A Tough Road Ahead: Looking at the Atlanta Falcons 2009 Schedule

The 2008 Atlanta Falcons shocked all the critics as they went 11-5 and reached the playoff for the first time since 2004. They look to repeat the success they had last year and with the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez and rookie defensive tackle Peria Jerry, it would not be a surprise if they did.

But the NFL won’t allow the Falcons to achieve their goals so easily as some experts would say they have one of the toughest schedules in the league. Not only the Falcons have to face their divisional opponents twice, they will face the four teams from the AFC East and the NFC East and both divisions could be the most competitive in all the NFL.

Here is a look at some of the key games and some key matchups in each of those games:

September 13 vs. Miami Dolphins: Like the Falcons, the Dolphins shocked the NFL by going 11-5 under first year head coach Tony Sporano. Quarterback Chad Pennington was great last season and was named NFL Most Improved Player for his efforts.

But I think the matchup to watch is running back Ronnie Brown vs. the Falcons defensive front-seven. Brown was a catalyst to the Dolphins offense and started the whole “wildcat” offense trend. It will be a tough test for new defensive starters Peria Jerry, and Stephen Nicholas.

September 27 at New England Patriots: He’s back. Three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady is healthy and hungry for another title. The entire starting 11 will have their hands full as Brady has a quick release and great pocket presence. If John Abraham and Jamaal Anderson can create pressure off the edges, they can rattle Brady and the Falcons can come away with a big win.

October 25 at Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys had a disappointing 2008 season but there is plenty of talent on this team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. I think that the Falcons offensive line vs. the Cowboys front seven will be the matchup to watch.

DeMarcus Ware is one of the best pass-rushing linebackers in the game and former Falcons Keith Brooking doesn’t make mistakes. But the Falcons O-line is underrated and plays with a mean-streak.

November 22 at New York Giants: The Giants will not be as strong offensively with the loss of Plaxico Burress. But they have a lot of playmakers on defense including Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and another former Falcon Michael Boley. Matt Ryan will have his hands full because the Giants defense had 42 sacks last year with was the sixth best in the league.

December 6 vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Let’s face it, both those teams don’t like each other and the fact that Michael Vick will make his infamous return to the Georgia Dome will put fuel to the fire. But the key matchup will be Brian Westbrook going up against the linebackers for the Falcons. W

hen healthy, Westbrook is the most dangerous offensive back in the NFL because he can run between and outside the offensive tackles and can catch the ball out of the backfield. Nicholas, Lofton and Peterson have good speed, but will that be enough to take down Westbrook and the Eagles offense?

Divisional opponents: When the Falcons play the Carolina Panthers on September 20 and November 15 they will have to put their attention to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. If the Falcons front seven can contain the two running backs that means that Steve Smith will not torch the Falcons like he usually does.

The Falcons play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 29 and January 3. The Bucs will struggle but I think the key matchup will be Roddy White going up against Ronde Barber. If Barber can frustrate White, then the Bucs have a shot of winning the two games.

But when the Falcons play the Saints on November 2 and December 13 the scoreboard will light up as both these teams have high-powered offenses. Drew Brees had a career year with over 5,000 yards passing for the Saints. What the Falcons need to do is get pressure on him to disrupt his timing.

So Abraham, Anderson, Jerry and Babineaux will have to be on their A-game in order for the Falcons to win.

So that’s the Falcons schedule and some key matchups for each game. It will be a tough road for them, but the team is more mature and more experienced than last year. Because of that, they have a chance to do something special in 2009.