Schedule Preview – Falcons

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August 5, 2022

By Noonefromtampa

The Washington Commanders’ week 12 opponent is the Atlanta Falcons. Washington won the last matchup in 2021 on J.D. McKissic’s 30-yard catch and dive into the end zone, breaking a six game Falcons winning streak. That game also featured DeAndre Carter’s 101 yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Game Details

Opponent: Atlanta Falcons

When: Sunday, November 27, 1:00 P.M.

Where: home game, Fed-Ex Field

TV Network: Fox

2021 Falcons

Record: 7-10

Offense: 29th [passing 16th, rushing 31st]

Defense: 26th [passing 18th, rushing 27th]

Points Scored: 26th

Points Allowed: 29th

Head-to-Head: 10-15 regular season, 0-1 playoffs

Falcons Coaching

Arthur Smith starts his second year as the Falcons head coach. He finished 7-10 last year and was on the losing end of the Washington game. He spent nine years as a Titans assistant coach prior to assuming his current role with the Falcons.

Dave Ragone, the former Louisville quarterback, spent a few seasons bouncing around the NFL before going into coaching.  He has been coaching in the NFL since 2011 and spent one year with Washington as an offensive quality control coach in 2015.  He was the Bears passing game coordinator before moving to the Falcons.

Dean Pees is a long-time defensive coach who has been a defensive coordinator in either college or the NFL (Patriots, Ravens, Titans) since 1979 before being hired by Smith.  Pees was on two Super Bowl winning teams when he was with the Patriots and Ravens.

Falcons Schemes

The Falcons run the Ken Whisenhunt version of the West Coast offense and a 3-4 on defense very closely modeling what the Titans do on offense and defense.  Even though the have changed quarterbacks it is not expected to cause any major changes in the offensive scheme.  Defensively, they have tried to upgrade the talent through free agency and the draft.

Roster Changes

Key Losses: QB Matt Ryan (trade-IND), LB Foyesade Oluokun (JAC), WR Russell Gage (TB), LS Josh Harris (LAC), TE Hayden Hurst (CIN), CB Fabian Moreau (HOU), DE Dante Fowler Jr. (DAL), RB Mike Davis (BAL), P Thomas Morestead (MIA), QB A.J. McCarron (UFA), T Matt Gono (NYG), TE Lee Smith (retired)

Key Additions: QB Marcus Mariota (LV), CB Casey Heyward (LV), DE Lorenzo Carter (NYG), LB Rashaan Evans (TEN), RB Damien Williams (CHI), DT Vincent Taylor (HOU), TE Anthony Firkser (TEN), T Germain Ifedi (CHI), LS Beau Brinkley (CHI), WR Damiere Byrd (ATL), S Dean Marlowe (DET), WR Auden Tate (Cin)

Draft Picks: WR Drake London (1-8), DE Arnold Ebiketie (2-38), LB Troy Andersen (2-58), QB Desmond Ridder (3-74), DE DeAngelo Malone (3-82), OL Justin Shaffer (6-190), TE John FitzPatrick (6-213)

Key Players Returning: TE Kyle Pitts, RB Cordarrelle Patterson, G Chris Lindstrom, T Jake Matthews, G Jalen Mayfield, C Matt Hennessy, WR Olamide Zaccheaus, LB Deion James, DT Grady Jarrett, S Richie Grant, CB AJ Terrell, S Erik Harris, DE Ta’Quon Graham

Conclusions

Matt Ryan is gone, and Marcus Mariota is the new starting quarterback, probably until Desmond Ridder is ready either this year or next. The Falcons play in a tough NFC South division that features the Buccaneers and Saints.

Noone’s Prediction

I have the Commanders beating the Falcons again this year, at Fed Ex Field this time. The final score will be close, with Washington pulling out a 30-27 victory over Atlanta.