2012 NFL Schedule: Atlanta Falcons Can't Afford Slow Start

Last year,the Atlanta Falcons’ hopes of making the playoffs looked dim after going 2-3 to start the season.

Fortunately,the team was able to turn their season around, winning eight of its next eleven games en route to a 10-6 record and postseason appearance.

However, it looks to be a much tougher road to the playoffs this time around if the Falcons stumble out of the gate once again.

Atlanta has a favorable schedule to kick off the 2012 season, taking on the Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Panthers, Redskins and Raiders in their first six games.

But the real test begins after their bye in week seven, when the Falcons will face off against the Eagles, Cowboys and Saints in consecutive weeks.

Quite the gauntlet.

It begins with the Eagles, a team Atlanta has historically struggled against. That’s
especially true when the game is in Philadelphia, where the Falcons are 0-5 since 1988, and where they will return once again this year. To make matters worse, the Eagles will also be coming off their own bye week prior to the game.

Why is that significant? Glad you asked: Eagles head coach Andy Reid is a perfect 12-0 coming off the bye in his career.

And don't forget about Michael Vick: he'll surely be looking to play his very best against his former team.

Atlanta then returns home to play the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in week 9—right when America’s Team has been at its best in recent times. If you may remember, that was the same week the Cowboys went on a 4-0 run last year before their late-season collapse.

After that the Falcons go marching into New Orleans for the first of their two division games against the Saints. Interestingly enough, this game comes in week 10. By that time most, if not all of the potential Saints player suspensions could be over. Yes, Sean Payton still won’t be around, but Drew Brees certainly will, and that means it’ll be far from a cake walk for the Falcons.

And it doesn’t get any easier after that.

Following a home game against the Arizona Cardinals in week 11, the Falcons have three straight division battles on their slate: Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Carolina.  

Division games on their own are never easy—especially in the NFC South—but three in a row? Brutal, to say the least.

This second three-game gauntlet kicks off with a road trip to Tampa Bay, where a game against the Buccaneers may be tougher than expected. The Falcons bulldozed the hapless Bucs 45-24 in their 2011 season finale, but with a new head coach in place and a number of high-profile free agents added to their roster, you can expect a much more competitive Tampa Bay team in 2012.    

Then, it’s Atlanta’s turn to welcome New Orleans to the Georgia Dome on Thursday Night Football—just four days after the Falcons’ trip to Tampa Bay.

Having extra time to prepare for New Orleans didn’t quite turn the tables in Atlanta’s favor the last time they played the Saints, losing 45-16 on national television. But then again, playing them on a short week certainly won't help, either.

The benefit from this is having a few more days to game plan for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, who themselves will be looking to make a strong late-season push for the playoffs after their rebuilding 6-10 finish last year.

Of course, predictions this early into the season are nothing more than speculation. But from the looks of it Atlanta’s toughest games won’t come until the second half of the season, and that makes a hot start all the more important if the Falcons hope to make the playoffs for a third consecutive year.