Despite all their efforts, the Atlanta Falcons did not manage to reach Super Bowl LII for the second time in as many years. Their bid ended in disappointment when they lost 15-10 to the Philadelphia Eagles in their divisional round brawl, with the Eagles going on to win the Bowl.
As the new NFL season kicks off this September, the Falcons have an opportunity to avenge that unfortunate loss at the hands of Philadelphia. The two teams will be opening the 2018 edition of the annual football cycle with a mouthwatering prime-time clash against each other on the Thursday of September 6th, 2018.
A road triumph at Lincoln Financial Field would be Atlanta’s most ideal commencement to the new football season. If they hope to find success, the Falcons need to be much more consistent in their offense than they were last season, in addition to also building on their defensive tactics and finding a way to avoid their special-teams woes.
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Week 1: Thursday, September 6th, 2018, at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET
As the city of Philadelphia welcomes its champions back as Super Bowl LII winners, the hype on the Eagles will be huge. QB Carson Wentz should be returning to his starting role after his ACL injury. Recently, The Eagles strengthened their defense even further with the bringing to Philadelphia of Michael Bennett, a prolific Pro Bowler the Falcons had wanted to grab through a buy that never materialized. Record: 0-1
Week 2: Sunday, September 16th, 2018, vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
The Atlanta Falcons appear to have mastered the Panthers’ number at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with four straight wins out of four against their division rivals at their rivals’ home turf. It’s always fascinating when Atlanta-born Cam Newton returns to his hometown, but Deion Jones and the rest of the Falcons squad have mastered how to disappoint him always. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Sunday, September 23rd, 2018, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons and the Saints have one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL. But that had an intriguing twist last season when the New Orleans-born Jones came up with the leaping interception of QB Drew Brees. These matches always appear to come close and could ultimately be decided by placekicker Matt Bryant’s leg. Record: 2-1
Week 4: Sunday, September 30th, 2018, vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons’ last clash against the Bengals happened in 2014, with Cincinnati coming out triumphant 24-10 at their home ground. With the Bengals having ended last season at a 7-9 record, they may seem to be among the Falcons easier early opposing sides. However, 2017’s home defeats to both Miami and Buffalo should remind the home side not to underestimate the boys from Cincinnati. Record: 3-1
Week 5: Sunday, October 7th, 2018, at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET
This showdown has some intriguing storylines with the QB comparison pitting Matt Ryan against Ben Roethlisberger, the running back matchup featuring Devonta Freeman against Le’Veon Bell, and the top receiver battle between Julio Jones and Antonio Brown. The Steelers should be tougher than steel at home. Record: 3-2
Week 6: Sunday, October 14th, 2018, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Last time the Falcons came out against Tampa Bay, they easily swept the meetings and have triumphed three straight instances past the Buccaneers. For the moment, the boys from Florida still appear to be getting everything figured out with QB Jameis Winston, who can be menacing against opponents but still erratic. Record: 4-2
Week 7: Monday, October 22nd, 2018, vs. New York Giants, 8:15 p.m. ET
On such a date in 2017, the Atlanta Falcons were visitors in New England for the much-touted Super Bowl rematch clash against the Patriots, only for them to end up being humiliated in a 23-7 loss. However, this time round, the home showdown with the Giants should be much easier even if wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is off at some point. Record: 5-2
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: Sunday, November 4th, 2018, at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET
According to tough Redskins cornerback Josh Norman, he is really looking forward to the battle against his buddy Julio Jones’ team, describing the Falcons’ wide receiver as the “ultimate competitor”. Although in Alex Smith the Redskins have a new signal-caller, his competitiveness isn’t expected to be formidable enough for the Washington franchise to beat their opponents despite their home advantage. Record: 6-2
Week 10: Sunday, November 11th, 2018, at Cleveland Browns, 1.00 p.m. ET
Cleveland’s winless run that goes back to the 2017-2018 season should be done with by now. However, they still have some proving to do. It is going to be an interesting thing to see if any of the highly-acclaimed rookie QBs will be the one running head coach Hue Jackson’s offense by that time, though it may matter very little here. Record: 7-2
Week 11: Sunday, November 18th, 2018, vs. Dallas Cowboys, 1 p.m. ET
Last time Atlanta went out against the Cowboys, they swept them aside quite easily. However, this time around it is likely to be a different ballgame altogether, especially now that Ezekiel Elliott is in the lineup. The Dallas franchise’s offensive lineup is another reason this clash is going to be hard-fought and very physical for both sides. Record: 7-3
Week 12: Sunday, November 26th, 2018, at New Orleans Saints, 8:20 p.m. ET
The Saints are hosting the Falcons on Thanksgiving Day and the contest is expected to be quite entertaining, especially now that the archrivals will be squaring it out for supremacy in the NFC South division. The running back pairing of Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara, if healthy enough to feature in the brawl, pose one of the most lethal combinations of the 2018 NFL season. And don’t forget Drew Brees is also in. Record: 7-4
Week 13: Sunday, December 2nd, 2018, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 1.00 p.m. ET
Remember when a Matt Ryan/Joe Flacco clash was one of the most anticipated taller QB matchups? That is now in the past. The Flacco of today isn’t the same as the one we saw during his Super Bowl times. Record: 8-4
Week 14: Sunday, December 9th, 2018, at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET
Having been used to indoor action, Atlanta players have to brace themselves for possible frigid conditions during their Lambeau Field outing. Adding this to the fact that it’s not easy at all to put the freeze on the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers, more so on his home turf, this will be a hard nut to crack for the visitors. Record: 8-5
Week 15: Sunday, December 16th, 2018, vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. ET
Cardinals’ new head coach Steve Wilks, a former Carolina defensive coordinator, and the current holder of the same position Al Holcomb know exactly how to defensively attack the Falcons. However, adjusting to the new system could take more than one year for the players. Record: 9-5
Week 16: Sunday, December 25th, 2018, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
Newton is capable of showing up in many different versions of strength and focus. Depending on the kind of Newton we see in this occasion, the Panthers can be much more unbeatable at their home turf. Another interesting thing to look out for is Christian McCaffrey’s current progress. Did we also remind the Falcons that linebacker Thomas Davis will be featuring for the Panthers after his PED suspension? Tough one. Record: 9-6
Week 17: Sunday, December 30th, 2018, at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
The league set things like this so that the last weekend of the 2018/2019 season features a lot of division matchups. Depending on the available stakes, this match could be won by either side. But Winston proved early in his football career that he can be a dependable asset for the Falcons — and Mike Evans has also done the same just recently. It will be a mouthwatering head-to-head, nevertheless. Record: 9-7