LISTEN: Can Falcons Go From Worst To First?

Locked On Falcons: What to Expect From the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 with Special Guest Maria Martin

Jeremy Brener | Sep 3, 2021

After winning just four games last season, the Atlanta Falcons don't have high expectations heading into the 2021 NFL season.

Since the league went to its current division alignment in 2002, 23 teams that finished fourth place have rebounded to finish first and make the playoffs the following season. Worst, to first.

Among the eight last-place teams from a year ago, the Falcons - despite their ugly 2020 - certainly have one of the best chances to be that team this year.

Mainly because no other last-place team has a former MVP at quarterback or a receiving corps as talented as Atlanta's.

On top of that, the reigning champion New Orleans Saints are playing this season without their Hall-of-Fame quarterback Drew Brees, who retired this offseason. The team is also being displaced after the damage suffered by Hurricane Ida, which is taking away home games from them.

The favorite to win the division is the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and that is clearly the biggest obstacle, but the luxury of a fourth-place schedule could also help the Falcons.

If the division title is out of question, perhaps the Falcons can snag one of the three Wild Card spots. Worst, to (almost) first?

On this episode of "Locked On Falcons," host Aaron Freeman invites Maria Martin (11 Alive Sports) to discuss the expectations surrounding the Falcons entering the 2021 season.

Aaron breaks down the team's signing of running back Wayne Gallman before Maria joins to talk about the Falcons potential record, Ryan's future, Pitts' potential, the defense's ability to come together and what could hold back this Falcon team from reaching the playoffs this year.

Aaron deals with all that and more on this episode of "Locked On Falcons." For more podcasts and information, join us here.

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Published Sep 3, 2021

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.