2014 Atlanta Falcons season

NFL team season

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the seventh and final under head coach Mike Smith. The Falcons were defeated by the Carolina Panthers in week 17, officially eliminating them from postseason contention for the second straight year.[1] As a result, Smith was fired after his seventh year as head coach, after two straight years with a losing record.[2]

The 2014 Atlanta Falcons were featured on the HBO documentary series Hard Knocks.[3]

As of 2022, the only member of the 2014 squad still a Falcon is Jake Matthews.

2014 draft class

2014 Atlanta Falcons Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 6 Jake Matthews Offensive tackle Texas A&M
2 37 Ra'Shede Hageman Defensive tackle Minnesota
3 68 Dezmen Southward Free safety Wisconsin
4 103 Devonta Freeman Running back Florida State
139 Prince Shembo Linebacker Notre Dame
5 147 Ricardo Allen Cornerback Purdue
168 Marquis Spruill Linebacker Syracuse
6 None — see below
7 253 Yawin Smallwood Linebacker Connecticut
255 Tyler Starr Linebacker South Dakota
Compensatory selection
  • Note: The Falcons traded their sixth- (No. 182 overall) and original seventh- (No. 220 overall) round selections to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 168 overall).

Staff

2014 Atlanta Falcons staff

Front office

  • Owner/chairman – Arthur Blank
  • President/CEO – Rich McKay
  • General manager – Thomas Dimitroff
  • Assistant general manager – Scott Pioli
  • Director of player personnel – Lionel Vital
  • Director of football administration – Nick Polk
  • Director of pro scouting – DeJuan Polk
  • Director of college scouting – Steve Sabo

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Mike Smith
  • Assistant head coach/wide receivers – Terry Robiskie

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

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

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – A.J. Neibel
  • Strength and conditioning assistant – Jonas Beauchemin

Final roster

2014 Atlanta Falcons final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists
  • 23 Robert Alford CB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 72 Sam Baker T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 61 Joe Hawley C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 76 Lamar Holmes T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 79 Mike Johnson G/T (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 66 Peter Konz C (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 25 William Moore S (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 22 Zeke Motta S (PUPTooltip Physically unable to perform)
  • 35 Antone Smith RB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 51 Marquis Spruill LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)
  • 56 Sean Weatherspoon LB (IRTooltip Injured reserve)


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 11 inactive, 10 practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 August 8 Miami Dolphins W 16–10 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap
2 August 16 at Houston Texans L 7–32 1–1 NRG Stadium Recap
3 August 23 Tennessee Titans L 17–24 1–2 Georgia Dome Recap
4 August 28 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 24–14 2–2 EverBank Field Recap

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
recap
1 September 7 New Orleans Saints W 37–34 (OT) 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap
2 September 14 at Cincinnati Bengals L 10–24 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 18 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 56–14 2–1 Georgia Dome Recap
4 September 28 at Minnesota Vikings L 28–41 2–2 TCF Bank Stadium Recap
5 October 5 at New York Giants L 20–30 2–3 MetLife Stadium Recap
6 October 12 Chicago Bears L 13–27 2–4 Georgia Dome Recap
7 October 19 at Baltimore Ravens L 7–29 2–5 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
8 October 26 Detroit Lions L 21–22 2–6 Wembley Stadium (London, England) Recap
9 Bye
10 November 9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–17 3–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap
11 November 16 at Carolina Panthers W 19–17 4–6 Bank of America Stadium Recap
12 November 23 Cleveland Browns L 24–26 4–7 Georgia Dome Recap
13 November 30 Arizona Cardinals W 29–18 5–7 Georgia Dome Recap
14 December 8 at Green Bay Packers L 37–43 5–8 Lambeau Field Recap
15 December 14 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–27 5–9 Georgia Dome Recap
16 December 21 at New Orleans Saints W 30–14 6–9 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap
17 December 28 Carolina Panthers L 3–34 6–10 Georgia Dome Recap
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week One: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Saints 6 14 014034
Falcons 0 10 1410337

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: September 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,706
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Shayne Graham 31-yard field goal, 10:33. Saints 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 67 yards, 4:27.
  • NO – Shayne Graham 50-yard field goal, 4:39. Saints 6–0. Drive: 10 plays, 28 yards, 3:59.

Second quarter

  • NO – Khiry Robinson 2-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 11:46. Saints 13–0. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:10.
  • ATL – Roddy White 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:06. Saints 13–7. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 7:40.
  • NO – Brandin Cooks 3-yard pass from Drew Brees (Shayne Graham kick), 0:20. Saints 20–7. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:46.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Saints 20–10. Drive: 3 plays, 58 yards, 0:20.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Levine Toilolo 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 9:22. Saints 20–17. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:38.
  • ATL – Antone Smith 54-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:21. Falcons 24–20. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 2:31.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Mark Ingram 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 8:46. Saints 27–24. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:35.
  • ATL – Jacquizz Rodgers 17-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 2:50. Falcons 31–27. Drive: 8 plays, 94 yards, 3:26.
  • NO – Mark Ingram 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 1:20. Saints 34–31. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 1:30.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 51-yard field goal, 0:00. Tied 34–34. Drive: 8 plays, 47 yards, 1:20.

Overtime

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal, 13:17. Falcons 37–34. Drive: 4 plays, 4 yards, 1:32.

Top passers

  • NO – Drew Brees – 29/42, 333 yards, TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/43, 448 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • NO – Mark Ingram - 13 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 12 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

Week 2: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week Two: Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 0 0710
Bengals 3 7 14024

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

First quarter

  • CIN – Mike Nugent 31-yard field goal, 5:19. Bengals 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 5:57.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 46-yard field goal, 1:08. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 4:11.

Second quarter

  • CIN – Giovani Bernard 4-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 2:11. Bengals 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 91 yards, 5:21.

Third quarter

  • CIN – Mohamed Sanu 76-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Mike Nugent kick), 10:58. Bengals 17–3. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:12.
  • CIN – Jeremy Hill 1-yard run (Mike Nugent kick), 6:28. Bengals 24–3. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:14.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Julio Jones 14-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:35. Bengals 24–10. Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 3:59.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/44, 231 yards, TD, 3 INT
  • CIN – Andy Dalton – 15/23, 252 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 11 rushes, 46 yards
  • CIN – Giovani Bernard – 27 rushes, 90 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • ATL – Julio Jones – 7 receptions, 88 yards, TD
  • CIN – Mohamed Sanu – 3 receptions, 84 yards, TD

Week 3: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Three: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 0 01414
Falcons 21 14 21056

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Harry Douglas 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:03. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:57.
  • ATL – Julio Jones 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 3:03. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 4:14.
  • ATL – Kemal Ishmael 23-yard interception return (Matt Bryant kick), 2:33. Falcons 21–0.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Devin Hester 20-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 14:53.Falcons 28–0. Drive: 4 plays, 35 yards, 1:55.
  • ATL – Devin Hester 62-yard punt return (Matt Bryant kick), 7:06. Falcons 35–0.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Julio Jones 40-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:23. Falcons 42–0. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:39.
  • ATL – Steven Jackson 2-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 8:11. Falcons 49–0. Drive: 1 play, 2 yards, 0:07.
  • ATL – Antone Smith 38-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 1:47. Falcons 56–0. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 3:12.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Vincent Jackson 3-yard pass from Mike Glennon (Patrick Murray kick), 8:46. Falcons 56–7. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 8:01.
  • TB – Danny Lansanah 27-yard interception return (Patrick Murray kick), 7:07. Falcons 56–14.

Top passers

  • TB – Mike Glennon – 17/24, 121 yards, TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 21/24, 286 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • TB – Bobby Rainey – 7 receptions, 64 yards
  • ATL – Julio Jones – 9 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TD

In this game, Devin Hester would break Deion Sanders's all-time record for punt/kick returns for touchdowns, with 20.[4]

Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Four: Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 7 14028
Vikings 14 10 31441

at TCF Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 28
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT/3:25 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 82 °F (28 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 52,173
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 9:27. Vikings 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 4:31.
  • ATL – Roddy White 24-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 3:56. Tied 7–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:31.
  • MIN – Matt Asiata 3-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:31. Vikings 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:25.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Patrick DiMarco 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:56. Tied 14–14. Drive: 13 plays, 60 yards, 5:26.
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater 13-yard run (Blair Walsh kick), 1:59. Vikings 21–14. Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 3:57.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 18-yard field goal, 0:02. Vikings 24–14. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 1:23.

Third quarter

  • MIN – Blair Walsh 41-yard field goal, 10:40. Vikings 27–14. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:20.
  • ATL – Devin Hester 36-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 7:19. Vikings 27–21. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:21.
  • ATL – Antone Smith 48-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 1:31. Falcons 28–27. Drive: 4 plays, 63 yards, 1:16.

Fourth quarter

  • MIN – Matt Asiata 1-yard run (Teddy Bridewater-Rhett Ellison pass), 10:50. Vikings 35–28. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:51.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 55-yard field goal, 3:38. Vikings 38–28. Drive: 5 plays, 18 yards, 2:51.
  • MIN – Blair Walsh 33-yard field goal, 1:14. Vikings 41–28. Drive: 7 plays, 15 yards, 2:11.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 25/41, 298 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
  • MIN – Teddy Bridgewater – 19/30, 317 yards

Top rushers

  • ATL – Antone Smith – 4 rushes, 62 yards, TD
  • MIN – Jerick McKinnon – 18 rushes, 135 yards
Top receivers

Week 5: at New York Giants

Week Five: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 6 7020
Giants 7 3 71330

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: October 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 80,307
  • Referee: Ed Hochuli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 20-yard field goal, 14:15. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 2:33.
  • NYG – Josh Brown 49-yard field goal, 3:40. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 5:13.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 20-yard field goal, 0:03. Falcons 13–10. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 3:37.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Antone Smith 74-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:37. Falcons 20–10. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:20.
  • NYG – Andre Williams 3-yard run (Josh Brown kick), 2:05. Falcons 20–17. Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 3:32.

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Odell Beckham Jr. 3-yard pass from Eli Manning (Josh Brown kick), 10:02. Giants 24–20. Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 5:22.
  • NYG – Josh Brown 50-yard field goal, 5:01. Giants 27–20. Drive: 7 plays, 24 yards, 3:22.
  • NYG – Josh Brown 26-yard field goal, 2:08. Giants 30–20. Drive: 7 plays, 10 yards, 2:26.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/45, 316 yards, TD, INT
  • NYG – Eli Manning – 19/30, 200 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Devonta Freeman – 4 rushes, 38 yards
  • NYG – Andre Williams – 20 rushes, 65 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Six: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 0 13 6827
Falcons 3 0 10013

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 12
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,712
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal, 9:41. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 3:21.

Second quarter

  • CHI – Robbie Gould 25-yard field goal, 14:47. Tied 3–3. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 3:38.
  • CHI – Josh Morgan 3-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), 5:59. Bears 10–3. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards, 4:37.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 28-yard field goal, 0:02. Bears 13–3. Drive: 12 plays, 83 yards, 4:04.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Antone Smith 41-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:19. Bears 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:41.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 54-yard field goal, 6:19. Tied 13–13. Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards, 3:19.
  • CHI – Matt Forte 6-yard run (kick failed), 5:06. Bears 19–13. Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:13.

Fourth quarter

  • CHI – Matt Forte 9-yard run (Jay Cutler-Martellus Bennett pass), 10:07. Bears 27–13. Drive: 15 plays, 87 yards, 8:28.

Top passers

  • CHI – Jay Cutler – 26/38, 381 yards, TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/37, 271 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • CHI – Matt Forte – 17 rushes, 80 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 6 rushes, 25 yards

Top receivers

Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 0 077
Ravens 7 10 3929

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: October 19
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: 54 °F (12 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 71,184
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • BAL – Bernard Pierce 1-yard run (Justin Tucker kick), 2:38. Ravens 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:18.
  • BAL – Justin Tucker 38-yard field goal, 0:00. Ravens 17–0. Drive: 3 plays, 33 yards, 0:37.

Third quarter

  • BAL – Justin Tucker 38-yard field goal, 11:28. Ravens 20–0. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 3:32.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Roddy White 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 7:12. Ravens 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 2:45.
  • BAL – Matt Ryan sacked in endzone by Terrell Suggs for a safety, 3:44. Ravens 22–7.
  • BAL – Torrey Smith 39-yard pass from Joe Flacco (Justin Tucker kick), 1:46. Ravens 29–7. Drive: 4 plays, 40 yards, 1:58.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/48, 228 yards, TD
  • BAL – Joe Flacco – 16/25, 258 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ATL – Roddy White – 9 receptions, 100 yards, TD
  • BAL – Torrey Smith – 3 receptions, 81 yards, TD

Week 8: vs. Detroit Lions

NFL International Series
Week Eight: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 101222
Falcons 14 7 0021

at Wembley Stadium, London, England

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Devonta Freeman 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 9:25. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:35.
  • ATL – Bear Pascoe 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:53. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:26.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 3:45. Falcons 21–0. Drive: 12 plays, 89 yards, 6:17.

Third quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 22-yard field goal, 7:54. Falcons 21–3. Drive: 15 plays, 76 yards, 7:06.
  • DET – Golden Tate 59-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Matt Prater kick), 4:38. Falcons 21–10. Drive: 3 plays, 44 yards, 1:44.

Fourth quarter

  • DET – Matt Prater 20-yard field goal, 14:10. Falcons 21–13. Drive: 4 plays, 5 yards, 1:00.
  • DET – Theo Riddick 5-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (pass failed), 3:56. Falcons 21–19. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 7:29.
  • DET – Matt Prater 48-yard field goal, 0:00. Lions 22–21. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 1:38.

Top passers

  • DET – Matthew Stafford – 24/47, 325 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/27, 228 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • DET – Joique Bell – 14 rushes, 39 yards
  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 18 rushes, 60 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • DET – Golden Tate – 7 receptions, 151 yards, TD
  • ATL – Roddy White – 5 receptions, 66 yards

Week 10: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Ten: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 6 31127
Buccaneers 3 7 0717

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: November 9
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 64 °F (18 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,751
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • TB – Patrick Murray 51-yard field goal, 6:24. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 47 yards, 8:36.
  • ATL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 0:51. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 78 yards, 5:33.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 37-yard field goal, 7:09. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 42 yards, 6:53.
  • TB – Mike Evans 22-yard pass from Josh McCown (Matt Bryant kick), 0:46. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 1:45.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 43-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 13–10. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 0:46.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 10:23. Falcons 16–10. Drive: 10 plays, 56 yards, 4:37.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Austin Seferian-Jenkins 1-yard pass from Josh McCown (Patrick Murray kick), 14:18. Buccaneers 17–16. Drive: 8 plays, 34 yards, 4:04.
  • ATL – Roddy White 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Ryan-Harry Douglas pass), 9:18. Falcons 24–17. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:00.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 33-yard field goal, 4:10. Falcons 27–17. Drive: 5 plays, 36 yards, 2:53.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/31, 219 yards, TD
  • TB – Josh McCown – 27/43, 301 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 16 rushes, 81 yards, TD
  • TB – Josh McCown – 5 rushes, 39 yards

Top receivers

  • ATL – Julio Jones – 8 receptions, 119 yards
  • TB – Mike Evans – 7 receptions, 125 yards, TD

Week 11: at Carolina Panthers

Week Eleven: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 6 10319
Panthers 0 3 01417

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: November 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 48 °F (9 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 73,314
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, David Diehl and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Second quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 23-yard field goal, 14:57. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 17 plays, 83 yards, 9:05.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 34-yard field goal, 9:26. Tied 3–3. Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 5:31.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 42-yard field goal, 0:02. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 1:33.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 26-yard field goal, 12:07. Falcons 9–3. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:28.
  • ATL – Roddy White 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 6:34. Falcons 16–3. Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 3:49.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – Kelvin Benjamin 22-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 9:12. Falcons 16–10. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 1:50.
  • CAR – Corey Brown 47-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 6:20. Panthers 17–16. Drive: 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:41.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 2:08. Falcons 19–17. Drive: 12 plays, 54 yards, 4:12.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/45, 268 yards, TD
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 23/37, 292 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ATL – Roddy White – 8 receptions, 75 yards, TD
  • CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 9 receptions, 109 yards, TD

Week 12: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week Twelve: Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 7 6 10326
Falcons 7 7 01024

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CLE – Billy Cundiff 33-yard field goal, 13:17. Browns 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 14 yards, 1:37.
  • CLE – Billy Cundiff 37-yard field goal, 9:20. Browns 13–7. Drive: 5 plays, 21 yards, 1:55.
  • ATL – Jacquizz Rodgers 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:55. Falcons 14–13. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 1:57.

Third quarter

  • CLE – Billy Cundiff 32-yard field goal, 9:46. Browns 16–14. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 5:14.
  • CLE – Isaiah Crowell 26-yard run (Billy Cundiff kick), 0:46. Browns 23–14. Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:58.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Steven Jackson 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 9:31. Browns 23–21. Drive: 14 plays, 80 yards, 6:15.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 53-yard field goal, 0:44. Falcons 24–23. Drive: 7 plays, 20 yards, 1:58.
  • CLE – Billy Cundiff 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Browns 26–24. Drive: 7 plays, 61 yards, 0:44.

Top passers

  • CLE – Brian Hoyer – 23/40, 322 yards, 3 INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/43, 273 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • CLE – Isaiah Crowell – 12 rushes, 88 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 13 rushes, 34 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals

Week Thirteen: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Cardinals 0 10 0818
Falcons 17 3 3629

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 30
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,557
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Levine Toilolo 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:39. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:21.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 20-yard field goal, 8:13. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:20.
  • ATL – Julio Jones 32-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 5:48. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 2 plays, 32 yards, 0:39.

Second quarter

  • ARI – Rashad Johnson 88-yard interception return (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 14:07. Falcons 17–7.
  • ARI – Chandler Catanzaro 44-yard field goal, 2:42. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 3:56.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 23-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 2:42.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 21-yard field goal, 6:13. Falcons 23–10. Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 4:47.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 12:55. Falcons 26–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 5:11.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 28-yard field goal, 2:30. Falcons 29–10. Drive: 11 plays, 44 yards, 4:47.
  • ARI – Stepfan Taylor 3-yard pass from Drew Stanton (Stepfan Taylor run), 1:05. Falcons 29–18. Drive: 7 plays, 80 yards, 1:25.

Top passers

  • ARI – Drew Stanton – 24/39, 294 yards, TD, 2 INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/41, 361 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ARI – Jaron Brown – 7 receptions, 75 yards
  • ATL – Julio Jones – 10 receptions, 189 yards, TD

This was the Falcons' only win outside the NFC South division.

Week 14: at Green Bay Packers

Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 0 102037
Packers 7 24 3943

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 8
  • Game time: 8:30 p.m. EST/7:30 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 33 °F (1 °C), flurries
  • Game attendance: 77,512
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mike Tirico, Jon Gruden and Lisa Salters
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • GB – Eddie Lacy 1-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 14:55. Packers 14–7. Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 7:05.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 38-yard field goal, 7:17. Packers 17–7. Drive: 12 plays, 63 yards, 5:56.
  • GB – Eddie Lacy 1-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 4:20. Packers 24–7. Drive: 4 plays, 15 yards, 2:07.
  • GB – Jordy Nelson 10-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 0:24. Packers 31–7. Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:11.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Eric Weems 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:35. Packers 31–14. Drive: 5 plays, 82 yards, 2:25.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 50-yard field goal, 8:20. Packers 31–17. Drive: 6 plays, 22 yards, 2:31.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 33-yard field goal, 3:57. Packers 34–17. Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 4:23.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Julio Jones 22-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:33. Packers 34–24. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 6:24.
  • GB – Jordy Nelson 60-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (kick failed), 10:38. Packers 40–24. Drive: 4 plays, 74 yards, 1:55.
  • ATL – Roddy White 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 6:15. Packers 40–30. Drive: 12 plays, 71 yards, 4:23.
  • GB – Mason Crosby 53-yard field goal, 4:33. Packers 43–30. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 1:42.
  • ATL – Harry Douglas 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:11. Packers 43–37. Drive: 9 plays, 66 yards, 2:22.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/39, 375 yards, 4 TD, INT
  • GB – Aaron Rodgers – 24/36, 327 yards, 3 TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 16 rushes, 50 yards, TD
  • GB – James Starks – 10 rushes, 75 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • ATL – Julio Jones – 11 receptions, 259 yards, TD
  • GB – Jordy Nelson – 8 receptions, 146 yards, 2 TD

Week 15: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Fifteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 6 14 0727
Falcons 0 7 6720

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 71,161
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (CBS): Greg Gumbel, Trent Green and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • PIT – Shaun Suisham 38-yard field goal, 9:08. Steelers 3–0. Drive: 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:51.
  • PIT – Shaun Suisham 38-yard field goal, 0:02. Steelers 6–0. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 5:01.

Second quarter

  • PIT – William Gay 52-yard interception return (Shaun Suisham kick), 14:46. Steelers 13–0.
  • ATL – Devin Hester 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:19. Steelers 13–7. Drive: 9 plays, 85 yards, 5:29.
  • PIT – Le'Veon Bell 1-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 0:27. Steelers 20–7. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 3:52.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 28-yard field goal, 11:00. Steelers 20–10. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 4:00.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 22-yard field goal, 2:40. Steelers 20–13. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:04.

Fourth quarter

  • PIT – Le'Veon Bell 13-yard run (Shaun Suisham kick), 14:11. Steelers 27–13. Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:29.
  • ATL – Roddy White 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 10:21. Steelers 27–20. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 3:50.

Top passers

  • PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 27/35, 360 yards
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 26/37, 310 yards, 2 TD, INT

Top rushers

  • PIT – Le'Veon Bell – 20 rushes, 47 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Steven Jackson – 11 rushes, 46 yards

Top receivers

The Falcons were the only NFC South team to lose to all of their AFC North opponents.

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 10 71030
Saints 7 0 0714

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: December 21
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 73,164
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Mark Ingram 1-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 14:40. Saints 7–0. Drive: 1 play, 1 yard, 0:20.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 11:15. Saints 7–3. Drive: 7 plays, 55 yards, 3:25.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 50-yard field goal, 11:48. Saints 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 32 yards, 4:03.
  • ATL – Eric Weems 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:03. Falcons 13–7. Drive: 15 plays, 89 yards, 5:33.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Devonta Freeman 31-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 5:42. Falcons 20–7. Drive: 7 plays, 86 yards, 3:40.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Jimmy Graham 4-yard pass from Drew Brees (Shayne Graham kick), 5:48. Falcons 20–14. Drive: 12 plays, 87 yards, 3:40.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 32-yard field goal, 1:56. Falcons 23–14. Drive: 4 plays, 0 yards, 0:32.
  • ATL – Osi Umenyiora 86-yard fumble return (Matt Bryant kick), 0:00. Falcons 30–14.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/40, 322 yards, TD
  • NO – Drew Brees – 30/47, 313 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • ATL – Devonta Freeman – 5 rushes, 36 yards, TD
  • NO – Mark Ingram – 13 rushes, 38 yards, TD

Top receivers

With the win, the Falcons swept the Saints for the 1st time since 2005 and eliminated them from postseason contention.

Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 10 14 10034
Falcons 0 3 003

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 28
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 71,015
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Phil Simms and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 21-yard field goal, 7:50. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 77 yards, 7:10.
  • CAR – Ed Dickson 5-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 0:04. Panthers 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 87 yards, 4:45.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Matt Bryant 21-yard field goal, 10:36. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 10 plays, 35 yards, 4:28.
  • CAR – Roman Harper 31-yard interception return (Graham Gano kick), 4:18. Panthers 17–3.
  • CAR – Cam Newton 4-yard run (Graham Gano kick), 1:47. Panthers 24–3. Drive: 1 play, 4 yards, 0:07.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Graham Gano 48-yard field goal, 8:43. Panthers 27–3. Drive: 8 plays, 29 yards, 4:35.
  • CAR – Tre Boston 84-yard interception return (Graham Gano kick), 0:07. Panthers 34–3.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Top passers

  • CAR – Cam Newton – 10/16, 114 yards, TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/47, 260 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • CAR – Cam Newton – 6 rushes, 51 yards, TD
  • ATL – Jacquizz Rodgers – 9 rushes, 44 yards

Top receivers

  • CAR – Corey Brown – 1 reception, 28 yards
  • ATL – Roddy White – 8 receptions, 104 yards

Standings

Division

NFC South
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Carolina Panthers 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 339 374 W4
New Orleans Saints 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 401 424 W1
Atlanta Falcons 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 381 417 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 277 410 L6

Conference

NFC[5]
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# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] Seattle Seahawks West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 10–2 .525 .513 W6
2[a] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .482 .440 W2
3[a] Dallas Cowboys East 12 4 0 .750 4–2 8–4 .445 .422 W4
4 Carolina Panthers South 7 8 1 .469 4–2 6–6 .490 .357 W4
Wild Cards
5[b] Arizona Cardinals West 11 5 0 .688 3–3 8–4 .523 .477 L2
6[b] Detroit Lions North 11 5 0 .688 5–1 9–3 .471 .392 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 Philadelphia Eagles East 10 6 0 .625 4–2 6–6 .490 .416 W1
8 San Francisco 49ers West 8 8 0 .500 2–4 7–5 .527 .508 W1
9[c] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .486 .415 W1
10[c] Minnesota Vikings North 7 9 0 .438 1–5 6–6 .475 .308 W1
11[d] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .512 .323 L1
12[d] Atlanta Falcons South 6 10 0 .375 5–1 6–6 .482 .380 L1
13[d] St. Louis Rams West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .531 .427 L3
14 Chicago Bears North 5 11 0 .313 1–5 4–8 .529 .338 L5
15 Washington Redskins East 4 12 0 .250 2–4 2–10 .496 .422 L1
16 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 2 14 0 .125 0–6 1–11 .486 .469 L6
Tiebreakers[e]
  1. ^ a b c Seattle, Green Bay and Dallas were ranked in seeds 1–3 based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Arizona defeated Detroit head-to-head (Week 11, 14–6).
  3. ^ a b New Orleans defeated Minnesota head-to-head (Week 3, 20–9).
  4. ^ a b c The NY Giants defeated both Atlanta and St. Louis head-to-head (Atlanta: Week 5, 30–20; St. Louis: Week 16, 37–27), while Atlanta finished ahead of St. Louis based on conference record.
  5. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Use of artificial crowd noise

Shortly after the end of the post-season the Falcons were investigated by the League for piping artificial crowd noise during opponent's offensive snaps at home games during the 2013 season and the 2014 season.[6] Team owner Arthur Blank stated that he was "angry and embarrassed" about the allegations, and has allegedly acknowledged the validity of the accusations, stating "I think what we've done in 2013 and 2014 was wrong", and promising to cooperate fully with the investigation.[7] The NFL fined the Falcons $350,000 and took away a fifth round draft pick in the 2016 draft as punishment.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Carolina Panthers obliterate Atlanta Falcons 34-3, win NFC South | CharlotteObserver.com". Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  2. ^ "Falcons fire Mike Smith". December 29, 2014.
  3. ^ "Falcons to be 2014 HBO Hard Knocks Team". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "Devin Hester's record-breaking return TD is best of Week 3". NFL.com.
  5. ^ "2014 Conference Standings". NFL.com. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  6. ^ "Atlanta Falcons under NFL investigation for fake crowd noise at Georgia Dome: report". New York Daily News. February 1, 2015.
  7. ^ Jay Busbee (February 3, 2015). "Falcons' Arthur Blank on crowd noise: 'What we've done ... is wrong'". Yahoo! Sports.
  8. ^ "Atlanta Falcons lose 2016 draft pick, fined $350,000 by NFL for Noisegate". Alabama Living. March 30, 2015.

External links

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