NFL Season Predictions: Falcons End Playoff Drought, Win NFC South?

Following a strong offseason the expectations for the Atlanta Falcons are rising ahead of the start of OTAs.

For the first time in a few years, it seems that expectations are high among fans when it comes to the Atlanta Falcons. As the Falcons head into the start of OTAs, fans and media alike are beginning to post their predictions for the season ahead. 

Atlanta is in an intriguing position this coming season, as their offseason activity would suggest they are coming out of a rebuild after general manager Terry Fontenot splashed the cash in free agency to fill holes on the roster with veteran talent. And the timing couldn't be better for the Falcons to emerge as a serious playoff contender; within the last three seasons, both Hall-of-Fame quarterbacks Drew Brees and Tom Brady have retired, leaving both the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in need of a potential rebuild.

This opens the door for the Falcons  to win their first NFC South title since 2016, which is exactly what CBS Sports projects in their regular season predictions article. 

"The Falcons are MY TEAM this year, for better or for worse it seems. I love what they did this offseason, turning a very questionable roster into a Titans-lite type of team that can be physical in the run game and efficient from a passing standpoint," CBS Sports wrote.

CBS called the NFC South a "wide-open" division, which it truly is, as even last season, with the Buccaneers struggling at 8-9, it wasn't until the last week of the season that the division title was settled. Could we see this again?

Quite possibly, except that is not how CBS Sports see it, as they project the Falcons to go 10-7, two games up on the second-place Carolina Panthers at 8-9, leaving the Saints finishing at 7-10, and the Buccaneers with a 5-12 record.

After a strong offseason for the Falcons, the only big question, which could prove to make or break their season, is at quarterback, as Desmond Ridder will get his chance to be the full-time starter. 

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