Atlanta Falcons 2012-2013 Season Odds

The Falcons made the playoffs for the second straight season last year, but they were also one-and-done for the second straight year after falling to the Giants in the Wild Card round.

Odds to win NFC South: +130
Regular Season Win Total: 9 (-140)
Props: NFL MVP Odds Matt Ryan 22/1

Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan continued to show growth last season, passing for a career-high 4177 yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He still remains on the cusp of the NFL's elite quarterbacks, but could get their this season with a solid receiving corps.

Julio Jones had 959 receiving yards and eight touchdowns as a rookie last season and his has the ability to pass No. 1 receiver Roddy White on the depth chart this season. Veteran Tight end Tony Gonzalez returns for one more season and despite being 36 years he's still an excellent red-zone target.

The Atlanta running game could have more of a committee approach this season in an effort to keep Michael Turner from breaking down over the season. Turner turned in a solid season last year, rushing for 1340 yards on 301 carries with 11 touchdowns, but with his propensity to get hit with nagging injuries it could lead to more carries for Jacquizz Rodgers this season.

The Falcons defense ranked just out of the Top 10 last season thanks to a strong run defense. Atlanta was sixth (97 yards per game) in the league against the run last season, but their pas defense could have used some work. They tried to address that by signing Asante Samuel and that could work if he can turn back the clock a few seasons.

With one of the more balanced offensive attacks and a reliable and possibly improved defense the Falcons should be bound for the postseason again and could challenge the Saints for the division.

Odds to win NFC South at Bovada as of August 20
New Orleans Saints +130
Atlanta Falcons +130
Carolina Panthers +400
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +1500

2012 Atlanta Falcons Schedule (All time Eastern)

01 Sep 9 ATL @ KC (Arrowhead Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
02 Sep 17 DEN @ ATL (Georgia Dome 8:30pm ESPN)
03 Sep 23 ATL @ SD (Qualcomm Stadium 4:05pm FOX)
04 Sep 30 CAR @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
05 Oct 7 ATL @ WAS (FedExField 1:00pm FOX)
06 Oct 14 OAK @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00 pm CBS)
07 BYE
08 Oct 28 ATL @ PHI (Lincoln Financial Field 1:00pm FOX)
09 Nov 4 DAL @ ATL (Georgia Dome 8:20pm NBC)
10 Nov 11 ATL @ NO (Superdome 1:00pm FOX)
11 Nov 18 ARI @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
12 Nov 25 ATL @ TB (Raymond James Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
13 Nov 29 NO @ ATL (Georgia Dome 8:20pm NFL)
14 Dec 9 ATL @ CAR (Bank of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
15 Dec 16 NYG @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
16 Dec 22 ATL @ DET (Ford Field 8:30 pm ESPN)
17 Dec 30 TB @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)

Atlanta Falcons 2011-2012 Season Odds Preview

Atlanta finished the regular season with a 13-3 record last year, earning the No.1 seed in the NFC and the bye in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they ran into the red-hot Green Bay Packers, who went on to win the Super Bowl.

This year, Atlanta returns all of the important pieces to last year’s team, and added a few strong players as well. A 13-win season may be tough to replicate, but the Falcons should definitely battle New Orleans for the NFC South title all season long.

Odds to Win NFC South: +120
Regular Season Win Total: Over 10.5 (+140)
Props: MVP Odds Matt Ryan 18/1

NFL Odds | NFL Betting Strategy | NFL Database | NFL Handicapping Stats

Matt Ryan is one of those players that stats don’t do justice to. Not that there’s anything wrong with 3,705 yards passing and a 28-to-9 touchdown ratio, but these numbers don’t indicate his poise and leadership. He isn’t quite part of the elite group of NFL quarterbacks yet, but he’s close.

And perhaps the stats will come this year with the addition of wide receiver Julio Jones. Atlanta traded up in the draft to get Jones, who was one of college football’s best receivers last year. Along with Roddy White (115 catches, 1,389 yards in 2010) and Tony Gonzalez, Jones gives Ryan another dynamic option in the passing game.

Add that to Michael Turner’s production on the ground (334 carries, 1,371 yards, 12 touchdowns), and Atlanta will have a very formidable and balanced attack.

Defensively, Atlanta played a bend-don’t-break style in 2010, finishing 15th in total yards against (332.4 per game) but fifth overall in points against (18.0 per game). The passing defense was especially susceptible, as was made abundantly clear in the 48-21 loss to Green Bay in the playoff last year.

The Falcons added defensive end Ray Edwards to help get more pressure on the quarterback. Edwards had eight sacks in 2009 and 2010 for Minnesota.

With the additions of Ray Edwards and Julio Jones to an already great team, Atlanta should be playoff bound again in 2011. The two games against New Orleans could end up deciding who takes the division.

Week 1: at Chicago

NFC South Odds at Bodog as of August 25:
New Orleans Saints +110
Atlanta Falcons +120
Tampa Bay Buccaneers +550
Carolina Panthers +1800

2011 Atlanta Falcons Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 11 ATL @ CHI (Soldier Field 1:00pm FOX)
02 Sep 18 PHI @ ATL (Georgia Dome 8:20pm NBC)
03 Sep 25 ATL @ TB (Raymond James Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
04 Oct 02 ATL @ SEA (CenturyLink Field 4:05pm FOX)
05 Oct 09 GB @ ATL (Georgia Dome 8:20pm NBC)
06 Oct 16 CAR @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
07 Oct 23 ATL @ DET (Ford Field 1:00pm FOX)
08 Bye
09 Nov 06 ATL @ IND (Lucas Oil Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
10 Nov 13 NO @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
11 Nov 20 TEN @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm CBS)
12 Nov 27 MIN @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)
13 Dec 04 ATL @ HOU (Reliant Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
14 Dec 11 ATL @ CAR (Bank of America Stadium 1:00pm FOX)
15 Dec 15 JAC @ ATL (Georgia Dome 8:20pm NFLN)
16 Dec 26 ATL @ NO (Superdome 8:30pm ESPN)
17 Jan 01 TB @ ATL (Georgia Dome 1:00pm FOX)