As bad as the Falcons have been through the first quarter of the 2019 NFL season, there’s still 12 games remaining and the team won’t be forfeiting them anytime soon.
Let’s go through the remaining games on Atlanta’s schedule and see what the team is up against as it tries to make an improbable playoff push.
Week 5: At Houston Texans (2-2)
The Texans may be 2-2, but they lead the AFC South and have the division’s best quarterback in Deshaun Watson. In his third season, Watson has nine total touchdowns (three rushing scores) and has just one interception. He has been sacked 18 times, though. Could this finally be the breakout week for Atlanta’s defensive front?
Week 6: At Arizona Cardinals (0-3-1)
The Cardinals have yet to win a game this year, but even they have scored more points than the Falcons this season. Rookie quarterback Kyler Murray has struggled thus far, throwing for a 78.8 passer rating and taking 20 sacks. Defensively, the Cardinals are allowing 28.8 points per game, and are ranked 31st in yards allowed. This should be a big day for Matt Ryan and the team’s plethora of passing weapons.
Week 7: Home vs. L.A. Chargers (2-2)
Through four games, the Chargers are their usual amount of confusing. They have an elite offense led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers. Plus, they should have running back Melvin Gordon back by then. Defensively, they’re ranked ninth in points per game (18.5 PPG) and are top 15 in both passing and rushing yards allowed. Los Angeles has two elite pass rushers in Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, although Ingram will reportedly miss the team’s next few games with a hamstring injury.
Week 8: Home vs. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
Russell Wilson and the Seahawks are the best team nobody is talking about. Wilson has a QB rating of 118.7 and has completed nearly 73 percent of his passes with zero interceptions. Head coach Dan Quinn will get another shot at his former team in Week 8. The Falcons pulled off a 34-31 win over the Seahawks when they last met in 2017.
Week 10: At New Orleans Saints (3-1)
Coming off of their Week 9 bye, the Falcons head to New Orleans for the first of two meetings with the division-leading Saints. Drew Brees has been injured but Teddy Bridgewater and what’s been a far better than expected defense have done just enough to keep winning. Brees could be back for this game but if not, Bridgewater has shown he can keep the team afloat. They also have Taysom Hill in reserve if he can’t.
Week 11: At Carolina Panthers (2-2)
Carolina’s former MVP QB Cam Newton has been hurt but backup Kyle Allen has led the team to two straight victories. Running back Christian McCaffrey leads the league with 629 all-purpose yards and has scored four touchdowns. Ron Rivera’s tough defense ranks No.4 in yards allowed and No. 11 in points allowed. They’re tied for first in sacks and have given up the fewest passing yards this year. Atlanta has taken care of business against the Panthers though, winning six of the last seven meetings.
Week 12: Home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
In the third of five-straight divisional games, the Falcons get their first crack at the Bucs under new head coach Bruce Arians. Atlanta had Tampa’s number when Dirk Koetter was still there, but unfortunately he’s now their own offensive coordinator. Quarterback Jameis Winston has thrown nine touchdowns to go with five interceptions so far. He’s made some big strides and has a perfect passer rating against the blitz. The team just dropped 55 points in a win over the Rams and Todd Bowles has their defense playing better than usual.
Week 13: Home vs. New Orleans Saints (3-1)
Round two versus the Saints takes place in Atlanta. Brees should be back for this one almost certainly. They’ll still lean on running back Alvin Kamara, though – he has 479 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns on the year and should get a nice boost from Brees returning. The Saints had the Falcons’ number last year, winning both 2018 regular season meetings.
Week 14: Home vs. Carolina Panthers (2-2)
The Falcons swept the Panthers in 2018. This season, they’ll be lucky if this second 2019 matchup even matters. Divisional games will be key after Atlanta’s slow start. The easiest way for the Falcons to get back on track is by taking care of the NFC South.
Week 15: At San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
With his quarterback finally healthy, former Falcons coaching legend Kyle Shanahan will get to show fans what could have been had he not left for the 49ers head coaching gig. San Francisco is 3-0 and have two running backs over 200 rushing yards in just three games. That’s got to hurt Falcons fans as the team’s ground attack has sputtered since Shanahan’s departure.
Week 16: Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
The Jaguars lost starting quarterback Nick Foles and somehow lucked into Gardner Minshew. The mustached sensation has seven touchdown passes and a QB rating of 106.9. Don’t forget about Leonard Fournette, either. The third-year running back is fully healthy and back to being one of the elite rushers in the NFL. Fournette has 404 rushing yards on 5.6 yards per carry and 114 receiving yards. Jacksonville’s defense has been good not great over four games, allowing 21.0 points per game.
Week 17: Home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-2)
The season finale against Tampa Bay could a huge game for the Falcons if they’re somehow still in the playoff hunt. If they’re already eliminated, the game still presents a momentum-building opportunity for next season against a division rival. Atlanta’s secondary will have its hands full with Bucs wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – who have combined for 754 yards and eight touchdowns.
