Atlanta Falcons: 3 Biggest games on the Dirty Birds' 2018 schedule

Atlanta Falcons: 3 Biggest games on 2018 schedule

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) /

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CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 03: Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers talks to Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons after defeating the Falcons 34-10 at Bank of America Stadium on November 3, 2013 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

1. Dec. 23: at Carolina Panthers

If I were a betting man, I would guess that the Falcons most-important game of the 2018 season will come against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. While the Saints and Bucs will surely be tough tests for the Dirty Birds each time this upcoming season, I have a feeling Dan Quinn’s birds will face the Panthers with a playoff-berth on the line.

Needless to say, this is going to be a must-win game for the Falcons.

The good news for Atlanta is that this Week 16 matchup will be played in in North Carolina where the weather will, hopefully, still be above freezing. The Dirty Birds last home game of 2018 comes the week prior to this game, so the team will be more than happy to only travel a few hours up the east coast to face Carolina.

In terms of the on-field battle, we could be in for the most-anticipated Falcons, Panthers match-up since the two teams battled for the division title in Mike Smith’s last season in Atlanta. Hopefully for all of the Falcons faithful, this game turns out much different.

Next: One breakout candidate for all 32 NFL teams in 2018

That being said, what three games do you think are the most-important in 2018 for Atlanta, Dirty Bird nation?

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