Atlanta Falcons NFL Preview 2010: Trendy Choice for Best of NFC South

The Atlanta Falcons prepare for the 2010 NFL season, amid speculation they may actually be the best team in the NFC South. Many NFC South writers and NFL pundits on the major sports networks are dubbing the Atlanta Falcons as the sexy choice to win the NFC South.

Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez should be able to get back on track as a potent combination and if Michael Turner can get back to his 2008 form, Atlanta could be in great shape offensively. After being sidelined the second half of the 2009 NFL season, Turner is itching to get going for the 2010 NFL season.

Matt Ryan Shows Promise to Become top 10 NFL QB

Although offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey likes to scheme his offense around a power running game featuring MIchael Turner, look for Mularkey to give Ryan more freedom from the start of the 2010 NFL season. In 2009, Ryan threw more passes in 14 games than he threw in 16 games his rookie season.

Ryan will have plenty of targets to choose from in the 2010 NFL season including the return of Roddy White whos become Ryan's favorite target over the last two seasons. Gonzalez will give Ryan the perfect big body to hit across the middle as a third look in most cases. Ryan is amazingly calm in the pocket and reacts well to pressure, which is a sign of good things to come.

Running Back Position Has Expereince for 2010 NFL Campaign

The only good thing related to Michael Turner's injury is Jerious Norwood and Jason Snelling received some much needed experience as primary backs. Norwood also went down last season allowing Snelling to get in time as Atlanta's primary back.

For the 2010 NFL season, Mularkey hopes to use Turner early in games and utilize Norwood as a change of pace back. Turner is the forceful back that breaks tackles and pounds the line while Norwood is the back that breaks ankles with his quick moves and gets to the ouside to make his yardage the long way around the line.

Wide Receivers Will Give QB Ryan More Options in the 2010 NFL Season

Starting with number one wide receiver, Roddy White, the Atlanta Falcons are stacked with young talent and a few key veterans to man the offense. Tony Gonzalez is the second most important receiver on the Atlanta Falcons since he is the receiver Ryan will look to when he is under pressure. White is the outside man for Ryan and Gonzalez is Ryan's inside man across the middle that can out jumps the middle linebackers.

Atlanta's Defense Was Ravaged by Injury in 2009 NFL Season

The Atlanta Falcons defense was in shambles due to injuries in the 2009 NFL season and they are looking forward to starting out fresh for the 2010 NFL season. Atlanta drafted Sean Weatherpoon, an outside linebacker from Missouri, to help add depth to the middle of defense.

Atlanta's defense will be fast playing in a zone coverage out of the 4-3 defense. Atlanta's defensive line was one area affected by injuries last season and with the return of Peria Jerry on the inside of the line, Atlanta hopes they will muster a stronger pass rush.

Atlanta Picked Up a Key Cornerback in Danta Robinson to Shore Up the Outside

Danta Robinson comes to the Atlanta Falcons via the Houston Texans and the expectations on Robinson are high as he begins his tenure with the Falcons. The spot opposite Robinson will be a wide open competition through training camp between three players but Brian Williams should have the inside track to win the spot.

Atlanta Falcons Over/Under Win Total in Las Vegas is 9 Games

The Las Vegas Hilton Superbook has posted the over/under win total for he Atlanta Falcons at nine games. The Atlanta Falcons are also a 20-1 to win the Super Bowl according to the Las Vegas Hilton Superbook and Atlanta is a 9-5 shot to win the NFC South Division Title.

Las Vegas is dead on with Atlanta on this over/under bet, Atlanta should win nine games and make the NFL Playoffs as a wild card entry, Matt Ryan is the key to Atlanta making the post season because with Chris Redman, Atlanta is going very far.

sources:

www.espn.go.com player profiles
www.lasvegasinsideinfo.com
Las Vegas Hilton Superbook NFL over/under totals
Las Vegas Hilton Superbook Odds to Win the 2011 Super Bowl