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The Duel

Falcons Are Being Disrespected by Their 2020 Playoff Odds

By michael obermuller
Julio Jones and the Falcons have a better shot at the 2020 Playoffs than their odds suggest.
Julio Jones and the Falcons have a better shot at the 2020 Playoffs than their odds suggest. / Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
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I have been the first to criticize the Atlanta Falcons in recent years, but these current playoffs odds (+210) from FanDuel Sportsbook are disrespectful toward this franchise. They are still a veteran team with a top-notch quarterback in Matt Ryan, and these odds only imply a 32.3 percent chance that the Dirty Birds make the playoffs.

The Falcons free agency period was not spectacular, replacing Devonta Freeman with the oft-injured Todd Gurley and shedding a bunch of high cap veterans. Desmond Trufant and Austin Hooper were probably the two biggest names they lost, but two first-round picks in A.J. Terrell (2020) and Hayden Hurst (2018, Baltimore Ravens) hope to fill each void.

Second-round edge rusher Marlon Davidson and third-round interior lineman Matt Hennessy also fit in as nice draft picks for Atlanta. Both could see immediate action if they perform well in camp.

The greater problem affecting their playoff odds is competition. The NFC South could be one of the better divisions in 2020, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have bulked up for a Super Bowl run with Tom Brady and friends, and the New Orleans Saints look just as good as ever.

Still, we cannot forget that assuming the schedule goes on as planned, a third Wild Card and seventh playoff team will qualify this season. With an offensive unit as good as this one and a defense that just needs to stay healthy for once, there is no reason to think the Falcons cannot snag one of the three wildcard spots, if not the NFC South crown.

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Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

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