If you’re checking the TV guide or trying to clear your Sunday schedule to see who do the Atlanta Falcons play this week, I’ve got some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s the kind of news Falcons fans have grown weary of hearing over the last few years.
The short answer? Nobody. Atlanta’s 2025-2026 campaign officially hit the brick wall on January 4, 2026. While the NFL is currently heating up with the high-stakes Divisional Round matchups—featuring teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears—the Falcons are back in Flowery Branch, likely already deep into "what went wrong" meetings. It’s a tough pill to swallow. Especially when you consider how the season ended on such a weirdly high, yet ultimately meaningless, note.
Why the Falcons aren't on the schedule right now
The search for who do the Atlanta Falcons play this week usually picks up steam when people see "NFL Playoffs" on the calendar. But for the eighth straight year, the postseason bracket is missing that familiar Dirty Bird logo.
Atlanta finished the regular season with an 8-9 record.
They actually capped off the year with a gritty 19-17 win over the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. It was a classic NFC South slugfest. Zane Gonzalez was the hero that day, kicking four field goals, including two in the fourth quarter to seal it. Drake London caught a touchdown from Kirk Cousins early on, and for a moment, it felt like the team had found its identity.
But it was too little, too late.
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The math just didn't work. By the time that final whistle blew against the Saints, the Falcons had already been eliminated from playoff contention. A Week 14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks was the actual "dagger" that ended their postseason hopes. So, while you might see the San Francisco 49ers traveling to Seattle this Saturday, or the Rams heading to Chicago on Sunday, the Falcons are strictly spectators.
The 2025 Season: A Rollercoaster to Nowhere
Looking back, the season was kind of a blur of "what ifs." We saw a transition at quarterback that kept everyone on their toes. Michael Penix Jr. got nine starts, showing flashes of that absolute cannon for an arm, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards and 9 touchdowns. Kirk Cousins handled the other eight starts.
The stats tell a story of a team that was almost there:
- Bijan Robinson was a total stud, racking up 1,478 rushing yards and proving he’s arguably the best back in the league.
- Kyle Pitts finally looked like the unicorn we were promised, hauling in 88 catches.
- The defense actually played pretty well, ranking in the top half of the league in points allowed.
So, why are we asking who do the Atlanta Falcons play this week instead of buying playoff tickets? It comes down to the "clutch" factor. Atlanta lost heartbreakers to the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts by a combined 7 points. Those are the games that separate the teams playing in late January from the ones booking tee times at the golf course.
The NFL Playoff Picture (Without Atlanta)
Since the Falcons are out, the football world is focused on the Divisional Round. This is the weekend where the pretenders get sent home and the real contenders emerge. If you're looking for something to fill the void, here is the slate of games taking place while the Falcons watch from home:
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Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: This is the early game. Josh Allen in the altitude is always a spectacle.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: A classic divisional rivalry. Seattle is the team that basically ended Atlanta's season, so Falcons fans might be rooting for a 49ers blowout here.
Sunday, January 18, 2026
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots: Two teams that have had wild resurgences.
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears: The primetime nightcap.
It’s a bit depressing to see the Bears and Seahawks in the mix while Atlanta sits at 8-9 again. Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot have their work cut out for them this offseason. The "seven-year itch" has turned into an eight-year playoff drought, and the fan base is, understandably, getting restless.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents
Since there is no game this week, the best we can do is look at what's coming in the fall of 2026. The NFL has already finalized the home and away opponents for next season.
Basically, the Falcons will play the usual NFC South suspects—Panthers, Saints, and Bucs—both home and away. But the out-of-division schedule looks brutal. They’ve got home games against the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. They also have to travel to Green Bay and Pittsburgh.
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There's also an international game on the horizon. The league confirmed that Atlanta will host one of their games abroad in 2026. Whether that’s London, Munich, or somewhere else hasn't been announced yet, but it’s one more thing for fans to track during this long offseason.
What happens next for the Falcons?
The next "big game" for Atlanta isn't on a football field; it's in the meeting rooms. With the 2025 season in the rearview, the focus shifts to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency.
- Evaluate the QB Room: Do they commit fully to Michael Penix Jr. now? Cousins is a pro, but Penix is the future.
- Bolster the Pass Rush: Despite some solid defensive games, they need more consistent heat on opposing quarterbacks.
- Find a New Head Coach?: Rumors are always swirling in Atlanta, though Morris just finished his second year. The front office has to decide if 8-9 is "progress" or "purgatory."
So, when someone asks you who do the Atlanta Falcons play this week, just tell them they're playing the "waiting game." It’s a boring game, and the stakes are mostly just draft capital, but it’s the reality of life in the NFC South right now.
Keep an eye on the Senior Bowl and the Scouting Combine. Those are the next dates that actually matter for the Dirty Birds. For now, grab some wings, pick a playoff underdog to root for, and hope that by this time next year, the answer to the schedule question is a lot more exciting.
If you're looking to stay updated on the off-season moves, you can start tracking the Falcons' draft position, which is currently locked into the middle of the first round.