SI’S 2019
PREDICTION
10 – 6
2018 RECORD 7– 9
SEP T. 8
@ MIN
SEP T. 15
VS. PHI
SEP T. 22
@ IND
SEP T. 2 9
VS. TEN
OC T. 6
@ HOU
OC T. 1 3
@ ARI
OC T. 2 0
VS. LAR
OC T. 2 7
VS. SEA
NOV. 3
BYE
NOV. 10
@ NO
NOV. 17
@ CAR
NOV. 24
VS. TB
NOV. 28
VS. NO
DEC. 8
VS. CAR
DEC. 15
@ SF
DEC. 22
VS. JAX
DEC. 29
@ TB
With a fortified line and a still-sharp Ryan, the Falcons could have a top five
offense—and they will need one to compensate for a defense riddled with question marks.
91
×MATT RYAN’S ARM STRENGTH STAYS AN
ISSUE. The decline began to show last sea-
son, as several of Ryan’s downfield passes
lost zip late in flight. This doesn’t mean the
34-year-old won’t excel. Ryan is a master
executor who understands the intent and
nuances of a play’s design.
× CALVIN RIDLEYTOPS
1,000 YARDS. A t l a nt a’s
2018 first-round pick ben-
efits from playing opposite
Julio Jones, the game’s best
all-around wideout, but
Ridley is a top-shelf weap-
on himself. He has great
vertical speed and quick-
ness, and is deft at throt-
tling down, a trait shared
by elite separators such as
Antonio Brown, Odell Beck-
ham Jr. and Brandin Cooks.
× ROOKIE LINEMEN BOOST THE GROUND
GAME. The Falcons spent their two first-
round picks this spring on right guard
Chris Lindstrom (Boston College) and
right tackle Kaleb McGary (Washington)
in an attempt to rectify the offense’s great-
est weakness. Add these rookies to athletic
left tackle Jake Matthews and center Alex
Mack, who may be starting to decline at
33 but is still quick and savvy, and Atlanta
succeeds with its outside-zone ground
game, which suits a quick, decisive run-
ner such as Devonta Freeman.
× TAKK MCKINLEY BECOMES THE
DEFENSE’S MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER.
Last year injuries to linebacker Deion Jones
(foot) and safeties Keanu Neal (knee) and
Ricardo Allen (Achilles) exposed a long-
inconsistent four-man rush. That rush
remains critical this year given the many
questions facing the secondary: How effec-
tive will the starting safeties be after their
injuries? Can 2018 second-rounder Isaiah
Oliver hold up as a No. 2 corner? Who
handles the slot duties—
converted up-and-down
safety Damontae Kazee or
speedy fourth-round rookie
Kendall Sheffield? The Fal-
cons really need the pass
rush to deliver, and while
they have explosive tackle
Grady Jarrett and swift end
Vic Beasley, McKinley f, a
6' 2", 265-pound end with
speed and power, must be
outstanding.
× THE DEFENSIVE SCHEME
KEEPS EXPANDING. After
incorporating more man coverage into
his Seahawks-style Cover 3 zone over the
past few years, coach Dan Quinn adds
more fire-zone blitzes, which provide a
fifth rusher while also creating matchup
coverage scenarios downfield. It is an ef-
fective counter to the Cover 3–beating play
designs in which offenses are growing
proficient.
WHAT LIES AHEAD
St
re
ng
th
QB
9
RB
18
WR/TE
1
OL
11
FRONT 7
22
DB
15
DAV
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UT
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H/I
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ATLANTA
