Can 'Unsexy' Falcons Win NFC South?

The Atlanta Falcons are establishing their identity as a smashmouth, traditional, physical football team.

They don't plan on winning games with jaw-dropping offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles have, but rather by running the football, killing clock and getting first down after first down.

Sports Illustrated believes that it is a winning formula and identified the Falcons as one of six "turnaround" candidates in the NFL for the upcoming season.

"The division is going to be scattered enough that a team running the ball well and producing consistent, unsexy first downs will have the best chance of winning," SI writes. "The Saints are certainly in that category, though I’m not as infatuated with their strengths (and ages) at both offensive and defensive line."

The Falcons are returning four of their five starters from a year ago on the offensive line. Replacing Elijah Wilkinson (who signed with the Arizona Cardinals) is second-round pick Matthew Bergeron, who Atlanta views as a potential cornerstone at left guard.

Then, the team also made some improvements to the defensive line. The biggest change is the hiring of former Saints defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who specializes on the defensive line. Adding David Onyemata and Calais Campbell among others also gives the Falcons more experience and that should be the backbone of the defense that will support Atlanta's "not-so-sexy" offense.

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