Atlanta Falcons 2016 Opponents
The Falcons are one of two teams tied for the toughest strength of schedule in 2016. Take a look at just why that is with our photo story.
Let's start things out in the NFC South and with the team that won the NFC Championship in 2015 — the Carolina Panthers. Late in the 2015 season, the Falcons were looking for some footing after a string of close losses and a drubbing by the Panthers in Charlotte. They got that footing in ending the Panthers' undefeated streak. If the division runs through Carolina again, and it just might, these two games will be huge.
The Buccaneers got the better of the Falcons twice in 2015 with a rookie quarterback who looks to be very much on the rise. There's a regime change in Tampa Bay and the faces running the show there should be pretty familiar to most Falcons fans with former Atlanta head coach Mike Smith running the defense there and former Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter as the head coach.
Another team that took the Falcons down twice in 2015 was New Orleans. The Saints ended the Falcons' undefeated start to the season and that game seemed to mark the beginning of the strings coming unraveled offensively for Atlanta. The Saints have made some solid free agent moves, including adding a top tight end, which the Falcons have traditionally had problems dealing with against the Saints.
The AFC West is on the schedule for the Falcons and that presents a bag full of issues, including a couple of West Coast trips, including this one with the Raiders. When you think of most improved teams over the past few years, Oakland should come to mind. With Khalil Mack emerging as one of the best defenders in the league, Amari Cooper as one of the best young WRs, and a young quarterback who's gaining confidence, this matchup with Oakland could be highly competitive.
The Falcons will host the Chargers at the Georgia Dome in 2016 in a matchup of two teams who rarely see each other on the same field. The last time they faced off was September 2012 when the Falcons delivered a 27-3 win. The Falcons lead the all-time series 8-1, so we'll be looking to make add another to the win column.
Tough defense: Check. Tough offense: Check. Confidence: Check. The Chiefs seem to have it all together yet again and will be a formidable foe for the Falcons in 2016. The Falcons luckily get them in the Georgia Dome as opposed to playing in the highly hostile confines of Arrowhead. The last time these two teams met was in the 2012 season opener and then-NFL analyst Warren Sapp picked the Falcons to lose 40-0; The Falcons won 40-24.
The Super Bowl 50 champion Denver Broncos look very, very different as they head into 2016. The team lost key defensive pieces in free agency, quarterback Peyton Manning retired, and the heir apparent at QB, Brock Osweiler, signed with Houston. Don't let that fool you. Von Miller is still lurking on the defensive side of the ball, along with other big playmakers like Aqib Talib and TJ Ward.
You'll notice this theme, but let's head back to the West Coast (the Falcons will play four games there this season) and examine the matchup with the Rams. They'll be playing their first games in Los Angeles since Bill Clinton's administration and until their new stadium is built, they'll take place at the Coliseum. The Rams just made a huge trade to take the No. 1 spot in the draft from the Titans, so you can expect this matchup to be against Carson Wentz with Todd Gurley looking to do bigger things in his sophomore year.
Let's stay west and chat about the Falcons heading to Seattle. The big storyline for that week will be Dan Quinn returning to face his mentor in Pete Carroll, but there will be plenty on-field storylines, as well. Matt Ryan vs. Russell Wilson; What impact does Marshawn Lynch's retirement have on Seattle's overall effectiveness?; Who matches up with Richard Sherman and how does that affect the offense? Lots to watch for in this game.
The last time the Falcons hosted the Cardinals, Arizona cornerback Patrick Peterson claimed he wanted Julio Jones one-on-one. Well, the photo says it all. Jones put up 10 catches for 189 yards and a touchdown against Arizona that day. Things have certainly changed with Arizona being a much more aggressive, balanced team. Still, Jones-Peterson II is going to be fun to watch.
Speaking of great Julio Jones performances, the last time he faced the Packers he put up a career night in a losing effort. The Falcons have always had a nice little rivalry with Green Bay and this one should be a good one with both teams at the moment matching up nicely.
It's off to the City of Brotherly Love for the Falcons for this conference game, which is going to be interesting with the number of big changes in Philadelphia this offseason. It's tough to say how these two teams match up right now, but can we all agree that we're hoping the schedule-makers showed mercy and didn't make this a December game?
It's another West Coast team, but this one will be in the Georgia Dome. The two teams met last year with the Falcons losing the effort by one point. Chip Kelly takes over in San Francisco and that leads to a lot of questions about what the offense will look like and who will ultimately be running it at quarterback. With some familiarity with the personnel, however, the Falcons will be able to go into the game with a strong plan of attack.
