For the first time in years, there are legitimate expectations that the Falcons make the postseason in 2024, which would end a drought that began in 2018.
In that time, Atlanta has seen two head coaches and four starting quarterbacks, but there’s a key difference between those clubs and this year. Raheem Morris might be a better head coach than Dan Quinn and Arthur Smith; however, the roster, particularly at the quarterback position, is in much better standing now than it was then.
The expectation is to win the NFC South. That hasn’t been the case in past seasons, and Kirk Cousins is the primary catalyst in that thought. The veteran provides stability at the most important position in the sport. More than anything, he should be a force multiplier for the rest of the talent on the offense — i.e., Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson.
However, not everyone is a believer in the Dirty Birds hosting their first playoff game in Mercedes Benz Stadium. Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report doesn’t foresee a postseason berth in Atlanta’s future.
Why we’re selling: Cousins is 35 years old and coming off a significant injury. There’s no telling how he’ll jell with that supporting cast, and it doesn’t help that a bottom-10 defense in terms of DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average) is not significantly better on paper.
Throw in that they essentially wasted a top-10 pick on Cousins’ eventual successor and it’s hard to purchase the Falcons, even in a soft NFC South.
Prediction: 8-9, miss playoffs
The Falcons defense is essentially running it back with rookies in the place of veterans, and I have real concerns about the secondary. Those are valid questions, but they’re still betting favorites in the division for a reason. Kirk Cousins is the best quarterback in the division.
If the Falcons miss the playoffs, the amount of backlash that will come for the organization, particularly Raheem Morris, will be great. There will immediately be questions about Morris’ capacity as head coach as well as the organization’s misuse of resources in signing Kirk Cousins and drafting Michael Penix Jr. If the Falcons don’t make the playoffs, someone should be fired.
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Photographer: John Smolek/Icon Sportswire
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