2013 NFL PREDICTIONS!!! (TYLER)

LIFE IN HOTLANTA

For Day 25 of my 2013 NFL Predictions i will be breaking down the ATLANTA FALCONS.

Ever since the Falcons drafted QB Matt Ryan out of Boston College they have been on the cusp of the playoffs or making the playoffs only to lose in the first round. Not only has it been very perplexing seeing as they are usually one of the best teams in the NFC, but it's very confusing as to why they continually lose in the first round (home or away it doesn't matter). This years team is without the services of RB Michael Turner, but Atlanta did acquire veteran RB Steven Jackson to replace him. TE Tony Gonzalez is the best in the business at his position, and WRs Roddy White and Julio Jones provide plenty of playmaking ability from their wideout positions. On defense the Falcons lost DE John Abraham but picked up Osi Umenyiora to replace him. Newly acquired Asante Samuel leads a very young secondary including these draft picks.

ROUND 1: Desmond Trufant CB (Washington)

ROUND 2: Robert Alford CB (Southeastern Louisiana)

ROUND 4: Malliciah Goodman DE (Clemson)

ROUND 4: Levine Toilolo TE (Stanford)

ROUND 5: Stansly Maponga DE (TCU)

ROUND 7: Kemal Ishmael DB (Central Florida)

ROUND 7: Zeke Motta SS (Notre Dame)

ROUND 7: Sean Renfree QB (Duke)

As you can see, Defensive secondary and line were a big part of the draft for the Falcons. CBs Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are going to fight for the starting CB spot along side Asante Samuel, but i could see all three players on the field in a nickle package situation. DEs Goodman and Maponga will push for viable playing time (if situationally). Behind TE Tony Gonzalez the Falcons don't really have a starting TE, so Levine Toilolo will get his shot to replace Gonzalez when he decides to retire which i think will be after this year. Solid draft that will help this team this year and in the near future for sure. Now how will the Falcons season play out? Lets see.

OPPONENTS                                             W/L
@ NEW ORLEANS                                      L
ST. LOUIS                                                    W
@ MIAMI                                                       W
NEW ENGLAND                                          W
NEW YORK JETS (MONDAY)                    W
BYE WEEK
TAMPA BAY                                                 W
@ ARIZONA                                                 W
@ CAROLINA                                               L
SEATTLE                                                     W
@ TAMPA BAY                                            W
NEW ORLEANS (THURSDAY)                  W
@ BUFFALO                                               W
@ GREEN BAY                                           L
WASHINGTON                                           W
@ SAN FRANCISCO (MONDAY)               L
CAROLINA                                                  W

FINAL RECORD                                      12 - 4

Analysis: I have Atlanta doing what they usually do. Win a load of regular season games and make the playoffs. Overall their schedule is fairly favorable minus away games at Green Bay and at San Francisco two weeks later. Getting tough teams like New England and Seattle at home will go a long way to those victories. The only reason i have Atlanta beating New Orleans the second match up is New Orleans is coming off a tough game against San Fran four days before while Atlanta will be traveling back from Tampa Bay. After i finish my projections i will be showing my Playoff Predictions and we will all see how Atlanta will do in the Playoffs.

But what do you think?