5 dream scenarios for Falcons in 2023 season

No. 4 dream scenario for Atlanta Falcons: Top 15 defense

The Falcons have kinks to work out offensively, but there’s too much talent for the offense to fail outright. So long as Demond Ridder can remain his healthy and generally efficient self, the Falcons will rack up yards and put points on the board. Their success will hinge largely on their ability to stop the other team from doing the same.

Atlanta’s defense has been a disaster in recent years. Last season was particularly putrid. The Falcons’ inability to pressure the quarterback and get stops in key moments cost them multiple wins. It doesn’t matter how much the offense improves if the defense can’t follow suit.

Well, the Falcons spent big in free agency on names like Jessie Bates III, David Onyemata, and Calais Campbell. Unlike the offense, which is full of young legs, the defense is now rooted in veteran leaders who have been around the block a few times. That should help Atlanta gets its act together under new DC Ryan Nielsen.

It’s not like the Falcons even need an elite defense to make some noise. Just a solid, league-average defense could make them the most daunting team in the NFC South. Last season, the Falcons were 31st in sacks per game. With the additions made around returning pass rushers Lorenzo Carter and Grady Jarrett, maybe Atlanta can start forcing the opposition into mistakes — mistakes the new-look defensive backfield can capitalize on. Jessie Bates is now one of the highest-paid safeties ever. The Falcons are going to expect results.