Head coach Dan Quinn has brought new energy and excitement to the Atlanta Falcons, with the defense playing faster and physical. Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and the offense have the potential to be explosive, if the offensive line holds up and the running game gets established behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman.
I had the Falcons going 8-8 when the schedule came out. I was prepared to give the Falcons a couple more wins because of key injuries around the league. However, I'm going to stick with .500 because the offensive line looked horrible in the third and most important preseason game in Miami. It could be a losing season if the Falcons don't resolve their line issues, but eight wins is reachable regardless with the league's easiest schedule, on paper.
Here are my game-by-game predictions.
Week 1: Monday, Sept. 14, Philadelphia, 7:10 p.m. ET
Playing the season opener at the Georgia Dome should help kick off the Dan Quinn Era in exciting fashion. The pace of the Eagles' offense might throw off the Falcons initially on defense, but they will adjust. Offensively, this should be a showcase night for Jones with his new long-term contract in hand. The line has to give Ryan enough time to find Jones, though. Falcons 34, Eagles 24. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20, New York Giants, 1 p.m. ET
Going on the road won't be easy, but the fireworks injury that led to pass-rusher Jason Pierre-Paul losing a finger could have a significant impact on the Giants' defense, if Pierre-Paul is out of the lineup. Eli Manning is not among the elite quarterbacks, but he's got some playmaking receivers around him. The Falcons have dropped three straight road games to the Giants. Giants 24, Falcons 21. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27, at Dallas, 1 p.m. ET
Consecutive road trips against NFC East foes won't be easy. If the Falcons don't get pressure on Tony Romo, Dez Bryant could make life miserable for Atlanta's secondary. And it's going to be hard for Vic Beasley, Adrian Clayborn & Co. to get through what might be the league's best offensive line. Cowboys 28, Falcons 17. Record: 1-2
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4, Houston, 1 p.m. ET
Keeping Ryan clean will be a tall task for the Falcons' offensive line going against arguably the league's best pass-rusher in Houston's J.J. Watt. But the Falcons squeak out a win because Brian Hoyer is Houston's quarterback and because Arian Foster won't have his footing yet coming off a groin injury, if he plays at all. Falcons 21, Texans 14. Record: 2-2
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 11, Washington, 1 p.m. ET
The interesting side story here will be Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan coaching against his former team. Shanahan worked with quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins as Washington's offensive coordinator, with Cousins entering the 2015 season as the starter. The Redskins are dysfunctional right now. Falcons 42, Redskins 17. Record: 3-2
Week 6: Thursday, Oct. 15, at New Orleans, 8:25 p.m. ET
A prime-time matchup with the rival Saints should create quite a buzz, but New Orleans has revenge in mind. Last season at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the Falcons embarrassed their division nemesis by a score of 30-14. The Saints don't have Jimmy Graham anymore, but they have a pretty good quarterback in Drew Brees and the home crowd on their side for this matchup. Saints 24, Falcons 21. Record: 3-3
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 25, at Tennessee, 1 p.m. ET
The Falcons owning the weakest schedule in the league has a lot to do with them facing teams like the Titans, who finished 2-14 last season. Tennessee will have a rookie at quarterback in Marcus Mariota, who the Falcons forced into mistakes during a preseason matchup. The Titans' pass rush duo of Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo could be tough to deal with, but this is one road game the Falcons should win. Falcons 28, Titans 13. Record: 4-3
Week 8: Sunday, Nov. 1, Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. ET
One again, the Falcons should be up against a rookie quarterback with Jameis Winston named Tampa Bay's starter. Atlanta should be on top of what the Bucs are doing offensively, considering their new offensive coordinator is Dirk Koetter, who was with the Falcons last season. (Watch for the wide receiver screens to Mike Evans.) The Falcons should be able to create some turnovers against Winston. Falcons 24, Buccaneers 17. Record: 5-3
Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 8, at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. ET
On paper, this looks like a mismatch in the Falcons' favor. The 49ers are less dominant on defense after the release of embattled linebacker Aldon Smith. And Colin Kaepernick is inconsistent at quarterback. Not to mention Frank Gore is no longer in the backfield. But, there is always one of those surprise games that catches a team napping. This is the one for the Falcons. 49ers 20, Falcons 17. Record: 5-4
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 22, Indianapolis, 1 p.m. ET
This could be the toughest game on the schedule for the Falcons, considering how explosive quarterback Andrew Luck and the Colts can be offensively. They also have a rather sharp offensive coordinator in Pep Hamilton, who will give Atlanta fits on defense. Ryan and the offense will have to keep pace in what is likely to be a high-scoring affair. At least the Falcons have an extra week to prepare following the bye, but it might not matter. Colts 34, Falcons 31. Record: 5-5
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 29, Minnesota, 1 p.m. ET
The Vikings are no slouch. They showed that last season when they took it to the Falcons, 41-28, behind rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. With Bridgewater a year wiser and Adrian Peterson back in the backfield, the Vikings have a chance to make some noise in the NFC North. Safety Harrison Smith might play a big role in helping to contain Jones. Yes, the Falcons uncharacteristically drop two straight at home. Vikings 28, Falcons 21. Record: 5-6
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 6, at Tampa Bay, 1 p.m. ET
The Bucs might be improved from the Week 8 meeting, but chances are they will still have a rookie at quarterback. The Falcons just can't have a relapse to 2013, when they went to Raymond James Stadium and were dominated, 41-28. Falcons 24, Bucs 10. Record: 6-6
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 13, at Carolina, 1 p.m. ET
Last season in Charlotte there were plenty of scuffles between the teams, so this promises to be another physical battle. Panthers quarterback Cam Newton can be knocked off his rhythm with good defensive pressure, so the Falcons better hope their pass rush is much improved by this point in the season. Linebacker Luke Kuechly and the Panthers' defense will make a big impact on the game in some fashion. Panthers 24, Falcons 20. Record: 6-7
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 20, at Jacksonville, 1 p.m. ET
Although this game is on the road, nothing should keep the Falcons from dominating a Jaguars team that has averaged less than four wins a season the past four years. It will be a battle of former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinators, with Quinn going up against Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley. Falcons 35, Jaguars 17. Record: 7-7
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 27, Carolina, 1 p.m. ET
Although the Panthers no longer have Greg Hardy, they still have a strong defense and can push the Falcons around up front. It won't be the type of beatdown the Falcons were on the receiving end of in last year's season finale, but the line will once again struggle to protect Ryan. And Newton will make just enough plays. Panthers 24, Falcons 21. Record: 7-8
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 3, New Orleans, 1 p.m. ET
A great way to end the season, against the division rival Saints. The Falcons keep the offense flowing inside the Georgia Dome and finish the season on a positive note, even if they fall short of the playoffs. Based on last season, 8-8 just might win the NFC South. But the Panthers have to falter somewhere down the line for that to happen. Falcons 28, Saints 24. Record: 8-8