We’re very close to the start of the 2013-14 NFL season, and everyone has their predictions, hopes, and expectations. I have done Mock Drafts before, and I thought, “Why not try a season prediction?” So, in this post I will break down every game on the schedule, give my prediction, and explain why I believe that outcome will happen. So… let us begin. Week 1 – Falcons @ Saints: Talk about dramatic. In the history of Week 1 games, Atlanta has won every single one against their most hated rivals, and I don’t see any reason why that streak will end. New Orleans boasted the worst defense in NFL history last season, and didn’t address one of their biggest holes at CB. Julio or Roddy should have a field day, while Steven Jackson rushes for his first 100 yard game in Red and Black. While their defense shouldn’t be as bad as last season, it still won’t be enough to slow down Matt Ryan and company. – Falcons 31 Saints 20 Week 2 – Falcons vs. Rams: This should begin the stretch of easily winnable games for Atlanta. With that said, the Rams are a team that should never be slept on. We all saw what they can do against powerhouses (see vs. 49ers). I expect this to be closer than it should be, but the better team will still prevail. – Falcons 27 Rams 24 Week 3 – Falcons @ Dolphins: Is there any team that did as much improvement to their team than the Miami Dolphins? Maybe not… a trap game is what this could turn out to be. Like Week 2, expect this to be closer than it should, but once again, we leave victorious. – Falcons 24 Dolphins 17 Week 4 – Falcons vs. Patriots: Just a few weeks ago, this looked like the game of the year. Now, with Hernandez behind bars, Gronk questionable, and Wes Welker in Denver, the once unstoppable New England offense seems like a bunch of no-namers. Still, Tom Brady is ever present, and still slinging the rock as good as anyone. But, without a team, a good Quarterback cannot win it by himself. – Falcons 28 Patriots 17 Week 5 – Falcons vs. Jets: Should I even break this one down? Expect a “Falcons/Jaguars” outcome, with Atlanta’s offense firing on all cylinders. – Falcons 45 Jets 13 Week 6 – Bye Week Week 7 – Falcons vs. Bucs: Oh Tampa Bay. You’re quite the team aren’t you? You have shored up your secondary, on paper, and that was really all you needed. But don’t get ahead of yourselves. You don’t own the division just yet. – Falcons 24 Bucs 20 Week 8 – Falcons @ Cardinals: Another case of a powerhouse playing a lesser team. Fitzgerald should have a decent showing, but other than that we should be pretty good. If Matty doesn’t throw 5 interceptions again, that is. We love you Matt. – Falcons 34 Cardinals 19 Week 9 – Falcons @ Panthers: This is looking pretty familiar isn’t it? 7-0 and leading the conference. Cam surprised us last year with a 10 point victory, I’ll give him that one. Plus Steve Smith, Luke Kuechly, Jon Beason, Charles Johnson, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Star Lotulelei are all studs. Add that to the fact that it’s a division match, and Atlanta could be in for a wakeup call. – Falcons 21 Panthers 28 Week 10 – Falcons vs. Seahawks: Losing to the infamous Cam the previous week, the Falcons will have their head on straight coming in to face its newest rival in the Seattle Seahawks. Oh, and I’m certain Seattle won’t have happy memories either when entering the dome. Roddy-Sherman… Ryan-Wilson. Game of the Year? Revenge Game? Battle for 1st? Only time will tell what this game will hold, but we know right now that it will be important. It will be super close, and possibly go into OT, but I have faith in Ryan to close it out when we first touch the ball. – OT Falcons 35 Seahawks 28 Week 11 – Falcons @ Bucs: Tampa could be in the mix for a Wild Card spot come Week 11. While we sit pretty at No. 1, they could be fighting for their life, which would make this game that much tougher. Now Tampa did pick up Dashon Goldson this offseason to fix their sorry secondary. Little did they know that Goldson is strictly a run support Safety, and is a huge liability in coverage. Some post routes here, Gonzalez there, and Matt Ryan will come close to 300+ yards. This will be a solid showing by Matt, Gonzo, and Steven. – Falcons 34 Bucs 21 Week 12 – Falcons vs. Saints: Here we are once again. 11 weeks later and the tempers are flaring when the best rivalry in the NFL begins its next episode. This will be a game Atlanta Fans remember their whole lives, and one Saints fans wish they could soon forget. Matt and Julio will be in the zone, while we easily pass by the bag-heads. – Falcons 37 Saints 13 Week 13 – Falcons @ Bills (in Toronto): There’s a lot of games Atlanta should easily win this year. This is one of them. While the Bills are accustomed to the cold weather, the Falcons offense is red hot, and will score often in this contest. EJ Manuel is the expected starter, and should be more familiar with his playbook by now, while CJ Spiller is heavily underrated. Bills will give the Falcons a scare, but Atlanta puts it away in the 4th. – Falcons 33 Bills 20 Week 14 – Falcons @ Packers: Sunday Night Football on NBC. At this point, Atlanta is 11-1, and leading the NFL in scoring. But the Packers are close behind and have the NFL’s best quarterback in Aaron Rodgers. A major turnover will happen due to the weather, and Atlanta will fall short in the Frozen Tundra. – Falcons 19 Packers 31 Week 15 – Falcons vs. Redskins: Finally back at home in the A. After a sour loss, Atlanta will be looking to bounce back and take care of the now talented Redskins. These two teams met in 2012, and it was a close one. After RG3 was knocked out, that is. Regardless, S-Jax makes the boys in burgundy look like Pee Wee players. – Falcons 24 Redskins 17 Week 16 -- Falcons @ 49ers: I think we all have a special hatred in our hearts for the 9ers after the missed Pass Interference call in the NFC Championship game. And because of that, Atlanta spent time in Clemson learning how to contain the new Read-Option offenses. This won’t be like last time. Atlanta lights up the scoreboard and puts the 9ers in 2nd place in the NFC West. – Falcons 29 49ers 21 Week 17 – Falcons vs. Panthers: If I’m not mistaken, Atlanta has lost both of their season finales for the last 2 years in a row. Regardless, that won’t happen again. Atlanta looks to finish strong heading into the playoffs with a 14-2 record and a third 1st seed in 4 years. – Falcons 28 Panthers 24 - Jake
Posted on: Wed, 24 Jul 2013 00:38:30 +0000