So you're checking your phone or refreshing your browser to find out what is the score in the Atlanta Falcons game, and the reality is a bit of a bummer for the Dirty Birds faithful.
There is no score today, January 16, 2026.
The Falcons aren't on the field. They’re home. They finished their season nearly two weeks ago on January 4th with a gritty 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints, but that victory wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason. While other teams are gearing up for the Divisional Round this weekend, Atlanta is currently navigating one of the most chaotic offseasons in recent memory.
The Last Time They Lined Up
If you missed that final Week 18 matchup, it was a classic NFC South slog. It wasn't exactly high-flying "Greatest Show on Grass" material, but it had drama. Zane Gonzalez was basically the MVP of the day, knocking through four field goals.
The defense stepped up when it mattered most. Dee Alford snagged a massive red-zone interception late in the fourth quarter that basically iced the game. That play prevented a Saints comeback and pushed the Falcons to an 8-9 finish for the season.
Honestly, it’s a weird feeling for fans. You win your last four games, you finish with a bit of momentum, and then—boom. Everyone gets fired.
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Why the Falcons Aren't Playing Today
You’d think an 8-9 record and a season-ending winning streak might buy a coaching staff some time. Not in Atlanta. Hours after the final whistle against New Orleans, owner Arthur Blank made the call to move on from head coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot.
It feels harsh, right?
But when you look at the context, the frustration makes sense. This was the eighth straight season the Falcons missed the playoffs. They actually lost a three-way tiebreaker for the NFC South crown, which ended up going to the Carolina Panthers. In a division that was wide open, finishing third just didn't cut it for the front office.
The Kirk Cousins Situation
Then there's the Kirk Cousins factor. The veteran quarterback is 37 now, and his future in Atlanta is a massive question mark. If you’ve seen him on TV lately, it’s because he’s actually working as an analyst for CBS during the playoffs.
He's not retired—at least he hasn't said he is—but seeing your starting QB in a suit behind a desk while the playoffs are happening is definitely a choice. He's mentioned he wants to keep playing in 2026, but with a new coaching staff coming in, they might decide it’s finally time to go all-in on Michael Penix Jr.
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Breaking Down the 2025-2026 Season Results
To understand how we got here, you have to look at the rollercoaster of the last few months. The season started with high hopes and quickly hit the skids.
- The Early Struggles: Atlanta dropped games to the Bucs and Panthers early on. A 30-0 shutout loss to Carolina in Week 3 was particularly painful to watch.
- The Mid-Season Slump: Between late October and early December, the team went on a brutal skid. They lost five out of six games, including heartbreakers against the Patriots and Colts.
- The Late Surge: Just when everyone gave up, they started winning. They beat the Bucs, Cardinals, Rams, and Saints in consecutive weeks.
It was too little, too late.
The Week 14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks (37-9) was essentially the nail in the coffin. That loss officially eliminated them from playoff contention and ensured that their eight-year drought would continue.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of national media folks look at the 8-9 record and assume the team is talent-depleted. That’s not really true. Bijan Robinson was a First-Team All-Pro for a reason. He’s arguably the best pure playmaker the Falcons have had since Julio Jones was in his prime.
On the defensive side, Jessie Bates III remains a ball-hawk, and Chris Lindstrom is still a mountain on the offensive line. The pieces are there. The "what is the score in the Atlanta Falcons game" search trend usually peaks because people expect this team to be in the mix. They have the "star power," just not the consistency.
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The 2026 Road Map
Since there’s no game today, the focus shifts to the "off-the-field" scoreboard.
First, the head coaching search is the big one. Atlanta has a history of swinging for the fences, so expect some big names to be linked to the job. Second, the 2026 opponents are already set. Because they finished third in the division, they’ll face a third-place schedule next year.
That means they’ll host teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It won't be an easy path back to relevance.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to stay plugged in while the team is dormant, here's what you should be tracking:
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Watch for who the Falcons interview in the coming weeks. A defensive-minded coach might signal a different philosophy than the Morris era.
- The Quarterback Decision: Keep an eye on the "Top 51" roster numbers in March. If the Falcons don't trade or cut Cousins by then, his contract becomes much harder to move.
- Draft Position: Atlanta will likely pick in the middle of the first round. With a new GM coming in, will they target an edge rusher or more protection for whoever is under center?
The "score" right now isn't measured in touchdowns—it's measured in front-office decisions. For a fan base that has waited nearly a decade to see January football, the next few months are arguably more important than any game they played this season.