NFL analyst names the Atlanta Falcons as most likely team to come off a list that nobody wants to be a part of

There is a lot of hype and excitement for the Falcons heading into the 2025 season.

Franchise quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will have the opportunity to take the NFL by storm after getting his feet wet in 2024, throwing for 737 yards and three touchdowns in three starts. He has plenty of weapons to work with on offense, and Atlanta has done a nice job of retooling its defense.

The Falcons have as good of a chance to win the NFC South as any other team in the division. That would secure them a spot in the postseason, which they haven't made since 2017. That ties them with the Carolina Panthers for the second longest drought in the league at seven years.

However, according to NFL analyst Jeremy Bergman, Atlanta is the most likely team to break that streak.

"The Falcons have had golden opportunities before to snap their now seven-year playoff drought -- and they've come up just short. Atlanta faced the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL the last two seasons but responded with two sub-.500 campaigns, finishing two games behind the NFC South-champion Buccaneers each time. The Falcons' seven seasons without postseason action is their longest such streak since 1990. But it's poised to end in 2025. In their second season under Raheem Morris and their first full campaign with highly touted southpaw Michael Penix Jr. under center, the Falcons figure to be Tampa Bay's main competition in the division. Additions of veteran Leonard Floyd and first-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. to the pass rush should bolster Atlanta's longtime Achilles' heel. Their schedule isn't a cakewalk (.478 SOS), but it's manageable; a run of six road games in eight weeks late in the year, Atlanta's toughest stretch, includes just one '24 postseason team (at TB in Week 15). The NFL currently has the Falcons set for seven standalone games (six prime-time, one in Berlin), including two in the last four weeks -- a sign from the omniscient powers at league headquarters that Atlanta is a team worth watching deep into the season. Put your trust in the schedule-makers, Falcons, and win your first NFC South title since 2016." --Jeremy Bergman

If the Falcons are going to return to the playoffs, they have to play better defense. In 2024 they finished 31st in sacks, and 23rd in both passing yards and points allowed. A large number of their issues offensively came because of the funk QB Kirk Cousins fell into, which ultimately led to the switch to Penix. A lot will come onto the shoulders of Penix, and if he's up to the challenge, Atlanta could surprise many with a deep postseason run.