The 2010 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 45th in the National Football League (NFL), their 19th playing home games at Georgia Dome and their third under head coach Mike Smith.
The Falcons improved on their 2009 record, winning 13 games. The team won their first NFC South title since 2004, a bye in the first round of the playoffs, and the top seed in the NFC. In the playoffs, the Falcons fell to the #6 seeded and eventual Super Bowl XLV champion Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round with an upset 48–21 loss.
Offseason
Falcons re-signed WR Brian Finneran to a 1-year deal on February 11, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brian Williams to a 1-year deal on March 4, 2010.
Falcons signed CB Dunta Robinson to a 6-year deal on March 5, 2010.
Falcons re-signed LS Joe Zelenka to a deal on March 8, 2010.
Falcons re-signed CB Brent Grimes to a deal on March 9, 2010.
Falcons cut CB Tye Hill and signed S Matt Giordano on March 16, 2010.
2010 NFL draft
After finishing the season 9–7 and out of the playoffs, the Falcons will pick 19th in the draft. The Falcons traded their second round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs after trading for tight end Tony Gonzalez, and their seventh round pick to the St. Louis Rams for cornerback Tye Hill.
Staff Atlanta Falcons 2010 staff Front office Owner/CEO – Arthur Blank President – Rich McKay general manager – Thomas Dimitroff Director of football administration – Nick Polk Director of player personnel – Les Snead Assistant director of player personnel – Lionel Vital Director of college scouting – David Caldwell
Head coaches Head coach – Mike Smith Assistant head coach/quarterbacks – Bill Musgrave Assistant to the head coach – Andrew Weidinger
Offensive coaches Offensive coordinator – Mike Mularkey Running backs – Gerald Brown Wide receivers – Terry Robiskie Tight ends – Chris Scelfo Offensive line – Paul T. Boudreau Assistant offensive line – Paul Dunn Offensive assistant – Glenn Thomas Defensive coaches Defensive coordinator – Brian VanGorder Defensive line – Ray Hamilton Linebackers – Glenn Pires Defensive backs – Alvin Reynolds Secondary – Tim Lewis Defensive assistant – Mark Collins
Special teams coaches Special teams coordinator – Keith Armstrong Assistant special teams – Eric Sutulovich
Strength and conditioning Director of athletic performance – Jeff Fish Assistant strength and conditioning – Bill Hughan Strength and conditioning assistant – Jonas Beauchemin
Final roster
Schedule
Preseason The Falcons preseason schedule was announced on March 31, 2010. Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 August 13 Kansas City Chiefs W 20–10 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap 2 August 19 New England Patriots L 10–28 1–1 Georgia Dome Recap 3 August 27 at Miami Dolphins W 16–6 2–1 Sun Life Stadium Recap 4 September 2 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 9–13 2–2 EverBank Field Recap
Regular season
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 12 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 9–15 0–1 Heinz Field Recap 2 September 19 Arizona Cardinals W 41–7 1–1 Georgia Dome Recap 3 September 26 at New Orleans Saints W 27–24 2–1 Louisiana Superdome Recap 4 October 3 San Francisco 49ers W 16–14 3–1 Georgia Dome Recap 5 October 10 at Cleveland Browns W 20–10 4–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap 6 October 17 at Philadelphia Eagles L 17–31 4–2 Lincoln Financial Field Recap 7 October 24 Cincinnati Bengals W 39–32 5–2 Georgia Dome Recap 8 Bye 9 November 7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 27–21 6–2 Georgia Dome Recap 10 November 11 Baltimore Ravens W 26–21 7–2 Georgia Dome Recap 11 November 21 at St. Louis Rams W 34–17 8–2 Edward Jones Dome Recap 12 November 28 Green Bay Packers W 20–17 9–2 Georgia Dome Recap 13 December 5 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 28–24 10–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap 14 December 12 at Carolina Panthers W 31–10 11–2 Bank of America Stadium Recap 15 December 19 at Seattle Seahawks W 34–18 12–2 Qwest Field Recap 16 December 27 New Orleans Saints L 14–17 12–3 Georgia Dome Recap 17 January 2 Carolina Panthers W 31–10 13–3 Georgia Dome Recap
Standings
Regular season results
Week 1: at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Falcons began their season at Heinz Field for an interconference duel against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers were without quarterback Ben Roethlisberger who was suspended for the first four games of the season. Dennis Dixon started in his place. The Steelers received the opening kick and drove 42 yards in 11 plays with Dixon going 4/4 for 21 yards on the drive, that led to Steelers kicker Jeff Reed nailing a 52-yard field goal, the longest field goal in Heinz Field history. The Falcons offense was non-existent almost entirely in the first half, going three-and- out on their first two drives. In the second quarter, following the Falcons second punt, the Steelers drove 28 yards to the Falcons 35, but Dixon was intercepted by Falcons linebacker Mike Petersen. The Falcons drove 44 yards to the Steelers 28, but Matt Bryant missed a 46-yard field goal. Jeff Reed then missed a 55-yarder. The Falcons drove 24 yards to the Steelers 31-yard line, and Bryant was successful from 48 yards out as the game went to halftime tied at 3–3.
Atlanta drove 55 yards in 13 plays on the first drive of the 2nd quarter, which took 4:20 off the clock, to take the lead on Bryant's 39-yard field goal. However, Pittsburgh would respond, driving 67 yards on 6 plays, taking 3:47 off the clock, and tying the game with Reed's 34-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Steelers would get the lead again, driving 67 yards on 10 plays taking 5:07 off the clock, on Reed's 34-yard field goal, yet the Falcons would strike back. Ryan engineered a 13-play, 73-yard drive taking 5:30 off the clock, and ending with Bryant's 23-yard field goal, tying the score at 9–9 with 3:28 remaining. After a Pittsburgh punt, Troy Polamalu intercepted Matt Ryan at the Atlanta 30. In a golden opportunity to win the game, Pittsburgh drove 9 yards to the Atlanta 21, but Jeff Reed missed a 40-yard field goal wide ride with 0:43 left. Atlanta drained the clock, sending the game into overtime. Atlanta had possession first in overtime, but punted after 5 plays. It was a bad punt, going only 36 yards to midfield. Pittsburgh delivered the final strike in overtime as running back Rashard Mendenhall got the game-winning 50-yard touchdown run, on Pittsburgh's first play.
With the loss, Atlanta began their season at 0–1.
Week 2: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Hoping to rebound from their loss to the Steelers the Falcons played at home an NFC duel against the Arizona Cardinals. In the first quarter Atlanta took the early lead as QB Matt Ryan completed a 7-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White, followed in the second quarter by kicker Matt Bryant hitting a 24-yard field goal. Arizona would reply with RB Tim Hightower scampering 80 yards for a TD run, but Atlanta increased their lead when Ryan threw a 19-yard TD pass to FB Jason Snelling, followed by Snelling getting a 1-yard TD run. In the third quarter the Falcons continued to dominate the game when Ryan completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Finneran, followed by Bryan nailing a 35-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter Atlanta scored once again with FB Jason Snelling getting a 7-yard TD run.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 1–1.
Week 3: at New Orleans Saints
Coming off their win over the Cardinals the Falcons traveled to Louisiana Superdome for an NFC South rivalry match against the New Orleans Saints. The Falcons trailed early when QB Drew Brees made a 2-yard TD pass to TE Jeremy Shockey. The Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan making a 13-yard TD pass to TE Tony Gonzalez. The Saints re-took the lead with Brees finding WR Lance Moore on an 80-yard TD pass. But the Falcons replied in the second quarter driving 72 yards in 19 plays, taking 10:39 off the clock ending with RB Michael Turner plunging into the end zone on a 1-yard TD run. The Falcons took the lead when kicker Matt Bryant booted a 23-yard field goal. But they fell behind with Brees finding Moore again on a 16-yard TD pass. The Falcons we're able to retake the lead when Ryan rifled a 22-yard TD pass to WR Roddy White. However, Drew Brees drove the Saints into field goal range and they would tie the game with kicker Garrett Hartley making a 32-yard field goal. In overtime, the Saints drove down to the goal line but kicker Hartley missed a 29-yard, chip shot field goal. Matt Ryan drove the Falcons back down the other direction and Matt Bryant hit a 46-yard field goal to give the Falcons the win.Falcons vs. Browns 2010
With the win, not only the Falcons improved to 2–1 but finally won their first game in New Orleans since 2002.
Week 4: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Hoping to increase their winning streak after a win against the Saints, the Falcons played inside their dome for an NFC duel against the San Francisco 49ers. In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early with QB Alex Smith making a 12-yard TD pass to TE Vernon Davis. The Falcons problems continued when Michael Koenen's punt was blocked and recovered in their own endzone by DB Taylor Mays, putting the 49ers up 14–0. Then the Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan completing an 8-yard TD pass to WR Harry Douglas. Then the Falcons took the lead with three field goals from kicker Matt Bryant. He made a 37-yard field goal near the end of the 2nd quarter and a 31-yard field goad in the 3rd. Under two minutes to play with the Falcons trailing 14–13, Ryan threw an interception to the 49ers' Nate Clements who appeared to be headed to the end zone and clinch the win. However wide receiver Roddy White chased him down and stripped the football which was recovered by Atlanta's Harvey Dahl. Ryan then engineered a drive in the other direction and Bryant kicks a 43-yard field goal with two seconds left giving the Falcons another win.Falcons vs 49ers 2010
With the win, Atlanta improved to 3–1.
Week 5: at Cleveland Browns
Coming off their win over the 49ers the Falcons flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for an Interconference duel against the Cleveland BrownsAfter a scoreless 1st quarter, the Falcons got things started in the 2nd quarter. Matt Bryant converted a 24-yard field goal. The Browns replied and took the lead with QB Seneca Wallace's 19-yard TD pass to RB Peyton Hillis. The Falcons tried to cut the lead when Bryant made a 30-yard field goal, but was expanded again in the 3rd quarter with kicker Phil Dawson hitting a 19-yard field goal. After that, the Falcons scored when QB Matt Ryan connected with WR Roddy White on a 45-yard TD pass. The game was a defensive drag out the rest of the way. In the 4th quarter DE Kroy Biermann returned an interception 41 yards to the endzone for a touchdown, sealing the Falcons' 4th straight win.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 4–1.
Week 6: at Philadelphia Eagles
Hoping to increase their winning streak the Falcons flew to Lincoln Financial Field for an NFC duel against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the first quarter the Falcons trailed early as WR DeSean Jackson raced through the defense on a 31-yard TD run. Later, QB Kevin Kolb connected with him on a 34-yard TD pass. The Falcons' secondary continued to struggle when Kolb found WR Jeremy Maclin on an 8-yard TD pass. Facing, a 21–0 deficit, the Falcons replied with QB Matt Ryan hitting TE Tony Gonzalez on a 1-yard TD pass. This was followed in the third quarter by kicker Matt Bryant hitting a 26-yard field goal. However, the Falcons fell further behind when Kolb found Maclin again on an amazing 83-yard TD pass. The Falcons replied with Ryan hitting Gonzalez, again, on a 13-yard TD pass. The Eagles pulled away with All-Pro kicker David Akers making a 30-yard field goal.
With the loss, Atlanta fell to 4–2.
Week 7: vs. Cincinnati Bengals