After last season’s NFL London ended, the Atlanta Falcons had a challenging route to become this year’s overwhelming favourites to win the competition: Signing Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract was the Falcons’ largest free agency signing.
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• The Falcons surprised everyone on draft night in April by selecting Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the No. 8 pick, seemingly forgetting they had done so.
• With the trade of Patriots pass rusher Matt Judon and the unusual August signing of former Denver safety Justin Simmons, Atlanta’s general management has already made amends in the last 48 hours.
Nothing like studying the night before a test, but it looks like the Falcons made the proper decisions to put them ahead of the competition in the division. Despite three years of Arthur Smith’s 7-10 hijinks, the Falcons should be content to make it back to the postseason for the first time since 2017. According to sportsbooks, the team has the 13th-best chance to win Super Bowl LIX (+2600).
For a team that is the NFC version of the San Diego Chargers, will it all come together? Looking back, we discuss the Smith era’s conclusion, the major offseason adjustments, the Falcons’ best 2024 wagers, and the argument for taking the NFC South. You may also read: Super Bowl Chiefs head the rising NFL London Defensive Team
NFL London 2023 review: 7-10 Is Arthur Smith’s Skill
We don’t want to dwell too long on a forgettable 7–10 season from a team that, following its conclusion, traded its second-year quarterback and dismissed its coach. The Falcons were predicted to perform well last year due to their comparatively easy schedule, much like the Saints. With only two 10-win teams Houston and Detroit and opponents who won a league-low 42.9% of their games, Atlanta had the easiest schedule.
However, aside from their 2-0 start following Ridder’s impressive comeback victory over the Packers, the Falcons failed to exhibit the characteristics of a successful team in 2023. Before the November bye week, the Atlanta defence made a statement with an awful three-game run, while the offence managed only 13 points combined in defeats to the Lions and Jaguars. They were also unable to defeat the Commanders at home.
The Falcons struggled to regain the division battle with a 6-6 record, losing to the Buccaneers in Week 15 and losing to the Panthers in Week 17. The season ended with a 7-10 record, with Smith and Ridder struggling due to turnovers and lack of development. Taylor Heinicke started the Colts game.
Atlanta Falcons: A View on the Offseason
The Falcons underwent more significant offseason modifications than most clubs. We have a new quarterback and, a new coaching staff (though Morris is a familiar face). We’re happy we held off on running Atlanta until mid-August since we also have a new pass rusher to discuss.
Raheem Morris Gets Another Shot
Raheem Morris was selected by the Falcons to be their new head coach. An audacious choice given his less than stellar term as the Buccaneers’ coach from 2009 to 2011. Morris is a coach that can deal with both defense and offense. Prior to joining Atlanta’s staff in 2015, he was the associate head coach and coordinator of the defensive passing game. He joined the Rams in 2021 as Sean McVay’s defensive coordinator, and together they won the Super Bowl.
It is recognized because Morris is such a versatile top assistant because some of the best coaches are inexperienced rookies. We’re not in love with Morris’s acquisition. Particularly because Belichick was an option, but we’re prepared to allow him to succeed here with a solid quarterback in a poor division.
In addition, Morris hired Rams wide receiver Zac Robinson to serve as his offensive coordinator in Atlanta. Robinson had been employed by McVay since 2019, spending the previous two years in the positions of quarterbacks coach and coordinator of the passing game. Robinson’s similar McVay experience to that of Kevin O’Connell. He was hired as the Minnesota coach in 2022, might facilitate Cousins’ adjustment to a new offensive scheme.
In addition, Morris brought in former Washington Huskies coach Jimmy Lake to serve as his defensive coordinator in Atlanta. As a defensive assistant with the Rams last year, Lake previously worked with him in Tampa Bay. In Atlanta’s first year, Morris has his guys to support him.
Captain Kirk’s Third Side
In 2021, after spending 12 years with the Lions and never winning a postseason game, Matthew Stafford practically accomplished it when he signed with the Rams and won a Super Bowl. However, that also clarified a lot about how those franchises differed.
After spending 2017 missing the playoffs, Atlanta has been in 7-10 purgatory. Cousins is joining this team. Although he is a quarterback, he is arguably not quite as good as Stafford. While age and injuries can throw off our expectations, it seems like we know what to anticipate from Cousins.
Despite tearing his Achilles tendon last season, Cousins, who is 36, is one of the NFL’s most immobile pocket quarterbacks. So his performance shouldn’t be impacted. He tied a record by leading the Vikings to a 13-4 victory with eight fourth-quarter comeback victories. Cousins’ running game only produced one rushing touchdown despite his injury. He has been trying to “Staffordication” with Morris and Robinson in Atlanta and O’Connell in Minnesota.
The Defence Adds A Few Late Strengthening
Instead of selecting a defensive player, the Atlanta Falcons selected Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick in the class of quarterbacks, selecting edge rusher Dallas Turner from Alabama. In August, the Falcons strengthened their defensive line by trading edge rusher Matt Judon who recorded 15.5 sacks in 2022 and 12.5 the year before to the Patriots for a third-round pick.
The Falcons have signed Justin Simmons, a Denver safety, to their team, along with Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell. The team faces rumors about Penix’s replacement following poor performance by Ryan Cousins. With wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, and running back Bijan Robinson, the Falcons have a strong lineup.
They have no opponent who can win any of the seven games. It might only happen if the Falcons win and have a 9-8 record. The Falcons may make it to the postseason if they can win their early games and don’t bench Cousins in favour of Penix.
Best Bets for the NFL 2024 Falcons
The Saints are still formidable, but the Falcons’ chances are bleak because of Rondale Moore’s loss and injury. The Falcons may be able to get back on track with the October schedule, perhaps finishing 10-7. We want Odunze as a dominant receiver and Judon on defence. For the first time since 2016, the Falcons should aim for over 9.5 victories and the NFC South title.
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