Better, worse or the same? Falcons' new-look D-line needs to amp up pass rush
The Falcons posted just 28 sacks last season -- can their new additions make an early impact? Let's break down the defense position by position.
2020 ScheduleAll times ET
2020 Schedule
2nd in NFC South
- 8/14
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 8/21
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 8/28
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/3
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/13
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/20
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 9/27
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/5
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/11
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/18
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/25
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 10/29h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 11/8
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/22
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 11/29
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/6h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- 12/13
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/20
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 12/27
h:mm a z, US/Eastern - 1/3h:mm a z, US/Eastern
- Full Schedule
Better, worse or the same? Falcons offense counting on Todd Gurley, Hayden Hurst
Can the newcomers join stalwarts such as Julio Jones to take Atlanta's offense to another level? Here's a position-by-position evaluation.
Julio or Hopkins: Who's the better bet to lead in receiving? (0:54)
NFL all-decade: Best player on each NFC South team, every position
The NFC South all-decade team boasts the NFL's career passing leader, a seven-time Pro Bowl receiver, and one of the most dominant linebackers of the 2010s.
Atlanta coaches talk race with local HS athletes
The Falcons' Dan Quinn, the Hawks' Lloyd Pierce and the Dreams' Nicki Collen hosted a roundtable discussion on race via a Zoom call that was opened up to local high school athletes.
Could Matt Ryan lead the NFL in passing yards? (0:40)
The top moments from 14 seasons of 'Hard Knocks'
From crushing injuries to brawls to dinosaur talk, the "Hard Knocks" spotlight is an unpredictable experience, as the Rams and Chargers will find out.
Falcons still developing plan to hold training camp safely amid pandemic
As Dan Quinn and the Falcons work on ensuring a safe environment for training camp, they're considering a number of options and safeguards.
Falcons' Quinn will be with protesting players
Falcons coach Dan Quinn says he'll be with his players in whatever way they want to protest this season.
Inside the decade's offensive, defensive trends for all 32 NFL teams
Some teams were consistently good or bad in the 2010s. But most experienced multiple changes at coach, QB and other key spots that resulted in quite a roller coaster.
Tom Brady catching Patrick Mahomes? Our lineup of NFL stars drafted by MLB
Our star-studded baseball team of NFL players includes six QBs, five former first-round NFL draft picks and two former Super Bowl MVPs.
TOMPA TIME
Mina's NFL divisional previews have begun! Up first is the NFC South. Mina and Warren Sharp preview the season outlook for the Saints (3:51), Falcons (21:55), Bucs (41:13), and Panthers (53:32) and offer some fantasy and betting advice along the way.
Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer
Matt Ryan scheduled to address the media in an hour. I asked him the other day about Falcons players possibly kneeling during the season to protest racial injustice: “As far as kneeling, I think it's a conversation to have within teams. I'm supportive of doing things together and being united — I think unity not only within our team, but amongst our community and throughout the country. If we can all strive towards being a little more united, I think that would be a really good thing.''
Gurley passes physical for Falcons, source says
After having an agreement with the Falcons for two months, Todd Gurley finally was able to fly to Atlanta, where he took and passed his physical Monday, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Which NFC South players made the all-decade cut? (3:01)
Quinn, GM lead group of Falcons in Atlanta walk
Several players, coaches and team officials from the Falcons took part in a peaceful protest walk organized by a local Atlanta group. Coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff highlighted the team's contingent.
Longtime Falcons defensive end Zook dies at 72
John Zook, who teamed with Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey to give the Atlanta Falcons a dynamic combination at defensive end, has died. He was 72.
Lessons from Selma march as important as ever to Falcons' Ricardo Allen
Learning the history of the civil rights movement firsthand has shown Allen the power of peaceful protests, which is still meaningful today.
Gurley impresses Falcons' Ryan during workouts
Matt Ryan said new running back Todd Gurley, with whom he worked out with in California, was impressive "with his ability to retain information. ... You don't have to tell him twice."
Falcons' Ryan on his aid: 'I see my city hurting'
Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is donating $500,000 toward a GoFundMe fundraiser he established, aimed at advancing lives in the black community of Atlanta.
Hayden Hurst hopes to make a difference by discussing his suicide attempt
When the Falcons tight end "hit rock bottom," he tried to take his own life. Now his mission is to dispel the stigma around mental health treatment.
Where Hopkins ranks himself against NFL's elite WRs (1:48)
How Hayden Hurst's response to mental illness changed his life (7:10)
Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer
I'm told Matt Ryan has guys working out in California this week. He has done that in the past, throwing to now-departed Austin Hooper at Golden West College in Huntington Beach the last few offseasons. Ryan trains with Adam Dedeaux, Tom House of 3DQB in Southern California. New Falcons tight end Hayden Hurst told ESPN's Mina Kimes he had been driving back and forth from Jacksonville to Atlanta to work with Ryan. In Cali, Ryan might be able to connect with Julio Jones, Todd Gurley, among others.
Vaughn McClure ESPN Staff Writer
Falcons make addition at LB agreeing to terms with Deone Bucannon, a former 1st-round pick of the Cardinals in 2014. Last played for the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. He has played some safety in the past. We'll see how the Falcons utilize him with their top linebackers being Deion Jones and Foye Oluokun. Falcons let 2019 leading tackler De'Vondre Campbell walk to the Arizona Cardinals. Campbell covered TEs, something Oluokun and Keanu Neal we're expected to do in 2020.
2020 NFC South Standings
| TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 458 | 341 |
| Atlanta | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 381 | 399 |
| Tampa Bay | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 458 | 449 |
| Carolina | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 340 | 470 |
Team Stats
Passing Yards294.63rd
Rushing Yards85.130th
Points For23.813th
Points Against24.910th
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2020 Draft Picks
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1(16) | A.J. Terrell | CB | Clemson |
| 2(15) | Marlon Davidson | DT | Auburn |
| 3(14) | Matt Hennessy | C | Temple |
| 4(13) | Mykal Walker | ILB | Fresno State |
| 4(28) | Jaylinn Hawkins | S | California |
| 7(14) | Sterling Hofrichter | P | Syracuse |