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[Atlanta Falcons]

A rest breakdown for Atlanta’s 2025 schedule

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The Falcons will be at a “rest disadvantage” slightly more times than at an advantage this season.

The schedule has been released and with it, the NFL has renewed our excitement and bewilderment for the season just as we entered the dead period following the draft. They seem to do a great job of that.

One of the things I like to do after the official schedule is released is to go into the weeds a little bit and look at some of the logistics of Atlanta’s schedule in terms of where the team will have more of a rest advantage and where they will be at a disadvantage. I started this series three years ago and it’s always been an insightful exercise.

First, for the purposes of this breakdown, let’s define what the terms “rest advantage” and “rest disadvantage” are.

A rest advantage is when the Falcons have more time to prepare than their opponent for a specific matchup than vice versa. This could be because their opposition is coming off of a Monday Night Football Game, because Atlanta is coming off of a bye week, or when the Birds are coming off of a Thursday Night Football game and have an extra three days of rest. If the Falcons have at least one more day to prepare than their opponent, that will be classified as a “rest advantage” game.

As you may have guessed, a rest disadvantage is the exact opposite — it’s when the opponent has more time to prepare for their matchup against the Falcons. This could be because they are coming off of a bye week or their own Thursday Night Football Game. Atlanta would also be at a disadvantage if they were to be coming off of a Monday Night Football game, giving them one fewer day to recover and prepare for the next matchup.

Last season, the schedule makers gave the Falcons three games where they were at an advantage from a rest perspective — the team went 2-1 in those matchups.

On the flip side, Atlanta was at a rest disadvantage for four separate matchups, going 2-2 in those matchups.

Here is this season as a whole:

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m. EST, September 7

Week 2: @ Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. EST, September 14

Week 3: @ Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. EST, September 21

Week 4: vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. EST, September 28

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills, Monday Night Football, 7:15 p.m. EST, October 13

Week 7: @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. EST, October 19

Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. EST, October 26

Week 9: @ New England Patriots, 1 p.m. EST, November 2

Week 10: @ Indianapolis Colts (IN BERLIN) 9:30 a.m. EST, November 9

Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. EST, November 16

Week 12: @ New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. EST, November 23

Week 13: @ New York Jets, 1 p.m. EST, November 30

Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m. EST, December 7

Week 15: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. EST, December 11

Week 16: @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. EST, December 21

Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. EST, December 29

Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints, TBD

Rest Advantage Weeks​

This is defined as weeks when the Falcons will have a longer period of time to prepare for an opponent than their opponent will have to prepare for them.

Week 2: @ Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. EST, September 14 - 1 day

The NFL is really going to give the national audience a chance to assess the Vikings in the early going this season, coming off of their 14-3 campaign in 2024, giving them a standalone game in four of the first five weeks before their Week 6 bye.

Atlanta gets a slight edge from this in their Week 2 SNF matchup, as Minnesota plays on Monday Night Football against Caleb Williams and the Bears in the league’s first week. Coming off a potentially emotionally charged up division matchup in their first game, things could bode well for Atlanta in terms of a letdown happening.

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills, Monday Night Football, 7:15 p.m. EST, October 13 - 7 days

The early bye week is never ideal, but it feels like Atlanta will need every bit of preparation before what’s arguably the toughest game on their schedule against the Bills in Week 6, on Monday Night Football. Buffalo comes off a division game against the Patriots on Sunday Night Football in Week 5, here.

Week 16: @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. EST, December 21 - 3 days

Atlanta comes off of what at that point may be the most pivotal game of the season in Week 15, at Tampa Bay in what could very well be yet another two horse divisional race between the franchises. That’s Atlanta’s lone Thursday night game this season and with it will be a “mini bye” before the Week 16 matchup against Arizona.

Total Rest Advantage Time: 11 Days

Rest Disadvantage Weeks​

This is defined as weeks when the Falcons will have a shorter period of time to prepare for their opponent than their opponent will have to prepare for them.

Week 7: @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. EST, October 19 - 1 day

Atlanta finishes out a brutal three-game stretch between weeks 4 and 7 (with the bye baked in) with a Sunday Night Football matchup in San Fran. They’ll have one fewer day to prepare coming off the MNF game against Buffalo. This will be the first time they travel outside of Atlanta following Week 3.

Week 12: @ New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. EST, November 23 - 7 days

You never want to be on the business end of another team’s bye week, and you in particular don’t want that team to be your biggest division rival, whom you have to travel to meet. That’s what the Falcons face in Week 12, with the Saints coming off a Week 11 bye and likely circling this matchup (and the Week 18 matchup) as their Super Bowl in 2025.

Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. EST, December 29 - 3 days

In what could be a pivotal NFC game down the stretch, the Rams will have a few extra days of rest coming off a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Cardinals in Week 16.

Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints, TBD - 1 day

Both Saints games will see the Falcons at a disadvantage in terms of rest, though this one not as dramatically so as the first one. Atlanta’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football will give the Birds one fewer day to prepare for their regular season finale.

Total Rest Disadvantage Time: 12 Days

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...as-2025-schedule-saints-bills-rams-buccaneers

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons schedule reactions and record predictions roundtable

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

What’s the toughest game on the schedule? How good will Atlanta be in 2025?

The 2025 Atlanta Falcons schedule is out, and we have thoughts. The team is headed into a critically important season where the continued employment of front office personnel and coaches may hinge on winning, the team is trying to shake off seven straight losing years, and they’re hoping that players like Michael Penix and Jalon Walker will prove to be franchise building blocks. Does this schedule enable that?

Below, you’ll find us weighing in with early record predictions, thoughts on the easiest and hardest games, and what we’re circling on the calendar. Share yours in the comments!

Record prediction: 9-8​

Hardest matchup: Week 7 @ San Francisco 49ers

Easiest matchup: Week 13 @ New York Jets

Circled on the calendar: Week 15 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This season has everything except a reasonable bye week. The Falcons will be in primetime five times for the second year in a row and play an international game in Berlin, putting more eyes on the team than ever. If there’s one thing this franchise can do, it’s entertain. Atlanta opens up with a formidable six-game stretch and has to play 13 weeks consecutively, thanks to their Week 5 bye.

The Week 7 matchup at San Francisco bookends the tough start and appears to be the hardest matchup to me. They’ll be traveling on a short week after facing the Buffalo Bills (another tough matchup), and this game will likely have playoff implications. The Falcons will have opportunities against less-established rosters like the Jets, but this schedule is not a cakewalk.

The Buccaneers are still the team to beat. Atlanta’s best shot at winning the division is sweeping them again, and I expect Week 15 to be a battle for first. —Tre’Shon Diaz

Record prediction: 10-7​

Hardest matchup: Week 6 vs. Buffalo Bills

Easiest matchup: Week 13 @ New York Jets

Circled on the calendar: Week 18 vs. New Orleans

This is a straightforward schedule with plenty of primetime games, an international trip, and an early bye. The bad news is that most of the toughest matchups on paper are in the early season, but if the Falcons weather that well, they get that Week 5 bye and a month-plus of potential cupcakes highlighted by the Patriots, Jets, Colts, Saints, and Panthers. The good news is that it seems like a manageable schedule if this team is up to snuff; indeed, I was ready to count up eight or nine wins but honestly feel like 11 is well within reach if Michael Penix is for real and the Falcons realize the defensive improvement they’re targeting. I know, I know, I should know better.

The toughest matchup is likely to be an always dangerous Bills team, even if Atlanta is home for it, which will be especially true after playing the Commanders and Cardinals in back-to-back weeks before that. The easiest is a toss-up between the Jets, Patriots, Colts, and Saints, but I went with the Jets because while I like new head coach Aaron Glenn, I just don’t think they have the pieces to be more than an interesting defense and fitfully useful offense.

And finishing the season against the Saints? I don’t care how pitiful New Orleans looks—actually, I do if it makes life easier for Atlanta—that’s always the finale I’m angling for. —Dave Choate

Record Prediction: 10-7​

Hardest matchup: Week 6 vs. Buffalo Bills

Easiest matchup: Week 13 @ New York Jets

Circled on the calendar: Week 15 @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Five prime time games and six standalone time slots (counting the Berlin game) tells you all about how the NFL views the Falcons, as at the very least a very entertaining team coming into this season. The Falcons will have a chance to really showcase themselves in the early going with three of their first six games either on Sunday Night Football or Monday Night Football.

It’s that very early part of the season which will really test Atlanta’s mettle, especially that three game stretch of Washington, Buffalo and San Francisco from weeks 4-7. I would caution against any panic if the record isn’t stellar in the first part of the season — honestly, if this team makes it out of Week 8 at 3-4 they will be right on track with the middle part of the schedule easing up significantly (on paper).

This division seems destined to be yet another two horse race between the Falcons and Buccaneers and that Week 15 game on Thursday night could prove to be the most pivotal in the campaign when it comes to which side the scales will be tipped in favor of.

No super cold weather games (depending on what you think of New York in late November) and having the international trip count as a “road game” are two quirks in this year’s schedule will are in the Falcons’ favor. —Adnan Ikic

Record prediction: 10-7​

Hardest matchup: Week 6 @ Buffalo Bills

Easiest matchup: Week 13 @ New York Jets

Circled on the calendar: Week 17 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Growing up, my dad always told me, when it was time for projects and other non-fun school things, to do the most difficult parts first. That way, the rest of the project/homework/whatever looks and feels easier in comparison. The Atlanta Falcons have four straight games at the beginning of the season (yes, even the Carolina road game) to test their mettle. Coming out of that stretch and into the bye week at .500 or better would be a great sign for the season to come.

Especially since after the bye, is probably their toughest matchup against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. Having to play Josh Allen and that Bills roster, who is apparently the only team to be favored in all 17 games post-schedule release, the bye week may be necessary.

After that, there’s a stretch of games from week seven to week 14, where the Falcons can pick up a little steam and get ready for what looks to be a brutal final stretch with games in Tampa and Arizona, before another blockbuster Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams. With storylines galore and a possible playoff spot/seeding on the line, head coach Raheem Morris’ reunion may be even more important than it feels like it is now.

Then, to enter week 18 with a likely possibility to sweep the Saints at home...I mean it doesn’t get much better than that. —Saivion Mixson

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...record-predictions-roundtable-2025-nfl-season

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons sign UDFA C Michael Gonzalez, cut OL Joey Fisher

Photo by Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images

The college guard will be converting to center, following the footsteps of Ryan Neuzil and Jovaughn Gwyn.

The Atlanta Falcons have added more competition to an unsettled center position, signing Louisville undrafted free agent Michael Gonzalez. In a corresponding move, they’ve taken a piece out of the equation elsewhere on the line, cutting Joey Fisher.

The news comes to us from the team. Gonzalez is an interesting addition this far away from the 2025 NFL Draft, especially because he’s a college guard who will be making the shift to center, something the team has done with both Ryan Neuzil and Jovaughn Gwyn in recent years. A 50 game starter at Louisville, Gonzalez was known for his pass protection skills in college, but was part of a very good run blocking line, as Will McFadden (hi, Will!) with the Falcons notes.

Fisher joined the Falcons on a reserve/futures deal back in January, and was listed as a guard on the team’s depth chart. With Fisher looking for a new team, the team now only has virtual roster lock Kyle Hinton, undrafted free agent Joshua Gray, and veteran Elijah Wilkinson listed at guard behind Chris Lindstrom and Matthew Bergeron, though other players can of course take on multiple positions.

Gonzalez is stepping into an advantageous situation. Ryan Neuzil has yet to sign his contract—at least as far as we’re aware—and there is no indication Gwyn is locked into a long-term role as a reserve behind him. The only other listed center on the roster is Matthew Cindric. This season there could be room on the practice squad or even roster for a backup center if Gonzalez thrives, and in 2026 there may be a completely clear path to a roster spot if the undrafted free agent can make his case.

That’s all ahead, of course, but Gonzalez is a name to file away for later this summer. Give him a warm welcome to Atlanta.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...chael-gonzalez-cut-ol-joey-fisher-ryan-neuzil

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons 2025 schedule analysis: Tough but fair

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

The NFL revealed the Falcons 2025 schedule on Wednesday, and Kevin Knight is here to bring you a detailed analysis of the rest advantage, bye week placement, and strength of schedule of what appears to be a “tough but fair” slate of games for Atlanta.

The NFL revealed the Atlanta Falcons 2025 schedule on Wednesday, and I’m here to bring you a detailed analysis of the rest advantage, bye week placement, and projected strength of schedule of what appears to be a “tough but fair” slate of games for Atlanta. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

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Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-fair-strength-of-schedule-rest-advantage-nfl

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

A retooled, youthful defensive project inspires hope in Atlanta

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The Falcons had to be proactive to improve defensively with limited resources this offseason. They dedicated everything they could to initiate change for a defense in need of talent across the board.

A season-ending loss to the Panthers won’t be viewed as a season-defining moment when assessing the 2024 Atlanta Falcons’ season. What was most notable from that defeat, outside of Michael Penix Jr. making several highlight-reel throws, came during the postgame press conference.

Raheem Morris was asked about what he likes about the defense going forward. He mentioned Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell as top-tier players at their respective positions in the secondary. He understandably highlighted Kaden Elliss for his versatility and the chaos he brings across the line of scrimmage. That was all he said. The fact that he was only moved to mention three players was indicative of the disastrous state of the Falcons’ defense.

They were among the bottom in the league in crucial statistical categories like sacks, third down conversion percentage, and completion percentage. The lack of speed was evident, especially up front with eight players aged 28 years old or older. Not having Troy Andersen left them severely limited at linebacker. As well as the secondary played at times, the personnel limitations were exposed against playoff teams in Minnesota, Washington, and Denver.

While Morris’ decision to hire Jimmy Lake as their defensive coordinator merits criticism, a porous defense can’t stem just from lackadaisical scheming and poor communication. They didn’t have enough talent to hold up against above-average opposition.

After a deflating loss in Minnesota, it was apparent how much Morris needed young talent across all three levels of his defense. Heavily relying on veterans translated to disappointing results. Young players were either misused, not given enough opportunities, or struggling to step up. After going all in at the quarterback position and signing a dynamic playmaker in Darnell Mooney last off-season, it was time for the franchise to go all in defensively. They did just that.

Attacking the Biggest Obstacle​

If any coach knows how debilitating it is to not have a capable pass-rushing group, Morris would unfortunately be able to have in-depth conversations about it. During his coaching career in Atlanta, the most productive seasons he saw from the front four came in 2017 when the defense produced 39 sacks, and in 2016 when Vic Beasley pulled off one of the most preposterous double-digit sack seasons ever. It’s been grim otherwise for Morris, who has been stuck watching quarterbacks largely at ease in the pocket when they face the Falcons.

Following the decision to reunite with Jeff Ulbrich in January after coaching alongside him in 2019 and 2020, the message was clear about prioritizing adding pass rushers. Even if it meant a drastic shift from how the defense was structured two years ago, they were ready to inject speed, bend, and versatility to a defensive front in need of revamping. The days of putting 260-270-pound defensive players on the edge on passing downs were over. The days of depending on throwing various designs at the wall schematically to create pressure were over. It was time to count on pass rushers who can be counted on to win individual matchups and destroy pockets.

Drafting Jalon Walker and James Pearce is a major statement in terms of building a fresh nucleus up front. Adding two blisteringly quick, impressively athletic pass rushers creates a completely new dimension that Morris and Ulbrich will be tested to maximize. Walker brings numerous possibilities with his overall skill set. The damage he can cause inside, especially if aligned with Elliss, could lead to overwhelming opponents in a flash. As important as it will be for him to produce off the edge, his versatility will present plenty of problems as long as he is utilized effectively. While the coaching staff will watch their share of tape on Micah Parsons to spark schematic pressure ideas, it was wise on Walker’s part to distinguish himself. He is destined to create his path toward being a game-wrecking force.

Trading back into the first round to draft a prospect at the same position will always raise questions. That occurred in the 2019 draft when the Falcons traded up from the second round to select Kaleb McGary with the 31st overall pick after drafting Chris Lindstrom with the 14th overall pick. Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff were going to solidify the right side of the offensive line by any means necessary after Matt Ryan was sacked 42 times in 2018.

It’s only fitting for the Falcons to do business with the Rams again six years later to select Pearce to bolster their pass rush. While it’s a major risk for a front office that has made its share of questionable decisions in the first round, drafting a pure edge rusher like the two-time first-team All-SEC defender could prove to be a franchise-changing move if he becomes the player they envision.

Morris recently said it’s very hard to find pass rushers. Although some organizations like the Ravens identify them often, it’s a sensible statement considering how much the Falcons have struggled to acquire them in the past two decades. Signing Leonard Floyd was a savvy move in bringing a player with familiarity with Morris’ defense, one who is known for getting to the quarterback in various ways. SB Nation’s Doug Farrar highlighted his effectiveness by noting that the veteran edge rusher produced five sacks and 14 total pressures while Nick Bosa was sidelined last season in San Francisco.

Combine two exciting rookies and a Super Bowl champion starter with Arnold Ebiketie flashing as a contributing pass rusher and the pieces are there to generate legitimate, consistent pressure. It’s been some time since the Falcons had this many potential disruptive pass rushers coming off the edge. How they produce will determine if this project transforms the defense into a tone-setting unit that breaks opponents instead of severely bending like they have been largely doing for the past two decades.

Fresh Secondary Reinforcements​

While Lake’s coverage alignments and soft zones left much to be desired, the Falcons’ defensive back group looked overmatched in key matchups. Even in both victories against Tampa Bay, they allowed several explosive plays. The losses to Minnesota and Washington showed their inability to hang in man coverage when the coaching staff decided to blitz more frequently. Quarterbacks regularly picked on Dee Alford in the slot. Justin Simmons’ diminishing range and poor open-field tackling resulted in big gains. The issues were glaring.

Drafting Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr. to address flaws at nickel corner and safety alongside Bates shows strong intent to improve. An instinctive, aggressive safety like Watts could work wonders in forcing more incompletions and capitalizing on risky quarterback decisions. There are also more opportunities to play two deep to prevent explosive plays downfield while having two ballhawks that can make game-changing plays. Safety is one of the more difficult positions for rookies to acclimate to at the pro level. It’s still extremely encouraging for the front office to make a credible move to address one of the bigger personnel needs on the roster, even if Watts doesn’t make a major initial impact.

Not having a slot corner playing with consistent fluidity, route recognition, and cohesiveness with teammates proved costly for the Falcons. Alford made far too many fundamental errors, leading to high-percentage throwing windows, particularly on third down. Bowman Jr. provides optimism that he can be that difference maker in the nickel. His versatility as a former safety and physical style is intriguing, along with the quality experience in playing zone coverage. The Falcons had to get quicker, sharper, and younger in the secondary following last season. They may have found two players who can elevate this group as the driving force behind the defense’s improvement.

Balancing Excitement While Recognizing Uncertainty​

Starting fresh defensively is bound to generate enthusiasm for the future. As exciting as Ryan Nielsen’s defense was at times in 2023 to make the unit respectable, it was largely because of veteran free agent signings. There weren’t many young players emerging as potential long-term building blocks.

This draft class presents a genuine opportunity for the defense to develop players who can become difference-makers and solve prolonged positional issues on the roster. Warren Sharp’s most valuable draft class list ranks the Falcons at the top for having the best draft based on value. That suggests what could be on the horizon for a defense under experienced coaches who had some success with far less talented units in the second half of the 2019 and 2020 seasons.

For all the optimism, this draft class can’t fully raise the defense’s performance levels alone. Players like Ruke Orhorhoro and Troy Andersen must become consistent starters at the heart of the defense. The coaching staff has to do more to bring the best out of Zach Harrison’s promise while finding how to utilize Bralen Trice effectively. The way the interior line fares with an aging David Onyemata will be critical to their success. There are still plenty of concerns about the defense going forward.

Unlike in past years, a credible plan with legitimate long-term investment has been set in place for the unit to become capable of doing its part in bringing playoff football back to Atlanta rather than simply holding on for long enough as the offense does the heavy lifting.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...lanta-raheem-morris-jalon-walker-james-pearce

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Atlanta Falcons 2025 season predictions roundup

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

How good will the Falcons be? We looked around the mediascape to find out what analysts are thinking.

No more ambiguity. No more uncertainty. All 17 games of the Atlanta Falcons’ schedule have been released in their corresponding order.

Week 1: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 p.m. EST, September 7

Week 2: @ Minnesota Vikings, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. EST, September 14

Week 3: @ Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. EST, September 21

Week 4: vs. Washington Commanders, 1 p.m. EST, September 28

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Week 6: vs. Buffalo Bills, Monday Night Football, 7:15 p.m. EST, October 13

Week 7: @ San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Night Football, 8:20 p.m. EST, October 19

Week 8: vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. EST, October 26

Week 9: @ New England Patriots, 1 p.m. EST, November 2

Week 10: @ Indianapolis Colts (IN BERLIN) 9:30 a.m. EST, November 9

Week 11: vs. Carolina Panthers, 1:00 p.m. EST, November 16

Week 12: @ New Orleans Saints, 4:25 p.m. EST, November 23

Week 13: @ New York Jets, 1 p.m. EST, November 30

Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m. EST, December 7

Week 15: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. EST, December 11

Week 16: @ Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. EST, December 21

Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m. EST, December 29

Uncertainty seems to be Atlanta’s middle name, as we don’t know what to expect from second-year, first-year starting quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., and this Zac Robinson-led offense. Add in a new-look defense under head coach Raheem Morris and new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, sports media does not have a clue where to put this team in their post-schedule release predictions.

That didn’t stop them from trying, though.

So, we decided to place all of those predictions here in our Falcons 2025 Season Prediction Roundup.

Let us know in the comments what you think this year’s Falcons team will look like!

Falcons Wire, Matt Urben - 11-6​

Pro Football & Sports Network - 11-6 (NFC South Winner)​

Our projections have been fairly optimistic on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but this simulation actually has the Atlanta Falcons winning the division at 11-6. Michael Penix Jr. had a breakout season as a first-year starter in our simulation, leading the Falcons to the third-highest scoring offense behind only the Eagles and Bills.

Tampa Bay is still going to the playoffs for the sixth straight season, earning the No. 7 seed with a 10-7 record. The Panthers and Saints were not nearly as fortunate. Carolina finished with its eighth straight losing season, while the 2-15 Saints bottomed out without Derek Carr and matched the Titans for the worst record in the simulation.

USA Today, Jacob Camenker - 9-8​

Much of the Falcons’ success will depend on whether their defense can take a step forward. They ranked second-to-last in sacks last season (31) and 28th in defensive EPA. Atlanta spent two first-round picks on Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. to fix its pass rush, which has been a long-term issue.

Will that be enough to help the Falcons win the NFC South? The Buccaneers are still favored to win the division, but it should once again be a tight race between the division’s two top teams.

FTN Fantasy, Daniel Kelly - 8-9 (2nd in NFC South)​

NFL Network, Cynthia Frelund - Projected 7.9 wins (2nd in NFC South)​

Sandwiched around their Week 5 bye are the three diciest games in the Falcons’ schedule: They host Washington in Week 4, host Buffalo on Monday Night Football in Week 6 and play in San Francisco on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. The Falcons have a lot of volatility in their win-total projections, and most of it is driven by the play of second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr.

Sports Illustrated, Gilberto Manzano - 8-9 (2nd in NFC South)​

It’s tough to tell whether Michael Penix Jr. getting only three starts as a rookie will help or hurt him in his second season. On one hand, there’s not a lot of game film for opposing defensive coordinators to study. The downside? Penix lacks experience and has never been tested for a full NFL season. He’ll face fellow 2024 first-round QBs McCarthy and Daniels in Weeks 2 and 4, respectively.

Fox Sports, Greg Auman - 7-10 (2nd in NFC South)​

So much hinges on how well second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. can play. If he can just get to 20 touchdown passes, he’ll be the first Falcons QB to do so since Matt Ryan, who did it for 13 straight seasons from 2009-21. Atlanta used its top two draft picks (and next year’s first-rounder) to get a pair of stud rookie pass rushers in Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. Can they spark a defense that gave up 30-plus points in five losses last season? The Falcons swept the Bucs last year, but faded in the second half badly enough to let Tampa Bay win the division by two games. The larger question: If the Falcons are 7-10 and miss the playoffs for an eighth year in a row, are the head coach and general manager back for 2026?

Bleacher Report, Moe Moton - 10-7 (NFC South Winner)​

Penix will experience more growing pains as he develops in a starting role. Consequently, the Falcons could struggle against opponents with an experienced defensive-minded head coach like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders and New England Patriots.

However, first-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. and 10th-year veteran Leonard Floyd will provide a significant boost to the Falcons’ pass rush, keeping them competitive when Penix has off weeks. So unlike last year, this team can win with its defense.

The Falcons go 5-1 against divisional opponents and win 10 for the season.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/5/18/24431629/atlanta-falcons-2025-season-predictions-roundup

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons labeled best NFL fanbase

Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Couldn’t agree more.

If you’re an Atlanta Falcons fan, and you likely are if you’re reading this, then you have been through a lot. Depending on the year when you became a Falcons fan, you obviously may have experienced more than others.

Regardless, fans of a team which began playing football way back in 1966 have seen a lot of ups and even more downs. And loyalty does mean something, at least to ESPN’s Mina Kimes, who recently talked about her top five fanbases in the NFL and selected Falcons fans as the cream of the crop.

On the pod @ByKevinClark and I ranked our top 5 fanbases. My #1 is....*drum roll*.....

THE ATLANTA FALCONS. Fight me!

: https://t.co/4phFqnROQx

: https://t.co/thyIRoyxOX pic.twitter.com/7esCGWWaPq

— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) May 16, 2025​

As you can see from the video above, Kimes really gives fans their due. Not the team, the fans.

As you know more than anyone else, the Falcons haven’t made it easy on their fans. From epic losses that boggle the mind to random events taking place off of the gridiron, it’s tough. But even then, the fans remain loyal to their dirty birds, with an approach even football analysts can’t help but admire. Just imagine how we’ll feel this year if this team is good again.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/5/18/24431920/falcons-labeled-best-nfl-fanbase

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Why hasn’t Ryan Neuzil signed a deal yet?

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Keep calm and carry on in regards to Neuzil’s status with the Falcons.

Ryan Neuzil, the presumptive starting center for the Atlanta Falcons this year is currently not under contract. This appears to be prompting anxiety amongst some within the fanbase.

Neuzil was one of 13 restricted free agents (RFAs) tendered by NFL teams this offseason, but remains the only one that has yet to sign his contract. However, there should be little concern. There has been a trend in recent years where one or two RFAs like Neuzil wait until well after the NFL Draft to sign their deals.

In March, the Falcons tendered him at the lowest level, the right of first refusal. When Neuzil signs his name on the dotted line, he’ll earn $3.263 million on a one-year contract this year. But because he has yet to sign, technically, Neuzil does not currently count towards the team’s 91-man roster limit and is not counting towards the team’s current salary cap.

Don’t worry. Neuzil isn’t going anywhere. The deadline for RFAs to sign with new teams passed on April 18. In each of the past three offseasons, at least one RFA has waited until after the draft to sign a deal.

Perhaps Neuzil is looking for a long-term deal​

The exact motive behind Neuzil’s decision to wait is unknown. However, in those other examples, it has been due to players hoping for a multi-year deal instead of the standard one-year RFA tender. Due to rules limiting RFAs’ abilities to change teams, unlike unrestricted free agents, one of their few points of leverage is to “hold out” by not signing their tenders during the voluntary portion of the offseason.

This strategy seemingly worked for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings last offseason. He was tendered at the second-round level and slated to earn $4.89 million last year. But he instead signed a two-year deal at the end of May worth over $15 million with $10.5 million guaranteed, a substantial pay raise from the restricted tender.

Perhaps Neuzil is hoping for something similar from the Falcons, with a deal that goes beyond the 2025 season. It would make sense given that we know many NFL players value long-term stability. However, considering the massive payday Neuzil’s predecessor, Drew Dalman, got this offseason from the Chicago Bears, it would behoove him to hit the market as an unrestricted free agent next March after playing out his one-year tender.

Several RFAs have waited until June to re-sign​

Other examples of RFAs that waited in recent offseasons didn’t result in long-term deals and those players simply played out their one-year tender while waiting until June to show up.

In 2023, defensive tackle Teair Tart skipped the Tennessee Titans’ offseason before signing his tender in mid-June just before mandatory workouts. It was known that Tart hoped to get a multi-year deal coming off a productive 2022 season.

In 2022, former Cleveland Browns running back D’Ernest Johnson got creative by signing an incentive-laden deal in early June instead of signing his RFA tender. If he hit all the incentives, the total would have been the same as his $2.43 million tender, but loading the contract with incentives ultimately saved the Browns' cap space.

That same offseason, former New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and Green Bay Packers wideout Allen Lazard both opted to skip mandatory workouts as restricted free agents in the hopes of getting a long-term deal. Meyers ultimately signed his one-year tender the week after the Patriots' mandatory minicamp. Lazard did the same.

The Falcons don’t really need Neuzil to show up yet​

The Falcons’ mandatory minicamp doesn’t begin until June 10. Neuzil will likely sign before then, but it’s also possible he could skip it and won’t be subject to fines because he’s technically not under contract. However, that would seem unlikely. The Falcons financially benefit somewhat from Neuzil’s current decision to stay away. They save a little north of $2 million against their salary because he remains unsigned due to the Top 51 rule.

Certainly, the Falcons would benefit from Neuzil’s presence during the entire offseason, given the importance of the center position as the anchor spot on the offensive line, coupled with the fact that the Falcons are breaking in a brand-new quarterback.

Yet, Neuzil took all those second-team reps with Michael Penix under center last offseason and training camp while Dalman worked with then-starter Kirk Cousins with the first team. Plus, building continuity is much less of a concern because Neuzil has been a Falcon since 2021 with 12 starts under his belt over the past two years, with the same four starters at the other spots.

If a month from now, mandatory minicamp passes, and Neuzil remains unsigned, that will prompt more concern. But until then, relax.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-michael-gonzalez-jovaughn-gwyn-michael-penix

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Exploring the concerning parallels between the 2025 Falcons offseason and 2019 debacle

Photo by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As Atlanta gears up for another season with high expectations, the similarities to six years ago raise questions about its recent personnel and coaching decisions.

Under Arthur Blank’s ownership, the Atlanta Falcons have turned to familiar paths and faces in their decision-making more often than not. For every bold draft trade or unique coordinator hire, there are many occasions they made the supposed safe decision where they’ve leaned on history to make pivotal decisions. Look no further than hiring Raheem Morris last offseason.

While that decision was justified at the time, given Morris’ development and success with the Rams, it was a moment when the Falcons opted for familiarity with his years of history with the team.

The jury is still very much out on Morris, but there are signs around him that this offseason feels too common, predictable, and flawed. The excitement around two young, highly decorated pass rushers is understandable. Rejuvenating a secondary lacking in depth and speed was necessary. There are still major questions.

How much can four rookies change a unit in their first season when the organization must produce a division-winning season? Will they be able to prove trading away valuable draft assets was well worth it for the talent they acquired over the last two years?

Although the 2019 team was built around a veteran group trying to make the playoffs for the third time in four seasons, there are similarities with how the team was constructed that offseason to be successful in a pivotal year. From a major coordinator decision to first-round draft aggressiveness to underwhelming free agency, there are evident signs of how comparable 2019 is to this year’s offseason.

The current team is younger and on a different path following two disappointing seasons where they fell short of the playoffs, and this will not be a one-to-one comparison. That doesn’t preclude the comparisons from 2019 of their recent attempts to bolster the roster and coaching staff.

Coaching Reunion​

It wasn’t surprising to see Jeff Ulbrich return to Atlanta. He was one of the more influential assistant coaches from 2015 to 2020, going from the linebackers coach to partially taking over play-calling duties in the middle of 2019 to becoming the interim defensive coordinator in 2020. Ulbrich has a strong reputation within the organization for being popular with his technical teaching and passionate leadership.

Deion Jones and Foye Oluokun played their best football under him. For all the positives of Ulbrich as the new defensive coordinator, it does feel similar to another move from the past that was understandable but fell completely flat.

Dirk Koetter returned as the offensive coordinator in 2019 after his chaotic tenure in Tampa Bay. It was one of those decisions to help Matt Ryan be more comfortable, rather than learning a new offense again.

That decision quickly became a regrettable one as the run game suffered, passing concepts felt uninspired, and protection sets were all over the place. There wasn’t much cohesiveness in a one-dimensional offense that felt congested and outdated schematically. Reuniting with Koetter was one of the final costly decisions in the Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff era.

While it’s difficult to gauge Ulbrich’s recent season with the Jets, given the dire circumstances and toxicity surrounding the organization, it was concerning to see how ill-disciplined the team was under him. They got gashed on the ground, playing with light boxes often despite not being particularly big in the trenches. They played more Cover 1 than any other coverage despite frequent man coverage busts.

Will Ulbrich adapt his style to a defense that largely played zone coverage and struggled to stop the run with their preference to use light boxes? Koetter’s unwillingness to adapt greatly damaged the chances of the Falcons’ offense being as good on the field as they looked on paper. How Ulbrich acclimates his style to a smaller defense filled with young talent will be critical to the team’s outlook of building a credible defensive identity.

All in on One Area in the First Round​

If a team uses two first-round picks in the same positional area, it will likely be used in the trenches. The Falcons did that in 2019 and 2025, albeit on opposite sides. Chris Lindstrom wasn’t even considered a first-round talent by most analysts, let alone a surefire pick like Jalon Walker. The organization sure hopes Walker can develop into a premier edge rusher and defensive game-changer like Lindstrom is at right guard and as a run blocker.

Similar to surprisingly trading up for Kaleb McGary to solidify the future of the right side of the offensive line late in the first round in 2019, they went the same route by selecting James Pearce Jr. to build their pass rush after trading with the same team they did six years ago in the Los Angeles Rams.

The current regime will need Pearce Jr. to prove he’s a capable pass rusher faster than McGary did to be a starting-caliber tackle. It wasn’t until 2022 that the once-maligned right tackle started to make a genuine impact. Although he made strides to earn a contract extension, the Falcons didn’t get the value back they envisioned when trading up for McGary.

There’s even more pressure on Pearce Jr. to be worthy of the investment they put into him, considering how anemic the pass rush has been for years. They need his explosiveness to immediately translate into productivity, regardless if it’s only for 20-25 snaps a game to start.

Pearce Jr. possesses the blistering speed and intangibles to be a difference-maker. How his lean, undersized frame fares against tackles while improving his bend off the edge will be crucial in his development. McGary had imitations entering the league with his short arms and sluggish footwork. He’s never been able to overcome those issues against the top edge rushers.

Pearce Jr. must prove his physical limitations don’t prevent him from beating tackles off the edge. It was a very aggressive move to take a player with question marks over his passion for the sport. How he grows will be one of the ultimate determining factors if this offseason will shape a certified playoff team or leave the front office sweating over their future as the old regime did in 2019.

Contributions From Free Agents?​

After spending heavily in the previous two off-seasons, a far quieter free agency period was bound to happen in Atlanta. What was disappointing was the lack of imagination with the signings. Similar to 2019, they didn’t show much ambition in signing players entering their prime who could push the needle. Divine Deablo could be an exception, although it’s difficult to envision him playing a significant role.

Jamon Brown and Tyeler Davison were two intriguing signings from 2019, but Brown proved to be a disaster while Davison ultimately failed to make a lasting impact. Besides those acquisitions, every other notable signing was an aging veteran or role player with previous ties.

In 2019, they opted to bring back Adrian Clayborn and Ra’Shede Hageman. Clayborn couldn’t generate much as a versatile pass rusher two years removed from his best NFL season, while the signing of Hageman was one of many instances where Dimitroff wanted to give a high-end draft pick every opportunity to prove himself to justify his decision to select him.

Leonard Floyd should be a decent contributing edge rusher, but it’s well-documented that much of his biggest success came on teams with one dominant defensive lineman. That doesn’t exist in Atlanta. Jordan Fuller and Mike Ford Jr. were signings with previous ties, while Morgan Fox will turn 31 years old in September.

Floyd and Fox could prove to be valuable contributors. It still would have been encouraging to see more intent in terms of adding players entering their prime, rather than those potentially on the downside of their careers. Depending on players the staff previously coached doesn’t always translate into solid production. Bringing back Clayborn and Hageman to recapture the 2016-2017 magic ended badly for an abysmal pass rush, and the Falcons will try to avoid that trap here.

The way the Falcons’ defense develops will ultimately come from the rookie draft class, the ascendance of second and third-year players, and Ulbrich’s scheme. Being unable to expect much production out of free agent signings besides Floyd and, possibly, Fox is concerning for a unit filled with uncertainty. It was felt in 2019 as Vic Beasley and Takk McKinley never grew into the franchise cornerstones the organization expected them to be, and there is always the danger history repeats itself in 2025.

Concerning Familiarity Could Be Erased on a Different Trajectory​

These concerns are legitimate, but conclusions can’t be reached when comparing both offseasons. The moves and decisions share similarities that sparked this piece, but the offense’s most valuable players are at different stages in their respective careers. Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Michael Penix Jr. are still developing as players. Julio Jones, Devonta Freeman, and Matt Ryan were in the last years of their primes or had already peaked.

The current offensive line is more solidified than it was in 2019. Lindstrom, Jessie Bates, and A.J. Terrell are top players at their respective positions. Only Grady Jarrett was truly playing at a top-tier level in 2019, as injuries and inconsistency began to derail the careers of Alex Mack, Desmond Trufant, Keanu Neal, and Deion Jones.

Being a younger team with a strong, growing offensive nucleus bodes well going forward. The biggest question remains: Will the coaching staff and front office be justified in their thought process? Will the massive offensive investments in the first round translate into playoff success with an enhanced defense filled with promising talent that needs time to acclimate?

Familiarity with coaches and players, with the added wrinkle of being very aggressive in the first round, played its part in the Falcons’ downfall in 2019. Morris and Ulbrich saw it firsthand. They can’t let that history play out in the same fashion during the 2025 season.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...to-2019-debacle-raheem-morris-chris-lindstrom

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Play-action passing can jumpstart Atlanta Falcons offense in 2025

Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The arrow is pointing up for the Falcons in a critical element of their offensive arsenal.

Along with ample humidity, there is excitement in the air around Flowery Branch as the Atlanta Falcons embark on a 2025 season, hoping to end their seven-year playoff drought. While the infusion of youth on defense prompts much of that enthusiasm, the Falcons’ ability to make the playoffs likely falls squarely on the offense being the driving force.

Unlike on defense, the Falcons made minimal additions on offense this offseason. Instead, the team is optimistic that the pieces already assembled last year will improve thanks to development and growth in the second year with quarterback Michael Penix and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.

While Penix gets a lot of attention due to the nature of his position, Robinson also deserves ample scrutiny. While Robinson did a fine job in his first year as an NFL play-caller, there is considerable room for growth. The biggest area is the play-action game’s impact for the Falcons’ offense.

Falcons must improve league-worst play-action attack​

The Falcons were arguably the NFL’s worst play-action passing team. Last year, the team not only called the fewest play-action passes in the league, but was also the only team not to have a single touchdown pass off play action, ranking dead last in passer rating and completion rate off play action. In terms of expected points added (EPA) per play-action pass, the Falcons fared only slightly better, ranking 25th best according to Next Gen Stats.

When looking at these various play-action-based metrics, there’s a fairly strong correlation between team success and effective play-action passing, with 11 of the top 16 teams in EPA per play-action pass making the playoffs in 2024. This makes sense given that misdirection is an extremely valuable tool in any effective play-caller’s arsenal, acting as a force multiplier when attacking over the middle of the field

Besides Robinson, nearly all the play-calling disciples of the Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan coaching tree finished near the top of the league in EPA per play-action pass. No lineage of coaches collectively does a better job of marrying their run game to their passing game via play action than that group.

Yet, Robinson is the lone exception who struggled in this area. Of course, there are plenty of excuses and blame to go around, whether that centers on Kirk Cousins’ lack of mobility or Penix’s inexperience. But the bottom line remains that if the Falcons can significantly improve in this area, it’ll do wonders to improve their playoff chances in 2025.

Look no further than the Washington Commanders’ improvement a year ago. Washington ranked 31st in EPA per play-action pass under offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy in 2023, but then improved to 15th under Kliff Kingsbury in 2024, fueling their offensive turnaround and playoff push alongside the playmaking skills of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The Falcons hope they can see similar results with Penix in his first full season as a starter.

Play action is baked into the Falcons’ offensive DNA​

The Falcons should be getting better results, given that former head coach Arthur Smith primarily built this unit. Smith modeled the Falcons after his 2019 and 2020 Tennessee Titans offenses that were routinely at the top of the league in both play-action usage and effectiveness when measured by EPA per play.

In his three seasons in Atlanta, Smith’s offenses ranked among the top eight teams in play-action usage and hovered around the middle of the pack in effectiveness, ranking between 16th and 20th. There was an expectation that Robinson’s background and tutelage under McVay would lead to an improved play-action offense, and thus fuel the team’s playoff push a year ago.

Despite minimal play action, Robinson performed admirably scheming up an effective Falcons offense thanks to increased production from the team’s wide receivers under his watch. However, as good as the trio of Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and Ray-Ray McCloud performed, they are probably not an elite enough trio to form the core identity of the offense. Instead, the team should rely heavily on a strong running game and a potent play-action attack that puts much less stress on the offensive line.

Not to mention, a better called offense should help those receivers shine even more. The Falcons finished last in the NFL in yards after catch (YAC) off play action, which is not a surprise given their minimal usage. But Next Gen Stats also tracks YAC Over Expected (YACOE), where the Falcons finished 31st with a big, fat zero yards over expected.

Contrast that to the days of Smith, where the Falcons routinely finished in the league’s upper half in both play-action YAC and YACOE, which came with wideouts considered far less explosive and dynamic than their current trio. That speaks to the weaker design of the offense. With considerably more speed at the skill positions, Robinson should have little issue outproducing Smith’s offenses.

Growth is likely and needed for the Falcons’ play-action game in 2025​

Despite all these issues, there should be optimism that the play-action pass game will significantly improve for Robinson and the Falcons’ offense in 2025. Frankly, there’s nowhere else to go but up. It’s not a question of whether or not the team will be better executing the play-action pass; instead, it's how much better.

If Robinson can resemble his peers and scheme up an effective and efficient play-action game, it’ll do wonders for the Falcons’ offense. From taking pressure off their offensive line to creating more explosive play opportunities for the receivers after the catch, the play-action passing game can be a potent weapon in the Falcons’ arsenal. More importantly, play-action simplifies reads for the quarterback.

While Penix’s poise and processing are potentially better than your typical young quarterback at this stage in his career, making things easier for him can only help. In light of recent revelations about Caleb Williams’ first-year struggles with the Chicago Bears, it’s critical that coaches provide a stable, nurturing environment to foster development for all young quarterbacks. For Penix, one of those elements should be improving this year’s offense with a healthy dosage of a robust, play-action passing attack.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ns-offense-in-2025-michael-penix-zac-robinson

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Atlanta Falcons post-draft roster review: Special teams

Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images

There’s one major competition and an otherwise mostly settled picture for Falcons special teams.

With the 2025 NFL Draft over, it’s a fine time to revisit the Atlanta Falcons roster. While there are inevitable changes between now and roster cuts, chiefly in terms of churn on the bottom of the roster, the broad contours are known.

That’s especially true on special teams, where the specialists are either well-established or have known competition that will be unlikely to change unless injury crops up. Long snapper and punter appear to be set in stone, the returner spots are fairly settled so long as a new addition is healthy, but kicker is a true competition for the first time in recent memory.

We’ll work backwards from here all the way to quarterback, so join me as we begin our post-draft journey through this roster.

Kicker​

Competitors: Younghoe Koo/Lenny Krieg

This is a legitimate competition, and though I’d normally give the established option the edge, I’m genuinely unsure how this one turns out. That’s why we have two competitors with no likely starter listed.

Koo has the track record. From 2019 to 2023, he hit at least 86.5% of his kicks (including a sterling 94.9% in 2020) every single year, emerging as a reliable fan favorite who also could be a wizard with onside kick trickery. Last year, Koo’s implosion could be blamed on some combination of mechanics, injury, and tough situations, but it was a dismal season regardless. Koo hit just 73.5% of his kicks, which put him ahead of just seven other kickers in the league, all of whom have either been cut, were hurt, are facing competition this year, or all of the above. There were rumblings of concern at times in 2023 and 2024 because of inopportune missed kicks, but nobody expected that.

Krieg, meanwhile, is the new face. The Falcons seemed very eager to sign him, jumping in front of a queue of other teams interested in the German kicker after he impressed in workouts and did fine work this past season in Europe. The haste with which the Falcons moved to land him tells you they wanted competition for Koo, and that they think he’s an enticing option. All of that gives him a chance to unseat the incumbent, should he kick well this summer.

Koo is only under contract until 2026 and the Falcons can move on fairly easily if Krieg wins this competition, which adds more fuel to the fire here. I’d be tempted to bet on Krieg given the interesting the Falcons had in him, but Koo was one of the league’s more reliable kickers just a short time ago. If he’s healthy and can course correct from last year’s shaky season, he’ll have a more than fair chance to win the battle. The fact that the Falcons are between a bet on a bounceback and a relative unknown is a little scary, but these are both talented players.

Punter​

Likely starter: Bradley Pinion

There’s no competition for Pinion, who had a comparative down year but largely did so in the background of Koo’s struggles, the Kirk Cousins kerfuffle, and the million other stories that made up the 2024 season. Pinion was not bad, but was in the bottom third of the league in most punting metrics; most distressing was the fact that he was dead last in terms of punts that landed inside the 20.

The Falcons apparently aren’t concerned that Pinion will repeat that performance or (worse) slip even further, though there’s still a summer ahead. Hopefully Pinion will return to being a league average punter who can consistently pin teams inside the 20, something he did much more regularly during his first two years in Atlanta.

Long snapper​

Likely starter: Liam McCullough

There’s little to say here. McCullough has a fresh deal and has been exactly the kind of capable, invisible long snapper every team wants to have around. As long as that continues, he’ll be here, and that’s a good thing.

Kick returner​

Likely options: Jamal Agnew/Ray-Ray McCloud

Competitors: Natrone Brooks, Billy Bowman, Clark Phillips

So long as he’s healthy, Agnew is basically replacing Avery Williams, who landed with the Eagles. In his last full, healthy season back in 2023, Agnew was top ten in kick return yardage and yards per return, logging the 12th-highest return total in the NFL. With a pair of career return touchdowns and a very healthy average of 25.5 yards per return over his seven seasons in the NFL, Agnew is a seasoned and quality kick returner. The only question, again, is his health.

McCloud, meanwhile, put up a 25.8 yards per return average in 2024 and was 19th in returns and 21st in return yardage. At the very worst, he’s a solid returner who offers welcome physicality back there, and McCloud should be a fine complement to Agnew.

I don’t expect anyone to beat these two players out for a spot, but Billy Bowman had some (mixed) college experience, Brooks handled punts in school and fielded one kick for 22 yards a year ago, and Clark Phillips has had some success on returns. The team will have emergency options, but Agnew and McCloud are easily their best and most established players here.

Tyler Allgeier would also be a fun option—he fielded a handful of kicks in college and did quite well—but the Falcons are unlikely to seriously entertain that notion, given that they haven’t to this point.

Punt returner​

Likely option: Jamal Agnew

Competitors: Natrone Brooks, Clark Phillips

Agnew has four career punt return touchdowns, led the league in return average in his rookie season, and despite some ups and downs has been a quality option here throughout his career. He’s probably a better kick returner and worse punt returner than peak Avery Williams, but peak Avery Williams is both literally and figuratively gone.

If Agnew can’t take on the job for any reason, Brooks and Phillips have a little experience and a little success in college to fall back on as they push for roles this summer. Assuming good health, this is Agnew’s job to lose.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...teams-younghoe-koo-bradley-pinion-lenny-krieg

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons free agency and NFL Draft review with Aaron Freeman: The Falcoholic Live, Ep329

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic are joined by Aaron Freeman (Locked On Falcons) to review Atlanta’s free agency and NFL Draft moves to determine if this roster can compete for the playoffs and beyond during the 2025 season.

With rookie minicamp behind us, we finally got our first on-field look at the 2025 Atlanta Falcons. Adnan Ikic and I are joined by Aaron Freeman (Locked On Falcons) to review Atlanta’s free agency and NFL Draft moves to determine if this roster can compete for the playoffs and beyond during the 2025 season. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube beginning at 8 PM ET​

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below. The podcast typically posts a few hours after the live show records.

If you’re interested in supporting the show, become a Channel Member or check out our Patreon page to unlock access to exclusive perks including Patron Q&A sessions, Discord perks, live shout-outs and more!

Be sure to check out the new community Discord server here! Come chat with your fellow Falcons fans about the show, the team, the NFL draft, and more.

You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...on-freeman-the-falcoholic-live-ep329-nfl-2025

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons’ odds, win totals set after 2025 NFL schedule release

Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Which NFC South team is favored to win this one?

Welcome to the offseason, where the Atlanta Falcons could win as few as five games and as many as 12 in the upcoming 2025 season. The good people over at FanDuel Sportsbook can’t seem to pin these Falcons down either. The opening odds for the Falcons post-schedule release are at -140 for over 7.5 wins and +120 for under 7.5. It can’t get much closer without it becoming a wash.

This feels like the perfect line for this Atlanta team, because who knows where this team will be in mid-October? With a grueling stretch to begin the season and many 50/50 games, including against the Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, and San Francisco 49ers. Not to mention the division getting better between the Carolina Panthers upgrading their historically bad defense and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers growing stronger through the draft, this season could go in so many separate ways for the Falcons.

One way to keep it interesting, no matter which path Atlanta may take, is through FanDuel Sportsbook.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ing-odds-win-totals-nfl-schedule-release-2025

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons to have 6th most miles traveled in 2025

Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

That’s a lot of miles!

With the schedule release happening a few days ago, we continue to examine the Atlanta Falcons schedule for the upcoming season. We now know who they will play and when they will play. We also now know they will be traveling, a lot.

Thirty-two NFL teams will travel 625,947 miles this season. Here is the breakdown, via @billsperos: pic.twitter.com/WJ2sU5hrVG

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 13, 2025​

As you can see from the graphic above, the Falcons will be one of the most widely traveled teams this upcoming season, as they will travel about 25,947 miles in 2025. A lot of this obviously has to do with the team’s Week 10 road contest against the Indianapolis Colts, which is being played in Berlin, Germany.

Aside from the normal divisional road trips the Falcons have every season, they’ll also be traveling to the states of Texas, Minnesota, California, Massachusetts, New York, and Arizona.

When you compare it to the league-low Cincinnati Bengals, who will only travel around 8,753 miles, it’s a lot of air time. Although it could be a lot worse, considering the Los Angeles Chargers will be traveling a little over 37,000 miles.

Will this have any impact on the team? Probably not. Teams travel every year, as you know. But it will be interesting to see if there’s anything that comes from the team having an early season bye week in Week 5 and also not having a bye after their Week 10 Germany trip.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-6th-most-miles-traveled-in-2025-nfl-schedule

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Eagles’ tush push play will not be banned; Falcons among teams who voted for the ban

Popularized by the Eagles in 2022, the tush push has garnered severe league attention, both positive and negative, and now we finally have an answer on if the play will remain legal.

Eagles fans rejoice, the “Tush Push” lives to see another day... for now. The play has been the topic of conversation around the league and online ever since the Eagles not only popularized it, but showed a high rate of success running the play in short yardage situations. Originally proposed by the Green Bay Packers, a potential ban on the play was deliberated on for several months among all 32 teams, and was finally voted on earlier Wednesday morning, with 22 teams in favor of the ban, and 10 teams in opposition to the ban. For proposed rule changes like the “Tush Push” ban, 75% of teams need to vote for the rule to pass, meaning the play was just two votes shy of getting that passing percentage needed. Adam Schefter reported that along with the Eagles, the nine teams that voted for the play to remain were the Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans and New York Jets, and the rest of the league would be on the other side of the coin, including our very own Atlanta Falcons.

According to CBS’s Jonathan Jones, the play was supported by speeches from owner Jeffery Lurie, who he said gave a “passionate but fair” speech during meetings, along with retired center and Eagles legend Jason Kelce who was a key element of the play in his final years with the team. To celebrate, the Eagles social media team posted a series of graphics across platforms, including a 26 minute highlight reel of the play on YouTube. It’s safe to say they’re pretty excited about the play sticking around. Others in the league, however, clearly are not.

History of the Tush Push​

During a 2020 week 10 game against the Tennessee Titans, then Colts’ offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni recommended subbing in backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett to run a quarterback sneak from about two yards out at the goal line. He suggested this because at the time, Brissett weighed 238 pounds, slightly heavier and stronger than the team’s starter veteran Phillip Rivers. The play worked well, as Brissett gained the yards needed and then some, plowing his way into the end zone extending the lead to three scores.

A year later when Sirianni became head coach of the Eagles, he would incorporate this same strategy with Jalen Hurts, who notably squats 600 pounds, but this time would add an extra element by having someone boost Hurts in the back, helping him pick up the yardage needed. A year later, the play became a crucial part of the Eagles offense as the team adopted a unique formation just for the play similar to the quarterback kneel formation, but would use a running back and tight end to push Hurts through the defense. The “Tush Push” name was popularized on social media, but the team created a different name dubbing it the “Brotherly Shove,” a twist on the “City of Brotherly Love.”

The play attracts so much attention from defenses that they more often than not bring all 11 players into the box, opening up the occasional fake Tush Push to keep defenders on their toes. Defenses have also adopted unique ways of trying to stop it, arguably the most notable being Washington Linebacker Frankie Luvu’s attempt to jump over the offensive line and stop Hurts from scoring. Luvu, who now sees the play twice a year, also stated he was against the play saying “It’s kind of like a cheapo play... it’s pretty much a scrum in rugby, that’s how I look at it.” Sports writer Mike Florio cited Luvu’s failed attempts at stopping the play as a reason why he believes the league’s front office pushed for a ban on the play.

The play no doubt was pivotal in the Eagles 2022 success albeit their eventual Super Bowl loss to Kansas City, and became an even more significant part of the offense after the addition of another 600 pound squatter Saquon Barkely, helping them win Super Bowl 59. According to ESPN, the Eagles have the most push sneak plays since 2022 with 108, followed by the Bills with 55 and the Bears with 16. It’s also worth noting that other teams have tried to utilize the play in their offensive schemes, but often fail in execution, leaving Philadelphia as the most successful team to run the play.

Calls to outlaw the play​

In the years since the Eagles started utilizing the play full time, questions around player safety and if the play gave Philly an unfair advantage over defenses emerged. These claims didn’t grow legs until around the NFL combine when news of a proposal to ban the play became public. The Green Bay Packers spearheaded the effort to ban the play following the team’s 22-10 loss to the Eagles in last years playoffs (oddly enough the score is the exact same as the vote for the Tush Push ban.)

Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said the play is “Bad for the game,” also adding “There is no skill involved and it is almost an automatic first down on plays of a yard or less.” Murphy was backed by several team owners and staff like Falcons head coach Raheem Morris who said “I thought it should have been illegal three years ago,” also adding “I was never a big fan. There’s just no other play in our game where you can absolutely get behind somebody and push them.”

The Packers original proposal wasn’t voted on at league meetings in April, instead being tabled for later while the NFL gathered additional research and data on the play and allowed other teams to think over their stances on the play. In that time, the Packers submitted a revised proposal, stating that “pushing or pulling a runner in any direction at any time or lifting him to his feet should be banned.” The revised proposal says that a 10-yard penalty should be given if a player engaged in that practice this upcoming season.

While the play came very close to being banned and we’ll at least see the play utilized for the 2025-2026 season, the Eagles aren’t out of the woods just yet, as the league could still revisit the topic in the future. Falcons CEO and long time member of the NFL Competition Committee Rich McKay said “because there were still a large number of teams in favor of a ban, the league could revisit the issue in the future, specifically as it relates to pushing and pulling a runner in seemingly stalled downfield scrums.”

Atlanta doesn’t play the Eagles during the regular season in 2025, meaning there’s a good chance that the team misses the Tush Push for an entire season, putting the Falcons out of the line of fire of Philadelphia’s imminent war path against any team who voted against the play. With that said, I’m praying for the well-being of the Packers in Week 10.

What’s your thoughts on the “Tush Push” staying alive?

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ong-teams-who-voted-for-the-ban-raheem-morris

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Friday Falconry on a Saturday: Should the Falcons look to make one more splash?

Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Is the roster in good shape except for some tinkering, or should the Falcons explore a big trade to finish things out?

The Atlanta Falcons are a handful of months away from starting the 2025 season, and the team’s roster is certainly not close to being in its final form. Besides the very obvious cuts to come to get the team from 90 players to 53, Terry Fontenot’s urge to tinker means we should expect at least a dozen smaller moves between now and September.

But is that all we can expect, and is it all we should expect? The Falcons pushed their chips in a bit over the past couple of seasons, signing Kirk Cousins, drafting Michael Penix, and then making a trade to land two first round pass rushers. If they believe there’s an outstanding weakness on the roster heading into the season, it’s not difficult to imagine them turning to a trade to address it.

The logical candidate for that kind of move continues to be Jalen Ramsey, the current Dolphins and former Rams cornerback who loves Raheem Morris, and who would be an upgrade in a corps that is in solid shape but could use another high end talent. The team could also sniff around for centers being dangled—as unlikely as that seems—or more help up front, where their run defense is probably the biggest concern of the moment. The logic would be upgrading one of the team’s biggest remaining weaknesses, likely sacrificing further draft capital and 2026 cap flexibility in the process.

What I’m interested in gauging is whether you believe that’s something the Falcons should be exploring, or whether their roster is close enough to contention to reject the possibility out of hand. Alternatively, you may believe this team is a borderline contender but that pushing for more than that is likely to be too costly, and may stretch them in a way that impacts their ability to contend in the near future despite having a talented young quarterback in Michael Penix. I’m straddling these two camps myself, thinking the Falcons are capable of pushing for the NFC South as currently constructed and thinking they’re not quite good enough to justify an all-in approach. Perhaps you feel differently.

Sound off and let us know if you think there’s a major move in the offing, and whether you think it’s necessary if so.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...ons-look-to-make-one-more-splash-jalen-ramsey

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Report: Steelers may have Kirk Cousins trade as a contingency plan at quarterback

Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images

If the always mercurial Aaron Rodgers ends up retiring or waiting too long, the Falcons and Steelers might strike a deal.

You’ve been hearing Aaron Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a long time now, which is the nature of the beast when you’re dealing with one of the NFL’s great franchises and its most attention-seeking quarterback. Whether Rodgers is simply biding his time so he can avoid pre-training camp work to save his body for a grueling season or he and the team are simply taking a long time to hash something out, he is not yet a Steeler.

Plugged-in NFL reporters continue to tell us it’s the likely outcome, but what if an accord can’t be reached? Then the Atlanta Falcons come into the picture, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently mentioned that the Steelers have Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins on their radar. This is not surprising, but is worth monitoring as Cousins continues to want an opportunity to start and the Falcons continue to at least entertain the idea of shedding his contract.

Cousins will not come for free—the Steelers need to eat some money, surrender a decent draft pick, or both if competition arises somehow along the way—but he makes plenty of sense for Pittsburgh. The contract is relatively easy to escape after this season, Cousins is both a less troublesome personality than Rodgers and younger, and Pittsburgh could have more than a single year stopgap if things go swimmingly with the veteran quarterback. The fact that they need to make a trade and assume an existing contract is an obstacle, but if Rodgers doesn’t land in Pittsburgh, it’s not clear there are any other starting-caliber options out there within easy reach.

For now, Cousins is still very much a Falcon, and nothing about his immediate future is all that concrete. Barring injuries elsewhere in the league, though, the Steelers are clearly the team to watch for Cousins over the summer. If they don’t make a trade, it’s likely the team’s talk of being totally comfortable with him as the backup will be borne out, at least for the early part of the 2025 season.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...contingency-plan-at-quarterback-aaron-rodgers

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Bralen Trice return by training camp a ‘realistic goal,’ per Raheem Morris

The second year pro could carve out a role in Atlanta’s outside linebacker group if he’s healthy for the 2025 season.

I wrote about Bralen Trice, forgotten man a few weeks back. My argument was that if he was healthy, Trice’s well-rounded game could be a boon for an outside linebacker group set to debut many new pieces.

The justified response from some Atlanta Falcons fans was “well, do we know he’s healthy?” The answer to that still isn’t a clear cut yes or no, but we did get a welcome update on the second-year pass rusher from Raheem Morris on Tuesday.

Trice was not practicing on the first day of OTAs, and Morris suggested we wouldn’t see him for a bit. However, while noting that Trice is working with a physical therapist and running but isn’t close to full strength just yet, he did say a training camp return was a “realistic goal,” per Atlanta Falcons reporter Terrin Waack. That’s about right given that Trice will be close to a full year removed from the devastating injury that cost him the entire 2024 season.

That’s a little under two months away from where we sit currently, meaning we shouldn’t start the Trice Watch until mid-July at the earliest. If he’s back, Trice is going to be in the mix for snaps with the likes of incumbent Arnold Ebiketie, free agent signing Leonard Floyd, and rookies Jalon Walker and James Pearce. There’s no path to starting-level snaps for him if everyone’s healthy, but Trice’s run defense was one of the reasons to be excited about him coming into the league, and it would not be particularly difficult to envision him picking up early down snaps because of that. He certainly has the potential, given his college pass rushing production and those instincts against the run, to be a key reserve in the team’s outside linebacker rotation.

All that’s ahead of us, but it’s good to know we can pencil in a potential return date for Trice. Now if we can just keep the rest of the roster healthy in the months ahead, the Falcons might be cooking.

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...listic-goal-per-raheem-morris-atlanta-falcons

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts not in attendance as Falcons begin OTAs

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

The veteran quarterback may be sending a message with his absence from OTAs.

On Tuesday, OTAs for 20 more NFL teams began, signaling the start of the Third Phase of the NFL offseason program. The final five teams will begin their OTAs tomorrow, joining the teams who hired a new head coach this offseason whom began their sessions last week.

The Falcons wasted no time finding their way into the headlines Tuesday morning, as head coach Raheem Morris told reporters that veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins is not in attendance for the start of OTAs. This is yet another step in the direction Cousins has leaned into heavily since the start of the offseason, further hammering home his intention not to play in Atlanta during the 2025 season.

It should be noted, though, that OTAs are voluntary, and the next mandatory event on the calendar is minicamp in June

As for another notable name, starting tight end Kyle Pitts was also nowhere to be seen as the team commenced practice, per Falcons team reporter Terrin Waack.

The first practice of #Falcons OTAs is now underway and Kirk Cousins is not on the field. Cousins has made clear he wants to play elsewhere in 2025. https://t.co/8Uf6DY1mO0

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 27, 2025​

Cousins was benched in his first season as a member of the Falcons following a rough stretch in the latter half of the 2024 season. From Week 10-15, Cousins accumulated a nine interceptions thrown to just one touchdown pass, the latter which came in a close 15-9 victory over the Raiders in Week 15. However, he finished that game 112 passing yards and another pick.

The Falcons publicly committed to second-year Michael Penix Jr. following the season, which has of course led to the current disgruntlement of Cousins. In the end, his absence isn’t all that surprising, and I’m not entirely sure missing voluntary practices will move the needle all that much in the direction he desires. Still, it’s all the veteran can do to keep his desires obvious and on the table before the mandatory work starts.

As for Pitts, it remains unknown why he isn’t attending OTAs. He’s currently entering the final year of his contract following the Falcons picking up his fifth-year option a year ago. As of now, he’s set to make $10.878 million in 2025.

Per Waack, other players such as newly-signed defensive tackle Morgan Fox, linebacker Troy Anderson, and wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud III were also not in attendance on Tuesday.

First day of OTAs for the Falcons! No Kirk Cousins or Kyle Pitts in attendance at practice pic.twitter.com/BeX89EDiXa

— Baillie Burmaster (@baillie_burm) May 27, 2025​

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...-kyle-pitts-attendance-otas-nfl-michael-penix

 

[Atlanta Falcons]

Falcons season predictions with Eric Robinson: The Falcoholic Live, Ep330

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

Kevin Knight and Adnan Ikic are joined by Aaron Freeman (Locked On Falcons) to review Atlanta’s free agency and NFL Draft moves to determine if this roster can compete for the playoffs and beyond during the 2025 season.

With the NFL schedule released, it’s time for our game-by-game predictions for the Atlanta Falcons 2025 season! Adnan Ikic and I are joined by Eric Robinson to take you through the entire schedule, including win/loss predictions for each week and our take on how Atlanta will fare throughout the year. Is this the year the Falcons finally return to the postseason? Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of The Falcoholic Live!

Watch the stream below or on YouTube beginning at 8 PM ET​

You can also listen to all of our video shows in an audio-only podcast format, available on all your favorite podcast platforms or by using the player below. The podcast typically posts a few hours after the live show records.

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You can watch the show here on The Falcoholic, but we recommend watching on YouTube for the best experience—including full 1080p HD video and access to the live Q&A in the chat. You can also access the show using your smart TV or device using the YouTube app for the real big-screen experience!

We hope you enjoy the show! If you have comments, we’d love to hear them. Send them to us on Twitter (@FalcoholicLive), leave them below, or e-mail the show at [email protected].

Thanks for watching!

Source: https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2025/...fl-win-total-game-picks-falcoholic-live-ep330