The Atlanta Falcons are in the NFC South with no clear-cut favorite. Last season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the division with 10 wins, so it's not wild to believe that the Falcons cannot take the title.
Atlanta will lean on second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. when they face the Buccaneers. A win over Tampa Bay will allow the Falcons to get off on the right foot as they look to win the division. Moreover, Atlanta received major backing from an ESPN analyst on their 2025 season.
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On the latest episode of the "Rich Eisen Show," ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky believes that the Falcons are a surprise team that not many on the national football media are talking enough about.
"I just think Atlanta's roster is really good," Orlovsky told Eisen. "I think offensive defensive line-wise, really good unit. I believe that skill position group with Bijan Robinson and Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Michael Penix, and his physical talent to throw the ball downfield. I've heard those two pass rushers, Pierce specifically, has been outstanding in camp.
"And so they're a team in a roster that I still think if those picks are what they should be they are scary nationally. Now, I believed in them last year as well. I just thought Kirk [Cousins] would play well. Obviously, that didn't go good. I just think, roster-wise, there's a lot of individual talent."
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Along with facing the Bucs, the Falcons will have a challenging September. Atlanta will face three teams that made the playoffs last season: Buccaneers (September 7), Minnesota Vikings (September 14), and Washington Commanders (September 28).
If the Falcons can get out of the first month of the season with a winning record, Atlanta should feel good about their chances to secure a division title.