The 2005 Atlanta Falcons season was the franchise's 40th in the National Football League (NFL). It began with the team trying to defend their NFC South division title and 11âÂÂ5 record in 2004. The Falcons started 6âÂÂ2, but injuries on defense caused them to finish the second half 2âÂÂ6 to finish the season with a .500 record.
Bright spots included the Falcons ending their Monday Night Football jinx by going 3âÂÂ0, and on Thursday, November 24, the Falcons played on Thanksgiving Day for the first time in franchise history with a 27âÂÂ7 victory over the Detroit Lions. On the penultimate game of the regular season, the Falcons were eliminated from postseason contention with a 27âÂÂ24 overtime loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Falcons failed to improve over their 11âÂÂ5 season, once again failing to attain back-to-back winning seasons.