Falcons have easiest remaining strength of schedule

The Falcons are currently tied with the Buccaneers for the division lead as both teams sit at 2-2. Atlanta is coming off a hard-fought win over the Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay is coming off back-to-back losses to the Chiefs and Packers. The two clubs will meet in Raymond James Stadium this Sunday for sole possession of the NFC South, but the remaining schedule looks extremely favorable for the Falcons.

According to Tankathon, Atlanta currently has the easiest remaining strength of schedule — opponents have a combined .404 winning percentage. Unfortunately, the Falcons’ toughest obstacle in their quest for the postseason is the Tom Brady-led Bucs, who possess the second-easiest remaining strength of schedule. Below are the remaining games on Atlanta’s schedule:

• Week 5, Oct. 9: at Tampa Bay
• Week 6, Oct. 16: vs. San Francisco
• Week 7, Oct. 23: at Cincinnati
• Week 8, Oct. 30: vs. Carolina
• Week 9, Nov. 6: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
• Week 10, Nov. 10 at Carolina (TNF)
• Week 11, Nov. 20: vs. Chicago
• Week 12, Nov. 27: vs. Washington
• Week 13, Dec. 4: vs. Pittsburgh
• Week 14, Dec. 11: Bye
• Week 15, Dec. 17/18: at New Orleans
• Week 16, Dec. 24: at Baltimore
• Week 17, Jan. 1: vs. Arizona
• Week 18, Jan. 7/8: vs. Tampa Bay

For a team that was expected to be in the running for the No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2023 cycle, the Falcons are quickly outpacing those expectations. They’ll be heavy underdogs this weekend against the Buccaneers, but that won’t be the case the rest of they way.

The Falcons will be massive underdogs against the Bucs in the final week of the season, the Ravens in Week 16, and potentially next week against the 49ers at home. However, they’ll only be slight dogs against the Bengals, Chargers, and Cardinals. In contrast, the rest of the matchups should be considered toss-ups. At this point, the Bucs control the division, but the NFC is struggling right now; there’s no reason the Falcons can’t push for a Wild Card spot with this kind of schedule.

—

Photographer: Todd Kirkland/Icon Sportswire