Atlanta Falcons: 5 Bold predictions for the 2018 regular season

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons calls a play at the line during the first quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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ATLANTA, GA – AUGUST 17: Eric Saubert #85 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with a catch against the Kansas City Chiefs during a preseason game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 17, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

5. Austin Hooper and Eric Saubert will become X-factors

It was pretty darn clear in 2017 that the Falcons offense couldn’t score touchdowns in the red-zone. If we’re being honest, that failure ultimately was the deciding factor in the Falcons getting eliminated by the Eagles in last year’s NFC Playoffs. Needless to say, if the Dirty Birds want any shot at playing in the Super Bowl this season, they need a big year from Eric Saubert and Austin Hooper.

We started to see a little bit of production from Hooper last season, but it seems as though he’s ready to play a larger role — at least that’s what it looks like after two preseason games this August. If you didn’t see his hurdle for a touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 2, you definitely missed out.

Saubert, on the other hand, is a guy who hasn’t quite gotten used to the professional game yet, but just like Hooper, he made a big splash against Kansa City last Friday. He only finished with one catch, but it was a 24-yard catch-and-run. Needless to say, that type of production would be well-received during the regular season.

Again, I believe Saubert and Hooper are going to be X-factors for the Falcons offense this season. Atlanta needs a few guys they can count on in the red-zone, and as it appears, these two could finally fill that role.

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