Falcons Eye Season Finale Win to Secure Coach’s Future

The Atlanta Falcons head into the final week of the 2025 regular season with an opportunity to extend their winning streak to four games. This surge comes as head coach Raheem Morris faces uncertainty about his future. The Falcons will host the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2025, following three consecutive victories.

Morris’s team has not experienced a four-game winning streak since the end of the 2019 season, a period when the franchise also grappled with coaching changes. That year, after a disappointing start, former head coach Dan Quinn managed to win his last four games, which ultimately did not save his job as he was dismissed following an 0-5 start to the next season. Morris, who was part of Quinn’s staff, took over as interim head coach during that tumultuous time.

Owner Arthur Blank is contemplating potential changes within the organization, having overseen the team since 2002. While he has refrained from speaking to the media until the season concludes, sources have indicated that he has engaged with former quarterback Matt Ryan regarding a potential high-ranking position within the front office. Ryan, the franchise’s all-time leading passer, is expected to play a significant role if he returns, rather than serving as a mere figurehead, according to insiders.

General manager Terry Fontenot, in his fifth year with the Falcons, has presided over a team that has not achieved a winning record in any of those seasons. As part of his evaluation process, Blank has consulted with the Sportsology Group, a sports consulting firm that includes former Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith as an operating partner. This reflects Blank’s proactive approach to assessing the team’s operational strategies, particularly as he prepares for the future.

While the Falcons have struggled with consistency this season, they remain 3.5-point favorites against the Saints. Both teams have already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the outcome could influence the NFC South title race. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Carolina Panthers in their game, they will clinch the division unless Atlanta secures a win. A victory for the Falcons could create a three-way tie at the top of the division, which would be a remarkable turnaround given their earlier struggles this season.

Morris expressed frustration regarding the missed opportunities earlier in the season, where the Falcons suffered several close defeats and a couple of heavy losses. “It’s really upsetting,” he remarked, acknowledging that the team should have been in a more competitive position. The Falcons have dropped games by narrow margins and suffered a 30-0 defeat to the Panthers in Week 3, as well as a 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 8.

As the season draws to a close, Morris emphasized the importance of focusing on winning the final game. His recent remarks reflect a sense of optimism about the team’s development. After a narrow victory over the Los Angeles Rams on “Monday Night Football,” he expressed hope about the future. “We’re not going to get a chance to show the world what we really can do, but we will soon, I promise you that,” he told his team.

Morris believes that the recent victories have instilled a winning mentality within the squad. “You can’t ever get tired of winning. Winning is fun,” he stated. His focus on cultivating a winning culture is a key part of his strategy going forward.

Regardless of the result against the Saints, the Falcons will conclude the season with a losing record, marking the eighth consecutive year of subpar performance. This streak has seen the leadership of three different head coaches, including Morris, who has a record of 15 wins and 18 losses in his two years as head coach, following a challenging tenure in Tampa Bay. His current career winning percentage stands at .391, ranking him among the lowest of active coaches with more than two seasons.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins highlighted the importance of finishing the season strong, stating, “You want to start fast, and you want to finish strong. We have a chance to at least finish strong.” As the Falcons prepare for their final clash of the season, much is at stake, not only for the players but also for the future of the coaching staff and management.