NE Atlanta News

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Falcons' 2024 season officially kicks off Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and predictions have already begun.

Atlanta made several offseason changes, including appointing Raheem Morris as head coach and acquiring Kirk Cousins as quarterback. These additions have elevated Atlanta into the national spotlight.

The Falcons finished 7-10 in each of the previous three seasons. However, national analysts predict a better record this time around. Here are some projections:

**ESPN Staff**

Date published: Sept. 1

Projected win total: 9.6 wins

Rank: No. 1 in NFC South | No. 15 in NFL

ESPN's NFL Nation has the Falcons winning upwards of nine games, a higher total than any other team in the NFC South. The staff also calculated a 67.4% chance of Atlanta making the playoffs.

"Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins, giving the franchise its best quarterback since Matt Ryan," said Marc Raimondi from ESPN's Analysis. "He gives the team's young skill players — RB Bijan Robinson, WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts — a chance to break out."

**Cynthia Frelund, NFL**

Date published: Sept. 2

Projected win total: 10.1 wins

Rank: No. 1 in NFC South | No. 4 in NFC

NFL.com has projected over ten wins for the Falcons this season at just over ten games. Frelund predicts Atlanta will be NFC South champions and finish fourth in the conference behind the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions.

"Adding edge rusher Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons over consecutive days in mid-August boosted Atlanta's win total by 0.2 wins in just 24 hours," stated Frelund.

**Will Brinson, CBS**

Date published: Sept. 1

Projected win total: 10 wins

Rank: No. 1 in NFC South

Brinson projects a similar outcome with a record of 10-7 for the Falcons, which would have them winning the NFC South for the first time since 2016.

"It's hard not to be excited about the Falcons this year," Brinson noted.

**The Athletic Staff**

Date published: Aug. 30

Projected win total: 9.4 wins

Rank: No. 1 in NFC South | No.12 in NFL

The Athletic staff predicts at least nine wins for Atlanta but sees them finishing with their division title and holding onto a top-12 spot league-wide.

"If the Falcons don't win at least ten games, they'll be disappointed," remarked Josh Kendall from The Athletic's Analysis.

**Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated**

Date published: Aug.28

Projected win total: eight wins

Rank: No .2 (tied) in NFC South

Sports Illustrated has projected eight wins for Atlanta with both them and Saints finishing tied while Bucs take division title with nine victories.

"I have Atlanta losing Weeks two-three to Eagles-Chiefs respectively also Denver-New Orleans back-to-back road trips later on season schedule nowhere near intimidating prove wrong latter games winnable ones against league middle class bear out whether best what think can be (11-victory division winner) somewhere vying second place," said Orr.