I am going to write a post about my NFL bold predictions shortly, but first I’ll start with the Atlanta Falcons. Yes, I know this is two Falcons posts in a row, and no, I’m not going to go team-by-team in this scenario, but in the spirit of full transparency, I wrote this article a few days ago for another reason, but now I no longer need it for that reason, and I didn’t want this post to go to waste. Okay, I’ll stop rambling and get to the bold predictions…

NFL Training Camps are underway and the preseason has officially begun. The Falcons have been in a strange limbo for the last couple of years. They’ve had a roster that, on paper, should be the best in a very winnable division, and yet, they continue to come up short. Atlanta hasn’t made the playoffs (or won more than 8 games) since 2017, but there is plenty of reason for Dirty Bird Nation to be hopeful in 2026. With that said, here are 5 bold predictions for this year’s team:

Bijan Robinson will break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record

This one may seem like either the biggest no-brainer as far as bold predictions go, or the boldest take in the bunch depending on who you ask. Two years ago, Saquon Barkley came within spitting distance of Eric Dickerson record of 2,105 yards, but I think Bijan Robinson has a great chance to challenge that mark in 2026.

Let’s look at the facts: Bijan is one of the best runners in the game. He’s a huge weapon. Maybe it’s more realistic to predict that he’ll break Chris Johnson’s 2,509 scrimmage yard record, given how active he is in Atlanta’s passing game, but I’ll stick with my original prediction. There are questions at QB, so the offense will be run-heavy, but there are enough weapons to where defenses won’t be able to just key on Robinson every down. He’s a workhorse kind of guy and with Tua Tagovailoa still acclimating to a new system and Michael Penix Jr. coming back from injury, there’s no reason to suspect they won’t lean heavily on Bijan Robinson once again.

AJ and Aveon Terrell will set “record” for most interceptions by a pair of brothers in a season

This one’s a little different, because there’s no official “record” for most interceptions by a pair of brothers in the same season, but I did a little digging of my own.

One of my favorite stories from this year’s NFL Draft was when the Atlanta Falcons drafted Avieon Terrell, the younger brother of star cornerback A.J. Terrell in the second round. The Terrell brothers are six years apart and had never shared the field together before. Now, it looks like the two may start opposite each other in the defensive backfield. It’s a really cool story, but it got me thinking: what’s the record for most INTs by a pair of brothers in a season. Like I mentioned, there’s no official “record”, but I did a little legwork, and I think I have an answer. Twice in their careers, twin brothers Jason and Devin McCourty combined for 9 interceptions in the same season – 2010 and 2012. That looks to be the mark.

My prediction is simple: A.J. and Avieon Terrell will exceed that number and intercept at least 10 passes between the two of them. 

Falcons will reach the NFC Championship

With Kevin Stefanski entering his first season at the helm in Atlanta, the team is going to look different. A new QB, a new wide receiver, a star running back with a new contract, and a draft that prioritized a defense that was mediocre in 2025. The Falcons finished 8-9 a year ago and still found themselves in a 3-way tie for first place in a very weak NFC South. If the defense can be even marginally better, and they can get good enough quarterback play to utilize their many offensive weapons, the Falcons should easily improve their win total from last season. That, combined with the fact that they have the 4^th-easiest schedule in the NFL in 2026, means that the Falcons should find their way to the playoffs.

Defense may win championships, but a good offense can tire one out. Atlanta has a good offense. I’m not saying they’re a championship-level team. I’m saying that every year, there are multiple teams that make the playoffs that didn’t make it the year before. I think the Falcons will be one of those teams, and the NFC gauntlet is not as daunting as the AFC. It’s much more wide open. Why couldn’t an improved Falcons team make a deep run?

Kevin Stefanski will be a finalist for COTY

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. If any number of the above predictions come true, Stefanski will almost certainty be in contention for Coach of the Year. There was a lot of noise from fans and analysts alike about the way Stefanski handled Shedeur Sanders in Cleveland. So much so, that it’s crazy that I feel like I have to remind people just how good of a head coach Stefanski is. He’s already won Coach of the Year twice before, and this Atlanta Falcons team is better on paper in almost every way, than any group he had while in Cleveland. The weapons, the ownership, the culture, the expectations – all better.

Jack Strand Will Play Significant Time at Quarterback

When I first wrote this post at the very beginning of training camp, one of my predictions was that Tua Tagovailoa would play all 17 games and sign a long-term deal, but then camps got going, and out of Falcons camp came the story of backup QB Jack Strand. I won’t elaborate on that story here, since I’ve already highlighted it in an earlier post, but Strand had the opportunity during his college career to play leave Minnesota State Moorhead for a power program but chose to stay out of loyalty. There have been rumblings that if Strand had transferred when he had the chance, he had the skill to be a first round selection.

So far in camp and in preseason action, Strand is playing up to that idea and causing some to ask if maybe he should even start. I’m not sure about being named the starting QB outright, BUT with two signal callers ahead of him who have extensive injury histories, the fact that Michael Penix has just been cleared to practice fully, and the fact that Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t exactly seized his opportunity as QB1, means the door could be open for the surprising Jack Strand. My final prediction is that we’ll see him on the field a few times for Atlanta, maybe even grabbing a start or two. Who knows?

So, with the NFL season FINALLY right around the corner, those are my bold predictions for the 2026 Atlanta Falcons. Do you agree or do you think this is all wishful thinking?