Atlanta Falcons 2012 Schedule: Predictions for All 16 Games

The National Football League released the 2012 schedule for every team in the league on Tuesday.

It’s still roughly four and a half months until teams kick off their 2012 schedule. And while no team’s had an OTA, mini-camp practice or started training camp, and while the 2012 draft hasn’t even taken place yet, it’s still never too early to start predicting wins and losses.

So please accept my way-too-early but still loads-of-awesome 2012 Atlanta Falcons schedule predictions, and allow me the right to change my mind 219 times between now and Sept. 9 if I choose.

Sept. 9 at Kansas City Chiefs

The Falcons haven’t won a season opener on the road since 2006 in Carolina (0-3) and have lost their first road game of the year every year since then (0-5) as well. Apparently the Falcons don’t play well on the road early.

The 2012 season is when head coach Mike Smith finally figures it out.  

Prediction: Win (1-0)

Sept. 17 vs. Denver Broncos

Teams that rush the passer well give Atlanta fits—just look at the New York Giants (No. 3 in the league in sacks last year) and the Houston Texans (No. 6 in sacks) as examples. The Broncos will bring a pretty good defense and a revamped offense, led by Peyton Manning, into Atlanta.

Prediction: Loss (1-1)

Sept. 23 at San Diego Chargers

Atlanta is 7-1 all-time against the Chargers, the best winning percentage against any team in the NFL.

Four of the last five times these two teams have played, the game's been decided by a touchdown or less. But Atlanta's won them all, and hasn't lost to San Diego since 1988.

Prediction: Win (2-1)

Sept. 30 vs. Carolina Panthers

Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is good—very good. In addition to Cam's goodness, this Carolina team will be much improved in 2012.

However, the Panthers still aren't going to come into Atlanta and win early in 2012.  

Prediction: Win (3-1)

Oct. 7 at Washington Redskins

I am 99.9-percent sure that the Redskins will draft either Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III on April 26 with the second overall pick in the draft. I'm 99-percent sure it'll be RGIII. I'm almost as sure that Atlanta won't lose in the nation's capital in Week 5.

Prediction: Win (4-1)

Oct. 14 vs. Oakland Raiders

The last time Atlanta and Oakland played, the Falcons won 24-0. The Falcons will be 4-1 at this point and heading happily into their bye week.  

Prediction: Win (5-1)

Bye

Oct. 28 at Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia was ahead of the Falcons in the Georgia Dome last year 31-21 in the second half. Then quarterback Mike Vick was knocked into his own lineman and out of the game.

The Falcons scored 14 unanswered points to win. This will be a similarly close game, but with a different result.

Prediction: Loss (5-2)

Nov. 4 vs. Dallas Cowboys

Since 2005, the Cowboys are 23-6 in the month of November. Since this will be their first game in November of 2012, I'm just going to go ahead and adjust that record to 23-7.

Mike Smith-coached teams don't lose in back-to-back weeks.  

Prediction: Win (6-2)

Nov. 11 at New Orleans Saints

Since we have no idea which, of if any players will be suspended at this point in the season, this game is impossible to pick. I do know, however, that it doesn't matter who's suspended or for that matter whether or not the food vendors for both sides dress out. These two teams hate each other, and it's going to be a fun game to watch.

Prediction: Loss (6-3)

Nov. 18 vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Falcons will use this as a big-time bounce-back game from the New Orleans defeat.

Prediction: Win (7-3)

Nov. 25 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay has more issues to fix than any one offseason can provide answers for. I expect the Buccaneers to be better in 2012 than they were in 2011, but not to beat the Falcons.  

Prediction: Win (8-3)

Nov. 29 vs. New Orleans Saints

At this point, and by way of using my prediction from the earlier Saints game, the Falcons will have lost four in a row and seven of their last eight games to New Orleans.

Add one more to the loss column.  

Prediction: Loss (8-4)

Dec. 9 at Carolina Panthers

The "Carolina Cushion"—aptly named because of Atlanta's late-season dominance over Carolina of late—usually comes later in the season, and the Panthers are usually a weaker team. Cam Newton's going to get his first win over Atlanta this week.  

Prediction: Loss (8-5)

Dec. 16 vs. New York Giants

The Falcons will score more than two points against the Giants in this Week 15 matchup. They still won't win the game.

Prediction: Loss (8-6)

Dec. 22 at Detroit Lions

Historically, the Falcons have had very little success against the Lions. However, recent history says that Atlanta has the advantage. Maybe Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will be preoccupied by arguing Georgia-Georgia Tech when Atlanta comes to town in 2012.  

Prediction: Win (9-6)

Dec. 30 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta is going to need this Week 17 win to advance into the playoffs. Luckily, the final regular-season tilt is a home game against the Buccaneers. Remember the Week 17 beat-down from 2011?

Prediction: Win (10-6 - Playoffs)