The question of who do falcons play sunday is actually a bit of a trick one if you're looking at the calendar today. If you're waking up on Sunday, January 18, 2026, hoping to catch Kirk Cousins or Bijan Robinson on your television, I’ve got some tough news.
The Atlanta Falcons aren't playing anyone today.
They’re home. They’re likely watching the games from their couches just like you are. The Falcons officially wrapped up their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4th with a narrow 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints. While that victory felt good—especially since it kept the Saints out of the top spot in the NFC South—it wasn't enough to save Atlanta's season.
Why the Falcons aren't on the field today
To understand why the Falcons are absent from the Sunday slate, you have to look back at the mid-season slump that defined their year. Atlanta finished with an 8-9 record. In the NFC South, that kind of record usually keeps you in the hunt until the very end, and it did, but they were technically eliminated from playoff contention back on December 7th after a blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s the eighth straight year the Falcons have missed the postseason. That’s a bitter pill for a fan base that expected Kirk Cousins to be the final piece of the puzzle.
👉 See also: Eastern Conference Finals 2024: What Most People Get Wrong
Instead of an Atlanta game, the NFL Divisional Round is taking over the airwaves today. While you won't see the Dirty Birds, you will see the teams that actually managed to navigate the NFC gauntlet. Here is what is actually happening on the field today, Sunday, January 18:
- Houston Texans at New England Patriots: 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN.
- Los Angeles Rams at Chicago Bears: 6:30 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock.
It’s a massive day for football, just not in Georgia.
The state of the franchise
The reason "who do falcons play sunday" is such a popular search right now isn't just about the schedule; it's about the chaos happening behind the scenes. Within hours of that final win against New Orleans, the Falcons organization hit the reset button. Hard.
Owner Arthur Blank didn't wait around. He relieved both head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot of their duties.
✨ Don't miss: Texas vs Oklahoma Football Game: Why the Red River Rivalry is Getting Even Weirder
Right now, the "game" the Falcons are playing is the coaching carousel. The team is currently in the thick of interviews. We’ve seen names like Kevin Stefanski and Jesse Minter floating around the facility in Flowery Branch. Even Matt Ryan is back in the building, though not in pads—he’s serving as the President of Football Operations and is a key figure in finding the next leader for this roster.
What the 2026 schedule looks like
Since there is no game today, most fans are already looking at the 2026 opponents. The NFL has already finalized who Atlanta will face next season, even if we don't have the exact dates yet.
Home Games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium:
You'll see the usual NFC South rivals: the Panthers, Saints, and Buccaneers. Beyond that, the Falcons are hosting some heavy hitters. The San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs are both slated to come to Atlanta. They’ll also face the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals at home.
Away Games:
The road trip list is equally daunting. Atlanta has to travel to Green Bay, Minnesota, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Washington, in addition to their divisional road games.
🔗 Read more: How to watch vikings game online free without the usual headache
One of these matchups—likely a home game—will be played internationally. The league confirmed in December that Atlanta is due for an international game in 2026. Whether that’s London, Munich, or Mexico City remains to be seen.
Actionable steps for Falcons fans today
Since you can't watch the Falcons today, here is how you should actually spend your football Sunday to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Rams vs. Bears game tonight. Why? Because the Bears have become a blueprint for a quick rebuild, and the Rams' offensive system is something several Falcons coaching candidates are looking to replicate.
- Monitor the coaching tracker. With the Divisional Round happening, some coordinators on winning teams might become available for second interviews soon.
- Check the draft order. The Falcons' 8-9 finish puts them in the middle of the pack for the 2026 NFL Draft. Start looking at edge rusher prospects; it’s widely considered the team’s biggest "must-fix" area this offseason.
The Falcons' season is over, but the work for 2026 is already moving at 100 miles per hour. While they aren't playing this Sunday, the moves they make this week will determine if they’re playing on this same weekend a year from now.