Things haven’t been great for Atlanta in the past couple of years, but there are reasons to be optimistic in 2023. The Falcons have one of the easiest schedules in the NFL, and their first game is potentially against a rookie quarterback.
In case you didn’t know, the Falcons haven’t been above .500 since 2017. They haven’t had a winning record since starting the 2018 season 0-1. That’s the longest streak in the NFL after the Giants won their first game in 2022, the previous holders of the record. As talented as Bryce Young is, he’s still a rookie and may not even start Week 1, so this is the perfect opportunity for the Falcons to buck a nasty trend.
Falcons will open up the 2023
Season at home vs Bryce Young and Carolina Panthers #NFLSchedule2023— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) May 10, 2023
Update: #Panthers announce that Andy Dalton is their starter right now "heading into the season", according to GM Scott Fitterer
Fitterer says that 1st overall pick Bryce Young will replace Dalton "when he's ready" and there is no timeline to when that will happen. pic.twitter.com/0pN5Ygo2p7
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 5, 2023
The Panthers are an improved squad, but if they start Andy Dalton over Bryce Young in Week 1, you have to like Atlanta’s chances. Arthur Smith is 2-2 against the Panthers, and Frank Reich is now leading the charge instead of Matt Rhule.
The Falcons have little to no excuses, and if they lose in Week 1 against the Panthers at home, it’s going to set a bad tone for the season. If Atlanta is going to make the playoffs, it feels like they need to get off to a good start at home. It’s a long season, but the Falcons finally breaking this streak and getting the stink off of the franchise will go a long way in terms of becoming a contender.
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Photographer: John Byrum/Icon Sportswire
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