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Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta Falcons Schedule - NFL 2012

Overview of the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons have struggled throughout their 46 year history. They have qualified for the playoffs on just eleven occasions. There most successful season was in 1998, when they lost to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXIII. The 2000's was the most successful decade in franchise history, qualifying for the playoffs on five occasions.

Statistics Overview of the Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons entered the NFL in 1996. They are based in Atlanta and play their home games at the Georgia Dome, which they have done since 1992. They have never won a Super Bowl championship but won the NFC conference in 1998. The Falcons have won their division four times, with the most recent divisional title coming in 2010. Their franchise has qualified for the playoffs on eleven occasions and has a playoffs record of 6-11. Their regular season record is 299-399-6. The New Orleans Saints are their biggest rivals and the two sides have battled for NFC South supremacy in recent seasons.

Conference: NFC
Established: 1966
Stadium: Georgia Dome (1992- present)
Super Bowl Championships: 0
Conference Championships: 1 (1998)
Division Championships: 4 (1980, 1998, 2004, 2010)
Playoff Appearances:: 11 (1978, 1980, 1982, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011)
Overall Record: 299-399-6
Playoff Record: 6-11
Biggest Rivals: New Orleans Saints
Head Coach: Mike Smith
Legenday Players: Steve Bartkowski, Gerald Riggs, Roddy White, Mike Kenn

Atlanta Falcons: Star Players for 2012

Quarterback: Matt Ryan

Matt Ryan was the 3rd pick in the 2008 NFL draft. He was immediately given the starting quarterback role for the Atlanta Falcons and led the side to the playoffs in his debut season making him the first rookie quarterback to start all 16 regular-season games and make the playoffs. Ryan was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Falcons have never had a losing season since Ryan debuted as quarterback and have qualified for the playoffs on three occasions. Despite his regular season success Ryan has struggled in the playoffs, losing all three matches and never throwing for over 200 yards in a playoff game. Ryan is a key part of the Falcons offense as they look to throw the ball more in 2012.

Offensive Star: Julio Jones

The Atlanta Falcons sacrificed a great deal to draft Julio Jones with the 6th pick of the 2011 NFL draft. Atlanta traded five draft picks to the Cleveland Browns to move up into their spot and take Jones. Jones was a star receiver in College Football, helping the Alabama Crimson Tide become national champions in 2010. While injury effected his debut season in the NFL, Jones was still able to lead all rookies in touchdown receptions and finished just behind A.J. Green in total yards in 2011. The athletic Jones is set for a break-out season in 2012.

Defensive Star: John Abraham

John Abraham was selected with the 13th pick by the New York Jets in the 2000 draft. Abraham made an immediate impact for the Jets and was selected for the AFC Pro Bowl and NFL All-Pro teams in just his second season. He was drafted to the Atlanta Falcons in 2006 and had a quiet 2007 season before exploding for a career high 16.5 sacks in 2008, the third most in the NFL. Abraham is now a four time Pro-Bowler and ties the Falcons franchise record for most career sacks.

Head Coach: Mike Smith

Mike Smith began his NFL coaching career as a defensive assistant coach for the Baltimore Ravens in 1999. He remained there for four seasons before scoring the defensive coordinator role at the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2003. Smith replaced Bobby Petrino as Falcons coach in 2008, after the franchises disastrous 2007 season, in which they won only four games. The Falcons are yet to having a losing season, since Smith took over as coach and have qualified for the playoffs on three occasions.