While the summer season brings much enjoyment to the average person, for an NFL fan, it represents a desolate wasteland where Sundays just aren't quite as vibrant as in the autumn months. However, with each passing day, we inch closer to the beginning of the 2023 NFL season, which officially kicks off on September 7 this year. Whether you've had your favorite team's tweet notifications turned on all summer or if you've decided to tune out all football news entirely, you'll be able to learn everything you need to know about your team going into the 2023-24 season right here. In today's article, I'll be discussing the Atlanta Falcons. I wrote a guidebook for every team in the NFL heading into the 2023 season. To check out an article for another team, click the link below: https://www.bucketsquadsportsreports.com/nfl 2022 Season Recap The Falcons finished in a three-way tie for 2nd place in the NFC South last season, but were ultimately the last place finishers due to tiebreakers. All four teams were separated by just one game in what was probably the weakest division in football. Atlanta wasn’t great offensively, but they didn’t get much help from the defense. They were statistically the 2nd worst passing offense in the NFL, and they decided to move on to rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder for their last four games. On the bright side, he won his final two games of the season, even though it didn’t result in a playoff berth. Significant Roster Moves Atlanta didn’t lose too much in the offseason, as Marcus Mariota, Rashaan Evans, Elijah Wilkinson, and Olimade Zacchaeus were the only departures who started the majority of games last season. However, the Falcons added a bunch of guys who are going to start immediately and make a big impact, particularly on defense. D-linemen Calais Campbell and David Onyemata, linebackers Bud Dupree and Kaden Ellis, and DBs Jessie Bates III and Jeff Okudah should all contribute to make Atlanta much better defensively in 2023. Mack Wilson will be WR2 for Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke will serve as Ridder’s backup to begin the season. 2023 Draft Class The Falcons had just six picks in the 2023 draft, and used their 8th overall pick on running back Bijan Robinson out of Texas. Some people thought it was a reach for Atlanta to draft a running back so early, but Robinson has the potential to be an elite ballcarrier and pass-catcher out of the backfield. He should contribute immediately and split carries with returning backs Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier. Atlanta’s remaining picks will start their careers as backups, but some of the higher picks should work their way into playing time throughout the season. Season Schedule The Falcons will take on the NFC North and the AFC South in 2023 to go along with their six divisional games. Their other three opponents are the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Jets. With an opponent prior season win percentage of .417, Atlanta has the easiest schedule in the NFL. Atlanta is one of four teams with no primetime games on the schedule. However, they do play the Jaguars in London in Week 4. Depth Charts Offense Defense Special Teams The Falcons return 12 of their 22 offensive and defensive starters from last year, which is on the low side compared with all teams across the league. However, those empty starting spots were filled by a lot of talent that should serve as a step up from last season. In a wide open NFC South, Falcons fans have to be somewhat optimistic heading into the season. Coaching Staff Arthur Smith returns for his 3rd season as head coach of the Falcons, along with two coordinators from last season’s staff: Offensive Coordinator Dave Ragone (3rd season) and Special Teams Coordinator Marquice Williams (3rd season). Atlanta hired new Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen to replace Dean Pees, who retired from coaching in the offseason. Nielsen was previously Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach for the Saints. Betting Odds Oddsmakers have set the regular season win total for Atlanta at 8.5 games. As of right now, the Falcons are the 2nd most likely team to win the NFC South and the 8th most likely team to win the NFC as a whole. At +6000 to win Super Bowl LVIII, they are 20th among all teams in the league. Bucket Squad Predictions Bucket Squad Sports Reports predicts the Falcons to finish 7-10 in 2023 for 2nd place in the NFC South. However, they’ll finish a couple games short of the postseason at 9th in the conference under Desmond Ridder’s first full season.
What do you think? Will Atlanta be better or worse than I'm projecting? What offseason moves made by the Falcons surprised you the most? Leave a comment down below and be sure to check the "NFL" section of the website for more NFL team guidebooks as I finish them. Written by Nick Swatson
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