Based on preseason expectations, the Atlanta Falcons overachieved in 2022. The Falcons, led by head coach Arthur Smith, won only seven games last season, but Atlanta entered the campaign with exceptionally modest projections. While the Falcons fell short of a playoff berth and a .500 record for the fifth straight season, the team's effort could be seen as a step forward, especially with a 5-6 start and relative competitiveness throughout the season. Still, the 2023 season awaits with an uptick in projections and a great deal of intrigue. 

Atlanta's greatest success in 2022 came with the running game on offense. No team generated more rushing attempts (559) than the Falcons as the team attempted to navigate a precarious position at quarterback. Marcus Mariota brought a versatile element during his 13 starts, and the same can be said for then-rookie Desmond Ridder, who will take the reins full-time in 2023. Elsewhere, Cordarrelle Patterson put together his best NFL season, scoring eight touchdowns on the ground and finding stability as a primary ball-carrier. Patterson averaged 4.8 yards per carry, and rookie Tyler Allgeier produced more than 1,000 rushing yards across 16 games. Still, the Falcons chose Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, presumably lining up the rookie running back for primary duties in his first campaign.

Through the air, the Falcons were not as prolific a year ago, though a full year of Ridder could help. Atlanta does have sizable future-facing investments in both Kyle Pitts and Drake London, following the Tennessee model by which Arthur Smith operated in his previous stop. The Falcons do have depth concerns at wide receiver, but Pitts essentially functions at wide receiver and London flashed well with 72 receptions as a rookie.

On defense, the Falcons struggled mightily a season ago. Atlanta finished 23rd in scoring defense, 27th in total defense, and 31st in third down conversion rate allowed. Opponents scored on 43.5% of possessions against Atlanta in 2022, and the Falcons will need to improve on that side of the ball. Atlanta did invest strongly in veterans, headlined by Jessie Bates III, Calais Campbell, and Bud Dupree. How the team performs in 2023 could go a long way toward the franchise's overall decision-making for the future, but there are also angles to attack for 2023 through a betting lens.

• 2023 NFL Futures betting guide: Win totals, prop picks and more

Below, you'll find the Atlanta Falcons 2023 schedule, win total and more futures odds from Caesars Sportsbook, followed by picks from top SportsLine NFL analysts, including:

• Larry Hartstein, who tied for 52nd place (out of 1,598 entries) in the 2022 Westgate Las Vegas SuperContest, going 53-34-3 ATS (61 percent). Entering the 2023 season, Larry is 521-427 all-time on NFL sides and props (plus $3,679 for $100 players, every bet 1 unit) at SportsLine.
• Alex Selesnick, who specializes in NFL, MLB and NBA prop betting, where he implements a combination of research, statistical analysis and mathematical modeling. He is arguably the nation's No. 1 props expert, and he is 309-231 (plus 61.09 units with every bet 1 unit) in the NFL entering the 2023 season.
  
• R.J. White, who consistently crushes the NFL and shares his SuperContest and Survivor picks at SportsLine during the season. R.J. went 535-450-30 on ATS picks from 2017-22, returning $3,532 to $100 players as SportsLine's No. 1 NFL expert in against the spread picks.

Atlanta Falcons 2023 schedule

Week 1: vs. Panthers
Week 2: vs. Packers
Week 3: at Lions
Week 4: vs. Jaguars (London)
Week 5: vs. Texans
Week 6: vs. Commanders
Week 7: at Buccaneers
Week 8: at Titans
Week 9: vs. Vikings
Week 10: at Cardinals
Week 11: BYE
Week 12: vs. Saints
Week 13: at Jets
Week 14: vs. Buccaneers
Week 15: at Panthers
Week 16: vs. Colts
Week 17: at Bears
Week 18: at Saints

Atlanta Falcons 2023 futures odds

Win Total Over: 8.5 (-130)
Win Total Under: 8.5 (+110)

Make Playoffs: +115
Miss Playoffs: -135

Win Division: +240
Win Conference: +3000
Win Super Bowl: +7000

So will the Falcons go over or under their win total for the 2023 season? And what other futures bets are worth making? ... Join SportsLine right now to see SportsLine's Atlanta Falcons 2023 futures picks, all from the acclaimed experts who have crushed the NFL for years!