Atlanta Falcons 2009 NFL Predictions, Win Total & 2010 Super Bowl Odds: Besides the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, the Atlanta Falcons were the biggest surprise of 2008 with an 11-5 season. Mike Vick is ancient history and rookie QB Matt Ryan is the new face of the franchise. Ryan teamed with first year head coach Mike Smith brilliantly as they came out of nowhere to take the NFC South by storm. Many teams in the NFL have been of the flash in the pan variety however. With a defense with question marks will the Falcons be another fluke NFL team? The NFL predictions odds for the Atlanta Falcons to win the 2010 Super Bowl is listed at 18-1 odds at Sportsbook.com.

Matt Ryan will be under the gun to repeat his excellent rookie season. Ryan is a young superstar in the NFL with no apparent weakness besides playing experience. There is no reason that the prototypical Ryan will not have an even bigger season in 2009. Added to help Ryan was legendary TE Tony Gonzalez who still consistently beats coverages. All-Pro WR Roddy White is another big-time wideout that is physical, strong and fast.  Slot WR Harry Douglas is also a candidate for a breakout season in his 2nd year with his 4.3 40-speed. The Falcons still like to do most of their damage on offense by stuffing RB Michael Turner down defenses throats. Turner is a big back with speed and had the most broken tackles of any NFL running back with 44. Behind Turner is speed back Jerrious Norwood who is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. The NFL predictions odds for the Atlanta Falcons to win the NFC championship is at 8-1 odds.

The Falcons defense will have some questions to answer in 2009, and the defense will most likely determine how far the team will go. The team will have some new personnel at linebacker, and in the secondary, that could take time to jell. While the team is long on potential, it will be tough to replace some veteran leadership that has been lost. The linebackers could be a team strength with new addition Mike Peterson teaming with young guns Stephen Nicholas and Curtis Loften. The secondary is very green and suspect with two rookies likely to start. The undersized D-Line  is speedy and will be led by DE John Abraham who is an animal off the edge. The problem for Atlanta's defense is that it doesn’t have anyone to help Abraham unless DE Jamaal Anderson makes good on his potential. Atlanta has arguably the best special teams in the NFL with a field position weapon in punter Matt Koenen.

The Atlanta Falcons will have a tough time reaching the playoffs again playing in the NFC South. The team plays hard and consistent but the defense will not be good enough for a repeat performance. The team overachieved all of last season to reach 11-5 and this year will come back to reality with an 8-8 or 9-7 finish. The  NFL predictions odds on the season Win Total for the Atlanta Falcons is at 9.0 Wins.