The Atlanta Falcons may actually have a chance next season

There has been a lot of breaking news in the NFL recently, and seemingly all of it benefits the Atlanta Falcons in some way.

All the news could lead to the Falcons actually being the favorites to win the NFC South for the first time in a long while, meaning this team could go from a middle-of-the-pack team to being a playoff contender.

News amongst the Falcons division sets them up for the upcoming season

What have been the two biggest barriers for the Falcons the past couple of seasons when looking at their division? The New Orleans Saints and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Coincidentally, they might be the two teams who have suffered the biggest losses since the NFL regular season ended. With Sean Payton leaving the Saints and Tom Brady announcing his retirement, those were two dream scenarios for Atlanta.

Sean Payton has been a mainstay for the Saints organization for the past decade and a half. He was the driving force for a team that would dominate in the regular season but collapse in the postseason, especially recently. Now without Payton and a terrible cap situation, this team could be in dire trouble. They certainly will not be a favorite in the NFC next season.

Then there are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who just lost the greatest quarterback in NFL history. That statement alone will leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that they will take a step backward.

Add to the fact that there will be numerous players going elsewhere now that they do not have Tom Brady leading them, it sets up terribly for Tampa Bay, but great for Atlanta.

With all of this being said, the Falcons still have to take a step forwards next season. They must play like an improved team to have a chance—even with all the losses that the NFC South has endured.