Chicago Bears: Ranking the top 7 biggest NFC threats
By Usayd Koshul
4. Atlanta Falcons, tier two
With an elite quarterback and perhaps the best wide receiver duo in football, the only reason the Atlanta Falcons finished 7-9 in 2018 was due to injuries. From linebacker Deion Jones to Safety Keanu Neal, the Falcons core is fully healthy and ready to roll in 2019.
Atlanta’s main focus: Dethrone the New Orleans Saints who’ve won the division for two straight seasons. But what makes the Falcons a threat to the Bears is their offensive firepower.
Despite losing running back Tevin Coleman this offseason, the Falcons bring back Devonta Freeman who played in just two games in 2018. Meanwhile, second-year wide receiver Calvin Ridley and veteran wide receiver Julio Jones will look to take the Falcons passing game to another level.
Last season, the Falcons averaged about 26 points per game. Quarterback Matt Ryan tossed 35 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. In 2019, he’ll still be part of the MVP conversation. While the Falcons offense won’t be as good as it was in 2016, with Ryan leading the way, it’s still expected to be deadly.
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On defense, Atlanta could easily be a sneaky team to watch. If everyone is healthy, then the Falcons could easily field a top ten defense and have multiple Pro Bowlers. It seems like a longshot right now, but this is a team with an MVP candidate for at the quarterback position and a defense that can shutdown some of the NFL’s best offenses.