The 2024 regular season came down to this for the Atlanta Falcons, who faced the Carolina Panthers and needed not only to win but also to rely on their NFC South rivals to help them clinch a playoff berth. If the Falcons defeated the Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta would have secured its first playoff appearance since 2017. Unfortunately for the home crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Tampa Bay took care of business, defeating New Orleans 27-19. The Falcons, meanwhile, fell to the Panthers 44-38 after allowing back-and-forth scoring, culminating in what became yet another disappointing finish for the franchise.
After the game, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris expressed his disappointment, particularly highlighting the defense's performance. “Hats off to the Carolina Panthers, you have to give those guys credit where credit is due,” Morris remarked. This marked the end of what became another frustrating season, with the Falcons now missing the playoffs for seven consecutive years.
While the season concluded on a sour note, multiple silver linings emerged as well. For starters, 2024 was Morris’s first full season as head coach, and the team displayed flashes of potential, particularly with the impressive Penix-to-London connection, shown prominently during the final contest. “It was absolutely outstanding to watch those guys wheel and deal out there today,” Morris said, leaving fans with some hope for future seasons.
The game started with both teams exchanging early points. Kicker Riley Patterson put the Falcons on the board with a 34-yard field goal after they marched down the field. The Panthers answered quickly, showing offensive prowess by scoring on all three of their drives of the first half. Notably, rookie quarterback Bryce Young connected with Velus Jones Jr. for a touchdown, pushing Carolina to the lead.
Presenting their own resilience, Atlanta tied the game before half-time thanks to running back Bijan Robinson’s touchdown run, but they were unable to maintain their momentum. Despite the excitement around Penix—who took over as the starting quarterback from veteran Kirk Cousins—the team struggled to keep pace with Carolina's offense.
The Falcons opened the second half with the ball, but things took a turn when Penix’s pass deflected off the hands of Ray-Ray McCloud III, leading to an interception. The defense, which had managed to improve over previous weeks, faltered against Young's aggressive play, allowing him to find success on the ground and through the air.
Young’s confidence had surged following early-season struggles, and he proved pivotal, outplaying the already promising connection between his counterpart Penix and star receiver London. Morris acknowledged the improvement teams like Carolina displayed, saying, “If you’re a fan, you have to be excited,” as he pointed to the youth of the team.
Nonetheless, the misfortunes didn’t stop for Atlanta. A missed 52-yard field goal attempt by Patterson and defensive breakdowns against the Panthers’ offensive lineup led to devastating offensive drives by Carolina. The first of two touchdown connections between Young and tight end Tommy Tremble served as pivotal moments, highlighting a defensive lapse just when they needed to be most vigilant.
Despite the defense's disappointments, the offensive production from Penix, Robinson, and London emerged as points of optimism. Penix not only threw for two touchdowns but also ran one himself, showcasing the dynamic potential of Atlanta’s skill players.
After tying the game at 38 with less than a minute left thanks to Robinson’s impressive performance, the hope for overtime was palpable. But the team could not capitalize on their chance. Unable to stop the Panthers’ drive effectively, Atlanta’s defense suffered, allowing the Panthers to score again and seal the fate of the Falcons’ season.
The outcome left many within the organization considering serious questions about the future of several key players, particularly Cousins, whose hefty contract placed him at risk of being released before the new league year. Atlanta finds itself at the crossroads, with limited cap space and significant decisions looming.
Morris captured the essence of the team's struggles when he stated, “We have to be honest with ourselves, and this was not good enough.” That quote resonates loudly, reminding everyone associated with the Falcons of the expectations they set for themselves at the start of the season.
After starting the year strong at 6-3, the Falcons’ late-season struggles saw them finish 8-9 and watching the playoffs—yet again—from the sidelines. The rallying cry for Atlanta was to "outrun the South," but the end of the season leaves them pondering what it will take to finally conquer their division and compete for the postseason.
Looking forward, head coach Morris expressed hope about the growth the team could undergo. “We have plenty of time to correct the correctables and things we need to do,” he noted. With offseason adjustments expected and potential player acquisitions on the horizon, Atlanta aims to turn their 2024 disappointments around.
While the final whistle may have sounded on this season, the clock is ticking toward the next opportunity to reshape the momentum of the franchise. The transition from this letdown to building toward future successes is the task at hand, as fans and the organization alike remain ready for change.