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ESPN predicts the Atlanta Falcons will finish the 2026 season strong and make the playoffs. Key games include matchups against the Buccaneers, Bengals in Madrid, and Chiefs, with crucial NFC South rivalries at the end of the season.
ESPN predicts Falcons finish 2026 season strong, sneak into playoffs
The Atlanta Falcons' 2026 regular season schedule is out, and a few things jump out right away.
One critical stretch of games comes right in the middle of the season, beginning with a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8, followed by the long trip to Madrid to face the Cincinnati Bengals and finishing at home against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs with the bye week looming.
The most-important portion of the schedule doesn't come until the very end, though. The Falcons' final three games are all against their NFC South rivals, with Tampa at home in Week 16, New Orleans at home in Week 17 and ending on the road against the Carolina Panthers.
It's a tough stretch, but one insider thinks they'll go three-for-three. ESPN's Marc Raimondi has shared a prediction that the Falcons will win all three of those games to end the season and sneak into the NFL Playoffs.
"The Falcons will close out the season with three straight wins, all against their division rivals, to sneak into the playoffs after a rough start to the season. By late in the season, Atlanta players will be more up to speed on Stefanski's system and they'll be battle-tested after a tumultuous start."
While they tabbed this as a "bold prediction," it's really not even a mildly spicy take. Remember, the Falcons finished in a three-way tie with the Panthers and Buccaneers at the top of the division last year with an 8-9 record. Some modest improvements are all they need to separate themselves from the herd.
ESPN predicts that the Atlanta Falcons will finish the 2026 season strong and sneak into the playoffs.
The Falcons will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals in Madrid, and Kansas City Chiefs during their critical mid-season stretch.
The Falcons' final three games are against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers.
The last games against NFC South rivals are crucial for the Falcons' playoff contention as they could determine their postseason fate.

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Atlanta also pulled off a similar move last year, ending the 2025 season on a four-game win streak.
To repeat it they'll need better leadership most of all, which the Falcons went out of their way to try to improve this offseason. Head coach Kevin Stefanski's track record is impressive, but he has to prove he's a better option than Raheem Morris was. The same is true of GM Ian Cunningham and Matt Ryan, who have to keep shaping this roster as the season goes on.
Week 1: At Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 2: Carolina Panthers
Week 3: At Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Football)
Week 4: At New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
Week 5: Baltimore Ravens (Sunday Night Football)
Week 6: Chicago Bears
Week 7: San Francisco 49ers
Week 8: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals (Madrid)
Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs
Week 11: Falcons on bye week
Week 12: At Minnesota Vikings
Week 13: Detroit Lions
Week 14: At Cleveland Browns
Week 15: At Washington Commanders
Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 17: New Orleans Saints
Week 18: At Carolina Panthers
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Week 1: At Pittsburgh Steelers
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Week 1: At Pittsburgh Steelers
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Week 2: Carolina Panthers
3 / 18
Week 3: At Green Bay Packers (Thursday Night Football)
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Week 4: At New Orleans Saints (Monday Night Football)
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Week 5: Baltimore Ravens (Sunday Night Football)
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Week 6: Chicago Bears
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Week 7: San Francisco 49ers
8 / 18
Week 8: At Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Week 9: Cincinnati Bengals (Madrid)
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Week 10: Kansas City Chiefs
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Week 11: Falcons on bye week
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Week 12: At Minnesota Vikings
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Week 13: Detroit Lions
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Week 14: At Cleveland Browns
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Week 15: At Washington Commanders
16 / 18
Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Week 17: New Orleans Saints
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Week 18: At Carolina Panthers
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: ESPN: Atlanta Falcons will go 3-0 to end season, make NFL Playoffs