2015 Atlanta Falcons season

2015 Atlanta Falcons season
Head coach Dan Quinn
General manager Thomas Dimitroff
Owner Arthur Blank
Home field Georgia Dome
Results
Record 8–8
Division place 2nd NFC South
Playoff finish Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers Devonta Freeman, RB
Julio Jones, WR
Desmond Trufant, CB
Patrick DiMarco, FB

The 2015 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 50th season in the National Football League and the first under new head coach Dan Quinn.

The Atlanta Falcons started the season 5–0, their best start since 2012. However, the Falcons would struggle throughout the rest of the season by losing 8 of their remaining 11 games. After their Week 15 win at EverBank Field against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Falcons managed to improve their record from last season.

Offseason

Coaching staff changes

Dan Quinn at his introductory press conference

Free Agents

Number Player Position
28 Javier Arenas Cornerback
71 Kroy Biermann Defensive end
3 Matt Bryant Kicker
68 Gabe Carimi Offensive tackle
19 Drew Davis Wide receiver
42 Patrick DiMarco Fullback
30 Charles Godfrey Free safety
79 Mike Johnson Offensive guard
20 Dwight Lowery Free safety
98 Cliff Matthews Defensive end
27 Robert McClain Cornerback
86 Bear Pascoe Tight end
91 Corey Peters Defensive tackle
32 Jacquizz Rodgers Running back
64 Jonathan Scott Offensive tackle
35 Antone Smith Running back
52 Nate Stupar Linebacker
50 Osi Umenyiora Defensive end
56 Sean Weatherspoon Linebacker
14 Eric Weems Wide receiver
26 Josh Wilson Cornerback
13 T. J. Yates Quarterback

Re-signings

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]

Team additions

Date Player Position Previous team Contract Source
February 13, 2015 Allen Bradford Linebacker Seattle Seahawks 1 year / $660,000 [9]
February 24, 2015 Nick Williams Wide receiver Washington Redskins 2 year / $1,100,000 [1]
March 10, 2015 Brooks Reed Linebacker Houston Texans 5 year / $22,000,000 [7]
March 10, 2015 Justin Durant Linebacker Dallas Cowboys 3 year / $10,800,000 [7]
March 10, 2015 Mike Person Guard St. Louis Rams 3 year / $3,350,000 [7]
March 10, 2015 Leonard Hankerson Wide receiver Washington Redskins 1 year / $1,000,000 [10]
March 12, 2015 Adrian Clayborn Defensive end Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 year / $3,000,000 [11]
March 12, 2015 Phillip Adams Cornerback New York Jets 1 year / $745,000 [11]
March 12, 2015 O'Brien Schofield Defensive end Seattle Seahawks 1 year / $1,700,000 [12]
March 18, 2015 Jared Smith Offensive guard Seattle Seahawks 1 year / $440,000 [13]
March 19, 2015 Jacob Tamme Tight end Denver Broncos 2 year / $4,000,000 [14]
March 19, 2015 Tony Moeaki Tight end Seattle Seahawks 1 year / $745,000 [15]
May 4, 2015 Collin Mooney Fullback Tennessee Titans 2 year / $1,100,000 [16]
May 14, 2015 Tyler Polumbus Offensive tackle Washington Redskins Undisclosed [17]
May 14, 2015 Chris Chester Offensive guard Washington Redskins 1 year / $2,800,000 [18]
July 29, 2015 DeMarcus Love Offensive tackle Denver Broncos Unknown [19]
August 7, 2015 Michael Ford Running back Chicago Bears Unknown [20]
August 16, 2015 Terrell Manning Linebacker New York Giants Unknown [21]
August 16, 2015 Evan Royster Running back Washington Redskins Unknown [21]
August 24, 2015 John Harris Wide receiver Philadelphia Eagles Unknown [22]
August 26, 2015 Rex Grossman Quarterback Cleveland Browns Unknown [23]

Departures

Date Player Position Note New Team Source
February 26, 2015 Steven Jackson Running back Released New England Patriots [24]
February 27, 2015 Harry Douglas Wide receiver Released Tennessee Titans [25][26]
February 27, 2015 Justin Blalock Offensive guard Released Retired [27]
February 27, 2015 Jonathan Massaquoi Defensive end Waived Tennessee Titans [28][29]
March 10, 2015 Sean Weatherspoon Linebacker Signed Arizona Cardinals [30]
March 10, 2015 Corey Peters Defensive end Signed Arizona Cardinals [31]
March 10, 2015 Drew Davis Wide receiver Declined option [32]
March 18, 2015 Robert McClain Cornerback Signed New England Patriots [33]
March 31, 2015 Jacquizz Rodgers Running back Signed Chicago Bears [34]
April 2, 2015 Zeke Motta Safety Waived [35]
April 3, 2015 Dwight Lowery Safety Signed Indianapolis Colts [36]
April 3, 2015 Josh Wilson Cornerback Signed Detroit Lions [37]
April 23, 2015 Bear Pascoe Tight end Signed Chicago Bears [38]
May 1, 2015 Brandan Bishop Safety Waived [39]
May 1, 2015 Reid Fragel Tackle Waived Tampa Bay Buccaneers [39]
May 1, 2015 Jordan Mabin Cornerback Waived San Diego Chargers [39]
May 1, 2015 Jacques Smith Linebacker Waived [39]
May 1, 2015 Ronnie Wingo Running back Waived [39]
May 3, 2015 Kyle Miller Tight end Waived San Diego Chargers [40]
May 29, 2015 Prince Shembo Linebacker Waived [41]
June 15, 2015 Sam Baker Offensive tackle Released [42]
August 1, 2015 Harland Gunn Offensive guard Released New England Patriots [43]
August 10, 2015 Freddie Martino Wide receiver Waived Philadelphia Eagles [44]
August 11, 2015 Javier Arenas Cornerback Signed New York Jets [45]
August 12, 2015 Ricky Havili-Heimuli Defensive tackle Waived [46]
August 16, 2015 DeMarcus Love Offensive tackle Released [21]
August 24, 2015 Marquis Spruill Linebacker Waived [22]

2015 draft class

Vic Beasley, the Falcons' first round pick
2015 Atlanta Falcons Draft
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 lineman Eastern Washington
249 Akeem King Safety San Jose State

Notes

Staff

2015 Atlanta Falcons staff
Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Special Teams Coordinator – Keith Armstrong
  • Assistant Special Teams – Eric Sutulovich

Strength and conditioning

  • Head Strength and Conditioning – A.J. Neibel
  • Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Jonas Beauchemin

Final roster

2015 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
54 Active, 7 Inactive, 10 Practice squad

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
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

Regular season

Week Date Opponent Result Record Game site NFL.com
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

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Week One: Philadelphia Eagles at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 3 14724
Falcons 3 17 0626

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – 10:55 Matt Bryant 41-yard FG.
    Drive: 7 plays, 52 yards, 3:04. (ATL 3–0)

Second quarter

  • ATL – 10:44 Julio Jones 4-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 88, yards, 5:39. (ATL 10–0)
  • PHI – 7:18 Cody Parkey 29-yard FG.
    Drive: 11 plays, 69 yards, 3:26. (ATL 10–3)
  • ATL – 10:55 Matt Bryant 39-yard FG.
    Drive: 9 plays, 25 yards, 4:00. (ATL 13–3)
  • ATL – 0:45 Julio Jones 22-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 1 play, 27, yards, 0:14. (ATL 20–3)

Third quarter

  • PHI – 13:13 DeMarco Murray 8-yard TD run, Cody Parkey kick.
    Drive: 2 plays, 8 yards, 0:12. (ATL 20–10)
  • PHI – 3:39 DeMarco Murray 5-yard TD pass from Sam Bradford, Cody Parkey kick.
    Drive: 13 plays, 95, yards, 6:10. (ATL 20–17)

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 10:49 Matt Bryant 44-yard FG.
    Drive: 14 plays, 62 yards, 7:50. (ATL 23–17)
  • PHI – 8:37 Ryan Matthews 1-yard TD run, Cody Parkey kick.
    Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 2:12. (PHI 24–23)
  • ATL – 6:27 Matt Bryant 51-yard FG.
    Drive: 5 plays, 51 yards, 2:10. (ATL 26–24)

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the win, the Falcons began their season 1-0.

Week 2: at New York Giants

Week Two: Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 3 01424
Giants 0 13 7020

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • NYG – 10:06 Josh Brown 38-yard FG.
    Drive: 10 plays, 45 yards, 5:28. (ATL 7–3)
  • ATL – 4:46 Matt Bryant 42-yard FG.
    Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 5:20. (ATL 10–3)
  • NYG – 3:19 Odell Beckham Jr. 67-yard TD pass from Eli Manning, Josh Brown kick.
    Drive: 4 plays, 80, yards, 1:27. (TIE 10–10)
  • NYG – 0:02 Josh Brown 44-yard FG.
    Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 0:56. (NYG 13–10)

Third quarter

  • NYG – 10:53 Larry Donnell 10-yard TD pass from Eli Manning, Josh Brown kick.
    Drive: 9 plays, 69, yards, 4:07. (NYG 20–10)

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 12:39 Leonard Hankerson 10-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 12 plays, 91, yards, 6:36. (NYG 20–17)
  • ATL – 1:14 Devonta Freeman 2-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards, 1:58. (ATL 24–20)

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/46, 363 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT
  • NYG – Eli Manning - 27/40, 292 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

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.

Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys

Week Three: Atlanta Falcons at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 10 81439
Cowboys 14 14 0028

at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Game information

First quarter

  • DAL – 14:03 Joseph Randle 37-yard TD run, Dan Bailey kick.
    Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 1:08. (DAL 7–0)
  • DAL – 7:07 Joseph Randle 1-yard TD run, Dan Bailey kick.
    Drive: 8 plays, 77 yards, 4:37. (DAL 14–0)
  • ATL – 3:00 Devonta Freeman 3-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 4:07. (DAL 14–7)

Second quarter

  • DAL – 7:25 Darren McFadden 2-yard TD run, Dan Bailey kick.
    Drive: 8 plays, 56 yards, 5:09. (DAL 21–7)
  • ATL – 2:18 Devonta Freeman 2-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 7 plays, 23 yards, 3:32. (DAL 21–14)
  • DAL – 0:40 Joseph Randle 1-yard TD run, Dan Bailey kick.
    Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 1:38. (DAL 28–14)
  • ATL – 0:00 Matt Bryant 32-yard FG.
    Drive: 6 plays, 66 yards, 0:40. (DAL 28–17)

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 11:25 Devonta Freeman 7-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 89 yards, 6:44. (ATL 32–28)
  • ATL – 3:04 Julio Jones 2-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 6:14. (ATL 39–28)

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

The Falcons would trail 28–17 at one point, but the Falcons would pull off their second comeback in as many weeks, as they won 39–28.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 3–0 for the first time since 2012.

Week 4: vs. Houston Texans

Week Four: Houston Texans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Texans 0 0 02121
Falcons 7 21 14648

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – 14:39 Devonta Freeman 23-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 6:19. (ATL 14–0)
  • ATL – 12:24 Desmond Trufant 24-yard TD fumble recovery, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 2 plays, -7 yards, 0:16. (ATL 21–0)
  • ATL – 3:11 Leonard Hankerson 3-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 82 yards, 6:20. (ATL 28–0)

Third quarter

  • ATL – 10:50 Devonta Freeman 6-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 4 plays, 68 yards, 1:56. (ATL 35–0)
  • ATL – 2:56 Terron Ward 8-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 6:17. (ATL 42–0)

Fourth quarter

  • HOU – 14:22 C. J. Fiedorowicz 5-yard TD pass from Brian Hoyer, Nick Novak kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 3:34. (ATL 42–7)
  • HOU – 9:09 Chris Polk 1-yard TD run, Nick Novak kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards, 2:47. (ATL 42–14)
  • HOU – 3:01 Cecil Shorts III 8-yard TD pass from Brian Hoyer, Nick Novak kick.
    Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:31. (ATL 42–21)
  • ATL – 0:00 Nate Stupar 84-yard TD fumble recovery.
    Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 1:50. (ATL 48–21)

Top passers

  • HOU – Brian Hoyer - 17/30, 232 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 19/27, 256 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

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.

Week 5: vs. Washington Redskins

Week Five: Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Redskins 0 7 012019
Falcons 0 3 313625

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter No Scoring Second quarter

Third quarter

  • ATL – 1:54 Matt Bryant 28-yard FG.
    Drive: 11 plays, 47 yards, 4:47. (WAS 7–6)

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 9:14 Julio Jones 0-yard TD fumble recovery.
    Drive: 11 plays, 91 yards, 6:32. (ATL 12–7)
  • WAS – 7:59 Matt Jones 2-yard TD run.
    Drive: 3 plays, 80 yards, 1:15. (WAS 13–12)
  • WAS – 2:38 Dustin Hopkins 28-yard FG.
    Drive: 6 plays, 11 yards, 3:06. (WAS 16–12)
  • ATL – 0:24 Devonta Freeman 6-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 2:14. (ATL 19–16)
  • WAS – 0:00 Dustin Hopkins 52-yard FG.
    Drive: 4 plays, 46 yards, 0:24. (TIE 19–19)

Overtime

  • ATL – 12:15 Robert Alford 59-yard TD interception.
    Drive: 6 plays, 30 yards, 2:45. (ATL 25–16)

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

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.

Week 6: at New Orleans Saints

Week Six: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 7 01421
Saints 14 0 10731

at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

First quarter

  • NO – 9:44 Mark Ingram 2-yard TD run, Zach Hocker kick.
    Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 5:16. (NO 7–0)
  • NO – 2:06 Michael Mauti blocked punt returned 4-yards for TD, Zach Hocker kick.
    Drive: 3 plays, -4 yards, 2:15. (NO 14–0)

Second quarter

Third quarter

  • NO – 7:19 Zach Hocker 31-yard FG.
    Drive: 11 plays, 56 yards, 4:55. (NO 17–7)
  • NO – 2:23 Benjamin Watson 2-yard TD pass from Drew Brees, Zach Hocker kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 63 yards, 4:19. (NO 24–7)

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 13:07 Devonta Freeman 25-yard TD run, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:16. (NO 24–14)
  • NO – 8:02 Mark Ingram 1-yard TD run, Zach Hocker kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 80 yards, 5:05. (NO 31–14)
  • ATL – 1:29 Devonta Freeman 13-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 11 plays, 62 yards, 5:05. (NO 31–21)

Top passers

  • ATL – Matt Ryan – 30/44, 295 YDS, 2 TD, 0 INT
  • NO – Drew Brees - 30/39, 312 YDS, 1 TD, 0 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

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.

Week 7: at Tennessee Titans

Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 3 7010
Titans 0 7 007

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

First quarter No Scoring Second quarter

Third quarter

  • ATL – 5:56 Julio Jones 8-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 9 plays, 88 yards, 4:30. (ATL 10–7)

Fourth quarter No Scoring

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the win, the Falcons improved to 6-1.

Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Eight: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34OTTotal
Buccaneers 3 10 70323
Falcons 3 0 710020

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,524
  • Referee: Ron Torbert
  • TV announcers (Fox): Justin Kutcher, Charles Davis and Tony Siragusa
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – 7:54 Matt Bryant 21-yard FG.
    Drive: 14 plays, 71 yards, 7:06. (ATL 3–0)
  • TB – 2:03 Connor Barth 38-yard FG.
    Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 0:58. (TIE 3–3)

Second quarter

  • TB – 3:32 Connor Barth 23-yard FG.
    Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 5:32. (TB 6–3)
  • TB – 0:30 Cameron Brate 20-yard TD pass from Jameis Winston, Connor Barth kick.
    Drive: 6 plays, 50 yards, 0:53. (TB 13–3)

Third quarter

  • TB – 6:06 Jameis Winston 4-yard TD run, Connor Barth kick.
    Drive: 7 plays, 76 yards, 3:56. (TB 20–3)
  • ATL – 0:15 Jacob Tamme 7-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 1:35. (TB 20–10)

Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 4:56 Matt Bryant 24-yard FG.
    Drive: 14 plays, 77 yards, 7:11. (TB 20–13)
  • ATL – 0:17 Julio Jones 8-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 5 plays, 40 yards, 1:35. (TIE 20–20)

Overtime

  • TB – 7:52 Connor Barth 31-yard FG.
    Drive: 15 plays, 68 yards, 7:08. (TB 23–20)

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–2.

Week 9: at San Francisco 49ers

Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 3 10 0316
49ers 0 17 0017

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 4:05 p.m. EST/1:05 p.m. PST
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 70,799
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Chris Myers, Ronde Barber and Jennifer Hale
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

  • ATL – 9:24 Matt Bryant 44-yard FG.
    Drive: 9 plays, 46 yards, 3:38. (ATL 3–0)

Second quarter

  • SF – 13:41 Garrett Celek 1-yard TD pass from Blaine Gabbert, Phil Dawson kick.
    Drive: 12 plays, 84 yards, 6:26. (SF 7–3)
  • ATL – 6:05 Matt Bryant 36-yard FG.
    Drive: 5 plays, 27 yards, 1:28. (SF 7–6)
  • SF – 3:20 Phil Dawson 44-yard FG.
    Drive: 9 plays, 41 yards, 2:45. (SF 10–6)
  • SF – 1:16 Garrett Celek 11-yard TD pass from Blaine Gabbert, Phil Dawson kick.
    Drive: 5 plays, 57 yards, 1:09. (SF 17–6)
  • ATL – 0:13 Devonta Freeman 17-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 3 plays, 78 yards, 1:03. (SF 17–13)

Third quarter No Scoring Fourth quarter

  • ATL – 2:56 Matt Bryant 19-yard FG.
    Drive: 10 plays, 66 yards, 4:18. (SF 17–16)

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

Top tacklers

With the bitter loss, the Falcons fell to 6–3.

Week 11: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week Eleven: Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Colts 0 7 71024
Falcons 7 7 7021

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • ATL – 8:54 Patrick DiMarco 15-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 83 yards, 4:18. (ATL 14–0)
  • IND – 1:55 Ahmad Bradshaw 7-yard TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck, Adam Vinatieri kick.
    Drive: 13 plays, 80 yards, 6:59. (ATL 14–7)

Third quarter

  • ATL – 9:38 Leonard Hankerson 3-yard TD pass from Matt Ryan, Matt Bryant kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 5:22. (ATL 21–7)
  • IND – 0:10 Ahmad Bradshaw 7-yard TD pass from Matt Hasselbeck, Adam Vinatieri kick.
    Drive: 10 plays, 90 yards, 4:58. (ATL 21–14)

Fourth quarter

  • IND – 10:07 D'Qwell Jackson 6-yard TD interception, Adam Vinatieri kick.
    Drive: 1 plays, 0 yards, 0:07. (TIE 21–21)
  • IND – 0:52 Adam Vinatieri 43-yard FG.
    Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:02. (IND 24–21)

Top passers

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • IND – Frank Gore - 5 REC, 46 YDS
  • ATL – Julio Jones - 9 REC, 160 YDS

Top tacklers

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.

Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Vikings 7 0 31020
Falcons 0 3 0710

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: November 29
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,610
  • Referee: Clete Blakeman
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
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 loss, the Falcons fell to 6–5.

Week 13: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Week Thirteen: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 9 3719
Buccaneers 7 0 9723

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • ATL –
  • TB –

Top rushers

  • ATL –
  • TB –

Top receivers

  • ATL –
  • TB –

Top tacklers

  • ATL –
  • TB –

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 6–6.

Week 14: at Carolina Panthers

Week Fourteen: Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 0 0 000
Panthers 21 7 10038

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Date: December 13
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 74,420
  • Referee: Tony Corrente
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
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 –

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.

Week 15: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Fifteen: Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 10 0623
Jaguars 0 3 14017

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

  • Date: December 20
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: 65 °F (18 °C), clear
  • Game attendance: 64,016
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, David Diehl and Kristina Pink
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • ATL –
  • JAX –

Top rushers

  • ATL –
  • JAX –

Top receivers

  • ATL –
  • JAX –

Top tacklers

  • ATL –
  • JAX –

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

Week 16: vs. Carolina Panthers

Week Sixteen: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 3313
Falcons 0 7 7620

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 27
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
  • Game attendance: 70,981
  • Referee: John Parry
  • TV announcers (Fox): Kevin Burkhardt, John Lynch and Pam Oliver
  • Recap, Gamebook
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 –

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.

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints

Week Seventeen: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
1 2 34Total
Saints 7 7 3320
Falcons 3 14 0017

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

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 ended their season 8–8, and finished 1–5 against their division.

Statistics

Team leaders

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]

Standings

Division

NFC South
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

Conference

# 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[lower-alpha 1] Green Bay Packers North 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .531 .450 L2
6[lower-alpha 1] Seattle Seahawks West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .520 .431 W1
Did not qualify for the playoffs
7 Atlanta Falcons South 8 8 0 .500 1–5 5–7 .480 .453 L1
8[lower-alpha 2] St. Louis Rams West 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .527 .482 L1
9[lower-alpha 2] Detroit Lions North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .535 .429 W3
10[lower-alpha 2] Philadelphia Eagles East 7 9 0 .438 3–3 4–8 .508 .473 W1
11[lower-alpha 2] New Orleans Saints South 7 9 0 .438 3–3 5–7 .504 .402 W2
12[lower-alpha 3] New York Giants East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 4–8 .500 .396 L3
13[lower-alpha 3] Chicago Bears North 6 10 0 .375 1–5 3–9 .547 .469 L1
14[lower-alpha 3] 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[lower-alpha 4]
  1. 1 2 Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on head-to-head victory.
  2. 1 2 3 4 St. Louis and Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on conference record. St. Louis finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory. Detroit finished ahead of Philadelphia and New Orleans based on head-to-head sweep, while Philadelphia finished ahead of New Orleans based on head-to-head victory.
  3. 1 2 3 The New York Giants and Chicago each finished ahead of Tampa Bay based on head-to-head victory, while the Giants finished ahead of Chicago based on conference record.
  4. 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

  1. 1 2 3 Jay Adams (2015-02-24). "Falcons Extend Two Vets, Sign WR Williams". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  2. Jay Adams (2015-02-25). "Falcons Sign K Bryant to Contract Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  3. Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign LB Stupar to Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  4. Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign Veteran S Godfrey to Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  5. Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign Weems to Contract Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  6. Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign QB Yates to Extension". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Atlanta Falcons on Twitter: "The Falcons have agreed to terms with LB Justin Durant, G Mike Person, LB Brooks Reed and RB Antone Smith. #RiseUp"". Twitter.com. 2015-03-10. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  8. Jay Adams (2015-03-18). "Biermann Returns to Falcons with New Contract". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  9. Jay Adams (2015-02-13). "Falcons Add Linebacker Bradford to Roster". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  10. Jay Adams (2015-03-11). "Falcons Add Wide Receiver Hankerson". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  11. 1 2 "Falcons free agency: Adrian Clayborn, Phillip Adams sign with Atlanta Thursday". The Falcoholic. 2015-03-12. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  12. Jay Adams (2015-03-12). "Falcons Agree to Terms With LB Schofield". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  13. Jay Adams (2015-03-18). "Falcons Add More Depth to OL With Smith". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  14. "Falcons Sign TE Jacob Tamme". Atlantafalcons.com. 2015-03-19. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  15. Jay Adams (2015-03-19). "Falcons Continue to Add to TE Position". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  16. "Falcons add former army Fullback". Atlantafalcons.com. 2015-05-04. Retrieved 2015-05-04.
  17. Jay Adams (2015-05-14). "Falcons Sign Veteran Tackle Polumbus". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  18. Jay Adams. "Falcons Sign Veteran Guard Chester". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  19. "Falcons sign offensive tackle DeMarcus Love". www.ajc.com. 2015-07-29. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  20. "With Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman ailing, Atlanta Falcons sign RB - Atlanta Falcons Blog - ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  21. 1 2 3 Kelsey Conway AtlantaFalcons.com Twitter. "Falcons Make Roster Moves". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  22. 1 2 Kelsey Conway AtlantaFalcons.com Twitter. "Falcons Sign WR Harris, Waive LB Spruill". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  23. Kelsey Conway. "Falcons Sign QB Grossman, Waive RB Royster". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  24. Jay Adams. "Falcons Part Ways with Veteran RB Jackson". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  25. Jay Adams (2015-02-27). "Falcons Release Veteran WR Douglas". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  26. Wyatt, Jim (2015-03-11). "Titans Agree to Terms with Former Falcons WR Harry Douglas". Titansonline.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  27. Jay Adams (2015-02-27). "Falcons Release Veteran G Blalock". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  28. Jay Adams (2015-02-27). "Falcons Trim Roster Further, Waive DE Massaquoi". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  29. Fann, Joe (2015-03-03). "Titans Release S Bernard Pollard; Claim OLB Jonathan Massaquoi". Titansonline.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  30. Getlin, Rand (2015-03-06). "Source: LB Sean Weatherspoon, Cardinals agree on one-year deal - Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  31. "Source: Corey Peters to Cardinals on three-year, $10.5 million deal". Nationalfootballpost.com. 2015-03-09. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  32. Hartstein, Larry. "Falcons decline to tender WR Drew Davis : Fantasy News". Fantasynews.cbssports.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  33. "Robert McClain on Twitter: "Thankful to have the opportunity to continue my career with the @Patriots"". Twitter.com. 2015-03-18. Retrieved 2015-03-27.
  34. "Bears ink Rodgers to one year deal". Chicago Bears. 2015-03-31. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  35. "Falcons waive former seventh round pick". Atlanta Falcons. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  36. "Colts reach deal with S Dwight Lowery". Pro Football Talk. 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  37. "Lions sign cornerback Josh Wilson". detroitlions.com. 2015-04-03. Retrieved 2015-04-09.
  38. Larry Mayer (2015-04-23). "Bears sign veteran tight end Pascoe". Chicagobears.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 Jay Adams (2015-05-01). "Falcons Make Roster Moves During Draft". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  40. "Falcons waive TE Kyle Miller". The Falcoholic. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  41. "Falcons Waive Linebacker Prince Shembo". Atlantafalcons.com. 2015-05-29. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  42. Jay Adams (2015-06-15). "Falcons Release Veteran OT Baker". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  43. "Falcons Sign OL Burton, Release G Gunn". Atlantafalcons.com. 2015-08-01. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  44. "Eagles sign wide receiver Freddie Martino; release two others". NJ.com. 2015-08-10. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  45. "Jets Sign Javier Arenas". Gang Green Nation. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  46. Kelsey Conway. "Falcons Sign CB Lee, Waive NT Heimuli". Atlantafalcons.com. Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  47. "Atlanta Falcons 2015 Statistics - Team and Player Stats - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.