Forget this one: Falcons face crucial three-week stretch against division rivals

The Atlanta Falcons lost 22-17 to the Kansas City Chiefs tonight and have now played three games this season. Even though Atlanta’s overall record is 1-2, the most important part of the season is going to take place during the following three weeks.

Atlanta will host NFC South division rivals New Orleans (Sunday, Sept. 29) and Tampa (Oct. 3) before traveling north on I-85 to play the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Oct. 13 following a bye week. This season and any hope for a playoff berth will rest on a division title and being able to open division play at home has to become a huge advantage for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, quarterback Kirk Cousins, All-Pro safety Jessie Bates III, and the rest of the franchise.

The Falcons have missed the playoffs for six consecutive seasons and the last time Atlanta won a division title was in 2016, the year National Fooball League MVP Matt Ryan and friends made it all the way to the Super Bowl. Yes, that Super Bowl.

A special night

Sunday Night Football saw rapper T.I. perform a medley of his classic songs before the game and singer/songwriter Kandi Burruss sing the National Anthem. Two players from Apalachee High School were the honorary captians of the game. The team was in attendance and received a standing ovation late in the first quarter following an interception by safety Justin Simmons in the end zone.

Team owner and philanthropist Arthur Blank, Roddy White and Warrick Dunn were among a number of Falcons that were inducted into the franchise’s Ring of Honor on Sunday night.

This was Atlanta’s only Sunday Night Football game of the season. There will be a Thursday Night Football game against rival Tampa Bay in Atlanta on Oct. 3 and a Monday Night Football game in Las Vegas against the Raiders late in the season on Dec. 16.

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