Five Reasons The Atlanta Falcons Make The Playoffs In 2015
By John Buhler
Sep 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) returns a punt for a touchdown past Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Michael Koenen (9) during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Relatively Weak Division
There is no denying that last year was a down year across the board for the NFC South. Usually this division’s winner has 11 or 12 win seasons, but last year 7 was enough for the Carolina Panthers to host and win a playoff game over the injury-plagued Arizona Cardinals. It will take more than 7 wins to claim the South in 2015, probably 10 wins if I had to guess.
Atlanta won all but one of their games last season in the division, the lone loss a blowout at home in Week 17. Outside of Tampa Bay, I wouldn’t bet on the Falcons sweeping a divisional opponent in 2015. Rivalry games tend to make for exciting and unpredictable finishes. That doesn’t mean that the Falcons should fear a divisional opponent. If you can at least split your division games, you definitely have a chance to win the division or earn a wild car berth. Both are certainly possibilities for the 2015 Atlanta Falcons.
NFL Averages 5 Playoff Team Turnover Annually
Since realignment in 2002 when the Houston Texans joined the NFL, on average five teams that made the playoffs the year before will miss them in the following season. Last year the Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, Steelers, and Ravens all got back into the postseason. The Chiefs, Chargers, 49ers, Eagles, and Saints spent January on their couches at home. There are only two teams I can guarantee will make the NFC Playoffs in 2015: the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks. The Cardinals, Cowboys, Lions, and Panthers aren’t playoff locks by any means.
Non-divisional competition for playoff spots will include Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. Minnesota seems to have their QB in Teddy Bridgewater and a bright future but they have two playoff teams to deal with in the North, Green Bay and Detroit. New York could have an outstanding passing game featuring Odell Beckham, Jr. if Eli stops throwing picks. The G-Men also play in a divisional notorious for cannibalization, 9 win champions, and very few wild card berths. Chip Kelly’s Eagles will either soar or crash and burn in 2015. Only Kelly knows what to make of that roster. St. Louis feels like a safe bet to end a ten-year playoff drought in 2015. Les Snead has drafted well in the Arch City and if Nick Foles plays like he did in 2013, the Rams could jump the Cardinals in the West and earn a wild card berth.
So to bring it all home, The Atlanta Falcons will make the playoffs in 2015 with either a 10-6 or a 9-7 record because the new coaching staff will put the team in positions to succeed defensively and running the football. Matt Ryan and company can navigate an incredibly easy schedule and get the Falcons back where the belong and host a wild card game at the Georgia Dome this January.