Ranking the 10 most exciting games of the Falcons schedule

The Falcons schedule was released earlier this week, and it’s going to be picked to death over the next week or so. This iteration is games that I’m most excited to see.

Falcons Schedule

Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 2: @ Philadelphia Eagles, Monday Night Football
Week 3: vs. Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday Night Football
Week 4: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 5: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday Night Football
Week 6: @ Carolina Panthers
Week 7: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 8: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week 10: @ New Orleans Saints
Week 11: @ Denver Broncos
Week 12: BYE WEEK
Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 14: @ Minnesota Vikings
Week 15: @ Las Vegas Raiders, Monday Night Football
Week 16: vs. New York Giants
Week 17: @ Washington Commanders
Week 18: vs. Carolina Panthers

10. Raiders (MNF)

Vegas during prime time? How could it not make the list? The Raiders don’t have the star-studded quarterback that many others do, but any Monday Night Football appearance for the Falcons has to make the list. This is a game that could also have major playoff implications for Atlanta later in the year.

9. Commanders

This is a personal favorite, but it’s my world; you’re just reading it. As an LSU alumnus, I couldn’t be more excited to see how Jayden Daniels pans out in the NFL. Seeing Dan Quinn later on the Falcons schedule might also tickle other fans’ peaches.

8. Saints (Week 4)

The first Saints matchup of the season is in Atlanta, and Falcons fans have to be out for blood after the embarrassing season finale last year. Falling to the Saints at home is a nightmare scenario because that would effectively mean the next one in New Orleans is a must-win. It’s early in the season, but it should be a high-pressure contest in Week 4.

7. Chargers

Justin Herbert, Jim Harbaugh, and the Chargers come to Atlanta. I’ll be in the building. He’s one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, and Falcons fans should take the opportunity to go see Herbert in person. I’m pumped for this one.

6. Cowboys

A lot of these speak for themselves. Getting the chance to play America’s Team will always be a treat, and the Falcons don’t get to do it very often. Dallas will come to Atlanta for a Week 9 tilt. Though tickets will be quite expensive, seeing Jerry Jones‘ team is a bucket list item of mine, so I’ll be there.

5. Buccaneers (TNF)

The Bucs are winners of the NFC South for going on three seasons now, and they have a fourth in their sights. The Falcons schedule starts with three prime time games in the first five weeks of the season as well as back-to-back division matchups in Weeks 4 and 5. They’ll have the opportunity to immediately take a lead in the NFC South with these two early on the Falcons schedule.

4. Steelers

The “Arthur Smith’s Return to Atlanta” game to kick off the Falcons schedule is devilish work by the NFL, and it wasn’t on accident. The Falcons and Steelers will be must-watch TV, and fans will be eager to prove Arthur Blank was right in firing Smith and hiring Raheem Morris.

3. Eagles (MNF)

The Falcons schedule is brutal to start, and there aren’t many places that are more intimidating than Lincoln Financial in Philadelphia. On  Monday Night Football, Atlanta will get the Eagles, who are coming off a disappointing end to the 2023 season. It’s quite the opportunity for the new-look Falcons.

2. Vikings

U.S. Bank Stadium is up there with some of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, and they’ll surely be loud for this one as Kirk Cousins makes his return to Minnesota. The Falcons should be able to get a win for their new quarterback, but the Vikings will certainly be up for this one.

1. Chiefs (SNF)

The best quarterback, the reigning Super Bowl champions and Sunday Night Football tops my list of games I want to see most on the Falcons schedule. I want to see Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as badly as any quarterback-pass catcher duo, and the Falcons will host them in prime time.