Falcons Schedule Preview (Weeks 9-13)

By Raekwon Gilbert

Week 9 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Nov. 3 / 8:25 p.m. ET / NFL Network)

 Divisional games always bring out a little more in players; and that should be the case for the Falcons and Bucs in week nine. Adding the fact that this game will be on Thursday Night Football, expect the emotion to be even higher. Last season the Falcons were 0-2 against the Bucs and it should be safe to say that team will try to turn the tables around in 2016.

Armed with a young, ambitious offense, led by second year quarterback Jameis Winston, the Bucs are slowly turning the time by developing young players and building around others like running back Doug Martin, wide out Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David, and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy. Though the talent around Tampa Bay is evident, they still haven't had the chance to put everything together and become an actual contender in the NFC South.

Last season, the Falcons couldn't get a win against Tampa Bay because they couldn't capitalize on offense by scoring when the opportunity approached them. If Atlanta can find a way to consistently attack Tampa in the run and passing game, victory should be in their horizon.

Week 10 @ Philadelphia Eagles (Nov. 13 / 1:00 p.m. ET / FOX)

Many teams in the NFL don't get the recognition they deserve because of the antics of a few players, or, the troubles within the front office involving their head coach. All of these things have played a factor in how fans view the Philadelphia Eagles and it truly has had an effect on the team's play.

Last season, the Eagles were seconds away from beating the Falcons until safety Ricardo Allen helped seal the win with an late-game interception. This truly sums up the Eagles' season. With a quarterback battle, the departure of running back Demarco Murray, and the difficult plan to balance out a strong salary-cap has taken away from the winning factor of the team in my views, but they still show dominance in some areas.

Along with players like defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, defensive end Connor Barwin, and safety Malcolm Jenkins, Philadelphia has an array of players who will shine on the defensive side of the ball.

Regardless of who Philly picks to be their quarterback, the Falcons main goal in week 10 should be getting after the quarterback. Rookie Carson Wentz is reportedly having a hard time adjusting to the playbook and defensive reads, which is an opportunity for Atlanta to capitalize on.

Last season, Matt Ryan throw for 298 along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Ryan will have to protect the ball better and try make the best throws down field. If Atlanta can somehow minimize their mistakes on offense and create pressure on the quarterback then they will win.

Week 11 (BYE WEEK)

Week 12 vs. Arizona Cardinals (Nov. 27 / 1:00 p.m. ET / FOX)

It isn't a known secret that the Arizona Cardinals are the worst team for Matt Ryan to play against. Ryan averages 2.6 interceptions per game against Arizona in the past 4 years. Not to mention that their defense will still continue to reign over the NFC west with players like safety Tyrann Mathieu, linebacker Chandler Jones, defensive Calais Campbell, and cornerback Patrick Peterson.

Atlanta's offensive line has built well around newcomer Alex Mack and the emergence of great play from both tackles, Ryan Schraeder and Jake Matthews, but Arizona has been known to breakdown offensive lines easily with their pass-rushing attack.

Week 13 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Dec. 4 / 1:00 p.m. ET / CBS)

The Chiefs may be the Falcons most equally matched opponent this season.  One or two plays could make the difference in this game.

Led by linebacker Justin Houston and safety Eric Berry, Kansas City's defense is among the league's best, but there are flaws which Atlanta can expose. Built to play around a full 3-4 defense, the Chiefs were put under pressure when asked to become a nickel or dime defense. However, with the stay of young defensive backs, that will be forced into play. I don't think they will be able to compete with Atlanta when put into open areas.

On the flip side, Atlanta still has issues to solve at the guard positions and that could be a area of attack for Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Dontari Poe. All three players have the talent to control the line of scrimmage and dominate if Atlanta doesn't get on a roll early.

This could also be a perfect game for someone like wide out Justin Hardy to come in and control the slot against others. Safeties Ron Parker and Eric Berry won't be coming down often to play man to man with Hardy, but that doesn't mean he won't have his work cut out. This may be the most interesting game of the season for Atlanta.

Falcons Schedule Preview (Weeks 5-8)

by Alphonso Thomas

Week 5 @ Denver Broncos (Oct. 9 / 4:05 p.m. ET / FOX)

(USA Today)

The Atlanta Falcons face the Superbowl champion Denver Broncos in week five of the 2016 season. While the Broncos accomplished a major feat last year, don’t be too quick to count the Falcons out of this one.

The Broncos lost key contributors from last season’s championship team, including linebacker Danny Trevathan, Malik Jackson, solid backup QB Brock Osweiler, and future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. These losses will provide a major obstacle for the team to overcome if they wish to continue their dominance and success from last season.

The interesting match-up for this game will be the Falcons’ potent offense vs. Denver’s stout defense. If Matt Ryan and company are able to outplay Denver’s D, Mark Sanchez and the offense may have a tough time keeping up.

Week 6 @ Seattle Seahawks (Oct. 16 / 4:25 p.m. ET / FOX)

The Falcons will wrap up a two-game road trip in one of the toughest stadiums in the NFL, CenturyLink Field. “The 12^th Man” will undoubtedly be in attendance with enough noise to rock the entire stadium, which is one reason why the Seahawks have only lost four games at home over the past three seasons.

Usually the retirement of a great player like running back Marshawn Lynch brings a sense of relief when playing the former player’s team the following season. However his replacement, Thomas Rawls, may be just as much of a defensive nuisance as Lynch was. Rawls accounted for 906 total yards from scrimmage last year and five touchdowns. The Falcons’ revamped, young group of linebackers will certainly have a task on their hands with Rawls in the backfield. It will also be interesting to see if tight end Jimmy Graham will prosper in his second year with the Seahawks, and if so, how Atlanta’s  young defense counters the playmaker.

Week 7 vs. San Diego Chargers (Oct. 23 /4:05 p.m. ET / FOX)

The San Diego Chargers come to town in what will be the Falcons’ third game against AFC West opponents. Led by quarterback Phillip Rivers, the Chargers are one of the mysteries of the AFC. They have great players such as Rivers, tight end Antonio Gates  and wide receiver Keenan Allen, but are never able to capitalize on those assets. This year, wide receiver Travis Benjamin and former Falcons safety Dwight Lowery aim to help San Diego with their recent winning troubles.

Offensively, the Chargers have the talent to compete with anyone. Phillip Rivers is a pro bowl caliber quarterback, running back Melvin Gordon should shake the rookie jitters and return to dominant form this year, Antonio Gates has been a top-five tight end for years and Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin can easily produce from the wide out position.

The Chargers defense ranked 20^th in the league in total defense in 2015. Even with the defensive additions of Dwight Lowery, rookie defensive end Joey Bosa and defensive tackle Casey Hayward, it will be tough for them to put a cap on Atlanta’s offense. It is almost certain that how well the Falcons’ defense steps up to the more than capable Chargers’ offense decides this game.

Week 8 vs. Green Bay Packers (Oct. 30 / 1:00 p.m. ET / FOX)

It’s safe to say that the Green Bay Packers have had the Falcons’ number over the past few years. Over the past five matchups, the Packers have walked away with four wins, with the lone loss coming back in November of 2010.

Green Bay boasts one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Aaron Rodgers, who has a slew of weapons to throw to, and could quite honestly take an average Joe off of the street and make him look like a top ten receiver in the NFL. This year he will get one of his favorite targets in wide receiver Jordy Nelson back, as well as a healthy Randall Cobb.

However, Rodgers—like any other quarterback—plays his worst ball when he is hit. The Falcons’ pass rush will have to show up in order for the Falcons to stand a chance. It would also be nice to see Desmond Trufant mark this game with a great performance proving that he is well deserving of a big payday after the season.