The 2016-17 Atlanta Falcons football season kicks off on on Sept. 10, when they face the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Sports writer Caedmon Churchwell predicts that the Dirty Birds will make it to Super Bowl 52 this season. Photo Fair Use of Sports Illustrated.
After a devastating Super Bowl 51 loss to end the 2016-17 Atlanta Falcons football season, sports writer Caedmon Churchwell gives his predictions for the upcoming season.
New England Patriots running back James White crosses the goal line on a two-yard touchdown run. Game over. A 28-3 lead blown.
Football fans around the world were in shock over one of the most devastating Super Bowl comebacks ever, resulting in another ring for quarterback Tom Brady and the Patriots.
After a dominant 2016-17 season by the Atlanta Falcons and their shocking loss in the second half of Super Bowl 51, the Falcons return with one of the most elite teams in the NFL for the 2017-18 season.
Last season, the Falcons had a unique combination of one of the youngest starting lineups in the league, while also having some of the oldest players. Atlanta’s defense was led by a second year OLB Vic Beasley Jr., who finished the season with 15.5 sacks and multiple rookies.
Although just missing the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished last season extremely strong, winning five of their last seven games. They have high expectations for this season with quarterback Jameis Winston, the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner and 2015 first round draft pick from Florida State University. With the Buccaneers in the NFC South, the Falcons will have a lot of trouble titling their conference.
For the upcoming season the Atlanta Falcons may not have the hardest schedule, but certainly do not have the easiest. According to CBS Sports, the Falcons have the 13th hardest schedule in the league. It goes without saying that the Falcons will play the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, as well as the Green Bay Packers.
The Falcons were 27th in the league in points allowed, but still managed to make the Super Bowl. This improvement is encouraging, especially with such a young defensive team.
In spite of a last year’s finish, the Falcons will make another Super Bowl run with the highest scoring offense in the league, and a defense on the rise.
