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55th season in franchise history; final one with Dan Quinn From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2020 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 55th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fourth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and their sixth and final season under head coach Dan Quinn.
| 2020 Atlanta Falcons season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Arthur Blank |
| General manager | Thomas Dimitroff (fired Oct. 11) |
| Head coach | Dan Quinn (fired Oct. 11; 0–5 record) Raheem Morris (interim; 4–7 record) |
| Home field | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Results | |
| Record | 4–12 |
| Division place | 4th NFC South |
| Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
| Pro Bowlers | DT Grady Jarrett K Younghoe Koo |
| AP All-Pros | WR Calvin Ridley (2nd team) |
| Uniform | |
| |
For the first time since the 2003 season, the Falcons wore new uniforms, which were unveiled on April 8, 2020.[1]
The Falcons failed to improve on their 7–9 season from the previous year following a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season the same week. They suffered their worst record since 2013, and finished last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2007. This was in part of the Falcons beginning the season 0–5, their first 0–5 start since 1997, which included two squandered fourth-quarter leads by more than 15 points in back-to-back weeks. This season was plagued by blown leads, with the Falcons squandering six total leads which led to losses and lost eight games with a deficit of 7 or less points.[2] On October 11, following a Week 5 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.[3] The following day, the Falcons named defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interim head coach.[4] The next day their special teams coordinator Ben Kotwicka was fired.
| Round | Selection | Player | Position | College | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | A. J. Terrell | CB | Clemson | |
| 2 | 47 | Marlon Davidson | DT | Auburn | |
| 3 | 78 | Matt Hennessy | C | Temple | |
| 4 | 119 | Mykal Walker | LB | Fresno State | |
| 134 | Jaylinn Hawkins | S | California | from Baltimore | |
| 7 | 228 | Sterling Hofrichter | P | Syracuse | from Philadelphia |
Trades
| Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|
| Mikey Daniel | RB | South Dakota State |
| Jalen McCleskey | WR | Tulane |
| Juwan Green | WR | Albany |
| Chris Rowland | WR | Tennessee State |
| Jared Pinkney | TE | Vanderbilt |
| Caleb Repp | TE | Utah State |
| Evin Ksiezarczyk | OL | Buffalo |
| Hunter Atkinson | T | Georgia State |
| Austin Capps | OL | Arkansas |
| Scottie Dill | T | Memphis |
| Sailosi Latu | DT | San Jose State |
| Hinwa Allieu | DE | Nebraska-Kearney |
| Austin Edwards | DE | Ferris State |
| Bryson Young | LB | Oregon |
| Rayshawn Wilborn | LB | Ball State |
| Jordan Williams | LB | Baylor |
| Rojesterman Farris II | CB | Hawaii |
| Tyler Hall | CB | Wyoming |
| Delrick Abrams Jr. | CB | Colorado |
|
Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
|
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
|
The Falcons' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[5]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 14 | Miami Dolphins | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2 | August 21 | at Buffalo Bills | New Era Field | |
| 3 | August 28 | Cincinnati Bengals | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | |
| 4 | September 3 | at Jacksonville Jaguars | TIAA Bank Field |
The Falcons' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.[5]
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 13 | Seattle Seahawks | L 25–38 | 0–1 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 2 | September 20 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 39–40 | 0–2 | AT&T Stadium | Recap |
| 3 | September 27 | Chicago Bears | L 26–30 | 0–3 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 4 | October 5 | at Green Bay Packers | L 16–30 | 0–4 | Lambeau Field | Recap |
| 5 | October 11 | Carolina Panthers | L 16–23 | 0–5 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 6 | October 18 | at Minnesota Vikings | W 40–23 | 1–5 | U.S. Bank Stadium | Recap |
| 7 | October 25 | Detroit Lions | L 22–23 | 1–6 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 8 | October 29 | at Carolina Panthers | W 25–17 | 2–6 | Bank of America Stadium | Recap |
| 9 | November 8 | Denver Broncos | W 34–27 | 3–6 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 10 | Bye | |||||
| 11 | November 22 | at New Orleans Saints | L 9–24 | 3–7 | Mercedes-Benz Superdome | Recap |
| 12 | November 29 | Las Vegas Raiders | W 43–6 | 4–7 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 13 | December 6 | New Orleans Saints | L 16–21 | 4–8 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 14 | December 13 | at Los Angeles Chargers | L 17–20 | 4–9 | SoFi Stadium | Recap |
| 15 | December 20 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 27–31 | 4–10 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Recap |
| 16 | December 27 | at Kansas City Chiefs | L 14–17 | 4–11 | Arrowhead Stadium | Recap |
| 17 | January 3 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | L 27–44 | 4–12 | Raymond James Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seahawks | 14 | 0 | 14 | 10 | 38 |
| Falcons | 3 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 25 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
With the loss, the Falcons failed to win their opening game for the third straight season and lost their first home opener since 2016.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 20 | 9 | 0 | 10 | 39 |
| Cowboys | 0 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 40 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
The Falcons got off to a 29–10 lead in the first half, but the Cowboys outscored them 30–10 in the second half, including three straight scoring drives in the fourth quarter to win 40–39. In the waning moments of the game, with the Falcons clinging to a 39–37 lead, the Cowboys managed to recover an onside kick despite three Falcons being there to recover it; the Falcons then allowed a game-winning field goal. With this loss, the Atlanta Falcons dropped to 0–2 on the season, their first such start to a season since 2007. The team also dropped to 11–18 all-time against the Cowboys. The Falcons' 39 points scored were the second-most by a losing team all season (only the Browns scored more in a loss, with 42 points against the Ravens in Week 15).
The Falcons recorded three takeaways (all in the first half), but also gave up 572 yards to the Cowboys offense. Atlanta's loss marked the first time a team that scored 39+ points with no giveaways lost a game; teams were previously 440–0 in said situation.[6]
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bears | 3 | 7 | 0 | 20 | 30 |
| Falcons | 6 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 26 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
For the second consecutive week, the Falcons blew a 15+ point lead entering the fourth quarter. With yet another defeat, the Atlanta Falcons lost their first three games of the season for the first time since 2007. The Falcons became the first team in NFL history to lose at least two games in the same season after leading by at least 15 points entering the fourth quarter.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 16 |
| Packers | 7 | 13 | 7 | 3 | 30 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panthers | 3 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 23 |
| Falcons | 7 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 40 |
| Vikings | 0 | 0 | 7 | 16 | 23 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lions | 7 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 23 |
| Falcons | 0 | 14 | 0 | 8 | 22 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
In the final seconds of the game, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford would throw a walk-off touchdown pass to tight end T. J. Hockenson to tie the game. The extra point was successfully converted, giving the Lions a 23–22 victory. Previously during the game, Falcons running back Todd Gurley had accidentally scored a touchdown on a play where the Falcons intended to down the ball at the Lions' 1, run out the clock and kick a field goal. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1–6. The Falcons wore their red to black gradient uniforms for the first time ever in this game.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 6 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 25 |
| Panthers | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
With the win, the Atlanta Falcons got their only win in their division.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Broncos | 0 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 27 |
| Falcons | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 34 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
The Falcons wore white at home for the first time since 2003 against the Broncos. The Falcons would jump out to a 20–3 at halftime, but the Broncos would attempt a comeback, and outscored Falcons 24–14 in the second half, but the Falcons held on to get the win. With the win, the Falcons advanced to 3–6.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Saints | 3 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raiders | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Falcons | 6 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 43 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saints | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| Falcons | 3 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 16 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| Chargers | 7 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 20 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
With the loss to a game-winning field goal, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the third straight season and failed to achieve a winning season.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buccaneers | 0 | 0 | 21 | 10 | 31 |
| Falcons | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
The Falcons jumped out to a 17–0 lead by halftime, but, in a turn of events similar to Super Bowl LI, Atlanta allowed Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to outscore the Falcons 31–10 in the second half en route to a Tampa Bay victory.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Chiefs | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 17 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Late in the game, the Falcons were in position to tie the game against the defending Super Bowl champions, but Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal which was partially deflected. With this loss, the Falcons fell to 4-11.
| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falcons | 3 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
| Buccaneers | 10 | 13 | 0 | 21 | 44 |
| Game information | ||
|---|---|---|
|
With the loss, the Falcons finished last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2007.
| NFC South | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
| (2) New Orleans Saints | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | 482 | 337 | W2 |
| (5) Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 492 | 355 | W4 |
| Carolina Panthers | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | 350 | 402 | L1 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | 396 | 414 | L5 |
| # | Team | Division | W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | SOS | SOV | STK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division leaders | |||||||||||
| 1 | Green Bay Packers | North | 13 | 3 | 0 | .813 | 5–1 | 10–2 | .428 | .387 | W6 |
| 2[lower-alpha 1] | New Orleans Saints | South | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | .459 | .406 | W2 |
| 3[lower-alpha 1] | Seattle Seahawks | West | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 4–2 | 9–3 | .447 | .404 | W4 |
| 4 | Washington Football Team | East | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .459 | .388 | W1 |
| Wild cards | |||||||||||
| 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | South | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | .488 | .392 | W4 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Rams | West | 10 | 6 | 0 | .625 | 3–3 | 9–3 | .494 | .484 | W1 |
| 7[lower-alpha 2] | Chicago Bears | North | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .488 | .336 | L1 |
| Did not qualify for the postseason | |||||||||||
| 8[lower-alpha 2] | Arizona Cardinals | West | 8 | 8 | 0 | .500 | 2–4 | 6–6 | .475 | .441 | L2 |
| 9 | Minnesota Vikings | North | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .504 | .366 | W1 |
| 10[lower-alpha 3] | San Francisco 49ers | West | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 3–3 | 4–8 | .549 | .448 | L1 |
| 11[lower-alpha 3][lower-alpha 4] | New York Giants | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 4–2 | 5–7 | .502 | .427 | W1 |
| 12[lower-alpha 4] | Dallas Cowboys | East | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 2–4 | 5–7 | .471 | .333 | L1 |
| 13[lower-alpha 5] | Carolina Panthers | South | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .531 | .388 | L1 |
| 14[lower-alpha 5] | Detroit Lions | North | 5 | 11 | 0 | .313 | 1–5 | 4–8 | .508 | .350 | L4 |
| 15 | Philadelphia Eagles | East | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 2–4 | 4–8 | .537 | .469 | L3 |
| 16 | Atlanta Falcons | South | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 2–10 | .551 | .391 | L5 |
| Tiebreakers[lower-alpha 6] | |||||||||||
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