2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 7-10

It was an uninspiring season for the Falcons last season. A 2-0 start did not amount to much. Atlanta scored a total of 13 points in two losses to get even before alternating wins and losses for the next four weeks. The Falcons lost three in a row heading into their bye week as well. The roller-coaster nature of the season continued as Atlanta won two games out of the bye before dropping four out of five to end the year. A mediocre duo of Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke led to Atlanta pursuing a quarterback heavy in the offseason.

2024 Atlanta Falcons Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Darnell Mooney, WR Rondale Moore, WR Ray-Ray McCloud, QB Michael Penix Jr.

Key Losses: RB Cordarrelle Patterson, WR Mack Hollins, WR Van Jefferson, TE Jonnu Smith

It was clear that the Falcons needed an upgrade at the quarterback position but no one could anticipate the route that was taken.

Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year deal in free agency. It was assumed that Cousins would take over the starting job coming off a torn Achilles. Well, the Falcons wanted to make sure there was stability behind Cousins and selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Falcons passed up on defensive options that could have helped right away for a quarterback of the future.

When healthy, Cousins will be the starter under center and will have plenty to work with. Drake London is a former first-round pick who has turned into a legitimate No. 1 option. Darnell Mooney and Rondale Moore were major additions as well to make up for losses on the outside.

Kyle Pitts remains one of the most interesting tight ends in football. After being taken fourth overall, Pitts has shown flashes but has not been that game-changing player that Atlanta has been hoping for. This could have been a product of poor coaching by Arthur Smith. With Raheem Morris running the show now, the Falcons could put the ball in the hands of their best players more.

Of course, this includes Bijan Robinson. He is the biggest threat offensively for Atlanta as a dual-threat back. Smith did not use Robinson like he should have last season and this could have led to him being let go after a 7-10 season.

Along the offensive line, the Falcons are strong at the tackle spots. Jake Matthews and Kaleb McGary return to make up one of the best tandems in the league.

The offense in Atlanta has some expectations but it will still feature a new coaching staff and new quarterback. It will be interesting to see how it comes together once the regular season begins.

Defense

Key Additions: CB Antonio Hamilton, DE Bralen Trice, DT Ruke Orhorhoro

Key Losses: DE Calais Campbell, DE Bud Dupree, CB Jeff Okudah

How good can the Falcons defense be this season? It would look much better on paper if that eighth pick was used on a premiere pass rusher. Nonetheless, here we are and the Falcons will have to replace big names along the defensive line.

Both Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell are gone. Second-year edge Zach Harrison will step up into a bigger role next to Grady Jarrett and David Onyemata. It was an interesting group last season. Atlanta ranked 10th in the league in pressure rate but struggled to get to the quarterback and complete plays. Campbell and Dupree led the team with 6.5 sacks — and both are gone this season.

Arnold Ebiketie is the leading returner in sacks with six. In the secondary, which is the strength of the defense, Atlanta features some big names. Corner AJ Terrell is an All-Pro caliber player while Jessie Bates provided a major boost in his first year with the Falcons. Outside of the top two names, the unit remains a question mark. DeMarcco Hellams and Richie Grant are battling for a starting job at safety.

The Falcons should be able to score some points this season and it will come down to how good the defense is.

Schedule

Week 1: vs. PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Week 2: at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Week 3: vs. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – Monday Night Football

Week 4: vs. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Week 5: vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS – Thursday Night Football

Week 6: at CAROLINA PANTHERS

Week 7: vs. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Week 8: at TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Week 9: vs. DALLAS COWBOYS

Week 10: at NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Week 11: at DENVER BRONCOS

Week 12: BYE WEEK

Week 13: vs. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Week 14: at MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Week 15: at LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – Monday Night Football

Week 16: vs. NEW YORK GIANTS

Week 17: at WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

Week 18: vs. CAROLINA PANTHERS

Record Prediction: 9-8