NFL team season
The 2014 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the seventh and final under head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons were defeated by the Carolina Panthers in week 17, officially eliminating them from postseason contention for the second straight year.[1] As a result, Smith was fired after his seventh year as head coach, after two straight years with a losing record.[2]
The 2014 Atlanta Falcons were featured on the HBO documentary series Hard Knocks.[3]
As of 2022, the only member of the 2014 squad still a Falcon is Jake Matthews.
2014 draft class
- Note: The Falcons traded their sixth- (No. 182 overall) and original seventh- (No. 220 overall) round selections to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 168 overall).
Staff
2014 Atlanta Falcons staff | Front office Head coaches - Head coach – Mike Smith
- Assistant head coach/wide receivers – Terry Robiskie
Offensive coaches | | | Defensive coaches Special teams coaches - Special teams coordinator – Keith Armstrong
- Assistant special teams – Eric Sutulovich
Strength and conditioning - Head strength and conditioning – A.J. Neibel
- Strength and conditioning assistant – Jonas Beauchemin
|
Final roster
2014 Atlanta Falcons final roster |
| Quarterbacks Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends | | Offensive linemen Defensive linemen | | Linebackers Defensive backs Special teams | | Reserve lists - 23 Robert Alford CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 72 Sam Baker T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 61 Joe Hawley C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 76 Lamar Holmes T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 79 Mike Johnson G/T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 66 Peter Konz C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 25 William Moore S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 22 Zeke Motta S (PUPTooltip Physically unable to perform)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 35 Antone Smith RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 51 Marquis Spruill LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) - 56 Sean Weatherspoon LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
![](//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/Injury_icon_2.svg/10px-Injury_icon_2.svg.png) Practice squad Rookies in italics 53 active, 11 inactive, 10 practice squad |
Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
- Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week One: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
Saints | 6 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
Falcons | 0 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 3 | 37 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information |
First quarter - NO – Shayne Graham 31-yard field goal, 10:33. Saints 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:27.
- NO – Shayne Graham 50-yard field goal, 4:39. Saints 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 28 yards, 3:59.
Second quarter - NO – Khiry Robinson 2-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 11:46. Saints 13–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:10.
- ATL – Roddy White 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:06. Saints 13–7. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:40.
- NO – Brandin Cooks 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Shayne Graham kick), 0:20. Saints 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:46.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 20–10. Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 0:20.
Third quarter - ATL – Levine Toilolo 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 9:22. Saints 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:38.
- ATL – Antone Smith 54-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:21. Falcons 24–20. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:31.
Fourth quarter - NO – Mark Ingram 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 8:46. Saints 27–24. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:35.
- ATL – Jacquizz Rodgers 17-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 2:50. Falcons 31–27. Drive: 8 plays, 94 yards, 3:26.
- NO – Mark Ingram 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 1:20. Saints 34–31. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 1:30.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 34–34. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 1:20.
Overtime - ATL – Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal, 13:17. Falcons 37–34. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:32.
| Top passers - NO – Drew Brees – 29/42, 333 yards, TD, INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/43, 448 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers - NO – Mark Ingram - 13 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD
- ATL – Steven Jackson – 12 rushes, 52 yards
Top receivers | |
Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals
Game information |
First quarter - CIN – Mike Nugent 31-yard field goal, 5:19. Bengals 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 5:57.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 46-yard field goal, 1:08. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:11.
Second quarter - CIN – Giovani Bernard 4-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 2:11. Bengals 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards, 5:21.
Third quarter - CIN – Mohamed Sanu 76-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 10:58. Bengals 17–3. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:12.
- CIN – Jeremy Hill 1-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 6:28. Bengals 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:14.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Julio Jones 14-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:35. Bengals 24–10. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 3:59.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/44, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT
- CIN – Andy Dalton – 15/23, 252 yards, TD
Top rushers - ATL – Steven Jackson – 11 rushes, 46 yards
- CIN – Giovani Bernard – 27 rushes, 90 yards, TD
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones – 7 receptions, 88 yards, TD
- CIN – Mohamed Sanu – 3 receptions, 84 yards, TD
| |
Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 14 |
Falcons | 21 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 56 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information |
First quarter - ATL – Harry Douglas 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:03. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:57.
- ATL – Julio Jones 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 3:03. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 4:14.
- ATL – Kemal Ishmael 23-yard interception return (Matt Bryant kick), 2:33. Falcons 21–0.
Second quarter - ATL – Devin Hester 20-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 14:53.Falcons 28–0. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:55.
- ATL – Devin Hester 62-yard punt return (Matt Bryant kick), 7:06. Falcons 35–0.
Third quarter - ATL – Julio Jones 40-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:23. Falcons 42–0. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:39.
- ATL – Steven Jackson 2-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 8:11. Falcons 49–0. Drive: 1 play, 2 yards, 0:07.
- ATL – Antone Smith 38-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 1:47. Falcons 56–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 3:12.
Fourth quarter - TB – Vincent Jackson 3-yard pass from Mike Glennon (Patrick Murray kick), 8:46. Falcons 56–7. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 8:01.
- TB – Danny Lansanah 27-yard interception return (Patrick Murray kick), 7:07. Falcons 56–14.
| Top passers - TB – Mike Glennon – 17/24, 121 yards, TD
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 21/24, 286 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers Top receivers - TB – Bobby Rainey – 7 receptions, 64 yards
- ATL – Julio Jones – 9 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TD
| |
In this game, Devin Hester would break Deion Sanders's all-time record for punt/kick returns for touchdowns, with 20.[4]
Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings
Week Four: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
Vikings | 14 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 41 |
at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date: September 28
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT/3:25 p.m. CDT
- Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), partly cloudy
- Game attendance: 52,173
- Referee: Ron Torbert
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - MIN – Matt Asiata 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:27. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:31.
- ATL – Roddy White 24-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 3:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:31.
- MIN – Matt Asiata 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:31. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:25.
Second quarter - ATL – Patrick DiMarco 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:56. Tied 14–14. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 5:26.
- MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 13-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:59. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:57.
- MIN – Blair Walsh 18-yard field goal, 0:02. Vikings 24–14. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 1:23.
Third quarter - MIN – Blair Walsh 41-yard field goal, 10:40. Vikings 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:20.
- ATL – Devin Hester 36-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 7:19. Vikings 27–21. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:21.
- ATL – Antone Smith 48-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 1:31. Falcons 28–27. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:16.
Fourth quarter - MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Teddy Bridewater-Rhett Ellison pass), 10:50. Vikings 35–28. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:51.
- MIN – Blair Walsh 55-yard field goal, 3:38. Vikings 38–28. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:51.
- MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 1:14. Vikings 41–28. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 2:11.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 25/41, 298 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
- MIN – Teddy Bridgewater – 19/30, 317 yards
Top rushers - ATL – Antone Smith – 4 rushes, 62 yards, TD
- MIN – Jerick McKinnon – 18 rushes, 135 yards
- Top receivers
| |
Week 5: at New York Giants
Week Five: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
Giants | 7 | 3 | 7 | 13 | 30 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
- Date: October 5
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 80,307
- Referee: Ed Hochuli
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 20-yard field goal, 14:15. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:33.
- NYG – Josh Brown 49-yard field goal, 3:40. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 5:13.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 20-yard field goal, 0:03. Falcons 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 3:37.
Third quarter - ATL – Antone Smith 74-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:37. Falcons 20–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:20.
- NYG – Andre Williams 3-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 2:05. Falcons 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 3:32.
Fourth quarter - NYG – Odell Beckham Jr. 3-yard pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown kick), 10:02. Giants 24–20. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:22.
- NYG – Josh Brown 50-yard field goal, 5:01. Giants 27–20. Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards, 3:22.
- NYG – Josh Brown 26-yard field goal, 2:08. Giants 30–20. Drive: 7 plays, 10 yards, 2:26.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/45, 316 yards, TD, INT
- NYG – Eli Manning – 19/30, 200 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers - ATL – Devonta Freeman – 4 rushes, 38 yards
- NYG – Andre Williams – 20 rushes, 65 yards, TD
Top receivers | |
Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears
Week Six: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Bears | 0 | 13 | 6 | 8 | 27 |
Falcons | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 12
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,712
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal, 9:41. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 3:21.
Second quarter - CHI – Robbie Gould 25-yard field goal, 14:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:38.
- CHI – Josh Morgan 3-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 5:59. Bears 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 4:37.
- CHI – Robbie Gould 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Bears 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 4:04.
Third quarter - ATL – Antone Smith 41-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:19. Bears 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:41.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 54-yard field goal, 6:19. Tied 13–13. Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards, 3:19.
- CHI – Matt Forte 6-yard run (kick failed), 5:06. Bears 19–13. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:13.
Fourth quarter - CHI – Matt Forte 9-yard run (Jay Cutler-Martellus Bennett pass), 10:07. Bears 27–13. Drive: 15 plays, 87 yards, 8:28.
| Top passers - CHI – Jay Cutler – 26/38, 381 yards, TD
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/37, 271 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers - CHI – Matt Forte – 17 rushes, 80 yards, 2 TD
- ATL – Steven Jackson – 6 rushes, 25 yards
Top receivers | |
Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens
Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
Ravens | 7 | 10 | 3 | 9 | 29 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date: October 19
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 71,184
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - BAL – Bernard Pierce 1-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 2:38. Ravens 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:18.
- BAL – Justin Tucker 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Ravens 17–0. Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards, 0:37.
Third quarter - BAL – Justin Tucker 38-yard field goal, 11:28. Ravens 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:32.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Roddy White 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 7:12. Ravens 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 2:45.
- BAL – Matt Ryan sacked in endzone by Terrell Suggs for a safety, 3:44. Ravens 22–7.
- BAL – Torrey Smith 39-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Justin Tucker kick), 1:46. Ravens 29–7. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 1:58.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/48, 228 yards, TD
- BAL – Joe Flacco – 16/25, 258 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers Top receivers - ATL – Roddy White – 9 receptions, 100 yards, TD
- BAL – Torrey Smith – 3 receptions, 81 yards, TD
| |
Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions
- NFL International Series
Game information |
First quarter - ATL – Devonta Freeman 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 9:25. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:35.
- ATL – Bear Pascoe 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:53. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:26.
Second quarter - ATL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 3:45. Falcons 21–0. Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 6:17.
Third quarter - DET – Matt Prater 22-yard field goal, 7:54. Falcons 21–3. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 7:06.
- DET – Golden Tate 59-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 4:38. Falcons 21–10. Drive: 3 plays, 44 yards, 1:44.
Fourth quarter - DET – Matt Prater 20-yard field goal, 14:10. Falcons 21–13. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:00.
- DET – Theo Riddick 5-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (pass failed), 3:56. Falcons 21–19. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:29.
- DET – Matt Prater 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Lions 22–21. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 1:38.
| Top passers - DET – Matthew Stafford – 24/47, 325 yards, 2 TD, INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/27, 228 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers - DET – Joique Bell – 14 rushes, 39 yards
- ATL – Steven Jackson – 18 rushes, 60 yards, TD
Top receivers - DET – Golden Tate – 7 receptions, 151 yards, TD
- ATL – Roddy White – 5 receptions, 66 yards
| |
Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Ten: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 27 |
Buccaneers | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: November 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 57,751
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - TB – Patrick Murray 51-yard field goal, 6:24. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 47 yards, 8:36.
- ATL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 0:51. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:33.
Second quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 37-yard field goal, 7:09. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 6:53.
- TB – Mike Evans 22-yard pass from Josh McCown (Matt Bryant kick), 0:46. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 1:45.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 0:46.
Third quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 10:23. Falcons 16–10. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:37.
Fourth quarter - TB – Austin Seferian-Jenkins 1-yard pass from Josh McCown (Patrick Murray kick), 14:18. Buccaneers 17–16. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:04.
- ATL – Roddy White 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Ryan-Harry Douglas pass), 9:18. Falcons 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:00.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 33-yard field goal, 4:10. Falcons 27–17. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:53.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/31, 219 yards, TD
- TB – Josh McCown – 27/43, 301 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers - ATL – Steven Jackson – 16 rushes, 81 yards, TD
- TB – Josh McCown – 5 rushes, 39 yards
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones – 8 receptions, 119 yards
- TB – Mike Evans – 7 receptions, 125 yards, TD
| |
Week 11: at Carolina Panthers
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - CAR – Graham Gano 23-yard field goal, 14:57. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 83 yards, 9:05.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 34-yard field goal, 9:26. Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 5:31.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 42-yard field goal, 0:02. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 1:33.
Third quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 26-yard field goal, 12:07. Falcons 9–3. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:28.
- ATL – Roddy White 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 6:34. Falcons 16–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:49.
Fourth quarter - CAR – Kelvin Benjamin 22-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 9:12. Falcons 16–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:50.
- CAR – Corey Brown 47-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 6:20. Panthers 17–16. Drive: 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:41.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 2:08. Falcons 19–17. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 4:12.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/45, 268 yards, TD
- CAR – Cam Newton – 23/37, 292 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers Top receivers - ATL – Roddy White – 8 receptions, 75 yards, TD
- CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 9 receptions, 109 yards, TD
| |
Week 12: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week Twelve: Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Browns | 7 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 26 |
Falcons | 7 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 24 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - CLE – Billy Cundiff 33-yard field goal, 13:17. Browns 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:37.
- CLE – Billy Cundiff 37-yard field goal, 9:20. Browns 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:55.
- ATL – Jacquizz Rodgers 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:55. Falcons 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 1:57.
Third quarter - CLE – Billy Cundiff 32-yard field goal, 9:46. Browns 16–14. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 5:14.
- CLE – Isaiah Crowell 26-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 0:46. Browns 23–14. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:58.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 9:31. Browns 23–21. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:15.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 53-yard field goal, 0:44. Falcons 24–23. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 1:58.
- CLE – Billy Cundiff 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Browns 26–24. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 0:44.
| Top passers - CLE – Brian Hoyer – 23/40, 322 yards, 3 INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/43, 273 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers - CLE – Isaiah Crowell – 12 rushes, 88 yards, 2 TD
- ATL – Steven Jackson – 13 rushes, 34 yards, TD
Top receivers | |
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Thirteen: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 0 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 18 |
Falcons | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 29 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 30
- Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 69,557
- Referee: Terry McAulay
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - ATL – Levine Toilolo 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:39. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:21.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 20-yard field goal, 8:13. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:20.
- ATL – Julio Jones 32-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:48. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 32 yards, 0:39.
Second quarter - ARI – Rashad Johnson 88-yard interception return (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 14:07. Falcons 17–7.
- ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 44-yard field goal, 2:42. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:56.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 2:42.
Third quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 21-yard field goal, 6:13. Falcons 23–10. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 4:47.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 12:55. Falcons 26–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:11.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 28-yard field goal, 2:30. Falcons 29–10. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 4:47.
- ARI – Stepfan Taylor 3-yard pass from Drew Stanton (Stepfan Taylor run), 1:05. Falcons 29–18. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 1:25.
| Top passers - ARI – Drew Stanton – 24/39, 294 yards, TD, 2 INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/41, 361 yards, 2 TD, INT
Top rushers Top receivers - ARI – Jaron Brown – 7 receptions, 75 yards
- ATL – Julio Jones – 10 receptions, 189 yards, TD
| |
This was the Falcons' only win outside the NFC South division.
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 0 | 10 | 20 | 37 |
Packers | 7 | 24 | 3 | 9 | 43 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: December 8
- Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), flurries
- Game attendance: 77,512
- Referee: Pete Morelli
- TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - GB – Eddie Lacy 1-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 14:55. Packers 14–7. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:05.
- GB – Mason Crosby 38-yard field goal, 7:17. Packers 17–7. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:56.
- GB – Eddie Lacy 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 4:20. Packers 24–7. Drive: 4 plays, 15 yards, 2:07.
- GB – Jordy Nelson 10-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:24. Packers 31–7. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:11.
Third quarter - ATL – Eric Weems 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:35. Packers 31–14. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:25.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 50-yard field goal, 8:20. Packers 31–17. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:31.
- GB – Mason Crosby 33-yard field goal, 3:57. Packers 34–17. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:23.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Julio Jones 22-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:33. Packers 34–24. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 6:24.
- GB – Jordy Nelson 60-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (kick failed), 10:38. Packers 40–24. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:55.
- ATL – Roddy White 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 6:15. Packers 40–30. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 4:23.
- GB – Mason Crosby 53-yard field goal, 4:33. Packers 43–30. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:42.
- ATL – Harry Douglas 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:11. Packers 43–37. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 2:22.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/39, 375 yards, 4 TD, INT
- GB – Aaron Rodgers – 24/36, 327 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers - ATL – Steven Jackson – 16 rushes, 50 yards, TD
- GB – James Starks – 10 rushes, 75 yards, TD
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones – 11 receptions, 259 yards, TD
- GB – Jordy Nelson – 8 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TD
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Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Fifteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Steelers | 6 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 27 |
Falcons | 0 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 20 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 14
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 71,161
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Evan Washburn
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - PIT – Shaun Suisham 38-yard field goal, 9:08. Steelers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:51.
- PIT – Shaun Suisham 38-yard field goal, 0:02. Steelers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 5:01.
Second quarter - PIT – William Gay 52-yard interception return (Shaun Suisham kick), 14:46. Steelers 13–0.
- ATL – Devin Hester 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:19. Steelers 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 5:29.
- PIT – Le'Veon Bell 1-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 0:27. Steelers 20–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 3:52.
Third quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 28-yard field goal, 11:00. Steelers 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 4:00.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 22-yard field goal, 2:40. Steelers 20–13. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:04.
Fourth quarter - PIT – Le'Veon Bell 13-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 14:11. Steelers 27–13. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:29.
- ATL – Roddy White 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 10:21. Steelers 27–20. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 3:50.
| Top passers Top rushers - PIT – Le'Veon Bell – 20 rushes, 47 yards, 2 TD
- ATL – Steven Jackson – 11 rushes, 46 yards
Top receivers | |
The Falcons were the only NFC South team to lose to all of their AFC North opponents.
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints
Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 3 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
Saints | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: December 21
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,164
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - NO – Mark Ingram 1-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 14:40. Saints 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:20.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 11:15. Saints 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:25.
Second quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 50-yard field goal, 11:48. Saints 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 4:03.
- ATL – Eric Weems 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:03. Falcons 13–7. Drive: 15 plays, 89 yards, 5:33.
Third quarter - ATL – Devonta Freeman 31-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 5:42. Falcons 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:40.
Fourth quarter - NO – Jimmy Graham 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Shayne Graham kick), 5:48. Falcons 20–14. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 3:40.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 32-yard field goal, 1:56. Falcons 23–14. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:32.
- ATL – Osi Umenyiora 86-yard fumble return (Matt Bryant kick), 0:00. Falcons 30–14.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/40, 322 yards, TD
- NO – Drew Brees – 30/47, 313 yards, TD, 2 INT
Top rushers - ATL – Devonta Freeman – 5 rushes, 36 yards, TD
- NO – Mark Ingram – 13 rushes, 38 yards, TD
Top receivers | |
With the win, the Falcons swept the Saints for the 1st time since 2005 and eliminated them from postseason contention.
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Panthers | 10 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 34 |
Falcons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 28
- Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 71,015
- Referee: Bill Leavy
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - CAR – Graham Gano 21-yard field goal, 7:50. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 7:10.
- CAR – Ed Dickson 5-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 0:04. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 87 yards, 4:45.
Second quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 21-yard field goal, 10:36. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 4:28.
- CAR – Roman Harper 31-yard interception return (Graham Gano kick), 4:18. Panthers 17–3.
- CAR – Cam Newton 4-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 1:47. Panthers 24–3. Drive: 1 play, 4 yards, 0:07.
Third quarter - CAR – Graham Gano 48-yard field goal, 8:43. Panthers 27–3. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 4:35.
- CAR – Tre Boston 84-yard interception return (Graham Gano kick), 0:07. Panthers 34–3.
Fourth quarter | Top passers - CAR – Cam Newton – 10/16, 114 yards, TD
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/47, 260 yards, 2 INT
Top rushers - CAR – Cam Newton – 6 rushes, 51 yards, TD
- ATL – Jacquizz Rodgers – 9 rushes, 44 yards
Top receivers - CAR – Corey Brown – 1 reception, 28 yards
- ATL – Roddy White – 8 receptions, 104 yards
| |
Standings
Division
Conference
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# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
Division leaders |
1[a] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .525 | .513 | W6 |
2[a] | Green Bay Packers | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .482 | .440 | W2 |
3[a] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .445 | .422 | W4 |
4 | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 8 | 1 | .469 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .490 | .357 | W4 |
Wild Cards |
5[b] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .523 | .477 | L2 |
6[b] | Detroit Lions | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .471 | .392 | L1 |
Did not qualify for the postseason |
7 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .490 | .416 | W1 |
8 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 7–5 | .527 | .508 | W1 |
9[c] | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .486 | .415 | W1 |
10[c] | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 1–5 | 6–6 | .475 | .308 | W1 |
11[d] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .512 | .323 | L1 |
12[d] | Atlanta Falcons | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 5–1 | 6–6 | .482 | .380 | L1 |
13[d] | St. Louis Rams | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .531 | .427 | L3 |
14 | Chicago Bears | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .529 | .338 | L5 |
15 | Washington Redskins | East | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 2–4 | 2–10 | .496 | .422 | L1 |
16 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 2 | 14 | 0 | .125 | 0–6 | 1–11 | .486 | .469 | L6 |
Tiebreakers[e] |
- ^ a b c Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
- ^ a b Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
- ^ a b New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
- ^ a b c The NY Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
- ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
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Use of artificial crowd noise
Shortly after the end of the post-season the Falcons were investigated by the League for piping artificial crowd noise during opponent's offensive snaps at home games during the 2013 season and the 2014 season.[6] Team owner Arthur Blank stated that he was "angry and embarrassed" about the allegations, and has allegedly acknowledged the validity of the accusations, stating "I think what we've done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong", and promising to cooperate fully with the investigation.[7] The NFL fined the Falcons $350,000 and took away a fifth round draft pick in the 2016 draft as punishment.[8]
References
- ^ "Carolina Panthers obliterate Atlanta Falcons 34-3, win NFC South | CharlotteObserver.com". Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
- ^ "Falcons fire Mike Smith". December 29, 2014.
- ^ "Falcons to be 2014 HBO Hard Knocks Team". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ "Devin Hester's record-breaking return TD is best of Week 3". NFL.com.
- ^ "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons under NFL investigation for fake crowd noise at Georgia Dome: report". New York Daily News. February 1, 2015.
- ^ Jay Busbee (February 3, 2015). "Falcons' Arthur Blank on crowd noise: 'What we've done ... is wrong'". Yahoo! Sports.
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons lose 2016 draft pick, fined $350,000 by NFL for Noisegate". Alabama Living. March 30, 2015.
External links
Atlanta Falcons |
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- Founded in 1966
- Based in Atlanta, Georgia
- Headquartered in Flowery Branch, Georgia
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