Tag: Atlanta Falcons

Bill Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson trolled the Falcons with a savage t-shirt

Another 28-3 joke.

The Atlanta Falcons will truly never escape 28-3.

Heck, even Bill Belichick’s girlfriend Jordon Hudson got in on the act. After she attended NFL Honors with the former New England Patriots coach (where she got roasted by Snoop Dogg), a photo of Hudson and Belichick in New Orleans popped up showing her wearing a Falcons Super Bowl championship shirt.

Yes, that would be a Super Bowl 51 shirt that the Falcons would have worn had they held on to their lead. What a troll job! Where did she get one of those? Maybe Belichick has a bunch of them in a basement somewhere.

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Falcons RB Bijan Robinson was mic’d up at 2025 Pro Bowl Games

Watch: Falcons RB Bijan Robinson was mic’d up for the 2025 Pro Bowl Games

The Atlanta Falcons ended their season on a disappointing note, losing two straight games and missing the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year. It wasn’t all bad, though, and the team’s future appears bright with its trio of stars on offense.

Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. played well during his three starts while running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London recorded the first 1,000-yard seasons of their careers. Robinson was the biggest breakout star of the bunch.

The second-year running back finished third in rushing with 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns. Robinson was chosen to replace Eagles running back Saquon Barkley at the 2025 Pro Bowl Games. Barkley could not attend due to his team making the Super Bowl.

Robinson was happy to fill in and was mic’d up for his weekend at the Pro Bowl. Watch below, as shared by the team’s social media account:

Over his first two NFL seasons, Robinson has rushed for 2,432 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 119 catches for 918 receiving yards and another five scores through the air.

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Kirk Cousins admits injuries suffered against the Saints derailed his season

Kirk Cousins admitted that injuries suffered against the New Orleans Saints derailed his season with the Atlanta Falcons:

One of the biggest storylines from the 2024 regular season involved the unexpected collapse of the Atlanta Falcons under newly-acquired quarterback Kirk Cousins. Things all went downhill in a midseason game with the New Orleans Saints.

After getting off to a hot start with a 6-3 record, the team suffered a four-game losing streak ultimately derailing their season. Cousins, who was benched late in the year due to poor performance, recently cleared the air about how his struggles down the stretch and how injuries potentially played a role in it.

Cousins, on Good Morning Football specified a hit that he took against the Saints in Week 10 that left both his right shoulder and elbow injured for the following weeks. Coincidentally, the Falcons would lose their remaining four games after their loss to the Saints with Cousins play taking a huge dip. It appears Cousins was injured on a big hit from Saints defensive end Payton Turner, who took advantage of a breakdown in protection to rush the quarterback.

From Weeks 10 to 14, Cousins finished with nine interceptions to only one touchdown in that span, with a total QBR of 34.7. One very rough stretch.

The Falcons front office and coaching staff has made it clear that the plan is to move on from Cousins as their starting quarterback but is willing to keep him on the roster as a backup. This however won’t be likely as Cousins will almost certainly seek a trade to find a home as a potential starter. Something else to watch is whether this results in penalties on the Falcons for misreporting his status on the injury report. Atlanta already lost a draft pick for tampering with Cousins in free agency last year. They could lose another one.

The Saints will see yet another new face at the quarterback position for Atlanta next season. Expect second-year passer Michael Penix Jr. to lead them out of the tunnel in 2025.

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Kirk Cousins’ explanation for his late-season decline made the Falcons look so incompetent

Something was clearly off with him.

The Falcons went into their Week 10 game against the Saints leading the division at 6-3 and looking poised to end the franchise’s six-season playoff drought (now seven). But from that loss to New Orleans, something went terribly wrong for Atlanta, and it was clear that Kirk Cousins wasn’t right.

From Week 10 until his benching after Week 15’s win over the Raiders, Cousins threw one touchdown to nine interceptions. He was brutal, and everyone watching could see that he wasn’t the same player who led the Falcons to that 6-3 start.

It turns out that Cousins was indeed hurt.

Speaking to NFL Network on Tuesday, Cousins said that he injured his shoulder against the Saints and never could get it right after that. Now, the Falcons likely avoided discipline from the league by listing Cousins on the Week 11 injury report, but he wasn’t listed in the subsequent weeks. Notably, the Falcons did need to forfeit a pick for a tampering violation in signing Cousins.

Still, if the Falcons knew that Cousins was hurt — or at the very least, not confident in his shoulder — why would they continue to play him as the division lead slipped away? There’s really no excuse beyond trying to avoid giving the keys to Michael Penix Jr. amid Cousins’ contract.

The Falcons ultimately did go with the rookie quarterback in Week 16. But given Cousins’ explanation, it was a move that should have happened far sooner.

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Could the Falcons actually trade for Browns EDGE Myles Garrett?

Could the Falcons actually pull off a trade for Browns DE Myles Garrett?

If you ask any fan of the Atlanta Falcons what the team’s biggest need is, you will likely get the same answer. The defensive pass rush continues to be a problem year after year. In 2024, the team ranked 31st in total sacks despite the offseason addition of Matthew Judon.

On Monday, one of the league’s best edge rushers, Myles Garrett, requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns as he looks to take on a new challenge. That challenge is to compete for a Super Bowl. That begs the question, can the Falcons make a move for Garrett?

The first hurdle for Atlanta is the salary cap. Currently, the team is $11 million over the projected salary cap limit, and the Browns are $30 million over, per Over The Cap‘s projections. While this might suggest a trade would help Cleveland, any move before June 1 would be extremely expensive for the Browns.

This is because Garrett has a salary cap hit of $19 million for this season, and trading him away would force Cleveland to eat the remaining portion of his prorated signing bonus, thus taking on a massive dead cap hit of $36 million.

As for the Falcons, if they were to make a move for Garrett, his salary would only cost them just over $1 million in 2025 because his salary cap hit is made up of almost $15 million in prorated signing bonus and another $3 million in other bonuses. The Falcons would only be held responsible for his base salary of $1,255.000.

Now, addressing the salary cap for the Falcons, cuts will have to be made regardless. So it makes sense to do so for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. But do the Falcons have the players to tempt the Browns into a deal? The short answer is probably not.

Arguably the biggest need for the Browns is a quarterback, and the Falcons don’t have one to offer. Atlanta could attempt to bait them with Kirk Cousins, but his limitations under center were made very apparent in 2024.

Atlanta could offer up Kyle Pitts, which would free up $10 million in cap space. Pitts’ value has diminished in recent seasons but he’s still young enough to fetch something in return.

When it comes to the salary cap in the modern-day NFL, there always seems some backroom magic to help teams become cap-compliant. In his trade request, Garrett stated his desire is to compete and win championships. Are the Falcons at that level yet or would he be back in the same situation he is in Cleveland?

The Falcons haven’t made the playoffs since the 2017 season. The team may be on an upward trajectory, but the fact is, until they make the playoffs, it’s just a trajectory and nothing more. Since the Falcons last went to the postseason, the Browns have gone twice, with one win in 2020, and have more wins in the regular season than Atlanta.

Experts around the league may project Atlanta as a potential landing destination, but that’s just because the glaring need is there for the team. Myles is an exceptional player, but probably too expensive for Atlanta at the moment.

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On this date in 1999: Broncos won Super Bowl XXXIII

On this date (Jan. 31) in 1999, the Broncos defeated the Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII.

One year after defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII, the Denver Broncos returned to the NFL’s championship game to defeat the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII on Sunday, Jan. 31 1999.

Playing in the final game of his career, quarterback John Elway took home Super Bowl MVP honors after completing 18-of-29 passes for 336 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Elway also rushed three times for two yards and another score.

Elway later retired during the 1999 offseason and he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility in 2004. Three other members of Denver’s starting lineup that day later joined Elway in the Hall of Fame: tight end Shannon Sharpe, running back Terrell Davis and safety Steve Atwater.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HgxrcoG_bI

Elway returned to the team as an executive in 2011 and he helped the Broncos reach two more Super Bowls, winning one in 2016. Denver has won three Super Bowls in franchise history, with Elway playing a role in all three.

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NFL analyst identifies Falcons’ top need entering 2025 offseason

CBS Sports highlights one thing that the Falcons must do during the 2025 NFL offseason

Since the 2018 offseason, the Atlanta Falcons have been searching for answers on the defensive side of the ball. Those same questions will be asked again in 2025 as the team looks to pair an explosive offense with a defense that is at least competent.

Atlanta’s pass defense gave up two passing touchdowns per game in 2024. Only the Carolina Panthers allowed more touchdown passes last season (2.1 per game). In 2023, the Falcons defense allowed less than 1.5 TD passes per game.

Despite the additions of Pro Bowlers Matthew Judon and Justin Simmons, the team allowed 10 more touchdown passes and 21 more passing yards per game in 2024.

CBS Sports highlighted one thing that each NFL team must do during the 2025 offseason. For the Falcons, CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr suggested the team improve its pass defense:

The Falcons allowed 34 passing touchdowns this season, second most in the NFL (only the Panthers allowed more). Opposing quarterbacks had a 100.2 passer rating targeting Atlanta. Perhaps Jeff Ulbrich can turn things around, but they need more help next to Jessie Bates and A.J. Terrell. — Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports

There is also the need for another cornerback to play opposite A.J. Terrell. To field a more competitive team, the Falcons have to find a way to improve their stable of defensive backs. Mike Hughes and Dee Alford are both free agents in 2025, which creates an even bigger issue.

Hughes had a solid season but isn’t exactly a lockdown cornerback. Alford is the team’s starting nickel. The team may need to find replacements for both players, but that still leaves the pass rush, which is arguably an even bigger issue on defense.

Circling back to the pass-rushing woes, the Falcons defense tied for the second-lowest pass-rushing grade in the NFL with a 59.0, according to Pro Football Focus. They also finished 31st in the league with 31 total sacks.

The team may look to the draft to upgrade its pass rush in 2025. Mykel Williams from Georgia and Shemar Stewart from Texas A&M could both be available for the Falcons at pick No.15 if the team decides they don’t want to trade up or down.

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3 Falcons players to participate in Thursday’s Pro Bowl Skills Show

Three Falcons players to participate in Thursday night’s Pro Bowl Skills Show

The NFL has changed its tune regarding the Pro Bowl over the last few years. Gone are the days when the NFC and AFC teams lined up for an underwhelming game of 11 on 11 the Sunday before the Super Bowl.

The league has shifted to a flag football format while revamping the skills challenge to be more focused on having a fun and spirited competition. Thursday night’s Pro Bowl Skills Show starts at 7 p.m. ET and will feature three Falcons players participating in six events.

Pro Bowl Skills Show events:

  1. Passing the Test
  2. Satisfying Catches
  3. The Big Spike
  4. Relay Race
  5. Helmet Harmony
  6. Dodgeball

Chris Lindstrom, KhaDarel Hodge, and Bijan Robinson will partake in The Big Spike, Relay Race, and “Dodgeball. Hodge will get a chance to show off his speed in the Relay Race. Lindstrom will be participating in The Big Spike, which measures the power and impact of the participating players’ football spike.

Robinson will be competing in a classic seven-on-seven match of dodgeball. Lindstrom and Hodge both made the Pro Bowl roster initially. Robinson was later added as a replacement for Eagles running back Saquon Barkley.

Tune into the Pro Bowl Games Skills Show on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Chargers expected to make efforts to re-sign Khalil Mack, 2 teams linked to him

Khalil Mack made it clear that he will play in 2025, but for which team remains to be seen.

The Chargers head into free agency with a handful of their own players whose contracts are up, most notably edge defender Khalil Mack.

Earlier this month, Mack said he would take time to figure out his future. Despite considering retirement, he made it clear he will play in 2025.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Los Angeles is expected to make efforts to re-sign Mack, adding that the team embodies the spirit of the team’s toughness.

However, it won’t be done without a fight. Other teams, including the Panthers and Falcons, who are in the market for pass-rush help, are expected to make offers to the veteran.

Mack is coming off another great season, playing like he’s younger than his age (33). He finished first in quarterback pressures (54) and second in sacks (6). Mack also had the second-highest PFF run defense grade among edge rushers (88.0).

PFF projects Mack’s contract to be for two years worth $22.5 million per year with $40 million guaranteed.

Luckily, the Chargers are in excellent shape to bring back Mack as they are projected to have $63.05 available in cap space, with potentially more if they choose to move from some players.

The Kirk Cousins Curse ™ is terrible news for the Eagles’ Super Bowl hopes

If you lose to Kirk Cousins, you don’t win the Super Bowl. Same as being Kirk Cousins.

The Philadelphia Eagles opened as 1.5-point underdogs against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. If the Kirk Cousins Curse has anything to say about it, the smart money is on the Chiefs.

The Cousins Curse suggests any team that loses to Cousins in the regular season cannot win a world championship. It’s a trend that covers the entirety of the veteran quarterback’s 13-year career, but began in earnest in 2016.

That year, the Green Bay Packers lost to an 8-7-1 Washington team. While Aaron Rodgers capped another stellar year by crushing the Dallas Cowboys’ title hopes into dust in the Divisional Round that January, Green Bay’s 44-21 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC title game ended their season (and paved the way for another curse thanks to Atlanta’s legendary and temporary 28-3 Super Bowl LI lead).

Since then, playoff teams who lose to Cousins in the regular season have consistently fallen short of the Vince Lombardi Trophy. It’s a curiosity that’s stung the Packers thrice — more than any other team in the league. Their hold on that record, however, will be put to the test at Super Bowl 59.

The Eagles have twice had their playoff runs ended by non-Cousins teams after losing regular season games to Cousins in 2018 and 2019. They tasted familiar defeat against the Falcons 22-21 back in September.

It should be noted that the one guaranteed way to insulate yourself from this curse — signing Kirk Cousins — has failed to yield measurable success. The veteran has one playoff win in a decade as a starter, fewer than rookie Jayden Daniels or second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud.