Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL schedule analysis

The Atlanta Falcons, along with the rest of the NFL, have known for months who they'll play during the 2025 regular season, and on Wednesday, they found out when. 

The NFL released its full 2025 schedule during a three-hour NFL Network special. For the Atlanta Falcons' schedule, click here.

Here's our initial analysis, including one date to circle, the toughest (and easiest) four-game stretch and a key takeaway.

Circle the date: Sept. 14 at Minnesota Vikings (Week 2) | Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy are expected to meet for the first time since the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in January 2024, when McCarthy's Michigan Wolverines defeated Penix's Washington Huskies, 34-13.

Both 2024 first-round picks are under pressure to win this season. The Falcons haven't made the playoffs since 2017 and gave up their 2026 first-round pick in a questionable draft-day trade. Meanwhile, the Vikings handed the keys to last year's 14-3 team to McCarthy, who suffered a torn meniscus during training camp and missed his entire rookie season.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 6-9 | Following a Week 5 bye, the Falcons host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night, then play at the San Francisco 49ers on a short week in Week 7. 

The set ends with a home game against the Miami Dolphins and a road date with the New England Patriots. When healthy, Miami's offense under head coach Mike McDaniel is difficult to stop. Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich knows firsthand from his time as Jets defensive coordinator/interim head coach. In six career meetings, his defense allowed 24 points per game.

The Patriots should be improved under new head coach Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye entering his second season, making that early November trip to Foxboro anything but a walk in the park.

Easiest stretch: Weeks 10-13 | While Atlanta has a valid gripe with its early bye considering a Week 10 trip to Berlin, the team's transatlantic flight coincides with the easiest part of the schedule. The Falcons follow their game in Germany against the Colts, who could be among the league's worst teams considering their quarterback situation, with a home game against the always-disappointing Panthers.

Atlanta should feast in its rivalry game against the Saints in New Orleans the weekend before Thanksgiving, while a road trip to New York at the end of the November to play the Jets is only slightly more daunting.

Main takeaway: The NFL expects the Falcons to be a contender. Atlanta has six prime-time games. That includes a mid-December Thursday night game against the Buccaneers, which certainly feels like the NFL betting on being a pivotal division game.

Atlanta is slated to play in the final Monday night game of the season — at home against the Los Angeles Rams. With the league selecting that game over Ravens-Packers or Texans-Chargers for the "MNF" finale, it speaks volumes about the team it thinks Atlanta could be in 2025.