If they were a part of any other division in football, the Atlanta Falcons’ playoff hopes would be bleak. However, they are a part of the abysmal NFC South and, as showcased last year, a team with a losing record can win the division. For that reason, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the Falcons’ 2015 season.

There has been a lot of turnover this offseason for the Falcons as they fired head coach Mike Smith in lieu of former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. Also, Quinn brought along noted offensive genius Kyle Shanahan to try and get the best out of a talented offense.

The Falcons have a ton of talent on the roster, but they haven’t been able to gel much in the last few years. If the Falcons hope to reverse that trend, they will have to find answers to these five questions.

How Will the Offensive Line Hold Up?

It is no secret that the Falcons offensive line was abysmal last year. Injuries and inept play hindered how effective their entire offense could be. They allowed 200 total pressures last year, which was good for third worst in the NFL, and they weren’t much better in the run department.

This year, they are banking on the return of Joe Hawley and the development of Jake Matthews to improve this unit to at least average. The Falcons have a potent offense with weapons galore; however, if Matt Ryan doesn’t have the time to find open receivers or the running backs don’t have holes to run through, it won’t mean much.

The fact of the matter is that things don’t look like they will be much better from last year to this year. Matthews showed considerable holes in his game that will take years to solidify, not just one offseason and Hawley isn’t the type of player who can considerably improve a unit with his presence.

Overall, expect the Falcons’ offensive line to be below-average once again. Sorry, Matt Ryan.

How Much of an Impact Can Vic Beasley Have as a Rookie?

Vic Beasley was the best pass-rushing talent in the NFL draft. He displayed all the traits you want in a player being a terror off the edge. He is quick off the ball with an incredible ability to bend around the edge and get to the quarterback; however, he has been a liability against the run.

Fortunately for Beasley and the Falcons, he will likely largely be used as the Leo in Dan Quinn’s defense, which means he will be tasked with getting upfield as quickly as possible and not having as much run responsibilities, which is exactly what Beasley does best.

Beasley’s pass-rushing ability should translate to the NFL extremely well. It would not be a surprise to see him post a double-digit sack total in his rookie year. Nonetheless, seven to nine sacks would probably be a more reasonable expectation, which would be huge for a team that was devoid of any pass-rush last year. Beasley could be the favorite to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year honors at the culmination of the season.

Will Dan Quinn Improve the Falcons Defense?

The biggest improvement that the Falcons made this offseason was at head coach. Mike Smith wasn’t a bad coach by any means, but his time with the team seemed to run its course. Dan Quinn is a fresh face who will bring a fresh approach and a new team philosophy.

Quinn comes from the Seattle Seahawks where the Seahawks have turned into one of the premier franchises in the NFL. First and foremost, Quinn will bring a competitive mindset where every player has to earn their job no matter what their status is.

Also, Quinn will instill the same philosophies that have turned the Seahawks into one of the best defenses in the history of the NFL. He will try to take advantage of the athleticism on defense and he will undoubtedly have a huge effect on the defensive line for the Falcons.

Quinn may not get the Falcons to 8-8 this season, but fans and the front office should be excited with the direction that he is taking them.

How Will the Hiring of Kyle Shanahan Affect the Offense?

Kyle Shanahan is known for his ability to establish a potent running attack. As an expert in the zone-running scheme, Shanahan should be able to push Devonta Freeman to new heights. Furthermore, Shanahan can create a great running game without fantastic personnel.

Moreover, Shanahan will utilize a potent passing attack coming off the run. Expect to see a lot of play-action in the Falcons passing game, which should be a subtle way to give Matt Ryan better windows to throw the ball to the myriad of weapons he has at his disposal.

Overall, Shanahan is at a disadvantage with the abysmal offensive line that he has to work with, but if there was any coach who could still manage to put together a great offense, it would be him.

Is Matt Ryan Good Enough to get the Falcons to the Super Bowl?

In a league that is starved of competent of good quarterback play, Matt Ryan is one of the better ones. Nevertheless, Ryan hasn’t shown that he is the type of quarterback that can carry a team to the playoffs and beyond.

Ryan has always had a myriad of weapons at his disposal, but he has yet to take full advantage and take the team to the promise land. As a pure passer, Ryan is one of the NFL’s best as he can be deadly accurate and make any throw on the football field. However, Ryan tends to struggle with pressure in his face.

Ryan will likely need a great defense and supporting cast for the Falcons to have the type of talent necessary to get to the playoffs.