Falcons 2024 NFL Schedule Released for Kirk Cousins, Michael Penix Jr.'s Debut Season

The Kirk Cousins era begins in Atlanta this fall.

With Cousins locked in through 2027, the Falcons are hoping to take advantage of a team-friendly schedule and a relatively weak NFC South in order to return to playoff contention for the first time in seven seasons.

Here's a look at the Falcons' schedule for the 2024 season, and what it means for Atlanta's quest to return to the top of the division.

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2023 Atlanta Falcons Schedule

Full schedule information available on the team's official website

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Analysis

The Falcons are heading into 2024 with the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL, according to Sharp Football Analysis and Pro Football Network.

Does that mean the Falcons are finally destined for the top of the NFC South?

The last time the Falcons earned more than seven wins in a season was 2017, which was also the last time Atlanta qualified for the playoffs.

Now the Falcons are hoping an upgrade at quarterback will help put this team back in postseason contention.

There are lots of questions the Falcons will have to answer before beating out the rest of the NFC South.

Cousins is making his recovery from Achilles surgery, and the Falcons have yet to confirm if he can return to Pro Bowl form during his age-36 season.

The Falcons also used a top-ten pick to draft former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr., so all eyes will be on what Atlanta decides to do with his development.

Meanwhile, Atlanta signed Darnell Mooney and traded for Rondale Moore in order to give Cousins more targets.

The Falcons are also bringing back offensive weapons like Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Kyle Pitts, Darnell Mooney and Drake London.

Atlanta still has a few questions to answer on defense, but has A.J. Terrell as a starting cornerback and grabbed a much-needed edge player in the third round of the draft with Washington's Bralen Trice.

The quarterback postition has been an area of weakness for the Falcons. If this team can successfully build around Cousins, the Falcons could be set to beat out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers for the division lead.

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Pivotal Matchups

The Falcons should be able to take advantage of a schedule that sets them up to face multiple opponents in the early stages of rebuilds, including the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants.

Atlanta is also taking on a few teams with aging rosters that are restricted from making big moves this offseason due to cap restrictions, including the New Orleans Saints and Los Angeles Chargers.

Kirk Cousins will make his return to U.S. Bank Stadium to face the Minnesota Vikings, where he played six seasons and three Pro Bowl campaigns from 2017 to 2023.

The most difficult home matchup of the Falcons' 2024 season could be against the Kansas City Chiefs, as the new-look Atlanta defense will be put to the test against reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.

The most challenging opponent waiting for the Falcons on the road could be the Philadelphia Eagles, who just added to one of the NFL's strongest offenses with the signing of Saquon Barkley and recorded a 6-2 record at Lincoln Financial Field last season.