3 reasons the Cleveland Browns shouldn’t overlook the Atlanta Falcons
By Greg Newland
No. 2: Young and talented skilled players
When you looked at the Atlanta Falcons offensive roster to begin the season, it looked like a group of nobodies. However, they have performed extremely well in the first three games of the year.
Cordarrelle Patterson is a wide receiver turned running back who has bounced around the league for years. Last year he got his first shot running the football full-time and has looked like a star. Through three games he has over 300 rushing yards and appears to not be the one-hit wonder that so many thought.
In year two Kyle Pitts is already one of the most talented tight ends in the game. At 6-foot-6, 246 pounds he moves like a receiver and has some blocking ability in a tight end’s body. He and Marcus Mariota are still trying to get in sync, but with a bad secondary in Cleveland, he could have a monster week if the Browns aren’t careful.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the rookie wide receiver, Drake London. I had him as a bit overrated, but he has been fantastic after being taken as the first receiver in the 2022 draft. Through three games he has 214 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He has not only proven he can catch the open passes, but has made people miss regularly, and caught the ball in traffic which was a question mark for him.
The Falcons may not have a ton of guys on offense that you have heard of, but they have been playing well for the first three games and could put up a big day vs. the Browns if they aren’t prepared.