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 also the first time the franchise clinched consecutive playoff berths, and the first time it has won 10 or more games in consecutive seasons.
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
LEGEND:
^[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
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
Top passers
ATL – Matt Ryan – 31/47, 319 yards, 1 interception
CHI – Jay Cutler – 22/32, 312 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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
Quarter
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
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
Top tacklers
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
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
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1–2.
Week 4: at Seattle Seahawks
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
With the win, the Falcons improved to 2–2.
Week 5: vs. Green Bay Packers
Week Five: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
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
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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
Week Six: Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
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
With their 3rd-straight win over the Panthers, the Falcons improved to 3–3.
Week 7: at Detroit Lions
Week Seven: Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter
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
With the win, the Falcons went into their bye week at 4–3.
Week 9: at Indianapolis Colts
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the win, the Falcons improved to 5–3 and went 2–13 overall against the Colts.
Week 10: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week Ten: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
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 Siragusa[citation needed ]
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5–4.
Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans
Week Eleven: Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
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
With the win, the Falcons improved to 6–4.
Week 12: vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week Twelve: Minnesota Vikings at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
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
With the win, the Falcons improved to 7–4.
Week 13: at Houston Texans
Week Thirteen: Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter
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
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 7–5.
Week 14: at Carolina Panthers
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the win, the Falcons improved to 8–5.
Week 15: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Week Fifteen: Jacksonville Jaguars at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
1
2
3 4 Total
Jaguars
0
0
7 7 14
Falcons
10
17
14 0 41
at Georgia Dome , Atlanta, Georgia
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
With the win, the Falcons improved to 9–5.
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
Top tacklers
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
Week Seventeen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter
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
With the win, the Falcons finished the season at 10–6 and captured the NFC's #5 seed.
Standings
Postseason
Schedule
Game summaries
NFC Wild Card Playoff Game: at #4 New York Giants
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
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
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
Defensive Coaches
Special Teams Coaches
Strength and Conditioning
Final roster
Notes and references
Franchise Stadiums Culture Lore Rivalries Wild card / First round berths (8) Division championships (6) Conference championships (2) Ring of Honor Current league affiliations