The 2025-2026 NFL regular season has officially wrapped up, and the Atlanta Falcons find themselves in a familiar, somewhat frustrating spot. They finished 8-9. Again. On the surface, it looks like a treadmill of mediocrity, but if you actually dig into the atlanta falcons stats today, you’ll see a team that spent the year oscillating between "scary contender" and "total rebuild."
Honestly, the finale against the New Orleans Saints was a microcosm of the whole year. A gritty 19-17 win at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to close out the schedule. It didn't get them into the dance—Atlanta was officially eliminated back in Week 14 after a brutal 37-9 thumping by the Seattle Seahawks—but it did showcase a late-season surge that has the fanbase feeling... well, conflicted.
The Bijan Robinson Record and the Ground Game Reality
If you want to talk about the bright spots, you have to start with Bijan Robinson. The guy was a literal human highlight reel this year. He didn't just play well; he set a new franchise record for yards from scrimmage with 2,298. That’s insane. He eclipsed the previous mark and finished the season as the NFL’s leader in all-purpose yardage.
But here is the weird part of the atlanta falcons stats today: despite Bijan’s 1,478 rushing yards, he wasn't the primary goal-line threat. That honor went to Tyler Allgeier, who punched in eight rushing touchdowns compared to Robinson’s seven. It’s a backfield duo that works, but you’ve gotta wonder if the Falcons left points on the board by not leaning even harder on Bijan in the red zone.
By the Numbers: Rushing Leaders
- Bijan Robinson: 287 carries, 1,478 yards, 5.2 avg, 7 TDs.
- Tyler Allgeier: 143 carries, 514 yards, 3.6 avg, 8 TDs.
The team finished with 2,138 total rushing yards, averaging about 125.8 per game. That ranked them 8th in the league. When the Falcons won, it was usually because they were bullying people at the line of scrimmage. When they lost? It was usually because the passing game got stuck in the mud.
The Quarterback Carousel: Cousins vs. Penix Jr.
This is where things get messy. The Falcons entered the year with Kirk Cousins as the undisputed veteran leader, but injuries and performance lulls turned the season into a dual-headed experiment. Kirk Cousins played 10 games, starting 8 of them, throwing for 1,721 yards with 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. His completion percentage sat at 61.7%, which is fine, but not the elite "Captain Kirk" numbers the front office paid for.
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Then you have Michael Penix Jr.
The rookie got his shot and showed flashes of why he was a first-round pick. In 9 games, he put up 1,982 passing yards—actually out-gaining Cousins in fewer appearances. He threw 9 touchdowns against 3 interceptions. His 11.9 yards per completion was one of the highest marks in the league, showing a clear willingness to push the ball downfield in a way the veteran sometimes hesitated to do.
But the sacks. Oh, the sacks. Both QBs were dropped 13 times each. While the offensive line, led by All-Pro Chris Lindstrom, was solid in the run game, the pass protection vanished during those mid-season stretches where Atlanta dropped five games in a row.
Defense: A Statistical Mirage?
Early in the season, the headlines were screaming that Atlanta had the No. 1 defense in the NFL. And for a while, it was true. Through the first month, they were allowing a measly 244 yards per game.
By the end of the year, the atlanta falcons stats today show a regression to the mean. They finished 17th in yards allowed per game (327.0) and 19th in points allowed (23.6). They were great at preventing the big play through the air—ranking 12th in pass defense—but they got absolutely gashed on the ground, finishing 24th in rushing yards allowed.
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- Kaden Elliss was a machine, recording 107 tackles.
- James Pearce Jr. emerged as a legitimate pass-rushing threat with 10.5 sacks.
- Xavier Watts proved to be a ballhawk in the secondary with 5 interceptions.
The defense was "bend-but-don't-break" until it just... broke. The Week 14 loss to Seattle, where they gave up 37 points, was the final nail in the coffin for their playoff hopes. You can't be a top-tier defense and give up nearly 40 in a must-win game at home. It just doesn't work.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of folks look at the 8-9 record and assume Raheem Morris failed in his second year. It’s easy to say that. But look at the context of the NFC South. The division was a three-way tie at 8-9 between the Falcons, Panthers, and Buccaneers. Atlanta actually won four straight to end the season.
They beat the Bucs, Cardinals, Rams, and Saints in a late-season flurry. If the season was 20 games long, the Falcons might be the hottest team in football right now. The problem wasn't the finish; it was the disastrous 4-9 start. Losing to the Patriots and Colts in back-to-back weeks during November is what actually killed this team.
Receiving Corps: The London and Pitts Equation
Drake London remains the focal point, hauling in 68 catches for 919 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 12 games. He missed time, and his absence was felt. When London was off the field, the passing attack averaged nearly 40 fewer yards per game. Kyle Pitts finally looked like himself again, leading the team with 88 receptions and 928 yards. He’s become the safety blanket for whoever is under center, though fans are still clamoring for more than his 5 touchdowns.
Why the 2026 Outlook is Actually Sunny
So, where do we go from here? The atlanta falcons stats today tell us this is a team with an identity crisis that might finally be resolving. They have the 8th best rushing attack and a defense that, while inconsistent, has legitimate stars in Elliss and Pearce Jr.
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The big question for 2026 is the quarterback. Kirk Cousins is another year older, and Michael Penix Jr. has clearly shown he can move the offense. With Terry Fontenot and Raheem Morris out, the new leadership will have to decide: do you trade the veteran and go full-youth movement?
The schedule for 2026 is already set. Because they finished third in the NFC South, they’ll face a "third-place" schedule. That means games against the Washington Commanders, San Francisco 49ers, and Kansas City Chiefs. It’s not going to be easy, but the talent is there.
Actionable Next Steps for Falcons Fans
If you're tracking this team over the offseason, keep an eye on these three specific areas:
- The Allgeier Contract: Tyler Allgeier is a free agent. If he leaves, the Falcons lose their "hammer" in the run game. Replacing that production is vital to keeping Bijan Robinson fresh.
- The Defensive Interior: The Falcons ranked 24th against the run. They need a massive human being in the middle of that line to stop the bleeding in 2026.
- The QB Verdict: Watch the "post-June 1" trade rumors regarding Kirk Cousins. If the Falcons want to hand the keys to Penix, they'll need to move Cousins' contract early in the summer.
The stats don't lie, but they don't tell the whole story either. 8-9 is disappointing, but the foundation of a 2,200-yard rusher and a budding superstar pass rusher is more than most losing teams can claim.
The 2025 season is over. The 2026 rebuild—or refinement—starts now.