2010 Atlanta Falcons season
Encyclopedia
The 2010
Atlanta Falcons
season was the 45th season for the team in the National Football League
. In 2009
, the team posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, with a 9–7 record, but did not make the playoffs. The Falcons have improved on their 2009 record, won their first NFC South
title since 2004, a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the top seed in the NFC. In the playoffs, the Falcons fell to the eventual Super Bowl XLV
champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round 21-48.
to a 1 year deal on February 11, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brian Williams
to a 1 year deal on March 4, 2010.
Falcons signed CB Dunta Robinson
to a 6 year deal on March 5, 2010.
Falcons re-signed LS Joe Zelenka
to a deal on March 8, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brent Grimes
to a deal on March 9, 2010.
Falcons cut CB Tye Hill
and signed S Matt Giordano
on March 16, 2010.
after trading for tight end Tony Gonzalez, and their seventh round pick to the St. Louis Rams
for cornerback Tye Hill
.
for an interconference duel against the Pittsburgh Steelers
. Atlanta trailed early in the first quarter as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed nailed a 52-yard field goal. The Falcons would answer in the second quarter as kicker Matt Bryant
made a 49-yard field goal.
Atlanta would take the lead in the third quarter as Bryant got a 36-yard field goal, but Pittsburgh would respond with Reed's 34-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers would get the lead again on Reed's 34-yard field goal, yet the Falcons would strike back with Bryant's 23-yard field goal. However, Pittsburgh delivered the final strike in overtime as running back Rashard Mendenhall
got the game-winning 50-yard touchdown run.
With the loss, Atlanta began their season at 0–1.
. In the first quarter Atlanta took the early lead as QB Matt Ryan
completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
, followed in the second quarter by kicker Matt Bryant
hitting a 24-yard field goal. Arizona would reply with RB Tim Hightower
getting an 80-yard TD run, but Atlanta increased their lead when Ryan threw a 19-yard TD pass to FB Jason Snelling
, followed by Snelling getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter the Falcons continued to dominate the game when Ryan completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Finneran
, followed by Bryan nailing a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter Atlanta scored once again with FB Jason Snelling
getting a 7-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 1–1.
for an NFC South rivalry match against the New Orleans Saints
.
The Falcons trailed early when QB Drew Brees
made a 2-yard TD pass to TE Jeremy Shockey
. The Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan
making a 13-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. The Saints re-took the lead with Brees finding WR Lance Moore
on an 80-yard TD pass. But the Falcons replied in the second quarter with RB Michael Turner making a 1-yard TD run. The Falcons took the lead when kicker Matt Bryant
made a 23-yard field goal. But they fell behind with Brees finding Moore again on a 16-yard TD pass. The Falcons would score when Ryan made a 22-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
. The Saints would tie the game with kicker Garrett Hartley
making a 32-yard field goal. In overtime, the Saints drove down to the goal line but kicker Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal. The Falcons drove back down the other direction and Matt Bryant hit a 46-yard field goal to give the Falcons the win.
With the win, not only the Falcons improved to 2–1 but finally won their first game in New Orleans since 2002.
. In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early with QB Alex Smith
making a 12-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis
. Then the Falcons had more problems when Michael Koenen
's punt was blocked and recovered in their own endzone by DB Taylor Mays
, putting the 49ers up 14-0. Then the Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan
completing an 8-yard TD pass to WR Harry Douglas
. Then the Falcons took the lead with three field goals from kicker Matt Bryant
. He made a 37-yard field goal near the end of the 2nd quarter and a 31-yard field goad in the 3rd. Under two minutes to play with the Falcons trailing 14-13, Ryan threw an interception to the 49ers' Nate Clements
who appears to be headed to the end zone and clinching the win. However wide receiver Roddy White
chases him down and strips the football which was recovered by Atlanta's Harvey Dahl
. Ryan engineers a drive in the other direction and Bryant kicks a 43-yard field goal with two seconds left giving the Falcons another win.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 3–1.
for an Interconference duel against the Cleveland Browns
. In the 2nd quarter the Falcons took the early lead as kicker Matt Bryant
nailed a 24-yard field goal. The Browns replied and took the lead with QB Seneca Wallace
's 19 yard TD pass to RB Peyton Hillis
. The Falcons tried to cut the lead when Bryant made a 30-yard field goal, but was expanded again in the 3rd quarter with kicker Phil Dawson
making a 19-yard field goal. After that, the Falcons scored when QB Matt Ryan
got a 45-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
, followed in the 4th quarter by DE Kroy Biermann
returning an interception and running 41 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 4–1.
for an NFC duel against the Philadelphia Eagles
. In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early as WR DeSean Jackson
got a 31-yard TD run. Also QB Kevin Kolb
connected to him on a 34-yard TD pass. The Falcons continued to struggle when Kolb found WR Jeremy Maclin
on an 8-yard TD pass. The Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan
making a 1-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. This was followed in the third quarter by kicker Matt Bryant
hitting a 26-yard field goal. However the Falcons fell further behind when Kolb found Maclin again on an 83-yard TD pass. The Falcons replied with Ryan making a 13-yard TD pass to Gonzalez. The Eagles pulled away with kicker David Akers
making a 30-yard field goal.
With the loss, Atlanta fell to 4–2.
made a 3-yard TD pass to WR Brian Finneran
. But the Bengals replied with kicker Mike Nugent
making a 20-yard field goal. The Falcons dominated the second quarter with kicker Matt Bryant
hitting a 45-yard field goal. Then Ryan found WR Roddy White
on a 43-yard TD pass, followed by RB Michael Turner getting a 2-yard TD run. The Bengals caught up in the third quarter with Nugent nailing a 33-yard field goal, followed by QB Carson Palmer
completing a 19-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens
. Then Palmer found WR Jordan Shipley
on a 64-yard TD pass. (With a failed 2-point conversion) Then DB Adam Jones
returned a fumble 59 yards to the endzone for a touchdown (With a failed two-point conversion). The Falcons pulled away in the fourth quarter with Ryan making an 11-yard TD pass to White. (With the 2-point conversion successful as Ryan passed to White) This was followed by Turner getting a 3-yard TD run. The Falcons would concede only one touchdown after that as Palmer found WR Chad Ochocinco on an 8-yard TD pass.
With the win, Atlanta went into its bye week at 5–2.
completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Arrelious Benn
. The Falcons pulled ahead after kicker Matt Bryant
got a 31-yard field goal, but the Buccaneers responded after Freeman found WR Mike Williams
on a 58-yard TD pass. The Falcons continued to score in the third quarter after QB Matt Ryan
threw a 5-yard TD pass to TE Michael Palmer
, followed by Bryant hitting a 41-yard field goal. The Buccaneers responded after Micheal Spurlock
returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–2.
on Thursday night. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta delivered the opening punch in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan
finding running back Jason Snelling
on a 28-yard touchdown run, followed by a 28-yard field goal from kicker Matt Bryant
.
The Falcons added onto their lead in the third quarter as Bryant booted a 51-yard field goal. The Ravens would answer with quarterback Joe Flacco
completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin
. Atlanta struck back in the fourth quarter as Ryan found wide receiver Roddy White
on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Baltimore took the lead as Flacco completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Derrick Mason
, followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap
, yet the Falcons regained the lead as Ryan connected with White again on a 33-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion) with 20 seconds left in the game.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 7–2.
During halftime, Deion Sanders
was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor.
for an NFC duel with the Rams.
In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early after QB Sam Bradford
made a 25-yard TD pass to TE Michael Hoomanawanui
. The Falcons replied with kicker Matt Bryant
hitting a 42-yard field goal. The Falcons struggled further when kicker Josh Brown hit a 53-yard field goal; but they rallied to take the lead after QB Matt Ryan
completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Brian Finneran
, followed by Bryant nailing a 29 and a 24-yard field goal. The lead was narrowed when Bradford threw a 13-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Gibson
, but they increased their lead as Ryan threw a 2-yard TD pass to TE Justin Peelle
. This was followed in the fourth quarter by Bryant nailing a 21-yard field goal, and with RB Michael Turner getting a 39-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 8–2.
nailed a 38-yard field goal. The Packers replied as kicker Mason Crosby
hit a 22-yard field goal. The Falcons made the only score of the second quarter with QB Matt Ryan
making a 4-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez; but the Packers responded in the third quarter when QB Aaron Rodgers
scrambled 1 yard for a touchdown. The Falcons got the lead back as RB Michael Turner got a 1-yard TD run, but the Packers replied with Rodgers' 10-yard TD pass to WR Jordy Nelson
. The Falcons scored with Bryant getting a 47-yard field goal, and after that, they held on for the win.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 9–2.
for an NFC South rivalry match against the Buccaneers. The Falcons took the early lead as RB Michael Turner got a 5-yard TD run. But the Buccaneers replied with RB LeGarrette Blount
getting a 6-yard TD run. The Falcons scored again with QB Matt Ryan
getting a 17-yard TD pass to FB Ovie Mughelli
, but Tampa Bay replied with QB Josh Freeman
getting a 1-yard TD pass to WR Mike Williams. The Falcons trailed for the first time in the game with kicker Connor Barth
nailing a 33-yard field goal, and with Earnest Graham
making a 2-yard TD pass to TE John Gilmore. The Falcons responded with Eric Weems
returning a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown, and getting the lead back with Ryan getting a 9-yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 10–2.
completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez, followed by RB Michael Turner getting a 1-yard TD run, and then with kicker Matt Bryant
nailing a 39-yard field goal. The Panthers scored in the third quarter with RB Mike Goodson
getting a 13-yard TD run, but the Falcons replied as Turner got a 3-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed as kicker John Kasay
made a 36-yard field goal, but Atlanta pulled away as Turner got a 4-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 11–2.
. Atlanta would later respond early in the second quarter with a Matt Ryan
3-yard TD pass to Jason Snelling
, with Matt Bryant
later adding a 27-yard field goal to take the lead. Seattle tied the game with a 38-yard field goal from Olindo Mare
; however, the Falcons took the lead again with a Ryan 24-yard TD pass to Michael Jenkins to close the first half. On the Seahawks' first offensive possession of the second half, Matt Hasselback fumbled the football in the end-zone with defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux
recovering for a Falcons' touchdown. Atlanta would later add to their lead with a 25-yard Bryant field goal as well as a Ryan 24-yard TD pass to Roddy White
. Seattle's only score of the second half came from backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst
with a 1-yard TD rush followed by a successful 2-point conversion with a Whitehurst pass to Ben Obomanu
.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 12-2. Also, the Falcons secured a playoff berth early in the game due to Philadelphia's
victory over the New York Giants
.
kicking a FG from 52 yards late in the first quarter. RB Pierre Thomas
would add to the Saints' lead with a 2-yard TD run; however, Atlanta would respond with a Matt Ryan
7-yard TD pass to Roddy White
to cut the lead to three. After a scoreless third quarter, the Falcons took the lead with Chauncey Davis
returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. New Orleans reclaimed the lead late in the 4th with a Drew Brees
6-yard TD pass to Jimmy Graham
. Atlanta attempted to come back; however, New Orleans held on for the win.
With the loss, Atlanta falls to 12–3, snapping their 8-game winning streak.
got a 6-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. This was followed by a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown by Eric Weems
; then with Ryan completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
. The Panthers tried to cut the lead with kicker John Kasay
getting a 23-yard field goal, but the Falcons continued to score as kicker Matt Bryant
made a 47-yard field goal, followed by RB Michael Turner getting a 3-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed as QB Jimmy Clausen
connected to TE Jeff King
on a 2-yard TD pass, but the Falcons held on for the easy win, finishing their regular season on a 13-3 record.
, in a rematch of their Week 12 match-up. Atlanta delivered the game's opening strike in the first quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run from running back Michael Turner. The Packers answered in the second quarter as quarterback Aaron Rodgers
completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordy Nelson
, yet the Falcons immediately struck back as wide receiver Eric Weems
returned the ensuing kickoff for a franchise postseason best 102 yards for a touchdown. Green Bay came right back with fullback John Kuhn
getting a 1-yard touchdown run, Rodgers completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jones
, and cornerback Tramon Williams
returning an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.
The Packers added onto their lead in the third quarter as Rodgers got a 7-yard touchdown run, followed by his 7-yard touchdown pass to Kuhn. Atlanta tried to rally in the fourth quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan
found wide receiver Roddy White
on a 6-yard touchdown pass, yet Green Bay closed out their dominating night with Crosby getting a 43-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Falcons' season came to a disappointing end with an overall record of 13-4.
The 27 point loss was the worst loss by a top seed in Divisional Playoff game history. It was the 2nd worst defeat by a top seed before a Super Bowl with the worst being a 28-0 loss by the Los Angeles Rams to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 Season.
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
season was the 45th season for the team in the National Football League
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...
. In 2009
2009 Atlanta Falcons season
The 2009 Atlanta Falcons season was the 44th season for the team in the National Football League. The team looked to match or improve upon their 11–5 record from 2008 and return to the playoffs, however the Falcons were eliminated from contention in Week 15...
, the team posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history, with a 9–7 record, but did not make the playoffs. The Falcons have improved on their 2009 record, won their first NFC South
NFC South
The NFC South is a division in the National Football Conference of the National Football League. It was created prior to the 2002 NFL season, when the league realigned divisions after expanding to 32 teams. The NFC South currently has four members: the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New...
title since 2004, a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the top seed in the NFC. In the playoffs, the Falcons fell to the eventual Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV
Super Bowl XLV was an American football game between the American Football Conference champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference champion Green Bay Packers to decide the National Football League champion for the 2010 season. The game was held at Cowboys Stadium in...
champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round 21-48.
Offseason
Falcons re-signed WR Brian FinneranBrian Finneran
Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...
to a 1 year deal on February 11, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brian Williams
Brian Williams (cornerback)
Brian Williams is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
to a 1 year deal on March 4, 2010.
Falcons signed CB Dunta Robinson
Dunta Robinson
Willie Dunta Robinson is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted by the Houston Texans 10th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at South Carolina.-Early years:...
to a 6 year deal on March 5, 2010.
Falcons re-signed LS Joe Zelenka
Joe Zelenka
Joseph John Zelenka is an American football long snapper for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 1999...
to a deal on March 8, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brent Grimes
Brent Grimes
Brent Omar Grimes is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
to a deal on March 9, 2010.
Falcons cut CB Tye Hill
Tye Hill
-St. Louis Rams:Hill was drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Rams in the 2006 NFL Draft. On July 31, 2006, Hill signed five-year $10.2 million contract with the Rams. In his rookie season he started in ten out of 16 games and finished the year with 50 tackles and three interceptions...
and signed S Matt Giordano
Matt Giordano
Matthew Victor Giordano is an American football safety for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at California.Giordano earned a Super Bowl ring with the Colts in Super...
on March 16, 2010.
2010 NFL Draft
After finishing the season 9–7 and out of the playoffs, the Falcons will pick 19th in the draft. The Falcons traded their second round pick to the Kansas City ChiefsKansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
after trading for tight end Tony Gonzalez, and their seventh round pick to the St. Louis Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
for cornerback Tye Hill
Tye Hill
-St. Louis Rams:Hill was drafted in the first round by the St. Louis Rams in the 2006 NFL Draft. On July 31, 2006, Hill signed five-year $10.2 million contract with the Rams. In his rookie season he started in ten out of 16 games and finished the year with 50 tackles and three interceptions...
.
| Draft order | Player name | Position | Height | Weight | College | Contract | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round | Choice | Overall | |||||||
| 1 | 19 | 19 | Sean Weatherspoon Sean Weatherspoon Franklin De'Sean "Sean" Weatherspoon is an American football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He played college football at University of Missouri... |
OLB | 6'1" | 239 | Missouri | ||
| 3 | 19 | 83 | Corey Peters Corey Peters Corey Peters is an American football defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.Peters played high school football for Louisville Central High School, where he was first-team all state.... |
DT | 6'3 | 295 | Kentucky | ||
| 3 | 34 | 98 | Mike Johnson Mike Johnson (offensive lineman) Michael P. Johnson is an American football offensive lineman for the Atlanta Falcons. Johnson was one of three Crimson Tide offensive linemen to earn 2008 All-American honors, alongside Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell... |
OT | 6'5 | 312 | Alabama | Compensatory pick | |
| 4 | 19 | 117 | Joe Hawley Joe Hawley (American football) Joe Kelly Hawley is an American football offensive guard of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft.-Early years:... |
C | 6'3 | 297 | UNLV | ||
| 5 | 4 | 135 | Dominique Franks Dominique Franks Dominique Franks is an American football cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons. Franks was considered one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft.... |
CB | 5'11" | 194 | Oklahoma | ||
| 5 | 34 | 165 | Kerry Meier Kerry Meier Kerry Meier is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas... |
WR | 6'2" | 224 | Kansas | Compensatory pick | |
| 6 | 2 | 171 | Shann Schillinger Shann Schillinger Shann Schillinger is an American football safety for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Montana... |
S | 6'0" | 199 | Montana | ||
Coaching staff
| Atlanta Falcons 2010 staff | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
|
Defensive Coaches
Brian VanGorder Brian VanGorder is the current Defensive Coordinator of the Atlanta Falcons. He previously was the head coach of Wayne State University, Georgia Southern University and has been as assistant coach under many other universities, most notably the University of Georgia.-Early coaching... Ray Hamilton Ray "Sugar Bear" Hamilton is a former American football player from 1973 through 1981 for the New England Patriots, and the current defensive line coach for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons... Glenn Pires Glenn M. Pires is an American football coach. He is currently the linebackers coach for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League.-Biography:... Tim Lewis Tim Lewis is an American football coach and former cornerback. He is currently the secondary coach for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League.-Playing career:... Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
|
|||||
Final roster
Preseason
The Falcons preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010.| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | August 13 | 8:00 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
Kansas City Chiefs 2010 Kansas City Chiefs season The 2010 Kansas City Chiefs season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League, the 51st overall and the second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. The team improved on its 4–12 record from 2009, and won their first AFC West division title... |
W 20–10 | 1–0 | 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... |
WXIA WXIA-TV WXIA-TV, virtual channel 11.1 , is the NBC-affiliated television station in Atlanta, Georgia. Popularly known by its 11 Alive moniker, WXIA is owned by the Gannett Company in a duopoly with MyNetworkTV affiliate WATL... |
Recap |
| 2 | August 19 | 8:00 p.m. EDT | New England Patriots 2010 New England Patriots season The 2010 New England Patriots season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League and 51st season overall. The Patriots improved on their 10–6 record from 2009 by finishing with a league-best 14–2 record and clinching the top seed in the AFC, before losing to the New York Jets... |
L 10–28 | 1–1 | Georgia Dome | FOX NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 3 | August 27 | 7:00 p.m. EDT | at Miami Dolphins 2010 Miami Dolphins season The 2010 Miami Dolphins season was the organization's 41st season in the National Football League and 45th overall. The Dolphins are entering the 2010 season coming off a third place finish in the AFC East 7–9-Staff Changes:... |
W 16–6 | 2–1 | Sun Life Stadium | WXIA | Recap |
| 4 | September 2 | 7:30 p.m. EDT | at Jacksonville Jaguars 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season The 2010 Jacksonville Jaguars season was the 16th season for the team in the National Football League. The Jaguars, who are in their second year of "rebuilding" under general manager Gene Smith, improved upon their 7–9 record from 2009, but narrowly missed the playoffs with an 8–8 record... |
L 9–13 | 2–2 | EverBank Field | WXIA | Recap |
Regular season
| Week | | Date | | Kickoff | | Opponent | | Results | | Game site | | TV | | NFL.com recap |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final score | Team record | |||||||
| 1 | September 12 | 1:00 p.m. EDT North American Eastern Time Zone The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time... |
at Pittsburgh Steelers 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season The 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 78th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League and the eleventh season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the fourth under head coach Mike Tomlin... |
L 9–15 (OT) | 0–1 | Heinz Field Heinz Field Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively... |
Fox NFL on FOX NFL on Fox is the brand name of the Fox Broadcasting Company's coverage of the National Football League's National Football Conference games, produced by Fox Sports... |
Recap |
| 2 | September 19 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Arizona Cardinals 2010 Arizona Cardinals season The 2010 Arizona Cardinals season is the 91st season for the team in the National Football League, and their 23rd season in Arizona. The Cardinals failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 2009, and were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 15.... |
W 41–7 | 1–1 | 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... |
Fox | Recap |
| 3 | September 26 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at New Orleans Saints 2010 New Orleans Saints season The 2010 New Orleans Saints season was the 44th season for the franchise in the National Football League and city of New Orleans, Louisiana, and was the 35th to host home games in the Louisiana Superdome. The Saints entered their season for the first time as defending Super Bowl and National... |
W 27–24 (OT) | 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... |
Fox | Recap |
| 4 | October 3 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | San Francisco 49ers 2010 San Francisco 49ers season The 2010 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 65th season, and the second full year with Mike Singletary as the head coach. The 49ers were looking to build upon their 8–8 season in 2009 that ended their streak of seven consecutive losing seasons and to get into the postseason for the... |
W 16–14 | 3–1 | Georgia Dome | Fox | Recap |
| 5 | October 10 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Cleveland Browns 2010 Cleveland Browns season The 2010 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 64th season as a professional sports franchise and its 60th season as a member of the National Football League . The team failed to break the longest playoff appearance drought in franchise history, a current streak of eight seasons without reaching... |
W 20–10 | 4–1 | Cleveland Browns Stadium Cleveland Browns Stadium -See also:* List of current National Football League stadiums* Chronology of home stadiums for current National Football League teams* List of American football stadiums by capacity* List of U.S. stadiums by capacity* List of North American stadiums by capacity... |
Fox | Recap |
| 6 | October 17 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | at Philadelphia Eagles 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , who looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 2009. They finished with a 10–6 record, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card playoffs. For head coach Andy Reid, this was his 12th... |
L 17–31 | 4–2 | 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... |
Fox | Recap |
| 7 | October 24 | 1:00 p.m. EDT | Cincinnati Bengals 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League , and their 43rd overall. The Bengals looked to improve on their 10–6 record in 2009, during which they swept the AFC North for the first time in team history and made the playoffs as division... |
W 39–32 | 5–2 | Georgia Dome | CBS NFL on CBS The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:... |
Recap |
| 8 | 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... |
|||||||
| 9 | November 7 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season The 2010 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the club's 35th season as a franchise in the NFL. The Buccaneers entered the season attempting to improve on their 3–13 record and last place finish in the NFC South in 2009, a feat they accomplished after only six games... |
W 27–21 | 6–2 | Georgia Dome | Fox | Recap |
| 10 | November 11 | 8:20 p.m. EST | Baltimore Ravens 2010 Baltimore Ravens season The 2010 Baltimore Ravens season was the 15th for the team in the National Football League and city of Baltimore, Maryland, and the 13th to host home games at M&T Bank Stadium. They played in the NFL's American Football Conference North Division... |
W 26–21 | 7–2 | Georgia Dome | NFLN NFL Network NFL Network is an American television specialty channel owned and operated by the National Football League . It was launched November 4, 2003, only eight months after the league's 32 team owners voted unanimously to approve its formation... |
Recap |
| 11 | November 21 | 4:05 p.m. EST | at St. Louis Rams 2010 St. Louis Rams season -Schedule:-Week 1: vs. Arizona Cardinals:The St. Louis Rams began their season at home for an NFC West match against the Arizona Cardinals. The Rams trailed in the 2nd quarter with Cardinals kicker Jay Feely nailing a 22-yard field goal, which was replied when Rams kicker Josh Brown made a 46-yard... |
W 34–17 | 8–2 | Edward Jones Dome Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was... |
Fox | Recap |
| 12 | November 28 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Green Bay Packers 2010 Green Bay Packers season The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 90th season in the National Football League for the Packers and the 92nd season for the team overall. With a record of 10–6, the Packers entered the playoffs as the NFC's sixth seed... |
W 20–17 | 9–2 | Georgia Dome | Fox | Recap |
| 13 | December 5 | 4:15 p.m. EST | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | W 28–24 | 10–2 | 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... |
Fox | Recap |
| 14 | December 12 | 1:00 p.m. EST | at Carolina Panthers 2010 Carolina Panthers season -Coaching staff:-Preseason:The Panthers preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010.-Regular season:-Week 1: at New York Giants:The Panthers began their season at New Meadowlands Stadium for an NFC duel with the New York Giants. In the first quarter, Carolina got the stadium's very first... |
W 31–10 | 11–2 | 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... |
Fox | Recap |
| 15 | December 19 | 4:05 p.m. EST | at Seattle Seahawks 2010 Seattle Seahawks season The 2010 Seattle Seahawks season was the 35th season for the team in the National Football League. Jim Mora was fired on January 8, 2010, leading the Seahawks to come to an agreement with Pete Carroll, instating him as head coach the following day. This marks the 9th season that the Seahawks will... |
W 34–18 | 12–2 | Qwest Field Qwest Field CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer... |
Fox | Recap |
| 16 | December 27 | 8:30 p.m. EST | New Orleans Saints | L 14–17 | 12–3 | Georgia Dome | ESPN Monday Night Football Monday Night Football is a live broadcast of the National Football League on ESPN. From to it aired on ABC. Monday Night Football was, along with Hallmark Hall of Fame, and the Walt Disney anthology television series, one of the longest running prime time commercial network television series... |
Recap |
| 17 | January 2 | 1:00 p.m. EST | Carolina Panthers | W 31-10 | 13-3 | Georgia Dome | Fox | Recap |
Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Falcons began their season at Heinz FieldHeinz Field
Heinz Field is a stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves as the home to the Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh Panthers American football teams, members of the National Football League and National Collegiate Athletic Association respectively...
for an interconference duel against the Pittsburgh Steelers
2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season
The 2010 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the team's 78th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League and the eleventh season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the fourth under head coach Mike Tomlin...
. Atlanta trailed early in the first quarter as Steelers kicker Jeff Reed nailed a 52-yard field goal. The Falcons would answer in the second quarter as 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...
made a 49-yard field goal.
Atlanta would take the lead in the third quarter as Bryant got a 36-yard field goal, but Pittsburgh would respond with Reed's 34-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers would get the lead again on Reed's 34-yard field goal, yet the Falcons would strike back with Bryant's 23-yard field goal. However, Pittsburgh delivered the final strike in overtime as running back Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Mendenhall
Rashard Jamal Mendenhall is an American football running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers 23rd overall in the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Illinois....
got the game-winning 50-yard touchdown run.
With the loss, Atlanta began their season at 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Steelers the Falcons played at home an NFC duel against the Arizona Cardinals2010 Arizona Cardinals season
The 2010 Arizona Cardinals season is the 91st season for the team in the National Football League, and their 23rd season in Arizona. The Cardinals failed to improve on their 10–6 record from 2009, and were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 15....
. In the first quarter Atlanta took the early lead as QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
, followed in the second quarter 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...
hitting a 24-yard field goal. Arizona would reply with RB Tim Hightower
Tim Hightower
-Arizona Cardinals:Hightower scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season, and another 3 in the post season while averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry. He would rush for a total amount of 399 yards in 2008. Hightower would then become the only Cardinal rookie running back ever to have scored a...
getting an 80-yard TD run, but Atlanta increased their lead when Ryan threw a 19-yard TD pass to FB Jason Snelling
Jason Snelling
Jason Michael Snelling is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
, followed by Snelling getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter the Falcons continued to dominate the game when Ryan completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...
, followed by Bryan nailing a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter Atlanta scored once again with FB Jason Snelling
Jason Snelling
Jason Michael Snelling is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
getting a 7-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 1–1.
Week 3: at New Orleans Saints
Coming off their win over the Cardinals the Falcons traveled to Louisiana SuperdomeLouisiana 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...
for an NFC South rivalry match against the New Orleans Saints
2010 New Orleans Saints season
The 2010 New Orleans Saints season was the 44th season for the franchise in the National Football League and city of New Orleans, Louisiana, and was the 35th to host home games in the Louisiana Superdome. The Saints entered their season for the first time as defending Super Bowl and National...
.
The Falcons trailed early when 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....
made a 2-yard TD pass to TE 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...
. The Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
making a 13-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. The Saints re-took the lead with Brees finding WR Lance Moore
Lance Moore
Lance Andrew Moore is an American football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
on an 80-yard TD pass. But the Falcons replied in the second quarter with RB Michael Turner making a 1-yard TD run. The Falcons took the lead when 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...
made a 23-yard field goal. But they fell behind with Brees finding Moore again on a 16-yard TD pass. The Falcons would score when Ryan made a 22-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
. The Saints would tie the game with kicker Garrett Hartley
Garrett Hartley
Garrett Hartley is an American football placekicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
making a 32-yard field goal. In overtime, the Saints drove down to the goal line but kicker Hartley missed a 29-yard field goal. The Falcons drove back down the other direction and Matt Bryant hit a 46-yard field goal to give the Falcons the win.
With the win, not only the Falcons improved to 2–1 but finally won their first game in New Orleans since 2002.
Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Hoping to increase their winning streak after a win against the Saints, the Falcons played inside their dome for an NFC duel against the San Francisco 49ers2010 San Francisco 49ers season
The 2010 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 65th season, and the second full year with Mike Singletary as the head coach. The 49ers were looking to build upon their 8–8 season in 2009 that ended their streak of seven consecutive losing seasons and to get into the postseason for the...
. In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early with QB Alex Smith
Alex Smith
Alexander Douglas Smith is a professional American football player and starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Smith was drafted with the 1st-overall pick in the 1st round of the 2005 NFL Draft by San Francisco from the University of Utah...
making a 12-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis
Vernon Davis
-2006 rookie season:Vernon's first reception in the NFL was a 31-yard touchdown catch, against the Arizona Cardinals on September 10, 2006. He added a career-long 52-yard touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on December 10 with a short catch followed by a long run. Davis played in ten games in...
. Then the Falcons had more problems when 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....
's punt was blocked and recovered in their own endzone by DB Taylor Mays
Taylor Mays
Taylor Mays is an American football safety for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League.He played college football at USC...
, putting the 49ers up 14-0. Then the Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
completing an 8-yard TD pass to WR Harry Douglas
Harry Douglas
Harry Douglas, IV is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisville....
. Then the Falcons took the lead with three field goals from 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...
. He made a 37-yard field goal near the end of the 2nd quarter and a 31-yard field goad in the 3rd. Under two minutes to play with the Falcons trailing 14-13, Ryan threw an interception to the 49ers' Nate Clements
Nate Clements
Nathan D. Clements is an American football cornerback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 21st overall in the 2001 NFL Draft...
who appears to be headed to the end zone and clinching the win. However wide receiver Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
chases him down and strips the football which was recovered by Atlanta's Harvey Dahl
Harvey Dahl
Harvey Dahl is an American football guard for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2005...
. Ryan engineers a drive in the other direction and Bryant kicks a 43-yard field goal with two seconds left giving the Falcons another win.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 3–1.
Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
Coming off their win over the 49ers the Falcons flew to Cleveland Browns StadiumCleveland Browns Stadium
-See also:* List of current National Football League stadiums* Chronology of home stadiums for current National Football League teams* List of American football stadiums by capacity* List of U.S. stadiums by capacity* List of North American stadiums by capacity...
for an Interconference duel against the Cleveland Browns
2010 Cleveland Browns season
The 2010 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 64th season as a professional sports franchise and its 60th season as a member of the National Football League . The team failed to break the longest playoff appearance drought in franchise history, a current streak of eight seasons without reaching...
. In the 2nd quarter the Falcons took the early lead as 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...
nailed a 24-yard field goal. The Browns replied and took the lead with QB Seneca Wallace
Seneca Wallace
Seneca Isayha Wallace is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
's 19 yard TD pass to RB Peyton Hillis
Peyton Hillis
Hillis was selected by the Denver Broncos in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft.-2008 Season:At the start of the 2008 season, Hillis was listed as the Broncos' starting fullback...
. The Falcons tried to cut the lead when Bryant made a 30-yard field goal, but was expanded again in the 3rd quarter with kicker Phil Dawson
Phil Dawson
Philip Drury Dawson is an American football placekicker for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League. He holds the franchise record for most field goals made, passing Hall of Famer Lou Groza in 2010...
making a 19-yard field goal. After that, the Falcons scored when QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
got a 45-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
, followed in the 4th quarter by DE Kroy Biermann
Kroy Biermann
Kroy Biermann is an American football defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Montana...
returning an interception and running 41 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 4–1.
Week 6: at Philadelphia Eagles
Hoping to increase their winning streak the Falcons flew to Lincoln Financial FieldLincoln 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 an NFC duel against the Philadelphia Eagles
2010 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , who looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 2009. They finished with a 10–6 record, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card playoffs. For head coach Andy Reid, this was his 12th...
. In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early as WR DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson
Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver...
got a 31-yard TD run. Also QB Kevin Kolb
Kevin Kolb
Kevin Benjamin Kolb is an American football quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Houston....
connected to him on a 34-yard TD pass. The Falcons continued to struggle when Kolb found WR Jeremy Maclin
Jeremy Maclin
-2009 NFL Draft:Maclin was considered a top National Football League prospect following his second season, and roommate Sean Weatherspoon hoped to convince Maclin to return for his junior year instead of leaving Missouri for the 2009 NFL Draft. Weatherspoon’s efforts were unsuccessful, and on...
on an 8-yard TD pass. The Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
making a 1-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. This was followed in the third quarter 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...
hitting a 26-yard field goal. However the Falcons fell further behind when Kolb found Maclin again on an 83-yard TD pass. The Falcons replied with Ryan making a 13-yard TD pass to Gonzalez. The Eagles pulled away with 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....
making a 30-yard field goal.
With the loss, Atlanta fell to 4–2.
Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Eagles the Falcons played inside their dome for an inter-conference duel against the Bengals. In the first quarter the Falcons took the lead as QB Matt RyanMatt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
made a 3-yard TD pass to WR Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...
. But the Bengals replied with kicker Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent
Mike Nugent is an American football placekicker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
making a 20-yard field goal. The Falcons dominated the second quarter with 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...
hitting a 45-yard field goal. Then Ryan found WR Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
on a 43-yard TD pass, followed by RB Michael Turner getting a 2-yard TD run. The Bengals caught up in the third quarter with Nugent nailing a 33-yard field goal, followed by 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...
completing a 19-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...
. Then Palmer found WR Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley
Jordan Shipley is an American football player who currently plays wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League . He was drafted by Cincinnati in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
on a 64-yard TD pass. (With a failed 2-point conversion) Then DB Adam Jones
Adam Jones (American football)
Adam "Pac-Man" Bernard Jones is an American cornerback and return specialist who is currently playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was drafted in the first round with the sixth-overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. He played college football at West Virginia.Jones has also...
returned a fumble 59 yards to the endzone for a touchdown (With a failed two-point conversion). The Falcons pulled away in the fourth quarter with Ryan making an 11-yard TD pass to White. (With the 2-point conversion successful as Ryan passed to White) This was followed by Turner getting a 3-yard TD run. The Falcons would concede only one touchdown after that as Palmer found WR Chad Ochocinco on an 8-yard TD pass.
With the win, Atlanta went into its bye week at 5–2.
Week 9: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Coming off their bye week the Falcons returned inside their dome for an NFC South rivalry match against the Buccaneers. The Falcons took the lead as RB Michael Turner got a 2 and a 10-yard TD run. The Buccaneers replied with QB Josh FreemanJosh Freeman
-2009:On November 8, 2009, Freeman started his first professional game at home against the Green Bay Packers. The Buccaneers won, ending an 11-game losing streak. He completed 14 out of 31 passes for 205 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 1 INT, including a fourth down touchdown pass to rookie Sammie...
completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Arrelious Benn
Arrelious Benn
-External links:**...
. The Falcons pulled ahead after 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...
got a 31-yard field goal, but the Buccaneers responded after Freeman found WR Mike Williams
Mike Williams (wide receiver b. 1987)
-Tampa Bay Buccaneers:Williams was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round in the 2010 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract on June 4, 2010. On September 12, 2010 he made his NFL debut against the Cleveland Browns, making 5 receptions for 30 yards and a touchdown...
on a 58-yard TD pass. The Falcons continued to score in the third quarter after QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
threw a 5-yard TD pass to TE Michael Palmer
Michael Palmer
Michael Palmer is an American poet and translator. He attended Harvard University where he earned a BA in French and a MA in Comparative Literature. He has worked extensively with Contemporary dance for over thirty years and has collaborated with many composers and visual artists...
, followed by Bryant hitting a 41-yard field goal. The Buccaneers responded after Micheal Spurlock
Micheal Spurlock
Michael Curtis Spurlock is an American football wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2006...
returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–2.
Week 10: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Coming off their divisional win over the Buccaneers, the Falcons stayed at home, donned their throwback uniforms, and played their Week 10 interconference duel with the Baltimore RavensBaltimore 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...
on Thursday night. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta delivered the opening punch in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan (American football)
Matthew Thomas "Matt" Ryan , nicknamed "Matty Ice," is the starting American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted in the first round as the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft...
finding running back Jason Snelling
Jason Snelling
Jason Michael Snelling is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
on a 28-yard touchdown run, followed by a 28-yard field goal from 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 Falcons added onto their lead in the third quarter as Bryant booted a 51-yard field goal. The Ravens would answer with quarterback Joe Flacco
Joe Flacco
Flacco was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens 18th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, becoming the highest drafted player ever from the University of Delaware...
completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anquan Boldin
Anquan Boldin
-Arizona Cardinals:As a rookie Boldin set an NFL record for most receiving yards by a rookie in his first game , tied Billy Sims for most yards from scrimmage by a rookie in his first game , and holds the NFL record for most receptions in the first 26 games of an NFL career...
. Atlanta struck back in the fourth quarter as Ryan found wide receiver Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
on a 4-yard touchdown pass. Baltimore took the lead as Flacco completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Derrick Mason
Derrick Mason
Derrick James Mason is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Tennessee Oilers in the fourth round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan State.Mason has also played for the Baltimore Ravens where he...
, followed by a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Todd Heap
Todd Heap
Todd Benjamin Heap is an American football tight end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played college football at Arizona State-Early years:At Mountain View High School, in Mesa, Arizona,...
, yet the Falcons regained the lead as Ryan connected with White again on a 33-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion) with 20 seconds left in the game.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 7–2.
During halftime, Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
was inducted into the Falcons Ring of Honor.
Week 11: at St. Louis Rams
Hoping to increase their winning streak the Falcons flew to Edward Jones DomeEdward Jones Dome
The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome The Edward Jones Dome (more formally known as the Edward Jones Dome at America's Center, and previously known as The Trans World Dome (from 1995–2001) is a multi-purpose stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, and home of the St. Louis Rams of the NFL. It was...
for an NFC duel with the Rams.
In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early after QB Sam Bradford
Sam Bradford
Samuel Jacob "Sam" Bradford is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, and played college football at Oklahoma. In 2008, as a redshirt sophomore, Bradford became the second sophomore to win a...
made a 25-yard TD pass to TE Michael Hoomanawanui
Michael Hoomanawanui
-St. Louis Rams:He was drafted by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. On June 26, 2010 he signed a four-year, $2.4 million contract including a $215,000 signing bonus. He made the opening day roster.-External links:**...
. The Falcons replied with 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...
hitting a 42-yard field goal. The Falcons struggled further when kicker Josh Brown hit a 53-yard field goal; but they rallied to take the lead after QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
completed a 12-yard TD pass to WR Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran
Brian Finneran is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 1998...
, followed by Bryant nailing a 29 and a 24-yard field goal. The lead was narrowed when Bradford threw a 13-yard TD pass to WR Brandon Gibson
Brandon Gibson
Brandon Lewis Gibson is an American football wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football and college basketball at Washington State.-Early years:Gibson grew up...
, but they increased their lead as Ryan threw a 2-yard TD pass to TE Justin Peelle
Justin Peelle
Justin Morris Peelle is an American football tight end for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
. This was followed in the fourth quarter by Bryant nailing a 21-yard field goal, and with RB Michael Turner getting a 39-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 8–2.
Week 12: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Falcons' eleventh game was an NFC duel with the Packers inside their dome. In the first quarter the Falcons took the lead as kicker Matt BryantMatt 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...
nailed a 38-yard field goal. The Packers replied as kicker Mason Crosby
Mason Crosby
Mason Walker Crosby , is a professional American football placekicker for the Green Bay Packers in the National Football League. During his playing days at the University of Colorado, Crosby was widely considered the best kicker in college football, as evidenced by ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.'s...
hit a 22-yard field goal. The Falcons made the only score of the second quarter with QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
making a 4-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez; but the Packers responded in the third quarter when QB Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
scrambled 1 yard for a touchdown. The Falcons got the lead back as RB Michael Turner got a 1-yard TD run, but the Packers replied with Rodgers' 10-yard TD pass to WR Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson
Jordy Ray Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State....
. The Falcons scored with Bryant getting a 47-yard field goal, and after that, they held on for the win.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 9–2.
Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Hoping to increase their winning streak the Falcons flew to Raymond James StadiumRaymond 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...
for an NFC South rivalry match against the Buccaneers. The Falcons took the early lead as RB Michael Turner got a 5-yard TD run. But the Buccaneers replied with RB LeGarrette Blount
LeGarrette Blount
LeGarrette Montez Blount is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2010....
getting a 6-yard TD run. The Falcons scored again with QB Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
getting a 17-yard TD pass to FB Ovie Mughelli
Ovie Mughelli
Ovie Phillip Mughelli is an American football fullback for the Atlanta Falcons of the NFL. He signed a 6-year, $18 million contract with a $5 million signing bonus on March 2, 2007 with the Falcons...
, but Tampa Bay replied with QB Josh Freeman
Josh Freeman
-2009:On November 8, 2009, Freeman started his first professional game at home against the Green Bay Packers. The Buccaneers won, ending an 11-game losing streak. He completed 14 out of 31 passes for 205 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and 1 INT, including a fourth down touchdown pass to rookie Sammie...
getting a 1-yard TD pass to WR Mike Williams. The Falcons trailed for the first time in the game with kicker Connor Barth
Connor Barth
Connor Thomas Barth is an American football placekicker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at North Carolina....
nailing a 33-yard field goal, and with Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham
Earnest Graham, Jr. is an American football running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League . He was signed by the Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Florida....
making a 2-yard TD pass to TE John Gilmore. The Falcons responded with Eric Weems
Eric Weems
Eric Weems is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman.-Early years:Weems attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and...
returning a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown, and getting the lead back with Ryan getting a 9-yard TD pass to WR Michael Jenkins.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 10–2.
Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
The Falcons' thirteenth game was an NFC South rivalry match against the Panthers. The Falcons commanded the first half as QB Matt RyanMatt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez, followed by RB Michael Turner getting a 1-yard TD run, and then with 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...
nailing a 39-yard field goal. The Panthers scored in the third quarter with RB Mike Goodson
Mike Goodson
Michael Darryl Goodson, Jr. is an American football running back for the Carolina Panthers. He played college football for Texas A&M.-High school career:...
getting a 13-yard TD run, but the Falcons replied as Turner got a 3-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed as 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...
made a 36-yard field goal, but Atlanta pulled away as Turner got a 4-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 11–2.
Week 15: at Seattle Seahawks
Looking to secure a playoff berth, the Falcons traveled to Seattle in their last regular-season road game to take on the Seahawks. Seattle took an early lead with a 1-yard TD run by Marshawn LynchMarshawn Lynch
Marshawn Terrell Lynch is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft. In his rookie year, Lynch became the Bills' first 1,000-yard rookie rusher since Greg Bell in 1984...
. Atlanta would later respond early in the second quarter with a Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
3-yard TD pass to Jason Snelling
Jason Snelling
Jason Michael Snelling is an American football running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Virginia....
, with 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...
later adding a 27-yard field goal to take the lead. Seattle tied the game with a 38-yard field goal from Olindo Mare
Olindo Mare
Olindo Franco Mare is an American football placekicker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
; however, the Falcons took the lead again with a Ryan 24-yard TD pass to Michael Jenkins to close the first half. On the Seahawks' first offensive possession of the second half, Matt Hasselback fumbled the football in the end-zone with defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux
Jonathan Babineaux
Jonathan Joel Babineaux is an NFL defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted with the 59th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons.-High school career:...
recovering for a Falcons' touchdown. Atlanta would later add to their lead with a 25-yard Bryant field goal as well as a Ryan 24-yard TD pass to Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
. Seattle's only score of the second half came from backup quarterback Charlie Whitehurst
Charlie Whitehurst
Charles David Whitehurst is an American football quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft...
with a 1-yard TD rush followed by a successful 2-point conversion with a Whitehurst pass to Ben Obomanu
Ben Obomanu
Benjamin Ebenezer Obomanu is an American football wide receiver who was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the 7th round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Obomanu played college football for the Auburn Tigers.-High School years:...
.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 12-2. Also, the Falcons secured a playoff berth early in the game due to Philadelphia's
2010 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , who looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 2009. They finished with a 10–6 record, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card playoffs. For head coach Andy Reid, this was his 12th...
victory over the New York Giants
2010 New York Giants season
The 2010 New York Giants season was the 86th season for the team in the National Football League and the team's inaugural season in New Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants improved on their 8–8 2009 record by finishing 10–6 and second place in the NFC East...
.
Week 16: vs. New Orleans Saints
Looking to win their division and capture the top seed in the NFC playoffs, the Falcons hosted the Saints in a Monday Night rematch of their Week 3 contest. New Orleans would score first with Garrett HartleyGarrett Hartley
Garrett Hartley is an American football placekicker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He was signed by the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
kicking a FG from 52 yards late in the first quarter. RB Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas
Pierre Thomas, sieur du Fossé was a French scholar and author, and was the son of a master of accounts at Rouen. He was sent as a child to be educated to the Jansenists at Port-Royal des Champs. There he received his bent towards the life of a recluse, and even of a hermit, which drew him to...
would add to the Saints' lead with a 2-yard TD run; however, Atlanta would respond with a Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
7-yard TD pass to Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
to cut the lead to three. After a scoreless third quarter, the Falcons took the lead with Chauncey Davis
Chauncey Davis
Chauncey Antoine Davis is an American football defensive end for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State.-Early years:Davis was born in Bartow,Florida,...
returning an interception 26 yards for a touchdown. New Orleans reclaimed the lead late in the 4th with a 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....
6-yard TD pass to Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham
Jimmy Graham is an American football tight end for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL. He played college football at the University of Miami...
. Atlanta attempted to come back; however, New Orleans held on for the win.
With the loss, Atlanta falls to 12–3, snapping their 8-game winning streak.
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Falcons' sixteenth game was a division rivalry rematch against the Panthers inside their dome. The Falcons commanded the first half as QB Matt RyanMatt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
got a 6-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. This was followed by a 55-yard punt return for a touchdown by Eric Weems
Eric Weems
Eric Weems is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman.-Early years:Weems attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and...
; then with Ryan completing a 14-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
. The Panthers tried to cut the lead with 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 23-yard field goal, but the Falcons continued to score as 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...
made a 47-yard field goal, followed by RB Michael Turner getting a 3-yard TD run. The lead was narrowed as QB Jimmy Clausen
Jimmy Clausen
James Richard "Jimmy" Clausen is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame.-High school career:Clausen had an outstanding prep career...
connected 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:...
on a 2-yard TD pass, but the Falcons held on for the easy win, finishing their regular season on a 13-3 record.
NFC Divisional Round: vs. Green Bay Packers
Entering the postseason as the NFC's #1 seed, the Falcons began their playoff run at home against the #6 Green Bay PackersGreen Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, in a rematch of their Week 12 match-up. Atlanta delivered the game's opening strike in the first quarter with a 12-yard touchdown run from running back Michael Turner. The Packers answered in the second quarter as quarterback Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Charles Rodgers is an American football quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League . Rodgers was selected in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Packers...
completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jordy Nelson
Jordy Nelson
Jordy Ray Nelson is an American football wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Packers in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kansas State....
, yet the Falcons immediately struck back as wide receiver Eric Weems
Eric Weems
Eric Weems is an American football wide receiver for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League. He was signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Bethune-Cookman.-Early years:Weems attended Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Florida and...
returned the ensuing kickoff for a franchise postseason best 102 yards for a touchdown. Green Bay came right back with fullback John Kuhn
John Kuhn
John Allen Kuhn is an American football fullback, currently playing for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 2005. John attended Dover Area High School in Dover, Pennsylvania...
getting a 1-yard touchdown run, Rodgers completing a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver James Jones
James Jones (wide receiver)
James Deandre Jones is an American football wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League. He was originally drafted by the Packers in the third round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
, and cornerback Tramon Williams
Tramon Williams
Tramon Vernell Williams is an American football cornerback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League...
returning an interception 70 yards for a touchdown.
The Packers added onto their lead in the third quarter as Rodgers got a 7-yard touchdown run, followed by his 7-yard touchdown pass to Kuhn. Atlanta tried to rally in the fourth quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan
Matt Ryan is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing for Villacher SV of the Austrian Hockey League .-Playing career:...
found wide receiver Roddy White
Roddy White
Sharod Lamor White is an American football wide receiver playing for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League...
on a 6-yard touchdown pass, yet Green Bay closed out their dominating night with Crosby getting a 43-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Falcons' season came to a disappointing end with an overall record of 13-4.
The 27 point loss was the worst loss by a top seed in Divisional Playoff game history. It was the 2nd worst defeat by a top seed before a Super Bowl with the worst being a 28-0 loss by the Los Angeles Rams to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1978 Season.