 postseason losses have happened at Lambeau field, with the first one happening to the Michael Vick-led Falcons in 2002).
If this prediction holds true, then Atlanta should wind up with the 30th pick in the 2018 draft.
I think Matt Ryan, Devonta Freeman, Julio Jones, Alex Mack, Vic Beasley, Desmond Trufant, and Matt Bryant will make the Pro Bowl. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dontari Poe, Grady Jarrett, Deion Jones, and Keanu Neal joined them.
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I think Takkarist McKinley makes the All-Rookie team, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he wins the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Thoughts?