2006 Atlanta Falcons season - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Roster

Schedule

Week	Date	Opponent	Results		Game site	Attendance
Week	Date	Opponent	Final score	Team record	Game site	Attendance
1	September 10	at Carolina Panthers 2006 Carolina Panthers season -Regular season:-Week 1: vs. Atlanta Falcons:at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North CarolinaThe Panthers opened the regular season at home against the Atlanta Falcons on September 10. They lost, in what many fans and players alike referred to as an embarrassing game, 20-6. Kicker John Kasay...	W 20–6	1–0	Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...	73,522
2	September 17	Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 2006 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season began with the team trying to improve on their 11-5 record in 2005.-Summary:After winning the division in 2005, the Buccaneers suffered through an abysmal 2006 season...	W 14–3	2–0	Georgia Dome Georgia Dome The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...	70,828
3	September 25	at New Orleans Saints 2006 New Orleans Saints season The 2006 New Orleans Saints season began with the team trying to improve on their 3-13 record in 2005. All of the team's 2006 regular season home games were played in the Louisiana Superdome, which had been damaged all of the previous season by Hurricane Katrina...	L 3–23	2–1	Louisiana Superdome Louisiana Superdome The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...	70,003
4	October 1	Arizona Cardinals 2006 Arizona Cardinals season The 2006 Arizona Cardinals season began with the team trying to improve on their 5-11 record in 2005. They also moved into the Cardinals Stadium in Glendale, Arizona . The stadium was christened University of Phoenix Stadium on September 26...	W 32–10	3–1	Georgia Dome	68,891
5	Bye Bye (sports) A bye, in sports and other competitive activities, most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or team to advance to the next round of a playoff tournament without playing...
6	October 15	New York Giants 2006 New York Giants season The 2006 New York Giants season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 2005, which saw them win the NFC East. They did not win the NFC East or improve on that record, falling to 8-8 on the season after starting 6-2...	L 14–27	3–2	Georgia Dome	70,840
7	October 22	Pittsburgh Steelers 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record from 2005 and trying to defend their Super Bowl XL championship.-Offseason:...	W 41–38 (OT)	4–2	Georgia Dome	71,151
8	October 29	at Cincinnati Bengals 2006 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2006 Cincinnati Bengals season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in 2005, defending their AFC North Division Championship title, and progress further through the playoffs than they made in the 2005 season having lost to Pittsburgh in the 1st round after losing star...	W 29–27	5–2	Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...	65,978
9	November 5	at Detroit Lions 2006 Detroit Lions season The 2006 Detroit Lions season began with the team trying to improve on their 5-11 record in 2005.-Offseason:On January 19, the Lions hired Rod Marinelli as the team's new head coach. From the Tony Dungy "coaching tree", Marinelli had previously served as the defensive line coach and assistant coach...	L 14–30	5–3	Ford Field Ford Field Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...	60,987
10	November 12	Cleveland Browns 2006 Cleveland Browns season The 2006 Cleveland Browns season marked the 60th anniversary of the Browns franchise. It began with the team attempting to improve upon their win-loss record from 2005, where the team ended the year at 6–10. They were one of the most active teams during the free agency period, and looked to be one...	L 13–17	5–4	Georgia Dome	70,793
11	November 19	at Baltimore Ravens 2006 Baltimore Ravens season The 2006 Baltimore Ravens season began with the team trying to improve on their 6–10 record in 2005. The Ravens, for the first time in franchise history, started 4–0. The Ravens' ended the regular season with a team-best 13–3 record. The Ravens clinched the AFC North title, 1st-round bye...	L 10–24	5–5	M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of...	70,790
12	November 26	New Orleans Saints	L 13–31	5–6	Georgia Dome	70,933
13	December 3	at Washington Redskins 2006 Washington Redskins season The 2006 Washington Redskins began with the team trying to improve on their 10-6 record from 2005.-Offseason:After the end of the 2005 season, the Redskins were reported to be $20 million over the salary cap...	W 24–14	6–6	FedEx Field	86,436
14	December 10	at Tampa Bay Buccaneers	W 17–6	7–6	Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...	65,691
15	December 16	Dallas Cowboys 2006 Dallas Cowboys season The 2006 Dallas Cowboys season began with the team trying to improve on their 9–7 record in 2005. The base offense was changed to a 2-TE formation. Several high profile free agents were signed including controversial wide receiver Terrell Owens and kicker Mike Vanderjagt...	L 28–38	7–7	Georgia Dome	71,102
16	December 24	Carolina Panthers	L 3–10	7–8	Georgia Dome	68,834
17	December 31	at Philadelphia Eagles 2006 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2006 Philadelphia Eagles season ended in the Eagles finishing 10–6, reclaiming the NFC East, and winning a playoff game at home. The season ended in a Divisional Round playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints, but was seen as a success in the face of the adversity of losing starting quarterback...	L 17–24	7–9	Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...	69,341

Week 1: at Carolina Panthers

at Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...

, Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...

The Falcons opened the regular season on the road against the Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...

on September 10. Even though the Panthers scored first, with opposing kicker John Kasay

John Kasay

John David Kasay is an American football kicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia...

getting a 54-yard field goal, the Falcons responded with a field goal of their own, as kicker Michael Koenen

Michael Koenen

Michael J. Koenen is an American football punter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football at Western Washington....

booted a 25-yarder. In the second quarter, the Falcons unleashed their best, as Koenen got a 32-yard field goal and QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

completed a 34-yard pass to WR Michael Jenkins. The Panthers tried to respond in the third quarter with Kasay kicking a 46-yard field goal, but Vick and the Falcons put the game away with a 1-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

-Atlanta Falcons:Crumpler was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. Crumpler made the first start of his NFL career against the Carolina Panthers on September 23, 2001. He caught his first two passes for a total of 13 yards. His first touchdown was scored against the...

. Other than Vick having a good game, Warrick Dunn contributed with 132 rushing yards, while Atlanta's newest member, defensive end John Abraham

John Abraham (football player)

John Antonio Abraham is an American football defensive end in the National Football League currently playing for the Atlanta Falcons. He has also played for the New York Jets.- Early years:Abraham was born in Timmonsville, South Carolina...

, had 5 tackles, 2 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Week 2: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...

. The only Atlanta scores of the game came in the first quarter, with a 1-yard TD run on QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

's QB sneak. The only other Falcons score came in the second quarter, with RB Fred McCrary

Fred McCrary

Fred Demetrius McCrary was an American football fullback who played in the NFL.-Early years:McCrary attended Naples High School in Naples, Florida and was a letterman in football, basketball, and track...

getting a 4-yard TD run. The Buccaneers only score of the game came in the second quarter, with opposing kicker Matt Bryant

Matt Bryant

Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...

kicking a 22-yard field goal. The ground game made short work of the Tampa Defense, with Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

and Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

Warrick De'Mon Dunn is a former American football running back, and current minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12th overall in the 1997 NFL Draft, after playing college football at Florida State...

combining for 261 rushing yards. Rookie running back Jerious Norwood

Jerious Norwood

-2006:In 2006, Norwood played in 14 games and ranked third on the team with 633 rushing yards on 99 carries with two touchdowns to go along with 12 receptions for 102 yards. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 320 yards and tallied three special teams tackles.Norwood was the first player in NFL...

added 45 more rushing yards to the Falcon's total. The Falcons set a new franchise record for rushing yards in a game with 306.http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/games/2006-09-17-buccaneers-falcons_x.htm On the other side of the ball, the Falcons defense shut down the Tampa offense, with DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Hall

DeAngelo Eugene Hall is an American football cornerback for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons eighth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...

picking off two passes and Jason Webster

Jason Webster

Jason Richmond Webster is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft...

picking off one. Also, they held Tampa Bay RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams

Carnell Williams

Carnell Lamar "Cadillac" Williams is an American football running back for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft...

to just 37 yards on 15 carries. Special teams struggled as kicker Michael Koenen

Michael Koenen

missed three field goals and had one blocked, making him 2/8 so far this season.

Week 3: at New Orleans Saints

at the Louisiana Superdome
Louisiana Superdome
The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...

, New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...

Following two-straight wins over two division opponents (the Bucs and the Panthers), the Falcons flew to the Louisiana Superdome

Louisiana Superdome

The Mercedes-Benz Superdome, previously known as the Louisiana Superdome and colloquially known as the Superdome, is a sports and exhibition arena located in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA...

to take on the New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are a professional American football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are members of the South Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League ....

(who were playing in the Superdome for the first time since Dec. '04) for an NFC South match-up on Monday Night. From the get-go the Falcons trailed, when they had a punt blocked by Saints safety Steve Gleason

Steve Gleason

Stephen Michael Gleason is a former American football safety of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2000. He played college football at Washington State.As a free agent in 2008, Gleason retired from the NFL after eight...

and DB Curtis Deloatch

Curtis Deloatch

Curtis Lee Deloatch is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2004...

landed on the ball in the end zone for the touchdown. The Falcons would respond, as kicker Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen , nicknamed "The Great Dane", is a former National Football League kicker. He holds the distinction of being the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, as well as being the all-time leading scorer for two different teams; the New Orleans Saints, with whom he spent 13 seasons, and...

(who used to play for the Saints) kicked a 26-yard field goal. That would be their only score of the night, as WR Devery Henderson

Devery Henderson

-New Orleans Saints:On November 5, 2006, Devery had his best day as a professional in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he caught 3 passes for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Henderson had 158 receiving yards on 5 catches, including a 76 yard touchdown, against the Atlanta Falcons on November...

ran for an 11-yard TD on a reverse. Then, Saints kicker John Carney would provide the remaining points for the New Orleans, as he kicked two field goals in the second quarter (a 37-yarder and a 51-yarder) and one field goal in the third (a 20-yarder). The Falcons would fall to 2-1, as their offense got swapped, battered, and bruised. QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

got sacked five times, while he and RB Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

would only combine for 101 rushing yards.

Week 4: vs. Arizona Cardinals

National Football League

The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...

. Against the hapless Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals

The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

, QB Mike Vick and RB Jerious Norwood

Jerious Norwood

both ran for over 100 yards each, making the Falcons the only NFL team in history to have a quarterback and running back run for 100+ yards in a game twice in a franchise's history. (Vick and RB Warrick Dunn both surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark in Week 2). Jerious Norwood also set a new franchise record for the longest run in team history with a 78 yard touchdown. They took on Kurt Warner and the Arizona Cardinals. Atlanta's victory was led by their defense and they ended Kurt Warner

Kurt Warner

Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...

's undefeated streak at the Georgia Dome

Georgia Dome

The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...

. Warner was promptly benched because of his sub-par play; Patrick Kerney

Patrick Kerney

-Atlanta Falcons:Kerney was drafted as the thirtieth overall pick in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, wearing the number 97 jersey. The Falcons signed Kerney to a 5-year $5.6 million contract. As a rookie, Kerney started two games and recorded 25 tackles and 2.5 sacks...

's two sacks didn't help his cause either. Matt Leinart

Matt Leinart

Matthew Stephen Leinart , is an American professional football quarterback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League...

played in his first NFL game as a rookie. Even with Arizona's adjustments, the Falcons managed to rebound and held on to win 32-10. Atlanta would end into its Bye Week at 3-1.

Week 6: vs. New York Giants

New York Giants

The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

.

A defensive battle early in the game, the first quarter went scoreless. The Giants got on the board first when former Falcons kicker Jay Feely

Jay Feely

Thomas James "Jay" Feely is an American football placekicker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Jay played for the Temple Terrace Spirit Soccer team that won the National Championships when he was 16....

connected on a 21 yard field goal midway through the second quarter. The Falcons responded when quarterback Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

scored on a 22 yard rushing touchdown to take a 7-3 halftime lead. Falcons running back Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

opened the second half in a big way, scoring on a franchise record 90 yard touchdown run. That was all the Falcons had left as the Giants proceeded to score 24 unanswered points to take control of the game when many of the Falcons' vaunted defensive starters had to leave the game due to injury. Quarterback Eli Manning

Eli Manning

Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...

hit tight end Jeremy Shockey

Jeremy Shockey

Jeremy Charles Shockey is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Giants 14th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...

twice for touchdowns in the second half, and backup running back Brandon Jacobs

Brandon Jacobs

-New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine...

ran one in. Giants running back Tiki Barber

Tiki Barber

Atiim Kiambu Hakeem-Ah "Tiki" Barber is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....

rushed for a season high 185 yards, and Feely added another field goal.

Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

1	2	3	4	OT	Total
Steelers	10	14	7	7	0	38
Falcons	7	14	14	3	3	41

Super Bowl XL

Super Bowl XL was an American football game pitting the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers against the National Football Conference champion Seattle Seahawks to decide the National Football League champion for the 2005 season...

Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...

to town. The Falcons knew they would be in a battle but no one knew what to expect. In what would turnout to be the shootout of the year the Falcons beat the Steelers in overtime 41-38. The Falcons recovered a Steelers fumble after they punted to start the game. On the very next play Michael Vick hit Alge Crumpler for a 22-yard touchdown pass. It was the first of what would be a career-high four touchdown pass game for Vick. After Steelers' kicker Jeff Reed kicked a 28-yard the Steelers defense held tough and forced the Falcons to give up the ball again when Steeler's safety Troy Polamalu intercepted Vick. Steelers' quarterback Ben Roethlisberger hit, Georgia native and Steelers' receiver, Hines Ward for a 11-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 10-7 lead after one quarter of play. On the next Steeler's drive Ben Roethlisberger found Heath Miller for a 1-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 17-7 lead. The Steelers than fumbled on the first play of their following drive and the Falcons took over. Six plays later Vick found Crumpler again this time for a 3 yard touchdown pass to cut the Steelers lead to 17-14. The teams would exchange touchdowns and the Steelers lead at halftime 24-21. The first score of the 2nd half came after another Steelers fumble when Warrick Dunn scored on a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Falcons ahead for the 2nd time in the game 28-24. Steeler's backup quarterback Charlie Batch, who came in for an injured Roethlisberger, hit Ward for a 70-yard touchdown pass to give the Steelers a 31-28 lead. The Falcons answered right back when Vick found Crumpler for a 3rd time in the game with a 31-yard touchdown pass that put the Falcons ahead 35-31. After the Falcon's Morten Andersen kicked a 25 yard field goal to give the Falcons a 38-31 lead the Steelers came back again with a Batch 17-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 38 and force overtime. In overtime the Falcons won the coin toss. Falcons kicker Morten Andersen, after a 11 play 65 yard drive, put the capper on the game with a 32-yard field goal to give the Falcons an overtime victory over the defending Super Bowl Champion

Super Bowl XL

Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals

at Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...

, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...

In Week 8, the Falcons traveled to Paul Brown Stadium

Paul Brown Stadium

Paul Brown Stadium is an American sports stadium located in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home venue of the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. It opened on August 19, 2000. The stadium was named after Bengals' founder Paul Brown. The stadium is located on approximately of land and...

in Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...

to take on the Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...

. The star of the game would once again be QB Michael Vick. Vick had the 2nd best game of his career with a quarterback rating of 140.6. Vick passed for a season high 291 yards and 3 touchdowns finding Alge Crumpler, Michael Jenkins and Justin Griffith. The Falcons were down early to the Bengals 14-6, but were leading 29-20 with 7 minutes remaining. A late touchdown to the Bengals set up a thrilling finish to the match, with Atlanta's defence proving too tough for Cincinnati, sacking Bengal's QB Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer

Carson Palmer is an American professional football quarterback for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals first overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played collegiately at the University of Southern California and won the Heisman Trophy in 2002...

to seal the match.

Week 9: at Detroit Lions

at Ford Field
Ford Field
Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...

, Detroit, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...

Coming off an impressive road performance against the Bengals, the Falcons flew to Ford Field

Ford Field

Ford Field is an indoor American football stadium located in Detroit, Michigan, USA, that is the current home field of the NFL's Detroit Lions. It is owned by the Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority. It regularly seats 65,000, though it is expandable up to 70,000 for football and 80,000 for...

for Week 9 as they took on the Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...

. In the first quarter, Atlanta would trail early, as Lions kicker Jason Hanson

Jason Hanson

Jason Douglas Hanson is an American football placekicker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League, where he has spent his entire 20 year career. He was drafted by the Lions in the second round of the 1992 NFL Draft...

would kick a 28-yard field goal, which would be followed up by a 35-yard TD run by RB Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones (American football)

Kevin S. Jones is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions 30th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...

. The Falcons would score on QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

's 19-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

. In the second quarter, Detroit would get Jones scoring a touchdown on a 2-yard run, while Atlanta had RB Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter, Hanson would get a 19-yard field goal for the Lions with the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons would fall as QB Jon Kitna

Jon Kitna

Jon K. Kitna is an American football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1996...

completed a 60-yard TD pass to WR Roy Williams

Roy Williams (wide receiver)

Roy Eugene Williams, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Chicago Bears. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions seventh overall in the 2004 NFL Draft...

and Hanson would kick a 36-yard field goal to end the game in favor of Detroit. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5-3.

Week 10: vs. Cleveland Browns

at the Georgia Dome
Georgia Dome
The Georgia Dome is a domed stadium located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, between downtown to the east and Vine City to the west. It is primarily the home stadium for the NFL Atlanta Falcons and the NCAA Division I FCS Georgia State Panthers football team. It is owned and operated by the...

, Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...

It wasn't any easier for the Falcons hosting the Browns. Another below .500 team and favored to win against the Browns and get back on track, the Falcons offense was stifled by the hard fighting defense of the Browns, limiting the Falcons offensive production. After a battle of field position in which the Browns generally won, they decided to go for it on a 4th and 1 inside the 5 yard line of Falcons territory. After getting the touchdown from their running back, the Browns scored again on a slant rout to their receiver once again burning the Falcons secondary...going up 14-0. The Falcons could only manage to score a field goal before the half, but not before a wacky play of laterals on the Falcons half failing to find the endzone. But they did manage to get a drive going scoring a touchdown to Michael Jenkins diving in the endzone, it seemed that the Falcons would make a stand. However the Falcons did not get a call for a safety, and on the next drive the Browns scored another field goal. With a chance to go for the winning touchdown on the two minute offense thanks to Roddy White's leaping catch, the Falcons threaten deep inside Browns territory. But soon a weary Michael Vick, unable to find open receivers tried to make the play for himself and scrambled, but he held the ball loosely like in the lions game. Without a guy hitting him, he fumbled the ball bouncing twice into his chest, but then popped loose to the Browns ending their chance for a victory.

Week 11: at Baltimore Ravens

at M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium
M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of...

, Baltimore, Maryland

The Falcons traveled to M&T Bank Stadium

M&T Bank Stadium

M&T Bank Stadium is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Baltimore, Maryland. It is the home of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. The stadium is immediately adjacent to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. Served by the Hamburg Street station of...

in Baltimore to take on the Ravens

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...

only to succumb to the first-place AFC North

AFC North

The American Football Conference North Division, or AFC North, is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. It was created prior to the 1967 season as the NFL Century Division when the NFL split into four divisions...

Ravens. In the start of the game Falcons jumped out a 7-0 lead. Michael Vick completed a 12-yard pass to WR Michael Jenkins for a touchdown, but the Ravens using the kick/punt returns by returner B.J. Sams

B.J. Sams (football player)

Bradley Jamar "B. J." Sams is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2004...

, to pick up a total impressive 212 yards on six carries to dominate the second half. Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

had six carries also, but could not gain sufficient yards against the sturdy Raven's defense. Michael Vick was sacked a total five times. The Falcons managed to get a field goal to make a score of 10-17 in second half, but RB Jamal Lewis

Jamal Lewis

Jamal Lafitte Lewis is a former American football running back in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens fifth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft...

ran for one more touchdown for 5 yards, which set the score 10-24. RB Jamal Lewis finished with a 91-yard, 3-TD performance, ending his 35-game multi-TD drought. Michael Vick had 6 carries for 54 yards and completed 11 out of 21 passes for 127 yards. Falcons drop to a disappointing record of 5-5 and has had their third consecutive loss this season.

Week 12: vs. New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints

. From the get-go, the Falcons trailed as in the first quarter, QB Drew Brees

Drew Brees

Drew Christopher Brees is a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Purdue....

completed a 76-yard TD pass to WR Devery Henderson

Devery Henderson

, while RB Deuce McAllister

Deuce McAllister

Dulymus Jenod "Deuce" McAllister is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft...

got a 1-yard TD run. Atlanta would respond with kicker Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen

kicking a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Andersen gave the Falcons a 30-yard field goal, yet New Orleans continued dominating with Brees completing an incredible 48-yard TD pass to WR Terrance Copper

Terrance Copper

Terrance Terrel Copper is an American football wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent...

on the very last offensive play of the half. In the third quarter, RB Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

gave Atlanta some room to operate, as he a 1-yard TD run for the only score of the half. However, in the fourth quarter, the Saints wrapped up the game with kicker John Carney getting a 25-yard field goal, while McAllister got a 9-yard TD run. After the game, as QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

was leaving the field, he flicked off an insulting fan with both hands. He was fined $10,000 from the NFL and had to donate another $10,000 to charity.http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/ATL/9836538 With their fourth-straight loss, the Falcons fell to 5-6.

Week 13: at Washington Redskins

at FedExField
FedExField
FedExField is a football stadium located in an unincorporated area near the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, near the site of the old Capital Centre . FedExField is the home of the Washington Redskins football team...

, Landover, Maryland
Landover, Maryland
Landover is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, within the census-designated place of Greater Landover. The Prince Georges County Sports and Learning Complex is in Landover...

The Falcons visited FedExField

FedExField

FedExField is a football stadium located in an unincorporated area near the Capital Beltway in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, near the site of the old Capital Centre . FedExField is the home of the Washington Redskins football team...

in Landover, Maryland

Landover, Maryland

Landover is an unincorporated community in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States, within the census-designated place of Greater Landover. The Prince Georges County Sports and Learning Complex is in Landover...

and defeated the Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins

The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...

, ending a four-game losing skid. In the first quarter, the Redskins started strong with two touchdowns on their first two possessions. The first coming off an 8-yard TD run by RB Ladell Betts, and the second with QB Jason Campbell completing a 42-yard TD pass to WR Santana Moss

Santana Moss

Santana Terrell Moss is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:...

. In the second quarter, the Falcons got on the board with a 34-yard field goal by kicker Morten Andersen and QB Michael Vick's 16-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler. In the third quarter, Atlanta finally gained the lead when Vick connected with WR Michael Jenkins for a 22-yard TD pass. In the fourth quarter, the Falcons sealed the win with RB Jerious Norwood's 69-yard touchdown run. With the victory, Atlanta improved to 6-6.

Week 14: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

at Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium
Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...

, Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....

The Falcons traveled to Raymond James Stadium

Raymond James Stadium

Raymond James Stadium, also known as the "Ray Jay", is a multi-purpose football stadium located in Tampa, Florida. It is home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as the NCAA's South Florida Bulls football team. The stadium seats 65,857 , and it is expandable to 75,000 for special events...

in Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....

on December 10 and squared off in an NFC South rematch against their division rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

. Their victory completed a season sweep. The first quarter started off with the Falcons punting away on their first possession. The Bucs then came back with a 10-play drive that resulted in a 42-yard field goal by kicker Matt Bryant

Matt Bryant

Steven Matt Bryant is an American football placekicker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Frankfurt Galaxy as a street free agent in 2002...

. The second quarter saw Tampa Bay scoring another Bryant FG after a 12-play drive. In the third quarter, Atlanta scored their first points of the game off a 54-yard fumble return by OLB Demorrio Williams

Demorrio Williams

Demorrio Dwain Williams is an American football linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft...

. The fumble occurred after Tampa QB Bruce Gradkowski

Bruce Gradkowski

Bruce Raymond Gradkowski is an American Football quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft after playing college football at Toledo.Gradkowski has previously been a member of the Tampa...

lost the ball upon being sacked by Falcons DE John Abraham. Later in the same quarter, the Falcons went on to score another touchdown after a 21-yard run up the middle by FB Justin Griffith

Justin Griffith

Justin Montrel Griffith is an American football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

that completed a 9-play drive. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Atlanta sealed the game victory after picking up a field goal by kicker Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen

that followed another Tampa Bay fumble by RB Carnell "Cadillac" Williams

Carnell Williams

. Atlanta picked up its second win in a row, raising their record to 7-6.

Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...

. In the first quarter, Atlanta trailed early with Cowboys QB Tony Romo

Tony Romo

Antonio Ramiro "Tony" Romo is a professional American football quarterback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys. Romo's career passer rating - at 95.8 - ranks third-best all time. Tony Romo didn't play in the regular season in 2003, 2004, or 2005...

completing a 7-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Owens has been one of the dominant receivers of his era...

for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, Dallas' lead increased with OLB returning an interception 41 yards for a touchdown on the very first play of the period. Fortunately, the Falcons fought back with QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

throwing a 1-yard TD pass to FB Justin Griffith

Justin Griffith

Justin Montrel Griffith is an American football fullback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...

and a 9-yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins. It was after the second touchdown that an NFL record was set. After kicker Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen

's extra point, he became the league's all-time leading scorer with 2,435 points. His total after the game would be 2,437 points.

After Atlanta's second score of the game, the Cowboys jumped back into action, with Romo completing a 51-yard TD pass to Owens. Fortunately, the Falcons managed to tie the game going into halftime with Vick's 8-yard TD pass to WR Ashley Lelie

Ashley Lelie

Ashley Jovon Lelie [] is a retired American football wide receiver. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos 19th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft...

. In the third quarter, Atlanta took the lead with Vick's 5-yard TD pass to Griffith. However, the joy was short-lived as Dallas took over for the rest of the game with kicker Martin Gramatica

Martin Gramatica

Martín Gramática is an Argentine-American former football placekicker.Gramática was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third round of the 1999 NFL Draft after playing college football at Kansas State, and has also been a member of the Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Dallas...

's 48-yard field goal and RB Marion Barber

Marion Barber III

Marion Sylvester Barber III is an American football running back for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Minnesota....

's 9-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Cowboys wrapped up the game with Barber's 3-yard TD run. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 7-7.

Fortunately, not all was bad. Along with Andersen's record-setting night, Vick also managed to set a record for the most single-season rushing yards by a quarterback with 934 yards at game's end. Also, the entire Falcons rushing corps broke the single-season rushing record that they set two seasons ago (which was 2,672) with a new record of 2,697 yards.

Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers

. In the first quarter, Atlanta struck first with kicker Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen

nailing a 40-yard field goal for the only score of the period. However, in the second quarter, the Panthers took the lead and won with QB Chris Weinke

Chris Weinke

Christopher Jon Weinke is a former professional American football and baseball player. After spending six years in the Toronto Blue Jays minor league baseball system, he enrolled at Florida State University at the age of 26, and played quarterback for the Florida State Seminoles...

completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Jeff King

Jeff King (American football)

Jeffery "Jeff" W. King is an American football tight end in the National Football League with the Arizona Cardinals. He played college football and basketball for Virginia Tech.-Football:...

and kicker John Kasay

John Kasay

completing a 42-yard field goal. Afterwards, defense ruled the game and the Falcons ended up on the losing end. QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

would end up with a dismal 9/20 for 109 yards with No Touchdowns and 2 Interceptions, yet he would become the very first quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/ATL/9890064

The Bad News: Atlanta fell to 7-8 and also fell out of the playoff race with the New York Giants

New York Giants

Week 17 Sat. night win over the Washington Redskins

Washington Redskins

. The Good News: Carolina also failed to make the playoffs.

Week 17: at Philadelphia Eagles

at Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field
Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...

, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...

Trying to end their season on a positive note, the Falcons flew to Lincoln Financial Field

Lincoln Financial Field

Lincoln Financial Field is the home stadium of the National Football League's Philadelphia Eagles. It has a seating capacity of 68,532 . It is located in South Philadelphia on Pattison Avenue between 11th and 10th streets, also aside I-95 as part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex...

for a Week 17 intraconference fight with the playoff-bound Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...

. In the first quarter, the Eagles drew first blood as kicker David Akers

David Akers

David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....

nailed a 41-yard field goal. Afterwards, Atlanta took the lead with QB Michael Vick

Michael Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...

completing a 7-yard TD pass to RB Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn

. However, Philadelphia flew back into the lead with back-up QB A.J. Feeley

A.J. Feeley

Adam Joshua Feeley is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 2001 NFL Draft...

completing a 14-yard TD pass to TE Matt Schobel

Matt Schobel

Matthew Thomas Schobel is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas Christian....

. In the second quarter, the Falcons tied the game with kicker Morten Andersen

Morten Andersen

nailing a 45-yard field goal. However, the Eagles responded with Feeley completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Jason Avant

Jason Avant

Jason Raye Avant is an American football wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....

. After a scoreless third quarter, Atlanta responded in the fourth quarter with back-up QB Matt Schaub

Matt Schaub

Matthew Rutledge Schaub is the starting quarterback for the Houston Texans. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia.-College career:...

completing a 9-yard TD pass to TE Alge Crumpler

Alge Crumpler

. However, Philadelphia wrapped up the game with Feeley completing a 89-yard touchdown pass to WR Hank Baskett

Hank Baskett

Henry Randall "Hank" Baskett III is a wide receiver who is currently a free agent. Baskett has played for three NFL teams, the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and Indianapolis Colts....

. With the loss, the Falcons ended its season at 7-9.

In the aftermath, Jim Mora, Jr.

Jim L. Mora

James Lawrence "Jim" Mora is an American former NCAA defensive back and National Football League head coach. As of 2010, he is currently an analyst for the NFL Network....

ended up getting fired on New Year's Day

New Year's Day

New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...

, ending his three-year tenure as head coach.

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