ATLANTA FALCONS
2024 Record - 8-9-0
Head Coach - Raheem Morris
2024 Offensive Rank - (6th overall) - 370 YPG; Passing - 239 YPG (5th), Rushing - 131 (10th); SCORING - 22.9 PPG (13th)
2024 Defensive Rank - (23rd overall) - 345 YPG; Passing - 224 YPG (22nd), Rushing - 121 YPG (15th); SCORING - 24.9 PPG (23rd)
Key Additions for 2025 - Leonard Floyd (LB), Jordan Fuller (DB), Divine Deablo (LB), James Pearce, Jr. (rookie - Tennessee)
Key Losses for 2025 - Drew Dalman (OL), Matt Judon (LB), Grady Jarrett (DL), Lorenzo Carter (LB), Eddie Goldman (DL), Justin Simmons (DB)
OFFENSE - Michael Penix, Jr. is the top quarterback for the Falcons this season. The second year player took over for injured starter Kirk Cousins late last season and he passed for 775 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Cousins (shoulder injury) had 3,508 passing yards with 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Running back Bijan Robinson had a big year, going for 1,456 rushing yards (4.8 YPC) and scored 14 touchdowns. Tyler Allgeier rushed for 644 yards (4.7 YPC) and had three touchdowns. The wide receivers are led by Drake London (100 receptions, 1,271 yards, nine TD), Darnell Mooney (64, 992, 5 TD), Ray-Ray McCloud (62, 686, one TD) and tight end Kyle Pitts, who had 47 catches for 602 yards and four scores.
DEFENSE - Up front will be ends Morgan Fox and Zach Harrison along with nose tackle David Onyemata, who had three sacks last year. Rookie James Pearce, Jr. (Tennessee) will look to make an impact as well. The linebacking unit features newcomer Leonard Floyd (8 1/2 sacks with San Francisco) who will play alongside Kaden Elliss (team high 150 tackles and five sacks), Arnold Ebiketie (six sacks) and rookie Jalon Walker (Georgia). The secondary has safety Jessie Bates III (four interceptions and 102 tackles), corners Mike Hughes, A.J. Terrell (two picks) and Dee Alford (80 tackles) as well as safety Jordan Fuller, who was with Carolina last year.
OUTLOOK - The Falcons lost two overtime games down the stretch last season and that hurt their shot at a playoff spot in the NFC. Head Coach Raheem Morris knows the team can be better this season, especially on defense with some new additions added to the roster. The team has to go out and prove it on the field. Atlatnta's defense gave up too many big plays in 2024 and registered just 31 sacks with 12 interceptions as they were a minus-6 in the turnover category.
Finishing games will be the focus in 2025 and with (second year QB) Penix taking over the offense, the Falcons will look to avoid turning the ball over so much. The running game is solid with a one-two tandem of Robinson and Allgeier and London is a reliable target in the passing game. If Penix shows he can get it done consistently, this team could challenge the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South title. Making it to the playoffs is always the goal, but the Falcons need a lot to go just right if they expect to get that far this year.
2025 SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Tampa Bay
Week Two - at Minnesota
Week Three - at Carolina
Week Four - vs. Washington
Week Five - BYE
Week Six - vs. Buffalo
Week Seven - at San Francisco
Week Eight - vs. Miami
Week Nine - at New England
Week Ten - vs. Indianapolis (Berlin, Germany)
Week Eleven - vs. Carolina
Week Twelve - at New Orleans
Week Thirteen - at N.Y. Jets
Week Fourteen - vs. Seattle
Week Fifteen - at Tampa Bay
Week Sixteen - at Arizona
Week Seventeen - vs. L.A. Rams
Week Eighteen - vs. New Orleans
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