Atlanta Falcons 2024 Season Preview
By: Michael Higgins
(Image courtesy of Dale Zanine/USA Today Sports)
The Atlanta Falcons had one of the most intriguing offseasons in the league. As a team with a weaker overall roster, they normally would not be in a position to compete, but being in the worst division in football has made them contenders to win the division.
The Falcons addressed their need at quarterback… in multiple ways. They traded QB Desmond Ridder to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for WR Rondale Moore. However, it looks as though Moore will miss significant time with a leg injury he suffered in practice. They then went out and got former Vikings QB Kirk Cousins. While Kirk has been a steady performer his entire career, he is a bit of an unknown as he is coming off of that torn ACL. He should be healthy and ready to go for the start of their season. With that position addressed, it was time for them to get him another weapon or two in the draft before addressing the defense. However, they decided to pick another QB, who was likely to fall to Day 2 and maybe even Day 3 in the draft, Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. There are no two ways about it, this pick made absolutely no sense. Penix is going to be a 24-year old rookie who, if things go as planned, will not play until his age 28 season. Even if things do go as planned, he was picked way too high and he may not even be a starting QB in this league. They still managed to get another WR in Darnell Mooney, who signed a 3-year contract. However, that was pretty much it in terms of impact free agents. Falcons fans have a right to feel disappointed with the team’s approach to the offseason. Aside from Penix, Atlanta had a few more questionable picks. Syracuse DL Ruke Orhorhoro was a reach in the second round and after that, they did not get any serious value in the draft.
The Falcons, at the time of writing this, have the same betting odds as the Dallas Cowboys. Spoiler alert, the Cowboys are a whole lot more talented. I am not seeing why the Falcons are so highly regarded, they had a lackluster roster last year and had a disappointing offseason. In a weak division, I am not too confident in their chances to win it.
The Falcons open the season by hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers before traveling to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles on Monday Night Football. They then host the Chiefs and Saints to finish the season’s first month. I have Atlanta starting the year 2-2.
The Falcons open up October on Thursday Night Football in Georgia against the Buccaneers. They then travel to Carolina to play the Panthers, return home to play the Seahawks, and then go back on the road to face the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay. Again, I have the Falcons at 2-2 in this stretch.
Atlanta hosts the Cowboys in Week 9 before traveling to The Boot to take on the Saints and then to the Mile High City to play the Broncos. This is all before a late Week 12 bye for the team to close out November. The Falcons will be 1-2 in November.
The Falcons then have a home date against the Chargers, road games against the Vikings and Raiders in weeks 14 and 15, host the Giants, travel to play the Commanders, before closing the season at home against the Panthers. The Falcons will go 4-2 to close the season.
I have the Atlanta Falcons going 9-8 on the season. While this may win them the division, it is partially due to a particularly easy schedule. I have no confidence in the roster construction or the long-term sustainability of a winning culture with the way the franchise is currently set up.
2023 Record: 7-10
2024 Record Prediction: 9-8
