57th season in franchise history
The 2022 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 57th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their second under head coach Arthur Smith.
The Falcons matched their 7–10 record from the previous season, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.[1] Despite the setbacks, the Falcons defeated quarterback Tom Brady for the first time ever in his career during the last game of the regular season, avenging their Super Bowl LI loss.[2] Also notable for the first time since 2007, long-time quarterback Matt Ryan was not on the roster as the Falcons traded him to Indianapolis on March 21.[3] The team signed former Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota as their new quarterback on the same day. Mariota was reunited with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who served as the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator during Mariota's tenure with Tennessee (2015–2019).[4]
It was the first season since 2017 that Calvin Ridley was not on the roster.
Draft
Draft trades
- ^ a b c The Falcons traded second- and fourth-round selections (43rd and 114th overall) to the New York Giants in exchange for a second-round selection (38th overall).
- ^ The Falcons traded WR Julio Jones and a 2023 sixth-round selection to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for a second-round selection (58th overall) and a 2023 fourth-round selection.[5]
- ^ The Falcons traded QB Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a third-round selection (82nd overall).
- ^ The Falcons traded a seventh-round selection (231st overall) to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for TE Lee Smith.
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule were announced in the spring.
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 4: Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 2
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 72 °F (22 °C) (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 69,435
- Referee: Craig Wrolstad
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and Tiki Barber
- Recap, Game Book
Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 16
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 77 °F (25 °C) (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 69,813
- Referee: Carl Cheffers
- TV announcers (Fox): Noah Eagle, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Game Book
Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 7: Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date: October 23
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: Sunny, 73 °F (23 °C)
- Game attendance: 66,158
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Brandon Gaudin, Robert Smith and Jen Hale
- Recap, Game Book
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 8: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: October 30
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EDT
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 68,996
- Referee: Shawn Hochuli
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
- Recap, Game Book
Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 9: Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 6
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C) (retractable roof open)
- Game attendance: 69,299
- Referee: John Hussey
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
- Recap, Game Book
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 11: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: November 20
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 69,757
- Referee: Tra Blake
- TV announcers (Fox): Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver
- Recap, Game Book
Week 12: at Washington Commanders
Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders – Game summary
at FedExField, Landover, Maryland
- Date: November 27
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Rain, 49 °F (9 °C)
- Game attendance: 53,864
- Referee: Brad Rogers
- TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Game Book
Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: December 4
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 70,325
- Referee: Ronald Torbert
- TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
- Recap, Game Book
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
Week 15: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
- Date: December 18
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
- Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
- Game attendance: 70,041
- Referee: Clete Blakeman
- TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Game Book
Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 16: Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
- Date:
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: Clear, 17 °F (−8 °C)
- Game attendance: 70,467
- Referee: Bill Vinovich
- TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon Spake
- Recap, Game Book
Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: January 1
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 69,269
- Referee: Alex Kemp
- TV announcers (Fox): Jason Benetti, Brady Quinn and Megan Olivi
- Recap, Game Book
Week 18: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Date: January 8
- Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
- Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
- Game attendance: 69,276
- Referee: Land Clark
- TV announcers (Fox): Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina Pink
- Recap, Game Book
Despite this game having no playoff implications for either team, the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 30-17, officially getting the franchise's first ever victory against Tom Brady.[7] The game featured several milestones for the Falcons rookie class. Quarterback Desmond Ridder threw his first (and second) career touchdown pass,[8] running back Tyler Allgeier passed the 1,000 yard rushing mark while setting the franchise rookie record, and wide receiver Drake London passed tight-end Kyle Pitts for the most receptions by a rookie in franchise history.[9] Following their victory and the rest of the Week 18 results, the Falcons secured the 8th spot in the 2023 NFL draft.[10]
Standings
Division
Conference
Team leaders
NFL rankings
References
- ^ Brener, Jeremy. "Falcons Eliminated From Playoffs Following Loss vs. Ravens". Sports Illustrated Atlanta Falcons News, Analysis and More. Retrieved January 1, 2023.
- ^ "Falcons beat Tom Brady for first time as Bucs pull starters to avoid injuries". FOX Sports. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
- ^ "Falcons trade Matt Ryan to Indianapolis Colts". atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ "Falcons sign quarterback Marcus Mariota to two-year deal". Sportsnet. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ "Atlanta Falcons trade Julio Jones to Tennessee Titans". ESPN.com. June 6, 2021. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
- ^ "Falcons announce 13 undrafted free agent signings". atlantafalcons.com. Atlanta Falcons. May 2, 2022.
- ^ "Tom Brady Record Vs Falcons". StatMuse. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Desmond Ridder 2022 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Tyler Allgeier, Drake London Break Falcons Rookie Rushing, Receiving Records". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
- ^ "Falcons first-round pick in 2023 NFL Draft now set". Atlanta Falcons Website. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
External links
