FLOWERY BRANCH -- The Falcons’ 2024 home and road opponents have been known for a while and the complete schedule - with dates and times - could be released this week by the NFL.
Despite six consecutive losing seasons, the Falcons could get some nationally televised love this season. The addition of free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins has upped the franchise’s profile nationally and it is widely considered the favorite to win the NFC South Division and reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season.
A few notable games that could end up on national TV:
-Cousins’ return to Minnesota
-Road game in Washington against former coach Dan Quinn
-Home game against two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
Here’s a look at the home and away opponents for the 2024 season:
HOME OPPONENTS
Buccaneers:
The skinny: After winning their third consecutive NFC South title, the Bucs signed quarterback Baker Mayfield to a three-year deal worth up to $115 million. The Bucs also signed safety Jordan Whitehead after he spent the past two seasons with the Jets. The Bucs won the division with a 9-8 mark, beat the Eagles in the playoffs and battled Detroit in the divisional round of the playoffs. Series record: The Bucs lead 31-30 in the regular season.
Saints
The skinny: The Saints finished last season as co-champs with the Bucs at 9-8, but lost the playoff bid on the tiebreakers. The Saints signed defensive end Chase Young and linebacker Willie Gay in free agency. The Saints attempted to solidify the offensive line by drafting Oregon State tackle Taliese Fuaga with the 14th overall pick and they added former Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Series record: The Saints lead 55-54 in the regular season. Falcons lead 1-0 in the playoffs.
Panthers
The skinny: Not sure if the owner took the advice of the local restaurant, but the Panthers traded into the first round and selected former South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette and added former Texas running back Jonathan Brooks in the second round. The Panthers spent over $153 million on guards to attempt to solidify the interior of the passing pocket for quarterback Bryce Young. The Panthers finished in last place at 2-15 last season. Series record: The Falcons lead 36-22.
Chiefs
The skinny: The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, drafted speedster wide receiver Xavier Worthy to attempt to fulfill the Tyreek Hill role in their offense. The Chiefs re-signed all-world defensive tackle Chris Jones to anchor the defense. The dynamic passing combination of quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce will make its Mercedes-Benz Stadium debut. Series record: The Chiefs lead 7-3.
Chargers
The skinny: After winning the national championship at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, who interviewed for the Falcons’ head coach position, returned to the NFL with the Chargers. Harbaugh will cobble together a rushing attack to help quarterback Justin Herbert. The Chargers drafted former Alabama defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe, who played at Forest Park High, in the fourth round . Series record: The Falcons lead 8-4.
Cowboys
The skinny: The Cowboys have gone 12-5 in each of the past three seasons before exiting the playoffs. Owner Jerry Jones has quarterback Dak Prescott and coach Mike McCarthy working on the last year of their contracts in a clear message that a deep playoff run in needed. Running back Ezekiel Elliott is back with the team. Series record: The Cowboys lead 17-11.
Giants
The skinny: After going to the playoffs in 2022, the Giants went 6-11 last season and lost running back Saquon Barkley in free agency. The Giants picked up linebacker Brian Burns in a trade with the Panthers and are hoping to pair him with Kayvon Thibodeaux to create a dynamic pass rush. Wide receiver Malik Nabers was selected sixth overall in the draft. Quarterback Daniel Jones is expected back after tearing the ACL in his right knee and missing most of last season. The Giants also signed quarterback Drew Lock in free agency. Series record: The Falcons lead 14-11.
Steelers
The skinny: The Steelers have a new offensive coordinator by the name of Arthur Smith, the Falcons former head coach. The Steelers picked up quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields over the offseason. The Steelers went 10-7 last season, but were knocked out in the wild-card round of the playoffs. Series record: The Steelers lead 15-2-1.
Seahawks
The skinny: The Pete Carroll era came to an end and the Seahawks hired former Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as the head coach. He started his coaching career at Cedar Shoals High in Athens while he was as student at Georgia. He was a two-sport athlete at Centennial High. His first order of business was to fix the run defense that gave up 138.4 yards per game (31st of 32) last season. Series record: The Seahawks lead 12-7.
AWAY OPPONENTS
NFC South: Buccaneers, Saints and Panthers.
Broncos
The skinny: Sean Payton is set to enter his second year in the Mile High city. The Broncos dumped Russell Wilson and drafted Bo Nix, the former Auburn and Oregon signal-caller, in the first-round. The Broncos finished 8-9 last season. Series record: The Broncos lead 8-7.
Raiders
The skinny: Antonio Pierce had the interim tag removed over the offseason and became the head coach. The Raiders loss running back Josh Jacobs in free agency and signed quarterback Gardner Minshew II. They also have quarterback Aiden O’Connell and drafted former Georgia All-American tight end Brock Bowers in the first round of the draft. Three-time Pro Bowler Maxx Crosby leads the defense and the Raiders picked up defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in free agency. Series record: The Falcons lead 8-7.
Vikings
The skinny: The Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy to replace Kirk Cousins, who signed with the Falcons in free agency. Wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison will help McCarthy with the transition. The scoring defense improved from 27th to 18th last season under defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Series record: The Vikings lead 20-11.
Eagles
The skinny: The Eagles went 11-6 last season, but were vanquished in the playoffs by the Bucs. The coaching staff was re-tooled with Vic Fangio being named defensive coordinator and Kellen Moore as offensive coordinator. Running back Saquon Barkley was signed in free agency to help provide a solid rushing attack to help quarterback Jalen Hurts. Series record: Eagles lead 18-14-1.
Commanders
The skinny: Former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is the new Commanders coach. The teams have met in each of the past three seasons with the Commanders winning each time. Washington drafted LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second overall pick in the draft with the hopes that he could turn around the franchise’s fortunes. Series record: Commanders lead 17-10-1.
The Bow Tie Chronicles
About the Author
