2011 Atlanta Falcons season

Offseason

Signings

Departures

2011 NFL draft

Main article: 2011 NFL draft

: 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. : 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.

Regular season

Schedule

Game summaries

Week 1: at Chicago Bears

First quarter

• CHI – Robbie Gould 41-yard field goal, Bears 3–0.
• ATL – Matt Bryant 48-yard field goal, Tied 3–3.
• CHI – Matt Forte 56-yard pass from Jay Cutler (Robbie Gould kick), Bears 10–3. 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
• ATL – Kroy Biermann 50-yard interception return (Matt Ryan run failed), Bears 30–12. Top passers
• ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/47, 319 yards, 1 interception
• CHI – Jay Cutler – 22/32, 312 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception Top rushers
• ATL – Michael Turner – 10 rushes, 100 yards
• CHI – Matt Forte – 16 rushes, 68 yards Top receivers
• ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 5 receptions, 72 yards
• CHI – Matt Forte – 5 receptions, 90 yards, 1 touchdown Top tacklers
• ATL – Sean Weatherspoon – 9 tackles, 1 assist
• CHI – Brian Urlacher – 6 tackles, 2 assists 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

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
• PHI – Jeremy Maclin – 13 receptions, 171 yards, 2 touchdowns
• ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 7 receptions, 83 yards, 2 touchdowns Top tacklers
• PHI – Jamar Chaney – 5 tackles, 4 assists
• ATL – Sean Weatherspoon – 7 tackles, 3 assists 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

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
• ATL – Michael Turner – 11 rushes, 20 yards
• TB – LeGarrette Blount – 24 rushes, 81 yards Top receivers
• ATL – Roddy White – 9 receptions, 140 yards
• TB – Earnest Graham – 7 receptions, 37 yards Top tacklers
• ATL – Sean Weatherspoon – 10 tackles, 1 assist
• TB – E. J. Biggers – 7 tackles With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1–2.

Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks

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

First quarter

Second quarter

Third quarter

Fourth quarter Top passers

• GB – Aaron Rodgers – 26/39, 396 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
• ATL – Matt Ryan – 18/32, 167 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT Top rushers
• GB – James Starks – 12 rushes, 40 yards
• ATL – Michael Turner – 16 rushes, 56 yards, 1 TD Top receivers
• GB – James Jones – 5 receptions, 140 yards, 1 TD
• ATL – Tony Gonzalez – 6 receptions, 60 yards Top tacklers
• GB – Desmond Bishop – 7 tackles, 1 sack
• ATL – Sean Weatherspoon – 11 tackles 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

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

Gamebook 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 yards, 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

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

First quarter

• ATL – M.Bryant 36 yd. Field Goal ''Falcons 3–0. '''Drive: 16 plays, 61 yards, 8:40.'''''
• NO – J.Kasay 52 yd. Field Goal ''Saints 3–3. '''Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 3:32.''''' Second quarter
• ATL – M.Bryant 29 yd. Field Goal ''Falcons 6–3. '''Drive: 9 plays, 45 yards, 5:21.'''''
• NO – J.Graham 21 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 10–6. '''Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:01.''''' Third quarter
• ATL – J.Snelling 21 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) ''Falcons 13–10. '''Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 6:04.'''''
• NO – R.Meachem 33 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 17–13. '''Drive: 7 plays, 82 yards, 3:37.''''' Fourth quarter
• NO – J.Kasay 48 yd. Field Goal ''Saints 20–13. '''Drive: 6 plays, −4 yards, 2:56.'''''
• NO – J.Kasay 44 yd. Field Goal ''Saints 23–13. '''Drive: 8 plays, 62 yards, 3:35.'''''
• ATL – T.Gonzalez 20 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) ''Falcons 20–23. '''Drive: 9 plays, 81 yards, 3:00.'''''
• ATL – M.Bryant 27 yd. Field Goal ''Falcons 23–23. '''Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 1:55.''''' Overtime
• NO – J.Kasay 26 yd. Field Goal ''Saints 26–23. '''Drive: 4 plays, 21 yards, 2:21.''''' Top passers
• NO – Drew Brees – 30/43, 322 yards, 2 TD
• ATL – Matt Ryan – 29/52, 351 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT Top rushers
• NO – Pierre Thomas – 6 rushes, 29 yards
• ATL – Michael Turner – 22 rushes, 96 yards Top receivers
• NO – Marques Colston – 8 rec, 113 yards
• ATL – Harry Douglas – 8 rec, 133 yards Top tacklers
• NO – Roman Harper – 10 tackles, 3 assists, 1 sack
• ATL – Thomas DeCoud – 7 tackles, 1 assists With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5–4.

Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans

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

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

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

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

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

First quarter

• ATL – M.Bryant 34 yd. Field Goal ''Falcons 3–0. '''Drive: 11 plays, 64 yards, 6:07.'''''
• NO – P.Thomas 4 yd. run (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 7–3. '''Drive: 8 plays, 84 yards, 3:28.'''''
• ATL – J.Jones 21 yd. pass from M.Ryan (M.Bryant kick) ''Falcons 10–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards, 3:54.''''' Second quarter
• NO – M.Colston 8 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 14–10. '''Drive: 10 plays, 81 yards, 3:59.'''''
• NO – J.Graham 9 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 21–10. '''Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 1:55.''''' Third quarter
• NO – R.Meachem 24 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 28–10. '''Drive: 6 plays, 86 yards, 3:15.'''''
• ATL – M.Bryant 51 yd. Field Goal ''Falcons 13–28. '''Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards, 3:47.'''''
• NO – J.Kasay 29 yd. Field Goal ''Saints 31–13. '''Drive: 4 plays, 3 yards, 1:37.''''' Fourth quarter
• ATL – M.Bryant 30 yd. Field Goal ''Falcons 16–31. '''Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards, 5:21.'''''
• NO – M.Jenkins 30 yd. fumble return (J.Kasay kick) Saints 38–16.
• NO – D.Sproles 9 yd. pass from D.Brees (J.Kasay kick) ''Saints 45–16. '''Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards, 2:17.''''' Top passers
• NO – Drew Brees – 23/39, 307 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
• ATL – Matt Ryan – 34/52, 373 yards, 1 TD Top rushers
• NO – Darren Sproles – 5 rushes, 67 yards
• ATL – Michael Turner – 11 rushes, 39 yards Top receivers
• NO – Marques Colston – 7 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD
• ATL – Julio Jones – 8 rec, 128 yards, 1 TD Top tacklers
• NO – Jabari Greer – 8 tackles, 2 assist
• ATL – Thomas DeCoud – 7 tackles, 3 assist 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

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

Postseason

Main article: 2011–12 NFL playoffs

Schedule

Game summaries

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

First quarter

• No scoring plays Second quarter
• ATL – Intentional Grounding Penalty on Eli Manning in end zone for a Safety, 13:44. Falcons 2–0.
• NYG – Hakeem Nicks 4-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 2:47. ''Giants 7–2. '''Drive: 13 plays, 85 yards, 7:32.''''' Third quarter
• NYG – Lawrence Tynes 22-yard field goal, 7:51. ''Giants 10–2. '''Drive: 11 plays, 72 yards, 4:47.'''''
• NYG – Hakeem Nicks 72-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 2:44. ''Giants 17–2. '''Drive: 3 plays, 79 yards, 1:32.''''' Fourth quarter
• NYG – Mario Manningham 27-yard pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes kick), 9:55. ''Giants 24–2. '''Drive: 10 plays, 85 yards, 5:38.''''' Top passers
• ATL – Matt Ryan – 24/41, 199 yards
• NYG – Eli Manning – 23/32, 277 yards, 3 TD Top rushers
• ATL – Michael Turner – 15 rushes, 41 yards
• NYG – Brandon Jacobs – 14 rushes, 92 yards Top receivers
• ATL – Julio Jones – 7 receptions, 64 yards
• NYG – Hakeem Nicks – 6 receptions, 115 yards, 2 TD 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. The previous NFL team to score only a safety in a game was the 1993 Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15 against the New England Patriots.

Staff

Final roster

References

References

1. Adams, Jay. "Falcons-Titans game flexed". atlantafalcons.com.
2. Adams, Jay. "Falcons-Bucs Game 'Flexed' to 4:15 Kick". atlantafalcons.com.