Examining the 3 toughest games on the Falcons’ 2020 schedule

Even though rosters change significantly each year and we don’t always know which teams will break out or underachieve, these three matchups figure to be the most difficult for Atlanta.

Week 17: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) calls a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons don’t get to see the new-look Buccaneers led by Tom Brady until Week 15. The two teams play twice over the final three weeks, but this Week 17 matchup between the Falcons and Buccaneers could potentially decide the NFC South division title.

Tampa Bay’s bandwagon is filling up quickly, while NFL analysts seem to be writing off Atlanta. At this point in their respective careers, Matt Ryan is arguably the better quarterback than Brady, who turns 43 in August. Could this be the year Ryan reasserts himself as one of the league’s elite passers? Beating possibly the greatest quarterback of all time to clinch a playoff spot could validate the Falcons’ decision to retain GM Thomas Dimitroff and head coach Dan Quinn.

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