2012 Opponent Preview: Atlanta Falcons face Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1
We start a new series of previews that will cover the opponents Atlanta Falcons will face in the 2012 National Football League (NFL) season.
Falcons will start their season on Sunday, September 09, 2012, against Kansas City Chiefs.
Falcons are looking great heading into the new season. They have the roster that is a mixture of many young players alongside vastly experienced Pro Bowl veterans. They have strong roster depth and necessary backups to deal with any emergency.
Falcons were quite superb in the 2011 season. They finished the season 10-6 and qualified for the playoffs.
Falcons faced New York Giants in the playoffs and that was the time their offence totally collapsed. They managed to score just two points in the game.
With breakdown of such a magnitude, Falcons’ management and administrative staff went back to the drawing board. The consequence of dismal performance was axing the coordinators of both teams.
In came the new offensive and defensive coordinators Dirk Koetter and Mike Nolan respectively.
They have a huge responsibility upon their shoulders to make Falcons a title winning team. Otherwise, their head coach Mike Smith could be the next one to be shown the exit door.
Offensive team has been strongly reinforced with young draftees and veteran free agents. Things are looking extremely good at the wide receiving position with players like Roddy White and Julio Jones looking to be in prime form.
This will help ease down some pressure on running back Michael Turner who has been continuously getting more than 1,000 rushing yards for Falcons.
Falcons have a capable but not elite quarterback in Matt Ryan. He has to be in his prime if Falcons have to stand any chance of going into the playoffs.
There are no major changes in the defence apart from the two players drafted this year. Most of their players are getting old and have past their prime. Falcons will have to face some tough opponents, as playing in the National Football Conference (NFC)
South is not easy.
This might be the last season for most of their Pro Bowlers. It means that they might not get another shot at Super Bowl after the 2012 season.
Week 1: Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs will be looking for thriller of a performance from their quarterback Matt Cassel against Falcons weak defence.
Chiefs have also improved their defence by adding Dontari Poe.
Both teams have added some vastly talented players from the draft this year. The encounter could become a high-scoring game as both teams have strong offence with weak defence.
Head-to-Head
Falcons and Chiefs have played just seven games against each other. Falcons have won twice while Chiefs have won five times.
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