The Atlanta Falcons are 5-0 and don't look to be stopping their momentum anytime soon. We're convinced that this team is a legit Super Bowl contender, hands down. Why, you ask? Here's three reasons...
3) Matt Ryan and Julio Jones Running The Show
Ryan has struggled at times but Atlanta's offense is still positioned as one of the best units in the league. He's averaging just under 300 passing yards per game and, while he only has six touchdown passes on the year, four of them have gone to Julio Jones. The two have been arguably the deadliest duo in the NFL for awhile now, and that's saying something in a league LOADED with skill position talent.
2) Defensive growth
New head coach Dan Quinn has quickly made his mark on Atlanta's defense, turning them from one of the league's worst units into an average one in just three games, which has done wonders for them on the field. The Falcons rank in the middle of the pack in points allowed per game, and while that isn't anything to write home about, it's enough to take pressure off their potent offense and allow them to flourish unabated. Even an average defense is more than enough to supplement this defense for a playoff run.
1) Devonta Freeman's going cray cray
Freeman rumbled for 153 yards and a touchdown against the Redskins, making for eight touchdowns in his last four games played. He's the first player since the NFL merger to rush for three touchdowns in his first two NFL starts.
If he can be 50% as productive as he has been the past two weeks in goal line and close-yardage situations, Atlanta will continue to roll. And roll. AND ROLL. Freeman's emergence has served to open up major opportunities for Matt Ryan to exploit on the outside. That'll be the rule, not the exception, for the remainder of the year.
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