2025 NFL Off Season Updates Presented by GoldSheet | Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons surprised everyone last offseason by electing to sign Kirk Cousins to a multi-year deal while also drafting a quarterback in the top-10. Needless to say, the plan did not work. Michael Penix Jr. is likely to receive the reins of the Falcons’ high-flying offense ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
2025 Atlanta Falcons Team Preview
NFC South Odds
| Team | SB LX Odds | NFC | Division | Win Total |
| Bucs | +3000 | +1400 | EV | 9.5 (o -105 / u -115) |
| Falcons | +8000 | +3500 | +240 | 7.5 (o -120 / u EV) |
| Panthers | +12000 | +5500 | +400 | 6.5 (o -125 / u +105) |
| Saints | +20000 | +9000 | +1000 | 6.5 (o +125 / u -150) |
Odds above courtesy of DraftKings as of April 16. The Atlanta Falcons finished second in the NFC South last season going 8-9 straight-up, 6-10-1 against the spread. Eleven of the Falcons’ 17 games were decided by six points or less, including three games that went to overtime.
Atlanta Falcons Roster Moves
QBs on Roster: Michael Penix Jr. (2nd Year) and Emory Jones (2nd Year). As of late-April, Kirk Cousins is still on the roster but the Falcons have made it clear they do not intend to move forward with him.
Coaching Changes: Head coach Raheem Morris and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will return. New defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will replace Jimmy Lake after serving as the Jets’ defensive coordinator and interim head coach over the last four seasons.
Key Acquisitions: Edge rusher Leonard Floyd; Defensive lineman Morgan Fox; Linebacker Divine Deablo; Cornerback Mike Ford; and safety Jordan Fuller.
Key Departures: Defensive lineman Grady Jarrett; Edge rusher Lorenzo Carter; and center Drew Dalman. Defensive lineman Matthew Judon and safety Justin Simmons are both free agents that have not signed with new teams yet.
2025 Atlanta Falcons Schedule
Home Opponents: Bucs, Saints, Panthers, Rams, Seahawks, Bills, Dolphins and Commanders
Road Opponents: Bucs, Saints, Panthers, Cardinals, 49ers, Patriots, Jets, Vikings and Colts
2025 NFL Rule Changes
- Touchbacks on a kickoff will now give the receiving team the ball on the 35-yard line instead of the 30 in an effort to increase more kick returns and discourage touchbacks.
- The regular season overtime rules will now match the postseason overtime rules, as both teams will now have an opportunity to possess the ball regardless of the outcome of the first drive. Per Jon Ferrari of the Eagles, 37.5-percent of last year’s overtime games ended with a first-drive touchdown. The new rule will allow both teams to have the ball.
- The video review booth will have an increased role in assisting the on-field officials. The video assistants can’t put a flag on the field if they believe that the officials missed a call, but they can pick one up if an erroneous flag is thrown (i.e. a facemask penalty is called, but upon video review, it’s determined that the facemask was never actually grabbed).
- Artificial intelligence and lasers will be used to determine the remaining yardage for a first down. The officials are still responsible for spotting the football just like they always have, but technology will now do the job of the chain gang and they will no longer have to run in from the sidelines for a first down measurement. Once the official places the ball down, lasers will determine if the offense reached the first down line and/or how far away they are from reaching that mark.
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WagerTalk Live Odds Screen
WagerTalk’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the moneylines, point spreads, totals and betting percentages for all of the Atlanta Falcons games from their release in May all the way through Week 1 in September. Find free NFL picks from season win total bets through Super Bowl futures on our free picks pages.
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