2014 Week 1 NFC Power Rankings
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Julio Jones. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
10. Atlanta Falcons (2013 record: 4-12) Last season finish: No postseason
Week 1 Matchup: vs New Orleans Saints 9/7 1:00 PM EST
The Atlanta Falcons would like to forget 2013. Julio Jones was lost early in the season after looking like he was ready to have a monster year. Injuries hampered Roddy White and newly acquired Steven Jackson throughout the year hindering Matt Ryan and what used to be a high powered offense.
The offensive line during that time period was horrendous and I wouldn’t expect it to be any better this year. A season ending injury to Sam Baker puts a major hole in the offensive line they were looking to build, but addition such as Jon Asamoah and Gabe Carimi should keep Ryan more upright.
The defense in Atlanta was also a major issue in their season lowliness. Adding Tyson Jackson, Paul Soliai, and Javier Arenas should help tremendously, but thanks to HBO’s Hard Knocks, we have already witnessed the pain of losing Sean Weatherspoon and rookie Marquis Spruill to a defense that struggled mightily against the run last year.