Season Recap - 2010 Atlanta Falcons

Final Record: 13-3 (0-1)

Finished: 1^st Place in the NFC South; Lost in the Divisional Round

2011 Draft Position: 27^th

Preseason Ranking:   11
Preseason Letter of Misfortune:

The strongest of the teams in the NFC South not playing in New Orleans, Atlanta has a real shot to shake off Matt Ryan’s sophomore slump and challenge for the division title in 2010. The Atlanta franchise had never managed to string together two consecutive winning seasons until 2008 (11-5) and 2009 (9-7). There is no reason they should not extend their streak to three consecutive winning seasons this year.

Matt Ryan, though he stumbled a bit his second season, is a budding superstar with a firm grasp on the offense. The offensive line has had no turnover from the previous season and should not only protect Ryan but also open holes for Atlanta's two talented running backs, Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. If those two can stay healthy (a problem last year) the running game should be able to close out games. The passing game also boasts talent, with star wide receiver Roddy White challenging secondaries deep and hall of fame tight end Tony Gonzalez the perfect safety valve for a young quarterback.

Defense remains the biggest question mark for this team. Last season the defense came under fire and didn’t have the players skilled enough to shutdown the more powerful offenses in the league. To address these concerns, Atlanta spent their first two draft picks on defensive talent. First-rounder Sean Weatherspoon is expected to start sooner rather than later and be an impact player at outside linebacker. Third-rounder Corey Peters, a defensive tackle, will add depth to their defensive line rotation. The free-agent addition of Dunta Robinson in the secondary will allow the front seven to call more aggressive schemes and get after opposing offenses, something they were unable to do in 2009.

It will be difficult for any team in the South to dethrone the defending champion New Orleans Saints, but the Falcons are poised to fly into the playoffs as a wild card if they can’t steal the division outright.

Week 1: Lost at Pittsburgh Steelers, 15-9

Ranked – 23

Losing a tough one on the road in overtime hurts, but Dirty Birds can still rise like the Phoenix from the ashes of this opening weekend loss and reclaim their rightful spot among the elite.

Week 2: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 41-7

Ranked – 8

Dirty Birds on a roll, but more injuries to Turner might hamper your style points.

Week 3: Defeated the New Orleans Saints, 27-24

Ranked – 6

You dodged a bullet in New Orleans, but that doesn't matter because you made the most of your opportunities and cashed in against the defending champions. With a half game lead in the division and two solid victories in a row, the Dirty Birds are poised to soar into the Creative Elite. But not this week. They still have some victories yet to achieve.

Week 4: Defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 16-14

Ranked – 6

Two straight last second victories have the Dirty Birds laughing on top of the AFC South. Perhaps they can win without the drama when they travel to Cleveland this week.

Week 5: Defeated the Cleveland Browns, 20-10

Ranked – 3

Defense wins championships and division titles, they say. The Dirty Birds are playing solid defense.

Week 6: Lost at Philadelphia Eagles, 31-17

Ranked – 7

What happened to one of the best defenses? The Eagles ate the Dirty Birds for breakfast.

Week 7: Defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 39-32

Ranked – 9

A big win at home that nearly got away from them slips the Falcons a bit in the rankings.

Week 8: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 9

The road to the NFC championship starts with a big, division game against Tampa Bay this weekend. If they are worthy of championship consideration, the Falcons will not lose this game at home.

Week 9: Defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 27-21

Ranked – 5

New Orleans is closing fast, but they have to go through Atlanta in order to reclaim the glory of 2009.

Week 10: Defeated the Baltimore Ravens, 26-21

Ranked – 1

In a battle of Creative Elite teams last Thursday, Atlanta emerged victorious in clutch, dramatic fashion. Now they've had an extra few days to get rested before their next game against St. Louis.

Week 11: Defeated the St. Louis Rams, 34-17

Ranked – 1

The Falcons have a great opportunity to prove, without question, they deserve Creative Misfortune's #1 overall ranking when Green Bay comes to town this weekend. In a possible preview of the NFC Championship game, Atlanta needs to win, because it is far warmer in the Georgia Dome on Sundays in January than at Lambeau Field.

Week 12: Defeated the Green Bay Packers, 20-17

Ranked – 1

New Orleans is charging at them and Tampa Bay has started to falter, but until the Falcons actually lose a game, they are the best team in the NFC. Their gritty performance against Green Bay proved how truly resilient Matty Ice and his cohorts can be.

Week 13: Defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 28-24

Ranked – 2 (ROCKY WEEK!)

           

            Falcon Fans: There's one thing we want you to do for us. 

Matt Ryan: What's that?

            Falcon Fans: Win... Win!

Week 14: Defeated the Carolina Panthers, 31-10

Ranked – 2

Only a week 16 game against New Orleans stands between the Falcons and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Week 15: Defeated the Seattle Seahawks, 34-18

Ranked – 2

Get a victory over the Saints and the Falcons won't have to leave Georgia until February.

Week 16: Lost to New Orleans Saints, 17-14

Ranked – 2

Atlanta is still the best team in the NFC, but great teams close out games against their division rivals at home with so much on the line.

Week 17: Defeated the Carolina Panthers, 31-10

Ranked – 2

The late-season loss to New Orleans did not so much as create doubts in Atlanta as it sounded a wake-up call for the Dirty Birds. The Falcons are the team to beat in the NFC.

Wild Card Game: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 2

The Falcons are the best team in the NFC, have all the advantages and now do not have to worry about playing New Orleans this week or next. The Packers are no pushovers, but the Falcons match up well with them and have the running game capable of keeping the Green Bay offense off the field.

Divisional Game: Lost to Green Bay Packers, 48-21

Final Rank – 7

Tomorrow, the 2010 New England Patriots…