Reporting from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Falcons - M17)

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Game: Madden 17 (PS4)
Rosters: Simulation Football Roster by rovert22044
Sliders: Armor & Sword's All-Pro Custom Simulation Style Sliders
XP Sliders: TDawg's Madden 17 XP Sliders

It's been a while since I've been able to post around here. Some of you may remember my previous dynasty report, Reporting from the Highlight Factory a few years ago. Fast forward to now where I'm working two jobs and take classes part time, and I'm still back with another dynasty to report! One of the few things on my "gaming bucket list" is to play and report through a full season of each an NFL, NBA, and MLB game, so here's to crossing off one of those on the list!

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The Atlanta Falcons started off the 2015 season on fire by winning six of their first seven games, four of them coming against a weak NFC East. However, the wheels fell off in the second half of the year, as they won just two remaining games to finish 8-8 and out of the playoffs. The majority of 2015’s fourth-highest-overall-graded offense remains intact, with a significant upgrade at center and the departure of a long-time veteran receiver, Roddy White. The development of youth and addition of an economical veteran should lead to an improved defensive line, while the back seven has several notable changes to this year’s roster.

Matt Ryan remains just outside elite QB conversation
Matt Ryan always seems to fall just outside the elite QB discussion, and last year was no exception. In 2015, he finished with our eighth-highest QB grade, although his 21 touchdowns, 16 interceptions, and 89.0 QB rating failed to impress. While QBs traditionally take a considerable amount of blame for losses, it’s hard to blame Atlanta’s second-half fade solely on Ryan, as he graded negatively in just two of the Falcons’ losses, and was victimized by 37 drops, the fourth-most in the league. Backup Matt Schaub returns to the team that drafted him in 2004, but has not graded positively since 2012 in Houston.

Devonta Freeman must improve elusiveness, drop rate to take next step
Devonta Freeman was essentially four plays (three drops and a fumble) against Carolina away from being a top-10 RB last season. While he rushed for over 1,000 yards, he only averaged 2.06 yards after contact per carry, and ranked just 18th in elusiveness. He added 73 receptions, as well, but his 8.75 percent drop rate ranked 42nd among backs with at least 20 receptions. His backup, Tevin Coleman, dropped and fumbled (three in each category) more balls than he caught (two), and forced just six missed tackles on 89 total touches. Patrick DiMarco ran away with our top grade as a fullback, as he had a breakout season in terms of run-blocking.

Wide receiver depth very thin after Julio Jones
The fact that Julio Jones was our second-highest-graded WR last year and the unit as a whole still managed to rank in the bottom half of the league is a testament to how thin the rest of the corps is. Gone after a third-consecutive subpar season is Roddy White; gone is Leonard Hankerson and his eight drops out of 34 catchable balls; and gone is Devin Hester, who played just one snap last year before suffering a toe injury that required season-ending surgery. To replace the departed production, the Falcons signed former Bengal Mohamed Sanu, essentially paying him $7 million per year for two seasons before options kick in for the remainder of his five-year deal. That’s a large chunk of change for a slot receiver who has graded negatively three-straight seasons. Both Jacob Tamme and Levine Toilolo return at tight end. Neither graded out particularly well last season, as both struggled notably on run blocks. Added to the mix this season is former Stanford TE Austin Hooper, who was selected in the third round this past April. He could be ready to contribute immediately, especially as a run-blocker.

O-line easily Atlanta’s best unit heading into 2016 season
Four out of Atlanta’s five offensive-line starters graded positively last year, led by PFF’s second-highest-graded right tackle, Ryan Schraeder. The sole position with a strongly-negative season grade was center, and the Falcons upgraded that position this offseason with one of the best in the game—when healthy—by signing former Brown Alex Mack. Considering this was a top-five unit last season, with the significant upgrade at center, Atlanta’s line could be in the running with Oakland and Dallas for the best in the NFL in 2016.

Defensive front-seven full of young, unproven players
Turnover and youth are the main reasons why this unit is ranked so low. Third-year DT Ra’Shede Hageman is the only projected front-seven starter who was even on the roster just two years ago. The Falcons do have the makings of a solid defensive line, as they look to have found two strong long-term starters from their 2015 draft class in DE Vic Beasley and DT Grady Jarrett, and free-agent acquisition DE Derrick Shelby (Falcons) was our fourth-highest graded 4-3 DE over the last five weeks of the 2015 season. The linebacker corps will likely look completely different this season; most likely to start are Philip Wheeler (just 146 snaps with Atlanta last year) and rookies Deion Jones (LSU) and De’Vondre Campbell (Minnesota). Jones is an outstanding athlete, but his college play leaves us unconvinced, while Campbell earned our fourth-highest coverage grade among 4-3 OLB prospects in 2015, and was sixth in tackling efficiency (Jones finished 42nd).

Desmond Trufant bright spot in otherwise shaky secondary
CB Desmond Trufant had somewhat of a down season by his standards, as he yielded the highest NFL QB rating on targets against in his three-year career (86.5). The fact that teams only targeted him 56 times, compared to an average of 90 during his first two seasons in the NFL, speaks volumes about how offensive coordinators around the league view him. Robert Alford’s 2015 campaign was the best of his young career, although he still yielded four touchdowns and graded just above average. He was projected to move to the slot, both those plans could be temporarily on hold as Jalen Collins, the projected outside CB opposite Trufant, will first serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. 2015 seventh-round pick Akeem King could also see significant playing time, but outside of Trufant, this unit is a real concern. Ricardo Allen should hold down the free-safety position again, as he graded out slightly above-average in coverage last season, despite offering little support against the run. 2016 first-round pick Keanu Neal (Florida) is expected to win the strong-safety spot, but isn’t a player we would have felt comfortable drafting before day three due to his below-average grades in coverage and against the run, and his ranking of 70th among draft-eligible safeties in tackling efficiency.

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2016 Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay



Atlanta won its season and home opener in a decisive manner thanks to 424 total yards of offense (197 rushing yards, 227 passing yards). Tampa's defense just couldn't stop the two-punch combination of Devonta Freeman (22 att, 73 yds, 2 TD) and Tevin Coleman (13 att, 125 yds, 1 TD). Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Falcons defense featured three rookie starters in Deion Jones (11 TKL, 1 TFL), De'Vondre Campbell (10 TKL, 3 TFL, 1 sack), and Keanu Neal (8 TKL, 1 sack).

Next week, the Falcons travel to Oakland to face the 0-1 Raiders, who are fresh off a 27-29 defeat against the New Orleans Saints.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)	7	0	2	12	21
Atlanta Falcons (0-0)	14	10	7	7	38

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons

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Week 2: @ Oakland



The Falcons went on the road to face the Raiders, who had no answer for Atlanta's two-headed running monster in Devonta Freeman (24 att, 135 yds, 1 TD; 3 rec, 31 yds) and Tevin Coleman (13 att, 60 yds). The dynamic duo accounted for 197 yards on the ground, which brings their season total up to 394 yards, which is good for first in the league in rushing. Aside from the run game, the Falcons also threw for 270 passing yards, which puts the Falcons up to 467 yards in the evening - the second straight game in which the Falcons have been able to amount for 400+ yards on offense. On defense, the Falcons were able to limit Oakland to just 171 yards and only 19:58 of possession time.

Next week, the Falcons look to continue their win streak against the New Orleans Saints, who are 1-1 so far this season.

Atlanta Falcons at Oakland Raiders
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Atlanta Falcons (1-0)	0	9	13	10	22
Oakland Raiders (0-1)	0	7	0	0	7

Atlanta Falcons

Oakland Raiders

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Week 3: @ New Orleans



The dynamic duo of Devonta Freeman (18 att, 133 yds, 1 TD; 2 rec, 85 yds, 1 TD) and Tevin Coleman (10 att, 53 yds, 1 TD) continued their dominant run against the Saints. Matt Ryan threw for 293 yards with 3 TDs and 1 interception, his first of the season. The visiting Falcons took control early and never let up on the gas pedal as they were able to force Drew Brees (31 for 44, 301 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT) to fumble twice between 5 team sacks.

The Falcons will look to continue their red hot start next week when Cam Newton and the 1-2 Carolina Panthers come to the Georgia Dome.

Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Atlanta Falcons (2-0)	0	28	10	7	45
New Orleans Saints (1-1)	6	7	0	3	16

Atlanta Falcons

New Orleans Saints

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Week 4: vs. Carolina



There was a blowout in the Georgia Dome this weekend as NFC Player of the Week Matt Ryan (20 for 33, 395 yds, 5 TD) torched the Carolina Panthers with the help of Julio Jones (7 recs, 223 yds, 2 TDs) and Mohamed Sanu (3 recs, 109 yds, 2 TDs). Many believed this game would be a close one, but the Falcons simply outgunned Cam Newton (18 for 29, 162 yds, 1 TD) and the now 1-3 Carolina Panthers.

The Falcons will travel to Denver to face off against the 1-3 Denver Broncos next week.

Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Carolina Panthers (1-3)	0	0	10	7	17
Atlanta Falcons (4-0)	21	14	14	0	49

Carolina Panthers

Atlanta Falcons

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2016 Week 5: @ Denver



The red hot Falcons continued to soar this week against the now 1-4 Denver Broncos. Matt Ryan (24 for 31, 372 yds, 5 TDs, 2 INT) threw 2 interceptions in this one but was able to erase his mistakes by throwing for 372 yards. He has Devonta Freeman (23 att, 85 yds; 6 rec, 103 yds, 3 TD) and Julio Jones (6 rec, 100 yds, 2 TD) to thank for having have thrown 5 TDs in back to back games.

The Falcons have faced relatively weaker teams thus far. However, next week, the Falcons will face their toughest challenge of the year against Russell Wilson and the 3-1 Seattle Seahawks.

Atlanta Falcons at Denver Broncos
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Atlanta Falcons (5-0)	3	14	13	8	38
Denver Broncos (1-4)	3	14	7	0	24

Atlanta Falcons

Denver Broncos

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Week 6: @Seattle



What many considered to be the game of the week turned out to be a blowout as the unstoppable Falcons offense was able to rack up 49 points against the Seattle Seahawks. Matt Ryan (17 for 29, 366 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT) threw 3 interceptions, 2 of which could not have been blamed on him as Devonta Freeman (14 att, 138 yds, 1 TD; 2 rec, 42 yds) and Mohamed Sanu both dropped passes which Seattle was able to pick off. The NFC Player of the Week Tevin Coleman (17 att, 103 yds, 2 TD; 4 rec, 84 yds, 1 TD) helped push this offense to the victory. Despite Russell Wilson (21 for 45, 239 yds, 3 INT), the Seahawks were not able to move the ball at all against the Falcons' now dominant defense as they were only able to muster up 3 rushing yards.

With just 6 games under their belt, many in the media are now questioning whether this Falcons offense will go down as one of the most dominant ever. They will continue their schedule next week against the San Diego chargers, who own the 4th worst defense in the league.

Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks
	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
Atlanta Falcons (6-0)	10	17	15	7	49
Seattle Seahawks (3-2)	7	7	0	0	14

Atlanta Falcons

Seattle Seahawks

INJURY REPORT: The Falcons have placed WR Eric Weems on IR (broken collarbone) and have signed WR Devin Fuller from the practice squad. CB Brian Poole will miss 3 weeks due to a dislocated elbow, an injury he suffered last week against the Seahawks. CB Jalen Collins will take his place as the nickel back corner.