So the Falcons are all set to start the 2011 season against the Chicago Bears, and I couldn’t be more excited about the potential of this season!

Sure we’ve had a long drought, and we’ve fallen a bit flat in the playoffs the last two times…but overall the team has steadily been moving in the right direction year-after-year.

And though it’s true the last two times we’ve made the playoffs we’ve bowed out in our first game…at least each time it’s been to the *hot* team that has gone on to represent the NFC in the super bowl.

Hopefully this year, we’ll be the hot team heading into the playoffs.

But first we’ve got to make the playoffs. And that starts by putting together as many wins as possible…starting with this week one match up.

Overall I think it’s going to be a tough fought battle (as every game in the NFL seems to be now anyway).

The Chicago Defense should continue to be one of the toughest in the league and being early in the season, we may struggle a bit to find our rhythm on offense. Hopefully Turner and crew (I’m really hoping Jacquizz Rodgers can develop over the season as he’s a ton of fun to watch!) can help churn out the tough yards until Ryan, White, Jones, and all can mesh for the season.

On the flip side of the ball, I’m not overly concerned about the Chicago WR corp. Sure Williams *can* be good and Hester has developed into a solid WR but it’s really Forte and the run game that keeps Chicago in most games. This should be a good test for what I hope is a much improved Falcons defense this year.

In the end, I think (or is it I hope?) the Falcons can pull the W out this week and get the season started right.

So what’s your prediction?