Atlanta Falcons 2022 schedule has been officially revealed

Even with the notion that the Atlanta Falcons may not be successful in 2022, knowing their official schedule could be at the top of many notable areas.

On one hand, it gives fans who purchased season tickets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (a great architectural piece, we might add) knowledge of who they’re paying to see Atlanta play.

On the other, it allows the media to determine their broadcast coverage for the team in out-of-area markets and also determine which crews will be sent to each game.

And now, with the NFL officially releasing their schedule, we are now aware of how the Falcons will attack the 2022 season.

While the Falcons are facing a third-place schedule, chances are they’re finishing no higher than that in the division.

So let’s take a look at the schedule, which is as follows (all times in parentheses are EST):

Week One: VS. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1PM, FOX)
Week Two: @ LOS ANGELES RAMS (4:05PM, FOX)
Week Three: @ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (4:25PM, FOX)
Week Four: VS. CLEVELAND BROWNS (1PM, FOX)
Week Five: @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (1PM, FOX)
Week Six: VS. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (1PM, FOX)
Week Seven: @ CINCINNATI BENGALS (1PM, FOX)
Week Eight: VS. CAROLINA PANTHERS (1PM, FOX)
Week Nine: VS. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (1PM, FOX)
Week 10: @ CAROLINA PANTHERS (8:15PM, AMAZON PRIME)
Week 11: VS. CHICAGO BEARS (1PM, FOX)
Week 12: @ WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (1PM, FOX)
Week 13: VS. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1PM, FOX)
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (1PM, FOX)
Week 16: @ BALTIMORE RAVENS (1PM, FOX)
Week 17: VS. ARIZONA CARDINALS (1PM, FOX)
Week 18: VS. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (TBD)

Now, for any who might be wondering why the Falcons would have a Thursday night contest, here’s some knowledge: the NFL has a rule in place that essentially means all teams in the NFL are required to receive at least one game in primetime, usually done on Thursdays so every team goes through the standard “short week” of preparation. Also to note, these games can be subject to the NFL’s flex scheduling policy if necessary.

For those who are new to the game, the times from weeks 5-18 are subject to the NFL’s flex scheduling policy, which means that Atlanta could either play earlier on Sunday or even potentially be flexed into the Sunday night primetime game on NBC. While the latter side of that is highly unlikely, crazier things have happened in the NFL.

At first glance here, the Falcons’ schedule looks to be very tough for a third-place schedule. For starters, they’re facing the AFC North, a division that normally eats them as part of daily nutritious breakfast (combined record for Atlanta against these teams: 12-39-1).

Also, by virtue of the schedule release, after the Deshaun Watson debacle, there’s a possibility that Atlanta might’ve dodged the bullet when having to play the Browns. However, the last time Cleveland came to Atlanta, the Falcons couldn’t even stop Brian Hoyer from defeating them.

That said, their bye week comes at arguably the latest its ever come before, all the way in Week 14, right at the same time as the hated Saints (who also have a bye before welcoming us into the Superdome). So in terms of a tough schedule by virtue of the dreaded “injury bug”, the Falcons are in for a good marathon prior to the break.

Even better: both teams who played in the Super Bowl (Cincinnati and Los Angeles (N)) are opponents for the Falcons. That’s two tough matchups right there, and if we’re honest, probably two losses. And one of those two games is right at the start of the season.

Conversely, there are some “toss-up” games where, even in our wildest fantasies, Atlanta could end up winning or, at the very least, make it a competitive game until the end. Those games most likely would be: vs. Chicago, at Washington, and one game against the Saints and Panthers.

Of course, nothing’s certain in the NFL. Except for maybe the hint that the Falcons’ red throwback helmet shells could be returning.

How many games do YOU see our Falcons winning in this upcoming season?