Falcons Now Favored to Win NFC South After Week 1 Loss
By Robert Duff in NFL Football
Updated: January 3, 2023 at 7:41 am ESTPublished:
- Despite Falcons’ season-opening loss to the Eagles, sportsbooks favor Atlanta to win NFC South
- Falcons also lost season opener in 2017, when they went to Super Bowl 51
- Atlanta has won at least 10 games in each of past two seasons
The Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, the last two teams to win the NFC South Division title, are both winless one week into the NFL season, and that’s led to a shift in the perceived hierarchy within the division, but not the change you might expect in terms of the new order.
Sportsbooks posted their updated odds on the outcome of the NFC South, and it’s the 0-1 Falcons who have replaced the 0-1 Saints as the chalk to ultimately emerge atop this group. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, both 1-0, trail the field, although it’s a close race.
Odds to Win the NFC South in 2018
| NFC South Winner | Odds |
|---|---|
| Atlanta Falcons | +229 |
| New Orleans Saints | +230 |
| Carolina Panthers | +249 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | +375 |
*Odds taken on September 12
Falcons In Familiar Setting
If you are a Falcons fan, it might take some debating to convince you that a Week 1 loss is good news, even ominous perhaps, but believe us when we tell you that it is. And if you won’t take our word for it, pay attention while we drop some knowledge on you.
In 2016, the Falcons opened the season with a 31-24 loss to the Buccaneers. They finished that season 11-5, won the NFC South title, captured the NFC Championship and faced the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 51.
In 1998, the Falcons opened the season with a 31-20 loss to the 49ers at San Francisco. They finished that season 14-2, won the NFC West title, captured the NFC Championship and faced the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 33.
Yeah, we know. The Falcons didn’t win either Super Bowl game. But they got there, and isn’t getting there half the fun?
Falcons Will Rebound in Week 2
Another reason to like the Falcons to soar back to even steven this week is that they are playing host to the Panthers. Atlanta is 3-0 both straight up and against the spread over the last three years at home against the Panthers, and the average margin of victory for the Falcons in those games was 11.3 points.
It’s a good week to bet a Falcons trifecta – play them in the moneyline, the pointspread and the over.
Will Saints Go Marching On?
New Orleans also didn’t start out like gangbusters last season, going 0-2 out of the gate before rattling off eight wins in a row to take charge of the NFC South race.
While sportsbooks offer Atlanta an ever-so-slight edge to take the division crown, when it comes to the chances of representing the NFC in Super Bowl, it’s seen as a dead heat. The Falcons and Saints are +1000 co-fifth choices to win the NFC Championship.
As for Super Bowl 53, sportsbooks like the Saints more than the Falcons in this instance. New Orleans is listed as the eighth betting choice at +1500, just ahead of the Falcons. Atlanta is slotted in ninth at +2000.
Matty (Cold As) Ice In The Red Zone
If the Falcons are to ever get back to their 2016 status as an offensive juggernaut, quarterback Matt Ryan and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian need to get on the same page when it comes to scheming Atlanta’s red zone performance.
Ryan is 1 for 20 when targeting Julio Jones in the end zone the past two seasons – ESPN Stats & Information
The Falcons were 23rd in the NFL in red zone efficiency last season, and in the opener against the Eagles, Atlanta’s woes continued. They were one-for-five in the red zone, and Ryan was intercepted once.
Well, at least Ryan can count on one prominent football fan who’s still in his corner.
Tom Brady’s son has Matt Ryan as the QB on his fantasy team. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/eqaEDBn1T3
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) September 7, 2018
The 2016 NFL MVP, Ryan can anticipate additional scrutiny after signing a five-year, $150 million contract in the offseason if he continues to turn in performances like his Week 1 effort – 21-of-43, 251 yards, no touchdowns, one interception and a passer rating of 57.4.
Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
