Niner Noise
FanSided

The top question facing each NFL team entering 2017

By Peter Panacy

FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 31: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts before a preseason game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 31: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts before a preseason game with the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan celebrates with Matt Ryan #2 after defeating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 22: Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan celebrates with Matt Ryan #2 after defeating the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome on January 22, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Atlanta Falcons

Will the Falcons offense miss its former offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan?

The Atlanta Falcons boasted the most prolific offense in the NFL last season, and former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was a prime reason behind it.

Shanahan is now the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, meaning quarterback Matt Ryan and Co. will be deprived of a major factor that helped the QB attain MVP status in 2016.

Ryan is certainly good enough to replicate his efforts from a year ago, but it’s hard to envision new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian calling the same sort of game plan Atlanta enjoyed throughout the entirety of last year.

Sure, the Falcons are at risk of going through the proverbial “Super Bowl hangover” so many teams endure after falling short in the big game.

If there is a drop off, one might expect it to be on the offensive side of the ball.