2011 Atlanta Falcons season
Owner
Arthur Blank
Head Coach
Mike Smith
Home Field
Georgia Dome
Results
Record
10-6
Place
2nd NFC South
Playoff Finish
Lost Wild Card Playoffs (Giants ) 2–24
Pro Bowlers
Tony Gonzalez , TE
Timeline
Previous Season
Next Season
2010
2012
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 the first time the franchise clinched consecutive playoff berths, and the first time it has won 10 or more games in consecutive seasons. For the second straight year, the Falcons did not lose two consecutive regular season games.
Offseason [ ]
Signed LE Ray Edwards to a 5 year deal
Cut WR Michael Jenkins and LE Jamaal Anderson
2011 NFL Draft [ ]
^[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.
Regular season [ ]
Schedule [ ]
^[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
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 [ ]
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
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
PHI – Lesean McCoy
ATL – Michael Turner
Top receivers
Top tacklers
PHI – Jamar Chaney
ATL – Sean Weatherspoon
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 games.
Week 3: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ ]
Week Three: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
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
ATL – Michael Turner - 11 rushes, 20 yards
TB – LeGarrette Blount - 24 rushes, 81 yards
Top receivers
Top tacklers
ATL – Sean Weatherspoon - 10 tackles, 1 assist
TB – E. J. Biggers - 7 tackles
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
Date : October 2Game time : 4:05 p.m. EDT/1:05 p.m. PDTGame weather : 58° F, Partly SunnyGame attendance : 66,266Referee : Walt Anderson TV announcers (Fox) : Craig Bolerjack and John Lynch
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
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 9Game time : 8:20 p.m. EDTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 69,576Referee : 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
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
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 16Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 69,047Referee : Pete Morelli TV announcers (Fox) : Dick Stockton and John Lynch
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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
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
Date : November 6Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 57° F, Sunny (retractable roof open)Game attendance : 65,218Referee : Mike Carey TV announcers (Fox) : Chris Rose , Ron Pitts and Jim Mora, Jr. Template:Category handler/numbered [citation needed ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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 13Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 70,359Referee : Terry McAulay TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony SiragusaTemplate:Category handler/numbered [citation needed ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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 20Game time : 4:15 p.m. EST[ 1] Game weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 68,164Referee : John Parry TV announcers (CBS ) : Ian Eagle and Dan Fouts
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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 27Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 68,115Referee : Alberto Riveron TV announcers (Fox) : Thom Brennaman, Brian Billick and Laura Okmin
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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 4Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CSTGame weather : Played indoors (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 71,545Referee : Bill Leavy TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Tony Siragusa
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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 11Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : 43° F, SunnyGame attendance : 72,680Referee : 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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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
Date : December 15Game time : 8:20 p.m. ESTGame weather : Played indoors (dome stadium)Game attendance : 68,856Referee : Ron Winter TV announcers (NFLN ) : Brad Nessler , Mike Mayock and Alex Flanagan
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week Sixteen: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
ATL – Thomas DeCoud
NO – Jabari Greer
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
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
Standings [ ]
Template:2011 NFC South standings
Postseason [ ]
Schedule [ ]
Game summaries [ ]
NFC Wild Card Playoff Game: at #4 New York Giants [ ]
January 8, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. EST
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
0
2
0
0
2
Giants
0
7
10
7
24
|stadium=MetLife Stadium , East Rutherford, New Jersey
|attendance=79,909
|weather=44° F, Partly Cloudy
|referee=Carl Cheffers
|TV=Fox
|TVAnnouncers=Joe Buck , Troy Aikman and Pam Oliver
|reference=
|scoring=
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
|stats=
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
}}
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
Owner – Arthur Blank
President/CEO – Rich McKay
General Manager – Thomas Dimitroff
Director of Football Administration – Nick Polk
Director of Player Personnel – Les Snead
Assistant Director of Player Personnel – Lionel Vital
Director of College Scouting – Dave Caldwell
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
Offensive Coordinator – Mike Mularkey
Quarterbacks – Bob Bratkowski
Running Backs – Gerald Brown
Wide Receivers – Terry Robiskie
Tight Ends – Chris Scelfo
Offensive Line – Paul Boudreau
Assistant Offensive Line – Paul Dunn
Offensive Assistant – Glenn Thomas
Assistant to Head Coach/Offense – Andrew Weidinger
Defensive Coaches
Defensive Coordinator – Brian VanGorder
Defensive Line – Ray Hamilton
Linebackers – Glenn Pires
Secondary – Tim Lewis
Defensive Backs – Alvin Reynolds
Defensive Assistant – Mark Collins
Special Teams Coaches
Special Teams Coordinator – Keith Armstrong
Assistant Special Teams – Eric Sutulovich
Strength and Conditioning
Director of Athletic Performance – Jeff Fish
Strength and Conditioning Assistant – Jonas Beauchemin
Final roster [ ]
2011 Atlanta Falcons final roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
42 Mike Cox FB
22 Jacquizz Rodgers
35 Antone Smith
44 Jason Snelling
33 Michael Turner
Wide receivers
Tight ends
88 Tony Gonzalez
89 Reggie Kelly
81 Michael Palmer
Offensive linemen
72 Sam Baker T
63 Justin Blalock G
73 Kirk Chambers T
77 Tyson Clabo T
61 Joe Hawley C
62 Todd McClure C
75 Garrett Reynolds G
66 Brett Romberg C
74 Will Svitek T
Defensive linemen
55 John Abraham DE
95 Jonathan Babineaux DT
71 Kroy Biermann DE
93 Ray Edwards DE
94 Peria Jerry DT
98 Cliff Matthews DE
91 Corey Peters DT
90 Lawrence Sidbury DE
99 Vance Walker DT
Linebackers
59 Spencer Adkins OLB
52 Akeem Dent MLB
51 Robert James OLB
50 Curtis Lofton MLB
54 Stephen Nicholas OLB
56 Sean Weatherspoon OLB
Defensive backs
28 Thomas DeCoud FS
24 Dominique Franks CB
20 Brent Grimes CB
25 William Moore SS
21 Chris Owens CB
23 Dunta Robinson CB
36 James Sanders SS
39 Shann Schillinger FS
29 Darrin Walls CB
Special teams
Reserve lists
48 Robbie Agnone TE (IR)
26 Kelvin Hayden CB (IR)
79 Mike Johnson G (IR)
34 Ovie Mughelli FB (IR)
53 Mike Peterson OLB (IR)
Practice squad
85 Marquez Branson TE (Injured)
19 Drew Davis WR
87 Tommy Gallarda TE
30 Matt Hansen SS/OLB
69 Andrew Jackson G (Injured)
67 Kyle Jolly OT
97 Carlton Powell DT
41 Suaesi Tuimaunei FS
65 Jose Valdez OT
86 Ryan Winterswyk TE
Rookies in italics
53 Active, 5 Inactive, 10 Practice squad
Notes and references [ ]
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