The Atlanta Falcons are off to a good start to the 09′ season. Can they keep pace with the New Orleans Saints all season in the NFC South division? This will be a very tough task, but they do have some young rising stars that can help this situation.

Matt Ryan had one of the best rookie QB seasons ever in 08′, completing 61% of his pass attempts, over 3,400 yards passing, 21 touchdown passes, only 12 interceptions, with a QB rating of almost 90 and starting all 16 games – many veteran QB’s will take that season any day.

The Atlanta Falcons were the “darlings” of the NFL in 08′ with a record of 11-5, surprising most in their success a year after compiling a record of 4-12 in 07′. While the Falcons lost to the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card playoff game, the future is bright for the Falcons and Matt Ryan.

The Falcons got to work quickly in week 1, easily beating the Miami Dolphins, winners of the AFC East last year. The team was dealt an equally challenging opponent in week 2 in the Carolina Panthers, winners of the NFC South last year.

RB Michael Turner will have a huge role in the Falcons success this year again without question. Turner had a monster season in 08′ playing all 16 games with nearly 1,700 yards, 17 touchdowns, and averaged 6.8 yards per touch. Matt Ryan has a good assortment of targets to choose from – TE Tony Gonzalez, WR Roddy White, and WR Michael Jenkins also.

If the Falcons can stay with the New Orleans Saints and somehow win the division or get a wild card birth – we all know anything can happen in the playoffs being it’s single game elimination. Don’t forget the old saying, “anything can happen on any given Sunday!

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