Are the Falcons for real?

[WinnersareGrinners]

My instinct at this moment is yes Atl is a genuine contender....I took them at 66 to 1 and 50/1 before the season commenced (isted them in my preseason write up as a great value bet--along with Oakland 40/1...but i actually think the 14/1 about Atl is close to the best value futures bet out there now....their schedule late is not bad with 6 of the last 10 at home & most of their games will be against non-playoff teams....obviously the offense is lights out, if the D can just get hot/be adequate at the right time this is a team that can make the SB in what is the weakest season in recent memory.

Anyone buying/bought futures Atl and have any thoughts on their chances?

 

[jgm4661]

They had OL problems for years running the ball and protecting Matt Ryan. Ds knew they couldn't run the ball and just used to tee off on the pass rush

They fixed it over the past 2 yrs adding C Alex Mack , OG Andy Levitre (2 past probowlers) and Jake Mathews etc in the draft. RT Ryan Schrader was already one of the best at his position. Their line is one of the better ones in the league now and they have a serious run game as well as pass game

 

[NYG4lifeNYK]

Matt Ryan will never win multiple playoff games and certainly not a Super Bowl

Like many QB's he craps out when it matters most. Regular season warrior don't get hyped by this seasons stats. He's had the best WR's and TE in the league and he could barely surpass 30 TD.

 

[Serbone]

Matt Ryan will never win multiple playoff games and certainly not a Super Bowl

Like many QB's he craps out when it matters most. Regular season warrior don't get hyped by this seasons stats. He's had the best WR's and TE in the league and he could barely surpass 30 TD.

Exactly... their OL is finally good, a top 1/3 of NFL.

Best OL's in the NFL = doing well in the ATS win column, teams like:

Dallas
Oakland
Skins
NO
Tennessee
NE

It correlates with top QB's with quick releases, of course....

Then teams with bad OL:

Rams
Denver
SF
Minny
Balt (though now is healthier)

 

[BuffsBIGXII]

Not to mention their defense is still laughable.

 

[ThaDude]

Yes

 

[bigwang]

Right now, I would say yes. Granted it is a very shaky yes as I don't trust Ryan, the D and coaching staff in post season. This is a prove it year for Ryan and to a lesser extent Quinn.

 

[5teamparlay]

STILL FAVE TO WIN DIVSION

Straight Wagers
Straight wagers help
Future Wager
Falcons -240
Buccaneers +200

NFC South Division - Odds to Win

 

[TheComputerGroup]

Ryan is a choke artist in the playoffs like Romo......Falcons won't be anywhere near the SB IMO this season.

 

[Greenbacks]

Falcons are the real deal.....Tampa are the pretenders.

 

[ThaDude]

Three straight up wins as a dog in a row over KC, Seattle, and SD and you call them a pretender??? You're nuts. Now granted their schedule is much tougher than Atl down the stretch but they are playing great with Martin back in the huddle.

 

[Greenbacks]

Tampa needs to show me more.....I don`t care who they have beaten.....3 wins in a row for the 1st time in 30 years.

I`ll give them credit though.

 

[uscmd]

Contender for 1 game after reg season ends? Yes

Nothing else. Offense wins games, Defense wins championships, i.e., post season games.

I believe TB is trending in the right direction, Atl enjoying Ryan as he nears the end.

Neither team will do much this year. For what its worth, I think TB beats N.O., if Martins on his feet at games end. While Atl will struggle with the rams, who may finish within the number.