The Atlanta Falcons got off to a great start under rookie head coach Dan Quinn in the 2015 season, as they won five straight games to open up the year. However, that success was short-lived, as they went on to only win three of their next 11 games, and would finish the season with a record of 8-8.
While running back Devonta Freeman had a breakout season and wide receiver Julio Jones put up phenomenal numbers, the rest of the Falcons offense struggled in 2015. Franchise quarterback Matt Ryan was extremely inconsistent in 2015, and did not show the confidence and playmaking abilities that brought him success in previous seasons. The offensive line also had its fair share of struggles, and were rarely able to provide Ryan with enough time in the pocket.
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Desmond Trufant thrived and made his first Pro Bowl, but the rest of the defense struggled. The Falcons had a league-worst 19 sacks all season long, and first round pick Vic Beasley had only four of them.
Now, with improvements on both sides of the ball, things seem to be heading in the right direction for Atlanta. All told, here are the easiest games of 2016 for the Falcons.
Atlanta Falcons Easiest Games of 2016
8. Week One vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While a game against a division rival is never an easy game, the Falcons look prepared to avenge their losses to the Buccaneers in 2015. After being swept in the season series last season, expect Atlanta to come out on Week One with an intention to dominate Tampa Bay.
7. Week 15 vs. San Francisco 49ers
Towards the end of the season, this game could be one in which the 49ers could attempt to spoil the Falcons’ playoff hopes. Under new head coach Chip Kelly, the 49ers may not be in contention in 2016. The Falcons, however, are expected to be in the hunt for a playoff berth, making this a game that will not be an easy victory for Atlanta.
6. Week Five at Denver Broncos
Yes, Denver just came off of a victory in Super Bowl 50, but they suffered some key losses in the offseason that make them vulnerable in 2016. Without a franchise quarterback like Peyton Manning and great defensive players like Danny Trevathan, playing the Broncos in Week Five may be one of the easiest games of the season for Atlanta. With likely a rookie quarterback in Paxton Lynch at the helm in Denver, the Falcons will try to take advantage of Lynch’s inexperience to walk away with the win.
5. Week Three at New Orleans Saints
Any game against the Saints will be a slugfest, but in Week Three it may be easier than expected for Atlanta. While the game is in New Orleans, it is only Week Three and not a game with a ton of playoff implications riding on it. Week 17 against New Orleans will be a different story, but in Week Three, expect the Falcons to have their way with a still porous Saints defense.
4. Week Nine at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Nine against the Buccaneers should prove to be much easier than the opening week game, as in Week One, both teams are coming out on the field with something to prove to the rest of the NFL. No matter the outcome of Week One, expect the Falcons to come out there with a desire to either get revenge on the 2015 season and sweep Tampa Bay, or try to avoid a second consecutive sweep with a Week Nine win.
3. Week Seven vs. San Diego Chargers
A few years ago, this game would go down as one of the more difficult games on the Falcons schedule. However, the Chargers are no longer the playoff caliber team that they once were, and should prove to be a fairly easy win for Atlanta in Week Seven.
2. Week 14 at Los Angeles Rams
With rookie quarterback Jared Goff expected to start for the Rams, the Falcons will likely go out on the field with a similar game plan to that of the Broncos game in Week Five. If the Falcons can force Goff to make typical rookie mistakes, they should be able to dominate a fairly mediocre Rams team.
1. Week 10 at Philadelphia Eagles
Similar to both the Rams and Broncos contests, the Falcons will likely be going up against another rookie quarterback here in Carson Wentz. The Eagles have a fairly below-average defense, and if Atlanta can take advantage of both that and the fact that they are playing a rookie quarterback, this should be the easiest game on Atlanta’s schedule.
You can see the toughest games here.
Main Photo:
