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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) celebrates with wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after scoring in the 3rd quarter as New England Patriots outside linebacker is in the background during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman (26) celebrates with wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) and quarterback Matt Ryan (2) after scoring in the 3rd quarter as New England Patriots outside linebacker is in the background during Super Bowl LI at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Atlanta Falcons

2016 Record: 11-5, First Place in the NFC South

Can the Atlanta Falcons overcome the gut-wrenching loss to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI? Or will they follow the same path as the Carolina Panthers did last season, dealing with a post-Super Bowl hangover after suffering a similar embarrassment in Super Bowl 50?

That will be one of the major questions Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and Co. will have to face this upcoming year.

The good news is Atlanta’s offense remains mostly intact. Quarterback Matt Ryan is coming off an MVP year, and the tandem of he and wide receiver Julio Jones remains among the best in the NFL.

While former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left town to take the 49ers’ head coaching gig, it’s hard to see the Falcons suffering a major drawback in 2017.

At least on offense.

Strengths

Atlanta’s offense still remains scary. There’s little reason to assume any drop off here, as long as Ryan stays healthy.

Having a running back tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman helps too. Despite the prolific passing attack, the Falcons’ ground game still managed to finish fifth in the NFL with 1,928 rushing yards last year.

Oh, and that guy Vic Beasley is pretty good on defense too. Adding defensive end Takkarist McKinley via the NFL Draft should help up front.

Weaknesses

The Falcons got better up front. But there are still some major questions within their secondary. If the pass rush manages to do its job this season, Atlanta could hold its own well enough to ensure late-game collapses don’t become a regular thing.

Depth could be an issue as well. And we’ll see how the team bounces back after what happened last February.

X-Factors

McKinley could be the perfect complement to Beasley up front. Or the former may not make much of an impact, which would keep Atlanta’s defense roughly in the same boat it was a year ago. The former UCLA star could go either way.

The NFC South is an X-factor all in itself. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ascending, and it’s hard to envision the Panthers staying bad for long.