2017 Falcons Schedule: Analysis and Predictions
Week 6: vs. Miami Dolphins, October 15 (1:00 PM EST, CBS) – WIN
The Falcons emerge from the early bye for a clash with the Miami Dolphins at home. Another playoff team on Atlanta’s schedule, the Dolphins are a much-improved squad and will have quarterback Ryan Tannehill back for this one. The Falcons will also get their first look at Miami’s breakout running back, Jay Ajayi.
I don’t think Miami’s secondary matches up very well with Atlanta’s armada of athletic wide receivers, but very few teams do. Matt Ryan will air it out early-and-often. Atlanta comes out of the bye with yet another win.
Week 7: @ New England Patriots, October 22, Sunday Night Football (8:30 PM EST, NBC) – LOSS
The start of a three game road-stretch, we get The Hair of the Dog in Week 7. Many Falcons fans wanted this game scheduled as early as possible to potentially erase the still-simmering antipathy that resulted from Super Bowl LI.
The folks over at NFL HQ did not share that same revenge-fueled desire for an early season matchup, as they scheduled Atlanta to head into Foxborough for their second Sunday Night Football game on October 22.
Have your heart medication close by for this one. Atlanta’s team is largely unchanged since the Super Bowl, save for the addition of Dontari Poe, Jack Crawford, and Andre Roberts. The Patriots, on the other hand, have somehow gotten even better, adding former Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and securing Stephon Gilmore to beef up their already-outstanding secondary.
Lest we forget that Rob Gronkowski will see the field.
The Super Bowl rematch will be a marquee affair, and as much as my heart is telling me that the Falcons avenge that defeat, my mind says they pick up their first loss at Gillette Stadium. Foxborough is never an easy place to play, and coupled with the enhanced intrigue this game presents, the Patriots come away with the win.
Week 8: @ New York Jets, October 29 (1:00PM EST, FOX) – WIN
The New Jersey Jets of the Meadowlands are on tap for Week 8. Who will be under center for the lowly Jets at this point in the season? Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty, and Ryan Fitzpatrick seem to all equally have a shot at being the quarterback for the Jets.
Nobody knows for sure what New York’s plan is at quarterback — there’s been little-to-no stability at the position in recent years. What the Jets do possess is a tenacious defensive front capable of shutting down the run. Expect the Falcons to do their damage with quick screens and a heavy dose of Julio Jones slant routes.
Atlanta leaves New Jersey victorious.
Week 9: @ Carolina Panthers, November 5 (1:00PM EST, FOX) – LOSS
The Falcons close out a three-game road trip by finally facing a divisional opponent in Week 9. Their first meeting last year looked like a blowout and quickly turned into a second-half shootout. Atlanta ultimately came away with a 48-33 win, Matt Ryan and Julio Jones both went bonkers, and Bene’ Benwikere was run out of a job.
Carolina matchups on the road are always unpredictable slugfests, and the Panthers will be highly-motivated to avoid the calamity that was their first meeting with Atlanta. Cam Newton, who dealt with a shoulder injury all of 2016, is finally healthy, and there’s a chance that Leonard Fournette or Dalvin Cook will be featured in the backfield.
Carolina takes this one at home.