RISE UP:A Preview on the Atlanta Falcons 2011 Season

(Tony Gonzalez TD vs GB 11/28/10)

The Atlanta Falcons are looking to take the next step in their road to bringing home a championship to the city of Atlanta. This franchise posted a 13-3 record in 2010, the 2nd best mark in franchise history en-route to winning the NFC South Championship and clinching the top seed in the NFC playoffs. However, their magic fell short after a shocking 48-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Despite the shocking loss, this young franchise is way ahead of schedule. Just four short years ago, their quarterback Michael Vick was in legal troubles for illegal dogfighting and that sent the franchise down for one season. In 2007, they finished 4-12 and shortly after the season ended, Arthur Blank replaced majority of the staff and players. He brought in former Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith as the new head coach and hired former Patriots college scout Thomas Dimitroff as the general manager of the Falcons and the road to success began for the Atlanta Falcons.

In the 2008 offeseason, the Falcons acquired their QB of the future, Matt Ryan from Boston College and added some key pieces in the free agency including Michael Turner, Brent Grimes, and Kroy Biermann. This young team, including the emergence of Roddy White as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL went from 4-12 to 11-5, made the playoffs, and shocked the entire NFL with their amazing turnaround. Since that season, the Falcons have posted three consecutive winning seasons, which is the best mark in team history. Last season, the Falcons finally showed their drive and progress towards winning a Super Bowl. Entering the  2011 season with a key offensive weapon in rookie Julio Jones, there are huge expectations for  a championship season in Atlanta.

(Michael Turner's 1st TD of the playoffs vs GB)

Now, to my preview of our 2011 season

Week 1- @ Chicago Bears- This will be the 1st time Matt Ryan have played a game at Soldier Field. Matt Ryan is currently 2-0 vs the Bears and the advantage of opening their season in Chicago is that they will play there in September and avoid the bad weather. The Falcons offense should have a good game and played good defense on Jay Cutler and the Bears.

Week 2- vs Philadelphia Eagles- This game is definitely a statement game for the Falcons in week 2. The defense will be tested by Michael Vick and the explosive offensive threats of Desean Jackson and Lesean Mccoy. I feel that the Falcons will push towards getting a commanding advantage and pressure the Eagles offense to respond to the Falcons and their scoring. Michael Turner will be a huge X-Factor in this game and the home crowd should be pleased with the outcome.



Week 3- @Tampa Bay Buccaneers- This game will be a huge NFC South matchup early in the season. Even though the Falcons have won their last 5 games against TB, the biggest margin of victory was 7 points. The Bucs still don't have a legitimate home win over the past 3 seasons so I expect to see a close and hard fought game. 

Week 4- @Seattle Seahawks-Matt Ryan is 1-0 vs the Seahawks and the Falcons have another advantage of going to Seattle early in October and will also have the advantage in this football game. Their offense and defense will go into this game with an advantage, but, the Falcons MUST get the advantage early because allowing the 12th Man to have any effect on the game could be a momentum shift for the Seahawks.

(Eric Weems KR for TD in Playoffs)

Week 5- vs Green Bay Packers- This will be the biggest game of the season especially with the bitterness that all the Falcons players and fans have towards this team after losing the playoff game and watching this team go on to win Super Bowl XLV. Expect to see both the Falcons and the Packers play with a chip on their shoulder and battle for a full 60 minutes. Matt Ryan is 2-0 vs the Packers in the regular season. Atlanta must pressure Rodgers and that Packers offense so he won't have the time and the option to get all of his offensive weapons involved in the game.

Week 6 vs Carolina Panthers- Another NFC south game that you must win to keep yourself in a good position in the division and in the NFC. This will be the Falcons' first time playing rookie Cam Newton and Atlanta should have a dominant effort against this team who is currently in the rebuilding stage of their franchise. Atlanta has won the previous 3 matchups in the Georgia Dome and they will look to make it 4 in a row and Matt Ryan is 3-0 vs CAR at home.

Week 7 @Detroit Lions- This will be the Falcons first chance to see the new look Lions and see the dominant defensive weapons in Ndamukong Suh and Fairley. This will be a good matchup for the Falcons and they are looking for their 1st win against the Lions in DET since 2005. Also, this team is most notably known for giving up the first touchdown of Matt Ryan's career...

(Matt Ryan prepares to pass vs the Panthers)

Week 8- BYE

Week 9- @Indianapolis Colts Matt Ryan will finally get an opportunity to play against the QB that many experts compare him to Peyton Manning. Matt Ryan will attempt to become the first Falcons QB to ever win in Indianapolis. The Colts have a history of dominating the Falcons both in IND and in ATL. Leads all-time series record 12-1 and undefeated at home...

Week 10- vs New Orleans Saints This NFC South rivalry between the Falcons and the Saints have always been a close matchup. The previous 5 matchups have been decided by 8 pts or less. Also, the Saints have won the last two games at the Georgia Dome so Matt Ryan will look towards getting his 2nd career victory vs the Saints at home. This game will be a close game and expect to see Matt Ryan and Drew Brees battling for bragging rights in the division.


Week 11- vs Tennessee Titans... Matt Ryan will get his 1st chance to ever play the Titans and he will look to become the 1st quarterback in Falcons history to win vs the Tennessee Titans. Atlanta have not beaten this franchise at home since they were the Houston Oilers in 1990. This matchup will see two of the best running backs in the NFL going neck and neck trying to get a win for their team. The Titans will attempt to unleash Chris Johnson against the Falcons defense so Atlanta must reduce his chances of having any impact on the game for the Titans.

Week 12- vs Minnesota Vikings... Matt Ryan will play the Vikings for the 1st time in Atlanta. His previous matchup against the Vikings was in 2008. This matchup will also provide two of the best runningbacks in the NFL and Atlanta will need to stop A.P. from becoming dominant in this football game and their Vikings are going to be looking for a huge win against a contender like the Falcons so ATL must jump ahead and don't allow the Vikings back in the game.

Week 13- @Houston Texans... Matt Ryan will be taking on former Falcons QB Matt Schaub and one of the high-powered offenses in the NFL. In this game, the Falcons will need to get a balanced attack going against the Texans defense, who was one of the worst passing defensive teams in the NFL. Also, the Falcons must contain Andre Johnson and Arian Foster from making a dominant effort in the game.

Week 14- @Carolina Panthers... Matt Ryan looks to win his 2nd career road game vs the Panthers. The Falcons dominated the previous matchups in 2010 by containing the Panthers offense from making any offensive impact on the game and forced numerous turnovers. Also, Michael Turner have been a Panthers killer throughout his career in ATL and will look to continue his dominance against that Carolina defense.

Week 15- vs Jacksonville Jaguars... This will be Mike Smith's 1st time facing his old team and their star running back, Maurice Jones Drew. Atlanta must establish a balanced attack against the Jaguars in order to execute a successful gameplan to beat this team, On defense, the Falcons need to limit MJD from having a dominant game or making any impact that will help them get a win in Atlanta.

Week 16- @ New Orleans Saints... This primetime matchup will be a huge game for both of these teams because the Saints want to seek revenge from Atlanta after the Falcons stunned the Saints in OT with a 27-24 win last year. Atlanta must pressure Drew Brees from having  a huge impact on the game by sacking him and forcing Brees out of the pocket and turning the ball over. Michael Turner have been a Saints killer in the past and that's where the Falcons will need to go to quiet down the Saints. Also, Atlanta will be looking to win a Monday Night Football game for the 1st time since 2005.

Week 17- vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers... Matt Ryan will look to extend his winning streak over TB to 4 straight home wins. This matchup will come down to the Falcons offense and Bucs defense. Atlanta needs to establish a ground attack against these Bucs, who were one of the worst rushing defenses in the league last season. This game could have playoff implications for one or both of these teams in the final regular season matchup.