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What will this 2019 season look like for the Falcons? Most of us think a winning record is in the offing, if not a playoff berth and perhaps more, but there’s many unknowns before we see them hit the field.
As I’ve said all week, while it would be nice to start the year off with a feel-good win on a cupcake matchup, it’s also nice to get a sense of the team’s mettle right away. Minnesota has rung Atlanta’s bell the last few times out, and now the Falcons get a chance at both revenge and (more critically) a 1-0 start.
In the end, though I think this game is very much a toss-up, I’m going with a Falcons team that looks reloaded and refreshed. May they deliver a season-opening win in this one, with details below for those planning to watch at home.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Minnesota Vikings, Week 1
When: Sunday, September 8, 1 p.m. EST
Where: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Channel: FOX
Announcers: Chris Spielman and Thom Brennaman
Streaming: FOXSportsGo
Radio: 92.9 The Game
Key Questions: Can Atlanta break a three game losing streak against the Vikings and their tough defense, which has held the Falcons under 30 points each of the last three times they’ve played (and under 10 once)? Will a fully healthy Falcons team be good enough with all its enhancements to push past Minnesota? Can Isaiah Oliver and Damontae Kazee effectively bottle up Minnesota’s nasty receivers?
Prediction: Falcons win, 24-20
SB Nation Opposition Site: Daily Norseman
Twitter: @TheFalcoholic
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheFalcoholic
2019 Falcons Schedule (0-0)
Week 1: @Minnesota Vikings — Sunday, September 8, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles — Sunday Night Football, September 15, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Week 3: @Indianapolis Colts — Sunday, September 22, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Week 4: vs. Tennessee Titans — Sunday, September 29, 1:00 p.m. (CBS)
Week 5: @Houston Texans —Sunday, October 6, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 6: @Arizona Cardinals — Sunday, October 13, 4:05 p.m. (FOX)
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams — Sunday, October 20, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 8: vs. Seattle Seahawks — Sunday, October 27, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 9: BYE WEEK
Week 10: @New Orleans Saints — Sunday, November 10, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 11: @Carolina Panthers — Sunday, November 17, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday, November 24, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 13: vs. New Orleans Saints — Thursday Night Football, November 28, 8:20 p.m. (NBC)
Week 14: vs. Carolina Panthers — Sunday, December 8, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 15: @San Francisco 49ers — Sunday, December 15, 4:25 p.m. (FOX)
Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars — Sunday, December 22, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)
Week 17: @Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Sunday, December 29, 1:00 p.m. (FOX)