NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

Atlanta Falcons: 3 Biggest games on 2018 schedule

By Derek Snyder

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Tight end Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch in front of inside linebacker Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 06: Tight end Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons makes a catch in front of inside linebacker Mark Barron #26 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Los Angeles Coliseum on January 6, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 13: Dom Williams #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles shakes hands with Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 15 to 10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 13: Dom Williams #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles shakes hands with Julio Jones #11 of the Atlanta Falcons after the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on January 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Atlanta Falcons with a score of 15 to 10. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

3. Sept. 6: at Philadelphia Eagles

There’s no better way to reconcile the Falcons loss to the Eagles in last year’s NFC Playoffs than by beating Philly on opening night. It’s never fun to play on the road in the first game of the year, but a victory in Week 1 would go a long way in helping Atlanta start off the 2018 regular season on a high note. Needless to say, that would be best-case scenario.

More from Atlanta Falcons

Whether the Falcons win or lose is besides the point; this NFC clash will have huge implications come December. I have a feeling both of these squads will be competing for playoff spots this season, which means the all important “tiebreaker” will mean everything at the start of January. It may only be Week 1, but the intensity between both sidelines will be extremely high.

The good news for Atlanta is that while Philly has lost some big pieces from their Super Bowl-winning team a year ago, the Dirty Birds’ roster is relatively still in-tact. Not to mention, with some potentially big selections in the 2018 NFL Draft, this Falcons team could be even better when September rolls around.

We saw the Kansas City Chiefs destroy the New England Patriots last year on opening night, so at least we know it’s possible for the reigning champs to fall early. At the end of the day if the Falcons want people to believe in their chances of winning a title in 2018-19, winning in Philly on opening night is extremely important.

Home/Atlanta Falcons