As we prepare for the 2023 NFL season, here are five bold predictions for the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons will be looking forward to trying to take a big step forward in the 2023 season after going 7-10 in 2022. Last season, they were one of the best-rushing teams in the NFL, but they were also one of the worst passing teams in the league. While being able to run the football is good, the NFL has become a passing league.
This season, the Falcons, who have been rebuilding the past few seasons will be looking to get back to the playoffs with some promising young talent on the team. Like many teams in the NFL, Atlanta has been searching for a franchise quarterback after the Matt Ryan era came to an end. Replacing someone like Ryan, who nearly won the team a Super Bowl has proven to be difficult.
However, the Falcons have some young talent surrounding Desmond Ridder, who they hope can take a step forward in his second season. With the division being fairly wide open, the Falcons can certainly make a run at a playoff spot in the NFC South.
With the season getting closer and closer, here are five bold predictions for the Falcons in the 2023 season.
5. Drake London goes for over 1,000 yards
Despite the Falcons being one of the worst passing teams in the league last season, they did have a bright spot in their passing attack. With their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Falcons selected Drake London out of USC, who instantly looked like a factor.
London had a really solid rookie season, as he led the Falcons in receptions, targets, and receiving yards. Last season, London totaled 866 receiving yards, 72 receptions, and four receiving touchdowns.
Considering how poor the passing attack was last season with Marcus Mariota, the hope is that Desmon Ridder can help push London to the next level. Ideally, London is even more of a factor in the passing attack for the Falcons this season, especially in the red zone. Someone with London’s physical abilities at 6’4” could be a great weapon to help the Falcons score more passing touchdowns.
Bold Prediction: London totals 1,200 receiving yards.
4. Ridder proves he can be an NFL starter
Coming into the season for the Falcons all eyes will be on the quarterback position. Finding a star quarterback in the league generally separates the good teams from the bad teams, and the Falcons are hoping that they found their diamond in the rough in the third round last season.
Last season, the Falcons used Marcus Mariota for much of the season. Mariota, who was a top pick never lived up to expectations in the NFL. He is certainly a solid backup and capable of starting games, but he was never going to lead the Falcons to the playoffs last season.
Late in the season, the Falcons turned over the reigns to Ridder. In four games, Ridder completed 63.5 percent of his passes and also threw for two touchdowns. The Falcons didn’t ask him to do a lot, but Ridder did a nice job not throwing the ball to the opposing team. Also, the Falcons did win their last two games of the season with him under center.
Coming into this season, the Falcons will be watching closely to see what type of quarterback Ridder can be. If Ridder finds the success he did as a quarterback in college, the Falcons might have a capable starter on their hands.
Bold Prediction: Ridder solidifies himself as the starting quarterback.
3. Falcons compete for a division title
Last season, the Falcons were not expected to compete in the NFC South, as it was expected that the Buccaneers and the Saints would be the only two with a realistic chance. However, the Buccaneers ended up being a massive disappointment last season, as they finished under .500, yet still won the division.
With Tom Brady retiring from the team, the Buccaneers will likely be taking a step back this season. For Tampa Bay, the quarterback position will be a major question mark for them all season, and it’s hard to imagine that their window to win is still open without Brady.
For the Saints, they likely come into the season as the team to beat in the division. The addition of Derek Carr gives them a solid quarterback, and he is certainly capable of leading the Saints into the playoffs in a weak division. In addition to the Saints, the Carolina Panthers would be considered the wild card of the division. With a rookie quarterback in Bryce Young, it’s hard to predict how his transition into the NFL will be.
Due to the uncertainty in the division, there’s no reason why the Falcons can’t compete this season.
Bold Prediction: Falcons win the NFC South
2. Kyle Pitts bounces back
In the 2022 season, there were few bigger disappointments than the sophomore season from Falcons tight end, Kyle Pitts. Pitts was the 4th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which as a tight end, doesn’t happen very often.
However, Pitts hit the ground running in his rookie season. As a rookie, Pitts totaled 1,026 receiving yards, and 68 receptions, but shockingly only one touchdown. Despite the lack of productivity in the red zone, Pitts was a favorite target in the offense in his rookie season and looked like he was well on his way to stardom.
With expectations of becoming a star, the sophomore slump hit Pitts pretty hard last season. In 2022, Pitts totaled 28 receptions, 368 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns in 10 games played.
Hopefully, the quarterback play will be better for the Falcons with Ridder under center in 2023. If it is, Pitts will be poised to bounce back to his statistics from his rookie season.
Bold Prediction: Pitts totals more than 1,000 receiving yards.
1. Bijan Robinson wins ROTY
The running back position has been one of the most talked about things in the NFL this offseason. Even though the position is being devalued across the league, the Falcons are one of the teams that like to run the football, and they have some talented running backs on the roster.
With the eighth pick this season, the Falcons drafted one of the best players in the draft Bijan Robinson out of Texas. As a college player, Robinson was a noticeable difference maker for the Longhorns, and him being drafted in the first round, and in the Top 10 was justified.
Last season with the Longhorns, Robinson totaled 1,580 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, and averaged over six yards per carry. Even though the running back position is being overlooked right now, especially when ones are coming out of their rookie deals, many are still difference makers on the field. The big problem for the position has been the longevity of their stardom.
Robinson is young and extremely talented. On a team that likes to run the football, Robinson can rack up some impressive stats as a rookie.
Bold Prediction: Robinson wins Rookie of the Year
