Atlanta Falcons 2011 Season Odds
(The Spread) – After adding more explosion to their offense in the draft, the Atlanta Falcons are ready to make a Super Bowl run in 2011.
2011 NFL Draft: The Falcons wanted to add more explosion to their offense this offseason and that they did, although they paid a heavy price for it. They traded their first, second and fourth-round picks in 2010, and their first and fourth-round picks in 2011 to the Cleveland Browns in order to move up 20 spots in order to select Alabama receiver Julio Jones. He’ll give the Falcons’ already stout offense another weapon across from Roddy White. The Falcons also added more speed to their backfield with the selection of Oregon State running back Jaquizz Rodgers.
2011 NFL Free Agency: The Falcons were rather quiet this offseason in terms of signing new players, but they did plug a huge hole with the addition of former Vikings defensive end Ray Edwards. Atlanta also re-signed two of its three free agent starters on the offensive line in guard Justin Blalock and tackle Tyson Clabo, and re-signed running back Jason Snelling, cornerback Brent Grimes and linebackers Stephen Nicholas and Mike Peterson.
Odds: Oddsmakers currently list the Falcons’ odds to win the 2012 Super Bowl at 16/1 and their odds to win the NFC at 15/2. Despite winning the NFC South last season, the Falcons aren’t favored to win their division this year. New Orleans has odds at +110 while Atlanta is +120, Tampa Bay is +450 and Carolina is +2000.
Outlook: The Falcons have a tough schedule (especially early on) but this team is built to go the distance. The team wants to open things up in the passing game more and the addition of Jones will allow them to do that. Now it’s up to Matt Ryan to continue his outstanding development and to get guys like Jones, White, Michael Turner, Tony Gonzalez and Harry Douglas involved. The offense should be one of the best in the league again and if Ryan can get over the playoff hump (he’s 0-2 so far in his career), then there’s no reason the Falcons can’t make a Super Bowl run. That said, their defense is still a question mark. They certainly have all the playmakers they need on that side of the ball and the addition of Edwards has made them stronger. But whether or not they can stay healthy (Dunta Robinson has missed a couple of preseason games due to a hamstring injury) and get consistent production out of promising players like Sean Weatherspoon remains to be seen. Plus, the Saints should be awfully tough this year after re-loading in the offseason.
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