The 2002 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 37th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first in the newly formed NFC South. It was also the team's first season under new owner Arthur Blank, who acquired the team during the 2002 offseason. The team improved upon their previous season's output of 7–9 and qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 1998. The team was also involved in a rare tie, matching the Pittsburgh Steelers 34–34 at the end of overtime.Atlanta Falcons 34 at Pittsburgh Steelers 34
Before the season, the Falcons acquired running back Warrick Dunn to help with the team’s running game. Their running game had suffered the past three years. Dunn finished the season with 927 rushing yards and 9 total touchdowns. With the boost of Dunn, the Falcons rushed for 2,368 yards (148 yards per game) and 23 touchdowns, both the fourth-best in the NFL.
After seeing limited action as a rookie, this was Michael Vick's first full season as starting quarterback.
In the Wild Card Game, Vick and the Falcons defeated the Brett Favre-led Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field, 27–7, giving the Packers their first ever playoff loss in Lambeau. However, a 20–6 loss to Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles in the next round kept the Falcons from advancing in the playoffs.
This was Dan Reeves' last full season as head coach as he was replaced by interim Wade Phillips during the following season.
Vick and linebacker Keith Brooking were voted to play in the Pro Bowl after the season. However, neither Vick not Brooking actually participated in the game. The Pro Bowl was Vick's first and Brooking's second. It was the final season the Falcons used their traditional black falcon helmet logo.
The last remaining active member of the 2002 Atlanta Falcons was quarterback Michael Vick, who played his final NFL game in the 2015 season, although he missed the 2007 and 2008 seasons.
Offseason Signings Departures RB Warrick Dunn (Buccaneers) QB Chris Chandler (Bears) DE John Thierry (Packers) G Bob Hallen (Chargers) DT Ellis Johnson (Colts) LB Henri Crockett (Vikings) LB John Holecek (Chargers) FS Ronnie Bradford (Vikings) T Todd Weiner (Seahawks) WR Terance Mathis (Steelers) CB Allen Rossum (Packers) DE Chuck Wiley (Vikings) CB Kevin Mathis (Saints) CB Fred Weary (Saints)
NFL draft
Undrafted free agents
+ 2002 undrafted free agents of note Player Position College Dusty Bonner Quarterback Valdosta State Curt Davis Defensive Lineman Arkansas R.J. English Wide receiver Pittsburgh Corey Harris Safety Arkansas Brian Holmes Kicker Samford Manly Kanoa Guard Hawaii Curt Lessman Center Northwest Missouri State Eric Sims Cornerback Eastern Kentucky Jerry Togiai Defensive Tackle Kansas State Terrance Williams Running back UCF Ryan Wingrove Defensive End Bowling Green
Personnel
Roster
Regular season Schedule In addition to their NFC South rivals, the Falcons played all teams from the NFC North and AFC North. In addition, the Falcons played the New York Giants from the NFC East, and the Seattle Seahawks from the NFC West, based on standings.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance 1 September 8 at Green Bay Packers L 34–37 0–1 Lambeau Field 63,127 2 September 15 Chicago Bears L 13–14 0–2 Georgia Dome 68,081 3 September 22 Cincinnati Bengals W 30–3 1–2 Georgia Dome 68,129 4 Bye 5 October 6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 6–20 1–3 Georgia Dome 68,936 6 October 13 at New York Giants W 17–10 2–3 Giants Stadium 78,728 7 October 20 Carolina Panthers W 30–0 3–3 Georgia Dome 68,056 8 October 27 at New Orleans Saints W 37–35 4–3 Louisiana Superdome 67,883 9 November 3 Baltimore Ravens W 20–17 5–3 Georgia Dome 68,532 10 November 10 at Pittsburgh Steelers T 34–34 5–3–1 Heinz Field 62,779 11 November 17 New Orleans Saints W 24–17 6–3–1 Georgia Dome 70,382 12 November 24 at Carolina Panthers W 41–0 7–3–1 Ericsson Stadium 72,533 13 December 1 at Minnesota Vikings W 30–24 8–3–1 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,947 14 December 8 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 10–34 8–4–1 Raymond James Stadium 65,648 15 December 15 Seattle Seahawks L 24–30 8–5–1 Georgia Dome 69,551 16 December 22 Detroit Lions W 36–15 9–5–1 Georgia Dome 69,307 17 December 29 at Cleveland Browns L 16–24 9–6–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium 73,528Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: at Green Bay Packers
Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 3: vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings
With the overtime win, courtesy of a game winning 46 yard TD run by Michael Vick (which also secured 246 total yards for Vick) the Falcons improved to 8-3-1 (1-2 against the NFC North) and remained in contention for the NFC South division title.
Week 15: vs. Seattle Seahawks
Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions
With the win, the Falcons improved to 9-5-1 and finished 5-3 at home and 2-2 against the NFC North.
Playoffs Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Attendance Wild Card at Green Bay Packers W 27–7 65,358 Divisional at Philadelphia Eagles L 6–20 66,452
Game summaries NFC Wild Card: at Green Bay Packers
Standings Division
Conference
References