Dallas Cowboys
Where: Cowboys Stadium
When: Sunday October 25th, 2009 @ 4:15pm
Network: FOX
Why: Dallas has been our post-season achilles heel on more than one occasion. That, and the schedule makers were told by the competition committee to ensure the Falcons have the toughest road possible to their first ever back-to-back winning seasons.
Importance: Pay Attention. How our injury-laden defense plays against an offense of potential studs will help clear up the somewhat shady picture on our football future. If they show up, we can ease a bit of our worries.
Notes: Dallas is, without a doubt, a tough team. They are not, however, the uber-elite team everyone claims them to be. So far, the Falcons have not been able to get an extra-marquee road win. This game may help them achieve that goal.
The Falcons win if: they get adequate pressure on Romo, force some turnovers, and burst out of the gate guns-a-blazin' offensively. Chances of this happening with many of our starters down? 50/50. The past two Falcons games have started slow. Against the Bears, the Falcons had to (and thankfully did) play catchup successfully. Also, our D have to come together and be better than the assumed sum of their parts.
The Cowboys win if: our offense fails to get going and/or our defense fails to pick itself up from the injuries it's sustained.
Prediction: Falcons win a close one.
Where: Superdome
When: Monday November 2nd, 2009 @ 8:30pm
Network: ESPN
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business. If we want the Division, we have to go through Brees and co.
Notes: New Orleans beat the Giants. Either the Giants are that bad, or the Saints are that good. Going with the latter.
The Falcons win if: they play a flawless game while on the road and on the big MNF stage.
The Saints win if: they don't lay an egg.
Prediction: The Falcons lose, possibly by a bunch. The Saints are likely steamrolling their way to the big one.
Washington Redskins
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday November 8th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: We need at least one guaranteed win this year!
Importance: Meh. This will get ugly. Ew.
Notes: We should win this. We will win this.
Prediction: Falcons demolish them.
Carolina Panthers Part Deux
Where: Bank of America Stadium
When: Sunday November 15th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business, for obvious reasons.
Notes: The Panthers are slowly getting things back together. Expect Carolina, especially at home, to be a bit tougher
Prediction: Falcons win by the hairs on Baker's chinny-chin-chin.
New York Giants
Where: Giants Stadium
When: Sunday November 22nd, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: To be the best, you have to beat the best.
Importance: Pay Attention. The Giants’ running game is superb. Hopefully our D can stop it. A great midseason test.
Notes: Expect the Giants to run-run-run only to set up some mega bombs by the younger Manning. This will be tough, regardless of how our black and gold division rivals treated them.
Prediction: The Falcons lose, but manage to hang on till the 4th.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday November 29th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business. Tampa sucks. If they have a win by now, it'll be by sheer luck alone.
Notes: The Bucs face the Patriots in London this week. They will not win. If they do...that Falcons loss to NE will stick in my craw the rest of my life.
Prediction: Falcons stomp 'em.
Philadelphia Eagles
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 6th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Because Eagles and Falcons are natural enemies.
Importance: Serious Business. Lots of history here plus You Know Who returns to the ATL.
Notes: You Know Who returns to town, likely the 2nd QB on the roster (maybe even the first, if Reid continues to lose his mind). There'll be some tension, a protest or two, and lots and lots of turncoats in the Dome. The Falcons are looking for revenge for that debacle in 2004's NFC Championship.
Prediction: Falcons finally get their revenge, and likely in some stylish fashion.
New Orleans Saints 2: Electric Boogaloo
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 13th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Serious Business. No more joking around. The Saints will have the division title. A win here does, however, almost guarantee a wild-card berth if we can manage to finish out strong (a 3-1 finish would be nice).
Notes: Seriously, if New Orleans is not loss-less by now, this game will be huge. The Dome crowd may help things. Here's hoping they do. We're going to need all the help we can get if NO hasn't been touched.
Prediction: Falcons lose this one.
New York Jets
Where: Giants Stadium
When: Sunday December 20th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Because New Yorkers couldn’t get enough of us the first go round against the Giants.
Importance: Pay Attention
Notes: If I look at this logically, the Jets beat the Patriots, who we got thrashed by. The Jets lost to the Dolphins, who we destroyed. And now, the Jets have lost to...whom? And Sanchez is giving away free INTs too? If the Jets haven't collapsed by now, the Falcons will surely help them in their effort.
Prediction: Falcons win, possibly by a double digit margin if everything clicks.
Buffalo Bills
Where: Georgia Dome
When: Sunday December 27th, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: CBS
Why: The Bills are expected to be better this year, especially with TO in the fold. They still suck, though.
Importance: Definitely Meh.
Notes: Yeah, Buffalo's still Buffalo, and they'll be on our turf.
Prediction: Falcons win by a touchdown or more
Tampa Bay Buccaneers With a Vengeance
Where: Raymond James Stadium
When: Sunday January 3rd, 2009 @ 1:00pm
Network: FOX
Why: Divisional Game
Importance: Absolultely a Meh.
Notes: Tampa Bay may likely be looking for any win at this point in the season. Missing Gruden yet?
Prediction: Falcons win, even with third stringers. Yes, I said it.
Current season record: 4-1
Current season prediction: 12-4
tlozwarlock's Current Prediction record: 5-0. Feels good to be right.