Our writers weigh in on the slate ahead.
The Atlanta Falcons schedule has landed, and with that and the offseason mostly wrapped up, it’s a reasonable time to start thinking about how this season is going to go.
I pulled together The Falcoholic equivalent of the Justice League—we don’t do much fighting, but we do some writing—in order to give thoughts on season predictions, easiest and toughest matchups, and the one game we’re circling on our desk calendars. Once you read ours, please be sure to share yours.
Record prediction: 9-8
Easiest matchup: Week 17 at Commanders
Toughest matchup: Week 3 vs. Chiefs
I’ve circled: Week 4 vs. Saints
The Falcons have the most meaningful reservoir of optimism going into a season that they’ve had in some time. Kirk Cousins brings respectability and a steady hand to guide the offense, and Raheem Morris is bringing an energy and enthusiasm in his first few months on the job. The talent is there, the schedule isn’t ferocious (at least on paper) and the division is very obtainable. However, this is the first year of a new regime, and growing pains happen.
Taking a sense of muted hope for this fall feels smart, particularly with the possibility of a slow start because of the schedule’s opening slate. Having the Steelers, Eagles and Chiefs within three weeks of each other will get this team battle-tested pretty early, which is why that Week 4 game against the archrival New Orleans Saints will be such a needed win. If the team gets off to a slower start than wanted, beating the Saints at home will steady the ship.
The October-December part of the schedule softens quite considerably (at least according to last year’s results), and the Falcons may well stack wins there. However, until we see a consistent pass rush, Cousins confidently spreading the ball to the offense and Zac Robinson and Jimmy Lake settled into their play-calling duties, it’s hard to just jump in on this team winning a bunch of games. However, it’s possible they do, and that’s a lot of fun to imagine. For now, I’ll guess 9-8 and lean in on this being the best season since 2017. The Cousins effect is real; it just depends on its elasticity meshing with the adjacent newness. —Cory Woodroof
Record prediction: 10-7
Easiest matchup: Week 16 vs. Giants
Toughest matchup: Week 2 @ Eagles
I’ve circled: Week 1 vs. Steelers
God help me, I’m predicting a winning season again. This time it’ll be right!
It seems to me that the Giants, even expecting some modest improvement, will be the simplest matchup for the Falcons at home when injuries pile up for both teams. New York is thin, listless, and simply not good enough on paper to be a major challenge; you could say the same thing about the Panthers a couple of weeks later, but they’re a divisional opponent and odd things can happen.
As intimidating as the Cowboys and Chiefs might be at home, having to go to Philadelphia and face an Eagles squad that always seems to start fast is a bad roll early in the season. The Falcons have beaten the Eagles on the road just once in the last 35 seasons, back in 2012, and will have to be especially sharp to win in primetime against an opponent that will have extra rest after opening the season with a Thursday Night Football game in Brazil.
And of course, we’re looking forward to that Steelers matchup in Week 1. Arthur Smith on the opposing sidelines, a matchup of two teams that completely turned their quarterback rooms over, and a matchup of two coaches that speak very highly of one another? Should be a good time, assuming the Falcons win. —Dave Choate
Record prediction: 12-5
Easiest matchup: Week 1 vs. Steelers
Toughest matchup: Week 14 @ Vikings
I’ve circled: Week 4 vs. Saints
We’re all guaranteed to be wrong about these predictions, so I’ve decided to get crazy with them. For starters, this fan base needs a little bit of optimism injected back into it. The Falcons now have a proven Pro-Bowl caliber quarterback back behind center, and it should finally unlock the investments the team has made on the offensive side of the ball the last few offseasons. That alone should be worth three more wins. And, defensively, there’s more continuity than they’ve had in a while, and Raheem Morris is a fantastic defensive coach who should be able to keep the good times from last season rolling. I know they have a big question mark at the No. 2 corner spot, and I’m concerned about that, but I also think the draft investments in the defensive line are being discounted more than they should be. This is a deep group up front, and some talent is bound to emerge.
The reason I chose the Steelers as the easiest matchup can be summed up thusly: We have no idea what teams will look like in three months, let alone in December, and Atlanta’s defense will know Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator better than any they will face this season. Add to that the fact that Falcons fans will be raring to give Arthur Smith a piece of their mind in the season opener, and the odds should be tilted in the home team’s favor. Plus, the Steelers are working through their own quarterback situation. Y’all were quick to say Smith’s offense was not good, so why should you fear the Steelers?
I’m a big fan of facing teams like the Eagles and Chiefs right out of the gates. It’s well known in the NFL that teams don’t round into form until about a month into the season, especially with a truncated preseason. So, in my opinion, it’s best to go up against the great teams while they are still ironing out the kinks. Instead, I think a road matchup against a playoff-caliber team like the Vikings late in the year could be tough. That is a talented team, and although they don’t have a proven quarterback right now, that could change come December.
Regardless, we’ll all face a possible harsh reality once the season rolls around, so let’s take a second and envision a world where things break the right way for the Falcons. — Will McFadden
Record prediction: 10-7
Easiest matchup: Week 18 vs Panthers
Toughest matchup: Week 3 vs. Chiefs
I’ve circled: Week 7 vs. Seahawks
I’m entering this season with the mindset I usually have going into the season — I don’t know what’s going to happen. This team is always tough to predict, so don’t take any predictions about the Falcons in general seriously. But for the sake of fun, I’m going to give it my best guess.
I have the Falcons going 10-7 with victories against the Steelers, Saints (twice), Buccaneers, Panthers (twice), Broncos, Raiders, Giants, and Commanders. There’s a couple games in there that I think they are capable of winning though, such as against the Vikings and Seahawks. I think the Seahawks game in general is one to watch as it should somewhat set the tone for the remainder of the Falcons schedule. I see them entering that matchup with a 4-2 record and they have some tough matchups, aside from Seattle, with Tampa and Dallas following. After that, they get New Orleans again and Denver. To me, they could be 6-4 or 7-3 at that point if things go right. We shall see though. My 10-7 prediction is wishful thinking for a team that constantly makes my optimism look foolish in hindsight, so who knows. Either way, I’m ready for football to return. – Evan Birchfield
Record Prediction: 11-6
Easiest Matchup: Week 11 @ Broncos
Toughest Matchup: Week 17 @ Commanders
I’ve circled: Week 3 vs. Chiefs
I’ve had very optimistic predictions the past two seasons — 10-7 in 2022, and 11-6 in 2023. The Falcons have continued to prove that their offseason hype cannot be trusted, however, this season feels different. I feel more comfortable casting a positive light over Atlanta in 2024. This time around, we have a clearer picture of what we should see come September. Bringing in a veteran quarterback who’s hungry for a ring and has proven he can compete at a high level, and a head coach who’s familiar with our personnel, front office, and has Super Bowl wins as a coordinator and assistant coach can turn the tide for a franchise thirsty to end their playoff drought.
I think this team will figure out their identity early, having to face juggernauts like the Eagles and Chiefs in weeks 2 & 3. I’ve circled the Chiefs matchup as it’s the most compelling to me, being on primetime at home. The Chiefs are easy favorites in the AFC, but they tend to have blunders in the first half of the season, losing to teams like the Colts and Broncos in the past two years. The Falcons can be that team that steals a game from the reigning champs, sending a message that they can compete with the best on national TV. Ending the first 3 weeks at 2-1 would be huge heading into Week 4 at home vs. the Saints.
With a late season bye and a softer second half schedule, the Falcons can hit their stride and rack up a streak of wins heading into January. I feel like the toughest game during the final stretch will be the Commanders. Jayden Daniels has a unique skillset and could have this offense playing at a high level. With a familiar face in Dan Quinn wanting to make a statement as head coach against his former team, this game could be a dog fight, and depending on how the NFC South plays out, could prove to be a must win for the Falcons.
The division is wide open, and ultimately I believe this team will win the South with an 11-6 record. Our two Buccaneers matchups (weeks 5 & 8) are key, and I personally think we split them, forcing us to focus on dominating the rest of our division matchups to win the tiebreaker. Getting our slew of weapons involved on offense, and playing suffocating ball hawking defense is the Falcon’s recipe to punching their ticket to the post-season. Shall the Falcons punish me again for my optimism, or will they finally realize the talent they have in the locker room and put themselves on the league’s radar once again? – Jamel Johnson
EDITOR’S NOTE: Jamel is our newest write, and there will be a more formal introduction to come. Please give him a warm welcome!