Rookies Michael Penix Jr. and Jayden Daniels will face off in the first-ever prime-time matchup between two rookie quarterbacks drafted in the first round. Daniels and former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn have led the Commanders to a 10-5 record.

Atlanta's "17th opponent" was determined in the same fashion. The Colts will be Atlanta's fifth AFC opponent in 2025 because the AFC South is up next in the league's schedule rotation. The Falcons will face the Colts because they also finished second.

Atlanta is still alive in the fight for the NFC South, looking to clinch a playoff spot in the final week of the regular season.

After briefly flirting with an NFC South division title, the Atlanta Falcons have officially missed the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. Nonetheless, the 2025 NFL season looks promising with Michael Penix Jr.

The Atlanta Falcons are well within reach of a postseason spot despite losing their Week 17 game against the Washington Commanders. The Falcons loss opened the door for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which will win the NFC South should they secure victory against the New Orleans Saints.