The Falcons have been unwatchable for years. Every Sunday, fans drag themselves to the living room or to their local bar to let this club ruin their day of rest. That will change in 2023.
For the first time since probably 2017, the Falcons will be fun to watch again. No, they might not make the playoffs, but Arthur Smith’s team will have plenty of intrigue this year.
That’s not to say fans, Arthur Blank, and the team shouldn’t expect a postseason appearance because I think it’s almost expected, given the state of the roster and division. Regardless, the Falcons will be exciting to watch.
On defense, the front office completely overhauled the front, adding half of a dozen guys along the line of scrimmage. Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, and Grady Jarrett are sure to pressure opposing quarterbacks, while Jessie Bates III and A.J. Terrell patrol the backend. It’s got the bones to be a much improved unit, but the offense is what will sell tickets.
Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson, Jonnu Smith, and Cordarrelle Patterson will get butts in seats. That is three top 10 draft picks on the same offense… yeah, this is going to be fun.
It won’t be Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs throwing the ball all over the yard. It will be a hard-nosed rushing attack with short to intermediate route concepts to get the ball out of Desmond Ridder‘s hands and into those of the team’s playmakers. All six of those skill players have dangerous run-after-catch ability, and it will be up to Ridder to recognize that he just needs to distribute the ball like a point guard.
The offense is sure to be one of the best rushing units in football; it was in 2022 with worse personnel than in 2023. The passing attack should also be improved — addition by subtraction. Pitts and London had two of the highest rates of off target passes; Ridder just has to be a little better than Marcus Mariota, and this offense will take off.
Falcons football will be fun again in 2023. Mercedes-Benz Stadium might actually feel like a home game.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon SportswireÂ
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