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Today, we received truly earth-shattering news—the likes of which will never be topped until tomorrow. That’s right, the NFL has announced the long-awaited preseason schedule, which includes the four teams that Atlanta will match up against during the month of August. Please attempt to contain your boundless excitement while you look at the tweet below:
Falcons announce 2018 preseason opponents: pic.twitter.com/Tma1aKcCEi
— Falcons Comm Dept. (@FalconsComm) April 11, 2018
The Falcons will be taking on the New York Jets, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Miami Dolphins during the 2018 preseason. Interestingly, it’s an all-AFC slate, and includes a solid mix of good and bad teams for Atlanta to test their mettle against before the season starts in earnest. The Jaguars, in particular, should provide a very good test for Falcons’ on both sides of the ball.
The Jets finished 5-11 in 2017, and will likely feature one of the 2018 draft’s top rookie QBs making his NFL debut. Atlanta’s starters aren’t likely to play a whole lot in this game, but it should provide at least a little intrigue. Week 2 offers up a 10-6 Chiefs team that will also feature a young QB in Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City has had some notable losses this offseason, but should still be a formidable test for both the offense and defense.
Week 3 features a match-up against one of the best teams in the AFC in the Jaguars, who finished 2017 at 10-6 with several playoff wins under their belt. This will be the game in which the starters see the field for more than a few drives, and should be a great challenge for the offense against one of the NFL’s premier pass defenses. The Falcons wrap up the preseason against the Dolphins—a 6-10 team in 2017 that recently cut their best defensive player in Ndamukong Suh. Starters are unlikely to play more than a series in this game, but perhaps Miami will have some intriguing draft picks to observe.
What do you think about the Falcons’ 2018 preseason slate? Any games that you’re looking forward to in particular? Thoughts on Atlanta’s opponents? Tell us how incredibly excited you are in the comments below.