53rd season in franchise history
The 2018 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 53rd in the National Football League (NFL), their second playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (the venue for Super Bowl LIII) and their fourth under head coach Dan Quinn. The Falcons attempted to be the first team to play the Super Bowl in their home stadium as an expected Super Bowl contender. However, the Falcons were riddled with injuries, losing 7 starters to IR with the Falcons stumbling to a 1–4 start.
Following a 31–17 loss to the Saints in Week 12, the Falcons fell to 4–7 and failed to match their 10–6 campaign from 2017. With a 34–20 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the Falcons fell to 4–9 and suffered their first losing season since the 2014 season. Despite beating the Arizona Cardinals 40–14 in Week 15, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2015 with a win by the Minnesota Vikings. From 2018 to present, the Falcons have failed to make the playoffs along with having a losing season.[1] However, they were able to end their season with a 3 game win streak to finish 7–9.
Roster changes
Free agents
Unrestricted
Draft
Draft trades
- The Falcons traded their fifth-round selection (163rd overall) to Denver in exchange for offensive tackle Ty Sambrailo.[2]
- The Falcons were awarded a seventh-round compensatory pick (256th overall).
- The Falcons traded both of their seventh-round selections (244th and 256th overall) to Los Angeles in exchange for the Rams' sixth-round selection (194th overall).[3]
Staff
2018 Atlanta Falcons staff | Front office Head coaches - Head coach – Dan Quinn
- Assistant head coach/pass game coordinator – Raheem Morris
- Assistant to the head coach – Steve Scarnecchia
Offensive coaches | | | Defensive coaches Special teams coaches - Special teams coordinator – Keith Armstrong
- Assistant special teams – Mayur Chaudhari
Strength and conditioning - Head strength and conditioning – Jesse Ackerman
- Assistant strength and conditioning – Jonas Beauchemin
- Assistant strength – Brandon Ireland
|
Final roster
2018 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, 8 inactive, 11 practice squad |
Preseason
The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule was announced on April 11.
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: at Philadelphia Eagles
NFL Kickoff Game
Game information |
First quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 21-yard field goal, 5:01. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 4:07.
Second quarter - PHI – Jake Elliott 26-yard field goal, 6:09. Tied 3–3. Drive: 14 plays, 52 yards, 8:03.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 52-yard field goal, 2:08. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 8 plays, 41 yards, 4:01.
Third quarter - PHI – Jay Ajayi 1-yard run (Jake Elliott kick), 4:37. Eagles 10–6. Drive: 11 plays, 63 yards, 5:34.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Tevin Coleman 9-yard run (kick failed), 9:48. Falcons 12–10. Drive: 2 plays, 27 yards, 0:47.
- PHI – Jay Ajayi 11-yard run (Jay Ajayi run), 2:19. Eagles 18–12. Drive: 8 plays, 54 yards, 2:32.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 21/43, 251 yards, INT
- PHI – Nick Foles – 19/34, 117 yards, INT
Top rushers Top receivers | |
Week 2: vs. Carolina Panthers
Game information |
First quarter - CAR – Graham Gano 54-yard field goal, 11:36. Panthers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 39 yards, 3:24.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 5:41. Tied 3–3. Drive: 10 plays, 57 yards, 5:55.
Second quarter - CAR – Jarius Wright 5-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 8:42. Panthers 10–3. Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 6:28.
- ATL – Calvin Ridley 11-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:03. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:39.
- ATL – Austin Hooper 8-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:22. Falcons 17–10. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 1:13.
Third quarter - ATL – Matt Ryan 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 9:23. Falcons 24–10. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:26.
Fourth quarter - CAR – Torrey Smith 3-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 11:23. Falcons 24–17. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:21.
- ATL – Matt Ryan 8-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 7:17. Falcons 31–17. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:06.
- CAR – D. J. Moore 51-yard pass from Cam Newton (Graham Gano kick), 2:20. Falcons 31–24. Drive: 5 plays, 96 yards, 1:36.
| Top passers - CAR – Cam Newton – 32/45, 335 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 23/28, 272 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers - CAR – Cam Newton – 5 carries, 42 yards
- ATL – Tevin Coleman – 16 carries, 107 yards
Top receivers | |
Week 3: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Three: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
Saints | 7 | 9 | 7 | 14 | 6 | 43 |
Falcons | 7 | 7 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 37 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: September 23
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 74,457
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Sam Rosen, Cris Carter and Sara Walsh
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - NO – Wil Lutz 49-yard field goal, 9:37. Saints 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 31 yards, 2:21.
- NO – Wil Lutz 21-yard field goal, 3:06. Saints 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 70 yards, 4:46.
- ATL – Calvin Ridley 75-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 2:12. Falcons 14–13. Drive: 2 plays, 75 yards, 0:54.
- NO – Wil Lutz 45-yard field goal, 0:06. Saints 16–14. Drive: 3 plays, 31 yards, 0:34.
Third quarter - ATL – Calvin Ridley 9-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 12:00. Falcons 21–16. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:00.
- NO – Cameron Meredith 11-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 6:07. Saints 23–21. Drive: 4 plays, 16 yards, 2:29.
'Fourth quarter - ATL – Tevin Coleman 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Ryan-Austin Hooper pass), 14:11. Falcons 29–23. Drive: 12 plays, 82 yards, 6:56.
- NO – Zach Line 1-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:59. Saints 30–29. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:12.
- ATL – Mohamed Sanu 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Ryan-Mohamed Sanu pass), 6:56. Falcons 37–30. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 3:01.
- NO – Drew Brees 7-yard run (Wil Lutz kick), 1:15. Tied 37–37. Drive: 11 plays, 81 yards, 5:43.
Overtime - NO – Drew Brees 1-yard run, 2:55. Saints 43–37. Drive: 15 plays, 80 yards, 7:05.
| Top passers - NO – Drew Brees – 39/49, 396 yards, 3 TD
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 26/35, 374 yards, 5 TD
Top rushers - NO – Alvin Kamara – 16 carries, 66 yards
- ATL – Tevin Coleman – 15 carries, 33 yards
Top receivers - NO – Alvin Kamara – 15 receptions, 124 yards
- ATL – Calvin Ridley – 7 receptions, 146 yards, 3 TD
| |
Week 4: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week Four: Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Bengals | 14 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 37 |
Falcons | 7 | 17 | 3 | 9 | 36 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - ATL – Logan Paulsen 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:03. Tied 14–14. Drive 10 plays, 75 yards, 4:09.
- CIN – John Ross 39-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Randy Bullock kick), Bengals 21–14. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:52.
- ATL – Calvin Ridley 11-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant), 2:55. Tied 21–21. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards, 5:16.
- CIN – Giovani Bernard 1-yard run (Randy Bullock kick), 0:44. Bengals 28–21. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:11.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 55-yard field goal, 0:00. Bengals 28–24. Drive: 7 plays, 38 yards, 0:44.
Third quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 28-yard field goal, 11:22. Bengals 28–27. Drive: 4 plays, -2 yards, 1:46.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Calvin Ridley 30-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Two-point conversion failed), 14:25. Falcons 33–28. Drive: 4 plays, 54 yards, 2:13.
- CIN – Randy Bullock 36-yard field goal, 8:19. Falcons 33–31. Drive: 11 plays, 34 yards, 6:06.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 32-yard field goal, 4:15. Falcons 36–31. Drive: 11 plays, 61 yards, 4:04.
- CIN A. J. Green 13-yard pass from Andy Dalton (Two-point conversion failed), 0:07. Bengals 37–36. Drive: 16 plays, 75 yards, 4:08.
| Top passers - CIN – Andy Dalton – 29/41, 337 yards, 3 TD, INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/39, 419 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers Top receivers - CIN – Tyler Boyd – 11 receptions, 100 yards
- ATL – Julio Jones – 9 receptions, 173 yards
| |
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers
Week Five: Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 0 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Steelers | 13 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 41 |
at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Date: October 7
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: 83 °F (28 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 64,781
- Referee: John Parry
- TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - ATL – Mohamed Sanu 43-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:21. Steelers 13–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 4:16.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 47-yard field goal, 4:23. Steelers 13–10. Drive: 13 plays, 50 yards, 5:56.
Third quarter - PIT – Antonio Brown 9-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick), 3:42. Steelers 20–10. Drive: 12 plays, 85 yards, 7:06.
- PIT – James Conner 2-yard run (Chris Boswell kick), 1:39. Steelers 27–10. Drive: 3 plays, 18 yards, 0:58.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Ito Smith 2-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 12:28. Steelers 27–17. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 4:11.
- PIT – Antonio Brown 47-yard pass from Ben Roethlisberger (Chris Boswell kick), 9:41. Steelers 34–17. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 2:47.
- PIT – L. J. Fort fumble recovery in end zone (Chris Boswell kick), 3:35. Steelers 41–17.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 26/38, 285 yards, 1 TD
- PIT – Ben Roethlisberger – 19/29, 250 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers - ATL – Devonta Freeman – 8 carries, 32 yards
- PIT – James Conner – 21 carries, 110 yards, 2 TD
Top receivers | |
Week 6: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Six: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Buccaneers | 6 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 29 |
Falcons | 7 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 34 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- ATL – Mohamed Sanu 35-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 8:22. Falcons 7–6. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:14.
- ATL – Ito Smith 14-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), 12:19. Falcons 14–6. Drive: 14 plays, 86 yards, 7:23.
- ATL – Austin Hooper 9-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 7:30. Falcons 21–6. Drive: 7 plays, 58 yards, 3:13.
- TB – O. J. Howard 10-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 0:26. Falcons 21–13. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 2:55.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 0:01. Falcons 24–13. Drive: 4 plays, 48 yards, 0:25.
- Third quarter
- TB – Chandler Catanzaro 35-yard field goal, 2:39. Falcons 24–16. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 4:08.
- Fourth quarter
- TB – Chris Godwin 9-yard pass from Jameis Winston (pass failed), 11:34. Falcons 24–22. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 3:45.
- ATL – Tevin Coleman 6-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 6:28. Falcons 31–22. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 5:06.
- TB – Peyton Barber 5-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Chandler Catanzaro kick), 3:47. Falcons 31–29. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 2:41.
| Top passers - TB – Jameis Winston – 30/41, 395 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/41, 355 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers - TB – Peyton Barber – 13 carries, 82 yards
- ATL – Tevin Coleman – 10 carries, 35 yards
Top receivers - TB – Chris Godwin – 6 receptions, 56 yards, 1 TD
- ATL – Julio Jones – 10 receptions, 144 yards
| |
Week 7: vs. New York Giants
Week Seven: New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Giants | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 20 |
Falcons | 0 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 23 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- ATL – Marvin Hall 47-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 4:51. Falcons 7–0. Drive: 3 plays, 86 yards, 1:01.
- NYG – Aldrick Rosas 31-yard field goal, 0:50. Falcons 7–3. Drive: 11 plays, 77 yards, 4:01.
- ATL – Giorgio Tavecchio 40-yard field goal, 0:03. Falcons 10–3. Drive: 6 plays, 53 yards, 0:47.
- Third quarter
- NYG – Aldrick Rosas 36-yard field goal, 3:51. Falcons 10–6. Drive: 7 plays, 62 yards, 1:48.
- Fourth quarter
- ATL – Giorgio Tavecchio 50-yard field goal, 14:55. Falcons 13–6. Drive: 7 plays, 43 yards, 3:56.
- ATL – Tevin Coleman 30-yard run (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 7:47. Falcons 20–6. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:14.
- NYG – Saquon Barkley 2-yard run (kick failed), 4:47. Falcons 20–12. Drive: 9 plays, 78 yards, 3:00.
- ATL – Giorgio Tavecchio 56-yard field goal, 1:55. Falcons 23–12. Drive: 8 plays, 37 yards, 2:52.
- NYG – Odell Beckham Jr. 1-yard pass from Eli Manning (Saquon Barkley run), 0:05. Falcons 23–20. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 1:50.
| Top passers - NYG – Eli Manning – 27/38, 399 yards, 1 TD
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/39, 379 yards, 1 TD
Top rushers - NYG – Saquon Barkley – 14 carries, 43 yards, 1 TD
- ATL – Tevin Coleman – 11 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD
Top receivers - NYG – Saquon Barkley – 9 receptions, 51 yards
- ATL – Julio Jones – 9 receptions, 104 yards
| |
Week 9: at Washington Redskins
Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Redskins – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 14 | 7 | 10 | 38 |
Redskins | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 14 |
at FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland
- Date: November 4
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 55 °F (13 °C), sunny
- Game attendance: 62,386
- Referee: Walt Anderson
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - ATL – Ito Smith 12-yard run (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 9:10. Falcons 14–0. Drive: 9 plays, 68 yards, 4:19.
- WAS – Josh Doctson 2-yard pass from Alex Smith (Dustin Hopkins kick), 3:10. Falcons 14–7. Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 6:00.
- ATL – Calvin Ridley 40-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 0:28. Falcons 21–7. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:42.
Third quarter - ATL – Tevin Coleman 10-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 9:58. Falcons 28–7. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 5:02.
- WAS – Kapri Bibbs 3-yard run (Dustin Hopkins kick), 2:15. Falcons 28–14. Drive: 9 plays, 77 yards, 3:42.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Giorgio Tavecchio 27-yard field goal, 7:09. Falcons 31–14. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 6:43.
- ATL – Julio Jones 35-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 3:42. Falcons 38–14. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 3:16.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 26/38, 250 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
- WAS – Alex Smith – 30/46, 306 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers - ATL – Tevin Coleman – 13 carries, 88 yards
- WAS – Alex Smith – 1 carries, 22 yards
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones – 7 receptions, 121 yards, 1 TD
- WAS – Maurice Harris – 10 receptions, 124 yards
| |
Week 10: at Cleveland Browns
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - ATL – Giorgio Tavecchio 40-yard field goal, 12:18. Browns 7–3. Drive: 14 plays, 53 yards, 7:18.
- ATL – Julio Jones 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Giorgio Tavecchio kick), 5:04. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 45 yards, 3:26.
- CLE – Nick Chubb 13-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Greg Joseph kick), 0:55. Browns 14–10. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:09.
Third quarter - CLE – Duke Johnson 11-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Greg Joseph kick), 10:27. Browns 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 3:00.
- CLE – Nick Chubb 92-yard run (Greg Joseph kick), 8:45. Browns 28–10. Drive: 2 plays, 92 yards, 0:16.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Austin Hooper 3-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 4:24. Browns 28–16. Drive: 13 plays, 69 yards, 4:03.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 38/52, 330 yards, 2 TD
- CLE – Baker Mayfield – 17/20, 216 yards, 3 TD
Top rushers Top receivers | |
Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys
Week Eleven: Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cowboys | 3 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 22 |
Falcons | 0 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 19 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C), sunny – retractable roof open
- Game attendance: 74,447
- Referee: Craig Wrolstad
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - DAL – Brett Maher 21-yard field goal, 3:00. Cowboys 3–0. Drive: 15 plays, 85 yards, 7:23.
Second quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 41-yard field goal, 14:56. Tied 3–3. Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 3:04.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 45-yard field goal, 0:34. Falcons 6–3. Drive: 10 plays, 33 yards, 4:13.
Third quarter - DAL – Brett Maher 50-yard field goal, 10:20. Tied 6–6. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 4:45.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 53-yard field goal, 7:16. Falcons 9–6. Drive: 7 plays, 47 yards, 3:03.
Fourth quarter - DAL – Dak Prescott 4-yard run (kick failed), 14:23. Cowboys 12–9. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 7:53.
- DAL – Ezekiel Elliott 23-yard run (Brett Maher kick), 12:33. Cowboys 19–9. Drive: 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:41.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 21-yard field goal, 8:28. Cowboys 19–12. Drive: 9 plays, 72 yards, 4:00.
- ATL – Julio Jones 34-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 1:52. Tied 19–19. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards, 2:10.
- DAL – Brett Maher 42-yard field goal, 0:00. Cowboys 22–19. Drive: 10 plays, 51 yards, 1:52.
| Top passers - DAL – Dak Prescott – 22/32, 208 yards
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/34, 291 yards, TD, INT
Top rushers Top receivers | |
Week 12: at New Orleans Saints
NFL on Thanksgiving Day
Week Twelve: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 3 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
Saints | 7 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 31 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: November 22
- Game time: 8:20 p.m. EST/7:20 p.m. CST
- Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
- Game attendance: 73,017
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (NBC): Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy, Rodney Harrison and Michele Tafoya and Terry McAulay
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- NO – Wil Lutz 22-yard field goal, 9:09. Saints 10–3. Drive: 15 plays, 81 yards, 8:26.
- NO – Austin Carr 12-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 3:20. Saints 17–3. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 4:10.
- Third quarter
- NO – Dan Arnold 25-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 5:59. Saints 24–3. Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 3:18.
- ATL – Calvin Ridley 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:22. Saints 24–10. Drive: 13 plays, 79 yards, 5:37.
- Fourth quarter
- NO – Keith Kirkwood 5-yard pass from Drew Brees (Wil Lutz kick), 9:27. Saints 31–10. Drive: 5 plays, 22 yards, 3:00.
- ATL – Tevin Coleman 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 1:51. Saints 31–17. Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 1:48.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 35/47, 377 yards, 2 TD, INT
- NO – Drew Brees – 15/22, 171 yards, 4 TD, INT
Top rushers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 2 carries, 16 yards
- NO – Alvin Kamara – 14 carries, 89 yards
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones – 11 receptions, 147 yards
- NO – Dan Arnold – 4 receptions, 48 yards, TD
| |
Week 13: vs. Baltimore Ravens
Week Thirteen: Baltimore Ravens at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Ravens | 7 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 26 |
Falcons | 3 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 16 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 67 °F (19 °C), mostly cloudy – retractable roof open
- Game attendance: 72,262
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - ATL – Matt Bryant 44-yard field goal, 9:32. Falcons 3–0. Drive: 12 plays, 49 yards, 5:28.
- BAL – Lamar Jackson 13-yard rush (Justin Tucker kick), 4:17. Ravens 7–3. Drive: 9 plays, 75 yards, 5:15.
Second quarter - ATL – Vic Beasley 74-yard fumble return (Matt Bryant kick), 11:33. Falcons 10–7.
- BAL – Justin Tucker 41-yard field goal, 0:06. Tied 10–10. Drive: 9 plays, 59 yards, 1:40.
Third quarter - BAL – Justin Tucker 21-yard field goal, 9:59. Ravens 13–10. Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 5:01.
- BAL – Justin Tucker 45-yard field goal, 0:31. Ravens 16–10. Drive: 14 plays, 60 yards, 8:08.
Fourth quarter - BAL – Justin Tucker 47-yard field goal, 7:25. Ravens 19–10. Drive: 13 plays, 55 yards, 6:38.
- BAL – Tavon Young 12-yard fumble return (Justin Tucker kick), 7:16. Ravens 26–10.
- ATL – Austin Hooper 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 4:18. Ravens 26–16. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:58.
| Top passers - BAL – Lamar Jackson – 12/21, 125 yards
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 16/26, 131 yards, 1 TD
Top rushers - BAL – Gus Edwards – 21 carries, 82 yards
- ATL – Ito Smith – 7 carries, 22 yards
Top receivers - BAL – Mark Andrews – 3 receptions, 47 yards
- ATL – Austin Hooper – 5 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD
| |
The Falcons were the only NFC South team to lose to all of their AFC North opponents in 2018.
Week 14: at Green Bay Packers
Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
Packers | 7 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Date: December 9
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: 25 °F (−4 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 77,329
- Referee: Walt Coleman
- TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- GB – Mason Crosby 50-yard field goal, 7:45. Packers 10–7. Drive: 12 plays, 43 yards, 6:02.
- GB – Bashaud Breeland 22-yard interception return (Mason Crosby kick), 6:08. Packers 17–7.
- GB – Mason Crosby 48-yard field goal, 0:03. Packers 20–7. Drive: 10 plays, 43 yards, 2:45.
- Third quarter
- GB – Randall Cobb 24-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers (Mason Crosby kick), 12:49. Packers 27–7. Drive: 6 plays, 47 yards, 2:16.
- GB – Aaron Jones 29-yard run (Mason Crosby kick), 5:57. Packers 34–7. Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 4:38.
- Fourth quarter
- ATL – Julio Jones 12-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 13:39. Packers 34–14. Drive: 12 plays, 78 yards, 4:13.
- ATL – Justin Hardy 19-yard pass from Matt Ryan, 0:18. Packers 34–20. Drive: 10 plays, 54 yards, 2:23.
| - Top passers
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 28/42, 262 yards, 3 TD, INT
- GB – Aaron Rodgers – 21/32, 196 yards, 2 TD
- Top rushers
- ATL – Ito Smith – 11 carries, 60 yards
- GB – Aaron Jones – 17 carries, 78 yards, 2 TD
- Top receivers
- ATL – Julio Jones – 8 receptions, 106 yards, 2 TD
- GB – Davante Adams – 7 receptions, 81 yards, TD
| |
Matt Ryan eclipsed 4,000 yards, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to reach 4,000 in at least eight consecutive seasons, joining Drew Brees (2006-2017) & Peyton Manning (2006-2014).[4] Julio Jones eclipsed 1,400 yards and became the first player in NFL history to register five consecutive seasons with at least 1,400 yards.[5]
Week 15: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week Fifteen: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
Falcons | 10 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 40 |
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 72,084
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara Walsh
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
First quarter - ARI – David Johnson 1-yard rush (Zane Gonzalez kick), 8:25. Cardinals 7–0. Drive: 8 plays, 64 yards, 3:22.
- ATL – Deion Jones 41-yard interception return (Matt Bryant kick), 6:11. Tied 7–7.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 22-yard field goal, 0:37. Falcons 10–7. Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 2:15.
Second quarter - ATL – Matt Ryan 1-yard rush (Matt Bryant kick), 12:32. Falcons 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 34 yards, 1:37.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 33-yard field goal, 5:16. Falcons 20–7. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:03.
- ATL – Julio Jones 21-yard pass from Matt Ryan (pass failed), 0:13. Falcons 26–7. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 0:57.
Third quarter - ATL – Tevin Coleman 43-yard rush (Matt Bryant kick), 5:39. Falcons 33–7. Drive: 4 plays, 72 yards, 1:53.
Fourth quarter - ATL – Justin Hardy 5-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 11:14. Falcons 40–7. Drive: 12 plays, 76 yards, 6:32.
- ARI – Trent Sherfield 7-yard pass from Mike Glennon (Zane Gonzalez kick), 3:14. Falcons 40–14. Drive: 13 plays, 64 yards, 3:50.
| Top passers - ARI – Josh Rosen – 13/22, 132 yards, 2 INT
- ATL – Matt Ryan – 22/36, 231 yards, 2 TD
Top rushers - ARI – David Johnson – 11 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD
- ATL – Tevin Coleman – 11 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD
Top receivers - ARI – Larry Fitzgerald – 7 receptions, 82 yards
- ATL – Julio Jones – 6 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD
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Despite this win, Minnesota's win to Miami eliminated the Falcons from post-season contention and once again assures that the Super Bowl host team will not play the championship game on their own field.
Week 16: at Carolina Panthers
Game information |
First quarter Second quarter - CAR – Chandler Catanzaro 50-yard field goal, 7:46. Panthers 10–7. Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 5:22.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 39-yard field goal, 5:35. Tied 10–10. Drive: 6 plays, 55 yards, 2:09.
Third quarter - ATL – Calvin Ridley 75-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 14:51. Falcons 17-10. Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:09.
- ATL – Mohamed Sanu 44-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 4:45. Falcons 24-10. Drive: 7 plays, 85 yards, 4:06.
Fourth quarter | Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 15/26, 239 yards, 3 TD
- CAR – Taylor Heinicke – 33/53, 274 yards, TD, 3 INT
Top rushers Top receivers | |
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week Seventeen: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
Falcons | 0 | 7 | 17 | 10 | 34 |
Buccaneers | 7 | 10 | 3 | 12 | 32 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
- Date: December 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: 80 °F (27 °C), cloudy
- Game attendance: 52,884
- Referee: Brad Allen
- TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth and Jennifer Hale
- Recap, Gamebook
Game information |
- First quarter
- Second quarter
- TB – Cairo Santos 36-yard field goal, 8:25. Buccaneers 10–0. Drive: 9 plays, 35 yards, 4:16.
- TB – Chris Godwin 30-yard pass from Jameis Winston (Cairo Santos kick), 0:46. Buccaneers 17–0. Drive: 4 plays, 70 yards, 0:56.
- ATL – Julio Jones 19-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 0:20. Buccaneers 17–7. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 0:26.
- Third quarter
- ATL – Matt Ryan 5-yard pass from Mohamed Sanu (Matt Bryant kick), 8:49. Buccaneers 17–14. Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:11.
- TB – Cairo Santos 45-yard field goal, 6:39. Buccaneers 20–14. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 2:10.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 49-yard field goal, 1:59. Buccaneers 20–17. Drive: 10 plays, 42 yards, 4:40.
- ATL – Tevin Coleman 23-yard rush (Matt Bryant kick), 0:44. Falcons 24–20. Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 0:35.
- Fourth quarter
- ATL – Calvin Ridley 7-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), 10:51. Falcons 31–20. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 3:59.
- TB – Mike Evans 10-yard pass from Jameis Winston (pass failed), 8:09. Falcons 31–26. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 2:42.
- TB – Chris Godwin 19-yard pass from Jameis Winston (pass failed), 5:10. Buccaneers 32–31. Drive: 2 plays, 34 yards, 0:44.
- ATL – Matt Bryant 37-yard field goal, 0:00. Falcons 34–32. Drive: 13 plays, 56 yards, 5:10.
| Top passers - ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/44, 378 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
- TB – Jameis Winston – 22/35, 345 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT
Top rushers - ATL – Tevin Coleman – 8 carries, 45 yards, 1 TD
- TB – Peyton Barber – 15 carries, 66 yards
Top receivers - ATL – Julio Jones – 9 receptions, 138 yards, TD
- TB – Chris Godwin – 6 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD
| |
Standings
Division
Conference
|
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
Division leaders |
1[a] | New Orleans Saints | South | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .482 | .488 | L1 |
2[a] | Los Angeles Rams | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 6–0 | 9–3 | .480 | .428 | W2 |
3 | Chicago Bears | North | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .430 | .419 | W4 |
4 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 5–1 | 9–3 | .488 | .444 | W2 |
Wild Cards |
5 | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 8–4 | .484 | .400 | W2 |
6 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .518 | .486 | W3 |
Did not qualify for the postseason |
7 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 8 | 7 | 1 | .531 | 3–2–1 | 6–5–1 | .504 | .355 | L1 |
8[b] | Atlanta Falcons | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 7–5 | .482 | .348 | W3 |
9[b] | Washington Redskins | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .486 | .371 | L2 |
10[b] | Carolina Panthers | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .508 | .518 | W1 |
11 | Green Bay Packers | North | 6 | 9 | 1 | .406 | 1–4–1 | 3–8–1 | .488 | .417 | L1 |
12 | Detroit Lions | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .504 | .427 | W1 |
13[c] | New York Giants | East | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .527 | .487 | L3 |
14[c] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .523 | .506 | L4 |
15 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .504 | .406 | L2 |
16 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 3 | 13 | 0 | .188 | 2–4 | 3–9 | .527 | .302 | L4 |
Tiebreakers[d] |
- ^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of LA Rams based on head-to-head victory.
- ^ a b c Atlanta finished ahead of Washington based on head-to-head victory. Atlanta finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head sweep. Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on head-to-head victory.
- ^ a b NY Giants finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory.
- ^ 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.
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References
- ^ As of 2023
- ^ Patra, Kevin (September 1, 2017). "Broncos trade Ty Sambrailo to Falcons for '18 draft pick". NFL. Retrieved September 1, 2017.
- ^ "2018 NFL Draft trade tracker: Details of all the moves". NFL. April 24, 2018. Archived from the original on March 16, 2019. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
- ^ "Streaks - Eight Seasons - 4,000 Passing Yards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
- ^ D. Orlando Ledbetter (December 10, 2018). "Falcons' Julio Jones sets NFL record with another 1,400-yard season". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
External links
Atlanta Falcons |
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- Founded in 1966
- Based in Atlanta, Georgia
- Headquartered in Flowery Branch, Georgia
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