The Falcons have become an afterthought in the NFC playoff race due to their 1-5 start in 2019. Even though it’s extremely improbable, they aren’t officially out of it just yet.
With the odds stacked against them and almost no margin for error, this team needs a win at home on Sunday in the worst way.
Will Atlanta lay down and concede the season, or will this team finally and play up to its potential? Here are four bold predictions for Sunday’s game against the Rams.
Matt Ryan throws for over 350 passing yards
Matt Ryan hasn’t been the problem over Atlanta’s previous two games. In the team’s Week 6 loss to the Cardinals, Ryan threw for 356 yards, four touchdowns and a passer rating of 144.9. The Rams defense has been middle of the pack in terms of yardage (241.3 passing YPG allowed), but Ryan’s locked into full desperation mode. While Aaron Donald will cause the Falcons’ offensive line problems, Dirk Koetter’s offense can offset this by spreading out the Rams defense and passing to set up the run. Expect another big day from Ryan.
Sack-less streak comes to an end
Not only will Atlanta get its first sack since Week 3 this Sunday, I think Vic Beasley — who is reportedly on the trade block — finishes with two sacks. Nothing motivates a player quite like fear. With Beasley’s future uncertain, I think we get a glimpse of the once-dominant player he was for potentially the last time in a Falcons uniform. The Rams allowed four sacks last week in a loss to the 49ers.
Julio Jones wins battle vs. Jalen Ramsey
Expect over a 120 yards and a couple of scores for Julio Jones as he has a chance to remind the NFL world why he’s the best receiver in the league. The Rams just acquired Jalen Ramsey and if he plays, we expect him to be lined up across from Jones for much of the day. Ramsey is extremely talented, but with limited time to get himself comfortable in Wade Phillips’ defense, I think Jones gets the better of him on Sunday.
Falcons win
The Falcons are three-point underdogs to the Rams, and rightfully so. With one win in six weeks, a defense that can’t stop a nose bleed and an offense that only seems to perform when its down by multiple scores, nobody expects them to win. Dan Quinn, for all of his blunders this season, still has the support of his players. I expect a tight game, with the Falcons pulling away late due to some rarely-seen complementary football. Let the winning streak begin.
