Atlanta Falcons 2020 Preview - NFL Odds, Picks, & Betting Predictions

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off a disappointing 7-9 season in 2019. Atlanta will have many of the same faces on offense while defense will look somewhat different from last season.  The Falcons play in a very competitive NFC South with the New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers expected to battle for first place in the division leaving the Falcons to play for a wild card spot in the NFC.

Matt Ryan returns as the starting quarterback for the Falcons. In 2019, Ryan passed for 4,466 yards, 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The Falcons acquired running back Todd Gurley during the off-season and the former Rams standout is expected to seamlessly slide into the starting tailback position. The wide receiver corps for the Falcons will consist of veteran standout Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage. The Falcons are expected to start Hayden Hurst at tight end. Hurst was acquired in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens,

The offensive line will consist of Jake Matthews, James Carpenter, Alex Mack, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary. Matthews is one of the NFC's better tackles, while Mack is considered one of the NFL's best centers and although McGary struggled at times in 2019 as a rookie, is expected to improve this season at  starting right tackle. Matt Hennessy was drafted by Atlanta in the third round of the 2020 draft as a center but can play guard as well and could even supplant Lindstrom at right guard.

The Atlantic defense will have plenty of new faces including four rookies led by first-round pick cornerback AJ Terrell and second-rounder defensive tackle Marlon Davidson. The Falcons also added to their defense through free agency by signing Dante Fowler Jr. who will step in and become one of the top edge rushers for the Falcons. Grady Jarrett remains the top defensive tackle for the Falcons while Tyeler Davison returns as the nose tackle for Atlanta and Alan Bailey will be the strong side edge rusher. Steven Means, John Kaminski, and the aforementioned rookie Davidson will see plenty of action.

The linebacker corps will be led by Deion Jones in the middle, Foyesade Oluokum on the weak side and Mykal Walker on the strong side. LaRoy Reynoldswill likely backup Oluokum on the weak side while Walker can also play the weak side. Reynolds will see playing action as well backing up Jones at middle linebacker while Edmond Robinson coming off an outstanding XFL season will back up Walker on the strong side. Rookie Terrell will get the starting nod at left cornerback. Isaiah Oliver will start at right cornerback, while Blidi Wreh-Hawkins and Jordan Miller will act as backups at corner. Ricardo Allen or Damontae Kazee will start at free safety while Keane Neal will be the fixture at strong safety.

Atlanta will improve from its 7-9 season in 2019 but will be playing in a highly competitive NFC South. Matt Ryan has plenty of weapons to throw to including Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley and if Todd Gurley is able to return to form at running back the Falcons could put up plenty of points on the board. However, the defense could struggle with several new faces, a lack of depth at linebacker and inexperience in the form of rookies in the secondary. Atlanta will finish the 2020 regular season with an overall record of 8-8.