2009 Atlanta Falcons season
The 2009 Atlanta Falcons season was the 44th season for the team in the National Football League. The team looked to match or improve upon their 11–5 record from 2008 and return to the playoffs, however, the Falcons were eliminated from contention in Week 15 for the first time since 2007, after the Dallas Cowboys upset the New Orleans Saints. Despite not making the playoffs, the team, with a record of 9–7, posted consecutive winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. The only Falcon this year to play in the Pro Bowl was Roddy White. He finished the game with 8 catches and 84 yards. In the first 5 games, the Falcons were 4–1. But, after that, they sagged, going 5–6.
2009 NFL draft
The 2009 NFL draft was held on April 25 and 26, 2009, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The Falcons selected eight players which included seven players on the defensive side of the ball. The Falcons also made a trade with the Dallas Cowboys, giving the Cowboys their fifth round pick in exchange for Dallas’ fifth and seventh round selections. With the 24th selection in the first round, the Falcons selected defensive tackle and All-SEC performer Peria Jerry from Ole Miss to continue to beef up the line. Highly regarded, hard hitting safety William Moore from Missouri was chosen in the second round and speedy corner Christopher Owens of San Jose State was the Falcons’ third round choice. Rounding out the draft were defensive end Lawrence Sidbury of Richmond, cornerback William Middleton from Furman, tackle Garrett Reynolds of North Carolina, linebacker Spencer Adkins from Miami, and local product defensive tackle Vance Walker from Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football.Schedule
Preseason
Regular season
The Falcons' regular season schedule was released on April 14, 2009.Standings
Regular season results
Week 1: vs. Miami Dolphins
The Falcons began their season at home in an inter-conference battle with the Miami Dolphins. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta took off in the second quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to fullback Ovie Mughelli, followed by kicker Jason Elam making a 36-yard field goal. In the third quarter, the Falcons continued their stellar play as Ryan completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez. Atlanta concluded its game in the fourth quarter as Elam nailed a 50-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Dolphins got their only score as quarterback Chad Pennington completed a 9-yard touchdown pass to running back Ricky Williams.With the win, the Falcons began their season at 1–0.
Tony Gonzalez became the 21st player in NFL history to collect 11,000 career receiving yards.
Week 2: vs. Carolina Panthers
Coming off their win over the Dolphins, the Falcons stayed at home, donned their throwback uniforms, and prepared for a Week 2 NFC South showdown against the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta trailed early in the first quarter as Panthers kicker John Kasay got a 38-yard field goal. Afterwards, the Falcons answered with quarterback Matt Ryan completing a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez. In the second quarter, Carolina replied with running back DeAngelo Williams getting a 3-yard touchdown run. Atlanta struck back as Ryan completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jason Snelling. The Panthers crept close as Kasay nailed a 50-yard field goal, yet the Falcons increased their lead prior to halftime as Ryan completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White. After a scoreless third quarter, Atlanta got some distance from Carolina as running back Michael Turner got a 1-yard touchdown run. Afterwards, Carolina mustered an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jake Delhomme to tight end Dante Rosario. On another Panthers possession, Delhomme threw an interception to cornerback Chris Houston. After yet another possession, with time running out, the Panthers tried to rally as Delhomme threw a deep desperation pass, but it resulted incomplete as cornerback Brent Grimes batted it down.With the win, the Falcons improved to 2–0.
Week 3: at New England Patriots
Coming off a successful two-game home stand, the Falcons flew to Gillette Stadium for a Week 3 inter-conference battle with the New England Patriots. Atlanta led early with a 26-yard field goal from Jason Elam, but the Patriots tied the game with a 21-yard field goal from kicker Stephen Gostkowski. New England took the lead in the second quarter with running back Fred Taylor's 8-yard touchdown run, yet the Falcons answered with running back Michael Turner's 2-yard touchdown run. New England closed out the half with Gostkowski's 33-yard field goal.The entire second half was completely dominated by the Patriots. Gostkowski nailed a 22-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 33-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, while quarterback Tom Brady closed out the game with a 36-yard touchdown pass to tight end Chris Baker.
With their third loss to New England since 2001, the Falcons went into their bye week at 2–1.
Week 4: bye week
Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers
Coming off their bye week, the Falcons flew to Candlestick Park for a Week 5 duel with the San Francisco 49ers. Atlanta took off in the first quarter with running back Michael Turner's 7-yard touchdown run, followed by quarterback Matt Ryan hooking up with wide receiver Roddy White on a 31-yard touchdown pass. The 49ers answered with running back Glen Coffee getting a 2-yard touchdown run. San Francisco started the second quarter with kicker Joe Nedney making a 39-yard field goal, but the Falcons began to soar. It started with Ryan's 90-yard touchdown pass to White and concluded with Turner's 3-yard and 1-yard touchdown runs. Atlanta closed out the game with kicker Jason Elam's 40-yard field goal in the third quarter and Ryan's 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth.With the win, the Falcons improved to 3–1.
Atlanta's 35 first-half points was the most in franchise history.
Week 6: vs. Chicago Bears
Coming off their impressive road win over the 49ers, the Falcons went home for a Week 6 Sunday night duel with the Chicago Bears. After a scoreless first quarter, Atlanta trailed early in the second quarter as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler found wide receiver Johnny Knox on a 23-yard touchdown pass. Afterwards, the Falcons took the lead as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White and a 10-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez.After a scoreless third quarter, Chicago tied the game in the fourth quarter with Cutler hooking up with tight end Greg Olsen on a 2-yard touchdown. Atlanta regained the lead as running back Michael Turner got a 5-yard touchdown run. Afterwards, the defense fended off a last-second Bears drive to lock up the victory.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 4–1.
Week 7: at Dallas Cowboys
Coming off their Sunday night home win over the Bears, the Falcons flew to Cowboys Stadium for a Week 7 duel with the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Atlanta took flight as quarterback Matt Ryan hooked up with wide receiver Roddy White on a 4-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys took the lead in the second quarter with kicker Nick Folk nailing a 38-yard field goal, followed by quarterback Tony Romo completing a 59-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Miles Austin and a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Patrick Crayton.In the third quarter, the Falcons answered with running back Michael Turner got a 2-yard touchdown. However, Dallas came right back with Romo finding Austin again on a 22-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys increased their lead in the fourth quarter with Folk booting a 46-yard field goal, followed by Crayton returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. Atlanta tried to come back as Ryan completed a 30-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Weems, but the Cowboys closed out the game with Folk's 34-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Falcons fell to 4–2.
Week 8: at New Orleans Saints
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Cowboys, the Falcons flew to the Louisiana Superdome for a Week 8 NFC South showdown against the undefeated New Orleans Saints on Monday night. Atlanta took flight in the first quarter as running back Michael Turner capped off the game's opening drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. The Saints responded by capping off their opening drive with a 22-yard touchdown run from running back Pierre Thomas. Afterwards, the Falcons regained the lead with free safety Thomas DeCoud sacking quarterback Drew Brees, which caused Brees to fumble the ball, allowing defensive end Kroy Biermann to pick the ball up and run 4 yards for a touchdown. However, New Orleans exploded with points in the second quarter as Brees hooked up with wide receiver Marques Colston on an 18-yard touchdown pass, running back Reggie Bush getting a 1-yard touchdown run, and cornerback Jabari Greer returning an interception 48 yards for a touchdown.Atlanta started to rally in the third quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 68-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Roddy White, followed by a 25-yard field goal from kicker Jason Elam. However, the Saints answered with Brees connecting with Thomas on a 1-yard touchdown pass. The Falcons tried to come back as Elam booted a 40-yard field goal, but an interception from free safety Darren Sharper ended any hope of a rally.
With the tough loss, Atlanta fell to 4–3.
This marked the first time in the Mike Smith/Matt Ryan era that the Falcons suffered consecutive losses.
Week 9: vs. Washington Redskins
Hoping to snap a two-game losing streak, the Falcons went home for a Week 9 duel with the Washington Redskins. Atlanta took flight in the first quarter as quarterback Matt Ryan completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez, followed by cornerback Tye Hill returning an interception 62 yards for a touchdown. The Redskins answered in the second quarter as kicker Shaun Suisham nailed a 48-yard field goal, yet the Falcons kept their attack on as running back Michael Turner got a 30-yard touchdown run, followed by kicker Jason Elam booting a 33-yard field goal.Washington began to rally in the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run from running back Ladell Betts. The Redskins came closer in the fourth quarter as quarterback Jason Campbell hooked up with tight end Todd Yoder on a 3-yard touchdown pass, yet Atlanta closed out the game with Turner's 58-yard touchdown run.
With the win, the Falcons improved to 5–3.