Will the Falcons have the worst record in the NFL this year?
Pamela Maldonado breaks down her best bet for the NFC South this coming season
Video Transcript
PAM MALDONADO: Let's talk about the Atlanta Falcons. It is going to be a bad season for this team. I'm Pam Maldonado with my favorite wager coming out of the NFC South, picking on a rebuilding Atlanta Falcons team. The play-- for the Falcons to have the worst regular season record at 4 to 1 odds. If you're looking at the two quarterback options that the Falcons have, Marcus Mariota, who had the third most interceptions back in 2017, has played only 18 combined games in the last three seasons.
Then you got a rookie quarterback in Desmond Ridder. With these two options, this team is projected to play the fifth hardest schedule of passing defenses and the number one hardest schedule of rushing defenses behind an vulnerable, vulnerable offensive line. Matt Ryan was sacked 40 times last year. That was the fifth most in the NFL. There's 17 games in the upcoming season. 12 of them will be played against teams inside the top 15 for applying quarterback pressure. In the first seven weeks alone-- talk about brutal-- six games against top-10 pass rushes from last year.
Heading into a new season, there were no upgrades to this offensive line unit. So I expect for either Mariota or for Ridder to have a really, really tough time. That's just on offense. Looking at the defense, this unit too will struggle for the Falcons. Looking at the quarterbacks they'll face, Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady twice, Joe Burrow, and Justin Herbert to name a few. This defense will tire. And the offense won't be able to produce.
Last year, the Falcons won seven games. All seven games were decided by one score or less. You've got to expect some regression. This season for the Atlanta Falcons could get really ugly really fast. Projected to be underdogs in all 17 games. It's definitely more of a rebuilding year for the Falcons.
Taking under 5 and 1/2 wins for the Falcons definitely looks enticing. But I want the plus money option at 4 to 1 odds for the Falcons to have the worst record in the NFL during the regular season. And, potentially, Atlanta could snag a top spot in the draft for next year. Bet $10 and win $200 in free bets by signing up at BetMGM.com/YahooVIP. New customers only. Must be 21 or older. And terms do apply.