Vaughn McClure, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

More Falcons schedule: A trio of outlooks

When I asked Atlanta Falcons safety William Moore on Wednesday which 2014 game he was looking forward to the most, his answer wasn't a surprise.

``I'm looking forward to all of them but overall, I'm looking forward to going to London,'' Moore said.

The Falcons "host'' a game against the Detroit Lions at London's Wembley Stadium on Oct. 26. Coach Mike Smith referred to it as "Breakfast with the Falcons'' (a play off Wimbledon) as the game is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET.

That London game is sort of a toss-up because both teams will have to adjust to the travel. Smith said the Falcons will spend the week in London preparing for the matchup with elite receiver Calvin Johnson and the rest of the Lions.

As for the remainder of the schedule, we broke it down here. But to have a little more fun with it, here are my three most difficult games and three most manageable games for the Falcons in '14:

Three most difficult

1. At Green Bay, Dec. 8: I hate to keep harping on this game, but it was a miserable trip to the "Frozen Tundra''  last season as the Falcons let one slip away with Matt Flynn at quarterback for the Packers. I'm expecting nothing less than another snowstorm again. Aaron Rodgers is used to playing in the elements and could pick the Falcons apart.

2. At Tampa Bay, Nov. 9: We all remember what happened the last trip to Raymond James Stadium. Some kid named Bobby Rainey ran for 163 yards and two touchdowns in the Bucs' 41-28 thumping of  the Falcons. Well, the Buccaneers are sure to be even better on defense this season under new head coach Lovie Smith. And nine games into the season, Smith should have the kinks worked out.

3. At New Orleans, Dec. 21: Imagine if this game decides a postseason berth or even the NFC South crown. Well, the Falcons have dropped three in a row in New Orleans and are 1-5 at the Superdome under Smith. And the addition of ball-hawking safety Jairus Byrd to the Saints' secondary will make life that much harder on Matt Ryan.

Three most manageable

1. Cleveland, Nov. 23: The only serious play the Browns will get this year is from the movie ``Draft Day.'' This miserable franchise won't get better anytime soon, and that should equal a "W'' for the Falcons, no matter what player Cleveland brings in with the fourth overall pick. And if it's quarterback Johnny Manziel, good luck to him.

2. At Minnesota, Sept. 28: Playing at the University of Minnesota's TCF Bank Stadium will remind the Falcons of their college days, but they should be fine as long as Adrian Peterson doesn't make them look like amateurs. Smith's 12-1 record against first-time head coaches should come into play here against new Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, the Falcons' defensive coordinator in 2007.

3.  Tampa Bay, Sept. 18:  The lone prime-time home game currently on the schedule should have the fans at the Georgia Dome rocking and the players pumped. Not to mention the Falcons have two rugged games to open the season against New Orleans and Cincinnati, so the possibility of starting 0-2 could make this a must-win desperation game for a Falcons team trying to rebound from last season.  Atlanta has won five of the last six homes games against Tampa Bay.

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