Docs Website

51 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

2022 Atlanta Falcons Predictions with Odds to Win Super Bowl

by Sean Barnard - 6/18/2022

Atlanta Falcons predictions Cordarrelle Patterson

The Atlanta Falcons started a new era in 2021 as they hired a new head coach and general manager heading into the season. It was an interesting season, with the Falcons ultimately going 7-10. For the most part, this was a successful season as the team was not built to compete in the short term. There has been even more turnover this offseason, including moving on from QB Matt Ryan. A new era of the Falcons is set to begin next season as Ryan has held the reigns at QB for the past 14 seasons. He has capped off one of the greatest careers in Atlanta of any Falcon ever, and the organization will head into next season with Marcus Mariota as the starter.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Atlanta will begin the 2022 season in a home matchup with the New Orleans Saints. They then will hit the road for back-to-back away matchups against the Rams and Seahawks. The Falcons will then return home to play the Browns before traveling to Tampa Bay to play the Bucs. They will then return to Atlanta to play the 49ers before facing the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Falcons will have two straight home games in Weeks 8 and 9 against the Panthers and Chargers. They then will travel to Carolina for a Thursday night matchup against the Panthers in Week 10. The Falcons will take on the Bears at Mercedes-Benz Stadium the following week. Atlanta will travel to Washington to face the Commanders in Week 12 before returning home to face the Steelers. The Falcons have a Week 14 bye. Following the bye, the Falcons have back-to-back road games against the Saints and Ravens. Atlanta will return home for their final two games against the Cardinals and Buccaneers.

The Atlanta Falcons are +20000 to win the Super Bowl, the second-longest odds in the NFL. They have the largest odds to win the NFC at +10000. The Falcons are +2500 to win the NFC South, and their regular-season win total over/under is set at 5. Atlanta has +800 odds to make the playoffs and are -1200 to miss.

Offense:

Key Players: Marcus Mariota, Cordarrelle Patterson, Kyle Pitts

The most notable change in the offense is at quarterback. For the first time in 15 years, the Falcons will head into Week 1 without Matt Ryan as their starter. Marcus Mariota signed a two-year, $18.75 million contract with the Falcons with the expectation that he will be the starter. Mariota has not started a game since 2019 but has shown enticing flashes in the limited spurts he has gotten. Expect the Falcons to roll out a more modernized offense with Mariota at the helm.

Atlanta made some other notable additions, including former RB Damien Williams, WRs Auden Tate, Bryan Edwards, and Damiere Byrd. They also used the 8th overall pick on USC WR Drake London. It is important to remember that Calvin Ridley remains suspended due to gambling, and it is unclear if and when his career will be able to continue. Kyle Pitts will likely be the No. 1 target in the passing game.

The Falcons' offense left much to be desired last season as they ranked 26th in points scored and 29th in yards gained. Atlanta was 31st in rushing yards and 30th in rushing yards per attempt. The Falcons passed for the 16th most yards in the NFL last season and ranked 5th in lowest turnover percentage. The new faces will be looked at to make a splash as the franchise will hope to improve on these numbers.

Defense:

Key Players: Grady Jarrett, Arnold Ebiketie

The Falcons made the defensive line a priority this offseason and added two edge rushers of the first three rounds of the draft. Grady Jarrett signed a three-year deal to remain with the team and will be the heart and soul of the defense. The attack will also be headlined by Arnold Ebiketie, Lorenzo Carter, and Marlon Davidson. The franchise also did some work to the secondary unit by signing Dean Marlowe and Casey Hayward.

The defensive unit was also in need of some work as they ranked 29th in points allowed and 26th in yards allowed in 2021. The defense was led by Foyesade Oluokun, who tallied 192 total tackles and 3 interceptions in 2021. No one on the Falcons' defensive unit tallied more than 4.5 sacks in 2021.

Outlook:

There is no doubt that the Falcons are still in the midst of a rebuild. There has been a large amount of shake-up on both sides of the ball, but the organization is still far from competing. Stay away from all bets regarding notable success with the Falcons. There are too many question marks about Marcus Mariota and the rest of the roster. Taking the under of five wins is the only true bet that holds value. Drake London also is an enticing pick for Rookie of the Year. The wide receiver will be looked at to produce early and often after being the first wide receiver off the board to a team starved for offensive weapons. London is the favorite to win Rookie of the Year at +550, but this is a goal that should be well within range for the USC product.

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

 

Most Recent NFL Handicapping

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers