ATLANTA, GEORGIA - AUGUST 23: Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons warms up prior to an NFL preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 23, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Falcons entered the 2024 season with high hopes, having signed quarterback Kirk Cousins and hired new head coach Raheem Morris in the offseason. However, they ultimately finished 8-9 in a mediocre season. Cousins got benched in the season for quarterback Michael Penix Jr., whom the Falcons picked eighth overall in the 2024 NFL draft, in week 16. The team fell short of winning the division and heading to the playoffs yet again, but the future of the team was now in the hands of Penix after the Cousins experiment had failed.
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The Falcons’ offseason was productive, signing several free agents like edge rusher Leonard Floyd, wide receiver Jamal Agnew, defensive lineman Morgan Fox, linebacker Divine Deablo, cornerback Mike Ford and safety Jordan Fuller. Many of the moves made on the defensive side of the ball improved the Falcons ‘ run-stopping abilities and secondary. The Falcons did lose some big names this offseason, like Grady Jarrett, who had been on the team for 10 seasons. Atlanta also lost center Drew Dalman, pass rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons.
The NFL draft was a big success for Atlanta. They selected twice in the first round, picking linebacker Jalon Walker out of Alabama 15th overall and edge rusher James Pearce Jr. out of Tennessee 26th overall. Both players will be huge impact players on a defense that had an inconsistent pass rush in the 2024 season. The Falcons draft also included safety Xavier Watts, safety Billy Bowman Jr. and tackle Jack Nelson.
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Atlanta will have a good chance of winning their division in 2025 again, heading into the season with the 20th most brutal schedule according to Fox Sports. They open their season against the biggest division rival, the Buccaneers, whom they beat both times last season in a game with huge divisional implications. The Falcons’ most challenging games will be vs the Vikings, Bills, 49ers and Rams, who are all potential playoff teams this season. Penix will have the chance to prove he deserves to be the starter this season and help the Falcons make it back to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
The Falcons will have a lot to prove in 2025 with a new quarterback and only +8000 odds of winning the Super Bowl according to DraftKings. They also have only +3500 odds of winning the NFC Championship and open the season as +2.5 underdogs in week one of the NFL season against the Buccaneers.
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