NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

The Atlanta Falcons underwent a makeover in the 2015 offseason. After going 6-10 and missing the playoffs in the last week of the season, head coach Mike Smith was fired and former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn was brought in. Quinn faces a tall order with the defense, a unit that finished dead last in yards against in 2014.

So the Falcons are hopeless for this season, right? Nope. Atlanta has a killer passing attack in a league that is geared toward making the sky dark with footballs. Matt Ryan is one of the more underrated players in the league, playing in relative obscurity because of his small market and lack of support. Ryan can throw the rock with anyone, as evidenced by his 4,624 yards and 28 touchdowns last year.

Ryan also has two of the best receivers in the game. While tight end Tony Gonzalez is long gone, the Falcons remain dangerous downfield with Julio Jones and Roddy White getting their numbers. Last year, Jones went off for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns, while White had 80 catches for 921 yards and seven touchdowns. The duo also combined for 45 explosive plays (20 yards or more).

Atlanta only needs the defense to become average to make a run toward the playoffs. It also plays in a division that doesn’t exactly require a 12-4 record to take the title. The Falcons will score points and be solid in the return game with the seemingly ageless Devin Hester still producing. With Quinn taking over the defense, there is hope for Atlanta once again.

Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers