The Atlanta Falcons' season already feels in limbo. Fans and media are worried what the early season will look like with the uncertainty around the quarterback position.
It truly feels like the season comes down to when Michael Penix Jr. can return from injury. Tua Tagovailoa looked horrible in the preseason due to ugly fumbles and his spamming of short passes. It is hard to see things improving against the top unit of each team.
So, let's take a shot at how this season could play out for the Dirty Birds.
Reasonable predictions for the Atlanta Falcons uncertain season
W1 at Steelers: Loss, 20-10
There are a few matchups you should be worried about: Tagovailoa (assuming he starts) vs. the Steelers defense, Jawaan Taylor vs. T.J. Watt, and the interior line vs. Cam Heyward.
Particularly, the Taylor-Watt matchup scares me. Kevin Stefanski has to put together a strong gameplan if he wants to score points. I know the Pittsburgh defense wasn't good last year, but the matchups for the Falcons are rough.
Record: 0-1
W2 vs. Panthers: Win, 24-20
Home opener, divisional matchup, another week to settle in; I think this is where the Falcons grab quick momentum. They need to take home this win against a team that won the division in a three-way tie.
Record: 1-1
W3 at Packers: Loss, 27-20
The Packers have an obvious advantage over the Falcons; this is a playoff team playing at one of the most difficult stadiums to play on the road. Jordan Love lost his first game against Atlanta, but he also wasn't the player he is now.
Record: 1-2
W4 at Saints: Win, 31-30
This is a huge game with it being the anniversary of the return to the Superdome. There will be a special energy in the stadium that the Falcons must overcome. Atlanta will be an underdog, which Stefanski will use to scratch out a win.
Record: 2-2
W5 vs. Ravens: Win, 20-17
The low-hanging fruit would be chalking this up to a loss; you are going against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. However, one player will be the difference in this game: Harold Perkins Jr. The rookie has the speed to track the athletic QB down and spoil his day. Not to mention, this d-line is more equipped to stopped the run.
Record: 3-2
W6 vs. Bears: Loss, 30-20
The Bears' ability to take the ball away is the X-factor in this game. The uncertainty at the quarterback position presents a tough matchup for the Falcons.
Record: 3-3
W7 vs. 49ers: Loss, 17-14
This stretch is where the season could go down the drain; it is brutal. Jeff Ulbrich did a fine job halting Kyle Shanahan's offense last year, making it a fair prediction to expect a low-scoring game. The question is: what will Raheem Morris' defense do against his former team?
Record: 3-4
W8 at Buccaneers: Win, 34-24
The Falcons have feasted on Todd Bowles' defense every single year. Kyle Pitts has this game marked on his calendar already. Hopefully, he comes through and moves the Dirty Birds to 3-0 in the division.
Record: 4-4
W9 vs. Bengals: Loss, 35-24
It is hard to imagine the Falcons beating Joe Burrow, especially after losing 35-17 in their last matchup. The Falcons have a good-enough secondary to stop the receivers, but will that actually happen in Madrid, Spain?
Record: 4-5
W10 vs. Chiefs: Loss, 25-20
Playing the Chiefs mid-season is hard news for Atlanta. By this time, Patrick Mahomes should be in full-go mode. Atlanta played him tough last time, but the pedigree of Andy Reid's team is tough to get past.
Record: 4-6
W12 at Vikings: Win, 31-20
You are waiting for some reprieve in this brutal schedule, and maybe it is finally here coming out of the bye week. Falcons won last year, shutting down Kevin O'Connell's offense, and while you could argue they have an upgrade at quarterback, I don't think it will be enough.
Record: 5-6
W13 vs. Lions: Loss, 30-20
A reloaded and healthy Lions team is ready to bounce back from last year's disappointment. They have the firepower on offense and a blockade on defense to take down the Falcons. Simple as that.
Record: 5-7
W14 at Browns: Win, 28-15
The amount of energy Stefanski will have preparing this game will be papable. He wants nothing more than to stick it to his former team; a team with no shortage of questions. Falcons should come out flying.
Record: 6-7
W15 at Commanders: Win, 27-24
Penix Jr. came so close to taking down Jayden Daniels in their last matchup. Per usual, the defense let him down. They will be motivated to not duplicate that, and this is another game where Perkins Jr. will play a big part against his former LSU teammate.
Record: 7-7
W16 vs. Buccaneers: Loss, 30-24
Continuing the perfect record against the NFC South is incredibly difficult. The Falcons have an advantage at home, but the Bucs will be motivated not to drop their third straight game against their division rival.
Record: 7-8
W17 vs. Saints: Win, 20-14
The Falcons swept the Saints last year in two hard-fought low-scoring games. The Saints are being hyped up as the division winners, making the Falcons that much more motivated to crust them.
Record: 8-8
W18 at Panthers: Loss, 30-28
Entering the season, the Dirty Birds have lost four of their last five against Carolina -- including two ugly overtime losses.
Even with a .500 record, this game could very well determine the division champion. Atlanta has a steep hill to climb to sweep Bryce Young. It would be another disappointing Week 18 game for this team.
Final record: 8-9
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