| QB Matt Ryan is running away with the Falcons' offensive MVP award. (US Presswire) |
It hasn’t been pretty at times, but eight games into the season, the Falcons' undefeated record says no team in the NFL is better than they are. Atlanta showed resiliency with three straight comeback wins earlier this year and also proved it can win on the road in hostile environments. The team has its sights set on a first-round bye in the playoffs. Here are our midseason awards along with a projection of where we think the Falcons will wind up at the end of the season.
Offensive MVP -- QB Matt Ryan: Ryan is at least even with Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers in the race for NFL MVP, let alone the Falcons’ most valuable player. He’s completed 68.9 percent of his passes for an average of 295 yards per game and has thrown nearly three times as many touchdowns (17) as interceptions (six). Throw in his propensity for orchestrating fourth-quarter, game-winning drives and there isn’t a question who the team’s MVP has been.
Defensive MVP -- LB Sean Weatherspoon: Atlanta’s tackling has been its biggest weakness, and that was magnified further on Sunday against the Cowboys when Weatherspoon had to miss the game with an ankle injury. He’s been their most sound tackler with 52 stops, is second on the team in sacks (three) and has also forced a fumble. Defensive end John Abraham (seven sacks) and William Moore (two interceptions) also merit mention.
Rookie MVP -- RG Peter Konz: The Falcons' second-round draft pick out of Wisconsin has started the last two games. Atlanta has subsequently averaged 134 rushing yards in that span after averaging 86.5 rushing yards throughout the first six games.
Top assistant coach -- OC Dirk Koetter: In his first year, Koetter has worked hand-in-hand with Ryan to transform the Falcons’ run-first offense into one more befitting of Atlanta’s many receiving weapons. His creativity has seen WR Julio Jones run reverses and even line up in the backfield as a halfback.
Biggest disappointment -- DE Ray Edwards: The seven-year veteran hasn’t lived up to the lucrative contract he signed in 2011 and has just eight tackles, including zero in his last two games. So far, he looks like a major bust.
Biggest strength -- Passing: Roddy White (709 yards) and Julio Jones (628) represent two of the top 14 receivers in the NFL in terms of yards this season. TE Tony Gonzalez, though, may be the most reliable receiver when it comes to extending drives and converting third downs. No defensive coordinator has shown an ability to stop all three of them, and the Falcons have had at least one receiver over 90 yards in seven of eight games this season.
Biggest weakness -- Tackling: Bad technique and poor angles have been the two primary causes of the Falcons’ tackling woes. The secondary, in particular, has tried to demolish ball carriers instead of limiting their progression by wrapping their legs up.
Projected final record -- 14-2
Playoffs? With the NFC South nearly wrapped up, reaching the playoffs is no longer the question. The Super Bowl is attainable, but the Falcons are well aware of their playoff failures and will need to focus on winning a game in the postseason before they can think bigger.
One fact you may not know but should: The Falcons face three teams this season (Oakland, Philadelphia, and Arizona) coming off bye weeks; they won the first two. Also, the Falcons rotate home and away every single game this season.
For more Falcons coverage, follow Mike Singer @CBSFalcons.
Want to know who CBSSports.com says the MVP is? Check out our Midseason Awards.