Atlanta Falcons: 2019 Season Preview & Predictions

2019 ATL Falcons Preview

The sports desert is almost over friends. NFL Football kicks off 2 weeks from today with the Falcons taking on the Broncos in the Hall of Fame game and we are so excited we are sending out our annual Falcons preview email a bit early. Read on to see why this year seems like it's more do-or-die than ever.

Offense The team went out and heavily invested in the offensive line by drafting guard Chris Lindstrom and tackle Kaleb McGary as well as signing free agent James Carpenter. Hopefully the trio can match pro-bowlers Alex Mack and Jake Mathews and can give Matt Ryan enough time to throw to the most dangerous aerial offense in the league. The team also went out and brought back pass friendly offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter for a second stint calling the plays. Koetter is the man responsible for the teams Super Bowl worthy offense and should help the dirty birds return to their high powered form.

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Defense The biggest problem for the Falcons defense last year was health. If the D can manage to stay healthy they have elite players at every position, and could rack up one of the highest sack totals in the league. The biggest change on the defense will be the play caller. Head coach Dan Quinn has taken over as the defensive coordinator for the 2019-20 campaign. Hopefully he can channel some of his Legion of Boom days and get the defense to play at the level they will need to.

Special Teams Longtime coach Keith Armstrong parted ways with the organization this winter and will be replaced as special teams coach by Ben Kotwica, who comes over from Washington. Punter Matt Bosher and long snapper Josh Harris will continue on in their respective roles, but veteran kicker Matt Bryant wasn't retained. They'll try to replace Bryant with Giorgio Tavecchio, who went 5-of-5 on field goals (with four from 40-plus yards) while filling in for the injured Bryant last October. The returner battle will likely come down to free agent Kenjon Barner and draft pick Marcus Green.

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Analysis  Injuries expose weaknesses in the NFL. The Falcons defensive line and secondary struggled due to key personnel losses, and the offensive line couldn't withstand losing two guards. If the Falcons have better health, and the roster tweaks and a revamped coaching staff do what they should the team will return to contender status in the NFC. Unfortunately for Dan Quinn they really need to. A Super Bowl run can only buffer not meeting expectations for so long. Couple that with an aging star QB and it really feels like this year has to be a big one for the Falcons. We think they will meet those lofty expectations.

Schedule   DATE/TIME TEAM TICKETS Sept. 8 @ 1 pm at Vikings TICKETS Sept. 15 @ 8:20 pm vs. Eagles TICKETS Sept. 22 @ 1 pm at Colts TICKETS Sept. 29 @ 1 pm vs. Titans TICKETS Oct. 6 @ 1 pm at Texans TICKETS Oct. 13 @ 4:05 pm at Cardinals TICKETS Oct. 20 @ 1 pm vs. Rams TICKETS Oct. 27 @ 1 pm vs. Seahawks TICKETS Nov. 3 | BYE WEEK     Nov. 10 @ 1 pm at Saints TICKETS Nov. 17 @ 1 pm at Panthers TICKETS Nov. 24 @ 1 pm vs. Buccaneers   TICKETS Nov. 28 @ 8:20 pm vs. Saints TICKETS Dec. 8 @ 1 pm vs. Panthers TICKETS Dec. 15 @ 4:25 pm at 49ers TICKETS Dec. 22 @ 1 pm vs. Jaguars TICKETS Dec. 29 @ 1 pm at Buccaneers TICKETS