The Atlanta Falcons did some reshuffling to the roster with the additions of three-time Pro Bowl center Alex Mack and receiver Mohamed Sanu on offense, along with seven-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Dwight Freeney on defense. Throw in young, talented rookies Keanu Neal, Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell, and the Falcons definitely have a new look going into 2016.
But will it be the same, old result for a team that didn't make the playoffs the past three seasons and hasn't boasted a winning record since 2012? Despite the Falcons’ additions, my prediction for the final outcome of the season hasn’t changed since April.
Second-year coach Dan Quinn is counting on offensive production from Julio Jones, Matt Ryan and Devonta Freeman, along with a better defensive effort spearheaded by Pro Bowl cornerback Desmond Trufant. It's still going to be quite a challenge for the Falcons to get over the hump, as they're tied with the 49ers for the league's toughest schedule.
Here's a game-by-game breakdown:
Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 11 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston will be tough for the Falcons to contain, but the offense should strike early and often with Ryan going deep to Jones against a defense coached by former Falcons head coach Mike Smith. Mack & Co. just have to keep Bucs stud defensive tackle Gerald McCoy out of Ryan's face. Record: 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 18 at Oakland Raiders, 4:25 p.m. ET
It's going to be hard for Ryan to throw under pressure with Raiders pass-rusher Khalil Mack coming from everywhere. Plus, Derek Carr and Amari Cooper have a pretty solid thing going in Oakland's passing game. Record: 1-1
Week 3: Monday, Sept. 26 at New Orleans Saints, 8:30 p.m. ET
There will be a lot of emotion in the building for the Saints, with the 10th anniversary of the Superdome reopening after Hurricane Katrina being recognized. Drew Brees and Sean Payton know how to pick the Falcons apart, regardless of the weapons at Brees' disposal. Record: 1-2
Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 2 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET
Remember, the Falcons knocked the Panthers from the ranks of the undefeated during last year’s matchup in Atlanta. Well, that certainly won’t sit well with Cam Newton and the Panthers as they seek revenge. Who will get the last dab? Record: 1-3
Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 9 at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET
This could be a low-scoring affair with the Falcons finding it difficult to contend with Von Miller and the Broncos' stingy defense, and the Broncos relying on unproven quarterback Trevor Siemian to lead the offense. The Falcons are desperate for a win here and the dynamic Jones makes the difference in a shocker. Record: 2-3
Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 16 at Seattle Seahawks, 4:25 p.m. ET
The storyline will be about Quinn returning to the place where he thrived as a defensive coordinator. Quinn needs to engineer a way to contain the always-elusive Russell Wilson. Michael Bennett will give the Falcons' offensive line fits. Record: 2-4
Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 23 vs. San Diego Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET
The Chargers are still trying to find their way coming off a 4-12 season. It’s the ideal opponent for a Falcons team coming off a brutal stretch. Record: 3-4
Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 30 Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET
Aaron Rodgers is productive enough in the elements at Lambeau Field. Just imagine what he can accomplish inside the Georgia Dome. Record: 3-5
Week 9: Thursday, Nov. 3 at Tampa Bay, 8:25 p.m. ET
This could go either way. Winston's continued development under former Falcons offensive coordinator and now Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter continues to show. Record: 3-6
Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 13 at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m. ET
It’s never easy on the road, but the Falcons will play different style of Eagles without the Chip Kelly up-tempo action. New coach Doug Pederson still has to put his stamp on the team. Record: 4-6
Week 11: Bye week
Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 27 vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m. ET
The Cardinals might be one of the toughest teams the Falcons face all season, especially if Carson Palmer is on. It will be interesting to see Jones and Patrick Peterson battle again. Record: 4-7
Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 4 vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET
The Chiefs are a solid team with a great coach in Andy Reid and a tough defense. But that defense isn't as good without Justin Houston. Record: 5-7
Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 11 at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 p.m. ET
Regardless if rookie Jared Goff is at QB for the Rams, the bigger issue for the Falcons will be slowing dynamic running back Todd Gurley. It's not going to be easy. Record: 5-8
Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 18 vs. San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Let’s hope the Falcons and Quinn learned from last year’s poor game-management decisions, which resulted in a loss to the lowly 49ers. Record: 6-8
Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24 at Carolina, 1 p.m. ET
If the Panthers play like they did last year, this game might be meaningless. Regardless, Carolina doesn't want to go into the playoffs with a division loss. Record: 6-9
Week 17: Sunday, Jan. 1 vs. New Orleans, 1 p.m. ET
What a way to kick off the new year with the final game at the Georgia Dome against the Falcons' bitter rival. The emotion will swing in the Falcons’ favor in this battle, but it won’t equate to a playoff appearance. Record: 7-9