Predictions for Atlanta Falcons and the Indianapolis Colts

The Atlanta Falcons are back in action Sunday afternoon as they go back on the road, this time to Indianapolis the face the Colts.

The Atlanta Falcons look to win for the just the second time on the Colts home field going back to 1966. Their lone win came back in 2011 when Julio Jones caught his first two touchdowns in the NFL; since that time Julio has gone on to become the best wide receiver in the game.

Here is how the staff at Blogging Dirty thinks the game will shake out.

Jeff Benedict – Site Expert

The Atlanta Falcons looked great on the defensive side of the ball. They were so dominant in the game versus the Eagles that Philadelphia actually had to cancel practice Wednesday because they were still too hurt.

That is impressive.

Defensive ends Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley arguably played the best game they have as a tandem and the defense was flying all over the field. The defensive line will face their toughest test against the Colts offensive line with boasts the league’s best guard in Quenton Nelson.

I do believe the Falcons will do a better job of establishing the run and will beat the Colts to improve to 2-1 on the year.

• Falcons – 31
• Colts – 13

Joe Beasley – Contributor

The Falcons fun defense showed up in a big way last week. They will need to do the same when they play the Colts on Sunday. Frank Reich probably doesn’t want Jocaby Brissett throwing the ball 35-40 times so stopping the run has to be a priority for the Falcons.

I expect them to do so and I also expect Devonta Freeman to get more involved in the offense and have somewhat of a breakout game. Matt Ryan will turn back into his old accurate self-making this offense look like a finely oiled machine.

Falcons win this one big time.

• Falcons – 31
• Colts – 14

Matt Siegman – Contributor

Coming off a huge win against the Eagles the Falcons will travel to Indianapolis to play in their home opener. For the Falcons to win this game the defense will need to play at the same intensity they showed last Sunday night.

The Falcons offense will struggle this game because of the home opener and being on the road this week. The difference in this game will be the Falcons’ defense creating crucial turnovers at key moments in the game.

• Falcons – 23
• Colts – 13

Ross Terrell – Contributor

The Falcons have only won two games against the Colts in franchise history. Two. The last time was 2011 when Julio Jones burst on the scene- according to everyone but him. So it makes sense the Falcons are underdogs.

It wasn’t a great showing versus the Eagles but they got it done. They also do just enough to win this Sunday and get their first road win of the season. The real storyline will be the whether Trufant shadows T.Y. Hilton. Regardless, Falcons win.

• Falcons – 21
• Colts – 17

Ethan Johnson – Contributor

Although the Falcons have not had much luck against AFC opponents over the last two seasons, I think the win last week gave the team some much-needed confidence. Matt Ryan has made some very un-Matty Ice throws, but I believe he will bounce back.

This will be a difficult game for the Falcons given the Colts’ strengths along the offensive and defensive lines.

However, I think the Falcons win in a close game that goes down to the wire. Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley will once again lead the team to victory.

• Falcons – 27
• Colts – 20