Signing Kirk Cousins takes the Falcons out of the first-round QB draft sweepstakes

Signing Kirk Cousins to a huge deal takes the Falcons out of the first-round QB draft sweepstakes in the 2024 NFL draft

The Atlanta Falcons were one of several teams picking in the first half of the first round of the 2024 NFL draft that was widely anticipated to be part of the premium quarterback sweepstakes. One swift move in free agency seemingly pulled all the Falcons’ tickets out of the quarterback draft hopper.

The Falcons are set to sign longtime Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins to a monster deal in free agency. When the league year changes on Wednesday, Cousins is expected to join the Falcons on a shiny new four-year contract worth a meaty $180 million.

That sort of financial commitment effectively removes the Falcons from considering a first-round quarterback. Atlanta holds the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. Adding Cousins to a QB room that already includes Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke (at least temporarily) should close the door on Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot and new head coach Raheem Morris from committing boffo resources to the position.

As for the Minnesota Vikings, Cousins’ old team, it’s one less team in their way to drafting their (hopeful) long-term replacement for Cousins. Minnesota currently has the No. 11 overall pick and a quarterback room of Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens.

Falcons RB Bijan Robinson running away with OROY

Bijan Robinson has elevated his play in the NFL since the Falcons drafted him in the first round.

We had a feeling former Texas and current Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was going to be pretty special. But I can’t say I saw the former Longhorns star being this productive so soon in his career. Especially on a Falcons offense that isn’t exactly loaded with talent.

Robinson has 180 yards rushing in two games on only 29 attempts. This works out to 6.2 yards per carry. Robinson also has 10 receptions for 75 more yards and one receiving touchdown.

The Falcons are 2-0 and a huge part of that is because of the significant the contributions Robinson has made for Atlanta. He has attributed to 16 first downs including five of those through the air.

If Robinson keeps this up, he might just run away and hide with the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Houston QB CJ Stroud is another guy putting up big numbers and if Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua stays in the starting lineup, he could as well.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Watch Falcons RB Bijan Robinson’s 1st NFL touch

Check out Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson’s first NFL carry.

It took exactly one play for Atlanta Falcons rookie running back Bijan Robinson to put the rest of the NFL on notice. Robinson made his NFL debut in Atlanta’s second preseason game and on his first carry broke loose for 12 yards.

Later in the same drive, Robinson made an impressive one-handed catch on a poorly thrown pass on a screen and hauled it in for six yards.

Robinson was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Robinson was dominant during his career at the University of Texas and he is hoping to bring that same level of play to the NFL.

Through one quarter on Friday night, Robinson has 20 yards on four carries and one reception for six yards.

The Atlanta Falcons keep meeting with first-round QBs

Could the Falcons be a surprise player in the market for the QBs in the 2023 draft?

The Atlanta Falcons hold the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft. Projections for what Falcons GM Terry Fontenot will do with that pick have been all over the positional map, from offensive tackle to cornerback and nearly everywhere in between.

One possibility that hasn’t been projected often is for the Falcons to select a quarterback at No. 8. Yet the team is wrapping up its 30 prospect visits by meeting with Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud. He’s the third prominent quarterback to visit with the Falcons recently, along with Florida’s Anthony Richardson and Will Levis from Kentucky.

Atlanta drafted Desmond Ridder in the third round a year ago and added Taylor Heinicke in the offseason as a free agent. Ridder started the Falcons’ final four games in 2022 and did not play poorly, but also didn’t cement himself as the team’s long-term starter.

It’s important to not read too much into which prospects a team visits with, but it doe raise an eyebrow for the Falcons to be kicking the tires on the top quarterbacks. Whether it’s interest on their own behalf or just trying to drum up trade potential, Fontenot and the Falcons are adding more layers of uncertainty within the top 10.

NFL Scoreboard, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 14

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 14 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 14 of the 2022 season highlighted by Dolphins at Chargers, Eagles at Giants, Vikings at Lions, Jets at Bills


NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 14

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09m93q11d4tbgfy player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Results So Far
SU: 65-36-1, ATS: 53-46-3, Point Total: 63-38-1

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Las Vegas Raiders at Los Angeles Rams

Prediction: Los Angeles 24, Las Vegas 23
Line: Raiders -6.5, o/u: 42.5
Final Score: Los Angeles Rams 17, Las Vegas 16

Expert Picks Week 14 NFL | Bowls 16-19

Saturday, December 11, 2022

New York Jets at Buffalo Bills

Prediction: Buffalo 24, New York Jets 17
Line: Buffalo -10, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Buffalo 20, New York Jets 12

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

Prediction: Cincinnati 26, Cleveland 20
Line: Cincinnati -5.5, o/u: 46.5
Final Score: Cincinnati 23, Cleveland 10

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys

Prediction: Dallas 30, Houston 16
Line: Dallas -17, o/u: 44
Final Score: Dallas 27, Houston 23

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions

Prediction: Minnesota 27, Detroit 24
Line: Detroit -2, o/u: 51.5
Final Score: Detroit 43, Minnesota 23

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans

Prediction: Tennessee 24, Jacksonville 17
Line: Tennessee -3.5, o/u: 41
Final Score: Jacksonville 36, Tennessee 22

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

Prediction: Philadelphia 26, New York Giants 20
Line: Philadelphia -7, o/u: 45
Final Score: Philadelphia 48, New York Giants 22

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers

Prediction: Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 13
Line: Pittsburgh -1.5, o/u: 36.5
Final Score: Baltimore 16, Pittsburgh 14

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos

Prediction: Kansas City 27, Denver 16
Line: Kansas City -9.5, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: Kansas City 34, Denver 28

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers

Prediction: San Francisco 23, Tampa Bay 16
Line: San Francisco -3.5, o/u: 37
Final Score: San Francisco 35, Tampa Bay 7

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

Prediction: Seattle 26, Carolina 20
Line: Seattle -3.5, o/u: 44.5
Final Score: Carolina 30, Seattle 24

Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers

Prediction: Miami 30, Los Angeles 27
Line: Miami -3.5, o/u: 53.5
Final Score: Los Angeles Chargers 23, Miami 17

Monday, December 12, 2022

New England Patriots at Arizona Cardinals

8:15 ESPN
Line: New England -1.5, o/u: 43.5
Final Score: COMING

NFL Teams on Bye: Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Washington

Expert Picks Week 14 NFL | Bowls 16-19

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

CFN Predictions & Game Previews

Report: Falcons to start rookie QB Desmond Ridder after bye week

The Atlanta Falcons will come out of their bye week with a new starting quarterback

The Atlanta Falcons are finally making the switch at quarterback, as rookie Desmond Ridder will now start over veteran Marcus Mariota.

A third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Cincinnati, Ridder had an impressive college career while leading the Bearcats to the first ever College Football Playoff berth for a Group of 5 team.

He now takes over a Falcons team that trails the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by 1.5 games in the NFC South, but they appear to be focused on the future as they make the change under center.

Atlanta’s passing game has struggled this season, but after an strong showing in the preseason, Ridder might be able to spark their aerial attack down the stretch.

[listicle id=641098]

Steelers vs Falcons Prediction Game Preview

Steelers vs Falcons game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the game on Sunday, December 4

Steelers vs Falcons prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch, Sunday, December 4


Steelers vs Falcons Prediction Game Preview

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Steelers vs Falcons How To Watch

Date: Sunday, December 4
Game Time: 1:00 ET
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Steelers (4-7), Falcons (5-7)
Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

Why Steelers Will Win

The Falcons have hit a wall.

They got by Chicago a few weeks ago, and they’re running well, but there’s nothing happening with the passing attack and the run D has gone bye-bye.

Najee Harris is expected to give it a go with his oblique injury, but it not of if he’s struggling, Benny Snell is a good enough hard runner to count on for a game.

The Falcons have allowed 160 rushing yards or more in four of the last five games, but …

Week 13 CFN NFL Expert Picks

Why Falcons Will Win

The running game is good enough to take over.

The Steeler defensive front hasn’t been bad – it was a rock against the Saints a few weeks ago – but commit to the run and good things will happen.

There can’t be any straying from what has worked. This isn’t a high-powered attack that wings it around 50 times, but with the 1-2 punch of Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier working the ground attack should hit 150 yards without too much of a problem.

Pittsburgh is 1-5 when allowing 111 rushing yards or more.

What’s Going To Happen

Atlanta gets its bye next week and will overload the backs even more than normal.

Pittsburgh is coming off a good Monday night win over Indianapolis, the team is now +6 in turnover margin in the last three games, and …

It’ll be an entertaining game that will go fast – both teams will keep the clock moving. Pittsburgh won’t be able to get by on the road against the Atlanta ground and pound style in a close fight throughout.

Steelers vs Falcons Prediction, Line

Atlanta 20, Pittsburgh 17
Line: Pittsburgh -1.5, o/u: 42.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Steelers vs Falcons Must See Rating: 3
Bowl Predictions

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Bowl Projections | Rankings

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 10

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 10 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 10 of the 2022 season highlighted by Seattle at Tampa Bay, Dallas at Green Bay, Washington at Philadelphia


NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 10

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09m93q11d4tbgfy player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Results So Far
SU: 64-36-1, ATS: 52-46-3, Point Total: 62-38-1

Week 10 NFL Expert Picks

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

8:15 Prime Video
Prediction: COMING
Line: Atlanta -3, o/u: 42.5

Sunday, November 13, 2022

Seattle Seahawks vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

9:30 NFL Network
Prediction: COMING
Line: Tampa Bay -3, o/u: 44.5

Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills

1:00 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Buffalo -3.5, o/u: 43.5

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears

1:00 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Chicago -3, o/u: 48.5

Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Tennessee -2.5, o/u: 38

Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Kansas City -9.5, o/u: 50.5

Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Miami -3.5, o/u: 48.5

Houston Texans at New York Giants

1:00 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: New York Giants -5, o/u: 40.5

New Orleans at Pittsburgh Steelers

1:00 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: New Orleans -2.5, o/u: 40

Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders

4:05 CBS
Prediction: COMING
Line: Las Vegas -6, o/u: 42.5

Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers

4:25 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Dallas -4.5, o/u: 43

Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams

4:25 FOX
Prediction: COMING
Line: Los Angeles Rams -3, o/u: 43.5

Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers

8:20 NBC
Prediction: COMING
Line: San Francisco -7, o/u: 45.5

Monday, November 14, 2022

Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles

8:15 ESPN
Prediction: COMING
Line: Philadelphia -11, o/u: 44

Bye Week: Baltimore, Cincinnati, New England, New York Jets

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

CFN Predictions & Game Previews

A pair of rookies are helping the Falcons survive Cordarrelle Patterson’s absence

The Atlanta Falcons have found a pair of diamonds in the rough to help spark their offensive backfield

When Atlanta Falcons running back Cordarrelle Patterson went down with a knee injury in Week 4, there was concern about how to replace such a dynamic playmaker in what was becoming a flexible and shifty offense for the Dirty Birds.

What they have found in the search to replace his production, however, is two rookies who have changed the way they play ball.

Running backs Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley have stepped up in a big way for the Falcons, helping to pave their road to success after a nail-biter of a win against the Carolina Panthers that put them atop the NFC South. Both rookies have spearheaded an Atlanta attack that has now become a run-first offense, utilizing their backs in a variety of schemes and formations, and even deploying them as primary weapons in the passing game.

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Allgeier has been particularly impressive out of the backfield, catching five passes for 71 yards, including an incredible 25-yard catch-and-run where he burst past multiple Panthers defenders before heading into the end zone late in the third quarter. Huntley has assumed the role of power back, and at 5-10 and 230 pounds, he’s excellent working between the tackles. Huntley could be the Falcons long-term short-yardage back, given what he’s shown so far this season.

This development lends credence to the notion of finding effective running backs outside of the early rounds. There also needs to be credit given to the Falcons’ coaching and front office staff for finding diamonds in the rough on Day 3 and after the draft, understanding how to most effectively use a pair of rookies to completely transform an offense with a star like Patterson out of the lineup.

[listicle id=640397]

NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 9

NFL predictions, schedule, game previews, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 9 of the 2022 season

NFL predictions, schedule, lines, how to watch, and TV listings for Week 9 of the 2022 season highlighted by Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay, Tennessee at Kansas City, Buffalo at New York Jets


NFL Schedule, Predictions, Lines, How To Watch: Week 9

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09m93q11d4tbgfy player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Results So Far
SU: 63-36-1, ATS: 51-46-3, Point Total: 61-38-1

Week 9 NFL Expert Picks

Thursday, November 3, 2022

Philadelphia at Houston

8:15 Prime Video
Line: Philadelphia -13, o/u: 44

Sunday, October 30, 2022

Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta

1:00 FOX
Line: Los Angeles -3, o/u: 49

Miami at Chicago

1:00 CBS
Line: Miami -4.5, o/u: 44

Green Bay at Detroit

1:00 FOX
Line: Green Bay -3, o/u: 49

Indianapolis at New England

1:00 CBS
Line: New England -5.5, o/u: 39.5

Buffalo at New York Jets

1:00 CBS
Line: Buffalo -13, o/u: 47.5

Minnesota at Washington

1:00 FOX
Line: Minnesota -3.5, o/u: 43.5

Las Vegas at Jacksonville

1:00 CBS
Line: Las Vegas -1, o/u: 48

Seattle at Arizona

4:05 FOX
Line: Arizona -1.5, o/u: 50

Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay

4:25 CBS
Line: Tampa Bay -3, o/u: 42.5

Tennessee at Kansas City

8:20 NBC
Line: Kansas City -12.5, o/u: 46.5

Monday, November 7, 2022

Baltimore at New Orleans

8:15 ESPN
Line: Baltimore -3, o/u: 48

NFL Teams on Bye: Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, New York Giants, Pittsburgh, San Francisco

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

CFN Predictions & Game Previews