NFL Teams Betting - Atlanta Falcons - NFC South

Roddy White and rookie Julio Jones were one of the NFL's most dangerous receiving duos in 2011. There's no reason to think 2014 won't be the same. White has five consecutive seasons with at least 1150 yards receiving, posting 1296 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011. Jones showed flashes of brilliance last season with his lightning-fast speed, incredible hands and impressive size. Throw in veteran tight end Tony Gonzalez, who at 35 is still one of the league's best, and slot receiver Harry Douglas and the Falcons boast an impressive receiving corp for Matty Ice.

For the third time in four seasons, the Atlanta Falcons’ season ended in the first round of the playoffs. The New York Giants banished Atlanta from the postseason, 24–2, and went on to win the Super Bowl. There shouldn’t be any solace taken in the fact that in each of the three one-and-done playoff appearances, Atlanta lost to the eventual NFC representative in the Super Bowl.

The Falcons are in win-now mode, and that’s not just a playoff win. Atlanta needs — and is talented enough — to make a Super Bowl run.

Gone are both the offensive and defensive coordinators from the three failed Falcons playoff runs. General manager Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Mike Smith brought in new coaching blood to spark a change. And team owner Arthur Blank is fully behind the change. Blank is tired of watching the late rounds of the playoffs from home. He’s calling for success, and he wants it immediately.