2013 Record: 4-12

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 8.0

2014 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'

The Falcons were one of the NFL leaders in starts lost due to injury in 2013 as they fell victim to the Curse of the NFC South Champion. There has never been a repeat South champ in the group's 12-year history. And after earning banners in 2010 and 2012, including a trip to the NFC Title Game, the Falcons bottomed out with just four wins last season.

Last year was clearly an anomaly for Mike Smith. His teams have averaged 10 wins per season in his six-year stewardship. Before Smith came to town the Falcons had never posted back-to-back winning seasons. But prior to last season the Falcons had gone 56-24 in the Smith-Matt Ryan Era.

Atlanta was active this offseason and are transitioning the defense to the 3-4 scheme that coordinator Mike Nolan prefers. They used their top draft pick on right tackle Jake Matthews and getting improved play from the offensive line is crucial if Atlanta is going to bounce back this season. The Falcons will also have to find a way to replace departed Tony Gonzalez's production for the offense to remain elite.

Atlanta has a brutal schedule and that may keep them at or below .500. After a Thursday night game against Tampa Bay on Sept. 18 the Falcons will play in front of their home crowd just one time (Oct. 12) prior to Nov. 23. That is six of seven games on the road and I don't know that I've ever seen a team shackled with such a road-heavy slate.

I am a big fan of the Smith-Ryan brain trust. But the team has given mammoth contracts to several top-end free agents and that has destroyed the club's depth. Their four net close losses last year suggest a bounce back, as does their horrid injury luck, but I don't know that this team is strong enough to overcome its poor draw. I think they will grind their way to 8-8 or 9-7 and miss the playoffs. And that could be good enough to cash a futures ticket for us.

Falcons Regular Season Schedule (All times Eastern)

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 7, New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14, at Cincinnati, 1 p.m.

Week 3: Thursday, Sept. 18, Tampa Bay, 8:25 p.m.

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 28, at Minnesota, 4:25 p.m.

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 5, at NY Giants, 1 p.m.

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 12, Chicago, 1 p.m.

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19, at Baltimore, 1 p.m.

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 26, Detroit, 9:30 a.m. (in London)

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m.

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 16, at Carolina, 1 p.m.

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 23, Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Week 13: Sunday, Nov. 30, Arizona, 4:05 p.m.

Week 14: Monday, Dec. 8, at Green Bay, 8:30 p.m.

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 14, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 21, at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 28, Carolina, 1 p.m.

Robert will be releasing his 2014 NFL Futures Predictions on Thursday, Aug. 14. Last year's top two picks (8-Unit Play on Arizona 'over' 5.5 wins and 6-Unit Play on Kansas City over 7.0 wins) both won easily and he has hit his top NFL Futures Play (rated 7.0 or higher) in four straight seasons. For more information visit his Insider's Page HERE.

Robert Ferringo is one of the best NFL handicappers in the world and is coming off one of the best football betting seasons in the 43-year history of Doc's Sports. Robert banked nearly $8,000 in profit for his football clients and won a stunning 62.1 percent of his NFL plays (95-58). Robert has won over 70 percent of his last 58 NFL side plays (41-17) and has posted six of seven winning NFL seasons. He has banked $17,400 in football profit, college and pro, over the last 20 months and he is excited about building on his staggering resume. Take advantage of our free, no-strings-attached $60 credit to use toward a purchase of Robert's football selections. You cannot afford to miss out on this great offer - click here.

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