The NFL is the league of parity. No professional league has more playoff turnover year to year, but the Falcons still remain in a postseason drought, one that’s existed for seven seasons.
Despite the monumental investment in the roster over the last two offseasons, the results have still been middling. Whether it’s a different head coach, a different quarterback, or more resources poured into the defense, the Falcons cannot get over the hump.
So, with Michael Penix Jr. taking over, should fans expect the team to bounce back in 2025 and capture a playoff berth?
Pessimistic fans would say no way. They’d say Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot have already proven incapable of winning a terrible NFC South, even after a commanding division lead sitting at 6-3 this past season.
Optimistic fans would say a playoff game is coming to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They’d say the offense, with Penix, will be electric, and minor upgrades to the defense will make it average, which is probably good enough to win a weak division.
Well, The Athletic believes the Falcons are at least one of the five teams most likely to bounce back in 2025, behind the Bengals, Cowboys, Dolphins and Seahawks.
5. Atlanta Falcons (8-9)
Raheem Morris’ team is a high-end pass rusher and more consistent Kyle Pitts away from being able to win the NFC South. Michael Penix Jr. showed why the Falcons took him eighth overall despite having signed Kirk Cousins to an expensive deal in free agency. Penix could blossom into a star in 2025 after showing flashes in his late-season cameo.
I completely understand the Cowboys and Bengals being ahead of the Falcons, two teams with proven quarterbacks who have been in the playoffs recently. However, I’d argue the Falcons have as good of a chance, maybe even better, as the Dolphins and Seahawks to make the playoffs. Tua Tagavailoa and Geno Smith are more proven than Michael Penix Jr., but the NFC West and AFC East are far more competitive divisions than the NFC South.
The Falcons are among the teams that missed the playoffs who are most likely to capture a postseason berth next year. However, that same thing was said last year…
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Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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