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2009 Atlanta Falcons season

 
Wikipedia: 2009 Atlanta Falcons season
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2009 Atlanta Falcons season
Head coach Mike Smith
Home field Georgia Dome
Results
Record 8-7
Place 2nd NFC South
Playoff finish did not qualify
Uniform
NFCS-Uniform-ATL.PNG
Timeline
Previous season Next season
2008 2010

The 2009 Atlanta Falcons season is the 44th season for the team in the National Football League. The team looked to match or improve upon their 11-5 record from 2008 and return to the playoffs, however the Falcons were eliminated from contention in Week 15. Despite not making the playoffs, the team, currently at 8-7-0, still looks to post consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history.

Contents

2009 NFL Draft

The 2009 NFL Draft was held on April 25 and 26, 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.The Falcons selected eight players which included seven players on the defensive side of the ball[1]. The Falcons also made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, giving the Cowboys their fifth round (143rd overall) pick in exchange for Dallas’ fifth (156th overall) and seventh round (210th overall) selections. With the 24th selection in the first round, the Falcons selected defensive tackle and All-SEC performer Peria Jerry from Ole Miss[2] to continue to beef up the line. Highly-regarded, hard hitting safety William Moore from Missouri was chosen in the second round[3] and speedy corner Christopher Owens of San Jose State was the Falcons’ third round choice[4]. Rounding out the draft were defensive end Lawrence Sidbury of Richmond(fourth round)[5], cornerback William Middleton from Furman (fifth round)[6], tackle Garrett Reynolds of North Carolina(fifth round)[7], linebacker Spencer Adkins from Miami (sixth round)[8], and local product defensive tackle Vance Walker from Georgia Tech (seventh round)[9].

Round Pick Player Position School/Club Team
1 24 Peria Jerry DT Mississippi
2 55 William Moore S Missouri
3 90 Christopher Owens CB San Jose State
4 125 Lawrence Sidbury DE Richmond
5 138 William Middleton CB Furman
5 156 Garrett Reynolds T North Carolina
6 176 Spencer Adkins LB Miami (FL)
7 210 Vance Walker DT Georgia Tech

Schedule

Preseason

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game Site TV NFL Recap
Final score Team record
1 Saturday, Aug. 15 4pm EDT at Detroit Lions L 26-27 0-1 Ford Field Local Recap
2 Friday, Aug. 21 8pm EDT at St. Louis Rams W 20-13 1-1 Edward Jones Dome Local Recap
3 Saturday, Aug. 29 8pm EDT San Diego Chargers W 27-24 2-1 Georgia Dome Away Recap
4 Thursday, Sept. 3 7:30pm EDT Baltimore Ravens L 20-3 2-2 Georgia Dome Local Recap

Regular season

The Falcons' regular season schedule was released on April 14, 2009.[10]

Week Date Kickoff Opponent Results Game Site TV NFL Recap
Final score Team record
1 September 13 1pm EDT Miami Dolphins W 19-7 1-0 Georgia Dome CBS Recap
2 September 20 1pm EDT Carolina Panthers W 28-20 2-0 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
3 September 27 1pm EDT at New England Patriots L 26-10 2-1 Gillette Stadium Fox Recap
4 Bye
5 October 11 4:05pm EDT at San Francisco 49ers W 45-10 3-1 Candlestick Park Fox Recap
6 October 18 8:20pm EDT Chicago Bears W 21-14 4-1 Georgia Dome NBC Recap
7 October 25 4:15pm EDT at Dallas Cowboys L 37-21 4-2 Cowboys Stadium Fox Recap
8 Nov. 2 (Monday) 8:30pm EST at New Orleans Saints L 35-27 4-3 Louisiana Superdome ESPN Recap
9 November 8 1pm EST Washington Redskins W 31-17 5-3 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
10 November 15 1pm EST at Carolina Panthers L 28-19 5-4 Bank of America Stadium Fox Recap
11 November 22 1pm EST at New York Giants L 34-31 OT 5-5 Giants Stadium Fox Recap
12 November 29 1pm EST Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 20-17 6-5 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
13 December 6 1pm EST Philadelphia Eagles L 34-7 6-6 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
14 December 13 1pm EST New Orleans Saints L 26-23 6-7 Georgia Dome Fox Recap
15 December 20 1pm EST at New York Jets W 10-7 7-7 Giants Stadium Fox
16 December 27 1pm EST Buffalo Bills W 31-3 8-7 Georgia Dome CBS
17 January 3, 2010 1pm EST at Tampa Bay Buccaneers Raymond James Stadium Fox
NOTES:

Division games are in bold text.

All games occurred on Sunday, for the exception of the November 2 game at New Orleans, which occurred on Monday Night Football.

Standings

NFC South
view • talk • edit
 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
z*(1) New Orleans Saints 13 2 0 .867 4–1 9–2 500 318 L2
Atlanta Falcons † 8 7 0 .533 2–3 5–6 343 315 W2
Carolina Panthers † 7 8 0 .467 3–2 7–4 292 298 W2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers† 3 12 0 .200 1–4 3–8 234 380 W2

Regular season results

Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins

1 2 3 4 Total
Dolphins 0 0 0 7 7
Falcons 0 10 6 3 19

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Falcons players running onto the field before their 2009 season opener against the Miami Dolphins.

The Falcons began their season at home in a interconference duel with the Miami Dolphins. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta took off in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 1-yard TD pass to fullback Ovie Mughelli, followed by kicker Jason Elam making a 36-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Falcons continued their stellar play as Ryan completed a 20-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez (with a failed PAT). Atlanta would conclude its well-performed game in the fourth quarter as Elam nailed a 50-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Dolphins would get their only score of the game as quarterback Chad Pennington completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Ricky Williams.

With the win, the Falcons began their season at 1-0.

Tony Gonzalez (5 receptions, 73 yards, and a TD) would become the 21st player in NFL history to collect 11,000 career receiving yards.

Week 2: vs. Carolina Panthers

1 2 3 4 Total
Panthers 3 10 0 7 20
Falcons 7 14 0 7 28

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Coming off their win over the Dolphins, the Falcons stayed at home, donned their throwback uniforms, and prepared for a Week 2 NFC South duel with the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta would trail early in the first quarter as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 38-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Falcons would answer with quarterback Matt Ryan completing a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez. In the second quarter, Carolina would reply with running back DeAngelo Williams getting a 3-yard touchdown run. Atlanta would strike back as Ryan completing a 10-yard touchdown pass to running back Jason Snelling. The Panthers would creep close as Kasay nailed a 50-yard field goal, yet the Falcons would increase their lead prior to halftime as Ryan completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White. After a scoreless third quarter, Atlanta would get some necessary distance from Carolina as running back Michael Turner got a 1-yard touchdown run. Afterwards, Carolina tried to rally, but could only muster an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme to tight end Dante Rosario.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 2-0.

Week 3: at New England Patriots

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 3 7 0 0 10
Patriots 3 10 3 10 26

at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts

Coming off a successful two-game homestand, the Falcons flew to Gillette Stadium for a Week 3 interconference duel with the New England Patriots. Atlanta would take flight with a 26-yard field goal from Jason Elam, but the Patriots would tie the game with a 21-yard field goal from kicker Stephen Gostkowski. New England would take the lead in the second quarter with running back Fred Taylor's 8-yard touchdown run, yet the Falcons answered with running back Michael Turner's 2-yard touchdown run. New England would close out the half with Gostkowski's 33-yard field goal.

The entire second half was completly dominated by the Patriots. Gostkowski would nail a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, while quarterback Tom Brady closed out the game with a 36-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Baker.

With the loss, Atlanta went into its bye week at 2-1.

Week 4: BYE Week

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 14 21 3 7 45
49ers 7 3 0 0 10

at Candlestick Park, San Francisco, California

Coming off their bye week, the Falcons flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 5 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. Atlanta took off in the first quarter with running back Michael Turner's 7-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Matt Ryan hooking up with wide receiver Roddy White on a 31-yard touchdown pass. The 49ers would answer with running back Glen Coffee getting a 2-yard touchdown run. San Francisco would start off the second quarter with kicker Joe Nedney making a 39-yard field goal, but the Falcons would begin to soar. It started with Ryan's 90-yard touchdown pass to White and concluded with Turner's 3-yard and 1-yard touchdown runs. Atlanta would then close out the game with kicker Jason Elam's 40-yard field goal in the third quarter and Ryan's 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 3-1.

Atlanta's 35 first-half points would become the best opening half performance in franchise history.

Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears

1 2 3 4 Total
Bears 0 7 0 7 14
Falcons 0 14 0 7 21

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Coming off their impressive road win over the 49ers, the Falcons went home for a Week 6 Sunday night duel with the Chicago Bears. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta would trail early in the second quarter as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler found wide receiver Johnny Knox on a 23-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the Falcons took the lead as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White and a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez.

After a scoreless third quarter, Chicago would tie the game in the fourth quarter with Cutler hooking up with tight end Greg Olsen on a 2-yard touchdown. Atlanta would regain the lead as running back Michael Turner got a 5-yard touchdown run. Afterwards, the defense would fend off a last-second Bears drive to lock up the victory.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 4-1.

Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 7 0 7 7 21
Cowboys 0 17 7 13 37

at Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

Coming off their Sunday night home win over the Bears, the Falcons flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 7 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Atlanta took flight as quarterback Matt Ryan hooked up with wide receiver Roddy White on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys would take the lead in the second quarter with kicker Nick Folk nailing a 38-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Tony Romo completing a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Miles Austin and a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Patrick Crayton.

In the third quarter, the Falcons answered with running back Michael Turner got a 2-yard touchdown. However, Dallas came right back with Romo finding Austin again on a 22-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys would increase their lead in the fourth quarter with Folk booting a 46-yard field goal, followed by Crayton returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. Atlanta tried to comeback as Ryan completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Weems, but the Cowboys closed out the game with Folk's 34-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 4-2.

Week 8: at New Orleans Saints

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 14 0 7 6 27
Saints 7 21 0 7 35

at Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Cowboys, the Falcons flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 8 NFC South duel with the undeafeated New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Atlanta took flight in the first quarter as running back Michael Turner capped off the game's opening drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. The Saints would respond by capping off their opening drive with a 22-yard touchdown run from running back Pierre Thomas. Afterwards, the Falcons would regain the lead with free safety Thomas DeCoud sacking quarterback Drew Brees. This caused Brees to fumble the ball, allowing defensive end Kroy Biermann to pick the ball up and run 4 yards for a touchdown. However, New Orleans would explode with points in the second quarter as Brees hooked up with wide receiver Marques Colston on an 18-yard touchdown pass, running back Reggie Bush getting a 1-yard touchdown run, and cornerback Jabari Greer returning an interception 48 yards for a touchdown.

Atlanta would start to rally in the third quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 68-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White, followed by a 25-yard field goal from kicker Jason Elam. However, the Saints would answer with Brees connecting with Thomas on a 1-yard touchdown pass. The Falcons tried to comeback as Elam booted a 40-yard field goal, but an interception from free safety Darren Sharper ended any hope of a rally.

With the tough loss, Atlanta fell to 4-3.

This marked the first time in the Mike Smith/Matt Ryan era that the Falcons suffered consecutive losses.

Week 9: vs. Washington Redskins

1 2 3 4 Total
Redskins 0 3 7 7 17
Falcons 14 10 0 7 31

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, the Falcons went home for a Week 9 duel with the Washington Redskins. Atlanta would take flight in the first quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez, followed by cornerback Tye Hill returning an interception 62 yards for a touchdown. The Redskins would answer in the second quarter as kicker Shaun Suisham nailed a 48-yard field goal, yet the Falcons kept their attack on as running back Michael Turner got a 30-yard touchdown run, followed by kicker Jason Elam booting a 33-yard field goal.

Washinton began to rally in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Ladell Betts. The Redskins would come closer in the fourth quarter as quarterback Jason Campbell hooked up with tight end Todd Yoder on a 3-yard touchdown pass, yet Atlanta closed out the game with Turner's 58-yard touchdown run.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 5-3.

Week 10: at Carolina Panthers

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 3 7 3 6 19
Panthers 7 14 0 7 28

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Coming off their home win over the Redskins, the Falcons flew to Bank of America Stadium for a Week 10 NFC South rematch with the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta would begin to fly in the first quarter as kicker Jason Elam nailed a 35-yard field goal, but the Panthers would reply with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Jonathan Stewart. Carolina would extend their lead in the second quarter with quarterback Jake Delhomme completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Steve Smith, yet the Falcons would answer as running back Jason Snelling got a 1-yard touchdown run. The Panthers would close out the half with Delhomme hooking up with Smith again on a 4-yard touchdown pass.

In the second half, Atlanta would work their way back into the game as Elam booted a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter, followed by quarerback Matt Ryan finding tight end Justin Peelle on a 3-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter (with a failed 2-point conversion). However, Carolina would close out the win with Stewart's 45-yard touchdown run.

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5-4.

Week 11: at New York Giants

1 2 3 4 OT Total
Falcons 0 7 10 14 0 31
Giants 3 14 7 7 3 34

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Hoping to rebound from a loss against the Panthers, the Falcons flew to Giants Stadium for an intraconference duel against the New York Giants.

In the first quarter, the Falcons trailed early with kicker Lawrence Tynes making a 39-yard field goal. In the second quarter the Falcons came on top with FB Jason Snelling getting a 7-yard touchdown run, until they fell behind with QB Eli Manning hooking up with TE Kevin Boss on a 4 and a 28-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter the FB Jason Snelling got a 1-yard touchdown run for the Falcons. Then the Giants made it a 2-possession game with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 2-yard touchdown run, until the Falcons replied with kicker Jason Elam making a 25-yard field goal. The Giants tried to pull away in the fourth quarter with Manning passing to FB Madison Hedgecock 3 yards for a touchdown, until the Falcons stepped up to tie the game with QB Matt Ryan completing a 4-yard touchdown pass to WR Eric Weems, then Ryan found TE Tony Gonzalez on a 11-yard touchdown pass. At overtime, the Falcons lost the game with kicker Lawrence Tynes getting the game winning field goal from 36 yards away.

With the loss, the Falcons fell to 5-5.

Week 12: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 2 3 4 Total
Buccaneers 0 10 7 0 17
Falcons 0 10 3 7 20

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Week 13: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

1 2 3 4 Total
Eagles 10 3 14 7 34
Falcons 0 0 0 7 7

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints

1 2 3 4 Total
Saints 3 13 7 3 26
Falcons 6 3 7 7 23

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Week 15: at New York Jets

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 3 0 0 7 10
Jets 7 0 0 0 7

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Trying to snap a Two Game Losing Skid. The Falcons Flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 15 matchup to take on the New York Jets. In The First Quarter the Falcons drew First Score with Matt Bryant kicking a 24 yard Field Goal. While the Jets took the Lead with Mark Sanchez launching a 67 Yard Touchdown Pass to Braylon Edwards. Meanwhile after a Scoreless 2nd & 3rd Quarter. The Jets had a Blocked Goal causing them to go up by a Touchdown in The 4th Quarter. While The Falcons come from Behind Put a Late Touchdown From Matt Ryan to Tony Gonzalez for any hopes of a Jets Comeback.

With the win, the Falcons improved to 7-7. However, they were eliminated from postseason contention with the Dallas Cowboys 24-17 win at New Orleans the previous day.

Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills

1 2 3 4 Total
Bills 0 0 3 3
Falcons 7 3 14 7 31

at Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia

Week 17: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

1 2 3 4 Total
Falcons 0
Buccaneers 0

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

  • Game time: 1:00 PM EST
  • Game weather:
  • Game attendance:
  • Referee:
  • TV announcers (FOX):

Scores by quarter

1 2 3 4 Total
Opponents 20 78 17 51 166
Falcons 45 76 26 44 191

References

  1. ^ "Falcons select eight in 2009 NFL Draft". Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. http://www.webcitation.org/5ixIpoxJW. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
  2. ^ "Falcons Take Jerry with 24th Pick". Archived from the original on 2009-08-11. http://www.webcitation.org/5ixIqRRMG. Retrieved 2009-08-06. 
  3. ^ Birds Snag Moore in Round Two
  4. ^ Owens the Pick in Third Round
  5. ^ Falcons Like Sidbury’s Athleticism
  6. ^ Local Talent Selected in Fifth Round
  7. ^ Toughness the Key with O-Line Pick
  8. ^ Adkins First Player Taken from Miami
  9. ^ Birds Take Tech Lineman in Seventh
  10. ^ "2009 National Football League Schedule Released". Yahoo! Sports. 2009-04-14. Archived from the original on 2009-06-11. http://www.webcitation.org/5hSiHe4Mn. Retrieved 2009-04-14. 
v • d • e
Atlanta Falcons seasons
1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009
v • d • e
Atlanta Falcons
Founded in 1966 • Based in Atlanta, Georgia
The Franchise
Stadiums
Culture
Rivalry
Starting Quarterbacks
Johnson • Berry • Lee • Bartkowski • Archer • Campbell • Miller • Hebert • George • Chandler • Vick • Harrington • Redman • Ryan
Head Coaches
Division Championships (3)
1980 • 1998 • 2004
Super Bowl Appearances (1)
Retired Numbers
10 • 31 • 57 • 58 • 60 • 78 • 87
Seasons
1966 • 1967 • 1968 • 1969 • 1970 • 1971 • 1972 • 1973 • 1974 • 1975 • 1976 • 1977 • 1978 • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986 • 1987 • 1988 • 1989 • 1990 • 1991 • 1992 • 1993 • 1994 • 1995 • 1996 • 1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002 • 2003 • 2004 • 2005 • 2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009
Current League Affiliations
2009 NFL season
v • d • e
AFC East North South West East North South West NFC
Buffalo Baltimore Houston Denver Dallas Chicago Atlanta Arizona
Miami Cincinnati Indianapolis Kansas City NY Giants Detroit Carolina St. Louis
New England Cleveland Jacksonville Oakland Philadelphia Green Bay New Orleans San Francisco
NY Jets Pittsburgh Tennessee San Diego Washington Minnesota Tampa Bay Seattle
2009 NFL Draft • NFL playoffs • Pro Bowl • Super Bowl XLIV

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