It’s starting to feel like more and more members of the NFL media are starting to sour on the prospect of the Atlanta Falcons making the playoffs. All the hype surrounding what the offense will look like under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson and with the addition of new quarterback Kirk Cousins has dissipated rapidly (certainly not due to the selection of Michael Penix Jr. in the top ten). However, in the most recent pre-training camp power rankings from The Athletic’s Josh Kendall, the Falcons are in the midst of contending for a playoff spot, and right now, that’s all Falcons fans can hope for.
17. Atlanta Falcons
Last season: 7-10, missed playoffs
The Falcons gave 35-year-old quarterback Kirk Cousins the largest total-money free-agency deal in NFL history (four years worth up to $180 million) and then spent the No. 8 pick on University of Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. That’s how scarred Falcons owner Arthur Blank and his executives were after two years of alternating Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder as the starting quarterback. Cousins will be playing in the McVay offensive system thanks to Atlanta’s hiring of former Rams defensive coordinator (and before that Atlanta interim head coach) Raheem Morris as head coach.
At 17th, the Falcons are ranked as the eighth-best team in the NFC, which should leave them on the outside looking in. However, they’re first in the NFC South, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers being the next divisional counterpart at 22nd. The New Orleans Saints checked in at 25 and the Carolina Panthers pulled up the rear at 32nd.
17th is one of the more optimistic views we’ve seen on the Falcons given most analysts’ angst about Atlanta’s defense. But, according to Kendall, this division will perform bad enough to where the Falcons, despite not being one of the seven best teams in the league, will squeak in for their first playoff appearance since 2017 and division crown since 2016.
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