Falcons’ Zaccheaus Obvious Prediction is Concerning

The Atlanta Falcons’ Olamide Zaccheaus thinks his team will make the playoffs. You’ve probably read this several times already, it’s been splashed all over social media, and several NFL and Atlanta websites have picked up his prediction. The fact that this is the great quote of the week in Atlanta should be more alarming than promising to Falcons’ fans.

Suppose a professional football player on an NFL team publicly states to the media that his team is no good and is not a playoff team. Would he be on the team much longer? If they believe the team is a playoff team is another matter. Still, professionals don’t need a media coach or public relations agency to know that you always say your team is playoff-worthy. Especially those in need of ticket sales.

"“I feel like we’re a playoff team. We just have to put everything together. Really start fast at the beginning of the season and not get into a hole. I just feel like as a team, we can shock a lot of people.” Olamide Zaccheaus via the Atlanta Journal-Constitution."

You can read Olamide’s full quotes here. The guy who said it is the next concerning point from this quote that has so much traction. Zaccheaus is heading into his fourth year with the Falcons. Even with Calvin Ridley out of the lineup last season, he still only managed to catch 31 passes for 406 yards and three touchdowns. This is hardly a star player or a veteran from a winning organization who made this prediction.

Falcons’ Favorite

However, he is a favorite of his head coach, Arthur Smith. At the end of minicamp, the coach was gushing about him, “I try not to play favorites,” said Smith, who admitted Zaccheaus is a favorite. “I have a great appreciation for guys like O.Z. He was an eight-round guy. Came up the hard way in the NFL. He is dependable, smart, play multiple spots…he even has the capability to play emergency quarterback.”

Of course, the coach’s favorite will defend his team. Perhaps Zacchaeus is right, and this is a playoff team. But, he is right about something else. He also said, “we can shock a lot of people.” Well, the stage is set to do just that, as nearly every analyst and betting platform have the Falcons losing a lot this season. Make no mistake, it will take more than 31 catches to change that prediction.