The Falcons may be out of the playoff picture, but don’t mistake that for a team mailing it in. After a gritty one-point win over division rival Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football, Atlanta enters the final stretch of the season with a clear mission: play spoiler, finish strong, and build momentum for what’s next. With three games left-starting this Sunday in Arizona against the Cardinals-the Falcons have a chance to shape not only their own narrative but the playoff hopes of others.
No Penix, No Problem?
Atlanta will finish the season without rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who’s been sidelined, but that hasn’t stopped key players from putting together standout campaigns. And at the top of that list is Bijan Robinson, who continues to prove why he was such a highly-touted pick.
Robinson is quietly putting together a monster season-he’s on pace for 2,000 scrimmage yards, and he’s doing it without the usual highlight-reel rushing totals. He’s only hit the 100-yard rushing mark four times this year, but his consistency and versatility are what stand out.
He added another 93 yards on the ground against Tampa and now sits at 1,174 rushing yards-good for fourth in the league-plus 684 receiving yards. That dual-threat ability has made him a nightmare for defenses and a lifeline for the Falcons’ offense.
He’s not just racking up yards either-Robinson is also among the top 25 in total receptions and trails only Christian McCaffrey (86 catches) among running backs. That’s elite company. In a season where Atlanta’s quarterback situation has been in flux, Robinson has been the steady engine keeping this offense moving.
Pitts Heating Up at the Right Time
Then there’s Kyle Pitts, Sr., a player who’s taken his share of criticism over the years but is starting to flip the script in a big way. Pitts is having what might be his most productive season yet, and it’s coming at a time when the Falcons need him most.
With 73 receptions, Pitts ranks third among NFL tight ends, trailing only Arizona’s Trey McBride (105) and Dallas’ Jake Ferguson (77). What makes that more impressive is that unlike McBride and Ferguson-who’ve been go-to options all season-Pitts has only recently become a primary target for Kirk Cousins, Atlanta’s current starting quarterback.
Thursday night in Tampa was Pitts’ breakout moment: 11 catches, 166 yards, and three touchdowns-all season highs. That kind of performance doesn’t just pad stats-it sends a message.
Pitts had already been trending upward, with six catches against Seattle and seven against the Jets in recent weeks. He also had a nine-catch game back in late October against Miami.
But this latest outing? That was a statement game.
If this is the version of Pitts the Falcons can count on going forward, it changes the entire complexion of this offense.
Rookies Making Noise on Defense
On the defensive side, the Falcons’ youth movement is showing promise-especially along the edge. Rookie defensive end Jalon Walker, a former Georgia Bulldog, is closing in on a strong finish to his first NFL season.
He’s not just talking about ending on a high note-he’s living it. “That’s my goal,” Walker said at a holiday event in Tucker this week.
“That’s how I want to end the last chapter of my rookie season.”
Walker has 5.5 sacks and 21 tackles so far, and he’s been a disruptive force off the edge. His fellow rookie and first-rounder, James Pearce Jr., leads the team’s young pass rushers with eight sacks. Together, they’re giving Atlanta a glimpse of what the future could look like-fast, physical, and relentless.
Finishing Strong at Home
The Falcons wrap up the 2025 regular season with two games at home in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and they’ve got a chance to flip the script on what’s been a tough year in their own building. Atlanta is just 2-4 at home, but they can even that record with wins over the Rams and Saints.
First up: a marquee matchup with the 11-3 Los Angeles Rams, one of the NFC’s top teams. It’ll also be a reunion of sorts for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who served as the Rams’ defensive coordinator before taking over in Atlanta two seasons ago.
The Rams are chasing a first-round playoff bye. The Falcons?
They’re chasing pride, progress, and maybe a little chaos in the NFC standings.
After that, it’s the season finale against the New Orleans Saints on January 4-a rivalry game that always carries weight, no matter the records.
The Bottom Line
There may not be a postseason in Atlanta’s future this year, but there’s still plenty at stake. Bijan Robinson is carving out a historic season.
Kyle Pitts is finally looking like the elite weapon he was drafted to be. And the defense is getting promising production from its rookie class.
This final stretch is about more than just wins and losses. It’s about setting the tone for 2026-and giving fans a reason to believe that better days are ahead.