"You know they won seven games two years in a row, with no personnel."
This was the sentiment echoed by Steak Shapiro in a recent edition of the Steakhouse, and tons of Falcons fans around. So, it should come as no surprise that after upgrading both sides of the football, Vegas has the Falcons over/under win total for the 2023 season sitting at 8.5. That seems like a number that should be easily attainable. The NFC South is down. There's optimism in Atlanta for this football team for the first time in several season after a draft that saw this tea take arguably one of the best talents in the first round in Bijan Robinson.
However, talking heads like Colin Cowherd aren't buying what the Falcons are selling for the upcoming year.
Calling 8.5 wins the "strangest line I've ever seen", and "the safest under bet", Colin feels as if the Falcons won't come close to matching that total. Frrom Fox Sports, Chris "The Bear" Fallica joined the Steakhouse last Friday, and had similar thoughts. "I think their defense is terrible. I didn't like the Bijan pick at all."
This begs the question, "why is there so much hate for eight, and a half?" It starts with an inexperienced QB in Desmond Ridder, and whether or not he's able to show enough growth to take this team forward this year. You can follow that up with answering questions about an anemic pass rush that generated 21 sacks in 2022, second worst in the NFL behind the Bears. To that end, the team added several new defensive front pieces in Calais Campbell, David Onyemata, and Kaden Elliss that should bring immeditate pass rush help.
