Five toughest games for the Atlanta Falcons in 2019

The Atlanta Falcons are a mere 34 days away from reporting to training. With one of the toughest schedules in the National Football League, which five games are the toughest?

The Atlanta Falcons are said to have one of the three or four toughest schedules in 2019. They will face three of the best young gunslingers in Jimmy Garoppolo, Deshaun Watson and Andrew Luck. The Falcons will also face a team that has beaten them a few times the last few years in the Eagles and of course will see the Saints, Bucs and Panthers twice each.

When looking at the 16 games overall, the Falcons have to like the fact that they do not play a cold weather game at all and only have a couple games outside. While the NFL provided no relief in terms of opponents, they did the Falcons a big favor in terms of how the schedule was set up.

That said, here are the five toughest games for the Falcons in 2019.

5. At the Indianapolis Colts – 9/22/19

When someone says “Colts” or “Andrew Luck” fear is not immediately an emotion that anyone feels. However, looking at the Colts and strides that they made in 2018, it is reasonable to expect that 2019 will be even better for the team from the AFC North.

Adding young players such as Quenton Nelson and Darius Leonard to the roster quickly improved the Colts on both sides of the ball. Andrew Luck had by far the best year he has had as a professional and it is easy to assume that all three will be even better in 2019.

While the Falcons have the better roster and the better coaching staff, this game will not be easy when the ball is kicked off on September 22nd.

4. Houston Texans – 10/6/19

Many football polls have gone around on twitter this off-season asking which WR is the best in the game – DeAndre Hopkins or Julio Jones. Truthfully, the gap is closer than any Falcons fan would like to admit. Hopkins did not have a single dropped pass among the 115 that he caught in 2018 and Julio has been in the top 10 among dropped passes every year he has been a pro.

Deshaun Watson is among the hardest working players in the league, stated during minicamp that he has truly grasped the offense, and feels more comfortable as a leader than he has his first two seasons. Between the high flying Texans offense and facing a defense led by Clowney and Watt, this October matchup on the road will not be easy for the Falcons.

3. LA Rams – 10/20/19

Last time these two met was in the 2017 Wild Card game in LA and the Falcons doubled up the Rams 26-13. Since that game, the Rams have become one of the best young teams in the league and lost a low scoring Super Bowl to Tom Brady and the Patriots.

Facing a defense led by Aaron Donald and Clay Matthews will be a test for the 2019 Falcons. No one knows which Jared Goff will show up nor do we know where Todd Gurley and his degenerative knee issues stand, but the Falcons will prepare to see the best of both.

The Falcons hosting this game should help and could determine who gets to host the NFC Championship game in January.

2. Philadelphia Eagles – 9/15/19

This will be the fifth straight season the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles will meet at some point during the season. However, that has not been a good thing for the Falcons as they are just 1-3 over the four straight meetings; which includes a tough 2017 playoff loss on the road. The lone win did come at home while all three losses were on the road.

The Eagles allowed Nick Foles to walk, which means they fully expect Carson Wentz to be 100 percent when the season gets here. This team is just two years removed from their first Super Bowl in franchise history and still loaded all over the field.

As has been the case in recent years, the Eagles will have one of the best defensive and offensive lines in football. This week two contest will be a huge test for the Falcons and a win here at home could propel the Falcons to a great 2019 season.

1. At New Orleans Saints – 11/10/19

It is easy to get caught up in the rivalry and to say stupid things on twitter in regards to the Saints. However, what is undeniable is the Saints have one of the most potent offensive attacks in football. Sean Payton does a tremendous job in creating matchup issues that favor his guys.

Atlanta native Alvin Kamara has emerged as one of the best young weapons out of the backfield and Drew Brees does an unbelievable job of getting him the ball. Kamara on any linebacker in the NFL not named Deion Jones is a win for the Saints.

Michael Thomas is no longer one of the best-kept secrets in the NFL; he is a guy that you have to find before the ball is snapped and not someone that you can lose during a play. While no one worries about the New Orleans defense, the Saints do play better at home – except in the playoffs with the game on the line.

2019 will see the Falcons as the ultimate underdog and their record in these five games will go a long way in determining just how successful it can be.