For most Atlanta Falcons’ fans, the outlook on the 2025 season is optimistic. With Michael Penix Jr., entering his second season and tangible defensive improvements, there is a lot to be excited about. But CBS Sports’ Danny Kanell has low expectations for the Dirty Birds.
“I think this roster hasn’t been upgraded significant enough… I think it could be a little bit of a bumpy ride for the Falcons this season. I went with 7-10 for the Atlanta Falcons,” he said on air yesterday.
He, like many Falcons doubters, cited the inexperience of Penix as the main reason for his lack of confidence.
“Like the other alternative is maybe Michael Penix is the next coming of a Jayden Daniels or a C.J. Stroud, a young quarterback who kind of figures it out, and they are able to get there,” Kanell continued. “I had their best-case scenario at 9-8 there. So over .500, getting a wild-card spot. I still wouldn’t see them winning the division, but I could see them, you know, getting hot at the right time. The back end of the schedule’s manageable. They could possibly win a playoff game… I just don’t think the roster is there for a 10 or 11-win season yet.”
Falcons’ Schedule Gauntlet In First Six Weeks
The first two games of the season are going to tell us a lot about this team. In week one, the Falcons host the reigning division champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a real measuring stick game. Then they travel to Minnesota to play the Vikings on Sunday Night Football in Week 2.
Another divisional game comes in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers but after that it gets scary. Atlanta takes on the Washington Commanders and the Buffalo Bills over a three week span with a bye week in the middle. Two teams that were one win away from the Super Bowl last season.
Besides the additional handicap of the earliest possible bye, the rest of Atlanta’s schedule is pretty favorable. In the last twelve contests, there isn’t a single one that the Falcons’ couldn’t legitimately win.
You can make your own conclusions and the chips will eventually fall wherever they may, but a 7-10 prediction feels like a massive undersell.
ESPN’s Schedule Examination
After the schedule release, ESPN’s Marc Raimondi took his stab at a record prediction. Raimondi’s favorite game on the entire schedule comes in Week 17 when head coach Raheem Morris returns to his former team the Los Angeles Rams in a late season match up. A December 29th matchup that might have some serious playoff implications.
But Raimondi says it’s all about how you finish. Falcons’ fans have been scarred by some late season collapses in previous seasons. If they can avoid that in 2025, signs show this team could be at the top of the league.
“Atlanta lost six of its last eight games in 2024,” Raimondi wrote. “The previous season, the Falcons lost four of their last five. The team’s best hope in 2025 is that Penix has leveled up by the home stretch. Things won’t be easy. The final five games are all against NFC or divisional opponents, some of whom could be in the thick of the playoff race.”
