Why Falcons Will Hit Ceiling, Reach Postseason
In a perfect world, how will the 2023 season play out for coach Arthur Smith's Atlanta Falcons? A new article attempted to quantify that, and it gave results that Falcons fans would likely be ecstatic to see play out.
In a piece where ESPN NFL writers gave their thoughts on what each team's ceiling is, the Falcons were given a peak of an 11-6 record in 2023, which almost certainly would put Atlanta into the postseason for the first time since 2017.
"If the Falcons' first-year coordinator is able to create a pass rush with Calais Campbell, David Onyemata and Bud Dupree (among others) surrounding defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, Atlanta could get its offense more possessions," ESPN's Michael Rothstein wrote. "In 2022, the Falcons ranked 26th in the league with a pass rush win rate of 35.3%. The aggressiveness could also help with creating turnovers, and the secondary has a lot of talent, including former first-round picks A.J. Terrell and Jeff Okudah at cornerback."
Focusing on the defense is interesting, because obviously the bulk of the attention has gone to Smith's offense this summer. But despite the fact that he's entering his age-37 season, Campbell remains an effective player, as he recorded 36 combined tackles, 14 quarterback hits, 5.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in 14 games for the Baltimore Ravens a season ago. Additionally, Okudah -- the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions -- seems like someone who will benefit from a change of scenery.
Still, you can't talk about the Falcons ceiling without acknowledging that quarterback Desmond Ridder will need to take a major step forward -- even in a wide-open NFC South -- for Atlanta to reach the playoffs in 2023. This will be a run-first team with the trio of Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and Cordarrelle Patterson, but they'll still need Ridder to make plays. And the former third-round pick is set up well to do so, with the aforementioned running backs, receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts at his disposal.
The 2023 season will likely go one of two ways for the Falcons. Scenario one is that Ridder plays well enough for the Falcons to compete for a playoff spot and he returns as their starting quarterback in 2024. Scenario two is that Ridder holds the Falcons back from reaching their full potential in 2023, and the Falcons become a popular landing spot for veteran quarterbacks looking for a new home next offseason.
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