FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The NFL preseason schedules have been announced, and we now know who the Falcons will be playing in their four exhibition games prior to the start of the 2018 regular season.
Falcons' 2018 preseason schedule
- at New York Jets
- vs. Kansas City Chiefs
- at Jacksonville Jaguars
- vs. Miami Dolphins (Thurs., Aug. 30)
As for the specific dates these games will be played, the only information known at this time is that the Falcons final preseason game against the Dolphins will be played Thursday, Aug. 30, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Here are some noteworthy points for each of the Falcons' preseason opponents:
New York Jets:These two teams played last season, with the Falcons emerging with a 25-20 victory on a rainy afternoon in New Jersey. The Jets, who hold the No. 3 pick in the NFL Draft, will likely have a different quarterback at the helm. They also signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater during the offseason.
- 2018 location: MetLife Stadium
- All-time series: Falcons lead, 7-5
Kansas City Chiefs:The Falcons and Chiefs last met in 2016, a memorable game that ended in a 29-28 loss for Atlanta at home. The Chiefs parted ways with quarterback Alex Smith this offseason, seemingly setting up second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes to become the new leader of an offense that has many dynamic weapons.
- 2018 location:Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- All-time series: Chiefs lead, 6-3
Jacksonville Jaguars:This will be the third year in a row that these two teams have met in the preseason. The Falcons and Jaguars have split the previous two meetings, with the Falcons earning a 17-15 victory in 2016 and the Jaguars winning 13-7 last year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jacksonville is fresh off its first playoff appearance since 2007, and the Jaguars had one of the league's top defenses in 2017.
- 2018 location:EverBank Field
- All-time series: Series tied, 3-3
Miami Dolphins:The Falcons and Dolphins have played annually in the preseason since 2014, with Atlanta holding a 1-3 record in those games. Last year, the Falcons lost a close 20-17 game to the Dolphins at home in Week 6. There is plenty of familiarity between these two teams, but the Falcons will no longer have to deal with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who signed with the Los Angeles Rams over the offseason.
- 2018 location:Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- All-time series: Dolphins lead, 9-4
