NFL: Atlanta Falcons will be in the playoffs in 2014 if…

If: Smith’s team changes its offensive approach from recent seasons. Back in 2011, the team made a major move up the draft board and selected wide receiver Julio Jones and he’s been a very productive player for them, make no mistake.

But a team that once used running back Michael Turner as a battering ram and complemented that with the likes of Jones, Roddy White and now-retired tight end Tony Gonzalez would slowly but surely become very one-dimensional.

No team totaled fewer rushing attempts and rushing yards than Atlanta this past season. The team’s 1,247 yards on the ground was 360 yards less than Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (1,607) and also fewer than six other players in the league. Veteran running back Steven Jackson, a free-agent addition during the offseason, missed four games and ran for a career-low 543 yards. He hopes to have a bounce back season but also keep an eye on fourth-round draft choice Devonta Freeman, who brings a fresh pair of legs and a physical style to the Falcons’ ground attack.

Also worth watching is a new look on the right side of the offensive line with the free-agent addition of guard Jon Asamoah and 2014 first-round draft choice Jake Matthews.