The Atlanta Falcons are hoping to start their season off in much different fashion than 2013. Last year, the team entered with dreams of reaching the Super Bowl. They have made it to the NFC championship game just a season before and believed they had the right team to get that one extra game. However, that idea fell apart when several starting players went down with injuries, leaving the Falcons to start more undrafted rookies than ever before. They have new confidence this season and a healthy roster, but the first game will be a test as they face the New Orleans Saints.
The New Orleans Saints will not be an easy task. The only time the team has not made the playoffs under head coach Sean Payton is 2012 and they have bounced back well since then. Drew Brees leads the way once again after leading the NFC with a 68.6 completion percentage. He put up 5,162 yards and 39 touchdowns last season. He also loves playing the Falcons where he completed 72.1 percent of his passes with four touchdowns.
The Saints have a solid array of weapons to work with. Jimmy Graham is back and signed to a very large contract extension. He had nine catches for 145 yards and two scores against the Falcons last year. Marques Colston and Brandin Cooks are on the field, but Kenny Still will be out with injury. Mark Ingram returns are the starting running back to pair with Pierre Thomas who had 549 rushing yards last year.
The Falcons have an improved offense of their only but mainly due to health reasons. Julio Jones and Roddy White are back on the field after suffering their share of injuries last year. Steven Jackson is also healthy again to pair alongside rookie Devonta Freeman. The Falcons are hoping Harry Douglas can top his breakout year in 2013 as he has Devin Hester to work with now.
The Falcons had line issues last year. Ryan was sacked 44 times in the season. They drafted Jake Matthews and inserted him as an immediate starter. The offensive line did lose left tackle Sam Baker, but Matthews will now fill in. Can the Falcons not be repeat offenders and improve off a disastrous 4-12 season?
