1. Baltimore Ravens vs. LA Chargers
The Chargers are Atlanta's next opponent and continue to look to be an increasingly difficult matchup. Baltimore's defense isn't close to the teams the Ravens have had over the past few seasons and that makes this game all the more interesting from Atlanta's perspective. The good news for the Falcons is this will be a Monday Night Football matchup with all eyes on the Chargers and Ravens as the week's finale.
Atlanta not only has the rest advantage of the bye week but the Chargers will have a short week to prepare for the Falcons. Still, these are two teams playing on very different levels and a big piece of that is their respective head coaches. Jim Harbaugh's magic works all the same as it did for San Francisco.
Despite being in a division ruled by the Chiefs in a brutal conference the Chargers are in great position. A defense playing far better than expected and Justin Herbert starting to show signs of taking a step forward both are reasons for the team's fanbase to be excited. For the Falcons, it is hard to know how to cheer here with a win over the Ravens perhaps setting the Chargers up for lost focus the next week.
2. New York Giants vs. Tampa Bay Bucs
Yet again when everyone had written them off as dead here come the Tampa Bay Bucs. With an extremely easy schedule and an Atlanta team that cannot get out of their own way the division race is far from over. Tampa has a chance to grab what should be an easy win while the Falcons are playing the Vikings and Chargers each of the next two weeks. It is hard to see the Giants getting in the way of this but that is what Atlanta fans are left hoping for.
The good news here is perhaps the energy of a quarterback change sets up a surprise upset. Daniel Jones is heading to the bench and the Giants will turn to Tommy DeVito. It seems unlikely to change anything but it gives the team a better chance than Daniel Jones is right now.
With a coaching staff looking to save their jobs and a Tampa team riddled with injuries, an upset isn't off the table. If the Giants were able to pull it off the Falcons would retain a two-game lead and have a bit of breathing room after the bye.
3. Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears
The Minnesota Vikings have cooled off since the start of the season but remain a playoff team. They will be the second team the Falcons are matched up against in Kirk Cousins' return to his former team. It appears to be another spot the Falcons are going to be forced to win in a shootout. Unable to rush the passer, Sam Darnold should have no problem waiting for one of his talented trio of targets to spring open.
What the Falcons are watching for here is how Darnold fares and whether or not the quarterback is starting to get in his own way. Both with the Jets and Panthers the quarterback would have great stretches looking to be a franchise quarterback. Only to follow these up with confusing turnovers and a complete lack of awareness.
We've seen signs of this version of Darnold returning and that could open the door for an Atlanta upset. With how the Falcons played heading into the bye week fans are looking for any reason to believe this team can win either of the next two games. Minnesota remains in the NFC North race and can't afford to overlook a confusing Chicago team.
