Atlanta’s Week 18 win over the Saints helped the Panthers win the NFC South.
The 2025 season has come to an end for the Atlanta Falcons after Sunday’s 19-17 win over the visiting New Orleans Saints. With this, the Falcons finish with an 8-9 overall record, and the Carolina Panthers have been crowned NFC South champions.
The Falcons themselves had been eliminated from playoff contention several weeks before this finale, meaning they had nothing truly palpable to play for any longer. As the team turns its attention to the 2026 NFL offseason, they can enjoy a moral victory that was filled with many individual milestones.
Running back Bijan Robinson crossed over 2,300 yards from scrimmage, the Falcons set a new franchise sacks record and Kyle Pitts became the only Falcons tight end to put together multiple 900-plus receiving yards all-time. Plus, James Pearce Jr. recorded two sacks to finish his rookie season a team-high 10.5.
NFL fans on social media had plenty to say about the final game of Atlanta’s season.
If Raheem is kept, it’s very clear who’s still making all the football decisions. No GM can work well that way. The Falcons have a much bigger problem.
— Ev Glaze (@Everett_G07) January 4, 2026
Reminder: if the #Falcons didn’t lose to the 3-13 Jets for no reason, a win today would’ve won them the division and sent them to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
— Evan Birchfield (@EvanBirchfield) January 4, 2026
thank god that season is over. so annoyed because this Falcons team, yet again, has no identity and no direction headed into next season. will probably settle for mediocrity by retaining Raheem. looking forward to another wasted season.
— kelsey sutton (@kelseytsutton) January 4, 2026
James Pearce Jr.’s 10.5 sacks are the most league wide by a rookie since Micah Parsons in 2021 (13.0).
— David Bassity (@D_D_Bass) January 4, 2026
i will never speak ill on the atlanta falcons again
— Loafkey! (@Loafkeylol) January 4, 2026
PANTHERS IN THE PLAYOFFS THANK YOU KIRK COUSINS
— CoachMike Fan (@coachmikefarm) January 4, 2026
Reminder that Raheem Morris reportedly vacationed with Arthur Blank’s son, Kenny, and that personal relationship is said to have factored into his hiring as Falcons head coach.
Arthur Blank won’t fire him. He’s not capable of making the right decisions for this team. #DirtyBirds
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) January 4, 2026
JAMES PEARCE JR. HAS 10.5 SACKS AS A ROOKIE. HE’S THE FIRST FALCON TO HAVE DOUBLE DIGIT SACKS SINCE 2016.
THE 2025 FALCONS DEFENSE HAS NOW BROKE THE 1997 FRANCHISE RECORD FOR MOST SACKS IN A SEASON WHICH WAS 55.
WE HAVE OUR GUY. THANK YOU LA RAMS. pic.twitter.com/jSZ4bn520D
— Carrie (@carrielynnxox) January 4, 2026
The Atlanta Falcons set their franchise record for sacks in a season, unreal
— zach (@ZachNagel7) January 4, 2026