The Atlanta Falcons are a favorite in the NFC and they should be after reaching the Super Bowl and coming within a sustained second half drive of being league champions. Instead they suffered the largest blown lead in Super Bowl history and must overcome that distinction. The only way they can is to return to the big game and get a win. They return all key performers from the league’s highest scoring offense, but will be without coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who took the head gig with the 49ers. Still, the offense will create matchup problems for the Chicago Bears defense in Week 1.
Don't miss any of the NFL Week 1 action on Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 1 p.m. ET. This duel from Soldier Field will be televised on FOX.
NFL Week 1 Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Atlanta Falcons -7
Chicago Bears +7
Over/Under 50.5
Mike Glennon vs. Mitchell Trubisky
The Bears signed Glennon to a big free agent contract to be their quarterback then they went and traded up to draft Trubisky with the second overall pick in the draft. John Fox doesn’t want to play his top pick, especially at the beginning of the year. But if Glennon fails to move the offense, he won’t have a choice.
Glennon isn’t a known commodity, but the Bears apparently saw enough in him to direct their offense. He started 13 games for Tampa Bay in his 2013 rookie season, but he’s played in just eight games with five starts over the last three years. He showed some signs that first year throwing for over 2,600 yards with 19 touchdowns and an 83.9 quarterback rating for a bad Bucs team. He’s been up and down this preseason, but he is the starter.
Trubisky was drafted as the future of the organization but he’s made the decision on who starts much tougher than most expected. With just one season as a starter in college, Trubisky has been brilliant in the preseason. He threw for 354 yards total with a touchdown pass in each of his first three exhibition contests, and looked poised and confident.
Falcons vs. Themselves
It’s easy to take success for granted and the Falcons just have to look at their division rival Panthers for balance. Atlanta drafted wisely over the last few years and the team came together last season for a remarkable run to the Super Bowl. A lot went right and the Falcons can’t rest on last season’s success.
The Falcons will be the hunted this season and they can’t relax for any game. And with a hungry Bears team first up, the Falcons better come out prepared.
Two years ago Carolina nearly ran the table going 15-1 on their way to the NFC championship and a Super Bowl appearance. The Panthers stumbled against Denver in the big game and never recovered. The 2016 campaign opened with a loss and they were 1-5 after six weeks. Nobody saw that coming, but the game is built for parity with a salary cap and free agency and a slow start or key injury can quickly derail a season.
Vic Beasley vs. Charles Leno Jr.
The key to a good passing game is protecting the quarterback. The Bears worked on upgrading their offensive line and signed left tackle Leno to a contract extension this offseason. Proof that you don’t have to be a high pick to succeed in the league, Leno was a seventh-round pick in 2014 and worked hard to earn the new deal.
He took over the position early in 2015 and hasn’t let go. Leno started every game last season and is responsible for protecting Glennon’s blindside. He’ll have a test in the opener with last year’s sack leader Beasley lining up on that side.
The Falcons’ first round pick in 2015, Beasley silenced his critics last season by collecting 15.5 sacks and six forced fumbles. He was a disruptive force, but at times the only one. The Falcons managed to overcome their 25th ranked defense with a record-setting offense. Leno is the key to Chicago’s chances of keeping up. Keeping Beasley off the quarterback will allow the offense to work, and teams had success last season against Atlanta.
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