A number of key injuries was one reason for the Atlanta Falcons’ disappointing 2018. Which facts and figures are worth noting when it comes to ’19?
The 2018 season proved to be highly disappointing for a franchise that entered the year as the only team in the NFC to reach the playoffs in each of the previous two seasons. The Atlanta Falcons simply didn’t have the defensive depth to overcome a slew of key injuries. A 1-4 start would be followed by a three-game losing streak. But the club would drop their next five contests and only three wins to close 2018 gave the club a 7-9 record.
But it’s the start of a new year and this remains a very talented team. The organization addressed its depth in free agency and the draft. The only area that may still be a concern would be the depth behind running back Devonta Freeman as Tevin Coleman left for San Francisco via free agency.
Elsewhere, the team appears to be pretty loaded. Quarterback Matt Ryan has shown he can put up big numbers and has quite the wideout combination in prolific Julio Jones and 2018 first-round pick Calvin Ridley.
On the other side of the ball, the team made big-time financial commitments to defensive tackle Grady Jarrett and middle linebacker Deion Jones. And the club’s head coach has now add defensive coordinator duties to his daily to-do list.
Speaking of the man, the fifth season of the Dan Quinn Era in Atlanta will kick off soon. This is a franchise that had its share of bad luck when it came to injuries a season ago. So what can be expected in 2019? And what are the relevant numbers when it comes to the Falcons this fall and winter?