Welcome to our 32-team 2026 NFL Season Preview Series! As we count down to kickoff, we’re breaking down every franchise division-by-division. Today, we’re spotlighting the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South. Each preview analyzes the team’s offseason moves, coaching staff, projected strengths and weaknesses, schedule, win total and best futures bet.
Atlanta missed the playoffs in 2025-26 for an eighth consecutive season and fired now-former head coach Raheem Morris afterward. The Falcons finished 8-9 and went Under their regular-season win total for a third straight season. This franchise hasn't rebounded since the end of the Matt Ryan Era.
Hiring two-time NFL Coach of the Year Kevin Stefanski to replace Morris is a step in the right direction. But Atlanta made only minimal upgrades to its roster this offseason, ranking 24th in free-agent spending.
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Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Sr. celebrates with WR Drake London after catching a touchdown vs. the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images)
The Falcons finished below .500 last season despite playing the fourth-easiest schedule in the league. This season, Atlanta is projected to play the 20th-easiest schedule. That's just one of the reasons I expect the Falcons to struggle in 2026-27.
Kevin Stefanski Inherits Some Legitimate Offensive Talent
For the record, I’m a "Stefanski Guy."
Plus, the NFC South is the softest division in the NFL, and the Falcons have an above-average offensive line, ranked 13th by ESPN’s Mike Clay. They also have a solid core of game-breakers, such as RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts.
But the NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and Atlanta has a sketchy quarterback situation.
The Falcons took a flyer on the brittle Tua Tagovailoa as an insurance policy for unproven third-year QB Michael Penix Jr., who is just as injury-prone, if not more so, and is coming off a season-ending injury.
First-year Atlanta Falcons QB Tua Tagovailoa is practicing during minicamp. (Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)
Pro Football Focus ranked Penix 35th out of 38 quarterbacks last season and Tagovailoa 32nd. Since Stefanski wasn’t in Atlanta when Penix was drafted and has no allegiance to him, I’m assuming Tua wins the starting job.
Given Stefanski's and Tagovailoa's track records, I wouldn't rule out the Falcons surprising to the good this season. But I wouldn't bet on it.
Atlanta’s Defense Could Take A Step Back
The Falcons’ defense was their best unit last season. However, defense isn’t as predictive as offense, and Atlanta will be playing a tougher schedule this year.
Stefanski did retain defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, which provides some continuity. Unfortunately, the Falcons lost their leading tackler from last season, LB Kaden Ellis, to the New Orleans Saints in free agency.
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They could also be without their leading sack-getter, pass-rusher James Pearce Jr., who is being investigated for battery and stalking. Unless those charges are dropped, Pearce will most likely be suspended for the first part of the season.
Atlanta Falcons edge James Pearce Jr. (27) reacts after a defensive stop in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Nov. 16, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
Whether it’s natural variance or a tougher slate of opposing offenses, Atlanta’s offense will have to do more to support its defense this season.
I’m not counting on that happening.
The Falcons’ Schedule Doesn’t Offer Many Easy Wins
For argument’s sake, let’s say the Falcons sweep their three home division games. That’s already a friendly projection because I’m expecting improvement from every other NFC South team.
After those three wins, I’m giving Atlanta only one more victory: at the Cleveland Browns in Week 14.
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That game carries an obvious revenge angle for Stefanski, who will be coaching against his former employer. Still, it’s no gimme.
The Falcons are a dome team, and it’s going to be brick cold in Cleveland when they face the Browns in the middle of December.
Best Bet: Falcons Under 5.5 Wins
My favorite look for the 2026 Atlanta Falcons is UNDER 5.5 alternate wins (+180) at DraftKings.
Atlanta to finish last in the NFC South at +160 was another option, but as I’ll discuss in a separate article, there is a wide range of possible outcomes for the 2026 New Orleans Saints.
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Follow me on X @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my "OutKick Bets Podcast" for more betting content and random rants.
Geoff Clark serves as OutKick’s sports betting guru.
