2014 Atlanta Falcons Season Predictions from The Falcoholic

Rejoice football fans, for the NFL's regular season has finally returned to us. Of course the real season, as we know, does not begin until 1 p.m. on Sunday.

As we stand on the precipice of a meaningful Falcons football game, the fine staff writers at The Falcoholic (and myself) are going to conduct a timeless, age-old exercise that any self-respecting sports writer would conduct: making predictions that will undoubtedly, surely wind up incredibly wrong and make us seem foolish in hindsight.

And here... we... go:

Dave Choate

From Dave: I have the Falcons going 9-7, with the resurgent offense carrying a defense that still has several kinks to work through. Here's how that plays out.

W vs. Saints
L @ Bengals
W vs. Buccaneers
W @ Vikings
L @ Giants
L vs. Bears
W @ Ravens
W vs. Lions
L @ Buccaneers
W @ Panthers
W vs. Browns
L vs. Cardinals
L @ Packers
W vs. Steelers
L @ Saints
W vs. Panthers

Jeanna Thomas

From Jeanna: With a healthy roster, finishing the season 10-6 is not at all out of the question. There are some really tough opponents down the stretch, though, and the Falcons will have to really work for a playoff spot in the competitive NFC.

Week 1: W vs. Saints
Week 2: L @ Bengals
Week 3: W vs. Bucs
Week 4: W @ Vikings
Week 5: W @ Giants
Week 6: W vs. Bears
Week 7: L @ Ravens
Week 8: W vs. Lions
Week 10: W @ Bucs
Week 11: L @ Panthers
Week 12: W vs. Browns
Week 13: L vs. Cardinals
Week 14: L @ Packers
Week 15: W vs. Steelers
Week 16: L @ Saints
Week 17: W vs. Panthers

Alex Welch:

The ever-morose Alex Welch has the Dirty Birds going 8-8. Typical.

Week 1, vs. Saints: L
Week 2, at Bengals: L
Week 3, vs. Bucs: W
Week 4, at Vikings: W
Week 5, at Giants: W
Week 6, vs. Bears: L
Week 7, at Ravens: W
Week 8, vs. Lions: L
Week 10, at Bucs: L
Week 11, at Panthers: L
Week 12, vs. Browns: W
Week 13, vs Cardinals: W
Week 14, at Packers: L
Week 15, vs. Steelers: W
Week 16, at Saints: L
Week 17, vs. Panthers: W

Caleb Rutherford

From Caleb, who has Atlanta going 13-3: Get on my level.
Week 1, vs. Saints: W
Week 2, at Bengals: W
Week 3, vs. Bucs: W
Week 4, at Vikings: W
Week 5, at Giants: W
Week 6, vs. Bears: W
Week 7, at Ravens: W
Week 8, vs. Lions: W
Week 10, at Bucs: W
Week 11, at Panthers: L
Week 12, vs. Browns: W
Week 13, vs Cardinals: W
Week 14, at Packers: L
Week 15, vs. Steelers: W
Week 16, at Saints: L
Week 17, vs. Panthers: W

Alec Shirkey

Even with Lamar Holmes back in the starting fold, a revamped offensive line and a healthy Julio Jones should be enough for the offense to carry Atlanta through a relatively forgiving schedule to a 9-7 record. Whether that proves enough to make the playoffs, I'm not so sure.

Week 1: W vs Saints
Week 2: L at Bengals
Week 3: W vs Bucs
Week 4: W at Vikings
Week 5: L at Giants
Week 6: L vs Bears
Week 7: W at Ravens
Week 8: W vs Lions
Week 10: L at Bucs
Week 11: L at Panthers
Week 12: W vs Browns
Week 13: W vs Cardinals
Week 14: L at Packers
Week 15: W vs Steelers
Week 16: L at Saints
Week 17: W vs Panthers

Matt Chambers

W vs. Saints
L @ Bengals
W vs. Buccaneers
W @ Vikings
L @ Giants
L vs. Bears
W @ Ravens
L vs. Lions
L @ Buccaneers
W @ Panthers
W vs. Browns
W vs. Cardinals
L @ Packers
W vs. Steelers
W @ Saints
W vs. Panthers