Atlanta Falcons 2025 Season Preview: Star Players, Key Matchups & Where to Watch
2024 was a fairly chaotic year for the Falcons: signing Kirk Cousins on a massive contract, only to draft Michael Penix Jr., the oldest QB available, a matter of weeks later.
Cousins held down the starting role until his play fell off a cliff in the middle of the season, which saw Penix step in for the final 3 games. That was enough for the former Huskie to win the job in Atlanta, where, in 2025, he is spoiled with offensive weapons and should therefore see plenty of passing volume in the season ahead.
The other side of the ball is a much more complicated proposition for the Falcons: they havenât had an above-average scoring defense since 2017, the last time they made the playoffs. In recent times, the absence of a legitimate pass rush has been glaringly obvious.
In 2024, they had the second-fewest sacks. They went about rectifying this by hiring Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator, and completing the free agent acquisitions of Leonard Floyd and Morgan Fox, as well as the additions of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. via the draft.
A stronger defense will surely help them get above .500 for the first time in 8 seasons, a mark which they were only 1 win away from in 2024.
đș Top 5 Must-Watch Falcons Games in 2025
đ Week 1 (Sept 7) - vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
FOX: 1:00 PM ET
Season opener at home against last seasonâs division champs, it's important to start on the right foot here if Atlanta is to make it back into the playoffs.
đ Week 2 (Sept 14) - @ Minnesota Vikings
NBC: 8:20 PM ET
First primetime game of the season, the Vikings proved to be one of the leagueâs most well-rounded teams of 2024, a big test for what was a top-heavy Falcons group last year.
đ Week 6 (Oct 13) - vs Buffalo Bills
ESPN/ABC: 7:15 PM ET
Hosting the reigning MVP on Monday Night Football sounds daunting, but fresh off a bye week, this will be a massive test for Atlantaâs new-look defense.
đ Week 7 (Oct 19) - @ San Francisco 49ers
NBC: 8:20 PM ET
Sunday Night, away at a team that has been to 4 of the past 6 NFC Championship games. If Atlanta wants to prove theyâre playoff-ready, it doesnât get much better than this.
đ Week 17 (Dec 29) - vs Los Angeles Rams
ESPN/ABC: 8:15 PM ET
Another proven playoff team battling for their division late in the year. Expect a must-see duel between two of the leagueâs strongest arms, at very different stages of their careers.
đ Falcons in Prime Time: When to Tune In
- Sunday Night (SNF) Games
- Week 2 @ Minnesota
- Week 7 @ San Francisco
- Monday Night (MNF) Games
- Week 6 vs Buffalo
- Week 17 vs LA Rams
- Thursday Night (TNF) Games
- Week 15 @ Tampa
- International Games
- Week 10 @ Indianapolis
- (Berlin, Germany)
- Week 10 @ Indianapolis
Five primetime games in the upcoming season are evidence of just how entertaining the league thinks these Falcons can be. Having not made the playoffs since 2017, they were absent from the national media spotlight for many years: according to the Falcoholic, Atlanta had just two primetime games in 2019 and 2020, one in 2021 and 2022, and none in 2023. They originally had 4 in 2024, but were flexed into a fifth late in the season for the Michael Penix-Jayden Daniels duel.
âïž2025 Star Players to Watch
đ„ On OffenseMichael Penix Jr. â Cannon attached to his left arm, always fun to watch.
Bijan Robinson â Unquestionably the guy for this offense, a do-it-all, Pro-Bowl back.
Drake London â Physical specimen who enjoyed a career year with 9 TDs in 2024Darnell Mooney â Speedster who perfectly complements London by stretching the defense.
Kyle Pitts â Has to prove his worth in the final year of his contract; talent is clearly there.
đĄïž On DefenseJalon Walker â Georgia Bulldog, who was a beast off the edge, is entering his rookie season.
James Pearce Jr â First-round DE rookie, who has all of the physical tools to be a monster.Jessie Bates â Interception machine at free safety, will be a difference-maker on defense.AJ Terrell â Grown into his role on this defense as an elite corner.
How to Watch the Falcons in 2025
It varies game to game. For the best, most in-depth access, NFL Network offers the most complete coverage. Nationally broadcast games are available on major networks such as Fox, CBS, and NBC, with other offerings on Prime Video and Netflix as well.
đĄ Pro Tip: For full schedule and TV listings, visit our Atlanta Falcons Subpage.
đ§ Final Thought: Can they beat Tampa to the NFC East?
Making it to the playoffs is the mission in Atlanta. Having improved the defense, their biggest weakness in years past, and Penix coming into his first full season as a starter with a better idea of what to expect, they should have plenty of chances to take advantage of a weak division and challenge Tampa for the NFC South crown.
đČ Donât miss a moment â bookmark our Atlanta Falcons Team Page to stay up-to-date all season long.
Written by: Venuse, Inc. (Sports Content Creator)
LiveSportsOnTV.com aims to provide accurate and timely broadcast information based on official listings and verified sports media sources. While we may earn a commission on affiliate links, all recommendations are editorially independent.