Falcons Finding Late-Season Fire, Even With Playoffs Out of Reach
The number of the week in Atlanta? It’s two. And while the Falcons won’t be playing postseason football this year, that number is carrying a lot more weight than you might expect for a 6-9 team officially out of the playoff race.
Let’s start here: two games left in the regular season. That’s all that remains for a Falcons squad that’s been on a rollercoaster ride in 2025-plenty of dips, a few climbs, and just enough momentum now to make these final games matter. Not in the standings, but in pride, development, and maybe even in shaping the future.
Prime Time, Prime Opportunity
Atlanta gets the national spotlight this week with its first and only Monday Night Football appearance of the season. The opponent?
The 11-4 Los Angeles Rams, who are locked in a tight NFC West race just one game behind Seattle. That makes the Falcons prime spoilers.
A win here wouldn’t just be a feather in the cap-it could knock the Rams off course and force them into a road-heavy playoff path instead of a top seed.
For a team that’s been officially eliminated, that’s the kind of motivation that still resonates in a locker room. And it’s a chance to put a stamp on a season that’s been anything but forgettable.
Two Wins, Two Roads, One Direction
Atlanta is riding a two-game win streak, with back-to-back road victories over Tampa Bay and Arizona. Those wins didn’t just show resilience-they showed growth.
The Falcons have found ways to finish games, something that eluded them earlier in the year. Now, with two home games left, they have a shot to close out the season on a four-game heater.
And those final two games? Both are at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Falcons are currently 2-4.
A pair of wins would even that record out to 4-4. It might not sound like much, but for a team that’s been searching for consistency at home, hitting .500 in front of the home crowd would be a meaningful step forward.
Kyle Pitts Heating Up
Speaking of steps forward, tight end Kyle Pitts is starting to look like the player Atlanta hoped he’d become again. He’s caught touchdown passes in each of the last two games-four total over that stretch-and now sits at 80 receptions on the year with 854 yards. That puts him within striking distance of his second career 1,000-yard season, the first since his standout rookie campaign with Matt Ryan under center.
Pitts has found a rhythm at the right time, and if he can keep this pace, he’ll finish the season as one of the few bright spots in a Falcons offense that’s been inconsistent for much of the year.
Cousins Clicking Late
Quarterback Kirk Cousins has quietly put together his best stretch of the season. He’s thrown two or more touchdown passes in back-to-back games-his first time doing so this year.
His current stat line: 1,415 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Not eye-popping, but efficient and trending upward.
And with Pitts emerging and the offense finding some flow, Cousins is helping this team finish stronger than it started.
Bijan’s Big Year, Quietly Historic
Then there’s Bijan Robinson. While his touchdown numbers might not jump off the page-he’s only had one game with multiple scores, back in mid-November against Carolina-his overall production is nothing short of elite. Robinson has surpassed 2,000 yards from scrimmage, becoming just the third player in Falcons history to do so in a single season.
That kind of all-purpose dominance doesn’t always come with highlight-reel moments or gaudy red zone numbers, but it’s the kind of foundation you build a franchise around. Robinson’s versatility and durability have been a constant in a season filled with change.
Panthers Still Have the Edge
But let’s not forget-Carolina swept the season series. The Panthers shut out the Falcons 30-0 in Charlotte back in September, and then edged them again in Atlanta, 30-27.
No matter how the Falcons finish these last two weeks, those losses sting. Especially when they came against a division rival that’s also out of the playoff picture.
What’s Left to Play For? Plenty.
So yes, the number is two. Two games.
Two wins in a row. Two home chances to end the season on a high note.
Two touchdown games from key offensive players. And two more weeks to show that this team, while not postseason-bound, is still pushing forward.
For a franchise that hasn’t made the playoffs in eight years, these final games won’t change that fact. But they can change the narrative.
They can set the tone for 2026. And they can give fans a reason to believe that maybe-just maybe-the corner’s finally being turned.