Expectations for the Atlanta Falcons have never been higher during the tenure of Arthur Smith. Entering the 2023 NFL season, the team has the second best odds to win the division (+220) trailing only the New Orleans Saints (+135).
Bryant McFadden joined the Dopey Millennials on Saturday evening to discuss why he thinks those two should be flipped and the Falcons should be considered favorites to win the division.
“I'm taking the Falcons,” said McFadden about who he’s picking to emerge from the NFC South. “I'm not just saying that because I live in Atlanta. I'm saying that because I believe Arthur Smith is probably the best coach in the division.”
In his first two years at the helm, Arthur Smith has far exceeded any possible expectations that the team could have had. Not a soul was predicting that the roster was good enough to be competitive in 2022 – in fact most were predicting they’d only win a handful of games – yet there they were in week 15 with the playoffs within reach.
Winning seven games last season was a sensational result when the rest of the equation is considered. Even in their losses the team was competitive, as reflected by their eight of nine being decided by one score or less.
Now that the front office was able to clear an NFL record amount of dead salary cap space, the roster was able to finally get the facelift it so desperately needed. In come the likes of David Onyemata, Calais Campbell, Jesse Bates, Bud Dupree, and Kaden Ellis and out go the lackluster expectations for a previously middling defense.
“I like their defense. I think they have one of the more talented offenses in the National Football League, especially when we look at the backfield,” McFadden continued. “If they stay healthy, and you look at the nucleus that the Falcons have right now offensively. Desmond Ridder is the question mark, but if Kyle Princess healthy, we know he's a unicorn and we know what he can do, right? Drake London, year 2 for him, we should see a consistent Drake London. And Bijan Robinson!”
The NFC South is wide open in 2023. The Saints brought in a solidified quarterback in Derrick Carr, but does he really get them over the top? Bryce Young was the top overall pick, but is he ready to lead an NFL franchise in year one? Can the Buccaneers replace Tom Brady?
As it stands currently, the Falcons have the fewest questions marks and should be thought of as the favorite.
“You have a traffic jam of four like teams in the same division, right in the same bubble. Anything can happen,” McFadden finished. “But I'm taking my money and putting it on the Falcons because I trust Arthur Smith. You gave Arthur Smith some talent and the last two years he's been able to make sweet tea with no sugar. He’s finally got a little piece of sugar. So, you know that sweet tea is going to taste so good.”