The Falcons looked like they were going to be a playoff team at times in 2023. They had a solid start to the season at 4-3 and were sitting at 6-6 with five weeks left in the season and embroiled in a tight divisional race.
Atlanta couldn’t get the job done, dropping four of its last five games amid Desmond Ridder’s struggles at quarterback. That led to the departure of coach Arthur Smith while the team sought a quarterback upgrade.
The Falcons found that with ease, signing Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $ 180 million contract in free agency to fix the position. They also drafted Michael Penix Jr. at No. 8 overall — a move that raised some eyebrows — to provide them insurance behind Cousins, a 36-year-old veteran coming off a torn Achilles.
Indeed, Atlanta looks a lot stronger in 2024 than it did last season, but will it be enough for the Falcons to become a true NFC contender? Their schedule may help them as they look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the Falcons’ 2024 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for their slate of games.
Atlanta Falcons schedule 2024
The Falcons’ full schedule will be announced Wednesday, May 15 as part of the NFL’s schedule release. Their opponents for the 2024 NFL season will be as follows:
- Home: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints, Cowboys, Giants, Chiefs, Chargers, Seahawks, Steelers
- Away: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints, Broncos, Raiders, Commanders, Eagles, Vikings
The Falcons are playing a third-place schedule after finishing with a 7-10 record last season. Atlanta will play its normal slate of six divisional games and will also face every team from the AFC West and NFC East as part of their yearly rotation.
The Falcons play just five games against teams that made the postseason last year. That includes two matchups with the Buccaneers, who won the NFC South with a 9-8 record in Baker Mayfield’s first season with the team. Tampa Bay figures to be Atlanta’s top challenger in the NFC South, which remains one of the weaker divisions in the NFL.
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Falcons strength of schedule
The Falcons have the easiest strength of schedule for the 2024 NFL season, per Sharp Football Analysis. This analysis is based on the projected win totals for each of Atlanta’s opponents for the upcoming season rather than their records in 2023.
Of course, Atlanta had the second-easiest strength of schedule during the 2023 NFL season but couldn’t take advantage of that. Arthur Blank and Terry Fontenot are banking on the coaching change to Raheem Morris and the addition of starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to change that and swing the Falcons from a team with double-digit losses to a team with double-digit wins.
Falcons prediction 2024
Falcons Super Bowl odds courtesy BetMGM (+3000)
Toughest tests: The Falcons have a favorable-looking road schedule, save for their matchup against the Eagles. Philadelphia was one-and-done in the playoffs last season, but the Eagles have upgraded their roster and coaching staff significantly during the 2024 offseason. The Eagles will try to beat the Falcons at their own game, which could make for a tight, entertaining battle.
Atlanta’s home games are a bit more difficult, as the Chiefs and Cowboys each possess the offenses needed to challenge the Falcons’ defense. If Atlanta can win one or two of its toughest matchups, it will establish itself as an NFC contender.
Biggest breaks: Atlanta’s schedule looks favorable, as its division rivals all have holes. That should give the Falcons a chance to earn four or five wins in the division, especially if the Panthers fail to progress and the ever-retooling Saints finally bottom out.
Elsewhere, the Broncos and Raiders will each be starting new quarterbacks in 2024, so those road games may not be overly difficult, especially if they are played earlier in the season. The Vikings will be in a similar situation — and that will be a revenge game for Cousins — so that should be a favorable spot.
The Steelers and Seahawks are also facing unknowns, as Pittsburgh has changed up its quarterback room while Seattle has a new coaching staff. That could give the Falcons an advantage in each matchup if Atlanta catches either at the right time.
Bottom line: The Falcons seem poised to make a run at the NFC South title in 2024. Their addition of Kirk Cousins should fundamentally transform their offense and complete a unit that could be among the most efficient in the NFL, especially as Bijan Robinson enters his second season.
The Falcons will benefit from an easy schedule in a weak division, so they should be able to lock into a top-four seed in the NFC if they stay healthy. Cousins has just one career playoff win, so it isn’t clear whether Atlanta can mount a deep playoff run, but the Falcons should still be expected to be one of the NFC’s best teams during the regular season.
Record prediction: 11-6
