NFL schedule 2018: Each team’s biggest game

Atlanta Falcons: at Philadelphia Eagles

The NFC South had three playoff teams last year, including the third-place Falcons at 10-6. Doing better than a split with the New Orleans Saints and/or the Carolina Panthers will important, and bring four big games again next season against those teams. But I’m going with a playoff rematch as Atlanta’s biggest 2018 regular season game.

After a hard-fought Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Rams, the Falcons lost 19-15 to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Divisional Round. They had a chance to win late too, with an ill-advised play call that put the generally immobile Matt Ryan on the move for a fourth-and-goal play.

The Super Bowl is in the Falcons’ building in February 2019, which will raise internal expectations for the franchise as owner Arthur Blank would love to play host to the league and have his team in the game. In the NFC battle for playoff positions and seeding, a road playoff rematch with the Eagles will be pivotal for Atlanta.