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]
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
2022 Atlanta Falcons staff
Front office
Owner/chairman – Arthur Blank
President/CEO – Rich McKay
General manager – Terry Fontenot
Vice president of player personnel – Kyle Smith
Director of pro personnel – vacant
Director of coaching operations – Brian Griffin
Director of college scouting – Anthony Robinson
Assistant director of college scouting – Duwane Jones
Senior director of football administration – Chris Olsen
Senior personnel executive – Ryan Pace , Ruston Webster , Phil Emery
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
Head strength and conditioning – Dr. Thomas Stallworth
Assistant strength and conditioning – Roderick Moore Jr
Assistant strength and conditioning – Bobby Thomas
Final roster
2022 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
53 active, 12 inactive, 16 practice squad (+3 exempt)
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 3: Atlanta Falcons at Seattle Seahawks – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
10
7
10 0 27
Seahawks
10
10
3 0 23
at Lumen Field , Seattle, Washington
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 4: Cleveland Browns at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Browns
0
10
3 7 20
Falcons
10
0
0 13 23
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
49ers
0
14
0 0 14
Falcons
14
7
7 0 28
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 7: Atlanta Falcons at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
0
17
0 0 17
Bengals
14
14
7 0 35
at Paycor Stadium , Cincinnati, Ohio
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 8: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 OT Total
Panthers
3
7
3 21 0 34
Falcons
0
14
7 13 3 37
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : October 30Game time : 1:00 p.m. EDTGame weather : None (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 68,996Referee : Shawn Hochuli TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon SpakeRecap , Game Book
Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 9: Los Angeles Chargers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Chargers
0
14
0 6 20
Falcons
10
0
7 0 17
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : November 6Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Cloudy, 80 °F (27 °C) (retractable roof open)Game attendance : 69,299Referee : John Hussey TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon SpakeRecap , Game Book
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 11: Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Bears
7
10
0 7 24
Falcons
7
10
7 3 27
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : November 20Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : None (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 69,757Referee : Tra BlakeTV announcers (Fox) : Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam OliverRecap , Game Book
Week 12: at Washington Commanders
Week 12: Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
3
7
3 0 13
Commanders
7
3
6 3 19
at FedExField , Landover, Maryland
Date : November 27Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Rain, 49 °F (9 °C)Game attendance : 53,864Referee : Brad Rogers TV announcers (Fox) : Adam Amin , Mark Schlereth and Kristina PinkRecap , Game Book
Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 13: Pittsburgh Steelers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Steelers
3
13
3 0 19
Falcons
0
6
7 3 16
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
Week 15: Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
0
3
7 8 18
Saints
14
0
7 0 21
at Caesars Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Date : December 18Game time : 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST Game weather : None (indoor stadium)Game attendance : 70,041Referee : Clete BlakemanTV announcers (Fox) : Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina PinkRecap , Game Book
Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 16: Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Falcons
0
3
3 3 9
Ravens
3
11
0 3 17
at M&T Bank Stadium , Baltimore, Maryland
Date : Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : Clear, 17 °F (−8 °C)Game attendance : 70,467Referee : Bill Vinovich TV announcers (Fox) : Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma and Shannon SpakeRecap , Game Book
Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Cardinals
3
10
3 3 19
Falcons
0
14
0 6 20
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Week 18: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Period
1
2
3 4 Total
Buccaneers
7
10
0 0 17
Falcons
10
0
10 10 30
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Date : January 8Game time : 1:00 p.m. ESTGame weather : None (retractable roof closed)Game attendance : 69,276Referee : Land Clark TV announcers (Fox) : Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth and Kristina PinkRecap , 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
Division
W
L
T
PCT
DIV
CONF
SOS
SOV
STK
Division leaders
1
Philadelphia Eagles
East
14
3
0
.824
4–2
9–3
.474
.460
W1
2[a]
San Francisco 49ers
West
13
4
0
.765
6–0
10–2
.417
.414
W10
3[a]
Minnesota Vikings
North
13
4
0
.765
4–2
8–4
.474
.425
W1
4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
South
8
9
0
.471
4–2
8–4
.503
.426
L1
Wild cards
5
Dallas Cowboys
East
12
5
0
.706
4–2
8–4
.507
.485
L1
6
New York Giants
East
9
7
1
.559
1–4–1
4–7–1
.526
.395
L1
7[b]
Seattle Seahawks
West
9
8
0
.529
4–2
6–6
.462
.382
W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[b]
Detroit Lions
North
9
8
0
.529
5–1
7–5
.535
.451
W2
9
Washington Commanders
East
8
8
1
.500
2–3–1
5–6–1
.536
.449
W1
10
Green Bay Packers
North
8
9
0
.471
3–3
6–6
.524
.449
L1
11[c]
Carolina Panthers
South
7
10
0
.412
4–2
6–6
.474
.437
W1
12[c] [d]
New Orleans Saints
South
7
10
0
.412
2–4
5–7
.507
.462
L1
13[c] [d]
Atlanta Falcons
South
7
10
0
.412
2–4
6–6
.467
.429
W2
14
Los Angeles Rams
West
5
12
0
.294
1–5
3–9
.517
.341
L2
15
Arizona Cardinals
West
4
13
0
.235
1–5
3–9
.529
.368
L7
16
Chicago Bears
North
3
14
0
.176
0–6
1–11
.571
.480
L10
Tiebreakers [e]
^ a b San Francisco finished ahead of Minnesota based on conference record (10–2 vs. 8–4).
^ a b Seattle finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
^ a b c Carolina finished ahead of New Orleans and Atlanta based on head-to-head record (3–1 vs. 2–2/1–3).
^ a b New Orleans finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head sweep.
^ 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.
Team leaders
NFL rankings
Category
Total points
Points per game
NFL rank(out of 32)
Offensive points scored
365
21.5
15th
Defensive points allowed
386
22.7
23rd
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
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Wild card / First round berths (8) Division championships (6) Conference championships (2) Ring of Honor Current league affiliations