2011 Atlanta Falcons season

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2011 Atlanta Falcons season
Head coach Mike Smith
General manager Thomas Dimitroff
Owner Arthur Blank
Home field Georgia Dome
Results
Record 10–6
Division place 2nd NFC South
Playoff finish Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Giants) 2–24
Pro Bowlers Tony Gonzalez, TE, Roddy White, WR

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

Finishing the regular season 10–6, the Falcons clinched the #5 seed in the playoffs.

This is also the first time the franchise clinched consecutive playoff berths, and the first time it has won 10 or more games in consecutive seasons.

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Offseason

Signed LE Ray Edwards to a 5-year deal

Cut WR Michael Jenkins and LE Jamaal Anderson

2011 NFL Draft

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Main article: 2011 NFL Draft
Round Selection Player Position College
1 6 Julio Jones Wide Receiver Alabama
3 91 Akeem Dent Inside Linebacker Georgia
5 158 Jacquizz Rogers Running Back Oregon State
6 192 Matt Bosher Punter Miami (FL)
7 210 [a] Andrew Jackson Offensive Guard Fresno State
7 230 [b] Cliff Matthews Defensive End South Carolina
^[a] The Falcons acquired this seventh-round selection and a 2010 sixth-round selection in a trade that sent CB Chris Houston to the Detroit Lions.
^[b] The Falcons acquired this seventh-round selection in a trade that sent T Quinn Ojinnaka to the New England Patriots.

Preseason

Schedule

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

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site TV NFL.com
recap
Final score Team record
1 August 12 7:30 p.m. EDT Miami Dolphins L 23–28 0–1 Georgia Dome Recap
2 August 19 8:00 p.m. EDT at Jacksonville Jaguars L 13–15 0–2 EverBank Field FOX Recap
3 August 27 7:30 p.m. EDT at Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–34 0–3 Heinz Field Recap
4 September 1 7:30 p.m. EDT Baltimore Ravens L 7–21 0–4 Georgia Dome Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game site TV NFL.com
recap
Final score Team record
1 September 11 1:00 p.m. EDT at Chicago Bears L 12–30 0–1 Soldier Field Fox Recap
2 September 18 8:20 p.m. EDT Philadelphia Eagles W 35–31 1–1 Georgia Dome NBC Recap
3 September 25 4:15 p.m. EDT at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 13–16 1–2 Raymond James Stadium Fox Recap
4 October 2 4:05 p.m. EDT at Seattle Seahawks W 30–28 2–2 CenturyLink Field Fox Recap
5 October 9 8:20 p.m. EDT Green Bay Packers L 14–25 2–3 Georgia Dome NBC Recap
6 October 16 1:00 p.m. EDT Carolina Panthers W 31–17 3–3 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
7 October 23 1:00 p.m. EDT at Detroit Lions W 23–16 4–3 Ford Field Fox Recap
8 Bye
9 November 6 1:00 p.m. EST at Indianapolis Colts W 31–7 5–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Fox Recap
10 November 13 1:00 p.m. EST New Orleans Saints L 23–26 (OT) 5–4 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
11 November 20 4:15 p.m. EST[1] Tennessee Titans W 23–17 6–4 Georgia Dome CBS Recap
12 November 27 1:00 p.m. EST Minnesota Vikings W 24–14 7–4 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
13 December 4 1:00 p.m. EST at Houston Texans L 10–17 7–5 Reliant Stadium Fox Recap
14 December 11 1:00 p.m. EST at Carolina Panthers W 31–23 8–5 Bank of America Stadium Fox Recap
15 December 15 8:20 p.m. EST Jacksonville Jaguars W 41–14 9–5 Georgia Dome NFLN[a] Recap
16 December 26 8:30 p.m. EST at New Orleans Saints L 16–45 9–6 Mercedes-Benz Superdome ESPN[b] Recap
17 January 1 4:15 p.m. EST[2] Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 45–24 10–6 Georgia Dome Fox Recap

LEGEND:

^[a] The game was simulcast locally on WATL-TV.
^[b] The game was simulcast locally on WSB-TV.

Game summaries

Week 1: at Chicago Bears

Week One: Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 3 0 3 6 12
Bears 10 6 14 0 30

at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 23-yard field goal, Bears 13–3.
  • CHI – Robbie Gould 26-yard field goal, Bears 16–3.
Third quarter
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 25-yard field goal, Bears 16–6.
  • CHI – Matt Spaeth 1-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), Bears 23–6.
  • CHI – Brian Urlacher 12-yard fumble return (Robbie Gould kick), Bears 30–6.
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/47, 319 yards, 1 interception
  • CHI – Jay Cutler – 22/32, 312 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

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

Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week Two: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 0 10 21 0 31
Falcons 7 7 7 14 35

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
  • ATL – Roddy White 2-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 7–0
Second quarter
  • PHI – Jeremy Maclin 5-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), Tied 7–7
  • PHI – Alex Henery 22-yard Field Goal, Eagles 10–7
  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez 4-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Alex Bryant kick), Falcons 14–10
Third quarter
  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez 17-yard pass from Matt Ryan, Falcons 21–10
  • PHI – Jeremy Maclin 36-yard pass from Michael Vick (Alex Henery kick), Falcons 21–17
  • PHI – LeSean McCoy 8-yard run (Alex Henery kick), Eagles 24–21
  • PHI – LeSean McCoy 2-yard run (Alex Henery kick), Eagles 31–21
Fourth quarter
  • ATL – Ovie Mughelli 1-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), Eagles 31–28
  • ATL – Michael Turner 3-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 35–31
Top passers
  • PHI – Michael Vick – 19/28, 242 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 17/28, 195 yards, 4 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Top rushers
  • PHI – Lesean McCoy – 18 carries, 95 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 21 carries, 114 yards, 1 touchdown
Top receivers
Top tacklers

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

Week 3: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Three: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0 3 0 10 13
Buccaneers 3 10 3 0 16

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 27/47, 330 yards, 1 touchdown, 1 interception
  • TB – Josh Freeman – 22/32, 180 yards, 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

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

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

Week Four: Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 7 17 3 3 30
Seahawks 0 7 14 7 28

at CenturyLink Field, Seattle, Washington

Game information
First quarter

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

Second quarter

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

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

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

FG 00:25 Matt Bryant 47 Yd ATL 24–7

Third quarter

FG 13:40 Matt Bryant 50 Yd ATL 27–7

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

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

Fourth quarter

FG 11:38 Matt Bryant 42 Yd ATL 30–21

TD 08:13 Ben Obomanu 8 Yd Pass From Tarvaris Jackson (Steven Hauschka Kick) ATL 30–28
Top passers
  • ATL – M. Ryan 291 Yards
  • SEA – T. Jackson 319 Yards
Top rushers
  • ATL – M. Turner 70 Yards
  • SEA – M. Lynch 24 Yards
Top receivers
  • ATL – J. Jones 127 Yards
  • SEA – D. Baldwin 84 Yards
Top tacklers
  • ATL – W. Moore 8 Tackles
  • SEA – D. Hawthorne 10 tackles

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

Week 5: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week Five: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Packers 0 6 9 10 25
Falcons 7 7 0 0 14

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 9
  • Game time: 8:20 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,576
  • Referee: Jeff Triplette
  • TV announcers (NBC): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Michele Tafoya
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

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

Week 6: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 3 7 7 0 17
Falcons 7 7 0 17 31

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 69,047
  • Referee: Pete Morelli
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton and John Lynch
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • CAR –
  • ATL –

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

Week 7: at Detroit Lions

Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 10 7 3 3 23
Lions 3 3 10 0 16

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information
First quarter
  • DET – Jason Hanson 43-yard field goal, Lions 3–0, Drive: 4 plays, −10 yards, 1:47.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 23-yard field goal, Tied 3–3, Drive: 7 plays, 21 yards, 3:03.
  • ATL – Matt Ryan 1-yard run (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 10–3, 5 plays, 28 yards, 2:46.
Second quarter
  • DET – Jason Hanson 38-yard field goal, Falcons 10–6, Drive: 9 plays, 50 yards, 4:12.
  • ATL – Roddy White 18-yard pass from Matt Ryan (Matt Bryant kick), Falcons 17–6, Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards, 3:05
Third quarter
  • DET – Jason Hanson 29-yard field goal, Falcons 17–9, Drive: 6 plays, 35 yards, 2:25.
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 47 yard, Falcons 20–9, Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2;33.
  • DET – Calvin Johnson 57-yard pass from Matthew Stafford (Jason Hanson kick), Falcons 20–16, Drive: 6 plays, 84 yards, 3:07.
Fourth quarter
  • ATL – Matt Bryant 40-yard field goal, Falcons 23–16, Drive: 9 plays, 25 yards, 4:42.
Top passers
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 20/34, 218, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions
  • DET – Matthew Stafford – 15/32, 183 yards, 1 touchdown
Top rushers
  • ATL – Michael Turner – 27 carries, 122 yards
  • DET – Maurice Morris – 9 carries, 50 yards
Top receivers
  • ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 5 receptions, 62 yards
  • DET – Calvin Johnson – 5 receptions, 115 yards 1 touchdown
Top tacklers
  • ATL – Curtis Lofton – 5 tackles, 5 assists
  • DET – DeAndre Levy – 6 tackles, 5 assists

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

Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts

Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 14 7 7 3 31
Colts 0 7 0 0 7

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL –
  • IND –
Top rushers
  • ATL –
  • IND –
Top receivers
  • ATL –
  • IND –
Top tacklers
  • ATL –
  • IND –

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

Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Ten: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 OT Total
Saints 3 7 7 6 3 26
Falcons 3 3 7 10 0 23

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,359
  • Referee: Terry McAulay
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
  • [citation needed]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • NO –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • NO –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • NO –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • NO –
  • ATL –

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

Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans

Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Titans 0 3 7 7 17
Falcons 7 6 10 0 23

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 20
  • Game time: 4:15 p.m. EST[1]
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,164
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • TEN –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • TEN –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • TEN –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • TEN –
  • ATL –

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

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Vikings 0 0 7 7 14
Falcons 7 10 0 7 24

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 68,115
  • Referee: Alberto Riveron
  • TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • MIN –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • MIN –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • MIN –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • MIN –
  • ATL –

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

Week 13: at Houston Texans

Week Thirteen: Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0 3 7 0 10
Texans 3 7 0 7 17

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

  • Date: December 4
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 71,545
  • Referee: Bill Leavy
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL –
  • HOU –
Top rushers
  • ATL –
  • HOU –
Top receivers
  • ATL –
  • HOU –
Top tacklers
  • ATL –
  • HOU –

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

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 7 0 10 14 31
Panthers 7 16 0 0 23

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 11
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 43° F (Sunny)
  • Game attendance: 72,680
  • Referee: Walt Anderson
  • TV announcers (Fox): Ron Pitts, Jim Mora, Jr. and Drea Avent
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –
Top rushers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –
Top receivers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –
Top tacklers
  • ATL –
  • CAR –

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

Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Jaguars 0 0 7 7 14
Falcons 10 17 14 0 41

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • JAC –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • JAC –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • JAC –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • JAC –
  • ATL –

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

Week 16: at New Orleans Saints

Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 10 0 3 3 16
Saints 7 14 10 14 45

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers

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

Week 17: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Seventeen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Buccaneers 0 7 11 6 24
Falcons 21 21 0 3 45

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • TB –
  • ATL –
Top rushers
  • TB –
  • ATL –
Top receivers
  • TB –
  • ATL –
Top tacklers
  • TB –
  • ATL –

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

Standings

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

Postseason

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Main article: 2011–12 NFL playoffs

Schedule

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

Game summaries

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

NFC Wild Card Playoff Game: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0 2 0 0 2
Giants 0 7 10 7 24

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
  • ATL –
  • NYG –
Top rushers
  • ATL –
  • NYG –
Top receivers
  • ATL –
  • NYG –
Top tacklers
  • ATL –
  • NYG –

The Falcons lost their Wild Card round playoff game to the New York Giants on January 8, 2012, by a score of 24–2. It is the first time in NFL playoff history that a team has scored exactly two points.

Staff

Atlanta Falcons 2011 staff
Front Office

Head Coaches

Offensive Coaches

   Defensive Coaches

Special Teams Coaches

Strength and Conditioning

Final roster

2011 Atlanta Falcons final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

 Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

 Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

 Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 Active, 4 Inactive, 10 Practice squad

Notes and references

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