Majority of Atlanta Falcons’ 2021 opponents are not difficult ones on paper

On paper, the recently released list of opponents for the Atlanta Falcons looks rather weak compared to last season’s opponents.

The likes of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, and Carolina Panthers will more than likely give the fanbase a false sense of an easy schedule. Even opponents like the New England Patriots, Washington Football Team, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, and Miami Dolphins, who weren’t terrible last season, aren’t intimidating either.

For a team like the Atlanta Falcons who had among the league’s toughest schedules last season, 2021’s list of opponents is a breath of fresh air. However, fans should consider the state of the roster right now.

Taking into account the lack of talent on the Atlanta Falcons roster, this is not an easy schedule.

This is a team that, as it stands now, scares absolutely no one and is lacking talent on both sides of the ball. The defense has plenty of holes to fill over the next few months.

The Atlanta Falcons just signed former Panther Mike Davis to a two-year deal, but he isn’t a game-changing-type running back and, because of this fact, the team still lacks an elite running back. If these needs aren’t addressed, it will be a long season, regardless of what the schedule looks like.

A team that went 4-12 last season and fired the majority of its coaching staff in the off-season is not intimidating anyone.

Let’s not forget, the Atlanta Falcons also have two games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, as well as a matchup with the Buffalo Bills, who are coming off of its best season in over two decades. With the roster the team has now, the Atlanta Falcons will not be winning any of these six games.

No one is trying to be a downer, but it’s important to not let the expectations get too high just because the schedule seems manageable.

There is a lot of work that needs to be done if this team wants to go places, so let’s hope Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith can give the fan base something to cheer for once more.

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and Grady Jarrett have seen their prime years wasted since losing in the playoffs in 2018, and they deserve better, as does this tortured fan base. If the roster is built correctly through the draft, this could be a dangerous team with these types of opponents lined up.