Somehow the Atlanta Falcons are the NFC South’s most competent team

Nov 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receivers KhaDarel Hodge (12) and Damiere Byrd (14) celebrate after a Hodges touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receivers KhaDarel Hodge (12) and Damiere Byrd (14) celebrate after a Hodges touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Atlanta Falcons are the most competent team in the NFC South, and that is a fact. Somehow, someway, that has turned out to be the case. Here we are saying that the team that many projected to be the worst in the league is the least flawed among the four teams in the division.

Don’t believe me? Well, stick around because there is evidence that supports this statement.

The Atlanta Falcons are the most competitive team in the NFC South

This statement is circumstanced by the fact that the rest of the NFC South is absolutely horrible. But, the Atlanta Falcons would be the most competitive team in the division if they were to make the playoffs. Sure, they aren’t a great team (or even a good team) but they would put up a better fight than the Buccaneers, Saints, or Panthers.

The Falcons have the best point differential in the division. Many people do not believe in that stat but really think about it, this is the NFL where you should be competitive each and every week. If you have a terrible (by no means am I saying the Falcons have a good point differential) that means you have a difficult time remaining competitive in games. The Falcons have played in the closest number of games compared to their rivals.

Then you can look at how each of these teams has played the 49ers, who are the most complete team that the South has or will play this year. The Panthers got destroyed 37-15,  the Saints got shutout 13-0, and the Buccaneers got absolutely wrecked 35-7 (by the third-string QB might I add). The Falcons on the other hand were on the opposite side of the spectrum as they beat the 49ers 28-14.

Sure, different week, different team, but you cannot totally ignore the fact that the Falcons were the only team to do the stomping on the best team on the NFC South’s schedule.

You can also look at the dynamics of each team. The Falcons seemingly have the only consistent way to move the ball on offense, which is running the ball. They haven’t scored much in recent times but playing Desmond Ridder should help things out.

None of these teams have consistent quarterbacks, the Buccaneers have one of the worst ground games ever, and the Falcons have the only offensive stat that ranks in the top four. They also lead the division in touchdowns scored.

The hesitation comes with the defense because they clearly have the worst defense in the division. However, they have shown they can make plays in the second half of games even when the offense isn’t producing.

While the Falcons might be the most competent team in the division, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t get beat down in the playoffs, because they probably would, it just means that if fans want to see the most competitive games (relatively speaking) in the postseason, then they should be rooting for the Falcons to take the division title.