The 2015 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 50th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under new head coach Dan Quinn.
The Falcons started the season 5–0, their best start since 2012. However, they struggled throughout the rest of the season, losing eight of their remaining eleven games to finish at .500 for the first time since 2005. After their Week 15 win at EverBank Field against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Falcons managed to improve their record from the previous season. The highlight of the season was the team's Week 16 victory over their divisional rival Carolina Panthers who were 14–0 coming into the game. The Falcons thus denied the Panthers a perfect regular season, which would have made them the second team since the NFL expanded to a 16-game schedule to achieve that feat.The 2007 Patriots were the first; however, the Patriots lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII. When the NFL regular season was only 14 games long, the 1972 Miami Dolphins achieved a complete perfect season finishing 17—0, while when it was still shorter, the Chicago Bears achieved perfect regular seasons in both 1934 and 1942, but lost the NFL Championship game on both occasions.
The Falcons' 2015 coaching staff produced three future head coaches: quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur, offensive assistant Mike McDaniel, and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan.
Offseason
Coaching staff changes
On December 29, 2014 head coach Mike Smith was fired after back-to-back losing seasons. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the hiring of Dirk Koetter as their new offensive coordinator. On January 15, 2015, the New York Jets announced the hiring of Joe Danna as their new defensive backs coach. On January 16, 2015, the Oakland Raiders announced the hiring of Mike Tice as their new offensive line coach. On January 18, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Kyle Shanahan as their new offensive coordinator. On January 23, 2015, the Chicago Bears announced the hiring of Glenn Pires as their new linebackers coach. On January 24, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Raheem Morris as their defensive backs coach and assistant head coach. On January 26, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Richard Smith as their defensive coordinator. On January 25, 2015, the Falcons promoted Wade Harman Tight Ends Coach, formally the assistant offensive line coach. On January 29, 2015, the San Diego Chargers announced the hiring of Mike Nolan as their linebackers coach. On January 31, 2015, the San Francisco 49ers announced the hiring of Tim Lewis as their defensive backs coach. On February 2, 2015, Dan Quinn was hired as the Falcons' 16th head coach. On February 2, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Chris Morgan as their offensive line coach. On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Bobby Turner as their running backs coach. On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur as their offensive assistant. On February 3, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Marquand Manuel as their defensive backs coach and senior defensive consultant. On February 4, 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced the hiring of Andrew Weidinger as their offensive assistant. On February 4, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Steve Scarnecchia as their assistant to head coach coach. On February 8, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Jeff Ulbrich as their linebackers coach. On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Matt LaFleur as their Quarterback coach. On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Doug Mallory as their defensive Assistant & Linebackers coach. On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Mike McDaniel as their offensive assistant. On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Chad Walker as their defensive assistant & defensive backs coach. On February 10, 2015, the Falcons announced the hiring of Keith Carter as their assistant offensive line coach.
Free agents Number Player Position 28 Javier Arenas Cornerback 71 Kroy Biermann Defensive end 3 Matt Bryant Kicker 68 Gabe Carimi Offensive tackle19 Drew Davis Wide receiver42 Patrick DiMarco Fullback30 Charles Godfrey Free safety79 Mike Johnson Offensive guard20 Dwight Lowery Free safety98 Cliff Matthews Defensive end27 Robert McClain Cornerback86 Bear Pascoe Tight end91 Corey Peters Defensive tackle32 Jacquizz Rodgers Running back64 Jonathan Scott Offensive tackle35 Antone Smith Running back52 Nate Stupar Linebacker50 Osi Umenyiora Defensive end56 Sean Weatherspoon Linebacker 14 Eric Weems Wide receiver 26 Josh Wilson Cornerback 13 T. J. Yates Quarterback
Re-signings Date Player Position Contract SourceFebruary 24, 2015Cliff MatthewsDefensive end2 years / $1,505,000February 24, 2015Patrick DiMarcoFullback2 years / $1,495,000February 25, 2015Matt BryantKicker3 years / $8,500,000March 3, 2015Nate StuparLinebacker1 years / $585,000March 5, 2015Charles GodfreySafety1 years / $1,500,000March 6, 2015Eric WeemsWide receiver2 years / $3,000,000March 9, 2015T. J. YatesQuarterback1 years / $1,500,000March 10, 2015Antone SmithRunning back1 years / $1,400,000March 18, 2015Kroy BiermannLinebacker1 years / $1,925,000
Team additions Date Player Position Previous team Contract SourceFebruary 13, 2015Allen BradfordLinebackerSeattle Seahawks 1 year / $660,000February 24, 2015Nick WilliamsWide receiverWashington Redskins 2-year / $1,100,000March 10, 2015Brooks ReedLinebackerHouston Texans 5-year / $22,000,000March 10, 2015Justin DurantLinebackerDallas Cowboys 3-year / $10,800,000March 10, 2015Mike PersonGuardSt. Louis Rams 3-year / $3,350,000March 10, 2015Leonard HankersonWide receiverWashington Redskins 1 year / $1,000,000March 12, 2015Adrian ClaybornDefensive endTampa Bay Buccaneers 1 year / $3,000,000March 12, 2015Phillip AdamsCornerbackNew York Jets 1 year / $745,000March 12, 2015O'Brien SchofieldDefensive endSeattle Seahawks 1 year / $1,700,000March 18, 2015Jared SmithOffensive guardSeattle Seahawks 1 year / $440,000March 19, 2015Jacob TammeTight endDenver Broncos 2-year / $4,000,000March 19, 2015Tony MoeakiTight endSeattle Seahawks 1 year / $745,000May 4, 2015Collin MooneyFullbackTennessee Titans 2-year / $1,100,000May 14, 2015Tyler PolumbusOffensive tackleWashington Redskins UndisclosedMay 14, 2015Chris ChesterOffensive guardWashington Redskins 1 year / $2,800,000July 29, 2015DeMarcus LoveOffensive tackleDenver Broncos UnknownAugust 7, 2015Michael FordRunning backChicago Bears UnknownAugust 16, 2015Terrell ManningLinebackerNew York Giants UnknownAugust 16, 2015Evan RoysterRunning backWashington Redskins UnknownAugust 24, 2015John HarrisWide receiverPhiladelphia Eagles UnknownAugust 26, 2015Rex GrossmanQuarterbackCleveland Browns Unknown
Departures Date Player Position Note New Team SourceFebruary 26, 2015Steven JacksonRunning backReleasedNew England PatriotsFebruary 27, 2015Harry DouglasWide receiverReleasedTennessee TitansFebruary 27, 2015Justin BlalockOffensive guardReleasedRetiredFebruary 27, 2015Jonathan MassaquoiDefensive endWaivedTennessee TitansMarch 10, 2015Sean WeatherspoonLinebackerSignedArizona CardinalsMarch 10, 2015Corey PetersDefensive endSignedArizona CardinalsMarch 10, 2015Drew DavisWide receiverDeclined optionMarch 18, 2015Robert McClainCornerbackSignedNew England PatriotsMarch 31, 2015Jacquizz RodgersRunning backSignedChicago BearsApril 2, 2015Zeke MottaSafetyWaivedApril 3, 2015Dwight LowerySafetySignedIndianapolis ColtsApril 3, 2015Josh WilsonCornerbackSignedDetroit LionsApril 23, 2015Bear PascoeTight endSignedChicago BearsMay 1, 2015Brandan BishopSafetyWaivedMay 1, 2015Reid FragelTackleWaivedTampa Bay BuccaneersMay 1, 2015Jordan MabinCornerbackWaivedSan Diego ChargersMay 1, 2015Jacques SmithLinebackerWaivedMay 1, 2015Ronnie WingoRunning backWaivedMay 3, 2015Kyle MillerTight endWaivedSan Diego ChargersMay 29, 2015Prince ShemboLinebackerWaivedJune 15, 2015Sam BakerOffensive tackleReleasedAugust 1, 2015Harland GunnOffensive guardReleasedNew England PatriotsAugust 10, 2015Freddie MartinoWide receiverWaivedPhiladelphia EaglesAugust 11, 2015Javier ArenasCornerbackSignedNew York JetsAugust 12, 2015Ricky Havili-HeimuliDefensive tackleWaivedAugust 16, 2015DeMarcus LoveOffensive tackleReleasedAugust 24, 2015Marquis SpruillLinebackerWaived
2015 draft class
2015 Atlanta Falcons Draft Round Selection Player Position College 1 8 Vic Beasley Linebacker Clemson 2 42 Jalen Collins Cornerback LSU 3 73 Tevin Coleman Running back Indiana 4 107 Justin Hardy Wide receiver East Carolina 5 137 Grady Jarrett Defensive tackle Clemson 6 185 None – see below 7 225 Jake Rodgers Offensive tackle Eastern Washington 249 Akeem King Safety San Jose State Notes The Falcons acquired an additional seventh-round selection (No. 249 overall) as part of a trade that sent the team's 2013 first-, third- and sixth-round selections to the St. Louis Rams. The Falcons were not rewarded with any compensatory picks this year. The Falcons traded their fifth- (No. 146 overall) and sixth-round (No. 185 overall) picks to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for the Vikings' fifth-round selection (No. 137 overall).
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Tennessee Titans W 31–24 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap 2 at New York Jets L 22–30 1–1 MetLife Stadium Recap 3 at Miami Dolphins L 9–13 1–2 Sun Life Stadium Recap 4 Baltimore Ravens W 20–19 2–2 Georgia Dome Recap
Regular season
Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 Philadelphia Eagles W 26–24 1–0 Georgia Dome Recap 2 September 20 at New York Giants W 24–20 2–0 MetLife Stadium Recap 3 September 27 at Dallas Cowboys W 39–28 3–0 AT&T Stadium Recap 4 October 4 Houston Texans W 48–21 4–0 Georgia Dome Recap 5 October 11 Washington Redskins W 25–19 5–0 Georgia Dome Recap 6 at New Orleans Saints L 21–31 5–1 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Recap 7 October 25 at Tennessee Titans W 10–7 6–1 Nissan Stadium Recap 8 November 1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 20–23 6–2 Georgia Dome Recap 9 November 8 at San Francisco 49ers L 16–17 6–3 Levi's Stadium Recap 10 Bye 11 November 22 Indianapolis Colts L 21–24 6–4 Georgia Dome Recap 12 November 29 Minnesota Vikings L 10–20 6–5 Georgia Dome Recap 13 December 6 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 19–23 6–6 Raymond James Stadium Recap 14 December 13 at Carolina Panthers L 0–38 6–7 Bank of America Stadium Recap 15 December 20 at Jacksonville Jaguars W 23–17 7–7 EverBank Field Recap 16 December 27 Carolina Panthers W 20–13 8–7 Georgia Dome Recap 17 January 3 New Orleans Saints L 17–20 8–8 Georgia Dome Recap
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Philadelphia Eagles With the win, the Falcons began their season 1–0.
Week 2: at New York Giants The Giants would lead 20–17 with below 2 minutes left, but Atlanta was able to pull off the comeback, scoring with 1:14 remaining after Devonta Freeman took it in from a yard out. New York tried to come back, but the Falcons would force a turnover on downs to end the game.
With the win, Atlanta improved to 2–0.
Week 3: at Dallas Cowboys The Falcons would trail 14–28 at one point, but they would pull off their second comeback in as many weeks, as they scored 25 unanswered points afterwards to ultimately win 39–28.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 3–0 for the first time since 2012.
Week 4: vs. Houston Texans The Falcons routed the Texans 48–21 at home. Atlanta would build a 42–0 lead, but Houston put up a fight, as they would outscore Atlanta 21–6 for the remainder of the game. However, the Falcons still won in a blowout.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 4–0.
Week 5: vs. Washington Redskins the Falcons would win this game in overtime against the Redskins. In overtime, the game was sealed away after Robert Alford returned an interception 59 yards for a touchdown to end the game.
With the win, Atlanta started 5–0 for the first time since 2012.
Week 6: at New Orleans Saints