2011 Atlanta Falcons season

NFL team season

The 2011 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 46th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the fourth under head coach Mike Smith.

Finishing the regular season 10–6, the Falcons clinched the #5 seed in the playoffs. Atlanta's season ended quickly as they lost 24–2 to the eventual Super Bowl XLVI champion New York Giants in the opening round.

This is also the first time the franchise clinched consecutive playoff berths, and the first time it won ten or more games in consecutive seasons.

Offseason

Signings

Pos. Player 2010 Team Contract
DE Ray Edwards Minnesota Vikings 5 years, $27.5 million
OLB Stephen Nicholas Atlanta Falcons 5 years, $17.5 million
K Matt Bryant Atlanta Falcons 4 years, $10.7 million

Departures

Pos. Player 2011 Team
WR Michael Jenkins Minnesota Vikings
DE Jamaal Anderson Indianapolis Colts
WR Brian Finneran

2011 NFL Draft

2011 Atlanta Falcons draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 6 Julio Jones *  WR Alabama from Cleveland
3 91 Akeem Dent  ILB Georgia
5 145 Jacquizz Rodgers  RB Oregon State from St. Louis
6 192 Matt Bosher  P Miami (FL)
7 210 Andrew Jackson  OG Fresno State from Detroit [a]
7 230 Cliff Matthews  DE South Carolina from New England [b]
      Made roster    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career
^[a] The Falcons acquired this seventh-round selection and a 2010 sixth-round selection in a trade that sent CB Chris Houston to the Detroit Lions.
^[b] The Falcons acquired this seventh-round selection in a trade that sent T Quinn Ojinnaka to the New England Patriots.

Preseason

Schedule

The Falcons' preseason schedule was announced on April 12, 2011.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 12 Miami Dolphins L 23–28 0–1 Georgia Dome Recap
2 August 19 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 13–15 0–2 EverBank Field Recap
3 August 27 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–34 0–3 Heinz Field Recap
4 September 1 Baltimore Ravens L 7–21 0–4 Georgia Dome Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 11 at Chicago Bears L 12–30 0–1 Soldier Field Recap
2 September 18 Philadelphia Eagles W 35–31 1–1 Georgia Dome Recap
3 September 25 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–16 1–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
4 October 2 at Seattle Seahawks W 30–28 2–2 CenturyLink Field Recap
5 October 9 Green Bay Packers L 14–25 2–3 Georgia Dome Recap
6 October 16 Carolina Panthers W 31–17 3–3 Georgia Dome Recap
7 October 23 at Detroit Lions W 23–16 4–3 Ford Field Recap
8 Bye
9 November 6 at Indianapolis Colts W 31–7 5–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
10 November 13 New Orleans Saints L 23–26 (OT) 5–4 Georgia Dome Recap
11 November 20 Tennessee Titans W 23–17 6–4 Georgia Dome Recap
12 November 27 Minnesota Vikings W 24–14 7–4 Georgia Dome Recap
13 December 4 at Houston Texans L 10–17 7–5 Reliant Stadium Recap
14 December 11 at Carolina Panthers W 31–23 8–5 Bank of America Stadium Recap
15 December 15 Jacksonville Jaguars W 41–14 9–5 Georgia Dome Recap
16 December 26 at New Orleans Saints L 16–45 9–6 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
17 January 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 45–24 10–6 Georgia Dome Recap

Game summaries

Week 1: at Chicago Bears

Week One: Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 0 3612
Bears 10 6 14030

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CHI – Robbie Gould 23-yard field goal, Bears 13–3.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 26-yard field goal, Bears 16–3.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 25-yard field goal, Bears 16–6.
  • CHI – Matt Spaeth 1-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), Bears 23–6.
  • CHI – Brian Urlacher 12-yard fumble return (Robbie Gould kick), Bears 30–6.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Kroy Biermann 50-yard interception return (Matt Ryan run failed), Bears 30–12.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/47, 319 yards, 1 interception
  • CHI – Jay Cutler – 22/32, 312 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception

Top rushers

  • ATL – Michael Turner – 10 rushes, 100 yards
  • CHI – Matt Forte – 16 rushes, 68 yards

Top receivers

Top tacklers

The Falcons started their season out on the road against the Bears. With the loss, the team fell to 0–1.

Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Two: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 10 21031
Falcons 7 7 71435

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Roddy White 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 7–0

Second quarter

  • PHI – Jeremy Maclin 5-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), Tied 7–7
  • PHI – Alex Henery 22-yard Field Goal, Eagles 10–7
  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Alex Bryant kick), Falcons 14–10

Third quarter

  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan, Falcons 21–10
  • PHI – Jeremy Maclin 36-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), Falcons 21–17
  • PHI – LeSean McCoy 8-yard run (Alex Henery kick), Eagles 24–21
  • PHI – LeSean McCoy 2-yard run (Alex Henery kick), Eagles 31–21

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Ovie Mughelli 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), Eagles 31–28
  • ATL – Michael Turner 3-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 35–31

Top passers

  • PHI – Michael Vick – 19/28, 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 17/28, 195 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Top rushers

  • PHI – Lesean McCoy – 18 carries, 95 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 21 carries, 114 yards, 1 touchdown

Top receivers

  • PHI – Jeremy Maclin – 13 receptions, 171 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 7 receptions, 83 yards, 2 touchdowns

Top tacklers

For the regular season opener at home, the Falcons faced the Eagles. The win improved the team to 1–1 and also helped Starting QB Matt Ryan improve to 4–0 as a regular season starter during home openers.

Week 3: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Three: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 3 01013
Buccaneers 3 10 3016

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/47, 330 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
  • TB – Josh Freeman – 22/32, 180 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions

Top rushers

  • ATL – Michael Turner – 11 rushes, 20 yards
  • TB – LeGarrette Blount – 24 rushes, 81 yards

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1–2.

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Four: Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 17 3330
Seahawks 0 7 14728

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

  • Date: October 2
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F or 14.4 °C (Partly Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 66,266
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox): Craig Bolerjack and John Lynch
Game information

First quarter TD Tony Gonzalez 1 Yd Pass From Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant Kick) ATL 7–0 Second quarter

TD 10:13 Michael Turner 21 Yd Run (Matt Bryant Kick) ATL 14–0

TD 08:46 Sidney Rice 52 Yd Pass From Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka Kick) ATL 14–7

TD 02:48 Michael Turner 1 Yd Run (Matt Bryant Kick) ATL 21–7

FG 00:25 Matt Bryant 47 Yd ATL 24–7 Third quarter FG 13:40 Matt Bryant 50 Yd ATL 27–7

TD 10:01 Mike Williams 6 Yd Pass From Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka Kick) ATL 27–14

TD 03:07 Marshawn Lynch 11 Yd Run (Steven Hauschka Kick) ATL 27–21

Fourth quarter

FG 11:38 Matt Bryant 42 Yd ATL 30–21

TD 08:13 Ben Obomanu 8 Yd Pass From Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka Kick) ATL 30–28

Top passers

  • ATL – M. Ryan 291 Yards
  • SEA – T. Jackson 319 Yards

Top rushers

  • ATL – M. Turner 70 Yards
  • SEA – M. Lynch 24 Yards

Top receivers

  • ATL – J. Jones 127 Yards
  • SEA – D. Baldwin 84 Yards

Top tacklers

  • ATL – W. Moore 8 Tackles
  • SEA – D. Hawthorne 10 tackles

With the win, the Falcons improved to 2–2.

Week 5: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Five: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 6 91025
Falcons 7 7 0014

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,576
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • GB – Aaron Rodgers – 26/39, 396 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 18/32, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • GB – James Starks – 12 rushes, 40 yards
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 16 rushes, 56 yards, 1 TD

Top receivers

  • GB – James Jones – 5 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD
  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 6 receptions, 60 yards

Top tacklers

The Falcons went home for a week 5 duel with the undefeated Packers. This would be a rematch of last year's NFC Divisional Round. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 2–3.

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 7 7017
Falcons 7 7 01731

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,047
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and John Lynch
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • CAR –
  • ATL –

Top rushers

  • CAR –
  • ATL –

Top receivers

  • CAR –
  • ATL –

Top tacklers

  • CAR –
  • ATL –

With their 3rd-straight win over the Panthers, the Falcons improved to 3–3.

Week 7: at Detroit Lions

Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 10 7 3323
Lions 3 3 10016

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

  • Date: October 23
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,625
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
  • Recap
    Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • DET – Jason Hanson 43-yard field goal, Lions 3–0, Drive: 4 plays, −10 yards, 1:47.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 23-yard field goal, Tied 3–3, Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 3:03.
  • ATL – Matt Ryan 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 10–3, 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:46.

Second quarter

  • DET – Jason Hanson 38-yard field goal, Falcons 10–6, Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:12.
  • ATL – Roddy White 18-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 17–6, Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 3:05

Third quarter

  • DET – Jason Hanson 29-yard field goal, Falcons 17–9, Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 2:25.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 47 yard, Falcons 20–9, Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2;33.
  • DET – Calvin Johnson 57-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), Falcons 20–16, Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 3:07.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 40-yard field goal, Falcons 23–16, Drive: 9 plays, 25 yards, 4:42.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/34, 218 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
  • DET – Matthew Stafford – 15/32, 183 yards, 1 touchdown

Top rushers

  • ATL – Michael Turner – 27 carries, 122 yards
  • DET – Maurice Morris – 9 carries, 50 yards

Top receivers

  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 5 receptions, 62 yards
  • DET – Calvin Johnson – 5 receptions, 115 yards, 1 touchdown

Top tacklers

  • ATL – Curtis Lofton – 5 tackles, 5 assists
  • DET – DeAndre Levy – 6 tackles, 5 assists

With the win, the Falcons went into their bye week at 4–3.

Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts

Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 14 7 7331
Colts 0 7 007

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

  • Date: November 6
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 57 °F or 13.9 °C (sunny, retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 65,218
  • Referee: Mike Carey
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Jr.
  • [citation needed]
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • ATL –
  • IND –

Top rushers

  • ATL –
  • IND –

Top receivers

  • ATL –
  • IND –

Top tacklers

  • ATL –
  • IND –

With the win, the Falcons improved to 5–3 and went 2–13 overall against the Colts.

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Ten: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 3 7 76326
Falcons 3 3 710023

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,359
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • [citation needed]
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – M.Bryant 36 yd. Field Goal Falcons 3–0. Drive: 16 plays, 61 yards, 8:40.
  • NO – J.Kasay 52 yd. Field Goal Saints 3–3. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:32.

Second quarter

  • ATL – M.Bryant 29 yd. Field Goal Falcons 6–3. Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 5:21.
  • NO – J.Graham 21 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) Saints 10–6. Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:01.

Third quarter

  • ATL – J.Snelling 21 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) Falcons 13–10. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:04.
  • NO – R.Meachem 33 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) Saints 17–13. Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:37.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – J.Kasay 48 yd. Field Goal Saints 20–13. Drive: 6 plays, −4 yards, 2:56.
  • NO – J.Kasay 44 yd. Field Goal Saints 23–13. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:35.
  • ATL – T.Gonzalez 20 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) Falcons 20–23. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 3:00.
  • ATL – M.Bryant 27 yd. Field Goal Falcons 23–23. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 1:55.

Overtime

  • NO – J.Kasay 26 yd. Field Goal Saints 26–23. Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:21.

Top passers

  • NO – Drew Brees – 30/43, 322 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/52, 351 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

Top rushers

  • NO – Pierre Thomas – 6 rushes, 29 yards
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 22 rushes, 96 yards

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5–4.

Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Titans 0 3 7717
Falcons 7 6 10023

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST[1]
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,164
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • TEN –
  • ATL –

Top rushers

  • TEN –
  • ATL –

Top receivers

  • TEN –
  • ATL –

Top tacklers

  • TEN –
  • ATL –

With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–4.

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Vikings 0 0 7714
Falcons 7 10 0724

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,115
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • MIN –
  • ATL –

Top rushers

  • MIN –
  • ATL –

Top receivers

  • MIN –
  • ATL –

Top tacklers

  • MIN –
  • ATL –

With the win, the Falcons improved to 7–4.

Week 13: at Houston Texans

Week Thirteen: Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 3 7010
Texans 3 7 0717

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,545
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • ATL –
  • HOU –

Top rushers

  • ATL –
  • HOU –

Top receivers

  • ATL –
  • HOU –

Top tacklers

  • ATL –
  • HOU –

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 7–5.

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 0 101431
Panthers 7 16 0023

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 43 °F or 6.1 °C (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 72,680
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Jr. and Drea Avent
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • ATL –
  • CAR –

Top rushers

  • ATL –
  • CAR –

Top receivers

  • ATL –
  • CAR –

Top tacklers

  • ATL –
  • CAR –

With the win, the Falcons improved to 8–5.

Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 0 7714
Falcons 10 17 14041

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • JAC –
  • ATL –

Top rushers

  • JAC –
  • ATL –

Top receivers

  • JAC –
  • ATL –

Top tacklers

  • JAC –
  • ATL –

With the win, the Falcons improved to 9–5.

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 10 0 3316
Saints 7 14 101445

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – M.Bryant 34 yd. Field Goal Falcons 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 6:07.
  • NO – P.Thomas 4 yd. run (J.Kasay kick) Saints 7–3. Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 3:28.
  • ATL – J.Jones 21 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) Falcons 10–7. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:54.

Second quarter

  • NO – M.Colston 8 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) Saints 14–10. Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 3:59.
  • NO – J.Graham 9 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) Saints 21–10. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 1:55.

Third quarter

  • NO – R.Meachem 24 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) Saints 28–10. Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:15.
  • ATL – M.Bryant 51 yd. Field Goal Falcons 13–28. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 3:47.
  • NO – J.Kasay 29 yd. Field Goal Saints 31–13. Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:37.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – M.Bryant 30 yd. Field Goal Falcons 16–31. Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards, 5:21.
  • NO – M.Jenkins 30 yd. fumble return (J.Kasay kick) Saints 38–16.
  • NO – D.Sproles 9 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) Saints 45–16. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 2:17.

Top passers

  • NO – Drew Brees – 23/39, 307 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 34/52, 373 yards, 1 TD

Top rushers

  • NO – Darren Sproles – 5 rushes, 67 yards
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 11 rushes, 39 yards

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 9–6, but were able to clinch a playoff spot due to the Chicago Bears 35–21 loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday night.

Week 17: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Seventeen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 7 11624
Falcons 21 21 0345

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: January 1
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST[2]
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,167
  • Referee: Scott Green
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton & John Lynch
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • TB –
  • ATL –

Top rushers

  • TB –
  • ATL –

Top receivers

  • TB –
  • ATL –

Top tacklers

  • TB –
  • ATL –

With the win, the Falcons finished the season at 10–6 and captured the NFC's #5 seed.

Standings

NFC South
  • view
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(3) New Orleans Saints 13 3 0 .813 5–1 9–3 547 339 W8
(5) Atlanta Falcons 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 402 350 W1
Carolina Panthers 6 10 0 .375 2–4 3–9 406 427 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 307 494 L10

Postseason

Schedule

Playoff round Date Kickoff Opponent (seed) Results Game site TV NFL.com
recap
Final score Team record
Wild Card January 8, 2012 1:00 p.m. EST at New York Giants (4) L 2–24 0–1 MetLife Stadium Fox Recap

Game summaries

NFC Wild Card Playoff Game: at #4 New York Giants

NFC Wild Card Playoff Game: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 2 002
Giants 0 7 10724

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • NYG – Lawrence Tynes 22-yard field goal, 7:51. Giants 10–2. Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:47.
  • NYG – Hakeem Nicks 72-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 2:44. Giants 17–2. Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 1:32.

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Mario Manningham 27-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 9:55. Giants 24–2. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:38.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/41, 199 yards
  • NYG – Eli Manning – 23/32, 277 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Michael Turner – 15 rushes, 41 yards
  • NYG – Brandon Jacobs – 14 rushes, 92 yards

Top receivers

The Falcons lost their Wild Card round playoff game to the New York Giants on January 8, 2012, by a score of 24–2. It is the first time in NFL playoff history that a team has scored exactly two points. The previous NFL team to score only a safety in a game was the 1993 Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 against the New England Patriots.

Staff

Atlanta Falcons 2011 staff
Front office

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Mike Smith

Offensive coaches

  Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Keith Armstrong
  • Assistant special teams – Eric Sutulovich

Strength and conditioning

  • Director of athletic performance – Jeff Fish
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Jonas Beauchemin

Final roster

2011 Atlanta Falcons final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 6 inactive, 8 practice squad

References

  1. ^ Adams, Jay. "Falcons-Titans game flexed". atlantafalcons.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2011.
  2. ^ Adams, Jay. "Falcons-Bucs Game 'Flexed' to 4:15 Kick". atlantafalcons.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2012. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
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