The 2025 season just wrapped up, and honestly, if you only looked at the final standings, you'd think it was just another "same old Falcons" year. An 8-9 record. Third in the NFC South. No playoffs for the eighth straight winter.
But looking at the atlanta falcons game schedule from this past year reveals a team that was essentially a chaotic coin flip in pads. They didn't just lose; they lost in ways that felt specifically designed to test the sanity of everyone in Georgia.
The Schedule That Broke the Status Quo
Remember that Week 10 trip to Berlin? Most fans were worried about the jet lag, but the real story was the heartbreak. Losing 31-25 in overtime to the Indianapolis Colts on international soil was basically the season in a nutshell. It was a "home" game away from home that felt like a missed opportunity the size of the Atlantic.
Varying the pace was the name of the game for Raheem Morris, though it didn't save his job in the end. One week you’ve got a dominant 22-6 road win against the Vikings in Week 2, and the next, you’re staring at a 30-0 doughnut against the Panthers. It makes no sense. It’s football.
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Here is how the back half of the 2025 slate actually shook out:
- Week 13: A brutal 27-24 loss to the Jets that really started the "fire everyone" chants in the local sports bars.
- Week 14: The Seattle Seahawks came to Mercedes-Benz Stadium and absolutely dismantled the Falcons 37-9. That was the official "math" game—the one that eliminated Atlanta from the postseason.
- Week 15: A weirdly gutsy Thursday night win in Tampa, 29-28.
- The Finale: They finished on a four-game heater (sorta) by beating the Saints 19-17 in Week 18.
That final win was the ultimate Falcons move. It didn't get them into the playoffs, but it did mess up the draft order and ensured the Saints stayed home too. Petty? Maybe. Satisfying? Absolutely.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Atlanta Falcons Game Schedule
Now that the dust has settled and both Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot are out, we’re looking at a 2026 schedule that is already set in stone, even if the kickoff times aren't. Because the Falcons finished third in the division, their "strength of schedule" is theoretically easier, though "easy" is a relative term when you're breaking in a new coaching staff.
The 2026 home slate at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is actually a gauntlet. You’ve got the usual suspects—Saints, Panthers, Bucs—but then the heavy hitters show up. The San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs are both scheduled to fly into Atlanta next season. Good luck to whoever the new defensive coordinator is.
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On the road, it’s a lot of NFC North and AFC North action.
- Travel to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers.
- A trip to the Steel City against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
- The Commanders in D.C.
- Standard divisional trips to New Orleans, Tampa, and Charlotte.
The Michael Penix Jr. Factor
You can't talk about the atlanta falcons game schedule without talking about the guy taking the snaps. Michael Penix Jr. had a rookie year that was, well, polarizing. He showed flashes of that elite deep ball, but the injuries to the receiving corps—Drake London missing five games was a killer—didn't help.
The 2025 stats tell a story of "almost." Bijan Robinson was a monster, breaking the franchise record for yards from scrimmage with 2,298. He was the bright spot. When you have a guy like that, the schedule should feel easier. But when your offensive line loses Kaleb McGary on the literal last day of training camp, the best laid plans go out the window.
Why 2026 Might Be Different (Seriously This Time)
The most interesting thing about next year's schedule isn't the opponents—it's the leadership. Arthur Blank moving Greg Beadles to CEO and hunting for a new head coach means the 2026 season is a total reset.
The Falcons will play nine home games in 2026. That’s a massive advantage if they can actually turn the Benz into a fortress. This past year, they went 4-5 at home. That’s just not going to cut it if you want to win the NFC South.
If you’re planning your life around the atlanta falcons game schedule, here is the reality: the NFL usually drops the exact dates and times in mid-May. Expect a lot of 1:00 PM starts again. After the five prime-time games in 2025 resulted in a mixed bag of performances, the schedule makers might be a bit more cautious with Atlanta until they prove they can win consistently.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
- Watch the Coaching Search: The schedule is just a list of names until you know who's calling the plays. Keep an eye on the interviews with candidates like Antonio Pierce or Jeff Hafley.
- Check the Salary Cap: With rumors of Kirk Cousins potentially being cut after his deal was restructured, the roster that takes the field for Week 1 in 2026 could look 40% different than the one that finished 2025.
- Plan for May: Set a notification for the official NFL schedule release. If you're a season ticket holder or looking to travel for a road game (Pittsburgh is a great trip), that's your window to book.
The 2025 season felt like a long walk to nowhere, but the 8-9 finish actually gives the next regime a decent platform. They aren't the worst team in the league; they're just the most inconsistent. If the 2026 schedule treats them a little kinder on the injury front, that eight-year playoff drought might finally end.