There are Atlanta Falcons rumors that the 2017 version of the team is even better than the one that went to the Super Bowl last season. That would be an impressive accomplishment for the defending NFC champions, especially with some very tough teams in the conference. Easily dispatching the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 may have been an early indication that the Falcons are again the team-to-beat in the conference.
The Falcons just finished beating the Detroit Lions on Sunday (Sept. 24) to move to 3-0 on the season. Though the 30-26 victory may have been a little close for comfort for Falcons fans, picking up a tough road win could certainly help propel the team this season.
Going 3-0 with two road games this early in the season is certainly the best way to work toward becoming back-to-back NFC champions.
What do the stats look like for the Falcons so far?
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has 867 passing yards and four touchdowns through the air, but he did also have three interceptions against the Detroit Lions. Ryan took better care of the ball against the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers, throwing zero interceptions through those first two games. Those numbers are actually short of the pace Ryan had during the 2016 NFL season when he threw for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns.
On the ground, Devonta Freeman is leading the running game, with 227 yards through the first three games.
He also has 50 receiving yards and four total touchdowns to his credit, showing that another Pro Bowl invite might be in his future. Rushing for 106 yards against the Lions was also a huge improvement over the 37 yards he managed against the Bears in the Week 1 game for the Atlanta Falcons.
What’s coming up for the Falcons this season?
The Atlanta Falcons play against the Buffalo Bills next Sunday (Oct. 1) before getting their bye week. That game against the Bills is at home and so is the Oct. 15 game against the Miami Dolphins. It means that the Falcons won’t have a road game for about a month, but then get tested with an Oct.
22 contest against the New England Patriots. That could be a very good barometer for the roster, as this is a re-match of the last Super Bowl.
Going 3-0 against NFC opponents has started the season on the right track for the Falcons. The Week 2 test against the Packers was passed with flying colors, but there are also more tests coming up on the 2017 NFL schedule. That includes a game on Nov. 20 against the Seattle Seahawks and possibly the best defense in the entire NFL. Can the Atlanta Falcons push through the schedule and make it back to another Super Bowl this winter?