The Atlanta Falcons were arguably the most middling team in the league last season. They finished 8-9 and went 8-9 against the spread. They were favorites nine times and underdogs eight times. Overs hit nine times, unders hit eight times. Even their average game total settled around 44.9, 16th-highest in the NFL.
But that's just par for the course with Atlanta, having finished with seven or eight wins in ... seven of the past eight seasons, along with going under its win total in, you guessed it, seven of the last eight seasons. Some of the individual talent was able to shine through the gray skies last season, with Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts Sr. providing one of the league's most explosive trios. No the questions is, Will Tua Tagovailoa move things in either direction or are the Falcons destined for more mediocrity? -- Kevin Pulsifer
Note: Odds by DraftKings
and subject to change.
2026 outlook: Upgrades make Falcons contenders in NFC South
There are legit questions at quarterback for the Falcons, who saw Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins put up nearly identical statistics last season, but I like what they've done with the offense since the season ended. Kevin Stefanski taking over in place of Raheem Morris as head coach is a massive upgrade, especially with Bijan Robinson running behind a top-10 offensive line that is being coached by Bill Callahan.
Atlanta held a lead at some point in 14 of 17 games last season but finished 8-9 after falling apart in the second half of games. Clean that up, and the Falcons can contend in the NFC South. -- Pamela Maldonado
Best bet: Drake London OVER 7.5 receiving TDs (+110)
This intrigues me because of the price. London was on pace for a double-digit touchdown season before a left knee PCL sprain and a minor shoulder sprain curtailed his playing time, but he is still the unquestioned WR1 and should benefit from a more efficient offense with more red zone opportunities. -- Maldonado
