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
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
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
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
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
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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 5: at Pittsburgh Steelers 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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 6: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week Six: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
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
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 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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 11: vs. Dallas Cowboys Week Eleven: Dallas Cowboys at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : November 18Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 59 °F (15 °C), sunny – retractable roof openGame attendance : 74,447Referee : Craig Wrolstad TV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam OliverRecap, 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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 12: at New Orleans Saints NFL on Thanksgiving Day
Week Twelve: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
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
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : December 2Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 67 °F (19 °C), mostly cloudy – retractable roof openGame attendance : 72,262Referee : 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
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
at Lambeau Field , Green Bay, Wisconsin
Date : December 9Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : 25 °F (−4 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 77,329Referee : Walt ColemanTV announcers (Fox) : Kevin Burkhardt, Charles Davis and Pam OliverRecap, 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
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : December 16Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Played indoors (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 72,084Referee : Shawn SmithTV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber and Sara WalshRecap, 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
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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week Seventeen: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
at Raymond James Stadium , Tampa, Florida
Date : December 30Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 80 °F (27 °C), cloudyGame attendance : 52,884Referee : Brad AllenTV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth and Jennifer HaleRecap, 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, claiming the No. 1 seed. ^ 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.
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
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