The Atlanta Falcons closed out their 2024 campaign with a 44-38 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers at home. After getting off to a 6-3 start, the team will finish Raheem Morris’ first full season as head coach with an 8-9 record.
While the offense did everything possible to secure the win, the Falcons defense couldn’t get a stop to save their lives on Sunday. Michael Penix Jr., Drake London and Bijan Robinson dominated, but Bryce Young and the Panthers were somehow even better.
Here are five takeaways from Atlanta’s 44-38 overtime loss in Sunday’s season finale:
Falcons miss playoffs for 7th year in a row
The Falcons entered the final Sunday of the 2024 season needing two things — a win over the Panthers and a Buccaneers loss — to secure a playoff berth, and they went 0-for-2. The Buccaneers trailed by 10 points at halftime to the Saints but Baker Mayfield and Co. rallied in the second half to pull out a 27-19 win. Atlanta will now go into the offseason with some serious work to do, including moving on from Kirk Cousins in a way that doesn’t kill the salary cap.
Penix with another promising start
The Falcons offense racked up 306 yards in the first half and 537 overall but still lost. Penix continues to show incredible poise in the game’s biggest moments. The rookie quarterback shined in his third NFL start, throwing for 312 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Atlanta’s offense has thrived on third down, converting nine of 14 attempts on Sunday. Penix’s ability to get the ball downfield has breathed life into the offense, even in those third-and-long situations. The rookie validated his first-round pick status with another impressive showing.
Bryce Young shreds Falcons defense
The Falcons defense gave up countless big plays in what was an overall putrid showing. Bryce Young had little trouble finding open receivers, passing for 251 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Atlanta’s defense allowed 425 yards and 44 points to a team that entered the game with just four wins. Carolina rushed for 155 yards on the ground. It’s one thing when this happens against an explosive team like the Washington Commanders, but there’s no excuse for what happened on Sunday against Young and the Panthers.
Time for change on defense?
Falcons fans were rightfully upset about the team’s poor defensive performance and head coach Raheem Morris did not seem happy about it after the game. “We did not come out to play today on defense, and they got us in the show,” said Morris in his postgame presser. It’s been an up-and-down season for Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, but all of the team’s biggest flaws reappeared on Sunday. Atlanta’s inability to pressure the quarterback was evident and the secondary didn’t have a good day. Mike Hughes went down but that doesn’t excuse this kind of performance. Something needs to change, and it will likely be Lake who takes the fall.
What's next for Atlanta?
For a moment, it appeared the Falcons might sneak into the playoffs but the Buccaneers ended that possibility before Atlanta had a chance to lose in overtime. Next up, it’s free agency in Mach followed by the draft in April. The Falcons have some big decisions to make in free agency. Will they bring back Matthew Judon, Mike Hughes and Justin Simmons? How will they move on from Kirk Cousins? Regardless of what happens in the offseason, the future is bright with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback.
