Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons should be in the mix for a playoff spot next year in the NFC. Here is a game-by-game breakdown of how their 2020 season is going to go.
The Atlanta Falcons need to right the ship after two straight sub-.500 years under head coach Dan Quinn. The Dirty Birds are only four years removed from nearly winning a Super Bowl and three from nearly getting back to an NFC Championship. However, disappointment in crunch time has become their calling card in recent seasons. Will they be able to fix this in 2020?
After a disastrous 1-7 start to 2019, the Falcons bounced back to go 6-2 in the second half of their season. The campaign might have already been lost, but there were plenty of positive signs from Atlanta in the second half. Maybe it parlays into something nice in 2020? Could the Falcons get back into the NFC playoffs after a two-year absence?
This fall, Atlanta inherits a second-place schedule. The Falcons will play all three of their division rivals twice, the NFC North in its entirety and the AFC West in its entirety. It’s not an easy slate of games, but Atlanta’s strength in divisional play, as well as some favorable home dates could ultimately serve them. Will it be enough to get back to the postseason, though?
Here is a week-by-week breakdown of how the Falcons’ season will inevitably shake out in 2020.
Weeks 1-4
Prediction
Carolina Panthers
17
Atlanta Falcons
35
Of the Falcons’ three home games in the division, the team they’ll have the easiest time of putting away will be the rebuilding Carolina Panthers. This is Matt Rhule’s first year as Carolina’s head coach, and that will matter. Atlanta has the superior roster, the more established coaching staff and it’s at home. Atlanta wins by multiple scores, as this one is never in doubt. Falcons, 35-17.
Prediction
New Orleans Saints
28
Atlanta Falcons
30
Last year, these two bitter rivals split with the road teams winning both games. Well, that’s not happening in 2020. Atlanta and the New Orleans Saints absolutely hate each other. The Saints are the more talented team, but the talent discrepancy is too vast for the Dirty Birds to not hold seve at home in this bitter rivalry. Youngkoe Koo’s heroics propel Atlanta in the end. Falcons, 30-28.
Prediction
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
24
Atlanta Falcons
28
Tom Brady now calls Gulf Coast Florida home. His Tampa Bay Buccaneers are arguably a tad better than the Falcons, but greater offensive continuity will matter here for Atlanta. This game will be one of the better games in NFC South play this fall. It’ll end on the final drive with the Falcons forcing a turnover on Brady as he’s pushing for the end zone to win it. Falcons, 28-24.
Prediction
Chicago Bears
17
Atlanta Falcons
27
If the Falcons want to reach the postseason, they must find a way to keep the Chicago Bears at bay when they face off. Chicago has the better defense, but Atlanta has the better offense. If Matt Ryan needs to go into a slight shootout to edge out Nick Foles for the win, he is more than equipped to do so. The Bears keep it close until the end, but Atlanta wins easily. Falcons, 27-17.