The Atlanta Falcons got into the playoffs by overcoming all but the Carolina Panthers in a tough NFC South, then lost to the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round of the NFC playoff bracket. By all accounts, this was a spectacular season for buying and using Atlanta Falcons tickets. The last time the Falcons had a winning season was 2004, when Michael Vick was running the show and the Falcons went to the NFC Championship Game. Since then the Falcons had floundered, amassing an 8-8 season, a 7-9 season, and then last year, a gloomy 4-12 season. This was a dramatic turn around for a team on the ropes, and there are already fans loooking online to look for Atlanta Falcons tickets for next year, which promises to be another excellent season. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from the past year and then see if there is anywhere this team could improve over the offseason.
Schedule Breakdown
The Atlanta Falcons ended with 11 regular season wins, the first of which came in the home opener against the Detroit Lions. Before their bye week the Falcons were able to get wins versus Kansas City, Green Bay and Chicago, but lost to two of their divisional opponents, Tampa Bay and Carolina. They were 4-2 as they took a week off. The Falcons really hit their stride when they won versus the Oakland Raiders in week 9, coming up with a 24-0 blowout. They won 7 of their last 9 games, including three in a row at the end, to surpass Tampa Bay in the NFC South standings and earn a spot in the playoffs. With a Wild Card spot the Falcons drew the Arizona Cardinals. Although they played valiantly, the Falcons were unable to overcome the Cardinals on the road. It was anything but a disappointing end to the year, though, as fans are invigorated around the Flacons, and Matt Ryan, in his rookie season, looks like a budding NFL superstar.
Stats Highlights
Many people thought that rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was snubbed for the NFL’s MVP award, being that his first year behind the center for the Falcons was probably the most significant factor in the dramatic, improbable change of fortune for the Falcons. The 23-year old Boston College alum played in all 16 games for the Falcons and racked up some impressive stats. He threw for 3,440 yards and 16 touchdowns on 265 completions out of 434 attempts. Even though he threw 11 interceptions and fumbled the ball 6 times, Ryan was able to accrue the second highest yards per pass completion total in the NFL, at roughly 13 yards per completion. Ryan liked to throw the ball deep, and his favorite target was Roddy White, who ended with 1,382 receiving yards. Michael Jenkins had 777 receiving yards. Michael Turner completed his first ever 1,000-yard rushing season, and combined for 1,740 total yards from scrimmage. The Atlanta Flacons gained the second most rushing yards of any team in the league. John Abraham had 16.5 sacks.
Stats Lowlights
As good as the offense was, the Falcons’ defense could not keep pace. Atlanta finished in the bottom half of the league in passing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed and turnover differential (-3). The Falcons had only 10 interceptions as a team last season.
Possible Offseason Moves
Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Roddy White are an excellent combination, and the Falcons should try as hard as they can to keep this group together. Look for the Falcons to draft heavily on the defensive side. Everything (except things named John Abraham) needs a little work, but perhaps snagging a cornerback or safety would do the most good to shore up the Atlanta passing defense.
The post Atlanta Falcons Tickets – 2008-09 Season in Review appeared first on Sports Insider.
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