2015 Atlanta Falcons season | |
---|---|
Owner | Arthur Blank |
General manager | Thomas Dimitroff |
Head coach | Dan Quinn |
Home stadium | Georgia Dome |
Results | |
Record | 8–8 |
Division place | 2nd NFC South |
Playoffs | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | RB Devonta Freeman WR Julio Jones CB Desmond Trufant FB Patrick DiMarco |
The 2015 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 50th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under new head coach Dan Quinn.
The Falcons started the season 5–0, their best start since 2012. However, they struggled throughout the rest of the season, losing eight of their remaining eleven games to finish at .500 for the first time since 2005. After their Week 15 win at EverBank Field against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Falcons managed to improve their record from the previous season. The highlight of the season was the team's Week 16 victory over their divisional rival Carolina Panthers who were 14–0 coming into the game. The Falcons thus denied the Panthers a perfect regular season, which would have made them the second team since the NFL expanded to a 16-game schedule to achieve that feat. [note 1]
Date | Player | Position | Contract | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
February 24, 2015 | Cliff Matthews | Defensive end | 2 years / $1,505,000 | [1] |
February 24, 2015 | Patrick DiMarco | Fullback | 2 years / $1,495,000 | [1] |
February 25, 2015 | Matt Bryant | Kicker | 3 years / $8,500,000 | [2] |
March 3, 2015 | Nate Stupar | Linebacker | 1 years / $585,000 | [3] |
March 5, 2015 | Charles Godfrey | Safety | 1 years / $1,500,000 | [4] |
March 6, 2015 | Eric Weems | Wide receiver | 2 years / $3,000,000 | [5] |
March 9, 2015 | T. J. Yates | Quarterback | 1 years / $1,500,000 | [6] |
March 10, 2015 | Antone Smith | Running back | 1 years / $1,400,000 | [7] |
March 18, 2015 | Kroy Biermann | Linebacker | 1 years / $1,925,000 | [8] |
Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 8 | Vic Beasley | Linebacker | Clemson | |
2 | 42 | Jalen Collins | Cornerback | LSU | |
3 | 73 | Tevin Coleman | Running back | Indiana | |
4 | 107 | Justin Hardy | Wide receiver | East Carolina | |
5 | 137 | Grady Jarrett | Defensive tackle | Clemson | |
6 | 185 | None – see below | |||
7 | 225 | Jake Rodgers | Offensive tackle | Eastern Washington | |
249 | Akeem King | Safety | San Jose State |
Notes
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
| Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 14 | Tennessee Titans | W 31–24 | 1–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
2 | August 21 | at New York Jets | L 22–30 | 1–1 | MetLife Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 29 | at Miami Dolphins | L 9–13 | 1–2 | Sun Life Stadium | Recap |
4 | September 3 | Baltimore Ravens | W 20–19 | 2–2 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 14 | Philadelphia Eagles | W 26–24 | 1–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
2 | September 20 | at New York Giants | W 24–20 | 2–0 | MetLife Stadium | Recap | ||
3 | September 27 | at Dallas Cowboys | W 39–28 | 3–0 | AT&T Stadium | Recap | ||
4 | October 4 | Houston Texans | W 48–21 | 4–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
5 | October 11 | Washington Redskins | W 25–19 (OT) | 5–0 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
6 | October 15 | at New Orleans Saints | L 21–31 | 5–1 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap | ||
7 | October 25 | at Tennessee Titans | W 10–7 | 6–1 | Nissan Stadium | Recap | ||
8 | November 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 20–23 (OT) | 6–2 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
9 | November 8 | at San Francisco 49ers | L 16–17 | 6–3 | Levi's Stadium | Recap | ||
10 | Bye | |||||||
11 | November 22 | Indianapolis Colts | L 21–24 | 6–4 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
12 | November 29 | Minnesota Vikings | L 10–20 | 6–5 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
13 | December 6 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 19–23 | 6–6 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap | ||
14 | December 13 | at Carolina Panthers | L 0–38 | 6–7 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap | ||
15 | December 20 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | W 23–17 | 7–7 | EverBank Field | Recap | ||
16 | December 27 | Carolina Panthers | W 20–13 | 8–7 | Georgia Dome | Recap | ||
17 | January 3 | New Orleans Saints | L 17–20 | 8–8 | Georgia Dome | Recap |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Eagles | 0 | 3 | 14 | 7 | 24 |
Falcons | 3 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 26 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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With the win, the Falcons began their season 1–0.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 24 |
Giants | 0 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 20 |
at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game information | ||
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The Giants would lead 20–17 with below 2 minutes left, but Atlanta was able to pull off the comeback, scoring with 1:14 remaining after Devonta Freeman took it in from a yard out. New York tried to come back, but the Falcons would force a turnover on downs to end the game.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 2–0.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 7 | 10 | 8 | 14 | 39 |
Cowboys | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Game information | ||
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The Falcons would trail 14–28 at one point, but they would pull off their second comeback in as many weeks, as they scored 25 unanswered points afterwards to ultimately win 39–28.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 3–0 for the first time since 2012.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Texans | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 21 |
Falcons | 7 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 48 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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The Falcons routed the Texans 48–21 at home. Atlanta would build a 42–0 lead, but Houston put up a fight, as they would outscore Atlanta 21–6 for the remainder of the game. However, the Falcons still won in a blowout.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 4–0.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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Redskins | 0 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 19 |
Falcons | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 6 | 25 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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the Falcons would win this game in overtime against the Redskins. In overtime, the game was sealed away after Robert Alford returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown to end the game.
With the win, Atlanta started 5–0 for the first time since 2012.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 21 |
Saints | 14 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information | ||
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The Falcons suffered their first loss of the season in New Orleans on Thursday Night Football. The Saints would lead the entire game. The Falcons would tie it, but that was the closest they would come to striking distance, as the Saints won 31–21.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5–1.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
Titans | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Game information | ||
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With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–1.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
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Buccaneers | 3 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
Falcons | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–2.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
49ers | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Game information | ||
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With the bitter loss, the Falcons fell to 6–3.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Colts | 0 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
Falcons | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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The Falcons would lead 21–7 at one point, but Indianapolis would rally to erase it after D'Qwell Jackson returned an interception 6 yards to tie it at 21. The Colts would eventually go down the field to win it with an Adam Vinatieri field goal from 43 yards with 52 seconds left.
With the loss, Atlanta fell to 6–4.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Vikings | 7 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 20 |
Falcons | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–5.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 0 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 19 |
Buccaneers | 7 | 0 | 9 | 7 | 23 |
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–6.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Falcons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Panthers | 21 | 7 | 10 | 0 | 38 |
Game information | ||
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The Falcons would suffer a blowout and shutout loss to undefeated Carolina. The Falcons would struggle all day, as the Panthers romped them 38–0, their worst shutout loss since 2004.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–7. This is the first and only time they had been under .500 all season.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcons | 7 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 23 |
Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 14 | 0 | 17 |
Game information | ||
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With the win, the Falcons improved to 7–7. They finished 3-1 vs AFC South.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Panthers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
Falcons | 0 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 20 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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In a major upset win, the Atlanta Falcons defeated Carolina 20–13, spoiling the Panthers' run at a perfect season. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they were eliminated from playoff contention due to the Minnesota Vikings' 49–17 win against the New York Giants later in the day.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
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Saints | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
Falcons | 3 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia
Game information | ||
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With the loss, the Falcons ended their season 8–8, and finished 1–5 against their division. For the first time since the 2013 season, they were swept by the New Orleans Saints who also finished their season with a 7-9 Record.
Category | Player(s) | Value |
---|---|---|
Passing yards | Matt Ryan | 4,591 |
Passing touchdowns | Matt Ryan | 21 |
Rushing yards | Devonta Freeman | 1,061 |
Rushing touchdowns | Devonta Freeman | 11 |
Receptions | Julio Jones | 136 |
Receiving yards | Julio Jones | 1,871 |
Receiving touchdowns | Julio Jones | 8 |
Points | Matt Bryant | 83 |
Kickoff return yards | Eric Weems | 403 |
Punt return yards | Eric Weems | 221 |
Tackles | Paul Worrilow | 95 |
Sacks | Vic Beasley | 4.0 |
Interceptions | Ricardo Allen | 3 |
Forced fumbles | Vic Beasley | 2 |
Stats as of week 16. [47]
NFC South | |||||||||
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W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(1) Carolina Panthers | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | 5–1 | 11–1 | 500 | 308 | W1 |
Atlanta Falcons | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 1–5 | 5–7 | 339 | 345 | L1 |
New Orleans Saints | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 408 | 476 | W2 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 5–7 | 342 | 417 | L4 |
# | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division Leaders | |||||||||||
1 | Carolina Panthers | South | 15 | 1 | 0 | .938 | 5–1 | 11–1 | .441 | .438 | W1 |
2 | Arizona Cardinals | West | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 4–2 | 10–2 | .477 | .457 | L1 |
3 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 5–1 | 8–4 | .504 | .449 | W3 |
4 | Washington Redskins | East | 9 | 7 | 0 | .563 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .465 | .403 | W4 |
Wild Cards | |||||||||||
5 [a] | Green Bay Packers | North | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .531 | .450 | L2 |
6 [a] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 7–5 | .520 | .431 | W1 |
Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
7 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 1–5 | 5–7 | .480 | .453 | L1 |
8 [b] | St. Louis Rams | West | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 6–6 | .527 | .482 | L1 |
9 [b] | Detroit Lions | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 6–6 | .535 | .429 | W3 |
10 [b] | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .508 | .473 | W1 |
11 [b] | New Orleans Saints | South | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .504 | .402 | W2 |
12 [c] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .500 | .396 | L3 |
13 [c] | Chicago Bears | North | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 1–5 | 3–9 | .547 | .469 | L1 |
14 [c] | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 5–7 | .484 | .406 | L4 |
15 | San Francisco 49ers | West | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .539 | .463 | W1 |
16 | Dallas Cowboys | East | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 3–3 | 3–9 | .531 | .438 | L4 |
Tiebreakers [d] | |||||||||||
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