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NFL: 10 teams that are better (or worse) than their records indicate

By Luke Dahlgren

Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman (24) runs against the New Orleans Saints during the second quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Falcons 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

WORSE: Atlanta Falcons (5-1)

Dan Quinn has understandably been thrust into the NFL coach of the year conversation.

On one side, he has enabled an already potent Falcons offense to reach new heights; despite a porous offensive line (14 sacks through six games), Matt Ryan has still been able to stretch the field with Julio Jones, the husk of Roddy White and ex-Peytonite Jacob Tamme at receiver/tight end.

His success is in no small part thanks to the revelation of Devonta Freeman, who has been the league’s most prolific offensive scorer with 10 touchdowns on the ground already. They rest at third in the league scoring 30.5 points per game.

On the other side, the Falcons have enjoyed a bump to their defense. In 2014 they ended 27th in the league allowing 26.1 points per game; in 2015 that number is down to a respectable 23.8, good for 17th. Quinn has made his biggest impact in the rush defense.

The Falcons lead the league in run defense, having allowed a mere 78.8 yards per game, down from 118.4 in 2014. The fact that the Falcons play a good portion of their games with the leag has contributed to this – teams need to throw rather than run to get back into the game, and opponents are attempting a league low 22 rushes per game.

However, there is one piece that may sink the Falcons: pass defense. In 2014, they sported the worst pass defense in terms of yardage, allowing 279.9 yards per game through the air. Through six games, that number is at 290.7. Fans saw the result of a top end quarterback against Atlanta last Thursday night, when Drew Brees went 30-39 for a neat 312 yards.

Final record: 11-5

The Falcons are a good team, and they should easily be 8-1 after facing the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers in their next two games. But the Falcons are susceptible to more potent passing attacks, and the latter end of the season could sink their place in the standings.

With that being said, the real challenge begins in the playoffs, where the Falcons could be forced to face a team like the Green Bay Packers or Arizona Cardinals early.

Next: Cleveland Browns

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