​Many observers are unsure what to expect from the Atlanta Falcons in the upcoming season. Their possible outcomes span a wide range, with some analysts predicting they’ll finish last in the NFC South and others seeing them as potential dark-horse contenders in a conference crowded with strong teams. A lot will hinge on how effectively new head coach Kevin Stefanski can steer the team and what kind of quarterback play they get from either Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix.
In a Bleacher Report piece by Alex Kay, Atlanta is listed as one of five possible surprise playoff teams, a nod to Stefanski’s track record during his tenure with the Cleveland Browns. Kay notes that after years of stagnation, the Falcons could be poised to break out in 2026. He highlights Stefanski’s ability to make an immediate impact, pointing to his first season with the Browns, when he guided a franchise that had made just a single playoff appearance in more than two decades to its first postseason victory since 1994. While the roster overhaul and the new coaching staff present uncertainties about how the team will gel, Kay suggests it would be imprudent to bet against Stefanski’s knack for quickly elevating an underperforming program into a formidable contender.
According to Kay, if Stefanski can elevate the Falcons beyond the level they showed under Raheem Morris, winning the division should not be out of reach—especially since, at the moment, that division is arguably the weakest in the league. He also asserts that if the Falcons receive acceptable quarterback play from Tagovailoa or Penix, they could become a dangerous opponent in the Wild Card round that no team wants to face. One consistent takeaway is that the Falcons appear closer to contention than many analysts realize. ESPN’s ranking of their starting lineup as 29th in the NFL underscored how underrated the team might be compared with its actual potential.
Kay’s projections also mention other teams on the radar for surprise playoff runs, including the Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, and New Orleans Saints. The Saints’ situation, in particular, could pose a significant hurdle for Atlanta. While Atlanta’s roster has age and some gaps to address, New Orleans appears to have found a franchise quarterback in Tyler Shough, potentially providing a competitive edge in the division and complicating the Falcons’ path to the postseason.
This commentary originally appeared on Falcons Wire, highlighting the possibility that the Falcons could be among the season’s surprise playoff entrants. The piece emphasizes Stefanski’s past success as a driver of optimism for Atlanta, while acknowledging the inevitable questions that come with a major roster rebuild and a new coaching regime.