ESPN’s Mike Clay released his projections for the 2024 NFL season and they are magnificent. From the win-loss record to the fantasy points earned for each player on the team, there is something for everyone. For the Atlanta Falcons, a successful season means one thing: Make the playoffs. Atlanta hasn’t reached the postseason since 2017, the longest drought this franchise has seen since the eight-season stretch from 1983-1990. According to Clay and his projections, the Falcons finally get over the hump and win the NFC South, their first division title since the magical 2016 run.
Atlanta Falcons 2024 Projections | |
Projected Wins | 9.4 |
Projected Loses | 7.6 |
Highest Ranked Unit | RB/OL (3.8/4.0) |
Lowest Ranked Unit | EDGE (0.1/4.0) |
Offensive Rankings | 11th |
Defensive Rankings | 27th |
Overall Ranking | 17th |
Division Ranking | 1st |
Projected Playoff Game | vs. (5) Philadelphia Eagles |
Atlanta’s strong running game is the catalyst to the rest of the offense being successful. The resources dedicated to stopping the run make Kirk Cousins, one of the better quarterbacks in play action, a lethal weapon in the structure of the offense, especially with the talented trio of Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson catching the football.
With a more balanced attack, this Falcons offense should be able to overcome any obstacle thrown at them this season, including a potentially underwhelming defense.
The defense continues to be a huge question mark and it seems that Clay took this to the worse case scenario. A 27th-ranked defense is a detriment to any team, but especially one with a first-year play-caller on offense. That kind of pressure on Zac Robinson in his first stint as a play-caller is not ideal, but there is enough talent on the offense to overcome a huge question mark on the outer edges of the defense (cornerback, edge rusher). The spine seems to be in good shape, including the fourth-best interior defensive line unit, but they will have to be exceptional if they want to exceed these expectations.
