If you’re waking up on this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and wondering when do the falcons play today, I have some news that might sting a little. Honestly, they don't.
The Atlanta Falcons aren't on the field today, and they won't be for a while. Their 2025-2026 season officially wrapped up on January 4th after a nail-biting 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints. While that victory felt good—especially since it came against a division rival—it wasn't enough to save a season that basically fell apart in the middle of November.
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The Dirty Birds finished 8-9. Third place in the NFC South. No playoffs. Again.
It’s the eighth straight year without a winning record for Atlanta, which ties a pretty depressing franchise record. So, while teams like the Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears are currently prepping for the Divisional Round this coming weekend, the folks at Flowery Branch are already looking at draft boards and free-agent lists.
When Do the Falcons Play Today? Breaking Down the 2026 Offseason
Since there isn't a game to tune into, the real "play" is happening in the front office. The 2026 opponents were actually finalized the moment that Week 18 whistle blew.
If you're trying to plan your life around the next time you can see Bijan Robinson or Drake London in person, you've got a long wait. We won't see them in a meaningful game until September 2026. However, we do know who they are playing, even if the NFL hasn't dropped the specific dates and times yet.
The 2026 Home Slate:
- The usual suspects: New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers.
- The heavy hitters: San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs (yeah, Mahomes is coming to Mercedes-Benz).
- The rest: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals.
The Road Trips:
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- Divisional away games: Saints, Bucs, and Panthers.
- The cold ones: Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings.
- The AFC North tour: Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers.
- The final one: A trip to D.C. to face the Washington Commanders.
One weird thing to keep an eye on? The Falcons were granted an international home game for 2026. This means one of those home games listed above—likely a non-divisional one—is going to be played in London or Munich. We probably won't know which one until the full schedule drop in May.
What Happened to the 2025 Season?
It's kinda wild to look back at where things went wrong. Early in the year, there was so much hype. Kirk Cousins was healthy, Michael Penix Jr. was waiting in the wings, and the defense actually looked decent.
But then the injuries hit. Drake London missed five games. Darnell Mooney, who they brought in to be that explosive second option, got banged up in training camp and never really looked 100%. The wide receiver group ended up ranked 28th in the league for total yardage. You just can't win in the modern NFL when your pass-catchers are struggling to find space.
Then there was the coaching situation. Raheem Morris is officially on the hot seat. Despite finishing the season with a four-game winning streak, the 1-13 third-down conversion rate in that ugly loss to Seattle back in December still haunts the fan base.
The Quarterback Question for 2026
Since we aren't asking when do the falcons play today, the better question is: who is playing for the Falcons next year?
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Kirk Cousins actually played pretty well down the stretch, leading the team to a 4-2 record in the final six games. But he’s not getting any younger. The front office has a massive decision to make regarding Michael Penix Jr. and whether he's ready to take the keys to the franchise. There are even rumors that they might look at a "rehabilitation project" backup—someone like Trey Lance or Malik Willis—to provide some insurance if Penix isn't the guy yet.
Honestly, it feels like the team is in a weird limbo. They’re too good to get a top-three draft pick, but too inconsistent to make the dance.
Moving Forward: Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're a die-hard fan, today isn't about checking the scoreboard. It's about looking ahead. Here is what you should be tracking over the next few weeks:
- The Senior Bowl (January 31): This is where the Falcons' scouts will be looking for that much-needed receiver depth. Keep an eye on the guys who can separate; Atlanta needs speed.
- The "International Game" Announcement: If you're planning a trip, keep your ears open for which home game is being moved overseas.
- Coaching Staff Shuffles: Watch the news regarding offensive assistants. After the dip in WR production last year, a new wide receivers coach is almost a certainty.
The hunt for a winning record starts now, even if the pads don't go back on for months. Keep an eye on the roster recaps coming out of Flowery Branch this week—they’re telling the story of how this team plans to finally break the .500 barrier.