Falcons at Vikings Depth Chart Preview
Sept 7, 2019 13:56:29 GMT -6
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Post by Danchat on Sept 7, 2019 13:56:29 GMT -6
It's time for the first Depth Chart Preview of the week! Both the Vikings and Falcons had poor 2018 seasons and will be looking to rebound. Let's see how the Falcons look:
But first, this being the first Depth Chart Preview of the year, I should probably explain how things work here. I'm taking the Falcons depth chart, straight from the team's website, and assign Pro Football Focus' grades on each player. With everything nicely color-coordinated, teams' strengths and weaknesses will become apparent. I'll also post the injury reports so we can tell who might be playing and who won't be. I will then give my thoughts on the matchup and make a prediction regarding who will win.
Oh, and if you'd like to see the Vikings Depth Chart, check it out here.
Injury Reports
* - My thoughts - *
The Falcons offense looks a bit scary on paper, but Zimmer's defense has traditionally shut them down. They have more weapons than before, especially with Calvin Ridley now in the lineup. In the running department, the Falcons didn't have Devonta Freeman for the majority of last season and Tevin Coleman left in free agency. You'd hope Freeman could pick up where he left off, but he's now 3 years removed from his last 1000 yard season. I should mention that terrible OC Steve Sarkisian was fired this offseason, and that should immediately make this offense better.
Atlanta's offense will be hinging on a newly renovated offensive line. While most thought the Falcons would go defense for the draft, they shockingly took 2 offensive linemen in the 1st round... and reached for both. Chris Lindstrom will slot in at RG and should be pretty effective, but I wasn't huge on RT Kaleb McGary. He also missed the preseason with a heart condition, so he may not be at 100%. LG James Carpenter is a new piece who's been a starter for a good 6 years now, but he was mediocre for the Jets the past few years. Matthews and Mack are studs and should hold up well.
Atlanta's defense had a dismal season last year, but that was mostly due to injuries. The combo of LB Deion Jones, FS Ricardo Allen, and SS Keanu Neal played about a combined 400 snaps, as they all missed huge chunks of the 2018 season. Now that everyone is at 100% health, this unit will be tough to move. LB Jones is one of the best coverage LBs in the NFL and can limit HBs and TEs' abilities in the passing game. The other LBs are decent at best.
The primary weakness of this defense is the D-line. Vic Beasley has raked in just 10 sacks in the past 2 seasons, and PFF graded him as the worst edge defender in football last year. Meanwhile, the Falcons have yet to add a good DT next to pass-rushing extrordinaire Grady Jarrett. I suspect NFL teams should be able to run the ball decently on these guys.
Finally, the secondary is fully healthy and has just one question mark. Desmond Trufant wasn't great last year, but is still a #1 CB. Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen are finally healthy, and one of their replacements, Damontae Kazee, had a great season in their absence and has been given the nickel CB role. The aforementioned question mark is CB Isaiah Oliver, a 2nd round sophomore. I expect him to struggle against Diggs or Thielen.
Finally, the special teams unit appears to be re-solidified with the re-signing of 44 year old Matt Bryant. They tried to replace him with Giorgio Tavecchio, but he flunked out in the preseason. Bryant will be kicking just a week after coming up off the couch.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Falcons 20
I think the Falcons roster is a little bit better on paper than the Vikings'. However, the Vikings play much better at home. Rule of thumb: pick the Vikings when the opponent doesn't have a winning record, the game is at home, and it's not a primetime game. Zimmer's Vikings are a good bet to win these type of games.
What do you think? Does the Falcons' roster stack up to the Vikings? Let me know what you think!
By the way, I just recently published my rankings of all 32 NFL teams over the in NFL Talk forum, you can check it out here.
But first, this being the first Depth Chart Preview of the year, I should probably explain how things work here. I'm taking the Falcons depth chart, straight from the team's website, and assign Pro Football Focus' grades on each player. With everything nicely color-coordinated, teams' strengths and weaknesses will become apparent. I'll also post the injury reports so we can tell who might be playing and who won't be. I will then give my thoughts on the matchup and make a prediction regarding who will win.
Oh, and if you'd like to see the Vikings Depth Chart, check it out here.
Injury Reports
Vikings
WR Stefon Diggs - Questionable
TE Tyler Conklin - Questionable
CB Mike Hughes - Out
Falcons
T Matt Gono - Out
WR Stefon Diggs - Questionable
TE Tyler Conklin - Questionable
CB Mike Hughes - Out
Falcons
T Matt Gono - Out
* - My thoughts - *
The Falcons offense looks a bit scary on paper, but Zimmer's defense has traditionally shut them down. They have more weapons than before, especially with Calvin Ridley now in the lineup. In the running department, the Falcons didn't have Devonta Freeman for the majority of last season and Tevin Coleman left in free agency. You'd hope Freeman could pick up where he left off, but he's now 3 years removed from his last 1000 yard season. I should mention that terrible OC Steve Sarkisian was fired this offseason, and that should immediately make this offense better.
Atlanta's offense will be hinging on a newly renovated offensive line. While most thought the Falcons would go defense for the draft, they shockingly took 2 offensive linemen in the 1st round... and reached for both. Chris Lindstrom will slot in at RG and should be pretty effective, but I wasn't huge on RT Kaleb McGary. He also missed the preseason with a heart condition, so he may not be at 100%. LG James Carpenter is a new piece who's been a starter for a good 6 years now, but he was mediocre for the Jets the past few years. Matthews and Mack are studs and should hold up well.
Atlanta's defense had a dismal season last year, but that was mostly due to injuries. The combo of LB Deion Jones, FS Ricardo Allen, and SS Keanu Neal played about a combined 400 snaps, as they all missed huge chunks of the 2018 season. Now that everyone is at 100% health, this unit will be tough to move. LB Jones is one of the best coverage LBs in the NFL and can limit HBs and TEs' abilities in the passing game. The other LBs are decent at best.
The primary weakness of this defense is the D-line. Vic Beasley has raked in just 10 sacks in the past 2 seasons, and PFF graded him as the worst edge defender in football last year. Meanwhile, the Falcons have yet to add a good DT next to pass-rushing extrordinaire Grady Jarrett. I suspect NFL teams should be able to run the ball decently on these guys.
Finally, the secondary is fully healthy and has just one question mark. Desmond Trufant wasn't great last year, but is still a #1 CB. Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen are finally healthy, and one of their replacements, Damontae Kazee, had a great season in their absence and has been given the nickel CB role. The aforementioned question mark is CB Isaiah Oliver, a 2nd round sophomore. I expect him to struggle against Diggs or Thielen.
Finally, the special teams unit appears to be re-solidified with the re-signing of 44 year old Matt Bryant. They tried to replace him with Giorgio Tavecchio, but he flunked out in the preseason. Bryant will be kicking just a week after coming up off the couch.
Prediction: Vikings 24, Falcons 20
I think the Falcons roster is a little bit better on paper than the Vikings'. However, the Vikings play much better at home. Rule of thumb: pick the Vikings when the opponent doesn't have a winning record, the game is at home, and it's not a primetime game. Zimmer's Vikings are a good bet to win these type of games.
What do you think? Does the Falcons' roster stack up to the Vikings? Let me know what you think!
By the way, I just recently published my rankings of all 32 NFL teams over the in NFL Talk forum, you can check it out here.
... and neither is this Chris guy.