Atlanta mercifully pulled the plug on the Dan Quinn era in the middle of 2020. Last year marked the Falcons’ third consecutive losing season. Quinn and the Falcons will never live down blowing a 28-9 fourth-quarter lead in Super Bowl to the Patriots. But surrendering NFL odds advantages became a staple of the Quinn era. Atlanta’s inability to hold large fourth-quarter leads led to Quinn’s departure. Ironically enough, Quinn is now the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. His job is to preserve leads. You truly can’t make this stuff up. Nevertheless, Atlanta fans are thrilled Quinn is gone.
2021 Atlanta Falcons Betting Odds
| Falcons | Odds |
|---|---|
| Odds to win Super Bowl: | +8500 |
| Odds to win NFC Conference: | +4000 |
| Odds to win NFC South Division: | +950 |
| 2021 Regular Season Win Total: | 7.5 |
2021 Atlanta Falcons SBG Odds Overview
Gamblers aren’t expecting much from Atlanta in 2021. Correlate their opening win total of 7.5. Gamblers never recovered from that aforementioned Super Bowl debacle with New England. It’s the type of debacle that defines a franchise forever. Summing up, sportsbook squares are scared of the Falcons. At the same time, sharps hate stepping into teams with a team that is so terrible defensively.
2021 Atlanta Falcons Team Overview
The Falcons were founded as an NFL expansion team in 1966. And then they didn’t make the playoffs until 1978. They have two NFC championships in 1998 and 2016. Naturally, their collapse to the Patriots goes down as one of the biggest Super Bowl debacles ever.
Namely, Arthur Smith takes the head coaching reins. Previously he was the offensive coordinator of the Titans in 2019 and 2020. Smith, age 39, is a career assistant that first started in the NFL in 2007. Since 2011, Smith was in the Titans organization. With a strong offensive mind, Smith should find the weapons of the Falcons appealing.
Quarterback Matt Ryan was the third overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Boston College. In sum, Ryan was 2016 NFL MVP. Further, he is a five-time Pro Bowl selection. Ryan compiled a 93.3 quarterback rating and 26/11 TD/INT ratio. He has thrown for over 4000 yards every season since 2011.
Last season wide receiver Calvin Ridley led the Falcons with 90 catches, good for 1374 yards and nine touchdowns. Linebacker Deion Jones led the Falcons with 4.5 sacks and 11 tackles for loss in 2020.
Atlanta earned a solid grade for their class in the 2021 NFL Draft. Specifically, tight end Kyle Pitts of Florida was the fourth overall selection.
Following one lackluster season in the backfield where he averaged only 3.5 yards per carry, Todd Girley is a free agent.
Atlanta’s defense was a train wreck in 2020. To illuminate, their rankings were 29th overall and dead last against the pass. Dan Pees arrives from the Tennessee Titans with Smith as the new defensive coordinator. Pees has an impressive resume of two Super Bowl championships. Accordingly, those titles were with the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens.
Falcons First Week
First week action has the Falcons in a home opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. But the following week is an NFL betting odds date at the defending Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. Atlanta’s only prime-time game is a week 11 Thursday night tilt against the visiting Patriots.
Above all, the Falcons have a few good pieces and much-needed new leadership. But there isn’t enough for a serious playoff run in 2021.
2021 Atlanta Falcons SBG Best Bet: Falcons Under 7.5 Wins.