Weeks 5-8
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.
This will end up being one of the more important games in the NFC playoff landscape. The winner here puts itself in great position to make the playoffs and possibly win the division. Though it won’t be as through of a beatdown as it was a year ago, the Minnesota Vikings clip the Dirty Birds again because this one is being played up in Minneapolis. Vikings, 34-30.
Of any game the Falcons play against the NFC North this season, they cannot lose to the Detroit Lions. If this game were played at Ford Field, they’d still probably have to go into the Motor City and get a win. Though Matt Ryan and Lions starting quarterback Matthew Stafford are tight, it would be embarrassing if the Dirty Birds dropped this one for any reason. Falcons, 31-18.
This may end up being the most important game of the Falcons’ season. Winning on the road is tough. Doing so in the division is even more difficult. However, the Carolina Panthers are rebuilding and Atlanta needs to take advantage. Carolina will give the Falcons their best effort, but there’ll be too much offensive firepower for Carolina to hold serve in this rivalry game. Falcons, 34-28.