The 2022 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 57th in the National Football League (NFL), their sixth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and their second under head coach Arthur Smith.
The Falcons matched their 7–10 record from the previous season, but failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Despite the setbacks, the Falcons defeated quarterback Tom Brady for the first time ever in his career during the last game of the regular season, avenging their Super Bowl LI loss. Also notable for the first time since 2007, long-time quarterback Matt Ryan was not on the roster as the Falcons traded him to Indianapolis on March 21. The team signed former Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota as their new quarterback on the same day. Mariota was reunited with Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who served as the tight ends coach and offensive coordinator during Mariota's tenure with Tennessee (2015–2019). As of the 2024 season, this season is the Falcons' most recent last-place finish in the NFC South.
Draft
2022 Atlanta Falcons Draft Round Selection Player Position College Notes 1 8 Drake London WR USC 2 38 Arnold Ebiketie DE Penn State from Carolina via NY Jets and NY Giants 43 Traded to the New York Giants 58 Troy Andersen LB Montana State from Tennessee 3 74 Desmond Ridder QB Cincinnati 82 DeAngelo Malone LB Western Kentucky from Indianapolis 4 114 Traded to the New York Giants 5 151 Tyler Allgeier RB BYU 6 190 Justin Shaffer G Georgia 213 John FitzPatrick TE Georgia Compensatory pick 7 231 Traded to Buffalo Draft trades
+ 2022 Atlanta Falcons undrafted free agents Name Position College Ref. Jared Bernhardt WR Ferris State Stanley Berryhill Arizona Kuony Deng OLB California Matt Hankins CB Iowa Brad Hawkins S Michigan Timmy Horne DT Kansas State Tyshaun James WR Central Connecticut Nate Landman LB Colorado Clint Ratkovich FB Northern Illinois Bryce Rodgers DT UC Davis Derrick Tangelo Penn State Seth Vernon P Portland State Tyler Vrabel OT Boston College Leroy Watson TE UTSA
Staff
Final roster
Preseason The Falcons' preseason opponents and schedule were announced in the spring.
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 at Detroit Lions W 27–23 1–0 Ford Field Recap 2 at New York Jets L 16–24 1–1 Metlife Stadium Recap 3 Jacksonville Jaguars W 28–12 2–1 Mercedes Benz StadiumRecap
Regular season Schedule Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap 1 September 11 New Orleans Saints L 26–27 0–1 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 2 September 18 at Los Angeles Rams L 27–31 0–2 SoFi Stadium Recap 3 September 25 at Seattle Seahawks W 27–23 1–2 Lumen Field Recap 4 October 2 Cleveland Browns W 23–20 2–2 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 5 October 9 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 15–21 2–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap 6 October 16 San Francisco 49ers W 28–14 3–3 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 7 October 23 at Cincinnati Bengals L 17–35 3–4 Paycor Stadium Recap 8 October 30 Carolina Panthers W 37–34 4–4 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 9 November 6 Los Angeles Chargers L 17–20 4–5 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 10 at Carolina Panthers L 15–25 4–6 Bank of America Stadium Recap 11 November 20 Chicago Bears W 27–24 5–6 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 12 November 27 at Washington Commanders L 13–19 5–7 FedExField Recap 13 December 4 Pittsburgh Steelers L 16–19 5–8 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 14 Bye 15 December 18 at New Orleans Saints L 18–21 5–9 Caesars Superdome Recap 16 at Baltimore Ravens L 9–17 5–10 M&T Bank Stadium Recap 17 January 1 Arizona Cardinals W 20–19 6–10 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap 18 January 8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 30–17 7–10 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries Week 1: vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 2: at Los Angeles Rams
Week 3: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns
Week 5: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 7: at Cincinnati Bengals
Week 8: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 9: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 10: at Carolina Panthers
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears
Week 12: at Washington Commanders
Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Week 15: at New Orleans Saints
Week 16: at Baltimore Ravens
With this loss, coupled with wins by the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers, the Falcons were eliminated from postseason contention. Week 17: vs. Arizona Cardinals
Week 18: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Despite this game having no playoff implications for either team, the Falcons beat the Buccaneers 30-17, officially getting the franchise's first ever victory against Tom Brady. The game featured several milestones for the Falcons rookie class. Quarterback Desmond Ridder threw his first (and second) career touchdown pass, running back Tyler Allgeier passed the 1,000 yard rushing mark while setting the franchise rookie record, and wide receiver Drake London passed tight-end Kyle Pitts for the most receptions by a rookie in franchise history. Following their victory and the rest of the Week 18 results, the Falcons secured the 8th spot in the 2023 NFL draft. As of 2025, this remains the last time Atlanta finished dead last in the NFC South
Standings Division
Conference
Team leaders Category Player(s) Value Passing yards Marcus Mariota 2,219 Passing touchdowns Marcus Mariota 15 Rushing yards Tyler Allgeier 1,035 Rushing touchdowns Cordarrelle Patterson 8 Receptions Drake London 72 Receiving yards Drake London 866 Receiving touchdowns Drake LondonMyCole Pruitt 4 Points Younghoe Koo 129 Kickoff return yards Avery Williams 313 Punt return yards Avery Williams 296 Tackles Rashaan Evans 159 Sacks Grady Jarrett 6.0 Forced fumbles Arnold Ebiketie 2 Interceptions Richie GrantJaylinn HawkinsMykal Walker 2 Pass deflections A. J. Terrell 9
NFL rankings CategoryTotal pointsPoints per gameNFL rank Offensive points scored 365 21.5 15th Defensive points allowed 386 22.7 23rd
References
External links