The 2020 season was the Atlanta Falcons' 55th season in the National Football League (NFL), their fourth playing their home games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, their thirteenth and final season under general manager Thomas Dimitroff and their sixth and final season under head coach Dan Quinn.
For the first time since the 2003 season, the Falcons wore new uniforms, which were unveiled on April 8, 2020.
The Falcons failed to improve on their 7âÂÂ9 season from the previous year following a Week 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers and failed to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season the same week. They suffered their worst record since 2013, and finished last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2007. This was in part of the Falcons beginning the season 0âÂÂ5, their first 0âÂÂ5 start since 1997, which included two squandered fourth-quarter leads by more than 15 points in back-to-back weeks. This season was plagued by blown leads and an inability to close out games, with the Falcons squandering six total leads which led to losses and lost eight games with a deficit of 7 or less points. On October 11, following a Week 5 loss to the Carolina Panthers, the Falcons fired head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The following day, the Falcons named defensive coordinator Raheem Morris interim head coach. The next day their special teams coordinator Ben Kotwicka was fired. The team failed to beat a single team with a winning record.
Trades
The Falcons' preseason schedule was announced on May 7, but was later cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Falcons' 2020 schedule was announced on May 7.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
With the loss, the Falcons failed to win their opening game for the third straight season and lost their first home opener since 2016.
The Falcons got off to a 29âÂÂ10 lead in the first half, but the Cowboys outscored them 30âÂÂ10 in the second half, including three straight scoring drives in the fourth quarter to win 40âÂÂ39. In the waning moments of the game, with the Falcons clinging to a 39âÂÂ37 lead, the Cowboys managed to recover an onside kick despite three Falcons being there to recover it; the Falcons then allowed a game-winning field goal. With this loss, the Atlanta Falcons dropped to 0âÂÂ2 on the season, their first such start to a season since 2007. The team also dropped to 11âÂÂ18 all-time against the Cowboys. The Falcons' 39 points scored were the second-most by a losing team all season (only the Browns scored more in a loss, with 42 points against the Ravens in Week 15).
The Falcons recorded three takeaways (all in the first half), but also gave up 572 yards to the Cowboys offense. Atlanta's loss marked the first time a team that scored 39+ points with no giveaways lost a game; teams were previously 440âÂÂ0 in said situation.
For the second consecutive week, the Falcons blew a 15+ point lead entering the fourth quarter. With yet another defeat, the Atlanta Falcons lost their first three games of the season for the first time since 2007. The Falcons became the first team in NFL history to lose at least two games in the same season after leading by at least 15 points entering the fourth quarter.
In the final seconds of the game, Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford would throw a walk-off touchdown pass to tight end T. J. Hockenson to tie the game. The extra point was successfully converted, giving the Lions a 23âÂÂ22 victory. Previously during the game, Falcons running back Todd Gurley had accidentally scored a touchdown on a play where the Falcons intended to down the ball at the Lions' 1, run out the clock and kick a field goal. With the loss, the Falcons fell to 1âÂÂ6. The Falcons wore their red to black gradient uniforms for the first time ever in this game.
With the win, the Atlanta Falcons got their only win in their division.
The Falcons wore white at home for the first time since 2003 against the Broncos. The Falcons would jump out to a 20âÂÂ3 at halftime, but the Broncos would attempt a comeback, and outscored Falcons 24âÂÂ14 in the second half, but the Falcons held on to get the win. With the win, the Falcons advanced to 3âÂÂ6.
With the loss to a game-winning field goal, the Falcons were eliminated from playoff contention for the third straight season and failed to achieve a winning season.
The Falcons recorded their first road loss against the Chargers, snapping a six-game road winning streak against them.
The Falcons jumped out to a 17âÂÂ0 lead by halftime, but, in a turn of events similar to Super Bowl LI, Atlanta allowed Tom Brady and the Buccaneers to outscore the Falcons 31âÂÂ10 in the second half en route to a Tampa Bay victory.
Late in the game, the Falcons were in position to tie the game against the defending Super Bowl champions, but Younghoe Koo missed a 39-yard field goal which was partially deflected. With this loss, the Falcons fell to 4-11.
With the loss, the Falcons finished last place in the NFC South for the first time since 2007.