The Atlanta Falcons madetheir biggest upgrade of the 2026 offseason at the head coach position bringing in Kevin Stefanski. No matter how easy Raheem Morris was to root for there is no way around the coordinator simply isn't suited for the head role and made things more difficult for a Falcons team that had every chance to walk away with the NFC South a season ago and failed to take advantage.
With that said, Stefanski has far more of an uphill battle having lost his star pass rushers and having an incredible level of concern at the quarterback position. There is so little clarity as to what to do at the position the Falcons opened the season with four players at the position on their first 53-man roster. No question, Stefanski is an upgrade but has his work cut out for him, leading us to looking at how Atlanta's first four contests will play out.
Pittsburgh Steelers-16 Atlanta Falcons-10
It doesn't matter whether it is Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr. starting the Steelers have a way of creating turnovers and generating a pass rush. Add in the lack of established rushers for Atlanta and an aging Aaron Rodgers should be able to do just enough to move the football and keep his team out in front. The Falcons lack an argument for how they are going to move the football against a team that will load the box and dare anyone other than Bijan Robinson to beat them.
You have Rodgers experience as well weighing against the Falcons with even this ancient version of the signal caller able to take advantage of a franchise lacking a clear pass rusher. It is hard not to see this being an extremely ugly game that falls in the favor of the more experienced offense and capable decision-maker.
Atlanta Falcons-23 Carolina Panthers-19
This is where Stefanski is going to make a huge difference, against teams with equally bad quarterback situations and a head coach not above questioning. Carolina did just enough to luck into winning the NFC South a season ago, but has zero reason for confidence they can repeat this with injuries defining the summer. Add in the clear favorable matchup for Bijan, and this will be Atlanta's first win of the season.
In truth, it is a coin flip game, but the Falcons have the better head coach and should have a bit more understanding of what to ask from the quarterback position. Robinson fuels the offense and a late kick from Nick Folk puts this one out of reach and gives the Falcons a steadying win.
Green Bay Packers-31 Atlanta Falcons-17
Four days after facing Carolina you're going on the road in a featured matchup against Green Bay with the Packers not being able to take their eye off the ball. Competing in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears every game carries a level of gravity that eludes lesser divisions. The Packers are going to give Atlanta their best shot and it is hard to find an argument the Falcons can put up a fight.
Perhaps if James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker were on the field the Falcons would be able to mount enough of a rush to bother Jordan Love and hang around. As things currently stand, there isn't a valid argument as to any advantage the Falcons hold over a better roster.
Atlanta Falcons- 19 New Orleans Saints-17
Another ugly win in what is going to be a consistent theme under Kevin Stefanski and the current quarterback room. The Falcons have enough playmaking talent to beat New Orleans or Carolina, but not a team that truly is contending for anything of note. Stefanski understands the level of pressure he is under after starting 1-2 and isn't going to be shown up by a younger head coach in Kellen Moore.
A head coach with equal questions around his defense and a quarterback situation that could quickly turn sour. This is going to be another ugly game that will be decided in the final seconds, something that favors the team with the better head coach and a veteran kicker.
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