2021 Atlanta Falcons season

56th season in franchise history

The 2021 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 56th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their first under general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith.

For the first time since 2010, wide receiver Julio Jones was not on the roster as he was traded to the Tennessee Titans on June 6, 2021.[1] Jones departed Atlanta holding the most career receiving yards and receptions in Falcons franchise history.

Following their Week 12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Falcons improved their 4–12 season from the previous year. However, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the fourth consecutive year following a Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

It was also their final season with quarterback Matt Ryan, as he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for the following season.[2]

Draft

2021 Atlanta Falcons Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 4 Kyle Pitts TE Florida Highest selected tight end in NFL history
2 40 Richie Grant S UCF from Denver Broncos
3 68 Jalen Mayfield OG Michigan
4 108 Darren Hall CB San Diego State
114 Drew Dalman C Stanford from Denver Broncos
5 148 Ta'Quon Graham DE Texas
182 Adetokunbo Ogundeji DE Notre Dame
183 Avery Williams CB Boise State
6 187 Frank Darby WR Arizona State

Notes

  • The Falcons were awarded 3 compensatory picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.[3]
  • The Falcons traded their second-round (35th overall) and sixth-round (219th overall) picks to the Denver Broncos in exchange for their second-round (40th overall) and fourth-round (114th overall) selections.[4]
  • All of the Falcons selections in this draft made the 53-man roster at the start of the regular season.

Staff

2021 Atlanta Falcons staff

Front office

  • Owner/chairman – Arthur Blank
  • President/CEO – Rich McKay
  • General manager – Terry Fontenot
  • Vice president of player personnel – Kyle Smith
  • Director of pro personnel – Shepley Heard
  • Director of coaching operations – Brian Griffin
  • Director of college scouting – Anthony Robinson
  • Director of player personnel – Steve Sabo
  • Senior director of football administration – Chris Olsen
  • National scouts – Ruston Webster, Phil Emery, and Joel Collier

Head coaches

  • Head coach – Arthur Smith

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Dean Pees
  • Defensive line – Gary Emanuel
  • Linebackers – Frank Bush
  • Outside linebackers – Ted Monachino
  • Secondary – Jon Hoke
  • Assistant defensive backs – Nick Perry
  • Defensive assistant – Lanier Goethie
  • Defensive assistant – Matt Pees

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Thomas Stallworth
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Bobby Thomas
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Roderick Moore Jr

Final roster

2021 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
 54 active, 8 inactive, 16 practice squad

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 13 Tennessee Titans L 3–23 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
2 August 21 at Miami Dolphins L 17–37 0–2 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
3 August 29 Cleveland Browns L 10–19 0–3 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

The Falcons 2021 schedule was announced on May 12. They opened the season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 Philadelphia Eagles L 6–32 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
2 September 19 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 25–48 0–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 26 at New York Giants W 17–14 1–2 MetLife Stadium Recap
4 October 3 Washington Football Team L 30–34 1–3 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
5 October 10 New York Jets W 27–20 2–3 United Kingdom Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London) Recap
6 Bye
7 October 24 at Miami Dolphins W 30–28 3–3 Hard Rock Stadium Recap
8 October 31 Carolina Panthers L 13–19 3–4 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
9 November 7 at New Orleans Saints W 27–25 4–4 Caesars Superdome Recap
10 November 14 at Dallas Cowboys L 3–43 4–5 AT&T Stadium Recap
11 November 18 New England Patriots L 0–25 4–6 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
12 November 28 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 21–14 5–6 TIAA Bank Field Recap
13 December 5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 17–30 5–7 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
14 December 12 at Carolina Panthers W 29–21 6–7 Bank of America Stadium Recap
15 December 19 at San Francisco 49ers L 13–31 6–8 Levi's Stadium Recap
16 December 26 Detroit Lions W 20–16 7–8 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
17 January 2 at Buffalo Bills L 15–29 7–9 Highmark Stadium Recap
18 January 9 New Orleans Saints L 20–30 7–10 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week 1: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Eagles 7 8 71032
Falcons 3 3 006

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 27-yard field goal, 14:52. Eagles 7–6. Drive: 15 plays, 74 yards, 6:25.
  • PHI – Dallas Goedert 9-yard pass from Jalen Hurts (Miles Sanders run), 0:02. Eagles 15–6. Drive: 12 plays, 62 yards, 1:42.

Third quarter

  • PHI – Kenneth Gainwell 8-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 1:25. Eagles 22–6. Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 2:59.

Fourth quarter

  • PHI – Jalen Reagor 23-yard pass from Jalen Hurts (Jake Elliott kick), 4:20. Eagles 29–6. Drive: 2 plays, 22 yards, 1:19.
  • PHI – Jake Elliott 43-yard field goal, 1:10. Eagles 32–6. Drive: 4 plays, 6 yards, 2:03.

Top passers

  • PHI – Jalen Hurts – 27/35, 264 yards, 3 TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 21/35, 164 yards

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • PHI – DeVonta Smith – 6 receptions, 71 yards, TD
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley – 5 receptions, 51 yards

The Falcons start their season off with a 26-point loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Week 2: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 2: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 10 15025
Buccaneers 7 14 72048

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 83 °F (28 °C)
  • Game attendance: 63,694
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • TB – Rob Gronkowski 1-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 14:07. Buccaneers 14–0. Drive: 5 plays, 46 yards, 1:54
  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 10-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 11:48. Buccaneers 14–7. Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:19
  • TB – Mike Evans 3-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 0:43. Buccaneers 21–7. Drive: 8 plays, 85 yards, 3:31
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Buccaneers 21–10. Drive: 4 plays, 47 yards, 0:43

Third quarter

  • TB – Mike Evans 1-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 12:43. Buccaneers 28–10. Drive: 4 plays, 18 yards, 1:36
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 6:35. Buccaneers 28–17. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 6:08
  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Ryan run), 1:45. Buccaneers 28–25. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:56

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Chris Godwin 12-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 9:18. Buccaneers 35–25. Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 1:35
  • TB – Mike Edwards 31-yard interception return (kick failed), 7:53. Buccaneers 41–25.
  • TB – Mike Edwards 15-yard interception return (Ryan Succop kick), 4:01. Buccaneers 48–25.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 35/46, 300 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
  • TB – Tom Brady – 24/36, 276 yards, 5 TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Mike Davis – 9 rushes, 38 yards
  • TB – Leonard Fournette – 11 rushes, 52 yards

Top receivers

  • ATL – Kyle Pitts – 5 receptions, 73 yards
  • TB – Mike Evans – 5 receptions, 76 yards, 2 TD

Week 3: at New York Giants

Week 3: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 7 01017
Giants 3 3 0814

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny, 70 °F (21 °C)
  • Game attendance: 75,307
  • Referee: Adrian Hill
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NYG – Graham Gano 25-yard field goal, 6:58. Giants 3–0. Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:16.

Second quarter

  • NYG – Graham Gano 31-yard field goal, 8:13. Giants 6–0. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 7:38.
  • ATL – Olamide Zaccheaus 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:33. Falcons 7–6. Drive: 6 plays, 44 yards, 0:36.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Fourth quarter

  • NYG – Saquon Barkley 1-yard run (Daniel Jones run), 12:53. Giants 14–7. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:10.
  • ATL – Lee Smith 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 4:13. Tied 14–14. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 8:40.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 40-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 17–14. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 1:50.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/36, 243 yards, 2 TD
  • NYG – Daniel Jones – 24/35, 266 yards

Top rushers

  • ATL – Mike Davis – 12 rushes, 50 yards
  • NYG – Saquon Barkley – 16 rushes, 51 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 4: vs. Washington Football Team

Week 4: Washington Football Team at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Washington 0 13 91234
Falcons 3 14 6730

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 25-yard field goal, 7:00. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 8:00.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 42-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 11:07. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 64 yards, 2:06.
  • WAS – Terry McLaurin 33-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (Dustin Hopkins kick), 7:55. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 3:12.
  • WAS – Antonio Gibson 2-yard run (kick failed), 2:04. Football Team 13–10. Drive: 7 plays, 63 yards, 4:03.
  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 12-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 0:14. Falcons 17–13. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 1:50.

Third quarter

  • WAS – DeAndre Carter 101-yard kickoff return (kick failed), 14:47. Football Team 19–17. Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:13.
  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 14-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 11:09. Falcons 23–19. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:38.
  • WAS – Dustin Hopkins 21-yard field goal, 5:31. Falcons 23–22. Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards, 5:38.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Mike Davis 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 14:52. Falcons 30–22. Drive: 13 plays, 83 yards, 5:39.
  • WAS – Terry McLaurin 17-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (pass failed), 3:52. Falcons 30–28. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:08.
  • WAS – J. D. McKissic 30-yard pass from Taylor Heinicke (run failed), 0:33. Football Team 34–30. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 1:14.

Top passers

  • WAS – Taylor Heinicke – 23/33, 290 yards, 3 TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 25/42, 283 yards, 4 TD

Top rushers

  • WAS – Antonio Gibson – 14 rushes, 63 yards, TD
  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson – 6 rushes, 34 yards

Top receivers

  • WAS – Terry McLaurin – 6 receptions, 123 yards, 2 TD
  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson – 5 receptions, 82 yards, 3 TD

Week 5: vs. New York Jets

NFL London games

Week 5: New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Jets 0 3 61120
Falcons 10 10 0727

at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, England

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 31-yard field goal, 8:46. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 6:14.
  • ATL – Kyle Pitts 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:42. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 10 plays, 92 yards, 5:16.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 11:01. Falcons 17–0. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 3:59.
  • NYJ – Matt Ammendola 31-yard field goal, 2:14. Falcons 17–3. Drive: 16 plays, 74 yards, 7:43.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 52-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 20–3. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 2:14.

Third quarter

  • NYJ – Ty Johnson 1-yard run (kick failed), 10:56. Falcons 20–9. Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 4:04.

Fourth quarter

  • NYJ – Michael Carter 2-yard run (Zach Wilson-Jamison Crowder pass), 6:55. Falcons 20–17. Drive: 4 plays, 90 yards, 2:35.
  • ATL – Mike Davis 3-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:19. Falcons 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:36.
  • NYJ – Matt Ammendola 49-yard field goal, 0:17. Falcons 27–20. Drive: 12 plays, 44 yards, 2:02.

Top passers

  • NYJ – Zach Wilson – 19/32, 192 yards, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 33/45, 342 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • NYJ – Corey Davis – 4 receptions, 45 yards
  • ATL – Kyle Pitts – 9 receptions, 119 yards, TD

Week 7: at Miami Dolphins

Week 7: Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 13 71030
Dolphins 7 0 71428

at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

  • Date: October 24
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 86 °F (30 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,739
  • Referee: Scott Novak
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 33-yard field goal, 14:13. Dolphins 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 68 yards, 5:25.
  • ATL – Calvin Ridley 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 4:47. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 5:09.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 36-yard field goal, 0:04. Falcons 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 62 yards, 0:32.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Russell Gage 49-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 13:53. Falcons 20–7. Drive: 3 plays, 77 yards, 1:07.
  • MIA – Mike Gesicki 6-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Jason Sanders kick), 5:15. Falcons 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 3:48.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 3-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 12:51. Falcons 27–14. Drive: 3 plays, 14 yards, 1:06.
  • MIA – Myles Gaskin 7-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Jason Sanders kick), 8:29. Falcons 27–21. Drive: 9 plays, 90 yards, 4:22.
  • MIA – Mack Hollins 4-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa (Jason Sanders kick), 2:27. Dolphins 28–27. Drive: 9 plays, 40 yards, 3:27.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 36-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 30–28. Drive: 9 plays, 57 yards, 2:27.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 25/40, 336 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • MIA – Tua Tagovailoa – 32/40, 291 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week 8: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Panthers 3 6 3719
Falcons 3 7 0313

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 31
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 58 °F (14 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 68,583
  • Referee: Brad Allen
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 46-yard field goal, 13:30. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:26.
  • CAR – Zane Gonzalez 29-yard field goal, 6:13. Tied 3–3. Drive: 15 plays, 64 yards, 7:17.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 15-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 13:58. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 61 yards, 4:23.
  • CAR – Zane Gonzalez 51-yard field goal, 9:13. Falcons 10–6. Drive: 8 plays, 42 yards, 4:45.
  • CAR – Zane Gonzalez 57-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 10–9. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 0:24.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Zane Gonzalez 23-yard field goal, 3:33. Panthers 12–10. Drive: 16 plays, 78 yards, 8:42.

Fourth quarter

  • CAR – Chuba Hubbard 6-yard run (Zane Gonzalez kick), 6:30. Panthers 19–10. Drive: 15 plays, 65 yards, 7:40.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 53-yard field goal, 0:16. Panthers 19–13. Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards, 0:34.

Top passers

  • CAR – Sam Darnold – 13/24, 129 yards
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/27, 146 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • CAR – Chuba Hubbard – 24 rushes, 82 yards, TD
  • ATL – Mike Davis – 9 rushes, 44 yards

Top receivers

Week 9: at New Orleans Saints

Week 9: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 7 71027
Saints 0 0 32225

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

  • Date: November 7
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,170
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 32-yard field goal, 4:26. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:45.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Olamide Zaccheaus 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 0:06. Falcons 10–0. Drive: 15 plays, 92 yards, 5:30.

Third quarter

  • NO – Brian Johnson 35-yard field goal, 9:36. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 12 plays, 60 yards, 5:24.
  • ATL – Matt Ryan 1-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 5:13. Falcons 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 4:23.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Brian Johnson 52-yard field goal, 14:49. Falcons 17–6. Drive: 11 plays, 45 yards, 5:24.
  • ATL – Olamide Zaccheaus 6-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 10:39. Falcons 24–6. Drive: 1 play, 6 yards, 0:07.
  • NO – Marquez Callaway 5-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (Brian Johnson kick), 7:57. Falcons 24–13. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards, 2:42.
  • NO – Alvin Kamara 2-yard run (pass failed), 4:35. Falcons 24–19. Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 0:51.
  • NO – Kenny Stills 8-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (run failed), 1:01. Saints 25–24. Drive: 5 plays, 43 yards, 1:45.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 29-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 27–25. Drive: 5 plays, 64 yards, 1:01.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 23/30, 343 yards, 2 TD
  • NO – Trevor Siemian – 25/41, 249 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Mike Davis – 9 rushes, 13 yards
  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 13 rushes, 50 yards, TD

Top receivers

Younghoe Koo kicked a game-winning field goal as time ran out, improving Atlanta to 4–4.

Week 10: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 10: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 0 003
Cowboys 7 29 7043

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: 66 °F (19 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 93,436
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olsen and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 1-yard run (Lirim Hajrullahu kick), 13:24. Cowboys 14–3. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 5:41.
  • DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 2-yard run (Lirim Hajrullahu kick), 8:07. Cowboys 21–3. Drive: 8 plays, 68 yards, 3:49.
  • DAL – CeeDee Lamb 9-yard pass from Dak Prescott (Lirim Hajrullahu kick), 1:10. Cowboys 28–3. Drive: 10 plays, 59 yards, 4:38.
  • DAL – Nahshon Wright 8-yard return of blocked punt (Ezekiel Elliott run), 0:37. Cowboys 36–3.

Third quarter

  • DAL – Dak Prescott 4-yard run (Lirim Hajrullahu kick), 0:31. Cowboys 43–3. Drive: 9 plays, 47 yards, 0:31.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 9/21, 117 yards, 2 INT
  • DAL – Dak Prescott – 24/31, 296 yards, 2 TD

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • ATL – Kyle Pitts – 4 receptions, 60 yards
  • DAL – CeeDee Lamb – 6 receptions, 94 yards

Week 11: vs. New England Patriots

Week 11: New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Patriots 3 10 01225
Falcons 0 0 000

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

  • NE – Nick Folk 32-yard field goal, 5:14. Patriots 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 52 yards, 4:38

Second quarter

  • NE – Nelson Agholor 19-yard pass from Mac Jones (Nick Folk kick), 13:44. Patriots 10–0. Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:29.
  • NE – Nick Folk 44-yard field goal, 0:00. Patriots 13–0. Drive: 7 plays, 41 yards, 1:48.

Third quarter

  • No scoring plays

Fourth quarter

  • NE – Nick Folk 53-yard field goal, 6:39. Patriots 16–0. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 5:21.
  • NE – Nick Folk 33-yard field goal, 1:55. Patriots 19–0. Drive: 8 plays, 35 yards, 3:14.
  • NE – Kyle Van Noy 35-yard interception return (kick failed, wide left), 1:22. Patriots 25–0.

Top passers

  • NE – Mac Jones – 22/26, 207 yards, TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/28, 153 yards, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 12: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 7 7021
Jaguars 0 3 8314

at TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 62 °F (17 °C)
  • Game attendance: 60,031
  • Referee: Carl Cheffers
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 12-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 6:40. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 4 plays, 29 yards, 1:04.
  • JAX – Matthew Wright 22-yard field goal, 0:46. Falcons 14–3. Drive: 14 plays, 70 yards, 5:55.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Russell Gage 12-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 7:47. Falcons 21–3. Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 5:01.
  • JAX – Tavon Austin 7-yard pass from Trevor Lawrence (Trevor Lawrence-James O'Shaughnessy pass), 0:22. Falcons 21–11. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 3:44.

Fourth quarter

  • JAX – Matthew Wright 34-yard field goal, 6:28. Falcons 21–14. Drive: 14 plays, 74 yards, 6:29.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/29, 190 yards, TD, INT
  • JAX – Trevor Lawrence – 23/42, 228 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson – 16 rushes, 108 yards, 2 TD
  • JAX – James Robinson – 17 rushes, 86 yards

Top receivers

Week 13: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 13 7 7330
Falcons 7 10 0017

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 5
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 69,366
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Sara Walsh
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • TB – Leonard Fournette 3-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 9:53. Buccaneers 7–0. Drive: 13 plays, 75 yards, 5:07.
  • ATL – Mike Davis 17-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 6:40. Tied 7–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:13.
  • TB – Cameron Brate 7-yard pass from Tom Brady (kick failed), 4:23. Buccaneers 13–7. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:17.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 21-yard field goal, 8:39. Buccaneers 14–10. Drive: 15 plays, 72 yards, 7:00.
  • TB – Rob Gronkowski 27-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 4:54. Buccaneers 20–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:45.
  • ATL – Marlon Davidson 3-yard interception return (Younghoe Koo kick), 0:22. Buccaneers 20–17.

Third quarter

  • TB – Rob Gronkowski 11-yard pass from Tom Brady (Ryan Succop kick), 0:29. Buccaneers 27–17. Drive: 14 plays, 87 yards, 5:43.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Ryan Succop 31-yard field goal, 1:49. Buccaneers 30–17. Drive: 13 plays, 78 yards, 5:36.

Top passers

  • TB – Tom Brady – 38/51, 368 yards, 4 TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/41, 297 yards

Top rushers

Top receivers

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

Week 14: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 10 3929
Panthers 7 0 7721

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 12
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny, 51 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 72,243
  • Referee: Shawn Smith
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Lindsay Czarniak
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – Mykal Walker 66-yard interception run (Younghoe Koo kick), 8:35. Falcons 14–7.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 32-yard field goal, 3:12. Falcons 17–7. Drive: 9 plays, 38 yards, 3:52.

Third quarter

  • CAR – Chuba Hubbard 17-yard run (Zane Gonzalez kick), 11:21. Falcons 17–14. Drive: 8 plays, 60 yards, 3:39.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 38-yard field goal, 6:28. Falcons 20–14. Drive: 9 plays, 55 yards, 4:53.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 14:17. Falcons 26–14. Drive: 10 plays, 49 yards, 5:23.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 48-yard field goal, 6:10. Falcons 29–14. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 3:45.
  • CAR – Robby Anderson 5-yard pass from P. J. Walker (Zane Gonzalez kick), 3:11. Falcons 29–21. Drive: 6 plays, 51 yards, 1:38.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/28, 190, TD
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 15/23, 178 yards, INT

Top rushers

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson – 16 rushes, 58 yards, TD
  • CAR – Cam Newton – 10 rushes, 47 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 15: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 15: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 7 3013
49ers 3 14 14031

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

  • Date: December 19
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: Clear, 52 °F (11 °C)
  • Game attendance: 71,650
  • Referee: Clay Martin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Kevin Harlan, Trent Green and Melanie Collins
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 48-yard field goal, 7:12. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 19 yards, 3:49.
  • SF – Robbie Gould 30-yard field goal, 1:21. Tied 3–3. Drive: 11 plays, 79 yards, 5:51.

Second quarter

  • SF – Kyle Juszczyk 6-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 9:14. 49ers 10–3. Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 4:16.
  • ATL – Russell Gage 20-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 4:00. Tied 10–10. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 5:14.
  • SF – Deebo Samuel 10-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 0:33. 49ers 17–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:27.

Third quarter

  • SF – Jeff Wilson Jr. 5-yard run (Robbie Gould kick), 11:11. 49ers 24–10. Drive: 4 plays, 38 yards, 2:10.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 22-yard field goal, 6:28. 49ers 24–13. Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:43.
  • SF – Jauan Jennings 4-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo (Robbie Gould kick), 1:17. 49ers 31–13. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:11.

Fourth quarter

  • No scoring plays.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/32, 236 yards, TD
  • SF – Jimmy Garoppolo – 18/23, 235 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • ATL – Mike Davis – 6 rushes, 21 yards
  • SF – Jeff Wilson Jr. – 21 rushes, 110 yards, TD

Top receivers

Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 16: Detroit Lions at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 7 3316
Falcons 0 10 3720

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 26
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Partly cloudy, 70 °F (21 °C) (retractable roof open)
  • Game attendance: 68,638
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • DET – Riley Patterson 26-yard field goal, 3:25. Lions 3–0. Drive: 13 plays, 54 yards, 7:34.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Cordarrelle Patterson 6-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 10:53. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 4:24.
  • DET – Amon-Ra St. Brown 20-yard pass from Tim Boyle (Riley Patterson kick), 3:44. Lions 10–7. Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 7:09.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 53-yard field goal, 1:04. Tied 10–10. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 2:40.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 48-yard field goal, 10:11. Falcons 13–10. Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 3:19.
  • DET – Riley Patterson 37-yard field goal, 3:06. Tied 13–13. Drive: 12 plays, 56 yards, 7:05.

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – Hayden Hurst 12-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 13:04. Falcons 20–13. Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:02.
  • DET – Riley Patterson 26-yard field goal, 2:38. Falcons 20–16. Drive: 17 plays, 66 yards, 10:26.

Top passers

  • DET – Tim Boyle – 24/34, 187 yards, TD, INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 18/24, 215 yards, TD

Top rushers

  • DET – Jamaal Williams – 19 rushes, 77 yards
  • ATL – Mike Davis – 7 rushes, 28 yards

Top receivers

Week 17: at Buffalo Bills

Week 17: Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Falcons 2 13 0015
Bills 14 0 8729

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

  • Date: January 2
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Snow showers, 25 °F (−4 °C)
  • Game attendance: 64,948
  • Referee: Land Clark
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – Jake Kumerow tackled in end zone for a safety, 11:04. Falcons 2–0.
  • BUF – Josh Allen 1-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 3:15. Bills 7–2. Drive: 15 plays, 69 yards, 6:10.
  • BUF – Josh Allen 4-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 0:35. Bills 14–2. Drive: 6 plays, 18 yards, 1:52.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 28-yard field goal, 10:08. Bills 14–5. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:27.
  • ATL – Mike Davis 1-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 1:48. Bills 14–12. Drive: 5 plays, 80 yards, 1:32.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 24-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 15–14. Drive: 7 plays, 50 yards, 1:06.

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • BUF – Devin Singletary 4-yard run (Tyler Bass kick), 10:46. Bills 29–15. Drive: 12 plays, 65 yards, 7:18.

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 13/23, 197 yards
  • BUF – Josh Allen – 11/26, 120 yards, 3 INT

Top rushers

  • ATL – Mike Davis – 8 rushes, 42 yards, TD
  • BUF – Devin Singletary – 23 rushes, 110 yards, 2 TD

Top receivers

Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week 18: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 17 0630
Falcons 3 3 7720

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: January 9
  • Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 68,336
  • Referee: Craig Wrolstad
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Kugler, Mark Sanchez and Laura Okmin
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

First quarter

  • NO – Adam Trautman 18-yard pass from Taysom Hill (Brett Maher kick), 8:29. Saints 7–0. Drive: 10 plays, 84 yards, 6:31.
  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 48-yard field goal, 3:15. Saints 7–3. Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:14.

Second quarter

  • ATL – Younghoe Koo 54-yard field goal, 10:31. Saints 7–6. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 2:58.
  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith 13-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (Brett Maher kick), 5:47. Saints 14–6. Drive: 9 plays, 73 yards, 4:44.
  • NO – Brett Maher 37-yard field goal, 1:03. Saints 17–6. Drive: 9 plays, 36 yards, 4:26.
  • NO – Juwan Johnson 5-yard pass from Trevor Siemian (Brett Maher kick), 0:02. Saints 24–6. Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 0:50.

Third quarter

  • ATL – Qadree Ollison 19-yard run (Younghoe Koo kick), 2:49. Saints 24–13. Drive: 4 plays, 56 yards, 1:09.

Fourth quarter

  • NO – Brett Maher 27-yard field goal, 10:55. Saints 27–13. Drive: 13 plays, 66 yards, 6:54.
  • NO – Brett Maher 33-yard field goal, 7:36. Saints 30–13. Drive: 7 plays, 14 yards, 3:06.
  • ATL – Russell Gage 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Younghoe Koo kick), 0:21. Saints 30–20. Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 3:56.

Top passers

  • NO – Taysom Hill – 7/9, 107 yards, TD
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/33, 216 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • NO – Alvin Kamara – 30 rushes, 146 yards
  • ATL – Mike Davis – 6 rushes, 30 yards

Top receivers

  • NO – Tre'Quan Smith – 5 receptions, 76 yards, TD
  • ATL – Russell Gage – 9 receptions, 126 yards, TD

Coming off with a 2-point win in Week 9, they host the Saints. They were defeated by 10 points and finish their season with a 7-10 record.

Standings

Division

NFC South
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 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 511 353 W3
New Orleans Saints 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 364 335 W2
Atlanta Falcons 7 10 0 .412 2–4 4–8 313 459 L2
Carolina Panthers 5 12 0 .294 2–4 3–9 304 404 L7

Conference

NFC
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# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division winners
1[a] Green Bay Packers North 13 4 0 .765 4–2 9–3 .479 .480 L1
2[a] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 13 4 0 .765 4–2 8–4 .467 .443 W3
3[b] Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 6–0 10–2 .488 .431 W1
4[b] Los Angeles Rams West 12 5 0 .706 3–3 8–4 .483 .409 L1
Wild cards
5 Arizona Cardinals West 11 6 0 .647 4–2 7–5 .490 .492 L1
6 San Francisco 49ers West 10 7 0 .588 2–4 7–5 .500 .438 W2
7[c] Philadelphia Eagles East 9 8 0 .529 3–3 7–5 .469 .350 L1
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[c] New Orleans Saints South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .512 .516 W2
9 Minnesota Vikings North 8 9 0 .471 4–2 6–6 .507 .434 W1
10[d] Washington Football Team East 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .529 .420 W1
11[d][e] Seattle Seahawks West 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 .519 .424 W2
12[d][e] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 2–4 4–8 .472 .315 L2
13 Chicago Bears North 6 11 0 .353 2–4 4–8 .524 .373 L1
14 Carolina Panthers South 5 12 0 .294 2–4 3–9 .509 .412 L7
15 New York Giants East 4 13 0 .235 1–5 3–9 .536 .485 L6
16 Detroit Lions North 3 13 1 .206 2–4 3–9 .528 .627 W1
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ a b Green Bay finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on conference record (9–3 vs. 8–4).
  2. ^ a b Dallas finished ahead of LA Rams based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
  3. ^ a b Philadelphia finished ahead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
  4. ^ a b c Washington finished ahead of Atlanta and Seattle based on head-to-head victories.
  5. ^ a b Seattle finished ahead of Atlanta based on win percentage in common games (4–2 vs. 3–3 against: San Francisco, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Washington, and Detroit).
  6. ^ 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.

References

  1. ^ Maya, Adam. "Falcons trade WR Julio Jones, future sixth-rounder to Titans for second- and fourth-round picks". NFL.com. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  2. ^ "Falcons trade Matt Ryan to Indianapolis Colts". www.atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "Falcons awarded three compensatory picks ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft".
  4. ^ "Falcons trade back in second round of 2021 NFL Draft".

External links

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  • Founded in 1966
  • Based in Atlanta, Georgia
  • Headquartered in Flowery Branch, Georgia
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