Will the Atlanta Falcons live up to the heightened expectations for 2024?

Heading into the 2024 Atlanta Falcons season, there’s a lot to be excited about. This is a team built to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. That’s the foundation of the expectations for the Falcons this season. It’s more than fair in a much easier conference in arguably the worst division in the league.

Preseason has yet to begin and the Saints and Panthers are already almost universally considered top ten draft picks in 2025. Neither team will be a threat in the NFC playoff picture. The Falcons and Bucs remain the clear contenders for the division.

Getting back to the playoffs is enough of a step forward to be excited about in Atlanta. Raheem Morris also making the playoffs in his first season with Kirk Cousins ​​is an achievement. This is Atlanta’s ceiling or perhaps winning a first-round game based on the matchup.

Atlanta is a playoff contender who isn’t a true Super Bowl threat. Unless blockbuster trades or Ebiketie or Trice become star pass rushers, Atlanta’s limitations are clear. This is the biggest frustration with how Atlanta has managed this offseason. There is reason to be excited and Atlanta has refused to take the extra steps to give them a chance to be a real NFC threat.

This isn’t to say that the 2024 season won’t be fun with Atlanta’s offensive talent, or they wouldn’t be able to defy the odds and win more than a round. I’d rather point out that with secondary questions and a zero-proven pass rush, there is a ceiling for this team.

One that probably isn’t there if Atlanta drafts a pass rusher 8th overall and pays more attention to the secondary in free agency. There is a reason for excitement in Atlanta, the division is set up perfectly in their favor.

Whether or not the Falcons can live up to expectations all depends on your definition. If that means Atlanta makes the playoffs, it will more than deliver. However, if you’re expecting a true NFC contender, expectations will be disappointed with how Atlanta handles the secondary and pass rush, resulting in their demise in January.