{"id":47270,"date":"2018-08-28T08:15:29","date_gmt":"2018-08-28T12:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=47270"},"modified":"2021-03-11T22:01:55","modified_gmt":"2021-03-12T03:01:55","slug":"atlanta-falcons-easiest-games-in-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/08\/28\/atlanta-falcons-easiest-games-in-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Atlanta Falcons Easiest Games in 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Calling a game easy in the NFL can be bad luck, especially for the\u00a0Atlanta Falcons<\/a> but they have performed better than their schedule would indicate in each of\u00a0Dan Quinn’s\u00a0<\/strong>years. In 2016, Atlanta made the Super Bowl despite having the hardest schedule in the NFL. In 2017, Atlanta’s schedule was the 13th hardest but they still made the playoffs and the divisional round. This year, Atlanta has the 13th hardest schedule with their opponents going\u00a0130-126 (.509) in 2017. The Falcons have a few easy games though and although the Falcons have a history of losing easy games, these are almost guaranteed wins.<\/p>\n

Atlanta Falcons Easiest Games in 2018<\/strong><\/h1>\n

9. Week 7 – vs New York Giants<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Giants will travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium October 22nd to play the Falcons. They went 3-13 last year but had some unfortunate injuries. They had over 25 players on injured reserve by the end of the season and most importantly their star wide receiver\u00a0Odell\u00a0Beckham Jr.\u00a0<\/strong>only played four games. Despite having that many injuries, they still had a lot of players available and shouldn’t have done as poorly as they did.<\/p>\n

A lot of people are high on the Giants but I just don’t see them going better than 8-8 even with Beckham. They still have a lot of questions surrounding the team, especially the offensive line. And with a new coach and general manager, it looks like it will be an easy game for the Falcons. The Falcons last played the Giants in 2015 when they won 24-20 and although the teams have changed, I think Atlanta will still come out with a win, albeit easier.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 24-14 Giants<\/strong><\/p>\n

10. Week 13 – vs Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/h2>\n

In the first game in December, the Falcons will avoid traveling to frigid Baltimore and will instead host the Ravens on December 2nd. By week 12, we will know the starting quarterback situation and will be able to more accurately predict the score. Either way, I don’t think the Ravens win this game.<\/p>\n

The Ravens improved slightly in the off-season but the Falcons still are better in almost every position. It will be closer than most of the games listed in this article but Atlanta will still cruise to a pretty easy win.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 31-20 Ravens<\/strong><\/p>\n

11. Week 15 – vs Arizona Cardinals<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Falcons haven’t played the Cardinals since 2016 but in Matt Ryan<\/a><\/strong>‘s time with the team, Atlanta has dominated the series. In the last five matchups, Atlanta has won four of the five games with only one game being less than a seven-point game.<\/p>\n

The Cardinals got better via the draft, especially on offense, as they drafted Josh Rosen<\/a><\/strong> with their first pick and Christian Kirk<\/a><\/strong> with their second pick. Although it improves the Cardinals chances of beating the Falcons, it’s still not very high. Depending on quarterback play this game could be much closer but I don’t expect a very competitive game.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 28-13 Cardinals<\/strong><\/p>\n

12. Week 9 – at Washington Redskins<\/a><\/h2>\n

The Redskins went 7-9 last season and have upgraded at quarterback, running back, and defensive tackle by adding Alex Smith<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0Derrius Guice<\/a><\/strong> (who is now out with an ACL injury), and\u00a0Da’Ron Payne<\/a><\/strong>. Despite that, I don’t expect them to be any better than nine wins with them most likely going 8-8. That might sound like a surprise to some, but I’m not as high on them as most.<\/p>\n

The last time the Falcons played the Redskins was in Atlanta in 2015 when Atlanta beat the Redskins in overtime 25-19 thanks to a Robert Alford<\/a><\/strong> pick six. This Falcons team is much better than they were then and the Redskins are just a little bit better. This will be a win but not a blowout.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 27-14 Bengals<\/strong><\/p>\n

13. Week 4 – vs Cincinnati Bengals<\/a><\/h2>\n

In the easiest game of the Falcons early season, Mohamed Sanu<\/a><\/strong> faces his old team as the Bengals come to town. The Bengals were 7-9 last year with basically no offense. They finished last in the league in yards and 26th in points. Their defense wasn’t very stout either ranking outside of the top 15 in both stats. They had a good draft this year but I don’t think it will be enough to make their team competitive with the Falcons. The Bengals will need\u00a0Andy Dalton<\/a><\/strong>,\u00a0AJ Green<\/strong><\/a>, and\u00a0Joe Mixon<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>to step up if they have any hope of beating the Falcons.<\/p>\n

The Falcons last played the Bengals in 2014 when the Falcons lost 24-10. Oddly enough, both\u00a0Julio Jones<\/a><\/strong> and Mohamed Sanu<\/a> caught touchdown passes that day. I think Atlanta has a better player in almost every position so this should be an easy game.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 34-14 Bengals<\/strong><\/p>\n

14 & 15. Week 6 & Week 17 – vs\/at Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a><\/h2>\n

The preseason hype is strong once again for the Buccaneers and once again I think it will be all hype. Last year, the Buccaneers went 5-11 with two losses to the Falcons. They have improved a little bit but I don’t think they come close to winning the division especially with Jameis\u00a0Winston<\/strong> out for three games.<\/p>\n

The Buccaneers the last few years have been an annual easy game for the Falcons and I don’t expect it to be any different this year. Last year, they were 32nd in total defense as well as passing defense and with their first pick in the draft, they took Vita Vea<\/a><\/strong> instead of a pass rusher or secondary player. The game in Tampa will be much harder than the one in Atlanta but I think both are easy wins.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 42-17 Buccaneers & Falcons 28-21 Buccaneers<\/strong><\/p>\n

16. Week 10 – at Cleveland Browns<\/a><\/h2>\n

Obviously, this is the easiest game on the Falcons schedule this year. The Browns are another team who many are high on despite having the worst or second worst season of all-time. They improved in the draft by drafting\u00a0Baker Mayfield<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>Denzel Ward<\/a>,\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Nick Chubb<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>and have high expectations going into the season. By week 10, Mayfield should be starting but it could still be Tyrod Taylor<\/a><\/strong>. Either way, I don’t think it will be a challenging game.<\/p>\n

The Browns have improved personnel but they still have Hue Jackson<\/strong> as their coach. They will win a few games this year but get nowhere near the playoffs. The last time the Falcons played the Browns was in 2014 when the Browns beat the Falcons 26-24 in Atlanta. Knowing Atlanta, they will lose or give us a heart attack but on paper, this should be a blowout.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Falcons 45-14 Browns<\/b><\/p>\n

Be sure to check out the eight toughest games on the 2018 Atlanta Falcons schedule<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>