If you’re refreshing your phone asking what is the score of the Atlanta Falcons game, I have some news that might be a bit of a letdown if you were hoping for a live kickoff today.
Basically, the Falcons’ season is over. Done. Dusted.
The Atlanta Falcons played their final game of the 2025-2026 regular season on January 4, 2026, against the New Orleans Saints. They walked away with a 19-17 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. While a win against a division rival always feels good—especially one that effectively handed the NFC South title to the Carolina Panthers instead of New Orleans—it wasn't enough to save their year.
The Last Score: Falcons 19, Saints 17
That 19-17 scoreline tells a story of a game that was much more stressful than it needed to be. Atlanta’s kicker, Zane Gonzalez, was the absolute MVP of the day, knocking through four field goals. Honestly, without his leg, the Falcons would have been in serious trouble.
Kirk Cousins hooked up with Drake London for a 15-yard touchdown early on, which gave fans a glimmer of hope that the offense was finally clicking. But as has been the case for much of the Raheem Morris era, the team struggled to put the hammer down. They let the Saints linger.
Then came the drama.
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With about three minutes left, the Saints were driving. It looked like New Orleans might steal it and potentially the division. But Dee Alford stepped up with a massive red-zone interception. That pick essentially iced the game, though the Saints did manage a late touchdown to Ronnie Bell to make the final score look closer than the actual momentum of the fourth quarter suggested.
Why aren't they playing today?
You might see other teams playing right now because today, January 18, 2026, is the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs. Unfortunately, the Falcons didn't make the cut. They finished the season with an 8-9 record.
While 8-9 isn't the worst record in the league, it was enough for a third-place finish in the NFC South. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention back in Week 14 after a brutal loss to the Seattle Seahawks. That loss extended a playoff drought that is now hitting seven years. For a fan base that’s been through the ringer, that hurts.
The Bombshell After the Final Whistle
The score of the game ended up being the secondary story that Sunday. Just hours after the 19-17 win, Arthur Blank made a massive move. He fired head coach Raheem Morris and General Manager Terry Fontenot.
It’s rare to see a coach get the axe immediately after a win, but the writing had been on the wall. The Falcons have a roster loaded with talent—we’re talking about Bijan Robinson, who just broke franchise records for scrimmage yards, and Kyle Pitts, who finally looked like his old self this year. Yet, the team couldn't get over the .500 hump.
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Enter the Kevin Stefanski Era
If you’re looking for a score because you want to know the future of this team, the "score" in the front office is a big one. As of this morning, January 18, the Falcons have officially hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach.
The news broke after a dinner at Arthur Blank’s house where Blank apparently cooked the ribeye steaks himself. That’s a very "Atlanta" way to close a deal. Stefanski comes over from Cleveland with two Coach of the Year awards under his belt, and the hope is that he can finally unlock Michael Penix Jr. ## A Season of What-Ifs
Looking back at the 2025 schedule, this team was a rollercoaster. They had some high points, like a 24-14 win over Buffalo and a 34-27 thriller against Washington. But they also got shut out 30-0 by Carolina in Week 3. You just never knew which Falcons team was going to show up.
- Week 1: Loss to Tampa Bay (23-20)
- Week 12: Big win at New Orleans (24-10)
- Week 17: Clutch win against the Rams (27-24)
- Week 18: The finale win over the Saints (19-17)
Despite finishing on a three-game winning streak, the damage was done in the middle of the season. Those overtime losses to Indianapolis and Carolina in November really killed the vibe.
What's Next for Falcons Fans?
Since there is no game to watch today, the focus shifts entirely to the off-season. The Falcons are in a weird spot. They have the talent, they have a new "offensive genius" head coach, and they have a young quarterback waiting in the wings.
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The "score" you should be watching now isn't on a scoreboard—it's the NFL Draft and the free agency wire. With Stefanski in charge, expect a heavy emphasis on the run game to maximize Bijan Robinson’s prime. Robinson finished the season with 2,197 scrimmage yards, which is just insane when you think about how inconsistent the play-calling was at times.
If you're looking to keep up with the team during the playoffs, you're basically scouting the competition. Keep an eye on the Panthers, who won the division with the same 8-9 record the Falcons had (they just owned the tiebreakers). It’s a wide-open NFC South, and with the right moves this spring, the Falcons could easily be the ones playing on January 18 next year.
For now, the final score of the Atlanta Falcons season remains 19-17, a win that felt like a goodbye to one era and a messy invitation to the next.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the official team announcements regarding Kevin Stefanski’s coaching staff, specifically whether he retains defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. You should also mark your calendar for the NFL Draft in April, as the Falcons will likely look to bolster their pass rush to complement James Pearce Jr., who finished 2025 with 10.5 sacks.