NFL Betting Online: New head coach Dan Quinn comes over from the Seahawks as the architect of the Legion of Boom defense. But are there enough weapons on the Falcons for a quick turnaround?
2014 Season Record: 6-10 SU, 7-9 ATS, 6-10 O/U
2015 Regular Season Wins Total: 8.5, +105 O, -125 U
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +3729
Odds to Win NFC: +1808
Odds to Win Division: +168
Head coach Mike Smith somehow kept the Falcons in the hunt for the NFC South up until Week 17 in the dysfunctional division. It wasn’t enough to keep his job and he was out after two sub-par seasons that produced 10 wins following the team’s trip to the NFC Championship and 13 regular season victories in 2012.
Former Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was brought in to replace Smith with the hope of getting more from the worst defense in the NFL.
The team’s pass rush was a weak link the last few years, setting up the rest of the defense to give up points in a hurry. The Falcons had the second-fewest sacks in the league last season with just 22, the same number Kansas City’s Justin Houston had all by himself.
Upgrading that area was clearly a priority. The Falcons signed linebacker Brooks Reed and drafted Vic Beasley with the eighth overall pick to address that black hole.
But the Falcons need help in every area on defense, and that’s where Quinn comes in. He also added end Adrian Clayborn and linebacker Justin Durant, while drafting corner Jalen Collins and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett. The Falcons could potentially have three rookies as first-year impact players on defense and that’s just fine with Quinn.
Not much was done to address the offense, which could be problematic if the line plays like it has over the last two years. But just having quarterback Matt Ryan gives the Falcons better odds at a big bounce-back in 2015.
Rookie Tevin Coleman is the heir apparent at running back following the departures of Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers. He’ll battle with Devonta Freeman to be the team’s starter.
The Falcons still have a long way to go on defense, but with Quinn calling the shots it wouldn’t surprise me to see an immediate payoff. Besides, they can’t get much worse on that side of the ball.
KEY ADDITIONS: LB Brooks Reed, LB Justin Durant, DE Adrian Clayborn, LB O’Brien Schofield.
KEY LOSSES: RB Steven Jackson, WR Harry Douglas, DL Corey Peters, LB Sean Witherspoon, CB Robert McClain, OT Sam Baker.
We don’t expect a repeat of last season when every team in the division finished below .500. But if the Falcons can get an immediate impact from the top three defensive picks, they could make a run for the division title.
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