Fansided

One silver lining for every team that missed the playoffs

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns fans in the stands against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones (11) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first half at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons (8-8)

Julio Jones became the best receiver in the NFL.

The Falcons end their 8-8 season as an enigma. They improved their record, but the season had the stench of failure when the team missed the playoffs after starting 5-0. Dan Quinn was a successful coach on the defensive side of the ball in some regards, especially when implementing his signature zone coverage, and yet the team was unable to solve their problem of a flaccid pass rush, ending the season at last in the league in sacks.

The Falcons initially outpaced expectations; then when higher expectations were set, they sunk.

But damn, Julio Jones is good. Jones spent 2015 securing his position as the most physically intimidating receiver in the NFL, racking up statistics even as the rest of the Falcons floundered.

Julio Jones 2015 Season Stats
136 rec, 1,871 yds, 8 TDs

Jones was able to accomplish this even while drawing constant double teams. His size to fight for catches, speed and route running to create separation, and finally hands to complete the play make him the ideal threat.

With respect to Antonio Brown, Jones showed this year that he is the best receiver in the NFL. Clearly, right now they are the two best, so maybe this argument is silly.

Brown is more well rounded, contributes on special teams and is used more creatively in the Steelers offense, but the team’s offense does not rely on him to the same degree as Jones is relied upon in Atlanta. Brown was forced to cope without Ben Roethlisberger and Le’Veon Bell for long stretches of this season, but Jones played the entire season with his quarterback under intense pressure and a Falcons defense that forced the offense to commit to the pass.

Next: Indianapolis Colts

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