The Atlanta Falcons went 4-12 in 2013 and marginally improved in 2014, finishing with a 6-10 record. They are entering the 2015 season under a new head coach in Dan Quinn. But Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan stated he believes that Atlanta will turn it around and make the playoffs this season.
On Tuesday, speaking to reporters after the first day of mandatory minicamp, Matty Ice was asked if there is reason to be hopeful about Atlanta returning to the playoffs in 2015.
“Absolutely. There’s absolutely no reason we can’t get it done. We feel like that in the locker room, that we’ve just got to get better every day just on daily improvement and then go cut in loose when the season rolls around. But there’s absolutely no reason.”
If you’re a fan of the Falcons, you have to love what Ryan said.
This is not a matter of Ryan, or any other members of the Falcons, being cocky or arrogant. Ryan’s comments just show that their quarterback, the guy who needs to be a leader, believes in his teammates. This is exactly what Ryan should be saying as his team prepares for the 2015 season. Any player, particularly a quarterback, needs to feel confident heading into a season and Ryan’s comments may help to ensure his teammates are in a really good frame of mind as they prepare for 2015.
There certainly are reasons to think Ryan may be incorrect about the Falcons making the playoffs. Their offensive line may struggle (but should improve from last season) and they have a new head coach and offensive scheme. But Ryan is a talented quarterback, they have some talented receivers (including Julio Jones and Roddy White), they have upgraded defensively (both in personnel and philosophy) and they were lucky enough to be gifted with the easiest schedule this season (at least statistically). Given all of that, there is definitely a chance the Falcons make the playoffs in 2015.
The importance of Atlanta improving defensively cannot be overstated. In 2014 they ranked last in yards allowed (398.3 yards per game) and 27th in points allowed (26.1 points per game). The Falcons gave up 118.4 rushing yards per game last season, but they really struggled to defend the pass, where they ranked dead last after allowing 279.9 passing yards per game. Adding some defensive personnel (including their first-round draft pick linebacker Vic Beasley out of Clemson) will help. Quinn could help the defense this season as well. He was defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks the past two seasons, and while Seattle had a good amount of talent, Quinn proved he knows how to run a defense.
Plus, take a look at the division in which the Falcons play. The NFC South is not exactly the toughest division in the NFL. The Carolina Panthers took the division crown in 2014 with a record of 7-8-1 and they had to defeat the Falcons in Week 17 to do so. I don’t believe the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can improve upon their 2014 record of 2-14 enough to make the playoffs this season. Quarterback Jameis Winston, who Tampa Bay selected with the number one overall pick, is not the answer. The Buccaneers will miss the playoffs again this season. I already stated my case that the Panthers deciding to extend quarterback Cam Newton’s contract is a mistake. The Panther’s defense will prove to be formidable this season, but their offense will struggle, particularly with Newton under center. The division will be a race between the Saints and Falcons.
Even if Ryan is incorrect, it doesn’t mean he was wrong to answer the question the way he did. He has to feel confident and there are valid reasons why the Falcons and their fans should feel good about their chances of making the playoffs this season.
Be sure to check back next month, when I make my preseason NFL predictions, to see how I think the Falcons will fare in 2015.
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