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Game-By-Game Prediction For the Falcons 2018 Season

By Justin Winters

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome on January 14, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 14: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome on January 14, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens stands on the field in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Falcons lost their last game against Baltimore in 2014; Will the Ravens make it two in a row?

Since being drafted in the same round, Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan have constantly been compared to each other.

Ryan has been the better quarterback since day one, but Flacco has a Super Bowl ring.

Although the Ravens drafted Lamar Jackson in the first round, I think they’ll let Flacco start this year.

Will Ryan win this head-to-head matchup or could the Falcons struggle?

How the Falcons Win: Take a quick lead.

If the Falcons can score quickly and take a big lead, it’ll play to the strengths of their defense.

Flacco has struggled with interceptions throughout his career, and his weapons aren’t exactly an all-star group.

By scoring early and often, the Falcons will force Flacco to throw 30-40 passes in this game.

Based on what we’ve seen over the last few years, this might actually benefit the Falcons.

X-Factor of the Game: Orlando Brown.

Brown had one of the worst combines of all time, but he was solid throughout his college career.

Does film matter more or does the combine give us reasons to worry?

If Brown ends up being a solid right tackle, he’d be a steal for the Ravens.

We could also see that his combine was a sign of things to come, especially in pass protection.

Defensive ends are much faster in the NFL, and that could be a problem for Brown and for Flacco.

This could be one where Takk has a huge game or a game where Brown gets a ton of credit if he plays well.

Predicted Score: Falcons win 21-20.

The Ravens have solid pieces, but I see the Falcons sneaking out with a win here.

This would move their record to 9-3 as they head to Green Bay.

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