The expectations for the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 come with winning the NFC South and aspirations of making a deep playoff run.
They’ll do so with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr., Drake London at wide receiver, Bijan Robinson at running back, and a completely revamped defense.
In order to win the division, they’ll have to take care of their key rivals, which they did with Tampa Bay a season ago. They went 4-2 in the division, with a crucial Week 10 loss to the New Orleans Saints and a meaningless overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 18 after they saw the Bucs win and clinch the division while they entered overtime.
Had Tampa Bay lost in Week 18, the Falcons would’ve had the tiebreaker over them with a win over Carolina in overtime, since they won the season series against the Bucs.
They’re not far off from competing for a potential deep playoff run, considering they were 2-0 against the Buccaneers. Had they won their division, they would’ve played the Washington Commanders in the first round, whom they lost to in overtime in Week 17.
Fast forward to May, 2025. The defense is completely different with additions like edge rusher Leonard Floyd, edge rusher and linebacker Jalon Walker, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and safeties Xavier Watts and Billy Bowman Jr.
NFL fans are still awaiting a breakout season from Kyle Pitts, the tight end out of Florida who was drafted back in 2021. Darnell Mooney broke out a season ago, catching 64 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns – the perfect complement to London.
Outside of the divisional matchups, the Falcons have crucial matchups against NFC opponents in which the outcomes of said games could result in the team’s playoff hopes come January.
In Week 2, Atlanta heads to Minnesota to take on the Vikings. In a loaded NFC North, there’s no guarantee Minnesota wins the division. Having the tiebreaker over another NFC team that will likely contend for a Wild Card spot is crucial for Atlanta’s playoff aspirations.
Weeks 14, 16 and 17 are against NFC West opponents. They play the 49ers in Week 7, but with the age of their roster and the uncertainties littered on both sides of the football, they’re not a surefire .500 team.
In Week 14, they will host Sam Darnold and the Seattle Seahawks. If it’s a big game, Darnold might crack under the pressure, like he did against Detroit and the Los Angeles Rams a season ago.
In Week 16, Atlanta heads to Arizona to take on the Cardinals. Arizona was a tough out a season ago, finishing the year with an 8-9 record.
Finally, in Week 17, the Falcons host the Rams on Monday Night Football. Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay are always a tough matchup, no matter where you play them.
In addition to these four crucial NFC bouts, they play the AFC East, which consists of the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins and New York Jets.
Atlanta will have six primetime games in 2025:
- Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 14 @ Minnesota | 8:20 p.m. ET
- Week 6: Monday, Oct. 13 vs. Buffalo | 7:15 p.m. ET
- Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 19 @ San Francisco | 8:20 p.m. ET
- Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 9 @ Indianapolis (Berlin) | 9:30 a.m. ET
- Week 15: Thursday, Dec. 11 @ Tampa Bay | 8:15 p.m. ET
- Week 17: Monday, Dec. 29 vs. LA Rams | 8:15 p.m. ET
Record Prediction
It’s very difficult to figure out which teams on your schedule will be good or not, but it’s time for a way-too-early record prediction in May.
With all of the additions this team has made and the step forward that Penix Jr. must take in order for this team to have success in 2025, they will finish the campaign with an 11-6 record.