The NFL is a league with a huge amount of parity , meaning there are a lot of teams that can compete with the big boys. But it’s still a league with a few teams with a legitimate shot at winning it all. With that in mind, I’ve put together three predictions for the 2021 NFL season.
The NFL is a league that’s always changing. The last few seasons have been full of new and exciting developments and it’s anyone’s guess what we can expect next year. With that in mind, we’re going to be looking at three bold predictions for the 2021 NFL season.
At the start of last year, I made a bold prediction that the NFL would have a new commissioner by the middle of the 2021 season. I was not only right, but on time. In fact, I was on time by a full year, and the new commissioner, Robert Mueller, was even more bold than I was in his actions.
Outside expectations for the Atlanta Falcons aren’t very high this season. Julio Jones was moved away over the offseason, and Arthur Smith is the new head coach in town. Even though Matt Ryan’s career is nearing the end, many think it will take time for the Falcons to return to being a postseason regular.
There are many reasons to be optimistic, including first-round selection Kyle Pitts, who should provide the offensive a big boost.
Here are three bold predictions for the 2021 season for the Falcons.
Mike Davis is expected to run for 1,000 yards or more.
Mike Davis has spent his NFL career as a journeyman, having played for four different clubs during the course of his six years in the league.
Davis signed to a contract with the Falcons in the offseason after having his most productive season ever with the Carolina Panthers.
For the Panthers a year ago, Davis ran for 642 yards (a career high) on 165 carries (a career high). Both of these figures should rise in Atlanta this year.
Behind Davis, the Falcons have very little depth, with Cordarrelle Patterson and Wayne Gallman rounding out the bunch. Davis is the Falcons’ undisputed No. 1 back and should be used as a “bell-cow” back.
Davis could easily surpass 200 carries this season, and, according to our projection, he will run for more than 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.
Atlanta may struggle to win games, which may lead to a lot of throwing late in games, but Davis will have more than enough opportunities to reach 1,000 yards running despite this.
Kyle Pitts will have the most receiving yards among all rookies.
This one seems a little risky, but keep in mind that the Falcons will most likely be playing from behind this season, which means they’ll be throwing a lot.
Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, and Kadarius Toney are among the other first-round rookies who may contend for the yards championship. It excludes first-round selection Rashod Bateman, who is likely to miss the opening month of the year due to an injury.
Chase will be competing for playing time in Cincinnati against Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, and he is coming off a disappointing preseason. In Miami, Waddle will have to keep Will Fuller and DeVante Parker at bay. Smith may receive a lot of looks in Philadelphia, but can we truly trust Jalen Hurts to deliver them to him on a regular basis? And, at least at first, Toney’s volume in New York will be smaller than the others listed.
Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts will be the two receivers in Atlanta’s passing game.
According to Arthur Smith of SI.com, Pitts’ transition to the NFL will be difficult at first, but he expects him to rise up.
“It won’t be ideal for him,” the coach said. “It’s a strange setting. Obviously, the competition is tough in the NFL, especially among the Sunday players, and you want to see how they adapt and make sure they’re not overreacting, keeping the big picture in mind, and making sure they’re improving and not suddenly reaching a point where you’re getting diminishing returns… Overall, I’m happy with this class… You have to give him credit, as well as his parents. We did all of the pre-draft work with Kyle, and he’s a lot more mature than I was when I was 20,” Smith said. “He is a man, not a child.”
Expect him to settle in as the Falcons’ season progresses, and for him to finish the season as the team’s rookie receiving yards leader.
Atlanta will be the NFC South’s runner-up.
Let’s be clear: the Falcons will be a distant second to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
However, have a peek around this category.
Last year, it was won by the New Orleans Saints. Drew Brees retired in the summer, Michael Thomas had surgery and will miss a significant portion of the season, their kicker Will Lutz is sidelined, and their home games will be played on a neutral field to begin the season due to Hurricane Ida. The Saints have had a difficult offseason as Jameis Winston takes over as their starting quarterback.
In Carolina, Sam Darnold has been named the starting quarterback, but will he be enough to lead the Panthers to victory? On offense, there are options, but can Christian McCaffrey remain healthy? He’s the driving force behind the bunch that was out for the most of last season.
Meanwhile, the Falcons have re-signed veteran quarterback Matt Ryan and added Kyle Pitts and Mike Davis to their offensive over the summer. While nobody is hailing the Falcons as a playoff candidate, the NFC South will wind up being fairly weak. Calvin Ridley is projected to have a great year.
Atlanta isn’t far off from finishing second in the NFC South. To claim that place, write in the Falcons.
If the Redskins end up in the Super Bowl in 2019, will they repeat in 2020? Will Aaron Rodgers play for another 7 years? Will Josh Norman never leave? Will RG3 return to form? Or, will the Lions win the NFC North?. Read more about nfl 2021 predictions week 1 and let us know what you think.
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