2009 Atlanta Falcons NFL Predictions

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falcons 81009What a turnaround the Atlanta Falcons made in 2008. Picked to finish last by many experts following a four-win campaign, the Dirty Birds rattled off 11 wins to claim one of the NFC wild card spots.  Will quarterback Matt Ryan’s rookie magic wear off in 2009 or can we expect the Falcons to compete for the division title again this season?  Get my take in this 2009 NFL betting preview. The Atlanta Falcons are listed at +2200 to win Super Bowl XLIV.

Offense – The Falcons posted a winning season in 2008, but they haven’t produced back-to-back winning campaigns in 43 seasons. If they are able to pull it off, it will have much to do with the efforts of the offense after the team let five veteran defensive starters go in free agency. Rookie Matt Ryan quickly helped Falcons fans forget about former franchise QB Michael Vick with his consistently good play. He is joined in the backfield by running back Michael Turner, who went from being known as LaDainian Tomlinson’s backup to a star in one season. The receiving corps should be improved this season with the addition of former Kansas City Chief tight end Tony Gonzalez. Gonzalez may just go down in the record books as the greatest tight end ever.  He is already the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions (916), yardage (10,940), and touchdowns (76) for a tight end. And at age 33, he still has some good years left in him. He’ll join wide receiver Roddy White, who is coming off a season in which he caught 88 passes for 1,382 yards and seven touchdowns. In fact, White became the first player in franchise history to post back-to-back 1,200-yard receiving seasons. Lastly, the Falcons boast an offensive line which helped the team ranked second in the NFL in rushing offense and finished fifth in sacks allowed.

Defense – Rookie tackle Peria Jerry will be asked to step in and contribute right away. He dominated the line of scrimmage in the SEC at Ole Miss, but we’ll see how he fares in year one of the NFL. He’ll be joined up front by explosive end John Abraham, who set a franchise mark with 16.5 sacks in 2008. Tackle Jonathan Babineaux and end Chauncey Davis are expected to round out the front four. The linebacker unit will look a lot different without Keith Brooking and Michael Boley. The five-time Pro Bowler, Brooking, is off to Dallas and Boley heads to the New York Giants. Mike Peterson and Stephen Nicholas are expected to take over those two empty outside linebacker spots with Curtis Lofton manning the middle. The Falcons decided not to re-sign Lawyer Milloy and Baltimore won the bidding for Dominique Foxworth. That will put even more pressure on free safety Erik Coleman to lead the unit. Coleman did it all a season ago, finishing second on the team in tackles, picking off three passes, and forcing a pair of fumbles. The secondary will be young and inexperienced with the possibility of two rookie starters.

Prediction: 2nd NFC SouthFind out who I like to win the division in my NFC South predictions.  The losses on defense likely keep the Falcons from a division title, but a loaded offense should ensure consecutive winning seasons in Hotlanta.  The Atlanta Falcons are listed at +220 to win the NFC South.

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Jimmy Boyd of Locksmith Sports is your one way ticket to big profits this season. His NFL expert picks will keep you in the black!

About the Author: Jimmy Boyd is known for his consistency. He's a proven winner in college and pro football, college and pro basketball and pro baseball. He finished as the No. 1 ranked MLB handicapper in 2007 by earning $1,000/game bettors $50,050. He also finished as the No. 1 ranked basketball handicapper in the 2008-09 season, profiting $1,000/game bettors 38,530. His basketball plays have banked $1,000/game bettors nearly $80,000 the last five years. Check out Jimmy's premium picks for tonight!
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