The last time the Atlanta Falcons were in the playoffs, Matt Ryan failed to connect with Julio Jones on a potential game-winning touchdown during the team’s 15-10 divisional loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
It’s been five full years since the Falcons made the postseason, but there’s reason to believe that could change in 2023. Atlanta brought in some defensive reinforcements and added arguably the best player in the draft.
As the team prepares for the start of training camp, more analysts seem to be buying in. USA TODAY’s Nate Davis released a new feature that projects the win/loss record for each team in 2023.
Davis has Atlanta finishing 9-8 and sneaking into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed in the NFC:
Third-year coach Arthur Smith doesn’t get sufficient credit for getting the most from his talent – and Atlanta hasn’t had much while going 7-10 each of the past two seasons. Second-year QB Desmond Ridder is an obvious X-factor but went 2-2 in a late-season audition as a rookie. But he’ll operate behind a top-tier line and with WR Drake London, healthy TE Kyle Pitts and RB Bijan Robinson – he projects as a top candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors – at his disposal.
Last year’s 27th-ranked defense still looks iffy but should be better at every level with veterans like DL Calais Campbell, LB Kaden Elliss and S Jessie Bates III coming aboard. Toss in what’s statistically the league’s easiest schedule, and the Dirty Birds could indeed be playoff bound for the first time since 2017. — Nate Davis, USA TODAY
Davis is also projecting the Saints to go 9-8, but New Orleans takes the NFC South in this scenario due to having a slightly better divisional record than Atlanta.
As for the rest of the NFC South, USA TODAY has the Panthers finishing in third place with a 7-10 record, and the Buccaneers going 5-12 to take last place. The Falcons come into training camp as a team that analysts are simultaneously scared to buy into, and afraid to write off.
Veterans report to camp on Tuesday, and the team’s first open practice takes place on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. ET (full training camp schedule).
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- Falcons starting lineup projection
- Madden: Top 25 Falcons
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- Kyle Pitts avoids PUP list
- ESPN: Ridder on Bijan Robinson
- Madden 24: Falcons ratings
- Ridder left off PFF list