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Buffalo Bills: What to expect from their NFC opponents in 2021

By Aaron Tully

Oct 22, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) is tackled by Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) after making a catch during the second quarter of a game at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2017; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Charles Sims (34) is tackled by Buffalo Bills free safety Jordan Poyer (21) after making a catch during the second quarter of a game at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Buffalo Bills strong safety Micah Hyde (23) intercepts a pass intended for Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Taylor Gabriel (18) during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2021, the Buffalo Bills will play against the teams in the NFC South for the first time since 2017. Two playoff teams emerged from the NFC South in 2020; the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the New Orleans Saints.

On the flip side, the division produced two bottom ten teams in the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons. Outside of the Buccaneers, a lot of things have changed in the landscape of the NFC South, so it may take a while to truly know what each of the teams is made of.

Due to the addition of a 17th game to the NFL Schedule, the Bills will also play the reigning NFC East champions; the Washington Football Team. Given the changes in four of the five teams on their NFC slate, it is worth digging deeper into what to expect from the Bills’ NFC opponents in 2021.

Atlanta Falcons

Last meeting: Buffalo Bills won 23-17 (10/01/2017)

The Atlanta Falcons are coming off one of their worst seasons in recent history. Atlanta finished 4-12 in 2020, their worst showing since they finished with the same record in 2012.

The Falcons are very talented on offense, boasting the likes of Matt Ryan at quarterback, Calvin Ridley at wide receiver, and 2021 fourth overall pick Kyle Pitts at tight end.

Atlanta has never had a problem offensively, consistently finishing in the top half of the league in passing. The defensive side of the ball is where the Falcons can never seem to get it together.

In 2020, the Falcons finished 29th in the NFL in yards allowed. No matter who the Falcons add to their defense, they never seem to sustain any improvements they make.

Since 2012, Atlanta’s defense has finished inside the top 20 in yards allowed just twice, and not at all in the last three years.

Meanwhile, in that same time period, there have only been two years where the Falcons’ offense finished outside the top half of the league in both total yardage and points.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, they lost the two anchors of their defensive backfield in safeties Keanu Neal and Ricardo Allen in free agency to the Cowboys and Bengals respectively.

Defensive tackle Grady Jarret, linebacker Deon Jones, and second year corner AJ Terrell are the only players on Atlanta’s defense that generate excitement.

Shutting down both Ridley and Pitts will not be easy for Sean McDermott and Leslie Frazier, but the Buffalo offense should have no trouble with Atlanta. The Bills should be able to handle the Falcons.

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