The Falcons had a rollercoaster 2024. It started with a splash, signing quarterback Kirk Cousins on a 4-year, $180 million deal that included $100 million guaranteed. By the end of the year, though, even with a healthy Cousins still available, a rookie quarterback was starting for the Falcons.
The Cousins era started on a sour note with a home loss to the Steelers. Atlanta rebounded with a win before losing a winnable game against the defending-champion Chiefs. The Falcons won five of their next six games but dropped their last two games heading into the bye week. After two more losses, Atlanta was 6-7 heading into Week 15. After a narrow win over the Raiders, the Falcons benched Cousins and went 1-2 over their final three games with rookie Michael Penix Jr. under center.
Penix has been named the starter moving forward, and now the Falcons have the most expensive backup quarterback in the league on their roster.
Atlanta had a good draft, shoring up the defensive line. The Falcons have the pieces in place to have a good season, but it comes down to whether Penix plays well. If he doesn't, that puts Raheem Morris between a rock and a hard place, trying to decide whether to stick with the young quarterback or pivot back to Cousins.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Falcons' 2025 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for all 17 games.
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Atlanta Falcons schedule 2025
- Home opponents: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints, Bills, Rams, Dolphins, Seahawks, Commanders
- Away opponents: Buccaneers, Panthers, Saints, Cardinals, Patriots, Jets, 49ers, Colts, Vikings
Every NFL team's 2025 opponents are predetermined. The Falcons' full 2025 NFL schedule with dates, times, and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 14.
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| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time (ET) | TV channel |
| 1 | Sunday, Sept. 7 | vs. Buccaneers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 2 | Sunday, Sept. 14 | at Vikings | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 3 | Sunday, Sept. 21 | at Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 4 | Sunday, Sept. 28 | vs. Commanders | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 5 | BYE | -- | -- | -- |
| 6 | Monday, Oct. 13 | vs. Bills | 7:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 7 | Sunday, Oct. 19 | at 49ers | 8:20 p.m. | NBC |
| 8 | Sunday, Oct. 26 | vs. Dolphins | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 9 | Sunday, Nov. 2 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. | CBS |
| 10 | Sunday, Nov. 9 | at Colts (Germany) | 9:30 a.m. | NFL Network |
| 11 | Sunday, Nov. 16 | vs. Panthers | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 12 | Sunday, Nov. 23 | at Saints | 4:25 p.m. | Fox |
| 13 | Sunday, Nov. 30 | at Jets | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 14 | Sunday, Dec. 7 | vs. Seahawks | 1 p.m. | Fox |
| 15 | Thursday, Dec. 11 | at Buccaneers | 8:15 p.m. | Amazon Pime |
| 16 | Sunday, Dec. 21 | at Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. | Fox |
| 17 | Monday, Dec. 29 | vs. Rams | 8:15 p.m. | ESPN |
| 18 | TBA | vs. Saints | TBA | TBA |
Falcons strength of schedule
Coming out of the 2023 NFL season, the Falcons were tied for the easiest strength of schedule. This metric is based on the opponents for the upcoming season and their winning percentages for the prior season. Atlanta had the easiest schedule on paper, but it didn't finish with a winning record. It wasn't supposed to be a full rebuilding year for the Falcons, but the team couldn't find its offensive identity. The game plan didn't revolve around Bijan Robinson, and Atlanta still couldn't figure out the way to work in Kyle Pitts. These factors, combined with a bad defense, led to a forgettable season for the Falcons.
Heading into 2025, Atlanta remains in the top half of the league for easiest strength of schedule. The Falcons' opponents this year had a .478 winning percentage in 2024, which ranks as the 13th-easiest strength of schedule in the league.
Toughest tests: The best barometer for how the Falcons season will go is in the division. Tampa Bay should enter the season as the favorite to win the NFC South. Atlanta taking a game from the Bucs in their two-game series would be big. The Falcons also need to make sure they take care of business against the Panthers and Saints, as dropping a game to either would be considered a bad loss.
Outside of the division, games against the Rams, Seahawks, Dolphins, Commanders, 49ers, and Vikings will be tough. Washington and Minnesota likely will be the hardest, but if Atlanta picks up wins over Los Angeles, Seattle, Miami, or San Francisco, it would be an indicator that the franchise is moving in the right direction.
Biggest breaks: On paper, and from what we have seen the past two seasons, Atlanta taking on Carolina and New Orleans twice apiece should be a break.
Outside of the division, the Falcons' best chances should come against the Cardinals, Patriots, Jets, and Colts. The Jets are adjusting to a new quarterback, and the Colts are expected to have a QB competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones come training camp. Arizona is still rebuilding but should be better, similar to Mike Vrabel and the Patriots.
Falcons record prediction
- Over/under win total: 7.5 (per BetMGM)
Bottom Line: Atlanta's time to win the division feels like it was 2024. It was neck and neck with the Buccaneers down the stretch, but back-to-back overtime losses to Washington and Carolina in Weeks 17 and 18 caused the Falcons to miss the playoffs. Both of those games were started by Penix.
The franchise has faith in him, but they have very notably held on to Cousins and are continuing to pay top dollar for a backup quarterback. The Falcons brought in better pieces on defense, but they might need time to adjust. It feels like Atlanta will be more ready to contend in 2026 unless Penix comes out firing like Jayden Daniels did last season for the Commanders.
Record prediction: 8-9
MORE NFL SCHEDULE RELEASE:
- Strength of schedule for all 32 NFL teams
- 49ers, Saints among teams with easiest schedule
- Giants, Bears among teams with toughest schedule