Welcome back, Atlanta fans, to the 59th year of Falcons football, which looks to be at least as interesting as any of the previous 58 editions. “Interesting” does not mean that this team is expected to reach the height of the 1998 or 2016 Super Bowl appearance seasons, but it is at least aiming in that direction again.
The Athletics will have you covered throughout the NFL season, and I’ll be on the ground in Atlanta sharing the latest on the new-look Falcons. Eighty-one-year-old team owner Arthur Blank made it clear that he believes his team can compete at the highest level this year, and he backs that up with his pocket book. So, how will it all work?
• Will big money free agent quarterback Kirk Cousins turn Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson into stars?
• Can defensive additions Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons secure their side of the ball?
• How will Raheem Morris do in his second chance as an NFL head coach?
We’ll be there to help you learn all the answers, and I appreciate you all coming along for the ride.
Bijan Robinson could have a breakout season in the Falcons’ new-look offense. (Dale Zanine/USA Today)
When you want to go past the Falcons, The Athletics will still have you covered. Get The Pulse delivered to your inbox for a quick, fun read on the biggest stories in the NFL and all of sports. Check the app daily — available on iOS and Google — to get personalized news about the teams that matter most to you. And deep into the NFL with Scoop City as insider Dianna Russini and our NFL reporters bring you the inside scoop.
Week 1: vs. Steelers, Sunday, 1 pm ET (FOX)
Here are some stories to get you ready for the season:
Falcons must-reads:
Is this the year the Falcons’ pass rush finally clicks?
No NFL team has been worse in the last decade at getting the quarterback on the ground than the Falcons. Can they change that this season?
Why is Kirk Cousins a Tier 2 quarterback?
Cousins earned his highest ranking yet in Mike Sando’s Quarterback Tiers this year. His new teammates think they know why.
Falcons turn attention to Steelers after trading Taylor Heinicke
The Falcons completed the Heinicke trade with the Chargers and are activating Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons for Week 1.
5 takeaways from 53-man roster: Falcons keep Taylor Heinicke, not Kevin King
Wide receiver Chris Blair was another surprise cut by the Falcons as they kept just five receivers on the starting roster.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium Guide
(Chris Unger, Ryan Kang, Kevin C. Cox, Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
NFL rankings and insights:
Inside the big notebooks and tiny sketches that are the secret to Kirk Cousins’ success
The Falcons’ new quarterback is a “maniacal” note-taker, crediting the practice for his 12-year NFL career.
What I see: Everyone loves Kirk Cousins and other observations
The Falcons have a new coach, a new quarterback and a new sense of urgency that starts at the top.
Week 1 Power Rankings
It’s time for a vibration check for every team entering the season.
Quarterback Tiers 2024: Only 2 join Mahomes in Tier 1
Aaron Rodgers missed Tier 1 for the first time in the 11th annual survey of 50 NFL coaches and executives. His successor in Green Bay increased.
NFL agents dish on best (and worst) franchise, Mahomes’ worth and Dak’s upcoming deal
In our sixth annual agent survey, reps offered thoughts on everything from QB contracts to top talent evaluators to ways to improve the NFL.
Intel on all 32 NFL teams, Russ skepticism, Davante Adams trade talk and more
Dozens of NFL executives and coaches are thinking about how the 2024 season will unfold for each team.
Ten bold predictions: Packers win NFC North, but Caleb Williams for MVP?
Plus: Kyler Murray explodes, the 49ers suffer a Super Bowl hangover and Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs make history (again).
Hope-O-Meter results: fan rating optimism for all 32 teams
Optimism in the NFL tends to be closely tied to a team’s starting quarterback. So which fanbases are most optimistic in 2024?
Win total projections | Week 1 schedule
(Photo: Brett Davis / USA Today)
